Hill Country Reunion

by Myra Johnson

  Diana unlatched the trailer door, and Seth gave her a hand lowering the ramp. Sidling into the trailer, Diana clipped a lead rope to Mona’s halter and prepared to back her down the ramp. Apparently, the drive over had only heightened the mare’s excitement. “Easy, girl.”

  “She’s lookin’ kind of feisty.” Seth laid a steadying hand on Mona’s rump.

  “No kidding.” Diana barely got her toe out of the way in time to keep from getting stomped on. “Maybe I’ll take her over to the round pen and see if I can settle her down some.”

  Seth returned to his campers while Diana walked Mona to the round pen. Standing in the center of the fifty-foot-diameter pen, Diana used a lunge whip to send her horse into a trot around the perimeter. When Mona began to settle down after a few circuits, Diana wasn’t quite so concerned about getting tossed on her keister somewhere out on the trail.

  At the horse trailer, she buckled on Mona’s saddle and bridle and mounted up as Seth started her way leading his trail riders. Immediately behind him were Joseph on Spot and Eva riding her new palomino pony.

  One hand gripping the reins and saddle horn, the little girl grinned and waved. “Hey, Miss Diana! You came!”

  “Sure did, hon. Is this Candy? She’s adorable!”

  Eva beamed. “You can ride next to me, okay?”

  “Love to.” Diana prepared to fall in step.

  Then, as she glanced back toward the other riders in the lineup, a familiar pair of crystal-blue eyes locked gazes with her—Tripp.

  She froze, her jaw going slack, while Tripp Willoughby drew closer and closer.

  “Miss Diana,” Eva called, “hurry and catch up.”

  She snapped her mouth shut. Nudging Mona with her boot heels, she reined the horse around and trotted up next to Eva. When she could find her voice, she said, “Hey, Seth, what’s with the, um, new volunteer?”

  Straining to look past her over his shoulder, Seth grinned. “Oh, you mean Doc Ingram’s new partner? He’s just along for the ride. We’re renting him one of the staff cabins.”

  “So he’s...he’s living here?” Her voice climbed an octave. “On your ranch?”

  “Yep. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce you. Remind me when we get back later.”

  Diana grimaced. “That’s okay. We’ve already met.”

  * * *

  Diana was riding with them? Great. And Tripp assumed living out at Serenity Hills would mean fewer unexpected encounters with the woman he’d never gotten out of his heart.

  Could this move to Juniper Bluff get any more complicated?

  Maybe if he made sure to stay at the rear of the line, he could spare them both more discomfort.

  And yet...man, she looked good on the back of a horse! He’d seen Diana in boots and jeans plenty of times, even gone riding with her when they used to spend weekends now and then at his grandparents’ place outside Austin. The passage of time had only made her more beautiful, and though he did miss the long hair, her shorter, perkier ponytail poking out beneath a tan felt Stetson added a certain amount of sass.

  Not that she didn’t have plenty already. The look she’d shot him a few moments ago was one hundred percent sass. Although in that split second of recognition, Tripp had definitely glimpsed something else in her expression, and it looked a whole lot like panic. Considering he’d had the same reaction to their third unplanned meeting in less than two days, he ought to know.

  Noticing his poky old cow horse was falling behind, he gave the beast a gentle kick. “Git up, Tex. No backing out now. Might as well see this through.”

  The trail meandered past a small lake and picnic area, then up a rocky slope shaded by cedars and live oaks. The hills should have been teeming with birds and animals, but with the campers laughing and howling like wild animals themselves, any expectations Tripp had about observing wildlife soon vanished.

  He was too busy watching Diana anyway. And making sure to keep a nice, safe distance between them. Once or twice on the way up the hillside, she scrunched up her shoulders as if she could feel his eyes on her, but she never looked back.

  Soon the trail opened into a meadow tufted with brown grass. Up ahead, Seth angled right, leading the riders in a wide circle as they changed directions for the return to the barn. In another few strides, Diana would be riding directly toward Tripp. His pulse ratcheted up a good twenty beats per minute. Would she say anything? Would she even look at him?

  “Hi, Tripp.” She spoke. Even smiled. At least he thought so. With her face shaded by the hat and a pair of sporty sunglasses, it was hard to be sure. “Enjoying the ride?”

  He had about three seconds before their paths would diverge. “Yeah, can’t beat this weather.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” The quirk of her mouth told him exactly how lame his reply had sounded.

  When she rode on by and he was once again bringing up the rear, he let out a frustrated sigh. Brooke was right—eventually he needed to be honest with Diana about why he’d broken things off. Maybe if she knew the truth, she’d forgive him.

  If only he could count on forgiveness being her only response. The whole point of not telling her in the first place was so she wouldn’t stick by him out of pity or obligation. If they did have any chance of starting over—if Diana would even give him the time of day after how he’d hurt her—he wasn’t about to risk a “sympathy relationship” by playing the Crohn’s card.

  Up ahead, a flicker of motion caught Tripp’s eye—a startled deer bounding into the woods. In the same instant, Diana’s horse shied and skittered sideways. Tripp swallowed a gasp as Diana landed hard in a clump of dry grass.

  “Hold up, everyone,” Seth shouted as he wheeled his horse around. He instructed those nearest Diana to move their horses a safe distance away.

  Tripp wasn’t waiting. He urged Tex forward, swinging out of the saddle the moment he drew even with Diana. He knelt beside her, resisting the impulse to physically check her for broken bones. “You okay?”

  “Stupid horse. I knew she was way too full of herself.” Diana sat up and rubbed her hip, then groaned as she snatched up her mangled sunglasses. “There goes fifty bucks down the drain.”

  Tripp couldn’t care less about the glasses. “Take it slow. You might be hurt worse than you think.”

  “Stop looking at me like I’m one of your patients.” Diana’s hat lay an arm’s reach away. She slapped it onto her head, then cautiously pushed to her feet. Brushing dead grass off her jeans, she scowled at Tripp. “I’m fine, I promise. The worst damage is to my ego.”

  Seth rode over, leading Diana’s horse. “Here you go.” He snickered as he handed her the reins. “Guess y’all should have taken a little longer in the round pen.”

  “Guess you should keep your opinions to yourself, cowboy.” Diana’s sharp tone didn’t match the teasing twinkle in her eye, which reassured Tripp she really was unhurt.

  Her horse still looked a little skittish, so Tripp kept a firm grip on the mare’s bridle while Diana climbed into the saddle. Once she’d settled, he looked around for his own mount. Tex hadn’t wandered far, seeming content to munch on grass and ignore the commotion. Back in the saddle, Tripp decided he’d risk Diana’s scorn and ride next to her in case her horse acted up again.

  By then, the other riders had continued on, leaving Tripp and Diana at the back of the line. Exhaling loudly, she glanced over. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”

  He cocked his head and grinned. “Yeah, it brought back memories.”

  “Oh, please. Don’t you dare bring up the time at your grandparents’ when my horse threw me into the water trough.”

  At least she was smiling—a good sign. “That had to be a softer landing than today.”

  “No kidding. My hip’s going to be a zillion shades of purple by this time tomorrow.” Diana sat straighter and cleared her throat. “We should catch up wi
th the others. I still need to go visit my aunt this afternoon.”

  “Aunt Jennie’s in town?”

  She looked surprised he’d remembered the great-aunt she’d always been so fond of. “Yes, as of yesterday.” Briefly, Diana told him about moving Aunt Jennie into the assisted-living center. “I’m just sorry she had to give up her dog. Juniper Bluff really needs a therapy pets program.”

  “If you need help starting one—”

  “Got it covered.” Diana clucked to her horse. “Let’s go, Mona. We’re getting left behind.”

  Then Tripp was the one left behind, since the old trail horse was content to plod along at a snail’s pace. Just when he thought things were relaxing between him and Diana, she’d shut him down. Was there any hope at all they could come through this as friends?

  Was he crazy to hope for more?

  Chapter Three

  Returning to the barn after the ride, Tripp clipped Tex to the cross ties at the far end of the barn aisle and loosened the saddle cinch.

  Seth moved down the line to check on the campers, then stopped next to Tripp. “So you and Diana know each other?”

  “Small world, huh?” Tripp managed a quick laugh. “She and my sister were college roomies.” It was the truth. Just not all of it.

  Hiking a brow, Seth tipped back his Stetson. “Yeah, that totally explains why you two are walking on eggshells around each other.”

  “This goes in the tack room, right?” Tripp hefted the heavy saddle off Tex’s back.

  “I’ll take care of it.” With a nod toward the barn door, Seth cast Tripp a knowing grin. “She’s limping a bit after that fall, so I’m sure she’d appreciate some help with her horse.”

  Shoulders slumping, Tripp handed over the saddle. The sooner he and Diana could put this awkward phase behind them, the better. Squinting against the afternoon sun, he traipsed out of the barn, hauled in a deep breath and headed for Diana’s trailer.

  She’d just gotten the horse loaded and grimaced as she stepped off the ramp, clearly favoring her bruised hip.

  Tripp hurried over. “Here, let me give you a hand.”

  “That’s okay, I’ve got it.” Turning, she bent to lift the ramp, then groaned beneath the weight.

  “Sure you do.” Ignoring her refusal, Tripp donated his muscles to the cause. Together they hoisted the ramp into position and secured the latches.

  Diana stepped back, dusting off her hands. “Thanks. Again.”

  “My pleasure.” Tripp shifted his stance. “Look, Di—”

  “I prefer Diana, if you don’t mind.”

  “Sorry. Diana.” She wasn’t about to make this any easier. “It’s pretty clear my being here is making you uncomfortable, and I just wanted to say I’m sorry. If I’d known you were still in Juniper Bluff—”

  “What? You’d have turned down Doc Ingram’s partnership?” Her withering stare made him flinch. “Yes, this is a small town, but it’s plenty big for both of us.”

  He bristled. “I’m trying to apologize. We were having a nice conversation for a few minutes there on the trail, and I was hoping—”

  “That we could be friends? Let bygones be bygones?” Diana brushed past him and marched around to the driver’s side of the pickup. “Sure, Tripp,” she called over her shoulder. “Don’t even think twice about it. It’s all in the past.”

  Catching up, Tripp blocked her from opening the door. “First of all, quit finishing my sentences for me. Second, I get it. I hurt you, and I’ll regret it to my dying day. Third, yes, I would like it very much if we could start over as friends.” He let out a long, slow sigh and hoped his desperate half smile would win her over. “Please.”

  Her throat shifted. She crossed her arms. “You’re right,” she murmured, “and I’m sorry. I don’t like this tension between us any better than you do.”

  “Thank you.” A part of him really, really wanted to take her in his arms for a hug, but he figured that might be pushing things. Besides, he was afraid once he held her again, he’d never be able to let go.

  She didn’t give him the chance anyway. After tossing her hat across to the other seat, she jumped in behind the steering wheel. “Need to get going. See you around.”

  “Yeah.” Tripp stepped back as she yanked the door closed. “See you around.”

  * * *

  Diana could not leave Serenity Hills quickly enough. And there was nothing the least bit serene about her departure. She could see Tripp sincerely felt bad about barging back into her life. But friendship, after she’d thought they were on the verge of making a lifetime commitment? The fact that it still hurt so much only proved the depth of the feelings she once had for him.

  Once? All right, still. Every man she’d dated since had the misfortune of being held to the standard set by Tripp Willoughby. Either the guy wasn’t funny, smart, kind or romantic enough, or if he happened to meet all those criteria, there remained the chance he’d dump Diana just like Tripp had. It was a lose-lose proposition any way she looked at it.

  Arriving at her dad’s ranch, she returned Mona to the pasture, then backed the horse trailer into its spot next to the garage. Before she could get it unhitched, her dad came out to help.

  “Have a good time?” he asked.

  “It was fun—until Mona spooked and I hit the ground.”

  “Uh-oh. You okay?”

  “I’ll live.” Stooped over the trailer hitch, she could pretend her hip was the only thing bothering her.

  When they’d moved the trailer tongue onto a cinder block, she thanked her dad and forestalled more questions by saying she needed to get home and change before going over to see Aunt Jennie. She just hoped to have her emotions a little more under control by then.

  An hour later, with freshly washed, finger-combed hair and wearing a clean pair of jeans with a purple peasant top, Diana tapped on the door of her great-aunt’s tiny apartment. A soft “Coming, dear” and shuffling feet preceded the click of the doorknob. The door swung open, and Aunt Jennie welcomed Diana with a cheery smile and a warm hug.

  Diana stepped into the cozy sitting room. Her great-aunt’s plush blue recliner and favorite antique end table added a homey touch. “Looks like Mom and Dad got you all settled. It’s a lovely apartment.”

  “Yes, it’s quite comfortable, and the people here are as nice as can be.” Aunt Jennie sighed as she eased into the recliner. “Only one thing could make it better.”

  “I know—you miss Ginger. Tell you what,” Diana said as she plopped onto the love seat. “One day this week I’ll take you over to my house and you can hug on my critters.”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful.” A bright smile lit Aunt Jennie’s face. “Do you still have all three of those spoiled-rotten cats? And the rabbit, too?”

  “Sure do. Plus a stray parakeet I found fluttering around the bird feeder last spring. He’s made himself right at home, and he knows how to show those cats who’s boss.”

  As Diana described her menagerie, she itched to get rolling with her plans for a therapy pets program. Not only would it make Aunt Jennie’s transition a little easier, but pet visits could bring a spark of life and laughter to the other residents, as well.

  * * *

  The next morning, Diana awoke to a blaring clock radio and an overweight gray-striped tabby sitting on her chest. She slapped the off button on the radio while shoving the cat to one side. “Okay, okay, Tiger, I’m awake.”

  Midnight and Lucinda, the tomcat’s partners in crime, paced across Diana’s feet, all apparently near starvation, if their plaintive mews could be believed.

  The hardest part of owning a doughnut shop? The 4:00 a.m. wake-up call. And Diana had stayed up entirely too late last night downloading information and application forms for starting a therapy pets program. Tossing back the covers, she stumbled to the bathroom and splashed water on her fac
e, then saw to her pets before sitting down to her own breakfast.

  By 4:50 she was out the door. At the shop, she helped Kimberly start batches of doughnuts, muffins, scones and apple fritters, then set up the coffeemakers. At one minute before six, she flipped the Closed sign to Open and unlocked the door.

  After the early-morning rush ended, she helped Kimberly get more pastries in the oven, then made herself a café mocha latte and carried it to her office. Logging in to her email account, she hoped to have a response from the therapy pet organization she’d contacted about sponsoring a chapter in Juniper Bluff.

  And she did. Agnes Kraus, a representative from Visiting Pet Pals, asked Diana to call at her earliest convenience. Adrenaline pumping, she dialed the number immediately.

  “Yes, Diana, it’s good to hear from you,” Mrs. Kraus said. “We’re delighted you want to launch a program in Juniper Bluff.” Papers rustled. “I’m looking at your application right now. I see you want to focus on dog owners initially. How are you doing with potential volunteers?”

  Diana chewed her lip. “No commitments yet, but I have some acquaintances in mind. I was planning to get going on that over the next few days.”

  “You do understand each dog must have basic obedience certification? Plus, we require a minimum of eight sign-ups before I can make the trip to evaluate the animals and conduct a training session specific to therapy pets.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Diana said, quickly jotting reminders. “I have your list of requirements right here in front of me. Once I have my volunteers, how soon could we be evaluated?”

  Mrs. Kraus paused, the sound of clicking computer keys filling the silence. “My fall schedule is filling up, so the earliest date would be the second Saturday of November. That would give you about six weeks to get your team together.”

  Diana clicked open her own calendar and counted off the weeks. She’d hoped to hold the first official pet visit at the assisted-living center as a surprise for Aunt Jennie’s birthday, a few days before Thanksgiving. It just might be doable—provided she could come up with eight qualified dog owners.