He had his arms folded on the rail, looking all Zen, as he always did, chewing on a toothpick. Nothing ever rattled the man.
“How long have you been standing there?” she asked.
“A little while.”
“Okay, so you caught me.”
“Yup.”
“I’m just thinking about it, is all.”
“Uh-huh.”
She pressed her forehead against the saddle leather again. “Okay, maybe a leg up.”
He ducked through the corral and sauntered toward her. Ken, more than anyone, understood what it meant that she’d given up riding. That he was keeping his counsel now didn’t surprise her. She knew he had a lot to say on the subject, but generally, he didn’t.
And then, before she was ready, she was in mid-air, swinging onto the saddle, feeling like her heart might just come to a full stop. She felt ridiculous and silly to be so scared. Fear of snakes or heights or airplanes, now those things she understood. But this?
Ken had hold of Magic’s reins and held him still, but Olivia was folded over the horse’s neck, trying to catch her breath.
“You got this,” Ken said, soothing a hand down Magic’s shoulder and pulling the reins over his head for her to hold. She fisted them along with a clump of mane. “I’m gonna let ‘im go now.”
‘Wait—”
But he didn’t. He let him go and Magic shied sideways and stumbled toward the edge of the ring with her unfamiliar weight on him. Instinct urged him to knock or brush her off on the nearest object which, tonight, happened to be the rail. “Easy, Magic—whoa, boy—”
He fought her and headed directly for the rail, crashing into it a fraction of a second after she lifted her leg out of the way and flung herself off in the other direction.
She sprawled with a hard whoof in the soft dirt and heard Ken come running toward Magic to gather up his reins and keep him from running her over.
Breathless, she clawed her fingers in the dirt, grabbing fistfuls in disgust.
Stupid, stupid! She’d panicked. She could have stayed on, but she’d panicked. Like a seven-year-old novice. Actually, seven-year-olds were braver than her.
“You okay?” Ken asked, offering her a hand up.
When she caught her breath, she took his hand, slowly, getting to her feet, feeling sore and embarrassed.
Her eyes filled. “No.”
“You hurt yourself?”
She brushed dirt off her jeans and shirt, sending clouds up in the air. “I don’t know. If you see my dignity anywhere, you can ask.”
Ken wasn’t above a chuckle. “Maybe you shouldn’t be startin’ off with the likes of Magic. Untested horse like that. Miss Gracie over there, now, she’s easy as pie.”
She didn’t want to talk about it. If she couldn’t get on a horse who needed her as much as she needed him, then what was she doing here? She might as well be hanging wallpaper.
She blinked back tears and brushed a hand at Ken’s dinner clothes. “I got your suit all dirty.”
“Not like I ain’t used to a little dirt.” He reached out and brushed the smear of it from her cheek with his fingers. “But that’s gonna leave a bruise.” Holding Magic’s reins out to her he asked, “You want another go?”
She swallowed hard and took hold of the horse’s bridle. She should, absolutely should get back on that horse. If she didn’t, she was a fool.
Which apparently she was, because she said, “Not tonight. Look at me. I have to change for dinner.”
“There’s still a little time.” It was out of character for Ken to push her, but he was pushing.
“I-I don’t think Magic’s ready. I think I need to do some more ground work with him.” She turned to leave, leading Magic behind her.
“Whatever you say. You just remember, Olivia, you got up on that horse. And you will do it again.”
She nodded back at him. But she wasn’t sure about that. She wasn’t sure at all.
*
Beck’s Place was an up and comer on the Marietta restaurant scene, though it wasn’t technically in Marietta, but a few miles out of town, perched on the edge of a pretty lake. It was Jake’s first time here, though he’d heard about it from Ben, who he’d dragged along, against his will.
“They don’t even know me,” he’d argued. “It’s a private party.”
But Jake wouldn’t take no for an answer. He knew that Liv’s stepsisters, Kate and Eve, would be part of this celebration and he suspected Ben, who was a little shy and in danger of becoming another Deke by living out at Jake’s parents’ place all alone, when he wasn’t devoting his life to the hospital and his patients.
They’d known each other since they were kids but after high school—Ben was two years older than Jake—they’d gone off in two different directions. Jake to the army, Ben to Stanford and medical school. Now an orthopedic surgeon, Ben had dreamed of practicing in the area but his family had long since moved to Northern California. So, Jake had offered to let him live in his parents’ house, rent-free, in exchange for watching over the place. The trade was more than fair.
Ben had flown directly to Walter Reed Hospital, two years ago, to consult on Jake’s leg injury, when he’d arrived from overseas. But he’d really shown up because that was who he was. He wanted to make sure things were done right—something Jake would always be grateful for.
Beck’s Place was a white table cloth kind of restaurant with a lodge-like feel that was strictly upscale, with a cool bar and a piano at the center of the restaurant. A young man was playing something jazzy and soulful as they followed the blonde hostess across the dining room to the torch-lit outdoor patio that overlooked the river.
They were at a long table under strung up lights and Jake could hear Olivia’s stepdad, Reed, telling one of his fishing stories, with Ken embellishing, when Olivia turned and saw him coming. She shot to her feet, drawing Reed’s glance and everyone else’s at the table.
A goofy smile he couldn’t stop spread across Jake’s face. She was breathtaking with her dark hair curling softly around the bare shoulders of her mocha-colored, summer dress, a little gauzy thing that hugged her in all the right places and set off the green of her eyes like it was made for her. She looked happy to see him.
“Everyone,” she said, “you remember Jake Lassen and his friend, Dr. Ben Tyler. Ben’s an orthopedic surgeon now,” she added for the benefit of her sisters who were already checking him out.
Reed, Jaycee, and the rest got to their feet and came to greet them.
“It’s been a long time, Jake,” Reed said, hugging him with real affection. “I hear you made quite a name for yourself over there. Well done, my boy.”
“Thank you, sir. That means a lot coming from you.”
Ben was welcomed in, too, and immediately Jake knew it had been the right thing to bring him here. This family reminded him, in a big way, of his own and for a bittersweet moment, he wished they could be here, part of this. They would’ve loved it.
He took a seat next to Olivia, who leaned close to his ear. “Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he said, and squeezed her hand under the table.
Her fingers curled around his. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”
“There would have had to be blood to keep me away.”
The smile she sent him hit him right in the solar plexus. Ben took a seat, which Jake guessed had been strategically saved between Kate and Eve, who already had him laughing. A good sign. Jake relaxed a little and took a sip of water.
When the waiter had filled their glasses from the already open wine bottles on the table, Jaycee stood and raised her glass in a toast. “Now that we’re all here. I’d like to welcome our guests, Jake and Ben, and make a toast to my wonderful husband, Reed, who turns sixty today. For being my rock and my dearest friend, for always knowing better than to ask ‘what’s for dinner?’ and instead, making the best salads—”
“—and occasionally the best barbecued ribs—” Reed added modes
tly.
“—known to mankind. For being the father you are to our daughters and teaching them what a man is and should be. I adore you.” She looked at her oldest daughter. “And to our beautiful Olivia, whose thirtieth birthday we also celebrate here and whom we love more than we can say”—she started to tear up—“we’re so happy to have you back. Happy, happy birthday to you both!”
A round of seconds and glasses clinking echoed over the lake. Jake had been in Italy and the south of France during his time in the service, and he’d eaten at tables just like this one. But it was hard to beat this place tonight. Marietta felt perfect right now. Like home. It was almost too perfect—after all those years flying missions over a night-blackened desert—and this thing he’d envisioned, being here with Liv and her family, could have come to pass. With her hand in his, he felt incredibly lucky. Lucky to have survived the last twelve years and lucky to be right where he was.
Over the rim of her glass, Olivia’s clear, green eyes went dark, turning something closer to malachite, and filled with things she wouldn’t say to him. At least not here. Once he’d been able to read her every thought, but those days were far behind. Now, her eyes were full of nuance and worry and other things he didn’t understand.
He had the urge to kiss her, right here, full on the mouth. Kiss her worries right out of her. But he restrained himself. She wouldn’t want everyone to see it, yet.
She didn’t know it, but someday, he would kiss her when and where he wanted, and she’d like it. Someday, she’d even kiss him first.
The evening was full of laughter, good food and wine, and Ben had perked up with the sisters’ attention. Reed sat beside Jake and wanted to know all about piloting a helicopter, and Jake promised to take him and Jaycee up for a private tour of the area for Reed’s birthday. He deliberately avoided asking Jake about the war, for which he was grateful.
Olivia told him about her day, though she seemed troubled by something. If it was their relationship on her mind, he’d settle that with her later tonight. There was a lot to say and he didn’t have it all worked out. But he knew what he wanted. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy being near her, feeling part of her family and her life.
Eve was huddled with Ben, discussing innovations in stem-cell therapy and spinal injuries, a topic that had Kate pouring herself more wine.
An older woman he didn’t recognize approached the table with her husband. Not extravagantly dressed, she was wearing too many jewels for the locale and the pair of them smelled of money.
“Jaycee, darling! What a marvelous gathering of family you have here!” The woman air-kissed both of Jaycee’s cheeks. “When I saw you, I just had to come over and say hello. Reed, Jaycee? How are you? And, oh my goodness, this can’t be Olivia. Can it?”
Olivia got to her feet and offered her hand. “Hi, Mrs. Morgan.”
Mrs. Morgan’s gaze strayed rather pointedly to Jake then back to Olivia again as if she was waiting for an introduction, which Jaycee accomplished quickly.
“Didn’t I hear you were a helicopter pilot, Jake? Rescue of some sort?” the woman asked.
How the hell did she know that? “Yes, ma’am. I was. In the army.”
“Oh, isn’t that fascinating?” When she turned her attention back to Olivia, she tipped her head at her like she was looking at a puppy with three legs. “Well-ll… we had heard you were back in town, didn’t we, Chet? After your… well, your divorce and all…” She tsked. “How are you, dear? You have had a hard time, I hear. But hope is on the horizon.”
Olivia’s face flushed and her eyes went dark. In response, the hairs on the back of Jake’s neck went up and he braced his hand against the small of her back.
“She’s doing just fine,” Jaycee said tautly.
“Yeah. If you don’t count the alien abduction a few months ago, the three of us,” Kate piped in. “Terrifying. Right, Eve?”
Eve caught the ball. “Or getting”—she shuddered dramatically—“probed. And let me tell you, that’s no fun. Livy doesn’t really like to talk about it.”
Mrs. Morgan blinked, her astonished gaze swirling between the three women.
Olivia rubbed a spot on the back of her neck and made a face. “Because now I have this little… thing… under my skin… right here. Wanna feel?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Mrs. Morgan sent an impatient look at Jaycee, who had steepled her fingers over her mouth. Kate and Eve were biting back grins while Reed cleared his throat, studying something on the white tablecloth.
“But otherwise, things have been going pretty well.” Olivia turned to Jake. “Wouldn’t you say, Jake?”
“Absolutely,” he answered, giving her a squeeze. “Aliens aside.”
“That’s all very amusing, girls,” Reeva said. “I was just trying to show my concern.”
“And that is so appreciated,” Kate told her brightly. “Maybe you’d like to stay for some birthday cake.”
“It should be here any minute,” Eve added. “Oh, and there’s a little, tiny spaceship on it, too… y’know, just to commemorate.”
The woman shot a look at her husband, who’d been scowling at her since they walked over, and he stepped in. “Thank you for the kind offer, but we must be going. We’ll let you folks enjoy the rest of your meal. Please forgive the interruption. And happy birthday, both of you.”
“Good to see you again, Chet. Reeva,” Reed mumbled, sending them a taut two-fingered salute.
As they disappeared inside the restaurant, the Canadays dissolved into helpless giggles.
“Oh, my God,” Eve snorted. “The look on her face… priceless!”
“A leeettle, tiny spaceship…” Kate gasped, squeezing the air between two fingers.
“A probe…?” Jaycee managed when she could speak again. “Oh, you girls…”
“What?” Olivia touched her neck again. “You wanna feel it?”
Eve shrieked with laughter.
*
When the cake came out, the waiters sang happy birthday to them both. Olivia, who had drunk a little more wine than she’d intended to, let Jake put his arm around her and kiss her on the forehead. She’d leaned into his lips like a cat into a caress and wished they could be somewhere else to make that kiss the proper one they both longed to give each other. He made her feel hungry. Needy for more.
What was happening to her? She felt a little drunk on him, a little giddy, and a bit of the other emotion that had the habit of eluding her—hopeful—which, in itself, didn’t alarm her. Who didn’t want hopeful? It was the ‘what if’ that scared her. What if she risked her heart again? What if Jake actually meant what his touch was saying to her?
What if she loved him? And not in a best-friend-with-benefits kind of way?
Too fast.
But maybe not. No one knew the real Olivia better than him. And, she suspected, no one knew him the way she did, either—the two of them, who they were before everything in their lives had blown up like a roadside bomb. Somewhere, inside, she was still that Olivia she’d been missing for such a long time.
Reed raised a glass to toast his family and, as glasses clinked together, Ben got a call and had to leave for an emergency call in Livingston. Since he and Jake had come together, Ben took Orca and Olivia promised to drive Jake home. Not an undue burden, she thought with a secret smile.
She was just dipping into her delicious concoction of strawberry cream and yellow cake, when her phone alerted her a text had come in. She hoped it was the farrier, texting her back.
She flipped it on and frowned at the screen. A number she didn’t recognize. She opened it. The text read: Happy belated Birthday, Olivia. Sorry I missed your big day at the fair. The cake looks delicious—Your Loving Husband.
Chapter Nine
Kyle.
A chill chased through her like she’d walked into a Sub-Zero. What the hell? How could he know I’m having—?
Dear God. He’s watching me. Olivia scanned the patrons at the outside table. Noth
ing.
Shaking, she stood and told Jake, “I’ll be right back.”
Inside the restaurant, with her back to the glass door, she scanned the faces of each and every customer. Again, nothing. It wasn’t until she searched the bar that she found him, sitting alone at a table in the corner. Smiling at her.
For the occasion, he’d pulled out his best Armani slacks, one of his five-hundred dollar shirts that fit him like a glove and a pair of Italian shoes he’d bought three years ago in Florence. He stuck out like a choke weed in a field of clover sitting there amidst the cowboys and regular people of Marietta. His hair had gone completely gray since she’d seen him last and she secretly hoped she’d had something to do with that.
She made her way through the crowded bar to get to his table and sat down opposite him on the edge of the woven leather chair.
“How dare you follow me here? What are you doing in Marietta?” She kept her voice low and controlled so she wouldn’t scream.
“That’s not very friendly of you. A ‘Hello, Kyle’ wouldn’t be out of line.”
The face she’d once thought so handsome, now only sent an ache through her. “What do you want, Kyle?”
He lifted his bourbon, gave the ice a swirl and took a sip. How many of those had he drunk?
“I wanted to see my wife on her home turf. Try to figure the attraction.” He glanced around the bar. “This place, it really doesn’t suit you.”
“Ex-wife. We’re divorced. Completely divorced. And it suits me just fine.”
“No need to be snippy, Olivia. I know very well what happened to our marriage.”
What you did to our marriage, she could almost hear him thinking. Because he blamed her for its failure, just as she had for so long.
His cool, gray eyes bore black outlines around the pupils. People were fascinated by them. They had graced the covers of dozens of magazines from Horse and Rider to Details, staring out from the magazine racks, a celebrity on horseback. His icy eyes mesmerized first-time watchers. They had done so to her. Not anymore.
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