"High school was so long ago and you're both adults now. I assume you've moved on since your last name is Taylor now."
"I divorced a few months ago and how did you know that?"
"I checked your hotel reservation and gave you a discount. You were the only Grace registered, so I figured it must have been you."
"You gave me a discount? Thanks. That was so nice." She reached across the table and gave Cindy a hug.
"You're welcome. It's only ten percent, but I like to do that with friends. Do you have any kids? That's usually why women don't change their name after a divorce."
"No, no kids. I thought about changing it back, but my business contacts know me by Taylor, it was just easier to keep it for work. Your dad told me that you haven't married. Aren't there plenty of eligible bachelors around here to choose from?"
"There are and contrary to what my dad says, I have my share of dates. Right now, I want to secure my career for the future before I concentrate on a husband and family."
"I know. I got married too young and too fast. I was right out of college and had started my new job. We thought we were in love, but honestly we should have just lived together for a while. It lasted a little over three years."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I want a family, but just not yet."
"Richard wanted a family too, but he wanted me to be a stay at home mom. I spent too much money and time on a college degree to throw that away. I wanted a career in addition to being a mom."
"Well, good for you."
After their dinner, Grace decided to call it a night and stood. "This has been so much fun, Cindy. I've really missed talking with you."
"If you don't have to go right back to your room, there's a bar down the street where a lot of the locals hang out. We could drop in for a few drinks," Cindy suggested.
She thought only momentarily about the work she needed to do and the emails that needed answered before making her decision. "That sounds like fun. I'm in."
Grace got her credit card out, but Cindy stopped her. "Put that away. This dinner is on me."
"I couldn't let you do that. It's too much."
"You buy us a few rounds at the bar and we'll call it even."
"Deal."
Cindy told the waitress to put the bill on her account and the ladies left the hotel, walking down the street and across a parking lot to the Silver Bullet Saloon.
Although not crowded, the establishment seemed to be pretty busy for a Monday night. Cindy found them a table near the bar and once Grace's eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, she could see a stage across the room from them, a long bar close to them, lots of tables—most of them with people seated, and a large dance floor with several couples dancing to the piped in music.
"This is nice. As I remember, this used to be a hardware store," Grace said.
"You're right. Once the big discount store came in outside of town, the hardware store closed."
A young man wearing tight jeans and a cowboy shirt and hat came up to their table. "Hi Cindy. How are you this evening?"
"I'm fine, Bobby. How are you?"
"I'm finer than frog hair. What can I get you ladies to drink tonight?"
"I think I'd like a Mohito," Cindy said.
"I'll take a rum and Coke," Grace added.
"Great. I'll get 'em right out to you," Bobby said.
"Cindy, why did you decide to stay here in Summit rather than get away?"
"I did get away for a while. Like you, I went to college, but it was in Fort Collins and I studied Hospitality Services. My plan was to work at one of the big hotels in Vail or Aspen after I graduated."
"Why didn't you do that?"
"I don't know. I guess I liked my hometown too much to leave."
"Here you go, ladies. One Mohito and one rum and Coke."
"Thanks, Bobby."
"Will you be running a tab tonight, or are you just having one drink tonight?"
Cindy looked at Grace, who said, "We'll be running a tab. It's on me."
"Fantastic," he said. "Cindy, I don't think I know your friend here."
"Bobby, this is Grace Taylor, my best friend from high school. Grace, this is Bobby, one of the best waiters in town and also a damn good chef. I keep trying to talk him into coming to work at the Blue Spruce, but he won't leave the Buck Creek Ranch."
"Ah Cindy, you know I don't want to cook for those uppity people over there." He looked at Grace and took her hand, kissing it gently. "It's a pleasure meeting you."
"Careful, Bobby. Grace is one of those uppity people staying at the hotel."
Shock spread across his face. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to insinuate that you were a snob or anything."
Grace laughed. "I forgive you."
"Anything else you need, you just give ol' Bobby a shout." He gave Grace a smile as he walked away.
"He was flirting with me," Grace said.
"Don't get your hopes up. He was playing for a big tip. Bobby's gay."
Both ladies laughed at his theatrics. "He's pretty good."
"The real reason he won't leave Buck Creek is because of all the cowboys that work over there."
"He and I have something in common then. I kind of like cowboys too."
"Oh no," Cindy groaned. "Grace, we shouldn't have come here. I'm so sorry."
"Sorry? Why?"
"Don't turn around, but Andy just walked in."
Grace didn't move. "Maybe he won't see me."
"No, he already has and he's walking over here."
"Hi Cindy," he said when he approached their table.
"Hi, Andy. How are you?"
"I'm doing just fine. How's work at the hotel?"
"Oh, we're busy as always."
"Hello, Grace."
She looked up at him and felt her heart skip a beat. He wore tight boot-cut jeans, blue plaid flannel shirt, and gray cowboy hat. She always liked men in cowboy hats. "Hello." She looked away. She had to resist.
"How do you feel after your ride this morning?"
"I feel fine."
He let out a little laugh. "Just wait until morning. That's when it will hit you."
"I'm not out of shape. I think I can handle an hour of horseback riding without becoming an invalid," she snapped.
"Hey, Andy! How ya doing, my man?" Another guy in jeans and cowboy hat walked up and slapped Andy on the back.
"Chuck," Cindy said. "Don't act like such a child."
"Are we a little jealous that I didn't greet my little lady first?" He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, that's it." Sarcasm.
"I'm fine, Chuck," Andy said. "Ladies, it was nice talking to you." He started to walk away.
"Wait a minute. Join us," Chuck said, sitting down next to Cindy.
He looked at Grace. "No, I better not." He turned and walked over to the bar.
"You can really be a jerk sometimes, do you know that?" Cindy said to Chuck.
"What?" he asked.
"Chuck, this is Grace Taylor, an old high school friend of mine. Grace, this is Chuck Payne, someone I spend a lot of time with."
"Oh Cindy, just call me your boyfriend and get it over with. It's nice to meet your Grace."
"Nice to meet you too."
"What's with the remark about being a jerk?" he asked Cindy.
"Grace didn't want Andy sitting with us. They used to date."
"How was I supposed to know that?"
"It's okay, really," Grace broke in.
He looked at Grace. "I'm sorry."
"No harm, no foul."
Chuck held his arm up and gave a little wave to Bobby to bring him a drink.
"So Grace, since I've not met you before, I assume you no longer live here?"
"I live in Denver now."
"What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a marketing consultant for the Myers Corporation. What do you do here in Summit?"
"I'm the Restaurant Manager at the Blue Spruce."
"Oh, now I u
nderstand why Cindy said something about Bobby coming to work there."
"Chuck is an excellent chef himself, but prefers the management side of things right now," Cindy said.
"I hope you will come to the restaurant while you're in town."
"I already have," she replied. "We ate there this evening. Very good food."
"Thank you."
"Grace is staying at the hotel for a few days and will be back over the weekend for a company retreat."
"That's wonderful. I'll see to it that you get a discount on all of your meals there," Chuck said.
"You don't have to do that."
"No, I insist. You're a friend and I always treat my friends."
"Here you go, Chuck." Bobby sat a long-neck bottle on the table. "You wanted your usual beer, right?"
"Yes, I did. Run a tab and put these lovely ladies' drinks on it."
"Will do," Bobby said and left.
Someone started the jukebox up and music filled the room. Several couples got up to dance.
"Would you like to dance, sweetie?" Chuck asked Cindy.
"I'd hate to leave Grace alone at the table."
"No, you go ahead. I don't mind."
Chuck stood and took Cindy by the hand and led her to the dance floor.
No sooner had they left than Andy sat down with Grace. "Would you like to dance?"
"I don't think so," she answered.
"What's wrong, Gracie?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Ever since this morning, I've tried to be nice, be just friends and you've done your best to keep me at a distance. Why?"
"You're imagining things." She tried not to keep eye contact with him; instead she watched the dancers on the floor.
"Then dance with me. Just friends dancing."
If she said no, he would know she really was trying to avoid him. But, to be that close to him again; she wasn't sure that was a good idea either. "Okay, one dance."
"Great."
As she stood up, the song that had been playing ended and a slower song started. Andy took her hand and guided her to the dance floor. He placed his hand on her lower back and she was surprised that he kept space between them, and a little disappointed too.
"How does it feel to be back in Summit?" he asked.
"All right, I guess. Things around here have changed so much in the few years I've been gone."
"Changed for the better. The town's practically grown into a city now with all the hotels and ranches. There's one company that's going to build a ski resort next summer for the winter season."
"Skiing?" She chuckled.
"I know what you're thinking."
"What's that?"
"You're remembering when you, me, Cindy, and Dan borrowed some skis from Mr. Poole and went to the high country."
"Borrowed? I don't recall us asking."
"We returned them."
"We did, but not in the same condition."
Andy laughed. "It's a wonder we didn't break our necks trying to ski on that mountain."
"We were stupid kids back then. Did you ever learn to ski?"
"You know, I did. I went to Vail with some friends a couple years later and I learned. I'm pretty good at it too."
"You always could do things like that well."
"How about you? Did you learn?"
"Yes. My ex-husband taught me on a trip to Aspen right after we were married. Not exactly a trip I want to remember though." She suddenly realized that while dancing, they had both moved closer together. "I think I'd like to sit down now," she said reluctantly after the song ended.
She stepped away and they went back to the table where Cindy and Chuck were seated.
"You two looked good out there together," Chuck said.
Neither Grace or Andy replied.
"I'm going to have to get home," Cindy said. "I have to be at the office early in the morning. Grace, would you like me to walk back to the hotel with you?"
Before Grace could answer, Andy jumped in. "I'd be glad to walk her back."
"Great, that way I can drive Cindy home," Chuck added.
"Is that okay, Grace?" Cindy asked.
"Sure, I'm a big girl. I think I can handle him."
The group laughed.
"I'll give you a call tomorrow afternoon. You have one more night at the hotel right?" Cindy asked.
"Yes, then I'll be back for the weekend with my co-workers."
"It was nice meeting you, Grace," Chuck said. “I hope you'll come visit here more often. I'd like to hear some of your stories of growing up with my little lady here." He wrapped his arm around Cindy and pulled her closer.
"It was nice meeting you too, but I'm not sure if I'll be back again after this weekend, or not."
Grace reached into her purse and took out her wallet.
"No, the tab is on me tonight," Chuck said.
"Thank you. That's nice. If there's a next time, it'll be on me."
Cindy and Chuck left hand in hand, leaving Grace and Andy standing there.
"I suppose we should go, if you want to get back to the hotel," he said.
"Yes, I do. I have a few things I need to finish for work and email in tonight."
They started out the door. "You're working while you're here?"
"Yes. It's the only way I could get off to come here. My boss thinks I'm at some family function. I wasn't about to let them know I came here to bush up on my riding skills."
Out on the street, the full moon reflected off of the snow-covered mountains outside of town.
"I'm always amazed at how beautiful the mountains look in the moonlight. You don't get that kind of view in Denver," Grace said, gazing at the sky.
"I never thought of you as a city girl."
"I've changed over the years. I love the city now."
"You don't miss living here?"
"No, not at all."
They continued walking. With the cool spring temperature, she shivered.
"Here, take my jacket," he offered.
"No, I don't need that."
"We still have a couple blocks to walk, you take it."
She obliged and he helped her on with the jacket. "Thanks."
They continued on their walk.
"Chuck doesn't seem like the type I thought Cindy would end up with," Grace said.
“You know, she went off to college like you, but came back here to work and has a great life with Chuck now. I'm sure they'll get married and have a family soon."
" It's good to know that kind of thing works for some people."
They reached her hotel and Andy opened the door for her. Both walked inside. "Thanks for walking me back, but I think I can make it to my room myself."
"Oh, sure. I'll see you around ten in the morning for your next ride, I guess."
"I'll be there." She turned and headed toward the elevators and suddenly realized she still had his jacket on. "Great," she mumbled to herself and turned to find that Andy had already walked out of the lobby. "I'll take it to him tomorrow." Still wearing the jacket, she could smell the scent of his aftershave on it. She stepped onto the elevator and went to her room.
Chapter Two
Grace's alarm sounded on her cell phone the next morning and she reached over to turn it off. "Ouch!"
She sat up on the side of the bed and it felt as though every muscle in her body ached. "Maybe I'm not in as good a shape as I thought."
Slowly, she stood and rubbed her back as she sauntered to the bathroom where she turned the shower water on as hot as she could stand.
After her shower, some of the soreness had left, but she didn't know how she was going to be able to get on her horse later.
Wearing her robe, she sat on the bed and looked at the room service menu. She picked up the phone and dialed. "I'd like to order breakfast. Could you bring me a Garden Omelet, whole-wheat toast, and coffee? Thank you." After confirming the order and room number she hung up and moved to the desk to check her email and read the news on he
r laptop.
A short time later and after dressing, there was a knock at the door. A young lady brought in Grace's breakfast.
"Thank you," she said. After signing the bill, the girl left.
Before sitting down to eat, Grace looked through her purse for some Aspirin, but found none. "Maybe the coffee will help," she said aloud.
After breakfast, she headed over to the ranch for her trail ride. Inside the main office, she looked around to see if they had anything for her soreness.
"Can I help you?" The young lady from the other day was back behind the counter.
"Hi, I have a riding lesson at ten with Andy, but I really need some Aspirin or Ibuprofen right now."
"There's a rack on that counter in the corner. Most people need something after their first day of riding." She pointed toward the front of the office next to the window.
Grace pulled out a foil packet with two pills, got a bottle of water out of the cooler, and paid the lady. "I thought I was in good shape, but I think I was wrong."
"Horseback riding will do that to you."
Grace tore open the packet and swallowed the pills with a drink of water.
"Andy should be out front soon," the young blonde said. "He's a pretty good teacher, isn't he?"
"I suppose. I don't really need much in the way of lessons. I used to ride a lot, but am kind of rusty."
"He's the best we have here at the ranch, in more ways than just riding, if you know what I mean." She blushed.
Grace wondered if she were bragging, or just stupid to be talking like that to a customer. "I'll wait for him on the porch."
She didn't even have time to sit down before Andy stepped onto the porch. "Morning. How are you today?" he asked.
"I'm fine and ready for the ride. Oh, here's your jacket from last night. I forgot to give it back to you before you left."
"Thanks." He stuffed it into his saddlebag.
She couldn't help but stare at the derriere his jeans hugged so tightly. "We're going on a mountain trail today, right?"
"Sort of. I'm going to take you on the northwest trail that goes up into the hills, but not all the way into the mountains. I thought we'd tackle the harder trail tomorrow."
"Okay. Let's get started."
Andy had tied the horses up to the post in front of the office. She saw Rosebud, the same horse she had yesterday, but he had a different horse today. "You're not riding Ricochet?"
Spring Forward, Fall Back in Love Page 2
