Second Summer Read online

  “You all right?” Heath asked, enjoying the feel of her close to him and the smell of her hair. He found himself breathing in her unique scent and had to concentrate to keep the hand around her waist instead of letting it wander, explore. He tightened his hold a little.

  “Yes, fine.” Too fine. “I just haven’t ridden double in a long time.”

  “Won’t be for long. Look around that bend ahead and you’ll see the ranch house.”

  Thirty minutes later Heath dismounted and helped Annie down. “You okay because I have no issue with bringing the doctor out here or taking you to his office.”

  “I’m fine, truly. Besides, it’s Saturday. He wouldn’t be around anyway and I won’t go to emergency.”

  “Oh, he’d come out here if I called.” He watched her walk around another moment. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call?”

  “I am. I hope this won’t stop you from inviting me again sometime. It was great.”

  “Hey, you did fine. To be honest, you handled yourself better than some of my wranglers. Gremlin’s a good horse so it had to be a snake or something. You’re welcome anytime.” Heath turned abruptly at the sound of a car driving up to the house.

  “Another, young hottie, Dad?” Cassie asked.

  Heath’s head snapped around at his daughter. “That’s enough, Cassie. It’s Laurel. I invited her out to look at a horse. She’s thinking of buying one and taking riding lessons from Caroline.”

  “Yeah, right.” Cassie glared at the young woman who stepped out of the sporty, red convertible, but masked her disgust with a thin smile. “I’ve got to clean up. Going to a movie with Matt tonight. Nice to meet you, Annie.” She was gone before Heath had a chance to utter another word.

  Laurel waved to him. He knew Cassie was right. Laurel was twenty-eight but looked much younger. She’d been carded at each of the places he’d taken her. At forty-five maybe he needed to be with someone who at least looked to be in her thirties.

  “Goodbye, Heath. Thanks again.” Annie strolled to her car, opened the back door, and threw in her gear. She glanced back to see Laurel place a quick kiss on Heath’s lips, then move toward Jace and Caroline. She’d obviously met Heath’s family before.

  She was just starting the engine when Heath appeared at her window.

  “Annie, come on out for supper tomorrow. My son is flying in later today. He’ll be joining the board sometime after his commitment to the Navy is over. I’d like you to meet him. It will give Caroline, Jace, and I a chance to catch you up on some of our plans.”

  “If I won’t be intruding on a family dinner then I’d be glad to come out.”

  “Good, we’ll see you tomorrow.” He shifted his gaze to Laurel. “Guess I’d better get back. Time to sell a woman a horse.”

  Annie noticed Heath’s grin didn’t quite reach his eyes and wondered if his life was truly as idyllic as she’d first thought.

  ~~~~~

  Chapter Five

  Before Annie knew it, spring had turned to early summer. She’d spent a lot of time at the MacLaren ranch, as well as going to baseball games in Phoenix, and various events around Fire Mountain. The spring softball league had started and they’d invited her to join their team. Heath had insisted it was strictly for fun, but with their competitive streak, anything the MacLarens did also included a certain amount of determination to come out ahead.

  She’d played softball in high school and some in college but it had been years since she’d felt the leather conform to her hand. They put her in right field, then moved her to left, then second base over the first couple of months. Her fielding skills were better than her batting but at least she didn’t embarrass herself too often.

  “Annie!” Heath yelled and pointed in the air to a pop-up fly ball. It was between Heath, the pitcher, and her position at second base.

  She kept her eye on the ball and trotted forward a few feet only to collide with a thud against an immovable wall. Heath. She lost her balance and fell backwards onto the ground.

  “Hey, that was my ball,” she laughed before grabbing the hand he offered.

  “Didn’t think you saw it,” Heath grinned.

  “You did get it, right?”

  He held up his gloved hand with the ball tucked neatly inside.

  “Okay, then the fall was worth it.” Annie bent down to brush the dirt from her pants and turned to head back to her position.

  “Where you going? That was third out. Game over. We won.”

  She looked back to see Jace, Cassie, and Matt standing together laughing. She shook her head and trotted towards them. Everyone headed to the dugout for their gear.

  “All right, hamburgers or pizza tonight?” Caroline asked when they were all at their cars.

  “Count us out,” Cassie said. “A group of friends are meeting for Italian at Rossi’s.”

  “Well, in that case I say we go for steak and ribs,” Heath said and winked at Annie.

  “Dad, that’s not right,” Cassie tossed back, turning to stand in front of him.

  “Hey, all’s fair when we’re talking food. You’re welcome to join us or go for spaghetti.”

  Matt walked up and put an arm around Cassie. “I say steak and ribs, then go to Rossi’s for tiramisu.” He smiled at Heath over the top of Cassie’s head.

  Steak, ribs, and tiramisu won.

  Three nights later Caroline, Jace, and Annie met for the release of a new action movie. The lights were dimmed and the previews had just finished when Annie noticed someone had taken the seat next to her.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked Heath who was settling into his seat.

  “Changed my mind. Decided the movie sounded better than what I’d had planned.” He sat back and grabbed a handful of popcorn from the tub in Annie’s lap.

  “Hey,” Annie slapped at his hand. “Get your own.”

  “What and miss the first part of the movie?” He reached in for another handful and stuffed it into his mouth. “I’ll get you a refill if you need it,” he smiled and leaned back to watch the film.

  The summer continued to pass. Annie and Heath had settled into an easy friendship, spending considerable time together, sometimes seeing each other several times a week. They’d become what Caroline called buddies without benefits. Annie thought that was an apt description. If Heath didn’t have a date for something, he called Annie. If she needed a date, she called Heath. Most times he was available, sometimes not, but it was a good arrangement.

  Most important, they’d each found they could talk candidly with each other about almost any subject. Heath confided in Annie about his failed marriage that he’d stayed in until his ex-wife had confessed to having an affair with a professional ball player who’d retired to Scottsdale. Truth was, he was relieved. There’d been no love between them for years, more of an ongoing tolerance for the sake of Trey and Cassie.

  Annie talked about her discomfort of being anywhere near a hospital or doctor. She’d spent uncounted hours and days during Kit’s illness in medical facilities in Fire Mountain, Phoenix, and Los Angeles trying to find the magic cure. Of course, there wasn’t one.

  Annie had just stepped outside the grocery when her cell rang.

  “Hey, Annie, it’s Heath.”

  She knew that—his name came up on the phone. “Hi, Heath.”

  “Look, I need to head to Denver for a meeting on the Friday before the fourth. I was going to take Cassie and Matt to the rodeo that night. Would you be able to take my place?”

  “Sure, I’d love to. Did you want to give away our tickets for Sunday?” They were supposed to go with Jace and Caroline to the Sunday night rodeo after a BBQ at the ranch.

  “Hell, no. I want to go, just can’t make it on Friday.”

  “No problem, you’re covered.”

  “Thanks. I owe you.” He hung up without another word. Annie stared at the dead call smiling at how natural they were together.

  She’d found herself hoping that he kept dating wom
en too young and too self-centered to be interested in a relationship or anything permanent. This had turned into one of the best summers she’d had in a long time. One summer was spent with Kit’s illness, and two more sitting alone, trying to build a desire to forge a new life. This year, with Heath, she’d done more in a few short months than she’d done in the previous three years. His friendship was just what she needed to find herself again and look toward the future.

  Annie and the kids had a great time at the rodeo. She knew Heath liked Matt, a lot, although he didn’t think either he or Cassie were old enough to make it a permanent thing. Besides, Cassie was heading to ASU in two months while Matt was staying at the local college one more year. They’d probably both move on once that happened.

  “What are you up to the rest of the weekend, besides the BBQ on Sunday?” Annie asked as the barrel-racing event continued. She’d been told this was the first year Cassie hadn’t competed in the event since she’d first qualified.

  “We’re going to visit friends in Clayton then having dinner with my grandpa tomorrow,” Matt said. Clayton was a small town about an hour northwest of Fire Mountain.

  “What are you doing, Annie. You dating anyone?” Cassie asked at the same time Matt wrapped his hand around hers.

  “Not really. I’ve had dinner a couple of times with someone, but I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel quite right.”

  “Who?” Cassie persisted.

  “That is something I’ll tell you if it turns into something more.” She smiled at the younger woman.

  “You and Dad should date, not just do this buddy stuff.”

  Annie was surprised by the comment. Cassie knew as well as anyone that Annie wasn’t Heath’s type—never would be. “Your father and I are fine just the way we are. He’s a good friend but that’s all it will ever be.” She returned her gaze to the ring as the final barrel racer started her course.

  The two young people heard the sorrow in her voice and wondered if she realized how much that revealed about her feelings toward Heath.

  Cassie reached into her pocket, touching the answer mode as she brought the phone to her ear. “Hi, Dad. Yeah, we’re here.” She listened a while to Heath. “Sounds good. Yes. I’ll ask her. See you tomorrow evening.” She closed the call and slipped the phone back in her pocket. “The meeting is going well, he’ll be home tomorrow afternoon. Said to ask you if you had any plans for dinner tomorrow night, Annie. He wants to talk to you about something regarding the foundation. He’ll call you later tonight.”

  The rodeo concluded and Annie headed back to her place. She was behind schedule on one of her books and needed to get something out by the following Friday.

  The impact of driving onto the one-acre lot never diminished for Annie. She loved the house, the location, and the way she now felt complete peace when she walked inside. It hadn’t been that way a few months ago. At that time it was more of a refuge, a place to hide from the world. Now it was a welcome sight.

  Annie dropped her purse on the counter, made some tea, and walked down the hall to her small office that looked out toward the front yard. Most of her work was done in this room. Once in a while she’d unplug her laptop and take it into the bedroom or family room, or even the back deck, but that was rare. She activated her computer screen then reached over and turned on some music. She’d work a couple of hours, check email, and go to bed. Tomorrow she hoped to finish the bulk of her newest novel and get in a workout before getting ready for dinner with Heath.

  It was unusual that he didn’t have a date on a Saturday night. Who was it he’d been seeing lately? Julia, that was her name. He’d met her in early May, brought her to the Memorial Weekend shindig at the ranch. A couple of weeks ago Heath had told Annie that Julia had moved to California. He was glad as it made things easier. Heath wasn’t ready for anything more.

  It was fine with Annie, too. She knew that the minute Heath ever told her he’d met someone special that their relationship would change. Few women accepted a female friend with ease. Besides, maybe some distance from Heath would encourage other men to ask her out. It was time to find a life away from the MacLarens and one in particular.

  When that time came, Annie would back away, flow out of his life the way she’d flowed into it. It would be the best for all.

  ~~~~~

  Chapter Six

  Annie was exhausted. It was late-August and she’d gone with the MacLarens to a private camp ground hours northeast of Fire Mountain. It was a magnificent area with a beautiful river, lake, and tall mountains. They’d stayed four nights and five days, fishing and riding their horses through the vast wilderness area. Their land butted against a huge national forest, making for the perfect private playground.

  They’d just finished a day of riding and fishing, hauling their catch by horseback to the camp site. It was their last night before driving back in the morning.

  “Here, give those to me,” Heath said and took the string of trout from Annie’s hand. He, Jace, Matt, and Jace’s boys, Blake and Brett, set to work cleaning the fish while the women prepared the rest of the meal.

  The meal had been a feast. Now they all relaxed around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, then placing them between graham crackers and chocolate. Nothing was better when camping and s’mores.

  “What’s the plan for Labor Day, Dad?” Cassie sat next to Matt, stuffing another s’more in her mouth.

  “Same as always. We’ll ride in the parade on Saturday, Frontier Day picnic on Sunday, then have a BBQ at the ranch on Monday. Unless anyone has a better idea.” Heath grabbed another beer and tossed one to Jace.

  “Sounds good to me,” Jace said and caught the beer.

  “Same here. Why change a good thing?” Caroline drank her soda and watched the setting sun.

  “Annie? You want to ride in the parade with us?” Heath asked.

  “I don’t have a trailer for Rascal. Maybe I’ll just watch.”

  “That’s not what I asked. Do you want to ride with us?” Heath asked again.

  “Why, yes. It would be fun.”

  “Fine. Then I can pick up Rascal and bring him over with our horses, or you can ride Gremlin. Your choice.”

  She hated for him to go to extra work. Besides, she’d ridden Gremlin several times over the summer including the last four days. He was used to riding around other horses, which Rascal wasn’t. “I’ll ride Gremlin.” She smiled and looked towards the horses.

  “Gremlin it is. We’ll meet you at the staging area at seven o’clock. Parade starts at nine.” Heath grabbed another s’more and handed it to Annie, then sat down beside her. Their heads were close as Heath spoke quietly. Both laughed.

  Jace slipped an arm around his wife. “You think they have any idea of what’s happening between them?” he asked.

  “Not a clue,” Caroline responded.

  “I think Heath’s finally hooked, he just doesn’t know it.”

  “You know, even if he figures it out, he may not acknowledge it.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Jace took a swallow of beer and set down his can. “Nothing we can do but watch it play out.”

  “I just worry about Annie, that’s all.”

  “Understood, but they’re adults. They’ll have to figure this out on their own.” Jace pulled her a little closer and pressed a kiss on her cheek, knowing how blessed he was to still have Caroline in his life.

  ******

  “Okay everyone, line up as we discussed,” Heath shouted to the assembled riders. They were one of the first groups to go. The MacLarens had participated in the parade every year since its inception.

  There were twelve in four rows of three riders each. Heath, Jace, and Matt took the lead row with the others spaced out behind them. Most were MacLarens plus some close friends who’d ridden in the parade every year with them for a long time. Annie was the newbie, so they’d put her in the middle.

  Like many towns, Fire Mountain’s Labor Day weekend parade included every civic group,
school, non-profit, and major employer for miles. Groups representing the fire fighters, police, and sheriff, as well as elected officials all had a spot. School bands were located throughout the long line of participants including a few from smaller towns that couldn’t support a parade.

  Annie heard the music at the same time she saw Heath turn towards her and smile.

  “You okay, Annie?”

  “Great, Heath. This is exciting, don’t you think?” A smile lit her face.

  “Yeah, Annie, it is.” Heath watched her a moment then turned back to the front.

  She’d become very important to him over the last months. Whenever he had a problem, he called Annie—even before Jace. She was a good listener and offered input only when asked. And he knew she expected nothing from him.

  They’d had more fun the last few months than he’d had in years. She enjoyed everything that he did. Heath thought of the first time she’d ridden on the back of his Harley. Her worry had turned to laughs as they traveled the county’s back roads. She’d gone out the next day and bought special boots, jacket, and gloves. He’d presented her with a custom painted helmet with her name. They’d ridden almost every week since and planned to ride after the parade today then go to dinner.

  The parade moved along. Heath took a deep breath and nudged Blackjack a little to keep up the pace. He had a new possible business deal in Phoenix. It had come to his attention during his trip to Denver just before July fourth. The company he was working with on a new retail center in Denver was interested in the same type of venture in north Phoenix.

  They’d hired a new director in charge of the retail group for Phoenix. She was bright, someone he thought he could work well with, and didn’t hurt that she was a knock-out. Later this weekend he’d pencil out some ideas. If it made sense he’d call her Tuesday for a meeting.

  ******

  “Faster Annie or they’ll pass us,” Heath urged. It was the Saturday before Halloween and the town had planned a picnic and fund-raiser for the local fire fighters. Annie and Heath had paired up for the three-legged race. It was a usual part of most picnics in Fire Mountain. They were in the lead, but only because Heath hated to lose. She’d never met anyone so competitive.