It’d be good to see Uncle Jack and Aunt Bella. Aunt Bella was a down-to-earth person. She won’t let me feel sorry for myself. But right now I just want to have a pity party.
Anger boiled in her stomach when she thought about the person who’d hit her car and ruined her life. Whoever it was didn’t even have the courtesy to stop. Thank goodness someone had heard the collision and called 911. But the damage had already been done, and her world as she knew it had changed irrevocably.
Chapter Two
Heather spotted a sign saying she was entering Triple Dare County, South Dakota. The flight had been smooth, and she’d had no problems getting the rental car. The scenery of mountains and wide-open prairie had a relaxing effect on her. She opened her window and took a deep breath of the clear, clean air. There were none of the fumes from cars or all the other sundry odors she smelled in a big city.
She slowed at the next intersection and chuckled. Not much of an intersection, but two two-lane roads crossed and there were posts with the roads names. Heather turned left as Aunt Bella’s directions indicated. She’d mailed a map to Heather showing the way from the airport to her front door.
Heather drove about a mile after the turn when she noticed the man. She slowed. He and his chestnut horse had stopped at the top of a small hill. The sunset framed them in a golden light.
Before she thought about it, Heather pulled over and stopped. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He sat on the horse as comfortably as she would her favorite chair at home. Whoever he was, he’d kept himself in good shape from his wide shoulders to his well-muscled arms and long legs. He looked like a true western cowboy.
Suddenly, he turned his head and stared straight at her. Her face flushed with embarrassment that she’d been caught gaping. But at this distance it was impossible to see his features or him hers. Still, she sensed darkness in the angles of his face.
She started the car and drove off before he could ride in her direction. What in the world possessed me to stop and stare at someone I don’t even know?
When Heather pulled into her aunt and uncle’s driveway, she was still thinking about the handsome cowboy. I’ll mention seeing him and his horse. Aunt Bella must know him.
Aunt Bella and Uncle Jack came out to greet her. Aunt Bella hugged her.
“How was your trip?" she asked as Jack got Heather’s suitcases out of the car.
“Fine. The drive was easy. There isn’t much traffic on that highway, and your directions were great.”
“Wonderful. Come inside. Jack will take your suitcases to your room, and then we’ll eat dinner.”
Bella kept her arm around Heather. “It’s good to have you here. I’ve missed seeing you.”
“Me, too. Ballet is a demanding job and if you take vacations too often, you might lose your lead spot.” Heather glanced over at her aunt. “I guess I let it totally take over my life.”
“You were dedicated, and you were a success in your career.” Aunt Bella pointed to a chair at the kitchen table and Heather sat. She ran her hand around the design of lilies on the tablecloth.
“All that devotion and it’s all ended. I’m back at the starting line again.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll figure out what you want to do,” Uncle Jack said. He sat across from her and smiled. “Many people have to take different directions than they’d planned in their life. Some find they’re happier afterward.”
“I hope you’re right, Uncle Jack. Is that your chili I smell?” Heather asked her aunt.
“There’s still coolness in the air, especially at night. I thought you might enjoy it.”
“I’m starved. It smells delicious.”
Heather waited until after they ate, and Uncle Jack went in to watch the news. She and Aunt Bella were cleaning the kitchen. “I saw a cowboy on my way to your house.”
Her aunt looked around at her. “We have a lot of those in town.”
“He’d stopped on a small hill about a mile or two from the turnoff. He and his horse were caught in the glow of the sunset. It was quite a picture.”
“That would be Gavin Melwyn and Beck Colley’s ranch. They own a huge area from the intersection to our land. I doubt it was Gavin. He’s a doctor and wouldn’t usually be riding at that time on a workday. You must have seen Beck. He is a sight on a horse. In the past, he was a rodeo rider, and there was none better. But he changed and gave it up.”
“It sounds like you know them well.”
“Oh, yes. He and Gavin grew up in Triple Creeks Township. Gavin went to college to be a doctor, and then he came back home to practice. Beck went to college, but he joined the service afterward and became a Navy Seal. He left the Navy about three or four years ago and came home.”
“Why didn’t he make it a career?”
Aunt Bella studied her before saying, “You seem very interested in him. I think you’d have to ask him that question.”
Heather’s face flushed. She turned away from her aunt. “I’m not interested, just curious.” They didn’t talk much after that, and once the kitchen was cleaned Heather asked, which room was hers.
“I’m tired. I hope you don’t mind if I go to bed early?”
“I’ll walk you to your room.” Aunt Bella led Heather down a hall on the right. “Our master suite is on the left of the house if you need us. We have two bedrooms on this side. The back one is bigger and has a patio off the side door.”
When they walked in Heather saw her suitcases. She hugged her aunt. “Thank you for having me. I’ll try not to be too much trouble.”
“Honey, you could never be trouble. Relax, and enjoy yourself. We love you. I hope you don’t think I was short when you asked me about Beck.”
“No. You were right. If I have a question, it’s only proper that I ask him.”
“He’s a very private man. Gavin’s one of the few people he’s close to. They’ve been buddies since elementary school. Shall I help you unpack?”
“I’ll do it, but thanks anyway.” Heather sat on the end of the bed after her aunt left. Outside the windows a full moon cast a silver ribbon of light across the prairie. After Chicago it was like taking a spaceship and landing in another world. Hopefully, this one would help her find the answers she needed.
* * * *
Beck and Gavin had eaten and gone into the family room. Beck stared at the fire, drinking his bourbon while Gavin read a medical magazine.
“Don’t you ever get tired of reading about medicine?” Beck asked when he glanced at Gavin.
“Nope. I love to read about new ideas and studies being done. It helps me keep up to date with what’s going on in the big world outside of Triple Dare County.”
Beck took a swallow of his bourbon and looked back at the fire. “Have there been any new people arriving in town lately?” He sensed Gavin looking over the top of his magazine at him.
“Not that I’ve heard. Why?”
“No reason. I saw a strange car parked by the side of the road late this afternoon. I thought she might be having car trouble, but she drove off.”
“She?”
Beck frowned at Gavin. “Yes, she. I couldn’t see her well from where I was, but I did see enough to know it was a woman.”
“I wonder if she’ll be staying at Bella’s bed-and-breakfast. The rodeo isn’t until next month if that’s why she’s come to town,” Gavin said.
“A lone woman to see a rodeo, I doubt it.”
“Maybe she’s a rider, a contestant.”
“Whatever.” Beck drank the last of his drink and rose to go to bed.
“Don’t forget tomorrow’s Saturday. We’re invited to a barbecue. Dana and her husbands are expecting us.”
Beck hesitated. “I want to say no but you’d badger me to go. It isn’t worth the fight.”
Gavin laughed. “Do you hear how much we sound like an old married couple? We have got to find a wife.”
For the first time in weeks, Beck smiled. “I have to admit you’re right.” Then he
strolled out and down the hall to his room.
When he’d undressed, he got in bed and left the curtains open. The bright moonlight comforted him. He’d hated the dark nights during battles. The enemy had a better chance of sneaking up on you.
He pushed the negative thoughts out of his head and replaced them with his memory of this afternoon and the woman in the car. She’d had long, light blonde hair, and although he couldn’t see her that well, she’d held his attention until her car went out of sight.
Beck turned on his side and willed himself to sleep. Perhaps tonight, he wouldn’t dream, at least not about the last battle.
* * * *
Heather smiled when Uncle Jack parked behind a ranch house where they were having the barbecue. Numerous people had gathered in the yard and were talking. Several men stood around the two, large barbecue grills.
“I’m excited to go to a real country cookout and meet some of the locals,” Heather said. “Our visits were too short before. We seldom met any townspeople.”
“You will today. Steel Randolph, Chayton Kane, and their wife Dana like entertaining. Dana enjoys the barbecues as long as her husbands cook and handle the details. She’s a busy doctor. She works with Doc Gavin in his office,” her aunt said.
Heather followed her aunt and uncle. She’d worn plain, dark blue slacks and a simple white blouse with her flats. But she soon noticed everyone had on jeans, boots, and various types of shirts or blouses. Monday, she’d have to do some shopping.
They stopped at the first group. Her aunt put her hand on an attractive reddish-blond-haired woman’s arm. “Dana, this is my niece, Heather Carrick. I mentioned she’d be arriving in time for the party.”
Dana smiled and took Heather’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. You have a wonderful aunt and uncle.”
“I know. Thanks for having me.”
“No problem. Steel always cooks too much food. I hope you came with an appetite.”
“I didn’t, but with the delicious aromas in the air I’m sure I won’t be able to resist.”
A tall man with black hair and gray eyes stepped to her side. “Heather Carrick, you’re the great ballet dancer I had the pleasure of seeing when I visited Chicago a year ago. My wife and I both enjoyed your performance immensely. Honey.” He looked around and motioned to a nearby woman with dark red hair. “Come here a minute.” She walked quickly to his side and took hold of his hand.
“Heather, this is my wife Amy and I’m Chad Stedman. Do you recognize her, Amy?”
“I do. She’s the lead ballet dancer in the show we saw in Chicago. How did you ever get to our small town?”
Heather swallowed around the lump in her throat and tried to ignore the pain in her chest. Who’d have thought on her first outing she’d meet someone who knew of her dancing.
“My niece has been ill and came to stay with us to recover.” Aunt Bella’s voice cut into the silence.
“I hope you’ll recover soon. Perhaps you could dance for us and Chad could play the piano. He’s very good. His mother was the renowned opera singer, Lunette Valentina. She taught him to accompany her during her practices at home.”
“I heard her sing several times. She was beautiful and a gifted singer,” Heather said, glad to have the attention away from her. “I was sorry to hear she’d died.”
“I still miss her. She was also a wonderful mother.”
“I’d love to dance to your music,” she said to Chad. “But I’m not really sick. A car hit my father’s SUV. It was a hit-and-run. I’d borrowed Dad’s car while mine was in the shop. They say I lived because of being in a bigger vehicle.”
Heather bit her lip. She hadn’t planned on exposing herself regarding her injury, but Amy’s innocent suggestion had put her on the spot. “I survived, but I probably won’t be able to dance again, or if I do it won’t be the same as before.”
The group around her went silent. A number of people stared in her direction, all with compassion.
Amy hugged her. “I’m sorry I brought up the idea. I can see it hurts you to talk about the accident.”
“I’m getting better.” Heather forced a smile. “But now I have to decide what to do with the rest of my life.” She glanced at the back of the group around her and spotted him. His hooded, shark-like eyes stared at her. He was her cowboy on the horse. It took all her strength to look away.
She forced a smile and said in a teasing tone to Amy. “Perhaps you can teach me to be a cowgirl.” It lightened the mood and several people laughed. Soon afterward the crowd dispersed to go and talk with others.
“Are you all right?” Aunt Bella asked.
“Yes. Strangely it’s a comfort to tell them. They’ll talk to their friends, and I won’t be asked that question anymore.”
“Uncle Jack and I are going to get a beer and sit by Chayton’s parents. Will you be comfortable walking around by yourself?” She nodded to a couple sitting in chairs at the side of the house.
“I’ll be fine on my own.” Heather watched them as they walked off. She smelled his cologne first. It fit him, sandalwood with a hint of sage and his own male scent. She turned to face him.
Her impression of darkness had been right. Black hair brushed the collar of his blue cowboy shirt. He had a hard, sun-browned face and a square jaw. Slate-colored eyes scrutinized her.
“You were the woman in the car yesterday.” His low, husky voice kindled heat in her belly, but his narrowed eyes made her blush with embarrassment.
“Why did you stop? I thought you might have trouble with your car, but you drove off without any difficulty.”
The man had an intense way of looking at you and lying didn’t seem to be an option, but she’d try a little fib. She couldn’t tell him the picture of him and his horse mesmerized her.
“I’d driven from the airport in Minneapolis, and I was tired. I pulled off the road for a minute and spotted you on the hill. You have a magnificent horse.”
“But you were staring at me.”
“The two of you and the setting sun made a lovely picture. I’m not used to seeing cowboys and horses and such wide-open spaces. Forgive me for staring.” He nodded. Whether he accepted her explanation or not, she didn’t know.
“Are you thirsty?” he asked.
“I am.”
“Then let’s walk to the cooler and get a cold beer or do ballerinas not drink alcohol?”
“No, they don’t. It has calories, and I’ve spent my life watching my weight,” she said. But she continued to walk beside him.
“That’s one worry you don’t have anymore.” His wry smile surprised her. “I’ve learned how to find the few positives in a bad situation.” They stopped at the cooler. “What will it be, a cola or a beer?”
“Hell, you’re right. It doesn’t matter. Hand me that cold beer.”
A tall, blond man with sky-blue eyes joined them. “And give me one, too. Hi, I’m Gavin Melwyn. Beck and I own the ranch on the west side of Jack and Bella’s.”
Heather started to say she knew and thought better of it. She didn’t want them to think she’d been asking about Beck.
“Would you like to sit down?” Gavin asked. “I noticed you have a slight limp. Does your leg still tire easily?”
“Yes. I had a physical therapist in Chicago. I need to find one around here, so I can continue to get it as strong as possible.”
“We have a lady at the hospital. She’s been there about fifteen years. I’d put her up against the best. She can help you.”
“Oh, good. I hoped I wouldn’t have to drive for miles to see someone.”
Gavin guided her to where there were three empty lawn chairs. Beck followed and they sat on either side of her.
“People will want to meet you, but they won’t mind having to come to you. Word has already gone through the crowd about your injury.”
“The doctor said my leg is well unless I try to jump on it. I don’t want to be treated as an invalid.”
Gavin and, surprisingly,
Beck smiled at her. “We don’t see you as an invalid,” Gavin said. Beck nodded his head. “No way.” The spark in their eyes warmed her.
She looked around for her aunt and uncle. Aunt Bella was smiling at her. I hope she’s not planning on playing matchmaker. Heather
suspected she’d be way out of her league with these two. She’d never had a serious romance. Ballet had been her only love.
I’m going to move slowly until I know what I need or want. I’m certainly not ready for a fling, especially not with two hot cowboys. Her face flushed.
“Are you hot? It seems cool to me.”
“Don’t start acting like a doctor,” Heather said. “I’ve had my fill of them.”
“Sorry, it’s second nature.”
Heather glanced at Beck. He’d guessed her thoughts and knew the heat wasn’t from the day’s temperature. A flame lit in those dark eyes, and he smirked. How did he read her thoughts so well?
I don’t think I like him, but my body does.
Chapter Three
Gavin leaned back and put his arm across the back of her chair. “I’ll call the physical therapist Monday and talk with her. Is there any time you can’t meet with her?
“No, and the sooner, the better. I’m hoping to get rid of this limp.”
“Then come to my office at noon, Monday. I’ll take you to lunch and tell you when she can see you.”
“Why not give me her number? I like to manage my own affairs.”
Gavin smiled. “An independent woman, good. I suggested doing the initial introduction and making the arrangements because Cora’s so busy at the hospital. She’d refer you to someone else. They’d be good, but not as talented and thorough as her. I’ve seen Cora work magic.” He shrugged. “And she likes me, so she’ll do me a favor.”
Fearless Fighters [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 2