When We Fell

by Elena Aitken

  Which was exactly what he did. As soon as the crowd thinned to a manageable level, Ben took off and headed straight to Drew and Austin’s, his Jeep full of fishing supplies.

  They were waiting on the front lawn, a picnic basket ready to go. At the sight of them, Ben broke out into a huge grin. It made his heart happier than even he could have imagined.

  “Are you guys ready to catch some fish?” He hopped out of the Jeep as Austin jumped into the backseat. Ben laughed and met Drew on the sidewalk. He hesitated a moment before leaning in and kissing her on the cheek, when what he really wanted to do was pull her into his arms and show her exactly how much he missed her over the last few days.

  “Is that okay?” He glanced behind him to see whether Austin had seen the chaste kiss but Drew only laughed.

  “It’s okay.” Her face lit up. “I don’t think anything needs to be a secret. But maybe we should… I don’t know...explain things to him when the time is right. I don’t want him to be confused.”

  Ben nodded. It made perfect sense. Austin was not only Drew’s priority, but Ben’s as well. “Oh,” Ben said, taking the moment to let her in on the latest development of the Bro List. “I signed us up for the Timber Creek Challenge. It’s on the list.”

  “The list?” Drew cocked her head. “I don’t think a crazy obstacle course is on the Bro List.”

  He’d been pretty sure that she might not be very excited about the idea. The Timber Creek Challenge wasn’t known to be a very easy race, but they had a family friendly option, and Ben thought it would be a lot of fun to do together.

  “I thought it would be more fun than a simple running race.” He reached for the picnic basket. “Besides, the race Eric and I did when we were kids was just a local car dealership fun run, and they don’t have it anymore. This will be way better.”

  “And harder.” She shook her head. “You boys have fun with that.”

  “No deal.” Ben caught her arm and pulled her to him quickly. “You’re part of this team.” He kissed her quick. “It’ll be great. You’ll see.”

  She still didn’t seem convinced, but he was pretty confident she’d come around.

  “Come on,” Austin hollered from the Jeep. “Let’s go!”

  “I think the only thing he’s interested in right now is catching some fish.”

  “We better get going then.”

  It was just a short drive to his favorite fishing spot on Ghost Lake, which was a good thing because Austin was bouncing up and down in the backseat, eager to get started. As soon as they got there, Ben left Drew to set up the picnic under a tree, while he started to teach Austin about his fishing rod and all the different types of lures they should use.

  “This is for you,” he told Austin as he put the fishing rod in the boy’s hands. “It used to belong to your dad.”

  “It did?” Austin’s eyes grew wide, but he hesitated before he took it.

  “What’s wrong?” Ben asked gently. “It’s yours. Go ahead and get a feel for it.”

  “But what if I break it?” Austin’s voice was low, his eyes fixed on the rod.

  “You’re not going to break it.”

  “But if I do…”

  “Then what?” Ben shrugged. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

  Austin’s eyes filled with tears. “Then it will be gone. And there’ll be nothing left.”

  Ben’s heart cracked a little. “No, buddy. That’s not how it works.”

  “But if all of Dad’s things are gone, then…”

  “Your dad is never going anywhere, buddy.” Ben lifted Austin’s chin with one finger so he was looking into the boy’s eyes, so much like his father’s. It never failed to strike Ben how much Austin looked like Eric. “He’s always going to be with us. Right here.” He tapped on Austin’s chest and then his own. “He’ll be with me, and you. All of us who love him. There’s a little bit of him with all of us, but there’s a lot of him with you. Did you know that?”

  Austin shook his head.

  “It’s true,” Ben continued. “You’re so much like your dad was at your age, that I know he’s with you all the time. In fact, I think he looks out for you.”

  “Kind of like a guardian angel?”

  “Exactly like that.”

  “You think he’s here right now?”

  Ben smiled sadly and nodded. “I’m sure of it. In fact, I bet you he’s watching closely to make sure I teach you everything you need to know so that you catch a fish today.”

  Austin’s eyes grew wide. “You think so?”

  Ben ruffled Austin’s hair. “Absolutely. So what do you say we get started? Because the sooner we get started, the sooner you can catch a fish.”

  A few minutes later, Austin’s hesitation was forgotten as Ben helped him string up a lure. A few quick lessons in casting and reeling, and Austin caught on quickly to the basics. Ben stepped back and left him to it, when he got his own rod ready to go. But before he even had a chance to cast his first line, Austin yelled from the shore.

  “I got one! Uncle Ben! Come quick!”

  With a laugh, Ben ran down to see what was going on. Drew was right behind him. “Okay, reel it in the way I showed you,” he told Austin.

  “I can’t. You have to do it.”

  “No can do, buddy. It’s your first fish.” He tucked his hands in his back pocket. “Just go slow,” he coached. “Reel it in. That’s right. A little at a time. Okay, now give it some slack. That’s right. You’re doing great.”

  “You got one.” Drew had her phone out and Ben noticed from the corner of his eye she was videotaping the moment. “You’re doing great, Austin.”

  “I am not!” The boy looked panicked, but Ben knew exactly what was happening; he also knew it would pass.

  “Reel it in a bit more,” he coached. “Great. Now ease off a little. Here it comes.”

  “There it is!” Austin almost dropped the rod as the fish came into sight.

  “I’ll get him for you.” Ben knelt down on the rocks and sand and gently scooped up the fish with his hands. “Okay, hold still. I’ll get the hook out.” Austin knelt next to him as he gently worked the hook out and Drew took a few pictures.

  “Is he okay?” Austin stared at the fish.

  “For now.” Ben grinned. “But not if you want to have him for lunch.”

  Austin looked mortified for a moment before pressing his lips together and shaking his head. “No. I think he should be free.”

  “Works for me.” Without hesitation, Ben put the fish back in the water and after a moment, released him and the trout was gone in a flash. “You did great, buddy.” He gave Austin a high five, but the boy threw himself into his arms.

  “Thanks, Uncle Ben. That was so cool.”

  “You did great, buddy.”

  Austin pulled back and looked him in the eye. “You know what? I think you look out for me, too. Just like Dad.”

  The moment was brief, but it hit Ben in all the feels as he realized just how much he loved this kid. He would happily spend his whole life showing him everything he needed to know. And before Ben could formulate the words, Austin ran off with his fishing rod, eager to try again.

  Ben watched for a moment before standing and walking straight over to Drew, who was still watching them. Without a moment’s hesitation, he pulled her in for a kiss. It was quick but sweet before she squirmed out of his grasp.

  As a reflex, Ben looked over his shoulder, but Austin hadn’t seen them. He wasn’t sure exactly how they were going to handle things on that end, but it would come. “He didn’t see, if that’s what you’re worried about?”

  “No.” She giggled. “You smell like fish.”

  “Do I?” Ben laughed and chased her back to the picnic site, determined to kiss her as many times as she’d let him. Which he hoped would be endless.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The afternoon of the Taking the Reins grand opening, Drew was much calmer than she’d expected she would be. She’d done so mu
ch of the prep early that everything was coming together nicely. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t covered in flour, sauce, and various other things. Her kitchen looked as though a bomb had gone off and she was pretty sure there wasn’t one surface left untouched.

  Not that it mattered. The chaos was fueling her and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so energized by something. No matter what, Drew knew she’d found her calling. She was meant to cook.

  “Knock knock.”

  “Come in,” Drew called to the voice at the door. “I’m in the kitchen.”

  “As if I’d expect to find you anywhere else.” Ben appeared in the doorway, a bottle of champagne in his hand. “What on earth happened in here?” His eyes widened as he took in the sight. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Drew laughed. “I’m working and I guess I just got a little into it. I haven’t had a chance to clean anything up.”

  “No kidding.” Ben tiptoed his way through the kitchen and put the bubbly in the fridge. “I got a little something to celebrate your first job, but maybe I’ll help you clean up a little first.”

  “You don’t have to do that.” Drew protested, but the truth was, she really could use the help and was glad for it. “But, could you start with the sink?”

  Ben shook his head with a smile. But before he headed to the sink, he pulled Drew, messy apron and all, into his arms and kissed her thoroughly before releasing her.

  “Austin’s in the other room,” she said as way of protest, although it was only half-hearted. The last thing she really wanted to do was protest a kiss from Ben. Still, she was a mother and she had to be cognizant of Austin and the fact that they still hadn’t explained their relationship to him.

  “When are we going to tell him?” The question didn’t hold any level of pressure of any kind, but Drew couldn’t help but feel guilty. She knew Ben would never try to rush her or the situation at all. The guilt was coming strictly from her and the fact that she didn’t have a good explanation as to why she wasn’t ready to talk to Austin. Everyone else knew about their relationship. At least, everyone who mattered. Austin should know, too. But for whatever reason, Drew couldn’t bring herself to talk to him about it.

  “Later,” she said as a lame explanation. “Eric’s birthday is—”

  “Next week,” Ben finished for her. He watched her from the sink where he’d started to fill it with warm, soapy water. “I know.” He dropped his head a little, and again the guilt in Drew flared up. Of course Ben knew it was Eric’s birthday. Ben was his little brother. “So you want to wait until after then?”

  Drew nodded and looked back to the tiny puffs she was filling with a smoked trout and cream cheese mixture.

  They worked in silence for a few moments, but it wasn’t long before Ben was asking questions about what else needed to be done. Once the dishes were done, he started packing up the dishes and pans Drew had already prepared and got them ready to load up in his Jeep to make the trip over to Blackstar Ranch.

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said when they’d packed up the last of the puffs. “Thank you for all your help.” She stood to give him a kiss on the cheek even though she could see the desire in his eyes, and she knew the real reward would be much more than such a chaste kiss.

  Ben had been more than patient with her, and extremely respectful as to how slow she wanted to take everything. But she knew he was starting to feel a little impatient, because it wasn’t just him who was having those feelings. But she just wasn’t ready. Not quite.

  “I’m always here,” he said. “But you know what?” He wiped his brow with a paper towel. “I think you may have to invest in an air conditioner if you’re going to keep using your own kitchen for these jobs. At least the ones at the end of July. This is ridiculous.”

  Drew laughed and swatted at him with her towel. “We live in the mountains. I’m not getting air conditioning for the two crazy hot weeks we have a year. If you think this is hot, you should have seen our summers in Nevada.” She laughed at the memory. “One time our air conditioner died, and we couldn’t even sleep. We used to sit in the pool in the middle of the night just to…”

  She trailed off as she remembered how she and Eric would skinny-dip in their backyard pool and make love under the stars on those long, hot nights. It wasn’t a memory she needed to share.

  “Hey.”

  She looked up from her hands to see Ben in front of her. He brushed a hair from her face and cupped her cheek. “It’s okay,” he said, as if he’d read her mind. “You had a whole life together. I know that. Never feel like you can’t talk about it or share your memories, okay?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “I mean it, Drew. I miss him too.”

  The tears that sprang to her eyes took her off guard, but she let them come. “Thank you.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, and let him hold her. But only for a moment before she called for Austin. It was time to get him to her parents’ house for the night, get the food to the ranch, and get ready. They had a party to attend.

  Amber looked around the crowded room, and her heart swelled. Everyone was there for them and what they’d created. She reached for Logan’s hand and squeezed it as they both took in the moment.

  The party was in full swing. People were laughing, talking, and eating the amazing food that Drew had put together. The night had gone perfectly.

  “Are you ready for this?” she asked Logan.

  “More than anything.” He tugged on her arm gently so she spun toward him. “But first, I just want to enjoy this moment together. We did this, babe. Together.”

  She beamed and let the pride of accomplishment fill her. “We did and it’s so amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

  He kissed her softly but thoroughly. “And I am so proud of you.”

  She smiled against his lips. “Ready to do this?”

  He nodded and together they walked to the makeshift stage they’d set up in the corner of the large room. The party was taking place mostly in the main room of the lodge, which had been cleared of the couches and tables that would occupy the space later. The exposed timber beams angled up into a grand, open space that somehow both managed to look spacious and cozy at the same time. It would be the heart of the Taking the Reins treatment center, where clients and guests would gather in the evenings to read, play cards, and talk. They could hold group counseling sessions, or informal movie nights in the space—whatever it was they required.

  “Good evening,” Logan said into the microphone. The music faded, and the chatter died down as the crowd turned to face the two of them on the stage. “Amber and I just wanted to take a quick moment out of the evening’s festivities to say thank you.”

  Amber lifted her own microphone. “And we really can’t thank you all enough. Not only for coming tonight, but for your incredible support of us, Taking the Reins, and what we’re trying to do here. Your support really means the world to us.”

  There was a spattering of applause before Logan continued. “We are so proud of Taking the Reins and what the future holds for equine therapy and the community of Timber Creek.” He went on to speak briefly about what equine therapy was for those in attendance who might not understand what they were trying to do, before Amber took over and started listing individuals who required special appreciation. When she was done listing everyone who’d played a role, she turned to Logan. “And a very special thank-you, of course, needs to go directly to Logan Myers, who singlehandedly brought equine therapy into the community. He is truly a remarkable man and I just know that the limits of his talents and care and concern know no bounds.”

  The audience burst into applause, along with some hoots and hollers. Logan blushed but Amber just beamed, full of pride for the man she loved. Before he could say anything else or protest the attention he’d been given, Amber once again took to the microphone. “Now,” she said, “I think that’s enough of the speeches. We are so lucky to have Timber Heart
to play a few of their new songs, so what do you all say we enjoy the music and dancing? Have a great night, everyone.”

  She clicked off the microphone, took Logan’s from his hand, and handed them both to Christy, who, along with the band, had joined them on stage. Amber took Logan’s hand and pulled him off the stage as they struck up the first chord and started playing. She knew exactly what she wanted to do, and that was dance with the man she loved and properly enjoy the night they’d worked so hard for.

  The last few weeks and months had been filled with so much emotion and turmoil for Amber as she’d tried to work through things in her head. She was just so glad that the grand opening was finally happening and so much of that stress could be alleviated. Because it was stress that was causing her confusion, of that much she’d decided on. She loved Logan and that would never change. She didn’t need anything more than the life they were building in order to be happy.

  Amber slipped into his arms as Logan began to lead them around the dance floor in a slow dance.

  This was everything. It filled her completely. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest so she could soak up the moment and the love she had for him.

  “This is perfect,” Logan said after a moment. “This entire night…us.”

  “It is.” She murmured her response and nuzzled in closer. It was perfect. She’d been shortsighted and likely caught up in the craziness that was the rest of her group of friends, with their new babies and weddings. She didn’t need that. Why would she when she finally had this? Logan was the happy-ever-after she’d always read about and never even really knew she wanted.

  “I love you, Amber.”

  She opened her eyes and looked into his as he gazed down at her. She could see the love he had for her. Even more, she could feel it. “I love you, too.” She kissed him quickly on the lips as he took her hand and spun her out onto the dance floor, making her laugh.