True Horizon

by Laurie Winter

  “I don’t need a shrink.” He extended his hand toward her and flapped the paper.

  She raised her hands, refusing to take it. “You may be right. You may not need any help, but please keep my name and phone number just in case you ever want to talk. I’ve helped many men and women in similar situations. Hope exists. We can find a way to make things better.”

  His defenses lowered, and he considered what she said. Looking at her, he only saw compassion in her eyes. What if he could find help in this small, blonde, scrappy package? He folded the piece of paper and put it in his pocket.

  Without saying another word, she smiled and restarted her run, heading over the bridge.

  Heath was left scratching his itchy beard, wondering if this chance meeting could be the answer to his prayers.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Sorry, Grace, but that is not happening.” Tyler sat next to Grace on the metal bench in her mother’s flower garden. A large mesquite tree provided shade from the late afternoon sun.

  “You said yourself that you don’t spend much time in the office. Your schedule has you traveling most of the week. What is the difference if we live in Dallas or here, in Liberty Ridge?” A hint of desperation marked her voice.

  “I’m not moving back to a small town. Plus, I’m making a name for myself at Petro-Holdings. No way am I asking them to work remotely. Not this early in my career.” Tyler crossed his arms and raised his chin

  “Don’t you want our children to grow up with all this space and freedom, not crammed into a city apartment with no yard?” She needed him to understand her point of view.

  Tyler stood. “I’m not raising my children in some two-bit town with no opportunities. The only thing these people care about is high school football and feed prices.” He paced back and forth and threw his arms in the air. “They even close the shops in town early on Friday night for the high school football game. I spent my whole childhood waiting to get out. No way am I moving back to Liberty Ridge.”

  The force of Tyler’s words struck her like a slap across the face. She never knew how much he detested their hometown. “How can you say those things? You’re talking about our family and our friends.”

  “Your family, Grace.” He pointed a long finger. “My parents barely tolerate it here.”

  Her hands trembled. For years, she had worked hard to become the type of woman Tyler could love. She’d changed, both inside and out. Now, she was asking something from him, and he wouldn’t even consider her request. Grace stood, ready to walk away but then stopped. She turned on her heel to face him. “If we’re to be married,” she said in a low voice. “You will have to compromise.”

  “Not about this.” He brushed past her and strode away, hands clenched at his sides.

  A minute later, she heard the house door slam shut. The tears, which she’d locked away, broke free and spilled down her cheeks. Why were relationships so hard? Shouldn’t couples in love work out these problems without turning into a fight? All she had done was suggest they live in Liberty Ridge.

  The more time she spent at the ranch, the stronger its pull became. She didn’t miss the crowded city streets or constant noise of Dallas. Not once had she felt the urge to go visit for the day. Except for Tyler, everything she loved was right here.

  As her dreams crashed around her, they all seemed meaningless. Could she have been wrong to think Tyler was her perfect man? Not that such a person existed.

  She’d dated other men in the past, mostly the suit and tie types. Oh, and one rodeo cowboy. She smiled at the memory of their date. His plate-size belt buckle had been too much of a distraction. And when he’d pulled her close for a kiss, the huge piece of metal nearly impaled her.

  None had ever lived up to her expectations. She’d raised Tyler so high, no wonder reality dragged him down. Drying her eyes, she strolled along the stone path through the flower garden. Low bunches of ground cover wove their way around rose bushes and tall Texas Star hibiscus. The flowers filled the air with heavenly fragrance.

  As she left the garden and approached the house, she saw her dad sitting on the porch, reading the Sunday paper. She climbed the stairs and took the rocking chair next to him.

  “What’s wrong, butterfly?” He put down the paper.

  She let out a long sigh. “I mentioned to Tyler I’ve been thinking a lot about living in Liberty Ridge after we’re married. I really don’t want to live in Dallas. He travels so much that I thought he wouldn’t mind. Tyler said he’d never move back to this ‘hick town.’” She put those last two words in air quotes.

  Dad laughed. “I coulda told you that. That boy couldn’t wait to see this town in his rearview mirror. He never liked living here and never will.”

  “I only wanted to talk about the option. He wouldn’t even consider it.” She increased the pace of her rocking to match the rapid beat of her heart.

  “You really want to come home to Liberty Ridge?” Dad raised his bushy eyebrows. “Since you graduated high school, you’ve been keen on living in the big city.”

  “I’m honestly not sure what I want.” Grace sighed. “But I’d like the option to raise my kids the same way I was raised. Maybe not on a ranch per say, but in a safe place where they can run free.”

  “Now that’s something you and Tyler need to work out.” Her dad took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “You can postpone the wedding if things don’t feel right. I’ll support your decision, whatever it is.”

  She replayed her conversation with Tyler. He was probably upstairs packing. He had a flight to Mexico that evening. New doubts bubbled to the surface. Maybe only a case of pre-wedding jitters. Grace wanted to go into the house and smooth things over with Tyler. Before she could get to the front door, a red minivan pulled up, parked, and two little girls tumbled out of the sliding door.

  They called out in unison. “Papa. Auntie Grace. We’re here!” The girls were halfway to the house when something by the horse paddock caught their attention. They switched direction, like a synchronized school of fish, and took off running. Obviously, they had found something, or someone, more exciting than Auntie Grace and Papa.

  A bubble of laughter burst inside her. She couldn’t blame them for favoring Heath when she was just as guilty.

  ****

  Horses really aren’t that bad. Heath sprayed down a mare with the hose. As the cool water ran over her body, she stomped in obvious appreciation. If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve sworn the horse smiled. He turned to the sound of squeals and giggles and saw Kara and Lizzy running in his direction.

  They hopped up on a low rail of the paddock.

  “Heath, we’re at Nana and Papa’s house for a picnic,” Kara said.

  He remembered Kara always wore a pink ribbon in her hair.

  “Papa said we can ride a horse later,” Lizzy piped in. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m giving the horse a bath.” He walked over to turn off the water, his boots squishing through the mud. “You girls need a bath, too?” Heath pointed the hose at the giggling girls.

  “No!” They shook their heads, curls swinging back and forth. “We can’t get our clothes wet,” Lizzy said. “We brought our swimsuits for later. Papa’s got a sprinkler.”

  “Sounds like fun.” He came over to the girls and leaned on the rail. Looking toward the house, he saw Grace sitting on the porch with her dad, Alex, and Jenny. No Tyler in sight. That man was seriously annoying. Every time Heath saw Tyler, he had his nose in his smart phone and a scowl on his face. He couldn’t leave work behind, even after being away from his fiancé for two weeks.

  Earlier, he had noticed Grace talking with Tyler in the flower garden. Grace looked upset, and Tyler had eventually stormed off. Heath had wanted to punch the guy for being such an idiot where Grace was concerned. Instead, he’d gone back to work, in hopes of cooling his temper.

  “Are you coming to the picnic?” Kara asked. “Daddy’s making his special chicken. It’s so yummy!”
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  “You bet, munchkins.”

  The girls broke out into a fresh set of giggles.

  Their joy made him smile. “Go over by your mom and dad before you get muddy. I need to finish here then I’ll join you.”

  The girls jumped off the rail. “Promise you’ll play SOLO with us and Auntie Grace. I want to see her lose again.” Kara hopped up and down.

  Heath laughed at their eagerness. “We’ll see.” How had he made friends with a pair of six-year-old girls? Whistling an upbeat melody, he led the mare back to her stall.

  A little while later, he sat on the patio and the smell of grilled meat made his mouth water. A large canopy had been erected and provided much-appreciated shade. Alex brought out a cooler filled with soda and beer and was now manning the grill. Storm clouds converged in the western sky. The area needed the rain, but hopefully, the clouds would hold off until later.

  “Hey.” Bruce handed him a beer. “The ladies are in the house getting the food ready. Alex is in charge of the grill. And you and me, we get to supervise.” He clinked bottles with Heath.

  “I like that.” Heath took a drink. No doubt Tyler was inside with the women. That snarky thought brought a smile to his lips.

  He and Bruce sat and talked for a while, until the back door opened and Tyler came outside. He went directly over to Alex at the grill.

  Bruce tipped his head toward Tyler. “I say you can tell a lot about a man by his hands.”

  “Pencil pusher,” Heath said with a grin.

  Bruce let loose a hearty laugh, which got the attention of both Alex and Tyler.

  “You’re a straight shooter.” Bruce took a drink out of his beer bottle. “I like that about you.” He pushed to stand and swayed. Taking hold of the arm of his chair, Bruce steadied himself.

  “Are you feeling all right?” As he watched Bruce struggle, Heath’s concern grew. More than once, he’d witnessed Bruce unsteady on his feet. Bruce’s face, normally a ruddy color, had gone pale, and his hands shook slightly.

  After a few deep breaths, Bruce let go of his hold on the chair. “Oh, I’m fine. My body can’t take the heat like it used to.” He patted Heath on the shoulder and went into the house.

  Tyler turned to watch Bruce go inside, and then narrowed his eyes at Heath.

  Grace stepped out of the back door carrying a large purple bowl. She set the bowl on the table and took the chair next to Heath. The one her dad had just vacated. “I’m glad you decided to join us. The twins can’t stop talking about you. They might start a fan club,” Grace said with a chuckle.

  “Would you join?”

  She looked at him with a soft smile. “You know I’ll always be in your corner.”

  “Grace, can you come here?” Tyler hollered.

  “Be right back,” she whispered to Heath.

  He watched as she walked over to Tyler. Jealousy heated his skin.

  Grace’s hands rested on her hips while she listened to what Tyler had to say. A frown pulled at her mouth.

  “Why is he here?” Tyler asked in a raised voice. “Does he think he’s part of the family now?”

  “As far as I’m concerned, yes, he is.”

  Her chin was set at a defiant angle. Heath smiled behind his beer bottle. What a woman.

  “I expect you’ll be polite.” She swiped the beer out of his hand and returned to her chair.

  She brushed the damp surface of the bottle over her forehead. Water droplets rolled down the side of her face. One came to rest on her upper lip.

  His fingers twitched with the need to brush across her desirable lip. Geez, get a grip, man. Her jerk of a fiancé was standing only a few feet away. Watching how Grace and Tyler acted toward one another, he wondered if trouble had arrived in paradise. But why should he care? Not like he had a chance with her, whether Tyler was in the picture or not.

  ****

  When the food was ready, the family gathered around the table, prayed, and began chowing down. They looked like a swarm of ants at a picnic. Everyone reaching, grabbing, and shoveling food onto their plates. Grace sat next to Tyler, who now attempted to smooth over things before he left for Mexico. He was being so attentive, Grace wouldn’t have been surprised if he offered to cut her meat. Her heart melted a tiny bit from his efforts.

  Their wedding was a little over a month away, and her shoulders bore the heavy weight of her indecision. The invitations were sent out, her dress altered and ready for the final fitting, her bridesmaids’ and flower girls’ dresses were bought and paid for, and the caterer had deposits for their services.

  Every day that passed, she felt less sure about spending the rest of her life with him. He had a different vision for their future.

  Alex, who sat across from her, turned to Heath. “I heard you met Colleen Gardner the other day. I saw her at the restaurant. She asked how you liked working at the ranch.” He tipped his head at Tyler. “Tyler and I went to high school with her. Grace, too, but she was two years behind.”

  Hearing Colleen was back in town, Grace nearly choked on her corn. “Why is she here?” She narrowed her eyes. “Setting traps for unsuspecting men, no doubt.” She didn’t even want to think about Colleen going after Heath.

  “Colleen opened a practice in Liberty Ridge. If you ask me, she doesn’t need to set traps for men. She still looks pretty good…ouch!” Alex said at the same time Jenny’s sharp elbow connected with his ribs.

  Followed by a look that could have shriveled a tomato off the vine. “Well, Heath should stay away from her.” Grace crossed her arms. “Colleen is not a nice person.”

  “Grace Ann,” her mother scolded. “Be nice. Colleen’s father told me she graduated from Yale with honors and has worked in Killeen for several years. She is a very well-respected psychologist.”

  Tyler reached under the table and to hold Grace’s hand then gave it a quick squeeze. The comforting gesture only stoked her temper. She wanted to squeeze his hand back twice as hard.

  Alex grinned. “Heath, don’t listen to Grace. Colleen is a friend. Maybe we can all get together and go out some night.”

  Heath looked at his plate, pushing food around with his fork.

  He studied the mounds of coleslaw and fruit salad like he’d never seen anything so interesting in his life. Was he attracted to Colleen? She was very pretty, if one liked the blue-eyed, perky blonde look. And Colleen did know how to get her way with men. She came across as sugar-sweet but could be as mean as a pit viper. Or at least she had been in high school. The thought of Heath and Colleen together riled her every nerve. “Having Colleen Gardner in the same room with me is not a good idea.”

  Heath shifted in his seat and turned to Bruce. “I have two tickets for the preseason football game between the San Antonio Rangers and the Timber Lake Warriors. Would you like to go? The game is a week from Friday.”

  Bruce’s face brightened. “I’d like that, a lot. Thanks.”

  Tyler rested his forearms on the table and leaned in. “You don’t strike me as a football fan, Heath.”

  Resting back, Heath hooked his hands behind his head. “My late friend’s widow is now married to the Warriors’ linebacker, Reagan Harrison. She sent me two tickets in hopes I could come to the game and see her and the kids. We’ll be sitting with Julie and her family in their stadium suite.”

  If Grace’s eyes didn’t pop out of her head, they were pretty darn close. “You know Reagan Harrison?”

  He shrugged. “Not very well. Julie had some rough years after John died. Reagan’s been very good to her.”

  “I remember reading an article about Reagan eloping last year.” Alex nodded. “The media speculated that he’d lose his edge.”

  Bruce set down his fork. “No chance of that. That man can bulldoze through an offensive line like they’re a bunch of little girls.” He looked over at his granddaughters. “No offense, sweethearts.”

  The scowls on Lizzy and Kara’s face lifted into smiles.

  Tyler pushed back his chair to stand. �
�I need to leave to catch my flight. Thanks for your hospitality.” He turned to Grace. “Walk me to the car?”

  Joslyn stood and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Travel safe. How much longer do you have to be in Mexico?”

  “Only two more weeks.” Tyler said goodbye to everyone minus Heath. Once they got to his car, Tyler pulled her into a strong embrace. “I hate leaving you.” He nuzzled his face against her neck.

  “Then don’t leave. Stay here.” She knew he wouldn’t stay but issued the challenge anyway.

  “You know I can’t. This trip is important to my career. Doing well there could mean a big promotion.” Tyler stepped away. “This is for you, too.”

  “If you think I care about status and money, then you don’t know me.” Grace didn’t doubt he cared. But she was seeing cracks growing between them. If his loyalty was ever tested, would he choose her or his career?

  Tyler pressed his lips to hers.

  For Grace, his kiss had lost most of its spark. Instead of producing fire on her lips, her reaction only felt lukewarm.

  When he pulled away, he took her hand and turned it palm up. He lightly ran his index finger over its lines.

  As if he was reading her future. What did he see? A life filled with social engagements and long nights home alone?

  “I love you, Grace. I can’t wait to be your husband. We’ll get away from here, from whatever’s been bothering you, and start our life together.”

  They kissed one last time before Tyler got in his car and drove away.

  When she returned to the table, Heath’s gaze followed her like a scientist studying the mysteries of life. The family had finished eating, so she began clearing the plates off the table. She leaned in to take Heath’s plate, and he grabbed her hand. Startled, she sharply inhaled. His touch electrified her skin.

  “You are perfect,” he whispered. “Don’t change who you are in order to please anyone.” He let go, got up out of his chair, and walked away.