“Rafe, this is so beautiful.”
“This is my secret place,” he said as they brought the horses up to the trees. Rafe dismounted and dropped his reins. Then he came over to Olivia and held up his arms. “Put your hands on my shoulders. I’ll help you down. We’ll learn dismounting when we go back. Then your lessons will be complete for the day.”
“You’re a very good instructor, Rafe. Have you ever thought of teaching?”
“You know, I actually have. I get a kick out of seeing young kids ride their first time. Uh, and some adults, too.” He winked at her. “But my dad always wanted to race.”
“I understand all about obligations to our parents,” she said under her breath as she placed her hands on Rafe’s strong shoulders.
The instant Olivia was on the ground, she put her arms around Rowan’s neck and hugged him. With her cheek next to his cheek, she closed her eyes. For a long moment she didn’t say a word, immersing herself in the exchange of energies she felt from Rowan. She couldn’t be sure, but she believed he was sad she was no longer on his back. She stroked his snout and kissed him. “Thank you for being my friend.”
Rowan nickered.
Olivia laughed and gave him another quick hug. She turned to Rafe. “He’s such a joy.”
“I know,” Rafe replied quietly, taking her hand. “Come on.”
Rafe led her over to the pond. The sun was finally slipping below the horizon. Crimson streaks shot across the sky, and an amber glow flooded the earth. The water reflected the pallette of colors. “It’s wonderful,” Olivia gushed. “I wish I had my camera.”
“Where’s your phone?”
“Ah! In my pocket.” She’d forgotten she had it. It was hard to think of anything else but Rafe when they were together.
“Quick, now. Before it’s gone,” Rafe said, pointing to the reflection in the water.
She tapped off a few dozen shots. Then the colors turned indigo and violet. The moon rose in the eastern heavens—enormous and mesmerizing.
“So beautiful,” she said, wishing her phone camera was adequate for capturing the moon.
“I was thinking the same thing myself,” he said, standing behind her. Placing his hands on her waist, he turned her around to face him and without another word, he kissed her.
For days Olivia had thought about little else other than Rafe and his kiss. Now that his lips were on hers, she was mindless. She couldn’t think of a single thing. All she could do was feel the intense heat that started in her chest and filled her entire body. Yet at the same time, his lips were cool. So was his skin. She placed her hand on his cheek and felt the strong cut to his jaw. She lowered her hand to his neck, feeling the hard muscles where his shoulders began.
He pulled her close to his chest, and she could feel the pounding of his heart. She wondered if he could feel hers, too.
His lips went from gentle to possessive in an instant. She didn’t know where her breath started and his took over. She had never felt these enormous, heady, intoxicating emotions about anyone ever before.
Rowan whinnied. Pegasus snorted.
Rafe pulled away and chuckled. “I think we’re being summoned.” He didn’t release her.
Olivia realized that she didn’t know which she liked more: being kissed by Rafe or being held by him. Both were delicious and incomparable.
“Chaperones. Who would have guessed?” She laughed.
“Not me, I assure you,” he whispered, kissing the tip of her nose. “I’ll help you back up.”
“Before we go, I just wanted to say...”
“What is it?”
“You said this was your secret place. I never had anything like that.”
“No? Where did you go with all your secrets? To think about things? To figure things out?”
She shrugged. “I always talked to my mom. Sometimes my friends, I guess.”
He hitched his chin back. “Yeah. I guess girls would do that.”
“You didn’t talk to your brothers or Austin?”
“Not really.”
“What about your dad? You said you two were very close.”
“We were as close as he allowed us to be.” He looked down at their hands, which were entwined. “He didn’t share much, even with my mother. Each of us boys—well, we all kind of did our work and our own thing when we needed solace or comfort. I came here.”
“But you loved horses and so did your father. Would you have loved them if your dad hadn’t?”
He peered at her for a very long moment. “I never thought of it quite like that. I think I would. I know I sure love these two horses.”
“I understand. But the racing—”
“Yes,” he said slowly, though Olivia got the distinct impression he wasn’t quite sure of his answer. It was one thing to love horses. She wanted to know if the racing was just because of Angelo.
Rafe picked up Rowan’s reins. “I want Rowan to be all that he can be. He’s an exceptional racer. If we didn’t have to plant...if I weren’t tied to the farm—” He stopped himself and cleared his throat. “Well, there’s no end to what he could do if he had real opportunities.”
Olivia heard the regret in Rafe’s voice and she knew she had her answer. Racing was paramount to him. Rafe would never be happy with a life that didn’t include racing horses.
Racing might be in Rowan’s genes, but it was in Rafe’s heart. “This race that’s coming up in Illinois...is it important?”
“Not as much as it would have been if Rowan could have been a Kentucky Derby contender. To make that happen, I would have had to enter him in races all winter and spring, and a lot of those races were in California. I could never have gotten away from the farm for even a fraction of the time that would’ve required. Now that I look back, I can see how little my dad was doing around here. Once Gabe left, the workload was very difficult. Mica has been talking about hiring another permanent hand. Even a comanager to take Gabe’s place. Frankly, until the Indian Lake race, Curt and I didn’t exactly know what Rowan was capable of accomplishing.”
She put her hand on his cheek. “There’s been a great deal for you to consider, hasn’t there?”
“Yes,” he replied with a somber expression that touched her heart. “I’m excited for Illinois, though, and I’m glad you’re going to be there.” He tilted his head and regarded her tenderly.
“Me? Why?”
A smile broke across his handsome face. “Haven’t you figured that out? I think Rowan won the last race to impress you. Like I said, your kisses are lucky.”
Then he kissed her lightly, took her hand and helped her up into the saddle before getting back on Pegasus.
For the rest of their return to the villa, Olivia wondered what it would be like to ride beside the man she loved for the rest of her life.
CHAPTER TWENTY
IT WAS NEARLY closing time at the deli and though Olivia hadn’t seen a customer for half an hour, she kept the open sign lit until the very last minute. She’d learned over the years that her patrons from the surrounding offices would often dash to the deli and buy up the last of the cookies and brownies for late-afternoon meetings. If there were any macarons or chocolate-chip cookies left, she kept the door unlocked while she cleaned the kitchen and dining area. Every penny in the restaurant business counted.
Olivia cleaned off the grill with a charcoal block, scraped off the residue and then wiped the surface until it glimmered. She’d already washed all her pots, pans, dishes and utensils, and put them in their proper places for tomorrow’s breakfast and lunch crowds.
She’d just picked up the broom to make the final sweep through the kitchen area when she heard her name.
“Olivia! Good. You’re still here.” Katia rushed into the deli with a wide smile.
“Hi, Katia
.” Olivia glanced at the grill she’d just broken a sweat to clean. “Are you here for one of Austin’s grilled beef sandwiches?”
Katia followed Olivia’s gaze and chuckled. “Not after you’re all shut down.” She eyed the pastry display case. “But I will take those German chocolate brownies.”
“How many?”
“All of them. Everyone at the office loves them. Especially my boss, Jack. He never makes dessert for himself. Frankly, I think the only recipes he knows are for smoothies and his vegetable juice concoctions.”
Olivia grinned. “Very healthy. And admirable.”
“But no fun.” Katia laughed.
Olivia took out a bakery box and filled it with the seven remaining brownies. Katia reached into her purse for her wallet.
“The real reason I’m here, Olivia, is to find out if you play tennis.”
Olivia paused as she reached for Katia’s credit card. “Tennis? Not since high school.”
“But you were good, though, right?”
“How do you know that?” Olivia asked, swiping the card.
“Sarah told me. Mrs. Beabots confirmed it.” Katia’s smile shone with just a bit too much intrigue for Olivia’s comfort.
“No secret is safe in Indian Lake with those two living next door to each other.”
“Ah! So it’s true. Mrs. Beabots said you were city champ.”
“No big deal. It’s not like I went to State or anything.”
“Sarah said you’re very athletic and that you were more than amazing on the courts until you broke your ankle.” The transaction rang through and Katia put her credit card back in her wallet.
Olivia rolled her eyes as she closed the box. “It was a long time ago. I haven’t played much since then.” She shrugged. “I haven’t had the time. This place, plus planning weddings for certain friends I know...”
Olivia studied that certain friend as she handed her the brownies. Katia had an ulterior motive, judging by the too-broad smile and the overly bright gleam in her eyes. “Out with it, Katia. You want to change the wedding venue? You’re flying to Italy and getting married there, instead?”
“Actually, we are going to Italy—and France—for our honeymoon, but this has nothing to do with our wedding plans. I love all your ideas. I came to ask if you’d like to play tennis with me and Austin on Sunday evening. I’m making salmon afterward.”
Olivia cocked her head to the right and peered at Katia suspiciously. “Three for tennis?”
“Rafe makes it doubles,” Katia nearly squealed.
Olivia gaped at her. “Rafe. Hmm. So, whose idea was this?”
“Rafe’s. He’s going to call you.”
Olivia’s cell phone rang in her jeans pocket.
Katia’s eyes lit up. “That’s him!”
Olivia glared at her friend. “I need to have a very serious talk with you, Katia. After this call.”
“Sure. Fine.” She pointed at the cell phone. “Answer it. Say yes!”
Olivia picked up. “Hi, Rafe. How are you?”
She never took her eyes off Katia as she spoke with Rafe. Olivia had only known Katia for seven months or so, since she moved back to Indian Lake. Katia was a few years older than Olivia, so they’d never been acquaintances in school. Katia’s mother had been the McCrearys’ housekeeper, and from what Mrs. Beabots had told Olivia, Katia had been very much in love with Austin before her mother abruptly moved them to Chicago when Katia was sixteen. Austin had been devastated when she left and had developed a bit of a reputation as a recluse over the next decade. His only close friend was Rafe. Now that Katia had returned, she and Austin had rekindled their love for each other. It was a very romantic story. Olivia wondered if it was as romantic as the story she was building with Rafe.
He was shouting at her over some kind of heavy equipment.
“Rafe, where on earth are you?”
“In the field on my tractor,” he said. “I’ll make this short. Austin and Katia want us to play tennis on Sunday. Are you free?”
“Yes, I’m free. But I don’t own a racket anymore, or shoes, and I—”
He cut her off. “I have a racket for you. Katia said you can borrow shoes from her. I think it would be fun and I really want to see you again. We’ll be working late every night, but Sunday evenings are mine. Say you can make it.”
“Yes, Rafe. But I’m very rusty with my game.”
“No worries. I’ll teach you. After all, I’m your riding coach now. Why not add tennis? See you at six.”
“Six,” she confirmed and then he hung up.
Olivia looked at Katia. “So was it really Rafe’s idea, or did you and Austin decide to invite us to play tennis together? Hmm. I’m just wondering, Katia, what made you think that Rafe and I would be suitable partners?”
Katia stared at her with faux innocence. “You wouldn’t accuse me of matchmaking, would you?”
“Sure I would. Spill.”
“Okay, Mrs. Beabots said that there might be something going on between you two, and Austin and I are so deliriously happy that we thought we could fan the flames a little. Rafe is always so busy and between you and me, he’s got some of that hermit thing going on...like Austin did until I came back. One of my priorities is to get Austin more involved outside his company and his new start-up in Scottsdale. Honestly, there is so much expansion at the plant that if I didn’t make plans for him, he’d sleep there.”
“I doubt that, Katia.”
“It’s true! That’s why I’m making him take two weeks in Europe with me. I wanted three, but it’s out of the question. The plant reorganization should be done around the time of the wedding. He’ll need a vacation by then.”
“Sounds like it.”
“In the meantime,” Katia continued, “I need to get you some tennis shoes and a tennis outfit.”
“I think I have an outfit somewhere in the back of my closet. I might even have shoes, and if I don’t, I’ll run down to the sporting goods store and get some.” She paused as she thought about the commitment she’d just made. Not only was she going to see Rafe again, but this was the first time they would be attending a social function as a couple, too. A couple. Olivia had to get used to that. She had never dated anyone long enough to be considered a couple, at least not since her freshman year, when she’d gone to a Christmas dance and then a spring formal with Don Shelly. She hadn’t thought about him in over a decade. She’d barely thought about tennis in that long, either.
Olivia wasn’t sure if it was coincidence, but she had a narrow streak of the recluse in her, as well. The struggle of building the clientele at the deli and the even more difficult task of amassing catering customers had consumed her life. What little spare time she had, she devoted to photography. Olivia wasn’t certain if she was a workaholic, but the state of her social life suggested she might be becoming one.
She hoped she was good for Rafe because she was beginning to see he was very good for her.
* * *
AUSTIN’S HOUSEKEEPER, DAISY, opened the door and greeted Olivia. “How nice to see you,” she said. “Everyone is out on the terrace. I was just making lemonade.”
“I’ll help you,” Olivia said reflexively. This was the first time she’d entered Austin’s home as a guest, not a caterer.
“You won’t be doing any such thing,” Daisy said, shutting the door as she stepped inside. “Katia has dinner under control and after your tennis match, your only job is to enjoy.” Daisy smiled as she led the way down the long hall, past the soaring staircase and into the kitchen that led to the backyard, the pool and the tennis courts.
Austin’s home was one of the few old mansions in town that hadn’t been converted into apartments. It sat at the end of elegant Maple Avenue, still Olivia’s favorite street in town, on two immaculately landscaped
acres. Austin’s family had come to Indian Lake not long after WWI, a working-class family in the burgeoning auto industry. Three generations later, Austin was redefining the family business again with his high-tech, waterproof cell phone and tablet screens, which had already been picked up by two major smartphone manufacturers. Olivia believed, along with a great many people in Indian Lake, that Austin’s new business would bring a new workforce to Indian Lake. It would also ensure that the lovely McCreary mansion would be maintained for another generation.
Just as Olivia reached the kitchen, Rafe came through the back door, flinging it wide and flashing a smile at her. “I was just coming in to see if you’d arrived.” He rushed over to hug her. “Wow, you look cute.”
“Thanks,” she said, glancing down at her white tennis skirt, navy V-neck sweater and her brand-new high-impact sport sneakers. She hadn’t worn the tennis outfit since her senior year. Shockingly, it was too big in the waist and she’d had to pin it to hold it up. Olivia hadn’t paid much attention to her weight over the years, but she figured that replacing her high school diet of hamburgers and French fries with veggie salads and low-fat recipes had resulted in a smaller frame. Olivia had tied her long hair back to keep it away from her face while delivering—she hoped—a mean backhand.
He took her hand and slid her arm through his. “I was really happy to learn that you played tennis. You didn’t tell me.”
“It didn’t come up. I sold my racket years ago.”
“I bet that was tough.”
“It was a fundraiser for a little boy who had leukemia. It was a good cause and he’s doing well now.”
Rafe squeezed her hand. “Admirable.”
They walked out the kitchen door to find Katia and Austin volleying a ball back and forth. Katia heard their voices and stopped to wave at Olivia just after she’d lobbed the ball back to Austin, who smashed it across the court and would have won a point.
“Katia!” Austin groaned. “The ball!”
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