“Thanks.”
After she handed it to him, he opened the door, and she climbed into the vehicle as if they were going on one of the long drives they used to take in college. Like a slap, the A/C cleared her mind of the past and she stared out the windshield.
Zeke put the portfolio on the backseat and came around to the driver’s side. When he glanced at her, she saw a gleam in his eyes and knew the question he was about to ask, because he had asked it so many times before. “A/C or windows?”
“Windows.”
“I thought so.” He powered down all four windows, drove to the main road, and started a sales pitch that mirrored the CS website. “There’s no smog here, and the climate’s great all year round. For drivers, we’re centrally located between LA and the Bay Area, and the San Luis Obispo Airport is just thirty minutes from here.”
“It’s a great location,” she agreed. “I’ll be straight with you. I’ve visited two other resorts. They were nice, but Caliente Springs has more to offer than either of them.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Of course, cost is a factor.”
“We’ll talk about that tomorrow.” Slowing the SUV, he pointed to a wrought iron gate made of elaborate scrolls. “The cottages are that way. Did Ashley tell you about them?”
“A little. They’re luxurious and secure.”
“And perfect for a CEO who wants some privacy. Let’s take a look.” Zeke steered to the gate, punched in a code, and drove down a winding road to a cul-de-sac with five houses well spaced and angled for privacy. He stopped in front of the first one. “The cottages all have gourmet kitchens, media rooms, and three bedrooms with Jacuzzi tubs on the patios. Even the most dedicated CEO needs to get away from the crowd.”
He slowed the SUV to a crawl, giving her time to take in the pretty houses, the chirp of birds, and the rustle of a breeze through the oak trees. Julia couldn’t remember the last time she sat under a tree and simply breathed. “This is lovely.”
“We work hard to keep this area pristine.”
A question struck her. “Where do you live?”
“There’s a manager’s house on the backside of the golf course.” He steered out through the gate. “It comes with the job.”
“You must put in a lot of hours.”
“I do, but it’s hard to call what I do ‘work.’ I spend my time with great people in a beautiful place. We have our share of challenges, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“It suits you.”
Zeke gave the SUV a little gas. “We’ll check out the golf course next. You probably know from the website that the resort covers seven hundred acres, including green space. We rent golf carts for guests to use to get around, plus there’s a shuttle. We’re big, probably bigger than the other places you visited.”
“That’s a plus. Carter Home Goods is expecting three hundred sales reps, mostly women. This is a combo sales meeting and reward, so the reps are invited to bring spouses and families.”
“We’re perfect for that sort of thing. We offer golf, tennis, horseback rides, and lazing by one of the three pools.”
Julia liked what she was hearing. “Golf is important. Mr. Carter plays almost every day.”
Zeke slowed as they passed a green where a man in vintage tweed knickers and argyle socks was lining up a putt. A second man waited in the rough. Club in hand, he was dressed in orange and yellow plaid pants, a white shirt, and a matching bowtie. A plaid beret topped off the outfit.
Zeke turned to her, his expression deadpan. “As you can see, we’re serious about our golf—and our plaid.”
Julia smiled. “Yes, I can see that.”
“Fashion demands aside, we’d be glad to set up lessons or even a tournament to keep family members entertained.”
Zeke parked in a half-empty lot, picked up his radio, and led her toward a low building with a wide overhang. When he opened the glass door, she stepped into an air-conditioned shop full of irons and putters, accessories, and plenty of plaid.
A man with sandy brown hair approached with his eyes on Julia. “Good afternoon. I’m John Rossmore, golf pro.”
Julia shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Zeke introduced Julia as the CEO of Dare to Dream Events. “I told Julia you’d be glad to arrange a tournament for her group. She’s—”
His radio cut him off with a crackle and a gruff voice. “GM, this is Cowboy.”
Zeke raised the radio to his mouth. “Hey, Chet. I’m in the middle of something. Can this wait?”
“No, sir. It cannot. We have a 911 at the stables.”
three
Julia braced herself for news of an accident or a fire. In the current heat wave, a single ember could set the hills ablaze. The Smokey Bear sign outside the resort was set on red, and the drought conditions were the lead story on every newscast in Southern California. Her stomach flipped at the thought of smoke and scorched earth, lost jobs and even lost lives.
Zeke pressed the radio button. “I hear you, Cowboy. What’s the problem?”
“It’s that confounded goat.”
Goat? Surely she had misunderstood. Brows tight, Zeke raked his hand through his hair. “I’m on my way.”
A grunt rattled across the radio. “That nasty old thing has to go. I don’t give a hoop-dee-doo who owns her. Get her outta here, Zeke. Or I’ll have the last word.”
“Roger, Cowboy.”
“I’ll feed her to the buzzards!”
“Give me five minutes.” Zeke clicked off the radio. Looking pained, he faced Julia. “I’m sorry, but I have to handle this. How would you like to tour the clubhouse with John? Maybe take a golf lesson? If I’m not back in an hour, he’ll take you to the hotel.”
His suggestion made sense, but something in his expression made her feel like the girl in Berkeley who had thrived on adventure. “I’ll go with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
They said good-bye to John and returned to the SUV. As soon as Julia fastened her seat belt, Zeke zipped out of the parking lot and headed west to a fork in the road. “I’m sorry about this. If Ashley were here, you’d have her undivided attention.”
“Things happen. I’m just glad it’s not too serious.”
“Oh, it’s serious all right.”
“A goat?”
“A mean goat.” Zeke’s jaw hardened. “Ladybug is a menace, but she’s owned by Ginger Travers. Ginger keeps her because she has a calming effect on a horse named Clipper. Most people have dogs or cats for pets, but not Ginger. She adopted Clipper from a racehorse rescue operation. Ladybug was part of the package.”
“Cute name.” Julia pictured a little white goat in the spirit of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, a story she occasionally read to Max. “I take it Chet isn’t fond of Ladybug.”
“No. And neither am I.”
He made a right turn, drove up a long driveway, and parked on an apron of hard-packed dirt. A short man with a fringe of white hair under a straw cowboy hat strode toward the SUV, his bowed legs churning up dust. Zeke climbed out and so did Julia.
The cowboy, presumably Chet, tipped his hat to her but made a beeline to Zeke. “That goat leaves or I do.”
“What did she do this time?”
“She ate the seats off the Gator.” Chet hooked a thumb at a small utility vehicle with a flat bed, off-road tires, and two torn-up seats. “This is the third time.”
“I know—”
“If you don’t stop her, I will.” The cowboy’s face was as red as the bandanna hanging out of his hip pocket. “They’ll be serving goat stew in that or-ganic restaurant of yours.”
Julia traded an amused glance with Zeke. Out of respect for Chet, they both held back grins.
“So where is she?” Zeke asked.
Chet flung his gnarled hands up into the air. “If I knew where she was, I’d have her lassoed by now. No doubt she’s somewhere she doesn’t belong, eating everything in
sight. Try that or-ganic garden. I have a trail ride coming in—six horses with four adults and two kids. I’m shorthanded as it is, Zeke. You know that.”
“I’m working on it.”
“There’s no way I’m goin’ on a goat hunt right now. If you want Ladybug, you’re gonna have to round her up yourself.”
Zeke lowered his chin. “I get it, Chet.”
The old cowboy didn’t seem to hear him. “I don’t give a rip who that nasty thing belongs to. Ginger Travers or the president of United States, or John Wayne himself. That old thing—”
“Chet. I get it. That’s enough.”
“Sorry, boss.” The cowboy turned to Julia and tipped his hat. “And apologies to you too, miss. But that goat gets on my last nerve.”
As he stalked off, Zeke gave Julia a rueful look. “This isn’t the side of Caliente Springs we usually show to guests.”
“No points off. I promise.”
A familiar twinkle returned to his eyes—the one that looked into her heart and read her thoughts. Six years had passed, six years full of tragedy and triumphs, and yet they were still attuned to each other’s feelings. One side of Zeke’s mouth hooked into a grin, a sign that he remembered too. It didn’t seem possible, but she was close to choking up with the sweetness of it.
Swallowing hard, she pushed her emotions back into her chest. “Can I help you look for Ladybug?”
Zeke shook his head. “You’re here for a business presentation, not a hike around barns and corrals. I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
“You’ll lose time. I’ll wait in the car.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’ll check messages on my phone.”
Zeke helped her into the SUV, gave her his cell number in case she needed him, then strode past a row of covered stalls, dust puffing under his black oxfords. Even in a suit, he looked like he belonged here.
That was Zeke. Comfortable in his own skin. In charge. And ready to fight for a good cause.
Julia picked up the phone and shot a text to Ashley. Hugs to you & Rachel. Single moms unite!
Next she texted her mother. How’s it going? Love to you and Max.
Waiting for replies, she relaxed against the seat and closed her eyes. The smells of hay, horses, and summer filled her nose, and she dragged in a lungful of warm air. It felt good to let her guard down for a moment.
Her phone signaled a text. Expecting her mom or Ashley, she lifted it off her lap, saw Hunter’s name, and sighed. The message started with a link to the Encino Hills Academy, the private school they had discussed for Max and the school Hunter attended as a boy. Julia didn’t like the idea, in part because Hunter would use the high tuition to manipulate her. She wanted to send Max to the school run by her church, where he’d be with his friends. It was accredited and considered excellent.
The rest of the text said, School meeting. Monday at 9. Can you make it? Need to know now.
As if she had no other obligations! She needed to submit the Carter proposal before Tuesday and was planning to spend Monday at her computer. A playdate for Max was already arranged. Hunter’s presumption galled her, but the text was typical of the conflicts that came with co-parenting. His way or her way? What was best for Max, and how did she measure it?
Before she could decide, something slammed into the back of the SUV.
Her gaze swung to the side mirror, where a large brown goat, presumably Ladybug, stared back at her. The goat was about the size of a Great Dane, silky brown with patches of white, and eyes the exact the color of her coat. Two short horns curved back on the top of her head, and a pair of long, floppy ears grazed her rhinestone collar.
Julia called Zeke on his cell. “Unless you have more than one brown goat, Ladybug just butted the car.”
“I’m on my way.”
With Julia watching in the mirror, Ladybug veered to the right and trotted toward the long driveway. “Uh-oh. She’s leaving.”
“Which direction?”
“Down the driveway.”
“I’ll hurry, but I’m almost at the garden.”
Julia climbed out of the SUV and slammed the door. “She’s headed toward a storage shed. I’ll follow her.”
“Don’t. She’s dangerous.”
“I’ll keep my distance.” With the phone to her ear, she followed Ladybug, narrating her progress to Zeke as she trailed the goat for about fifty feet. “She stopped at a hedge of some kind.”
“Julia, I mean it. Stay back.”
“Don’t worry. I will.” She could run in her heels if she had to, but why take that chance? “She’s eating leaves off the hedge.”
“Good. I’m almost there.”
“Oh dear.”
“What?”
“She’s looking right at me.” Julia backpedaled a few steps. “She’s coming this way.” At a trot . . . an enthusiastic trot, with her eyes glued to the shiny gold buttons on Julia’s dress. “I’m going back to the car.” She turned and walked as fast as she could, keeping the phone to her ear as she glanced over her shoulder. “My word! She’s fast.”
“Hurry, Jules. Get to the car.”
Ladybug bleated repeatedly, like a freight train working up speed. Julia’s breath came in matching pants that carried over the phone.
“Julia. Talk to me.”
“I’m—I’m running.”
Zeke muttered something Julia couldn’t hear.
“She’s gaining on me!”
The SUV was just ten steps away. Then nine, eight. With her eyes focused on the door handle, Julia lowered the phone and made a final sprint. Ladybug bleated behind her. Just as Julia grabbed for the door handle, the goat snagged a mouthful of fabric and tugged. As the dress ripped, Julia spun and lost her grip on her phone. It flew up in an arc, sparkled in the sun, and landed at Ladybug’s cloven hooves.
Julia dove for it but fell short. On her hands and knees, she crawled forward, eye-to-eye with Ladybug as the goat snatched up the phone and crunched down on it.
“Bad goat!”
“Maaaah. Maa—AAAH!” Ladybug screamed at her, sounding more like a person than an animal. Julia had never heard anything like it.
She leapt to her feet, dashed to the front of the SUV, and scrambled onto the hood, losing her shoes as she climbed. Ladybug snagged one of them, worked her jaw a couple of times, then spat out the leather and bellowed at the top of her lungs.
“Julia!” Zeke was running at full speed, his coat flapping behind him and his eyes full of determination to save her. “Are you all right?”
“That goat ate my phone!”
“Don’t move. I’ll get her.”
Julia hoped he lived to tell the story and pulled her feet all the way up onto the hood of the SUV.
Zeke snapped some leaves off a shrub, then approached Ladybug with a gold lamé leash hidden behind his back. The goat stared at him with an air of superiority, bleated once as if to scold him, then walked docilely toward him and nibbled the leaves.
“Good girl.” Zeke reached for the collar, but Ladybug twisted away from him, spat out the leaves, and grabbed the flap of his coat instead. Legs splayed, she tugged with all her might.
“Hey—” He tried to pull the coat out of her mouth, but Ladybug pulled harder. The fabric let loose with a long, slow rip. Muttering to himself, he grabbed her collar and hooked the leash into place. Ladybug stepped back as far as the short line would allow, but Zeke, now looking at Julia, kept a grip on the handle. “I’ve got her. It’s safe.”
Julia wasn’t so sure. Ladybug had circled behind him. Head down, she took aim at his backside. “Zeke! Watch out—”
Whump!
His hands shot out to break the fall, but he still landed on his belly in the dirt. Muttering and sputtering, he managed to hold on to the leash as he lumbered to his feet. Dust was everywhere—on his chin, his face, all over his pants and the torn coat.
“Oh no!” Julia cried. “Are you all right?”
“Just another da
y on the job,” Zeke deadpanned.
When Ladybug let out another man-killer scream, Zeke broke out laughing, and so did Julia. She laughed so hard her ribs ached and tears pushed into her eyes. Those tears were born of more than laughter; they sprang from the desire to live life to the fullest. Deep down, in the most tender part of her heart, she longed for more moments like this one, where she could be herself with a man who knew how to love and laugh. She yearned for that kind of relationship, but she was terrified of repeating her mistakes. A lump shoved into her throat, a plug that bottled up her crazy, confused feelings.
Zeke gave Ladybug a very dirty look, then wiped the dust off his coat and shortened the leash. Ladybug’s screams dwindled to pathetic bleats.
“She nailed you,” Julia said with a big grin.
He just shook his head. “When you write up the Carter proposal, make sure you include goat hunting as a new sport.”
“Oh, I will.”
Their eyes met, his twinkling and hers too, until he broke the silence. “I’m going to tie her up. Stay put.”
“No problem!”
Zeke led Ladybug to a split rail fence and tied the leash in a knot. The goat protested with more pitiful bleats, then discovered some weeds and snagged a mouthful.
Zeke strode back to Julia. She scooted to the edge of the hood, but when she reached for his hand, her silky dress glided over the paint and she picked up speed. Instinctively she grasped his shoulders. Gripping her waist, he lifted her up and spun her around until she landed gently on the ground and stepped back.
Their gazes matched and held for what felt like six years. She recalled walking down Telegraph Avenue, where sidewalk vendors and street people made every day a circus. She’d been so full of big ideas back then. More than anything, she had valued personal freedom and self-definition. Zeke, far more pragmatic, had majored in business.
“Why not religion?” she had asked him once.
“I’m a preacher’s kid. I’ve read the Bible my whole life. With a business degree, I can bring some practical know-how to a church or a ministry like my dad’s. That’s what I was born to do.”
But here he was now, at a resort that didn’t look anything like a church. There was a story there, but if she asked him about it, she’d have to tell her own. It was best to stick to business.
Someone Like You Page 3