by Barbara Gee
“I’m not in love,” he said quickly, looking around to make sure no one was listening in. “I’m just pretty sure I will be.”
Boone laughed and clapped him on the back. “I’m not sure she’s feeling it, bro, but I suppose it’s too soon to give up.”
“She’s just cautious,” Vince declared. “Trust me, I’m making progress.” He looked at Jolene. “I’m taking your advice and going slow. I can be patient when I need to be.”
“Shall I invite her for lunch?” Jolene wondered. “Kay would love to have her.”
“Nah, she has to get back to Jeremiah.”
Jolene gave him a sympathetic look. “Don’t get discouraged,” she said, patting his arm. “I know she’s really tied down right now, but I’m sure you can figure out ways to see her. You might need to get creative, that’s all.”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ve got this. Really.”
When they both looked skeptical, he gave them a cocky smile. “I told you I’m making progress, guys. You need to have more faith.”
“What are you hiding?” Boone asked suspiciously.
Vince shrugged. “Just that I’m learning to ride. Got my second lesson scheduled for this evening.” He gave Boone a jovial slap on the back. “I found a really great teacher. She’s a lot prettier than you, too.”
With that, Vince backed away, chuckling as his two friends exchanged a shocked look. That would teach them to doubt him.
He walked out of the sanctuary into the gathering space at the front of the building, hoping for one last glimpse of Callie. No such luck, but he was caught by Brittany and Kim, who he suspected had been lying in wait. They must have talked to Callie and Rose, because they already knew he was going to the Desmonds’ for lunch, but they suggested getting a group together to hang out that evening.
Vince broke the news he had plans, and wondered how significant it was that Callie obviously hadn’t told her closest friends she was teaching him to ride. He hoped it was because she was afraid the girls might want to join the fun, and she wanted him all to herself.
That was probably wishful thinking, but he was definitely okay with the lessons being their secret for now.
CHAPTER 13
“How long do ya think you’ll ride?” Jeremiah asked from the comfortable depths of his recliner.
“Mmm, I don’t know. Probably not more than an hour.”
“No need to rush back for me. I’ll just be sittin’ here, whether you’re in the house or not.”
Callie gave him a warning look, wishing he hadn’t made it priority number one to push her and Vince together. It was already hard enough to keep from jumping willy-nilly into something with Vince—she didn’t need pressure from her grandpa to further weaken her resolve.
“I don’t like this new role you’ve assumed,” she told him bluntly. “I know you mean well, but you’re going to end up embarrassing me in front of Vince. I’m glad you like him, but we’re just friends.”
“For now, maybe.”
“Maybe forever, Grandpa. Either way, you pushing me isn’t going to change anything.”
“Fine,” Jeremiah said, waving a hand. “You kids don’t need me to push ya anyway. You’re already heading in that direction.”
Callie started to deny it, then deflated and sank onto the couch. “If I am, it could be the dumbest thing I’ll ever do.” She rubbed her temples. “I don’t see any way this can end well.”
“You’ll never know if you don’t give it a shot.” The man’s teasing smile quickly faded. “Then again, I’m not one to give advice on love, considering my own wife left me for another man.”
His statement caught Callie completely by surprise, because his ex-wife was the one thing he never talked about. Ever. Even when Callie was young, she’d somehow known the subject was off limits. She only knew about her grandmother’s leaving because Brit’s mother had told her.
“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” she said softly. “I know that had to have been hard.”
“Hard on a man’s pride, that’s for sure,” he said, his voice gravelly.
Callie waited to see if he’d say more, but he was silent, a closed look on his face. She couldn’t tell if he was sad, upset or indifferent, but since he’d finally raised the subject of his own volition, she wasn’t quite ready to let it drop.
“I wondered about it sometimes, back when I was in elementary school,” she said cautiously. “Someone told me she left before I got here, and I wondered what it would've been like to have to share you with a wife. I guess I was a selfish child, because I didn’t want her to come back. I really liked having you all to myself.”
He looked at her, surprised, then he actually chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that, my girl. Real glad. I always figured you wished there was a female around the place.”
She smiled gently. “Didn’t need one. I had you.”
He gave a couple of slow nods. “I reckon maybe things worked out for the best all the way around. Margaret was never happy here. Never stopped wanting to move somewhere more exciting. In her mind, the big cities held all the excitement, all the opportunities. I still wonder sometimes where she ended up. I wonder if it’s lived up to her expectations, or if she realized little ole Barlow wasn’t so bad.”
Suddenly Callie understood a lot. “Is that why you pushed me to try living in Minneapolis?” she asked gently. “So I could compare it to Barlow and know which one I preferred?”
He stared at the TV. “Better to find out now rather than feel like you’re trapped later.”
Callie was silent for a moment. “You already know Barlow wins hands-down for me,” she said finally. “I’d like to think I’ll stay forever.” She hesitated, then voiced what she was thinking. “The question is, what happens if I let my match-making Grandpa win and I fall for a man who can’t live here, and I have to choose?”
Jeremiah chuckled. “That’d put you in a tough spot, huh?”
She gave him a sideways look. “You should’ve thought about that before you embarked on your little match-making mission.”
“Maybe, but it’s not the same situation I had with Margaret.”
“It’s close. The only difference is I’d be in the big city, pining away for Barlow.”
“Nah, it’s still not the same. There’d be another big difference, and that’s the difference that would make all the difference.” He chuckled. “That sounds like a riddle, huh?”
He looked at her smugly and Callie tilted her head curiously. “Don’t leave me hanging, Grandpa. What difference would make the difference?”
His expression grew serious. “Simple. You and your man would love each other. That would be the difference.” His eyes got a distant look again. “Margaret never loved me, she just wanted an excuse to move out of her parents’ house. We got married young, before she had a chance to decide what she really wanted. And to tell you the honest truth, even though my pride was hurt when she left, it ended up being a big relief to me. There were some pretty bad years, and I can’t say I was all that sorry to see her go.”
Callie swallowed, wondering just how bad it had gotten. She didn’t ask though, because she didn’t want him to have to relive it in order to tell her.
“I hate that you suffered, Grandpa. I’m sure you tried hard to make it work.”
“I did. For many years I did. The worst thing is, Tabby was the one who suffered the most. She bore the brunt of both our frustrations, and it’s no mystery why she left as soon as she had the opportunity. And since her mother had filled her head with dreams of city life, it was no surprise that’s where she headed. She ended up in New Orleans. I’m just glad she gave me another chance, and brought you here when she did.”
“Me too. I’m sorry I don’t remember her, but you gave me a great childhood all on your own. I have no complaints.”
He nodded, closing his eyes for a few seconds. “I appreciate you tellin’ me that, Callie-girl. Now go on. Go meet Vince and enjoy yourself. I’m good here.”
<
br /> “You want a cup of tea before I go?”
“Nah, I can wait till you’re back.”
Callie stood. “I’ll have my phone. Call if you need me.”
He promised he would and she went to the kitchen to put on her boots and grab a light jacket. There was a good chance Vince was going to beat her to the barn, but she was glad she’d lingered here. Jeremiah had revealed some important things about the past, things she’d always wondered about but never felt comfortable asking.
Anything she could learn before he passed on was important and precious. If the only price she paid was some ribbing from Vince about being late, it was well worth it.
***
As it turned out, she got to the barn just after he pulled up. She hopped out of the Gator and met him at the door, her breath catching when he smiled. As usual.
“Go on, say it,” he said, holding the door open for her.
“Say what?” Callie asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously as she passed him.
His feigned exasperation. “Don’t play dumb, I know you’re thinking it.”
She stopped walking and turned around, giggling when he almost ran into her and had to catch himself.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “What is it I’m supposed to be thinking?”
He held his arms out from his sides and gave her a “duh” look.
“Vince! What?”
His brows shot up and he pointed his hands down at his legs. “My jeans, obviously. I know you’ve got to be thinking no man has ever looked so good in brand-spanking new Wranglers.” He grimaced. “In fact, they’re so brand new, they’re stiff. I’m afraid I’ll have a rash by the end of the lesson.”
Callie burst out laughing. “Always wash your Wranglers before wearing them,” she said.
He gave her a pained look. “Now you tell me.”
She looked him over, allowing her eyes to linger on the long legs covered in new denim, confirming the fact that the jeans were indeed a perfect fit and fell just right around his boots.
“You do look good,” she conceded, before turning and walking quickly down the aisle, smiling when she heard his low chuckle.
He caught up to her and they led Leo and Edison from their stalls to the tack area. With only a few verbal prompts from Callie, Vince saddled and bridled Edison, grinning proudly when she complimented him on the job.
They spent fifteen minutes in the ring, letting Vince get accustomed to the feel of the horse again, then Callie rode to the back door of the barn, dismounting to slide it open. Vince looked at her hopefully and she motioned him through.
“Come on, cowboy. Time to ride the range.”
***
Vince rode past her, then stopped to watch while she mounted again, her movements incredibly graceful.
Beautiful. Everything about her was beautiful. Her face. Her body. Her spirit. Her love for her grandfather. He’d never met a girl like Callie, and regardless of how much the new jeans chafed, he hoped she wouldn’t cut their ride short.
“We’ll take it at a walk for as long as you like,” she said. “When you feel comfortable, we’ll move to a trot and work on your posting.”
“My what?”
She explained, and he listened carefully, glad for the excuse to look at her some more. Then she demonstrated what she was talking about, urging Leo into a trot and showing Vince how to use his legs to keep from jiggling around haphazardly in the saddle.
Twenty humiliating minutes later, complete with lots of haphazard jiggling, Callie declared he had the basics down, and it was just a matter of practice.
“Now the fun part,” she said, her smile flashing white in the fading light. “We’re gonna run. Not real fast, and not real long, just enough for you to see what it’s like. Holler if you don’t feel safe, okay?”
Before he could respond, she pressed her heels against Leo’s sides and took off.
Oh man. Maybe Callie didn’t think it was very fast, but it looked pretty speedy to Vince.
He gave Edison’s neck a few pats. “Don’t embarrass me, boy,” he muttered. Then he took hold of the reins and gave the big horse a nudge with his heels.
Edison tossed his head and started walking faster. Vince took a deep breath, then dug his heels a little harder into the horse’s sides. Edison picked the pace back up to a trot.
One more nudge, a bit harder yet, and the animal broke into a reluctant gallop. By that time Callie had gotten so far ahead she had to turn around and come back to him. It was all Vince could do to stay on his horse, yet he could still appreciate the sight of her, her wavy dark hair flowing out behind her as she brought Leo around in a sweeping circle to come up beside them.
“Okay?” she called.
“I’m still on,” he said, proud of that fact, but feeling ungainly compared to her.
“You’re doing great. Feel the rhythm with your legs. Work with the horse, not against him.”
Vince tried to concentrate and do as she said. He still wasn’t exactly comfortable, but at least he didn’t feel in danger of falling off.
“Let’s go back to a walk,” Callie said after another minute. “Poor Edison hasn’t run this far in a long time.”
They slowed, Edison snorting and blowing, but still with a spring in his step. Vince thought maybe the old guy had enjoyed the short run in spite of his age.
“Am I a cowboy yet?” he asked with a sheepish grin, feeling relieved when he got an approving smile.
“You’re on your way. It’ll be a while before you’re ready for a round-up, but you have a knack for it, I think. That’s often how it is with natural athletes.”
They continued riding at a comfortable walk, still heading away from the barn, which pleased Vince. The farther they went, the longer he got to be with her.
“So, did you play any sports in school, or did you spend most of your time here on the ranch?” he asked.
“I played softball and volleyball. Just through high school, though, I wasn’t collegiate sports material.”
“High school sports are better than college anyway, if you ask me. I still keep in touch with a couple of the guys I played with back in high school.”
“Did any of them make the NHL?” Callie wondered.
“No, but they were thrilled when I did.” Vince smiled when he remembered the reaction of his closest buddies. “Even though we were young and kind of immature, like most high school boys, we had a solid friendship, you know?”
“I do know. That’s how the girls and I have been, basically from kindergarten on up. Growing up together cements those bonds. Even though we don’t get together near like we used to, we can always pick up right where we left off.”
“Exactly. My buddies and I had our share of fights, but you don’t want to lose a good friend, so you always work it out.” Vince reached forward and patted Edison’s neck again. “College was completely different. It was harder to find guys I really clicked with, and the hockey was way more competitive on an individual basis, because everyone’s trying to impress the scouts. We had some good times as a team, but I didn’t form lasting friendships like in high school.”
“You have good friends on the team now though, right? You and Boone seem close.”
“Definitely. There are some great guys on the Wild. Looking back, I see God’s hand in the way it all worked out, even though I didn’t know Him then.”
“He knew what you needed,” she said, then laughed. “And He knew what we Wild fans needed. I still remember when I heard you’d been traded to them. The girls were excited just because you’re cute, but I actually looked up your stats.”
“Because you’re deep like that,” he teased.
She shrugged. “It’s always good to look beyond the obvious. Grandpa has drilled that into me over the years. He says that holds for both horses and people.”
Jeremiah was a wise man, and had raised a wise granddaughter. Vince saw more evidence of that every time he was with her. “I’m
sure he’s drilled a lot of good things into you. I’m glad you had him when your mom died.”
“Me too. I don’t remember her at all, even though I was five when she died. Grandpa is all I’ve ever had.”
“And he was enough?”
She nodded. “There were times I went to my friends’ moms about things, when I needed a conversation with an older female, but yeah, for the most part I was fine with it being just me and Grandpa.”
“Your dad isn’t in the picture?” he asked carefully, hoping he wasn’t getting too personal too soon.
“I don’t have any idea who he is.”
Vince tried not to show his surprise. “Do you want to?”
She shrugged. “I mean, I wonder about him sometimes, but my mom never even told Grandpa who he is, and he’s not listed on my birth certificate. I figure there’s a reason why she didn’t want anyone to know. Or maybe she was seeing more than one guy, and didn’t know who my actual father was. Grandpa did tell me once that she came here to get away from a bad situation, but she would never tell him or anyone else what it was.”
Callie paused, her expression strained. “I hope he wasn’t abusive. I wouldn’t like knowing the person who gave me life was like that. I’d rather he just didn’t want anything to do with me, although that’s not a sign of good character, either.”
Vince considered that for a moment. “I admire your mom for getting out of a bad situation to give you a better life. That can be a real hard thing to do. It sucks that your dad might have driven her away, but on the bright side, it gave Jeremiah the chance to know you. To raise you. There’s a lot of good that came from that.”
“Yeah, I feel the same way. I think that’s why I’m not more curious about my father. I’ve never needed him, and if he’s some kind of monster, I’d rather not know.”
“I’m sure Jeremiah can’t even imagine life without you in it,” Vince said. “He’s incredibly proud of you, you know.”
Callie smiled sadly. “I can’t imagine life without him either, but I’m going to have to face it all too soon. The house will feel so empty. This whole ranch will feel different. He’s always been such a huge presence. Such a vital part of every day. Even though he’s sick, he’s still the heart of this place.”