by Cindi Myers
But he’d settle for friendship—or a summer romance. If Christa wasn’t planning to stay in Cedar Grove, maybe she’d appreciate some company for a few months. It would be nice to have someone to hang out with, to take in a movie or dinner, without the worry that she’d expect a more lasting commitment.
He stepped back into the bank, but Christa was gone. Paul looked up from his desk. “Is there something I can help you with, Ryder?” he asked.
Ryder remembered why he’d come to the bank in the first place. “We’re going to have a lot of workers in and out of Cedar Grove for the next couple of years as construction on the highway progresses,” he said. “I wanted to make sure there won’t be a problem cashing their checks.”
“No problem at all.” Paul laughed. “I mean, if the state isn’t good for the money, we’re all in trouble.”
He scanned the lobby once more, wondering if Christa had slipped out the side door—to avoid him?
“If you’re looking for Christa, she said she had more errands to run,” Paul said. “I take it she just got back to town yesterday afternoon.”
“I guess she’s staying at the Rocking M, with her parents?” He regretted the question as soon as he saw Paul’s eyes light up.
“She is,” the banker said. “She’s been living in Houston since she graduated a few years ago, working at some big marketing firm. I guess the economic slump hit them the way it has almost everyone else. They laid off a bunch of people and she was one of the casualties. But I’m sure another firm will snap her up. She was always sharp.”
“So she’s only here temporarily, until she finds a new job.”
“I guess that’s the plan. But we all know plans can change.” He grinned. “The number at the ranch is in the local directory, if you want to give her a call.”
He bit back the impulse to tell Paul that he didn’t need anyone else to set him up with a woman. He already had to dodge the local women who went out of their way to flirt and even outright proposition him. Something about a new, single man in town sent some females into overdrive.
But Christa wasn’t like that. She’d been friendly, but cool. Not the kind of woman to throw herself at any man.
Which, in the perverse nature of the human spirit, made her all that much more attractive. But he wasn’t going to let Paul know that. For some reason, the banker had made it his mission to introduce Ryder to every eligible woman in the county.
Time to change the subject. “Are you going to be at the public forum tomorrow night?” he asked. This was the last in a series of community gatherings in the area to answer questions about the new highway project. Ryder’s job was to persuade people that the project was a good and positive thing for the people around here.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Worry lines formed on Paul’s forehead. “Are you concerned about the reception you’ll receive?”
“I know some people are unhappy with me, but I’m hoping when I explain the benefits, I can sway them to my side.” He believed the highway was a good thing, though he understood people’s fears about having traffic siphoned from an already dying town. But the new route meant new opportunity. He’d help people see that.
“The other meetings—with the other people the state sent to talk to us—didn’t always go so well,” Paul said.
“I’m not those other people.” The state had chosen him because of his ability to interact with a variety of people. Another lesson he’d learned from life as a military nomad.
“There are some pretty tough old cowboys around here. Set in their ways.”
“I was never one to back down from a battle.” His father had taught him that much. Except his weapons of choice were logic and control, not firearms. Facts and figures beat raw emotion any day, though it took some people longer than others to see that.
* * *
PINK GERANIUMS BLOOMED in half barrels flanking the door to the Cedar Grove Salon, where Christa had received her very first permanent wave from her best friend Kelly Jepson’s mother, Janet. Someone had added the words “and Day Spa” after “Salon” on the familiar sign, but when Christa stepped through the front door, the salon was just as she remembered it. Black padded chairs faced antique dressers that served as the stylists’ stations, and the air smelled of peroxide, hair spray and fruity shampoos. An older woman sat under a dryer in the corner, and Janet was just finishing a cut on another woman at her station.
As the string of sleigh bells on the back of the door fell silent, Kelly hurried from the back of the shop. “Christa!” she cried, and ran forward to hug her friend. Short, with a halo of brown curls framing her face, Kelly had gone into business with her mother right after high school. She and Christa kept in touch via Facebook and too-infrequent visits. “Etta Mae stopped by a little while ago and told us you were in town. For a while, I hope.”
“A few weeks. Maybe a few months. Did Etta Mae tell you I’d lost my job?”
“She didn’t say—I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved your work.”
“To tell you the truth, I’m still kind of in shock.”
“So you had no idea the layoff was coming?” Kelly asked.
“None. No one did. Apparently, the company had been in trouble for a while and we never knew.”
“That’s tough, but you’ll bounce back. In the meantime, I’m thrilled you’re home. And your hair looks gorgeous.” Kelly fingered the blunt-cut ends of Christa’s hair with a proprietary air. “Come see me when you’re ready for a trim.”
“Of course.” She waved at Janet, who nodded even as she wielded her blow-dryer and comb. “Stepping in here is just like coming home—everything so familiar.”
“Not everything,” Kelly protested. “Didn’t you see the sign? We’re a day spa now, too. We have a massage therapist who works three days a week, and I’m certified to do facials and waxing.”
“I guess that’s good,” Christa said. “Just don’t change too much.”
“We’ve got to keep up with the times,” Kelly said. “Do what we can to bring in new customers.”
“Not that any of it’s doing us much good.” Janet joined them at the front counter as her customer left. “I guess you noticed how many businesses around town have closed or are for sale,” she said.
“My dad said the drought and the economy have hit everyone hard,” Christa said. “It’s awful.”
“And now that new highway is going to send everybody flying right by without even knowing Cedar Grove is here,” Janet said.
“Some people are talking about moving out nearer the new highway,” Kelly said. “A developer has plans for a big new shopping center there.”
“Where the rent will be twice what we pay here,” Janet said.
“Mom has been a little stressed out about all of this.” Kelly frowned.
“Don’t get me started.” Janet waved her hand as if shooing a fly. “It’s good to have you back, Christa. I’ve got to go see to Mrs. Newsome.” She turned and headed for the woman under the dryer.
“Are you really thinking of moving the salon?” Christa asked.
Kelly shrugged. “Maybe. Mama doesn’t like change, but I think it could be a good thing. Along with the shopping center, there’s talk of a new housing development going in. The new highway will shorten the commute to Dallas, so the theory is more people will want to move out to the country. We could have a whole bunch of new clients for the salon. If we don’t move, some chain will set up shop and take all our business. I think Mama will come around—I just have to work on her.”
“I always admired your ability to see the bright side of things,” Christa said. “I guess I’m with your mother—I don’t like change. Did anyone even try to persuade the state that the route they chose for the highway wasn’t the best? It seems to me they didn’t have to bypass Cedar Grove altogether.”
/> “Some people raised a fuss at first, but you know how it is—the state always has an answer for every objection. They said this route was the only economical one. They held a series of meetings to present their plans. There’s another one tomorrow night.”
“Are you planning to attend?”
Kelly sighed. “I wish we didn’t have to, but Mama insists on going, and I go to help keep her calm. Frankly, I’ll be glad when they break ground. Once construction is under way, I think she’ll see there’s nothing we can do to stop it. Besides, I’m looking forward to another advantage of the construction project.”
“What’s that?” Christa asked.
“There’ll be lots and lots of men working on the project and they’ll be staying in town for up to two years. Some of them are bound to be young and single.”
Christa thought of Ryder Oakes. He’d said he was an engineer. Was he connected with the new highway project? The idea left a bitter taste in her mouth. She couldn’t be as optimistic as Kelly about the effect the highway would have on her hometown. “I think I’ll go to the meeting, too,” she said. “If Mom and Dad don’t need me for anything. I want to hear what the state’s representatives have to say.”
If nothing else, focusing on this new highway would take her mind off her own problems, for a few hours, at least.
* * *
ERRANDS COMPLETED, CHRISTA drove back to the ranch, where everything was exactly as she’d expected to find it yesterday, but hadn’t. Today her father, dressed in a crisp long-sleeved Western shirt, freshly shaved, his hair neatly cut and combed, waved at her as he rode across the front pasture on his favorite horse, a sorrel gelding named Peanut. Mom, looking fresh and rested in denim capris and a pink blouse, opened the door as soon as Christa stepped out of the car and greeted her with a hug. At her side, Jet barked happily and wagged his tail in greeting. As Christa followed her mother into the house, the smell of roasting meat and baking pies greeted her.
The events of the day before might have been a bad dream. “Thank you for running those errands for me,” Mom said, relieving Christa of her packages. “It was a big help. How was your afternoon?”
“Fine. Etta Mae says hello. She wants to have coffee with you soon.”
“I’ll have to do that. Did you stop by the salon and see Kelly?”
“Yes.” Christa trailed her mom and Jet into the kitchen, where a pair of peach pies—Christa’s favorite—sat cooling on the counter. “She told me they might move the salon after the new highway is built.”
“That sounds smart.” Mom dumped the coin papers in the drawer beneath the phone—the repository for all the miscellaneous items no one knew what to do with.
The back door opened and Dad stepped inside, removing his Stetson as he did so, and setting it, crown down, on a shelf above the row of coat hooks. “How are things in town?” he asked Christa.
“Everyone’s talking about the new highway,” she said. “It’s really disrupting everyone’s life. Some of the businesses are talking about moving to a new shopping center near the new route. If they don’t, they’ll probably go out of business.”
“They have to go where the customers are,” Dad said.
“But they shouldn’t have to move,” Christa said. “The state should have kept the highway close to town, instead of bypassing Cedar Grove altogether.”
“I’m sure they had their reasons for choosing the route they did.” Dad washed his hands at the kitchen sink, then dried them on a dish towel. “Those pies look good, Adi.” He kissed his wife’s cheek.
“Behave yourself and I might let you have some,” she said, her smile taking any sting out of the words. She turned to Christa. “While you were in town, did you happen to run into Ryder Oakes?”
So she hadn’t imagined Ryder’s familiarity with her parents. “I met him,” she said. “How do you know him?”
“Oh, we met somewhere in town.” Mom gave a vague wave. “Such a nice young man, and about your age.”
Of course. Her mother saw Ryder Oakes as a potential match for her twenty-six-year-old-and-still-single daughter. “Paul Raybourn at the bank introduced me to Ryder,” she said.
“What did you think? He’s very handsome, isn’t he?”
“He is.” She couldn’t very well lie; with that thick sandy hair, brilliant blue eyes, dimpled smile and broad shoulders, Ryder was classically handsome. And he seemed like a nice guy. “But I really don’t have time to date anyone while I’m here. I have to focus on finding a new job, and a new place to live after that. Besides, Ryder is probably already involved with someone else.” The great guys always were.
“I’m sure he isn’t,” Mom said. “I think he’s been out with a few women, but Etta Mae says he’s never come into the café with the same woman twice. And did you know he went to the University of Texas, too?”
“Paul mentioned it.” As if graduating from the same university guaranteed they’d hit it off.
“Ryder has a good head on his shoulders. I like him.”
Christa stared at her father. This assessment of a stranger was the equivalent of the Pope’s blessing—at least in her house. Dad wasn’t one to throw around praise, and over the years Christa couldn’t remember him having much to say about any of the boys and men she’d dated. “How do you know Ryder?” she asked.
“Oh, we’ve talked a time or two.” He turned away. “Call me when supper’s ready.”
“How does Dad know Ryder Oakes?” Christa asked after her father had left the room. The casual acquaintance her mom had alluded to didn’t add up to the praise Dad had given the man.
Mom lifted the lid on the slow cooker and studied the roast. “I suppose they ran into each other in town. At Cattlemen’s Club meetings and things like that.” She reached for the salt shaker.
“But Ryder isn’t a rancher,” Christa said. “Why would he be at a Cattlemen’s Club meeting?”
Mom replaced the lid on the cooker. “I don’t know, dear. Why don’t you go freshen up? I’ll call you when supper’s ready.”
“I can help, Mom. Just tell me what to do.”
“That’s all right, dear. Go on.” She made shooing motions with her hand.
Christa started to argue, but decided to give in, for tonight, at least. She drifted into the living room, where Dad had assumed his usual place in his recliner, Jet in his lap.
“Kelly told me there’s a public meeting tonight about the new highway,” Christa said as she settled onto the sofa. “I’m thinking of going.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Maybe you and Mom would like to go with me.”
“I don’t think so, honey.” He stroked the dog, whose head was resting on her dad’s knee.
“Aren’t you curious to know what the state has to say? How they can justify destroying the town?”
“Cedar Grove was dying a slow death before the idea of this highway project ever came along,” Dad said. “The new highway could actually be a good thing.”
“I don’t see how.” Her father’s easy acceptance of such a big change bothered her. He’d lived in Cedar Grove all his life; was he really content to let the town just fade away?
“Maybe going to the meeting tonight will help you see things in a different light,” Dad said.
“Maybe.” Though she doubted it. Her father’s eyes were already closed. Was he really napping, or merely avoiding discussing this with her?
She stood. “I guess I’ll go freshen up before dinner.”
“Say hello to Ryder for me when you see him tonight.”
She froze halfway to the door. “I’m going to the meeting with Kelly, Dad. I won’t be seeing Ryder.” Did he think the meeting was some kind of excuse for a secret rendezvous with Ryder Oakes? She hadn’t done that kind of thing since she was in high school. Had her
dad forgotten she was a grown woman—a woman who wasn’t interested in dating right now?
“Oh, I imagine you’ll run into him.”
She would never have used the word ‘smug’ to describe her father, but that’s exactly how he looked right now. As if he knew something she didn’t.
Then again, both her parents had been acting strange ever since she’d arrived home. She couldn’t help but feel they were hiding something from her, but what?
* * *
RYDER LOOKED OUT over the school auditorium which, as he’d expected, was filled with what must be ninety percent of the people who lived in or near Cedar Grove. From his position in the wings of the stage he could see men in checked shirts and cowboy hats standing along the back wall and children racing up and down the aisles.
A trio of women in summer dresses moved down the front row and he couldn’t keep back a smile as he recognized Christa Montgomery, in a sleeveless, flowered shift that showed off tanned arms. She was just as lovely as he remembered. Maybe after the meeting he’d find her and exchange a few words. He’d try to gauge her interest in a casual, dating relationship—no strings attached. Since she only planned to stay in town a little while, he didn’t have to worry she’d expect any long-term commitment from him. Spending more time with her would certainly make his own stay in Cedar Grove more pleasant.
“You ready to get this show on the road?” The high school principal, who was serving as the night’s master of ceremonies, asked.
Ryder nodded. “Let’s not keep people waiting.”
While the principal droned on about the need to listen quietly and then ask questions, Ryder studied Christa. She sat next to a younger woman who had curly hair. The curly-haired woman did all the talking, while Christa studied the large map showing the highway route that was projected onto a screen in front of the stage. She frowned at the map, looking more severe. Apparently, she wasn’t pleased.
He understood people’s objections, but he figured she’d feel differently once he’d made his case for the project.