Her Cowboy Reunion

by Debbi Rawlins

  “Then one day she came home crying, saying she’d been verbally attacked at the Cut and Curl. Accused of awful things. Still, I went to school the next morning. Everyone stared. It wasn’t until she picked me up before lunch that she confessed that she’d lied to me. That she had slept with—anyway, I don’t know what became of those teachers. Or their marriages.”

  Savannah wished she’d waited until after they’d eaten. Mike had abandoned his food. She hadn’t even taken a bite of what he’d prepared for her.

  “That day she picked you up at school,” he said. “Was that the same day you left town?”

  “No, we went home and packed whatever we could stuff into the trunk of the car. I’m not sure if it was by design, but I remember leaving just before dawn the next day.

  “I didn’t understand the big rush. Nobody ever bothered us at the cabin. I doubt anyone knew where we lived. But my mom claimed the bank foreclosed on the property. At the time I didn’t know enough about that type of thing, but in retrospect I doubt there was a mortgage on the cabin. It was already old when my mom inherited it from my grandparents.”

  His expression thoughtful, Mike took a sip of his wine. “That I might be able to shed some light on,” he said after a moment. “Your folks could have used the property for collateral, and the bank called in the loan. Dirk Jenkins was a math teacher. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think it was his wife who blew everything wide open at the Cut and Curl. Her father was the bank manager at the time. She might’ve gone crying to Daddy.”

  “Huh.” Savannah smiled, wanting him to know she was okay with all this. “See? You’re helping to fill in the blanks.”

  Mike studied her for a moment. “Are you sure you want to rip off the scab? The only real takeaway from this is that none of it was your fault.”

  “I thought it was at first. I mean, I was a kid, and I kept thinking if only I hadn’t begged Mom to let me go to school none of it would’ve happened.”

  “Savannah—”

  “No,” she said, holding up a hand. “I know better now. I really did see a therapist for a while, and she was wonderful. She helped me understand it was never my fault. She’s the only reason I have any sanity.”

  Mike smiled. “I have a hunch you did your part as well.”

  “Now, why would you think that?” she asked, unable to hold back a grin. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with me being stubborn, would it?”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of persistent.”

  Savannah laughed. “Frankly, it’s good to finally be able to talk to someone who knows what happened and really understands this place. No secret can survive in Blackfoot Falls.” She sobered, her gaze drifting toward the mountain peaks. “I’ve always felt badly about the fallout. And yes, I completely understand it wasn’t my fault. I have no residual guilt.”

  “Had you made any friends in school by then?”

  “No. Some of the kids would say hi in the halls. I was very quiet back then and had no social skills to speak of.” She sometimes still felt cheated out of her childhood. “I spent a lot of time in the library, which I adored.”

  “Mrs. Albrecht was still the guidance counselor, wasn’t she?”

  “Yes, and she was very nice. She tried drawing me out. We might’ve made progress if all that stuff hadn’t happened.” Savannah stared at the hunk of baguette left on a napkin in his lap. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even let you finish—”

  “Don’t worry about that.”

  “Please don’t make me feel guiltier than I already do.”

  Mike smiled and topped the bread with cheese and ham.

  Savannah felt pretty good, considering. Nevertheless, she used the opportunity to do a mindfulness exercise. Focusing on her feet on the truck mat, her back against the crease of the door. Really looking at the sky as the edges of the faint light breached the last outposts of rock.

  “What about you?” Mike nodded at the untouched food in her hand.

  “What? Oh.” So much for being mindful.

  She took a bite the same time he did then sipped her wine.

  After a bit, she asked, “What happened to the teachers?”

  Mike refilled their glasses, even though she hadn’t had much. “Jenkins was fired, then he and his wife divorced and he moved. Another one resigned. I can’t even remember his name, but I know he and his wife left Blackfoot Falls right after that. Mr. Miller must’ve been the guy who was separated, because he stayed and continued teaching. In fact, I think he retired only recently.”

  “Did he reconcile with his wife?”

  “That, I can’t tell you. I’m surprised I’ve remembered this much.”

  Savannah nibbled on her food. She didn’t think Mike would hold back to spare her feelings, but he might. Funny how he thought he remembered so much. In her mind, the whole event had been huge and indelible. But being in the eye of the storm accounted for that.

  The stares of her classmates and some of the teachers had followed her most of her life. She’d been terrified she’d end up like her mother. When she’d found out that Porter’s divorce wasn’t final yet, she made it clear they could get to know each other, but that was it.

  Mike looked worried, though, and she didn’t want him thinking she was completely traumatized.

  She reached over and touched his hand. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

  “Upset me?” His expression relaxed, as did those broad shoulders. “I’m just frustrated that I can’t remember anything more to tell you.”

  She wasn’t quick to pull back, especially when he ran his thumb across the inside of her wrist, gently, slowly. She doubted he was even conscious of it. In fact, Savannah was counting on it, since her pulse had picked up speed.

  She didn’t want him to stop. His touch felt soothing, safe. It wasn’t as if they were doing anything wrong. “You could finish telling me what your mom said. I promise I’m fine.”

  His thumb stilled. He frowned. “Savannah, the only thing she told me was that it was a real shame that you had to be dragged through the whole mess. That a sweet kid like you shouldn’t have to suffer for your mother’s lapse in judgment. That’s all. I’m not trying to dodge the question.”

  Of all the times, after all the perfectly good reasons she’d had to indulge herself, now her eyes had to fill with tears?

  * * *

  BLINKING, SAVANNAH JERKED BACK.

  “Hey...” Mike tried to catch her hand, but she was too quick. Damn, he’d been too quick himself. He probably shouldn’t have reacted. If he’d pretended not to see the way her eyes glistened, she would’ve pulled herself together.

  He hoped he hadn’t just ruined the evening.

  One thing she must’ve learned well growing up in that cabin, with those parents, was how to retreat. And now that he’d embarrassed her, she’d likely do just that. But not if he could help it.

  Hearing a soft sniffle, he decided to take a calculated risk. “I thought you said you were fine.”

  She turned a startled look at him. “I am.” She blinked and sniffed again then narrowed her eyes. “I know what you’re doing.”

  “Yeah? And what’s that?”

  “It’s called manipulation.” She sniffed again. “And here I thought you were such a nice guy.”

  “You weren’t wrong.” He shrugged, noticing how her posture changed again. Back straight, chin tilted up. Ready to put on the boxing gloves. “Generally speaking.”

  There wasn’t much light, but it didn’t stop her from studying his face. “How did you know?”

  “Know what?”

  “Oh, come on... That I’d bounce back after you challenged me.”

  “I didn’t, not for sure. But I was hoping real hard.”

  With a soft laugh, she dabbed at her right eye. “Thank you.”

  “Okay, I�
��m going to go out on a limb again—you’re welcome?”

  She stared down at her wine as if she’d forgotten about it, then took a sip. “Say any mean thing to me you want, but shower me with kindness and I’m toast. Your mom—” Savannah cleared her throat “—your mom’s a kind woman, and she raised a kind son.”

  Mike quietly cleared his throat and gestured to the dashboard of desserts. “Is it sugar time?”

  “See? You do know me.” She leaned forward while finishing off the last of her bread and cheese, her gaze sweeping the spread. “I can’t decide.”

  “I want one of those éclairs. As for the rest, feel free to go to town.” He smiled when Savannah did. “I’m not playing down what happened. It was a big deal. But I think you’d find most people sympathized with you.”

  “I don’t know about that. Something else I learned in therapy—not all parents are great role models.”

  “True. Guess I’m lucky. Both my folks are terrific people, and I’ve always gotten along with my sister. But having good parents doesn’t guarantee a bright future for a kid.”

  Savannah had been reaching for the cupcake, but she stopped and looked at him. “What happened?”

  “I’m not speaking from personal experience... It’s just life isn’t always a smooth road.”

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I wasn’t trying to pry.”

  He felt like a jerk. He didn’t talk about himself often. Most of his conversations were about cattle or the weather or just listening to Chip go on about his girl. He preferred it that way. But after Savannah had laid herself open to him, it wouldn’t kill him to share a small part of his own struggles.

  Ah, hell.

  “I was married,” he said. “Right after college.”

  “You were?” Savannah sank back. “I was wondering how—oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “No, go on.”

  She shook her head. “Please.”

  “Ellen and I hooked up in college in Billings. I’d known her for a while, though. Her family owns a big ranch and the Green River Feedlot in the next county, where we used to weigh our cattle before shipping them. We’d run into each other occasionally growing up, but I hadn’t seen her in several years.

  “Anyway, college was a busy time for me since I was there on a baseball scholarship.”

  “Baseball? No kidding.” Savannah leaned back. “And a scholarship no less. You must’ve been good.”

  Mike shrugged. “Most guys around here are into football or rodeo. For me, nothing beat baseball. I’ve loved the sport since I was old enough to hold a ball.”

  “Did you—” Her eyes widened suddenly. “Please don’t tell me Ellen made you quit.”

  Mike smiled. “Nope. She came to every game. Cheered me on. Was sure I’d make it in the bigs. We got married right after graduation, while I was still being considered for a farm team.”

  He paused for some wine.

  Savannah gulped hers down. “Am I going to need chocolate for this?”

  “Don’t worry,” he said as he refilled her glass. “It’s a happy ending, but help yourself.”

  She grabbed an éclair, never taking her eyes off him. “I don’t see how, but go on.”

  “I’d been juggling a lot, going to classes, studying, practice, going to games and trying to spend time with Ellen. What suffered the most were the times I should’ve been here helping my dad with the ranch. Baseball season is also the busiest time for a rancher. My dad encouraged me to stick with the game, but I knew he was having trouble keeping up, even with part-time help.

  “I had to take a close look at what I needed to do. When I got the offer from the farm team, it was a tough decision. Sure, I would’ve liked to continue to play baseball, but at what cost?” It shocked Mike when he realized how much he was telling her, but it didn’t stop him. “I’ve always liked ranching, and by then I had ideas about how we could improve the place, increase the herd. Just because a farm team picked me up, it wasn’t a sure bet I’d be called up to the majors. So, I decided to come home, where I’d always known I’d end up. But Ellen, she went ballistic.”

  Staring out at the mountains, he vividly remembered the day he’d sat her down to explain his line of thinking. So long ago, yet it was clear as day. “Before you get the wrong idea, let me say that I tried to discuss it with her,” he said, turning back to Savannah. “But she refused to listen. Even when I told her that I wasn’t good enough for the majors.”

  Savannah let out a soft gasp. “But how could you know? You’d gotten a scholarship and everything...”

  Mike shook his head. It didn’t surprise him that she’d reacted exactly like Ellen had. “I knew. Deep down there wasn’t a doubt in my mind. I was a young guy used to physical labor but I was already struggling with my pitching arm. It was damn hard for me to admit I didn’t think I could cut it, but Ellen didn’t care.” He shrugged. “Turned out for the best—pretty quickly she decided she liked my being a baseball player more than she liked me.”

  “What an idiot.”

  Mike burst out laughing. “Not really. She’d just expected something I couldn’t deliver. And...she’d grown up pretty spoiled, I think. I should have guessed when I saw she drove a fancy sports car to school. Living on a ranch wasn’t exactly her thing.”

  “Well, I guess. That doesn’t make her smart, though. You two got divorced?”

  “Yup. It was a short, disappointing two years. I’d always imagined my life differently.”

  “Any regrets?”

  “No,” he said without hesitation. “I really do love ranching. I pretty much run the place now. My folks are in Florida for the winter, and they’re going to move there soon, probably in the next couple of years. They like being with their grandkids, and I’m happy for them.”

  Savannah took another bite of her éclair. “Well, my parents got married shortly after they met. It was a huge mistake. They’re both remarried now, happily, from what I can tell. We don’t talk much.”

  Mike wasn’t surprised at that, but it was nice to know second chances could work. If one found the right woman. His gaze lingered on Savannah’s pretty face and her intriguing blue eyes.

  The way she looked at him was something different. Not like the Sundance guests who were in the market for a cowboy—any cowboy. And not like the women that he’d known most of his life.

  Savannah had a fascinating mixture of innocence and worldliness, not unexpected given her background. But that same worldliness was what took him out of the running, not that he’d ever really had a chance.

  She took the last bite of éclair, leaving a bit of custard on her lower lip, and for a moment he watched the tip of her tongue make the custard disappear like magic.

  He would have liked to have been the magician.

  “Aren’t you going to have some?”

  His head jerked back, hitting the window with a smack. “What?”

  “Dessert.” She looked at him a little sideways.

  “Right.” He grabbed the remaining éclair and downed it in two bites.

  Her laughter was sweet and soft...at first. But then it got louder. Trying to control herself, she motioned toward his mouth. He looked in the rearview mirror. Clinging to his upper lip was more than a little custard. Grabbing a napkin, he made sure he got everything before glancing her way. Now it wasn’t her laugh that was soft but her gaze. As if he’d done something special.

  “Want some more wine? Toast the stars?”

  She leaned forward and looked up. “Ah. I miss this, too. I always loved the night sky when I lived here.”

  “Yeah. Guess there’s some advantages to living in the boonies. My folks bought us a cheap telescope when we were kids. I always felt so small when I looked through it. I think it helped my perspective of life, though.”

  “You seem awfully steady and content.�
��

  He coughed. “Don’t hold back. I know I’m as boring as dirt.”

  She leaned in, touching his cheek with the palm of her warm hand. “No, you aren’t.”

  When her eyes widened and she started to move back, he took hold of her wrist, unwilling to end the moment so quickly. A puff of breath caressed his chin.

  “It’s all right,” he whispered.

  “Is it?”

  Leaning toward her, his gaze sliding from her eyes to her lips and back again, he said, “God, I hope so.”

  She didn’t stop him. In fact, they met in the middle. Their lips touched. Tentatively, he let things be, wanting her to set the pace.

  Her mouth was soft beneath his. Her lips parted and she touched her tongue to his slowly, almost shyly. He felt the warmth of her sigh, and then she was kissing him back.

  * * *

  SECONDS TICKED BY, and she could’ve sworn she could feel the rotation of the earth. When she’d thought about returning to this slice of her past, she’d never imagined this. Him.

  He was nothing like the guys she’d dated. Not that she was a femme fatale, but she’d gone out with a variety of men. Almost all of whom wanted things to move at whatever pace they deemed fast enough. Not with Mike, though.

  Unfortunately, the thought pulled her out of the moment. Naturally, Mike let her go instantly.

  “You okay?”

  “Better than,” she said, making her smile as warm as she felt. If she could have, she’d have given her brain a good shake. “Hey, it’s getting late, and you have to get up early.”

  “Not that early,” he said, frowning. “Speaking of the ranch, are we going to go visit Buddy tomorrow?”

  “Yes. I’d love to. Although, I’m sans car.”

  “We have three options. I can drive you to the Kalispell airport now so we can get you a rental.”

  “Option two?”

  “I can take you to Kalispell in the morning for the car.”