Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1)

by Rachel Skatvold

  ~ ~ ~

  After a long and trying day the Lewis family sat together and watched the news. The story about Jared being charged for embezzling money from Lewis-Kingsley Films actually received more attention and airtime than Brielle’s interview.

  Addison dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. She thought seeing Jared lead away in handcuffs would bring some satisfaction, but really it just made her sad. She’d loved Jared once, or at least thought she did. She prayed one day something would get through to his hardened heart.

  The doorbell rang and Brie sprang from the couch. “Chinese food’s here!”

  Addison and her father shared a chuckle and watched her bound to the door like a spring fawn.

  She caught his eye and smiled. “I think she’s going to be okay.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”

  Jared’s angry voice drew her attention back to the TV screen. “I’ve been framed. The Lewis family has always had it in for me…”

  Her dad turned the TV off and pulled Addison into his embrace. “Are you going to be all right?”

  She nodded against his shoulder and fought the tears stinging her eyes. “I will be.”

  After Brielle came back into the room they stopped talking about serious things. Instead they enjoyed their Chinese take-out picnic on the living room floor by the fireplace. It was just like old times.

  “So, tell me all about your trip,” her dad said with a curious grin.

  She stalled and used her chopsticks to chase a piece of broccoli around on her plate. “Well, I’m not sure where to start.”

  Brie shot her a mischievous grin. “Tell him about the mountain lion.”

  Her dad’s eyes filled with concern. “Mountain lion?”

  “Oh, it’s not as bad as it sounds.” She gave a condensed account of what happened, including falling off her horse and getting knocked unconscious.

  “Well I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Brie piped up and batted her eyelashes. “Logan saved her.”

  Addison gave her sister’s arm a playful swat. “I thought we agreed not to talk about him, Brie.”

  Their father raised an eyebrow. “Why not? I think I would like to hear about this young man who saved your life multiple times.”

  Addison blushed and gave her sister a sideways glance. Brie and their father had obviously been talking about her over the phone without her realizing. How else would he have known about Logan saving her more than once?

  She took a drink of her strawberry lemonade and sighed. “Well, there’s not much to say except that he’s one of the kindest men I’ve ever met.” She hung her head. “He trusted me and I betrayed him. Now he never wants to see me again. It’s probably for the best.”

  “Don’t give up, honey. Maybe after some time things could still work out between you two. If he finds out that Jared was blackmailing you, he might be willing to give you a second chance.”

  “Even so, the truth is that he lives in Montana and I live here. I have responsibilities to you and the company. I can’t just go running off to another state.”

  Her dad ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. “Yes you can. Don’t let me hold you back.”

  She stared at him in disbelief. “You’d be willing to let me leave LA?

  “If it makes you happy, than yes.”

  Addison’s eyes clouded over with happy tears and she hugged her dad. “Thank you for saying that. I love you, Dad.”

  He patted her back. “Love you too honey and I’m proud of you, no matter what you decide.”

  Just then her phone beeped, telling her she had a voicemail message. The number was unknown but she listened to it out of pure curiosity.

  The familiar voice sent tingles up her spine. “Addie, this is Maggie Hart. Please call me back when you can. I have some bad news…”

  Chapter twenty-nine

  ~ ~ ~

  Logan adjusted the collar of his dress shirt and leaned against Maddy’s stall as he opened the much anticipated envelope. He pulled out the document and his eyes scanned the page.

  Accepted.

  He slowed down and scanned the letter twice to make sure he read it correctly. Then he let out a small sigh of satisfaction. Out of about ten applications he sent out to medical programs, he’d received two acceptance letters from opposite sides of the US. Just a few days ago he would have leapt for joy but now the news seemed tainted with grief. Still, he’d have to make a tough decision soon.

  A horse’s nose nudged him from behind. Logan turned and patted Maddy’s head. “Well ole girl, it seems like things are changing again. It sure feels empty around here without Gramps now, doesn’t it?” He gulped back his emotions. “I’m afraid pretty soon you’ll be losing me too.”

  The mare snorted and nodded her head.

  “Sorry to be a downer. I’ll be back to visit all the time.”

  Belle came in and touched his shoulder. “Logan, it’s almost time.”

  He nodded and they linked arms while leaving the barn. The brisk November wind sent a chill through his soul as the joined the rest of their family and close friends from town outside.

  He gulped, noticing his mom held Gramps’ urn on her lap. How would they go on without him? He wasn’t just a grandfather to him. Gramps had been his mentor—a giver of wisdom—a best friend.

  Crunching gravel interrupted his thoughts and Logan turned, noticing a limo had parked in front of the ranch house.

  Addie stepped out, looking very sophisticated in her black dress and pea coat. He knew his mom had invited her but he never really expected her to show. She greeted everyone quietly and gave Belle a hug.

  When she met his eyes he nodded in her direction and then looked away.

  His dad cleared his throat. “Well it looks like everyone’s here so we can start.” He led the way down the path, pushing his mom’s wheelchair.

  After reaching the bend in the creek they stopped at his grandfather’s favorite fishing spot and formed a semicircle.

  Belle stood in-between Addie and Logan until after their father led them in a prayer. Then his sister took her place before the group to lead them in a song, leaving an odd gap. There might as well have been the Grand Canyon between them. The tension in the air thickened, making each breath more excruciating than the last.

  “Could everyone join hands as we sing Amazing Grace?” his father asked.

  Logan held his mom’s hand to the left, paused and met Addie’s gaze on his right side.

  Her tear-filled eyes seemed to say, you don’t have to.

  Guilt flooded his heart. Gramps would have wanted them to at least put their differences aside for his memorial service. He extended his hand and gave a slight nod, inviting her to take it.

  She moved closer and the sensation of her soft palm sliding into his sent goose bumps up his arms. Thankfully Belle started singing and distracted him from Addie’s closeness.

  When the song ended, she quickly released his hand and made room for Belle to separate them once more.

  The tension in his shoulders released but a new ache filled his heart. Gramps words from a few days ago echoed in his memory. Don’t let bitterness take root in your heart.

  Deep down Logan knew that he needed to forgive her but his wounded heart resisted.

  The service started, taking Logan’s thoughts off of Addie and back to his grandfather. Everyone said wonderful things about his character, sharing stories and some of his favorite scriptures. Then it was time to spread his ashes. It would be the hardest part of all—letting him go.

  Logan reined in his emotions and prepared to walk to the edge of the creek with his family. They planned to each take a handful of ashes and release them while thinking of their favorite memory of Gramps. Logan stepped forward and took his handful of ashes but wasn’t ready to let go. He’d never be ready.

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison choked back a sob as she released a handful of ashes above the rushing waters of the creek. Her mind transported h
er back to the day Gramps taught her to fish. She smiled through her tears. Thanks Gramps. To me you’ll always be that simple fisherman…full of wisdom…full of joy…a friend to all.

  She stepped back, wiped her tears and started to follow the Hart Family up the path to the ranch. Then something made her stop and turn back.

  Logan stood facing the creek, his fist still clenched with unreleased ashes. Then, after a painful pause he opened his hand, letting the wind take them. The sun light broke through the clouds at just the right moment, highlighting the particles as they swirled up into the atmosphere and then disappeared.

  Logan hung his head and put his hands in his pockets.

  Addison knew he probably didn’t want anything to do with her but she couldn’t help herself. A few moments later she stood beside him. “Logan, are you okay?”

  He continued looking down and his face contorted. “I found him resting against a tree by the creek. I thought he was sleeping.”

  The hollow sound in his voice shattered her heart into a million pieces. Addison placed her hand on his shoulder, hoping to provide some kind of comfort. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”

  He sniffled and wiped his moist cheeks. “You know what we talked about just thirty minutes before?”

  “What?”

  He met her gaze for the first time. “You.”

  She drew in a ragged breath. “Me? What did he say?”

  He let out a weak chuckle. “Well, it all started when I snagged a fish right over there.” Logan pointed across the creek toward a low overlying branch. “He told me about how you caught your first fish and let it go. I let mine go too.”

  She smiled, remembering her life-changing moment by the creek. “Lucky fish.”

  “Gramps thought the world of you, Addie.”

  She shook her head as more tears streamed down her face. “I don’t know what he saw in me, but I enjoyed our talks.”

  Logan gave her a lopsided smile. “He called them divine appointments.” His voice cracked and his body shook with quiet sobs. “Gosh, I miss him.”

  “Oh, Logan. Me too.” Addison wrapped her arms around him and they wept for a long time, locked in each other’s embrace. Their shared grief blurred her thoughts and she kissed his tear stained cheek once and then twice, wishing she could erase his pain.

  Logan quieted and leaned back, gently caressing her face with his fingers. A ray of sunlight highlighted his misty blue eyes as she met his gaze.

  Addison’s chin trembled, longing to kiss his lips—longing for things to be like they were before he discovered her deception. But the sun hid its face behind a cloud and the moment passed.

  He released her and looked away. “We can’t let that happen again. It’s just going to cause us both too much pain.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He wiped his face and backed up. “Don’t be. I hope one day we can get past this. Gramps would have wanted us to be friends.”

  Addison stood cemented to the ground as he turned and walked away from her.

  Friends.

  The word sliced into her heart. Being just friends would never work, not after all they’d been through together.

  Chapter thirty

  ~ ~ ~

  After the memorial service, Logan’s parents invited Addie to spend the afternoon at the ranch and eat a catered lunch with them.

  The light-hearted atmosphere in the house would have pleased Gramps. He didn’t like people to be sad. Taking that fact to heart, Logan did his best to be joyful. They played games as a family, laughed and shared fun memories about his life.

  Even though it pained him, he tried his best to be civil toward Addie. They even played a game of checkers together but whenever she smiled or laughed it seemed forced and awkward.

  Logan couldn’t handle it and wracked his brain for a subject to lighten the mood. Finally he smiled, thinking of the perfect thing. “My mom told me that you’ve launched your interior design business back in LA.”

  Addie rewarded him with a genuine smile. “Yes, it’s starting to come together. I’ve even partnered with this charity that fixes up old houses and gives them to people in need. It’s something I’ve always thought about doing but didn’t know where to start. This past month I’ve been designing up a storm though. I love it.”

  He smiled, enjoying her enthusiasm. “Well, good for you, Addie. I’m glad you’re using your talent for something you’re passionate about.”

  “Thanks.” Her jade eyes gazed into his for a moment, sending tingles up his spine.

  He decided to change the subject. “Your cat’s been missing you. She begs to be petted whenever I go into the barn.”

  Addie chuckled. “Oh, she does? I’ve missed her too.”

  “Well, you can take her with you today if you want. We’ve got an old cat carrier you can have.”

  “I think I’ll take you up on that. It’s pretty lonely in my apartment back home.” She placed her hand over his on the table. “Thanks for always being so kind to me, Logan.”

  “Of course. That’s how friends are supposed to act right?”

  A shadow passed over her face and she pulled her hand away. “Right.”

  Logan looked down and gulped. “I’ll go find Jade for you.” He turned and escaped the confines of his parents’ house with a pounding heart. What was Addie trying to do to him? Whatever it was, he couldn’t allow her to work her way into his heart again.

  He stepped out onto the porch and nearly tripped over someone sitting on the steps.

  Dylan

  His nephew sat alone with his head down.

  Logan patted him on the back and the boy looked up. “Missing Gramps?”

  His nephew wiped away a few tears and nodded.

  He sat next to him on the steps. “Me too. We’ll see him again one day. We can keep his memory alive until then.”

  Yeah.

  Logan studied Dylan’s face carefully. “That’s not the only thing bothering you, is it?”

  Dylan shook his head and signed, my mom told me that we’re moving.

  “I’m sorry. I know it was a hard decision for your mom to make.”

  Dylan’s eyes flamed. You knew about this?

  “I knew she was thinking about it, yes.”

  And you decided to keep it from me?

  Logan sighed and put his hand on Dylan’s shoulder. “I wanted your mom to be the one to tell you. It wasn’t my place.”

  The boy wrenched away and his hands moved rapidly. I can’t believe this. Everyone thinks they know what’s best for me but did anyone ask what I want? No. I’ll never forgive you for this. Never. He stood and ran back into the house.

  Logan’s heart ached. His family was falling apart before his eyes.

  He shook the sadness off and went to the shed in search of the cat carrier. After finding it he made his way to the barn and called for Jade.

  She climbed down from one of the rafter beams and rubbed against his legs, meowing. The cat was about half grown now.

  He knelt and scratched her under the chin. “Well you won the lottery, little girl. You’ll be loved and pampered for the rest of your life.”

  He spent a few minutes petting the cat and then put her into the carrier.

  Just then, clicking heels approached and stopped in front of him. “I can’t do it, Logan.”

  He looked up into Addie’s dazzling jade eyes and pretended to not be affected by her gaze. “You can’t do what? Take the cat home?”

  She crossed her arms and shook her head hard. “I can’t just be your friend. I love you and I’m miserable without you. I just have to know if you feel the same way.”

  Logan clenched his jaw. His emotions were still raw from his disastrous talk with Dylan. “Addie, I don’t want to talk about this right now.” He retreated further into the barn, entered Maddy’s stall and started putting on her saddle. He had to escape this interrogation somehow.

  Addie followed him and stopped outsi
de the stall. “Please, just answer me. I can’t leave until I know. I just can’t.” Her eyes demanded a response.

  Feeling cornered, Logan reacted in anger. His eyes flamed as he spoke. “Okay, if you really want to know…yes, I still love you. But that doesn’t mean I trust you. Deep down, even if we could get past this, I’ll always wonder if you have a photographer waiting in the shadows to get the perfect shot. Isn’t that why you kissed me at the restaurant? To further your career?”

  Addie’s eyes widened in shock at his tone. “I’d give anything to take back what I did. It was a terrible mistake.”

  He scoffed. “A mistake that has cost my family dearly. We can’t go into town now without people snapping pictures of us.”

  She looked down and kicked at some straw on the ground. “I’m sorry. I know I hurt you and your family. Maybe we would all be better off if I just stayed far away from now on.”

  He nodded and clenched his jaw. “Yeah, I think you may be right.”

  Logan turned back to Maddy and put on her bridle while battling his emotions. He was angry and grieving but Addie didn’t deserve his hostility. It took a few seconds but he finally regained his composer enough to speak calmly. “Addie, I didn’t mean that…I…”

  He looked up but it was too late. Addie was gone.

  ~ ~ ~

  Freezing rain pelted Addison’s face as she hurried up the path toward the house with the cat carrier. She climbed into the back of the limo, trying to keep her tears at bay.

  Her driver had been napping in the front seat but woke up when she shut the back door. “Ready to go, Miss Lewis?”

  “Yes, please take me to the airport. Can you call my pilot and tell him I want to take off as soon as we arrive?”

  The driver nodded and started off.

  Addison watched out the back window until the ranch disappeared from her view. Then she rested her head against the back of the seat as unwelcome tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Stop being so dramatic, Addison silently reprimanded. She had done what she came to do right? She’d said bye to Gramps and the Hart family had forgiven her even though she didn’t deserve it. Everyone except Logan.