Between Hope & the Highway

by Charissa Stastny

He smiled at me, and dang…just dang!…my insides melted like butter on toast. His expression was adorable, sexy, and mischievous all at once.

  “Do you mind taking the single back?” he asked. “I’d like to spend time with my brother since you got him on the way here.”

  It sounded fair. “Sure.”

  Within minutes, he had Benny in the double kayak and pushed off into the lake. I allowed myself the luxury of watching for a few seconds since his back was turned. His wide, muscular shoulders reminded me of a Greek god.

  Snapping out of my trance, I grabbed the blanket to go. Rawson’s watch and toolkit tumbled to the ground. He must have forgotten them. I chucked them into the hatch and positioned my kayak so the end rested on land. Crawling into the opening, I dug my paddle into earth, but might as well have pushed Mount Everest as to move my kayak off the embankment.

  With a growl, I crawled out and moved the boat into deeper water. Jumping, as I’d seen Rawson do, sent me toppling over the other side. Fr-fr-freezing, as Benny had put it, didn’t come close to describing the needling pain that wracked me. When I surfaced, I sputtered and floundered against the steep bank for a foothold.

  As I pulled myself up onto the grass with the grace of a beached whale, I heard Rawson’s bellowing laughter in the distance. That’s when I knew the no-good cowboy had planned this and wouldn’t return to my aid. How naive I’d been to think he had changed. The man had embraced the DRK-SID, like his personalized license plate attested. I recalled his excitement as he pulled the kayaks off his truck this morning. He hadn’t been thrilled about the alpine scenery or spending quality time with his brother as I assumed. He hadn’t been anxious to use his muscles in sport either. And he most certainly hadn’t been eager to spend time with me. Why had I even considered that a possibility? No. He’d only been waiting for the right moment to exact revenge…and like a poor, tired driver on a curvy mountain road at night, I never saw the semi coming around the curve until it was too late.

  Jumping back into the frigid lake, I doggy paddled after my kayak and dragged it back to the island. It took two more attempts before I managed to stay inside. Sadly, I left my paddle behind and had to hand-propel the boat back to try again. On my last jump, I managed to stay in the kayak and keep my paddle. I thought I was home free, but discovered my error again. Benny must have done all the steering as we navigated to the island, because with me at the helm or paddle or whatever one called the steering mechanism of a kayak, I traveled in circles. When I managed forward progress, the kayak moved in inefficient zigzagging lines.

  As the other kayak disappeared around a bend, I jabbed my oar into the water and renewed my efforts. I feared Rawson might leave if I didn’t catch up. I wouldn’t put it past the sneaky toad. My mind conjured up crazy scenarios of bears swimming out to eat me or capsizing and drowning. There was no way I could doggy paddle to shore if that happened. I hated Rawson Law for putting my life at risk, but I was even more furious that I’d been gullible enough to make this moment possible for him.

  Eventually I rounded the bend, but almost cried when I saw how far I still had to go. The shore where we’d parked looked miles away. And now I had to fight a headwind. Maybe Rawson had summoned it with his evil powers. Waves made the earlier lake of glass a choppy assembly line of death. I tried to steer into them, but kept getting turned sideways and wobbling as each crest took my kayak up and threw me down into a trough of icy terror. When rain began pelting my face, I knew the man must certainly control the elements.

  A large wave battered my kayak, dousing my already soaked capris. With my arm muscles burning, I dropped my paddle and buried my face in my blistered hands. I couldn’t do this. Shuddering sobs racked my body until I thought of Rawson laughing at my predicament. That sent adrenaline shooting through my limbs. Lifting my head, I swiped at tears and raised my paddle. Glaring at the ominous sky that reminded me of Rawson’s stormy expression, I yelled, “You won’t stop me.”

  Hail began falling as if to punish me for my defiance. I cringed and yelped as ice pellets battered me, leaving welts on my tender skin. Digging my paddle into the choppy water, I vowed to never be gullible again if I made it back alive. Going by how every muscle in my body screamed, that was a very big IF looming over me.

  The hail stopped shortly after it started. My one blessing for the day. As chaotic curls wedged between my cracked lips, I spit them out and concentrated on dodging each new wave. Ignoring throbbing muscles, I shoved the paddle down right, then hard left. When I spotted a miniature Benny on the shoreline, I almost bawled. But I refused to give Rawson the satisfaction of seeing me upset. With each circular arm motion, muscles screamed for me to stop, but I didn’t want that man to win. At least with my destination in sight, if I died, someone would know my watery fate. That was better than being eaten by a bear or drowned in the middle of the lake alone.

  Chapter 25

  Bentley

  As Lizzie’s kayak approached, I could tell she’d been crying. Glancing over at my brother napping under a tarp, I wished to kick his sorry backside. Wading awkwardly into the shallows, I grabbed the carrying handle of her kayak. Though my leg and neck ached, I grit my teeth and lugged her to shore.

  “Rawson wouldn’t let me go back. I tried to stop him, but—”

  “It’s all right, Benny.” She wobbled on her legs as she climbed out.

  “I didn’t know he’d leave you. If I had, I never would’ve gone with him.”

  She touched my cheek. “Don’t worry about it. I’m here.”

  “What took you so long, Miss Ruthersford? We’ve been here for hours.”

  We flinched at Rawson’s sarcastic voice.

  “I didn’t know we were on a time line, Mr. Law.”

  I grinned at Lizzie’s feisty retort.

  “You look like a drowned kitten,” he persisted.

  “Someone told me there’s nothing better than a dip in a mountain lake.” Pushing past him, she headed to the truck.

  Rawson took hold of her kayak and dragged the orange beast behind him with ease. “Miss Ruthersford?”

  She turned to scowl at him. “What, Mr. Law?”

  He held up his Leatherman. “Was this on the blanket when you left?”

  “Yep.”

  “Was my watch with it?”

  She nodded and walked to the passenger side.

  “Well, where is it?”

  “Don’t know, don’t care.”

  Judging by how red my brother’s face turned, he didn’t like her answer. “Where’s my freaking watch?” he growled, except he dropped a nuclear F-bomb.

  “I threw it in the lake.”

  I gnawed on my lower lip.

  “You threw my Swiss watch in the lake?” he shouted.

  The gloating smile on her face revealed pleasure in his reaction.

  “Do you have any idea how much that cost, you…?” I thought he might call her a nasty name, but he bit his tongue.

  “No idea. But it couldn’t have been worth much if you left it on the blanket and took off like you did.”

  Rawson’s jaw twitched.

  “I’m sure your daddy will buy you another one next time he goes to Walmart,” she cooed. “And if you’re extra well-behaved, maybe he’ll throw in a Star Wars figurine for your collection too.”

  I snickered.

  Rawson kicked the kayak. “You can walk home, Miss Smartass.”

  I hobbled over to stand beside her. “If Lizzie walks home, so am I.”

  “Either shut him up or shut him down.” I recognized Han’s quote about C-3PO, but didn’t dare say so since Rawson looked ready to erupt. “Get in the truck, Benny.”

  “Go to hell.”

  Lizzie squeezed my arm. “Watch your language.”

  “Sorry.” Lifting my head as tall as I could, I turned to my brother. “The devil wouldn’t want you anyway, you’re so mean. Go ahead. Leave.” I grabbed Lizzie’s hand. “We know the way home.”

  I dragged her though the tal
l grass to get up to the road. No doubt we’d have to do a tick-check when we got home in a week. Right step…left leg-lift, swing-out, step-down. I bit my lip to keep from groaning. Maybe Lizzie would be kind and bury me along the journey. Each step sent excruciating pain shooting up my thigh and into my back. I’d overdone it; but Liz needed me, and I absolutely refused to leave her.

  After a dozen steps, she dug in her heels. “Ben, you can’t walk home. Go with your brother. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m not leaving you again.”

  “She’s right, bro.” Rawson’s voice startled me. “I can tell you’re hurting.”

  I turned to glare at him. He had no idea how I hurt.

  “Miss Ruthersford can come too. You don’t think I’d really leave her out here for the critters, do ya? Even though that watch cost more than she’ll probably make this whole summer.”

  When I crawled inside the cab, my leg throbbed so bad I didn’t know if I’d make it home without crying. But my feelings hurt worse. I hated my brother for ruining my birthday trip by pulling such a low-down dirty trick on Lizzie. Big stupid-head.

  Chapter 26

  Rawson

  As I entered the stable, I spotted the girl leading that new black around the arena. Chance held up the walls, watching her with a goofy grin. I marched over and slapped his back.

  “Hey, Rawson.” He straightened and showed more teeth than I thought possible. “Didn’t hear you come in. What’s up?”

  The girl’s gaze flicked my way, but she turned up her nose and acted like I wasn’t there. She’d mastered that move.

  “The sky,” I replied before approaching my stubborn boss. “You can stop pausing and hit the play button now. I’m here. Let the good times roll.”

  “Your head’s going to roll if you don’t get to work,” she muttered. “You’re three hours late.”

  “Needed my beauty sleep. You could’ve used more yourself.”

  She snapped the lead rope a little harder. “Grab Yakama Yoda.”

  I frowned as I left to saddle the two-year-old roan. If I ever wanted a chance to show Dad what I could do, I needed to ramp up my game to get her to throw in the towel. The girl had surprising tenacity.

  For the next hour, I made snarky comments and argued constantly, but she didn’t bite. Desperate to get a rise out of her, I strode over to the tall gray’s stall and unlatched his gate.

  “Let’s work this guy.” We’d purchased Sidekick Shooter weeks ago and the stallion was wilder than a cougar on crack.

  “Absolutely not. He’s still adjusting. I sense so much anger in him.”

  “You sound like Yoda. The only thing I sense is that he needs boundaries.” I held up my arm and flexed. “Muscle can tame any horse, but a delicate thing like you wouldn’t know that. Why, you can’t even steer a kayak in a straight line.”

  Her scowl returned, letting me know I was getting under her skin.

  “With my skills and these bad boys,” I paused to kiss each bicep, “I’ll be riding this cuss in under ten minutes.”

  “Do you have a death wish?” she asked as I led Shooter from his stall. “Put him back.”

  I waved my hand in front of her. “Your mind powers will not work on me. Now watch and learn you will.” Even as I saddled the fidgety stallion, I knew I was being stupid. Pride wouldn’t let me back down though.

  “Don’t be a fool.” She sounded desperate.

  I winced as Shooter took a chunk of skin off my arm as I brought the bit to his mouth.

  “You’re making him angry.”

  “You’re doing the same to me, woman. Either help me saddle him or zip it.”

  She folded her arms. “I’m ordering you to put him away.”

  “Don’t pull the boss card on me, Goldilocks.”

  As I succeeded in getting the headpiece over his ears, I yanked the gray to show who held the reins. A firm hand was all he needed. Leading him into the arena, I mounted and held on as the wild cuss reared in an attempt to dislodge me.

  “Rawson!” she yelped.

  I brought the reins back sharply, reminding the spirited stallion who was in charge. He shuddered and settled into a canter.

  “See? There’s nothing to it if you have some force behind your commands,” I yelled over my shoulder.

  Shooter had an energetic gait I enjoyed. Maybe that’s why I let down my guard. As I rounded the last corner of the arena, he reared and bucked simultaneously. That athletic move combined with the element of surprise displaced me like a rodeo pro. As I hung suspended in air, I caught a blur of movement from Lizzie’s direction before I smashed into wood shavings. Time flashed by as breath whooshed from my lungs and hoofs thundered next to my ears.

  This is it! I thought as twelve hundred pounds of horseflesh struck the ground next to me. I’m a dead man. Any second a hoof would crash through my skull and end my life.

  “Easy, boy.” Lizzie’s soothing voice entered the chaos of whirling dust and kicking legs.

  I heard a shrill neigh and a thudding whump against the gate, followed by a grunt. Had the loco stallion crushed her?

  “It’s all right, boy,” she soothed. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  Frozen lungs relaxed as the stallion moved away from my fetal form. I managed to lift my head enough to see Liz lead the skittish beast to the gate and secure him. As she turned, I noticed blood streaming down her forehead. Rolling into a sitting position, I opened my mouth to ask if she was okay, but my tongue wouldn’t work.

  “Did he get you?” Her voice sounded small and scared.

  No. I still heard beating hoofs in my ears and felt a taunting death dance in my heart, but she was the one bleeding. I struggled to form words, but there was too much to say. I wanted to apologize for being a world-class jerk. I needed to thank her for risking her neck for me. Mostly, I wanted to beg for a do-over. But all I could manage was to raise my thumb.

  Her brown eyes glistened in the florescent light as blood trickled down her cheek. With a disgusted huff, she grabbed the reins and disappeared with the horse from hell.

  As I considered how close I’d come to going there myself, I began trembling. If Liz hadn’t read the signs and raced to my aid, I’d be dead. I knew it. The courage she’d displayed shocked and filled me with shame for every mean thing I’d ever believed, done, or said to her.

  I glanced around the arena to ensure I was alone before standing on wobbly legs. Somehow I made it out of there and saddled Bayder without being seen. Once my trusty steed was ready, I dug the heels of my boots into his sides and galloped into the hills, trying to escape my prickling conscience.

  PART TWO

  Shaping Hope

  Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.

  Robert H. Schuller

  Chapter 27

  Bentley

  I felt more confused than a bear in January. As Lizzie and I finished breakfast, Rawson ran out and caught us in the hallway. I didn’t even know he was there until Liz stopped talking and glared at someone behind me. I looked over my shoulder and there my brother stood, holding his Swiss watch in the air.

  “I found this in your kayak,” he said as introduction. “It was stuck in the back compartment.”

  Lizzie made a face. “I guess now your daddy won’t have to drive to Walmart to replace it.”

  I thought Rawson might get mad, but he only chuckled. “No, he won’t, although I still wouldn’t mind a Star Wars action figure.”

  He stepped up and grabbed her hand. She growled and tried to pull away, but he pried her fingers open and placed the watch in her palm.

  “I want you to have it.”

  A fly could have flown in my mouth right then. Rawson loved that watch. It’d cost him eight grand in Switzerland and was his favorite souvenir he’d brought home.

  “I don’t want your stupid watch. I wish I had thrown it in the lake.”

  Maybe she didn’t realize how much it cost.

  Rawson’s grin grew wider. “Would
’ve served me right.”

  Lizzie gave me a look that seemed to say What in the heck’s wrong with your dumb brother?

  I shrugged to say I have absolutely no clue.

  He pursed his lips. “Look, I’m real sorry for leaving you stranded in your kayak the other day, and I’m super sorry for yelling at you about my watch. I was out of line.”

  “You’re always out of line.”

  He gazed down at her appreciatively. It was the first time I’d ever seen my brother give her a nice look. “The watch is yours.”

  “Why in the world would I want a man’s watch?”

  “Keep it to remember how stupid I am.”

  Her lips twitched. “I don’t need a watch for that. I just have to look at your face.”

  She tried once more to hand it back, but he shook his head. “Keep it as a token of my apology…and a thank you for saving my life yesterday,” he added quietly as he glanced at the bandage above her eye.

  I perked up and looked between them. Lizzie had saved his life?

  “I’m calling a truce, and promise to be nice.”

  She eyed him warily. “I doubt you can keep that promise.”

  “I’ll try.”

  Liz fingered the metal. “It really is a nice watch.”

  “It’s nicer than nice.”

  “But it’s too big for my wrist.”

  He turned to leave. “I don’t expect you to wear it, Miss Ruthersford. Just keep it to remember I’m truly sorry for how I treated you, and I promise to behave better in the future.”

  When he disappeared around the corner, she whispered, “Your brother’s an idiot.”

  I snorted. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  Chapter 28

  Liz

  My cell vibrated in my back pocket as I ran Peaches in the round pen. “Who in the world’s calling me?” I muttered as I brought the mare to a halt. Grabbing my phone, I frowned at Rawson’s face on the screen. What did he want?

  “Hey.” I lifted my arm to wipe sweat from my brow.

  “Dad just called and wants us to show some horses to a friend of his from back East who’s flying into Bozeman this afternoon. He reserved the MSU arena for us, so meet me at the big stable in fifteen minutes.”