“Holly can see the horses another time,” Ryan said. “She’s obviously tired.”
“Oh, okay,” Annabelle said with a smile. “We’ll be back shortly and I’ll pull the roast out of the oven. It has about ten more minutes cooking time.”
Ryan nodded and watched after his sister as the door closed behind her and Brianna. He turned his attention to Holly. “Please sit down. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
To her horror, she yawned again. “I am so sorry,” she said. “I’m afraid I haven’t worked a double shift in awhile. I guess it took a toll.”
He only smiled and gestured toward a plush corduroy chair. She sat down and sunk into the softness of the over-stuffed seat cushion.
He sat down across from her, in a leather recliner. He met her gaze and smiled self-consciously.
She matched his smile, equally self-consciously, and then smoothed her hands along the armrest of the chair.
“Did you have a good day at work?” he asked, clearly desperate to make small talk.
“I did. I really enjoy working with the children.”
“You’re obviously great with kids.”
She smiled at the compliment, though he’d only seen her around one kid—her sister. Had he arrived at that assessment based upon their interactions? She realized she’d deduced correctly when he spoke.
“You’re great with Brianna. It’s hard to believe you’ve only known one another for a relatively short time.”
She was slightly taken aback, since she hadn’t been aware that Brianna had apparently told him about their recent reunion. “Brianna told you about her parents passing away?” she said, surprised.
He nodded. “She did. She also mentioned how much she enjoys living with you.”
She couldn’t help smiling at that. “I enjoy living with her too.”
“It … can’t be easy…”
“It feels as if I’ve known her forever. I guess it’s that blood connection,” she mused. “Of course, we didn’t always get along.”
“The move has worked out, hasn’t it?” he said, watching her intently.
“It really has. I think it was good for both of us to start fresh, away from our past lives.” She sighed. “I know she still struggles with the loss of her parents, but she tries not to show it.”
“She’s trying to stay tough for your sake?” he ventured.
“That, and…” She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. “Well, the truth is, her parents—we have the same father—wouldn’t allow the two of us to know one another.”
He watched her with interest, his brown eyes fixed on her face like guided missiles. She felt slightly uncomfortable confiding in an acquaintance, but he had proven a very helpful acquaintance. She continued, “I was twelve when Brianna was born. I couldn’t have been more excited to be a big sister, but it just wasn’t to be.”
“Your … father wouldn’t allow it.”
“Him, his wife—both of them…” She gave a shrug. “Either way, Brianna grew up thinking I didn’t care about her.”
“But you obviously did.”
“I wanted to know her more than I’ve ever wanted anything. From the time I was twelve, I sent her letters and gifts, so that she’d know I cared. Her parents sent them back to me.”
“That had to hurt.”
“It … did. But fortunately, my mother remarried a few years after the divorce. My stepfather was a wonderful man.” She forced a smile, though it was a sad one. “I couldn’t have loved him more if he’d been my own dad, and he loved me like his own.” She shrugged. “He was a loving, moral man and a terrific example. I’ll always be grateful for having had the opportunity to know him.”
She paused, lost in her thoughts for a moment. “When he died—I was nineteen—I was lost.”
“I’m sorry. But I understand. My mother passed away when I was seven, my dad several years after.” He smiled. “Your Uncle Ben filled a real void in my life after my dad’s passing.”
“I wish I could have known him.”
“He’s your uncle on your mother’s side?”
“No, he was my dad’s uncle.”
Ryan considered that. “So you have no real idea why Ben left you his place.”
“No idea whatsoever.”
“It’s a real mystery then,” he murmured.
“It is, and I sure wish he were still alive so I could thank him. His amazing gift came at just the right time. I don’t think Brianna and I could have lasted much longer in my very small apartment.”
“I tend to enjoy the wide open space around here too.”
“You’ve lived here all your life?”
He nodded. “I’ve traveled extensively, but this has always been home.”
“And will continue to be,” she said with a soft smile.
“Well, I’m not sure about that,” he admitted. “I’ve had the wanderlust of late. I’m not sure if I want to remain here or…”
“Are you tired of the rain? Everyone I meet seems inclined to warn me that it rains an awful lot here.” She turned to stare out a window at the still-blue sky. “I’m told the sky is typically a miserably gray…”
“Yep. We’ll know if you’re a true Pacific Northwesterner if you manage to survive a gray fall and winter—and spring—and sometimes summer—and still like it here.”
“It’s a good thing I’m a glass-half-full kind of girl,” she said with a grin.
“It’s a good thing,” he concurred.
Both Holly and Ryan glanced to the French doors when Annabelle and Brianna returned. Brianna’s face was flushed, her eyes sparkling, and she was clearly fused with eager energy. “Holly, you should have come with us. Annabelle’s horses are beautiful! Seeing them makes me miss Wind Song so much.”
She turned to Annabelle. “Thank you for showing them to me.” Her expression was hopeful. “Were you serious about letting me help out with them? I would really love it!”
“Absolutely. When can you start?”
“Anytime. Just tell me when.”
“Would you like to come by tomorrow? I know it’s Saturday, but I’m going to be home all day. My fiancée is coming by…”
“Your what?” Ryan exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
His sister smiled and dangled her ring finger in front of his face. He moved closer for a look at the sparkling diamond engagement ring and then returned her smile. “Congratulations! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was waiting to see if you happened to notice…” She turned to Holly. “He didn’t. Typical man!”
Brianna charged forward for a peek at her ring, and Holly joined her. “It’s beautiful,” Brianna said.
“Gorgeous,” Holly enthused. “Congratulations.”
“I’m so happy,” she cried gleefully. “Harrison is such a great guy. Everything I’ve ever wanted…”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ryan said drolly. “He’s a catch. Wasn’t that oven timer supposed to have rung by now? I thought we were having roast?”
Annabelle glanced over at the appliance and her eyes widened. “I didn’t set the timer!”
She dashed over to the oven and yanked open the door. “It’s burnt. It looks like a brick!”
“Pizza anyone,” Ryan said without skipping a beat. “I’ll drive into town. Er, Holly, would you care to ride along?”
Surprised by the invitation, she smiled shyly. “Oh, sure. Okay. Brianna…”
“Go, go,” she said, with a flutter of her hand and sent Annabelle a hopeful look. “Maybe we could visit the horses for a couple more minutes…”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go,” Ryan directed to Holly, and to his sister, mumbled, “Harrison is going to starve.”
Chapter Sixteen
Holly and Ryan rode in silence for several moments. Holly felt nervous, though she couldn’t exactly decide why. Ryan was a new friend and he’d simply invited her on a short trip into town to pick up a couple pizzas. No big deal.
Yet
, she felt her heart pounding and her mouth had gone dry. Perhaps it was simply being in the company of someone of the opposite sex. It had been so long since she’d dated, or even conversed with a man.
Back home, she had picked up every extra work shift possible, in order to pay off her debt. On those rare occasions she’d been asked out by a man, her excuse of having to work had always been a legitimate one.
“What kind of pizza do you like?” Ryan asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“Oh, I’m fine with anything,” she said. “And Brianna too. We’re not picky.”
Ryan arched a brow. “Wow.”
“You seem surprised?”
“Annabelle is inordinately picky,” he said with a laugh. “Ol’ Harrison is in for a big surprise if he thinks that girl has a single compliant bone in her body.”
Holly laughed, though she wasn’t certain why. She ventured a glance at Ryan’s handsome profile and noted the slight smile on his face. “I’m happy for her,” he said suddenly, but frowned. “I wonder…”
“What?”
“Well, Harrison’s in the military and my understanding is he’s being transferred soon. I wonder what that will mean for Annabelle?”
He drew silent. Frankly, he wondered what it would mean for him. If Harrison moved away, Annabelle would go with him. Wouldn’t she?
He ran a hand through his hair. If his sister moved away, that opened a whole other can of worms for him. It had serious implications for his future plans. It might mean she would be eager to sell the property to the potential buyers, but what would it mean for the family home? He had always figured she’d live there forever, since he just didn’t see himself staying there.
He couldn’t imagine selling it either. He felt a strong connection to his childhood home and hadn’t ever thought in terms of parting with it. It was probably presumptuous of him to have expected Annabelle to make it her permanent home—to hold down the fort, so to speak.
What did her upcoming marriage mean for them both? It was yet another conversation he needed to have with his sister.
“You look troubled,” Holly said, interrupting his thoughts. “Are you all right?”
He turned toward her briefly. “I was just thinking about my sister’s engagement and trying to figure out what will happen if she follows Harrison to his next assignment.”
She nodded. “She seems very happy.”
“She does,” he agreed. “But if she leaves I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen to our family home.”
“Don’t you … live there?”
“Sort of. I mean, when I’m in this part of the world…”
She couldn’t imagine owning such a lovely home and giving any kind of consideration to parting with it, if, in fact, she could afford to live there. Uncertain what to say, she smiled. “I hope everything works out for both of you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“We’re here,” Ryan announced, as he steered into the parking lot of the pizza establishment. “Will you come in with me?”
“Sure.”
He climbed out of the truck and rounded the front. She was already climbing out unassisted, when he hurried to offer his hand.
Inside the pizza place, they waited in line among the Friday night pizza crowd to place their to-go order. Once done, they made small talk, until a man interrupted them by clearing his throat. “Fancy meeting you here again,” he directed to Ryan.
Ryan smiled ruefully at Jim. “Annabelle attempted a pot roast tonight and…” He spread his hands.
Jim winced. “Did the kitchen go up in flames?”
“Fortunately, no. The only thing burned is the roast.” He appeared to remember Holly and introduced her to his friend.
Jim extended a hand and she accepted it. “Good to meet you,” he said.
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Holly is new to the area,” Ryan told him. “She’s living in Ben’s old place,” he added meaningfully.
“Oh,” he said, arching his brows and giving Ryan a speculative glance. He turned his attention back to Holly. “I was so sorry to hear about Ben’s passing.”
“Thank you. I’m afraid I didn’t know him, but I’ve heard good things about him.”
“He was a great man. He would give anyone the shirt off his back.”
Holly smiled. Her great uncle had apparently affected the people around him in a positive way.
“Ben and I went to the same church,” Jim told her. “I attended one of his Bible studies shortly before he passed away.”
Holly nodded. It was nice to know her uncle was a godly man. Unfortunately, her father hadn’t been a Christian. The thought that he had passed away without knowing God had caused her a good deal of grief. She hoped he had found his way to God and had become a believer before his passing. Perhaps he had called out to his Father in heaven on his deathbed.
She pushed away the thoughts for now. There was nothing she could do for him but pray for him and his wife.
“Do you plan on staying in the area?” Jim asked.
Holly nodded. “My sister and I really like it here. It’s turned out to be a good move for both of us.”
Jim sought Ryan’s eyes. Ryan pretended not to notice. Holly, however, picked up on the silent communication between them. A sudden tension loomed. She glanced around and spotted the women’s restroom nearby. She excused herself, in order to give the men a moment.
“Dang it, Jim,” Ryan said. “Could you be more obvious, with your ‘pointed’ looks in my direction?”
“I’m sorry,” he said testily. “So you haven’t told her yet?”
Ryan looked sheepish. “I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it.”
“Ryan, you’re playing with that woman’s life. You need to be upfront about the situation. She’s going to need time to figure things out, and the longer you delay telling her, the less time she’ll have to make other arrangements.”
“I know. You’re right. It’s just…”
“It’s just, she’s beautiful, and you’re falling for her.”
“What … are you talking about? I don’t even know the woman.”
“Yet, you’re here, having pizza with her.”
“No, I’m here, ordering pizzas to take home, because Annabelle burnt the roast—as I told you before.”
“Who invited her to dinner?”
“Annabelle!”
“Yeah, well, that sister of yours is pretty discerning…”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she’s probably ‘discerned’ you have feelings for Holly.”
“You’re way off,” Ryan said, scowling, though he had to admit to himself, he felt something for Holly—though he couldn’t quite figure out what those feelings equated to. Maybe he simply felt responsible for her on some level, since it was his property on which she was currently residing and would soon be forced to leave. Maybe he was getting soft. Maybe his shark-like tendencies—honed on the job—had been tempered by an expanded view of the world courtesy of his trip, during which he realized that most people didn’t have the same advantages he had in life. Maybe he had finally developed a more mature outlook and had realized he had some accountability for his actions—or rather, that others faced consequences for his actions.
“Whoa, buddy!” Jim said. “I can see the wheels turning behind your eyes. Where’d you go just then?”
Ryan sighed. “…Just thinking…”
“About Holly?”
“Would you give it a rest?” Ryan snapped, beneath his breath.
Holly was walking toward them now, and thankfully, their to-go order was called at the front counter. “Pizza’s ready. We have to go,” Ryan directed to Jim. “See you later.”
He expected Jim to leave, but he remained behind until Holly reached them. Ryan sent him a curious glance, but heard his number called again. He went to get the pizza. Back in a flash, he found Jim engaged in conversation with Holly. He felt an odd emotion—jea
lousy?
“We’d love to have you,” Jim said. “I’ve been helping out with our youth ministry. We have a terrific youth group. Your sister would probably enjoy it.”
“I appreciate the invitation,” Holly said, smiling. “I definitely need to find a church, since Brianna and I do hope to stay in the area.”
“Is there … any reason why you might choose to leave?” Jim inquired, shooting Ryan a brief, accusatory glance.
Ryan braced, wondering what his friend was up to. Was he about to spill the beans about the property?
“I haven’t actually met with the executor of my uncle’s will,” she told him. “At this point, I only know that Uncle Ben left me his house.” She smiled uncertainly. “I don’t know if it’s paid off or if a bank still holds the title. Until I have all the details, I’m forcing myself to hold back on getting too excited.”
“But you do like it here?”
“I really do. It’s beautiful here and it turns out, my sister is a country girl.” She laughed. “She’s determined to get a horse.”
Holly was surprised when Jim looked alarmed.
“Is there … something wrong?” she asked.
“Oh, no,” Jim said. “It’s just…”
“Getting a horse is big,” Ryan cut in. “Unless you have some experience owning one, you don’t really know what you’re getting into. It’s really something you don’t want to rush into.”
Although he felt bad dissuading her from getting Brianna a horse, it would be awful to grant the girl her fondest desire, only to have to take it away from her. They couldn’t very well pull up stakes easily if a horse was involved in the move.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Holly said. “I’m apprehensive, because I know nothing about horses, or what’s involved in caring for one.”
“Brianna is welcome to ride our horses any time,” Ryan said. “I know Annabelle would be grateful for the help in exercising them. She doesn’t have a lot of time these days, and her horses require a good deal of attention.”
By Summer's End (Christian Fiction) Page 10