By Summer's End (Christian Fiction)

by Rosemarie Naramore

  “Ryan, I can’t allow you to buy us dinner when you’ve just…”

  “Sure you can,” he said dismissively. “Remember, dinner was my idea.”

  Holly subsided into the seat. She realized it wouldn’t do her any good to argue with him. She could see by the set of his jaw he was determined.

  She remembered he mentioned having something to talk to her about. She wondered what was important enough to prompt him to throw dinner into the mix. She sat quietly, pondering. Could Brianna be right? Did Ryan have feelings for her?

  But then, if that were the case, wouldn’t he have asked her out on a date—just the two of them? Or maybe he was simply a thoughtful guy who knew she wouldn’t want to leave Brianna home alone.

  Still…

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Ryan pulled into a Chinese restaurant Holly and Brianna had yet to visit. Along Main Street, it was apparently popular with town residents, since the parking lot was crowded with cars. Fortunately, a space opened up just as Ryan was about to leave the lot and attempt to park along the street.

  “I hope you like this place,” he directed to both women. “It’s always been a favorite of mine.”

  “I love Chinese food,” Brianna gushed. “It’s been so long since we’ve had any. Holly and I don’t go out much because…” Her words dwindled off.

  Holly comprehended that Brianna had realized she’d nearly shared too much with Ryan and had pulled back before divulging personal information. She was proud of her for that, but knew her sister had piqued Ryan’s interest, as evidenced by the questioning gaze he sent Holly’s way.

  She decided she probably was a curiosity to him. It was evident he came from extreme wealth, if his home was any indication. His home was furnished with the finest decorator items, while she and Brianna found the bulk of their furnishings on the side of the road.

  She almost laughed aloud. What did he think of her? she wondered. He was accustomed to the priciest furnishings and vehicles, and she considered others’ castoffs treasure.

  Brianna scrambled out of the truck and took her first tentative steps in her new boots. Paired with shorts and a tank top, the boots were an interesting fashion choice.

  Holly chuckled and Brianna gave her a mock angry look. “Don’t you approve of my ensemble?”

  Holly laughed in return. “Fortunately, my dear, you have the legs to pull off that particular look.”

  Brianna grinned cheekily. “Yeah, I take after my sister.”

  When Ryan stepped between them and took each sister by the arm, Brianna seemed perfectly at ease. Holly, on the other hand, was still uncomfortable about him buying the boots. She wondered if she should insist on buying dinner, but doing so would assure their monthly budget took a huge hit. She’d long ago learned that she could cook five meals for the price of a single meal out, if she chose her ingredients carefully and if those ingredients overlapped effectively for a variety of meals.

  She was still mulling over the situation when Ryan pulled open the door to the restaurant. “After you,” he directed to Holly.

  She walked in first, followed by Brianna. Ryan brought up the rear. They’d no sooner stepped into the restaurant than a young waitress hurried over. Obviously pleased to see Ryan, she smiled widely in his direction. “Where’ve you been, Ryan?” she asked. “It’s been a long time.”

  “I’ve been out of town,” he told her.

  “Oh, I think I heard that,” she said. “Hey, a couple of your cohorts are here tonight.”

  He arched a brow. “Who?”

  “Drake and Bill. They said something about tracking you down later. I guess they won’t have to look too far, eh?”

  He smiled in answer and followed her to a table. Each table in the restaurant was occupied, with the exception of one in a corner. A busboy was currently scrubbing it down for the next guests.

  “Give Tom a minute to clean up and the table is yours,” the waitress said. “I’ll leave you now. People are waiting.”

  “Thank you,” Ryan said.

  “Don’t be a stranger,” she replied, offering him a seductive little smile before scurrying off.

  When the boy was finished readying the table, Ryan pulled out a chair for Holly, and followed by assisting Brianna. “See, Holly,” the teenager said with a grin, “chivalry isn’t dead after all.”

  Holly grinned wanly. She and Brianna had recently had a conversation in which Holly had urged her to consider a young man’s manners before agreeing to date him. The conversation was premature, however, since Holly had no intention of allowing Brianna to date until she was at least sixteen.

  As if on cue, she spotted a young teen boy watching Brianna from a nearby table. She sighed and glanced at her beautiful sister. The writing was on the wall.

  Ryan followed her gaze and noted immediately that Brianna was garnering appreciative glances from several boys in the restaurant. Fortunately, she was unaware of the attention, otherwise, he realized he might have had to run interference. Holly looked absolutely sick.

  When he took in her pale face, and then glanced around the restaurant, it became evident that she, too, was the object of attention. He narrowed his gaze, a sure sign to nearby males to back off.

  A waitress suddenly appeared with water glasses all around. “I’ll be right back to take your order,” she said crisply, and hurried off.

  Ryan sighed. “What it lacks in personal attention, it makes up for in food quality,” he assured them.

  “I’m just hungry, plain and simple,” Brianna said agreeably. “That waitress could be purple with green hair, and have a really bad attitude, as long as she comes back soon to take our food order. I’m starving!”

  Ryan chuckled. “Ah, but would you tip her?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I’d give her a ‘tip’ in the form of a note. It would read, ‘Like the hair, but change the attitude.’”

  Holly gave her sister a stern look that abruptly softened. She couldn’t be mad at Brianna. The girl was honest—almost to a fault—but genuine and downright loveable.

  The harried waitress reappeared. “What’ll you have?” She watched them with a bored expression on her face as she began tapping her order pad with the tip of her pencil.

  Neither Holly nor Brianna had taken any time to study the menu. “Oh, darn,” Brianna cried. “I don’t know what I want.”

  The waitress gave her a stern look and glanced heavenward.

  “Ryan, perhaps you could order for us?” Holly suggested.

  “Sure.” He promptly ordered several items on the menu, family style. From the sounds of it, he ordered far more items than they could eat in a single evening. Brianna was practically bouncing in her seat with enthusiasm.

  As the waitress dashed off, Ryan opened his mouth to speak, when they were joined by two men. He turned to address them, knowing without looking who was standing tableside.

  “Drake, Bill,” he said, and then introduced both Holly and Brianna. Drake, the taller and darker of the two men, seemed drawn to Holly.

  “I don’t think we’ve met before,” he noted, watching her speculatively.

  “We’re new to Battle Ground,” Brianna spoke up.

  He nodded. “Welcome,” he said, still eyeing Holly with interest.

  “What brings you two to Battle Ground?” Ryan asked.

  “You,” Drake said without hesitation. “Since you’re not answering our calls during customary business hours…”

  Ryan watched him, unblinking, and seemingly unconcerned. “I’m confident in the people I’ve left in charge.”

  “Yeah, well, as gratifying as that is,” Drake began, “we’re starting to wonder if you ever plan on coming back to work.”

  Ryan glanced away and back to him. He gave a shrug. “I don’t know.”

  Drake turned to Bill, who spoke next. “There’s something we need to talk to you about,” he said.

  “Talk,” Ryan prompted, but then gave a dismissive wave. “Actually, no, we’ll have to t
alk later. As you can see, I’m busy right now.”

  Drake gave a crisp nod. “May we stop by your house later?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know how long we’ll be. I’ll stop by the office first thing Monday.” He hesitated. “I understand you’re finished up at Unicon Oil.”

  Bill smiled menacingly. “Yeah. We made a killing.”

  Ryan paled at the statement. Unicon had been in dire need of direction. No doubt Drake and Bill had given it. Of course they had. He’d taught them well.

  He could see by the wordless exchange between the two men—upturned lips, narrowed, triumphant eyes—they were very pleased with themselves.

  Why couldn’t he derive the same satisfaction?

  “We’ll leave you to your evening,” Drake said.

  “And see you first thing Monday,” Bill added.

  The two men strode off. Ryan watched after them, wishing desperately he hadn’t promised he’d stop by the office Monday. It had been forever since he’d graced them with his presence.

  “What do you do, Ryan?” Brianna asked, her brows knitted curiously. “Those guys seemed kind of…” She appeared to search her brain. “Well, I’ll say it. They seemed mean.”

  Holly’s first inclination was to scold her sister, but the men had seemed … predatory. She hadn’t liked them much either.

  Ryan forced a smile. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about work. There’s something more important we need to discuss.”

  Holly and Brianna exchanged glances. Neither missed Ryan’s foreboding tone. He was just about to speak when Jim dropped into the open chair at their table. He grinned widely. “Hey there. Fancy meeting you here tonight.”

  If he sensed Ryan wasn’t happy about his sudden arrival, he didn’t show it. He turned to Holly. “What’d you think of church? Did you like it?” He glanced from Holly to Brianna, and back.

  “We liked it,” Holly said. “I thoroughly appreciated the pastor’s message.”

  “And I liked it too,” Brianna said. “I’m thinking about going to the youth group on Wednesday.”

  Jim was delighted. “I’m so glad,” he said, grinning. “I hope you’ll come back Sunday, and the one after that too.” He turned his attention to Ryan. “I’m still reeling from the shock of seeing you in God’s house.”

  “Uh huh,” Ryan said, his voice monotone. “So you said at church.”

  Jim laughed. “I’m just giving you a hard time.” He slapped him on the back. “May we expect to see you Sunday?”

  Ryan glanced at Holly, who watched him expectantly. He sensed she had a relationship with God. If she was anything like her uncle, of course she loved the Lord. “I don’t know if I’ll make it Sunday,” he answered honestly.

  Jim took his words at face value, and grew serious. “Is it true Annabelle is leaving Washington soon?”

  Ryan sighed. “How is it you seem to know more about my sister’s comings and goings than I do? But yeah, she tells me she’s marrying Harrison this summer and plans on joining him on the East Coast.”

  “What are you going to do?” Jim asked, his manner intensely serious. “Does this mean you’re going to go ahead and sell the property?”

  Brianna gasped. “You’re not selling the horse farm, are you?”

  Holly laid a gentle hand on her arm, attempting to convey to her to be quiet. It wasn’t their concern what Ryan did with his property. Unfortunately, Brianna refused to be dissuaded. “Holly, you have to get me my own horse. If I can’t ride the McGraw’s horses, I don’t know what I’ll do. Yes, yes, I do. I’ll go crazy.”

  “Brianna,” Holly scolded. “We’ll talk about this later.”

  “I’m going to buy my own horse,” she announced. “I have the money. You said I could use some of it. Right?”

  Holly breathed evenly, to still her pounding heart. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have right now.

  Brianna turned to Ryan. “Have you seen the old barn behind our place? It’s old, but it’s in pretty good shape. Do you think I could keep a horse in it now?”

  It was Jim who spoke up. “That barn belongs to you, doesn’t it, Ryan?” His eyes were pinned on his friend like guided missiles, almost daring him to deny it.

  Finally, Ryan answered. “Yes, it belongs to Annabelle and me.”

  “And if you sell the land, the buyers will own the barn, am I right?” Jim pressed.

  Ryan nodded, heartsick at the disappointment on Brianna’s face. He knew how much she longed for a horse of her own. She had believed she might have the very place to keep it.

  “So you’re selling your house and farm?” Brianna said sadly.

  Ryan leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on the table. He made a point of keeping eye contact with the teen. “At this point, Annabelle and I are considering selling a piece of our property. It doesn’t include our house and several acres.”

  Brianna breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, okay.” She gave a tremulous smile. “Okay, good then.”

  Jim watched his friend, frowning. Holly noticed. When Jim spoke again, she noted that Ryan gave him a scalding look. “But it’s possible you may decide to sell the house and surrounding acres, too. If Annabelle leaves, and let’s say, ultimately decides not to come back, then…” He spread his hands wide. “Who are we kidding? You’re not interested in living in the big house and maintaining the barns and outlying property.”

  “I don’t know what I’m interested in,” Ryan said, his voice monotone. His narrowed eyes dared Jim to open his mouth again. Jim seemed to take the hint and settled against the back of his chair.

  Holly decided it was a good idea to give the men a moment alone. “Brianna, will you accompany me to the restroom?” she asked with forced cheer.

  Brianna hesitated, but realized Holly meant business by the terse set of her mouth. When the women left the table and reached the door to the restroom, Ryan glared at his friend.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded.

  “I’m trying to save Holly and her sister additional hardship. If you’d given them permission to use the barn—or, God forbid—the idea the barn belonged to them… Ryan!” he cried. “What’s going on in your head? That woman is going to be devastated when you finally give her the news that her home is sitting on your land. For God’s sakes, tell her!”

  Ryan glared at him, retaining a challenging glint in his eyes, but soon practically crumpled in the chair. “You’re right,” he said. “I know you’re right. I’d planned to tell them tonight. It’s just…”

  “You care about her—them,” he amended, nodding his head. “You’re in love with Holly.”

  Ryan didn’t try to deny it. Obviously his feelings for Holly were intense. He knew if gave her the news about the land, she was going to be devastated, and she would leave. He couldn’t bear to envision her gone—the plot of land empty of the house and the woman who dwelled within it and made it a home.

  And she was Ben’s great niece. How could he cause such hardship for the niece of the man who was more a father to him than his own father had ever been?

  “What do I do, Jim?” he asked in an agonized voice. “I know what I should do—what I should have done—but I’ve…”

  “Fallen in love with her,” Jim finished decisively. He folded his arms across his chest and watched his friend. “Well, if you hadn’t, I would have…” he said with resignation.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Whatever Ryan had intended to discuss with her and Brianna at dinner, he hadn’t gotten around to it. Holly could understand why. They’d been repeatedly interrupted by people, from the two men with whom Ryan worked, to Jim, and then later, a whole bevy of people who seemed thrilled to see Ryan back in town. He had graciously visited with all, but she could see he was worn out by the end of the evening.

  “Thank you so much for dinner,” Holly said, as Ryan pulled his truck in front of her house. “And for Brianna’s boots. That was … really kind of you.”

 
; “Yes, thank you,” Brianna echoed.

  “You’re welcome for everything,” he said with a smile.

  Brianna opened the passenger door, which prompted Ryan to scramble out of the truck and help her out. She was too quick for him and was already waiting beside the truck. He raised a hand to Holly. She smiled her thanks as he helped her safely to solid ground.

  “I’m going inside,” Brianna said, smiling indulgently at her sister—almost as if she were the older sibling. “Thanks again, Ryan,” she called, as she hurried off, kicking up clouds of dust with her new cowboy boots.

  Holly knew right away her sister was making a hasty retreat to give the two time to talk. When the front door closed behind Brianna, she turned her attention back to Ryan. “You had something to talk to me about,” she prompted. “It seemed … important.”

  He forced himself to make eye contact. She didn’t miss the flash of pain in the depths of his brown eyes. Alarm coursed through Holly’s system. Something told her she didn’t want to hear the words Ryan was about to speak to her. She braced for the worst, though she couldn’t begin to imagine what he had to tell her.

  “Holly, there’s something…” He paused and searched her face. Their eyes linked and held. He started again, only to stammer to a stop. Still, their eyes held.

  To her dismay, she felt the pull of attraction between them, irresistible, undeniable. When he leaned in and claimed her lips in a kiss, she found herself leaning into him, seeking support, since her knees practically buckled beneath her.

  When he pulled back, she raised a trembling hand to her lips. She hadn’t expected the kiss, but had yearned for it, nonetheless. Once again, their eyes met and held.

  When Ryan lowered his lips to hers a second time, she met them with her own. He pressed with a gentle insistence, only deepening the kiss when he sensed she wanted it as much as he did. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to be closer, and he urged her even closer still by wrapping an arm around her back.

  Finally, it was Holly who ended the kiss. Startled by her own actions, she watched Ryan, wide-eyed. “I…” She smoothed her hair back with shaky hands. “Ryan, I’m…”