Her Hometown Hero

by Melody Anne

  “Yeah, for smart kids like you. Even high school was a struggle for me. Add to that the fact that my best friend is freaking Albert Einstein’s reincarnation, and it was never fun. I wouldn’t have made it if I hadn’t cheated off you so much.”

  “That’s not true, Grace. You did just fine in college without me. I think you just can’t stand sitting down for six hours straight. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “That’s true. I hated having to sit there while the teachers went on and on and on. Who cares who the twentieth president was?” She stopped to send a vicious glare Sage’s way. “I swear, if you utter his name, I will smack you right here and now.”

  Sage closed her mouth. Grace knew her well—yes, she’d been about to blurt out James A. Garfield. But today her head was feeling better, and Sage wanted to keep it that way. She remembered the time Grace slammed Bobby Tetter’s head into a locker just for correcting her grammar when she had said seen instead of saw, or vice versa. Bobby was always correcting people. The guy was sure to be a teacher. And man, did Grace have a mean right hook.

  “I wasn’t going to say it,” Sage lied.

  “Good. But still, I’d rather be smart and have all the answers. I really wish I’d taken my education more seriously. I guess I always just thought I was going to grow up, get married, and have a dozen kids. I didn’t think I’d ever need to use a degree. But I’ve learned that what a person expects doesn’t matter. You could get your dream, live just the way you imagined, but you should always have a backup plan. Otherwise . . . well, otherwise, you might find yourself in a tight spot.”

  The sadness in Grace’s eyes ripped Sage apart. Why wasn’t her friend telling her what had happened? Surely it couldn’t be so bad that the two of them couldn’t fix it. “We’ve always handled everything together, Grace. I know I can help if you’ll just let me in.”

  “I will. I pinkie swear, best friends forever,” Grace said, holding up her hand.

  It was the code. Sage took her pinkie with her own and shook, then kept her mouth shut. It was hard to do, but she’d respect Grace’s wishes, and right now Grace wasn’t ready to share. But it wouldn’t take her long.

  “You know you have to move in with me, right?” Grace said. “I’m sure it’s been heaven living at home again, having Grandma serve you and wash your clothes and treat you like the princess you are, but I demand that we become roomies. After all, that was the plan after high school. If I’d paid more attention during school and could have gotten into Stanford with you, that might have happened. But at least we’re both still single and in the same place now, so we can carry out our plans. I can start packing you up right away.”

  Sage’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I’d be more than happy to move in with you.” Heck, she wanted to leave this very minute.

  “Why do I hear a but coming?” Grace asked.

  “No. That’s not it. Let me wait a few days before I break the news to Grandma. A week at most. She’s missed me a lot since I left and I know my return and our time together have been special to her. If I move out while I’m still supposed to be resting, it will break her heart. I don’t know why she likes babying me, but she really does. And it is kind of nice, though I would like to have five solid minutes of awake time without being asked if I’m okay.”

  “I get that. We’ve waited this long, I can stand to wait another week. Maybe I’ll just sleep here on the couch so Grandma can take care of me, too.”

  “Did you say you need someone to look after you, Grace?”

  The two looked over at the door as Bethel walked through with a tray containing her patented lemonade, special homemade granola, and two thick sandwiches.

  “Always, Grandma. What’s that?” Grace asked, instantly sitting up, yanking one of Sage’s pillows from beneath her head so she could prop herself up against the headboard.

  “Don’t worry about permanent brain damage,” Sage griped at her, and sat up much more slowly than she normally would have.

  “I thought you girls might be hungry,” Bethel said, not hearing Sage.

  But Grace had heard, if the smirk on her face was any indication. She ignored Sage’s grumbling.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” Grace said, but she took the tray eagerly, grabbed one of the sandwiches, and bit in.

  Sage was always amazed at the amount of food her best friend could put away without ever gaining a pound. No wonder so many girls in high school had despised her.

  “I love to take care of my girls,” Bethel said. “Besides, you’ve always done so much for me.”

  “That’s because I adore you,” Grace said when she’d finished swallowing.

  “If you need a place to stay, dear,” Bethel said, and Grace had to turn away for a second to hide her emotions.

  “I was just kidding, Grandma, but it means the world to me to know I always have a place if I need it,” Grace said, giving Bethel a radiant smile.

  “Well then, I won’t keep you girls. I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do.” And Bethel left.

  “We’re going to break her heart when you move in with me. Maybe we should wait a month . . . or ten years,” Grace said, only half kidding.

  “A week, Grace. One week at most.” Sure, if Bethel became too upset, Sage would wait a while longer, but she really hoped her grandmother wouldn’t mind. Sage had missed Grace terribly.

  “All right,” Grace said. “If need be, we just won’t tell her. You’re going to be working a lot of hours. You could always come in the front door and then sneak out your window like you used to do when we were kids.”

  “That will have to be our plan B.”

  The two young women laughed heartily as they continued catching up. But Sage’s medicine soon kicked in, and though she fought hard to stay awake, sleep overtook her.

  Driving her grandmother’s old Chrysler slowly through the center of town a few days later, since her own car had been totaled in the wreck, Sage smiled when a couple of kids on their bicycles turned and waved.

  Sterling had a population of only three thousand people spread out over many miles, and despite those miles, if you wanted privacy, you weren’t going to get it. The nearest large city was about thirty miles away, but Sterling had everything you could possibly need, though maybe not exactly what you’d want.

  For a teenager, it could get a little boring, and the local teens had been known to tip a few cows on a Friday night, or party in some of the farmers’ barns, but nothing too terrible ever seemed to happen in the close-knit community. The biggest industries were oil and ranching, as was the case for a lot of Montana towns. There wasn’t much else to do with the miles and miles of open land.

  She drove through the one-stop-sign “metropolis” and reached her grandmother’s house in a few minutes. She’d been too afraid to tell her grandma that she was planning to move—hopefully tomorrow.

  Pulling the car into the small driveway, she paused to look fondly at the planters sitting on the large front porch. Sage thought there must be a city ordinance requiring every house to have an inviting wooden front porch with colorful flowers adorning it.

  She finally climbed from the car, feeling much better after almost a full week of total rest and relaxation—too much rest, if anyone cared to ask her humble opinion. Before she was able to take two steps, she heard the familiar creaking of the wooden screen door as her grandma stepped outside.

  “I’ve been so worried,” Bethel said as Sage came up the front path. “You were gone too long.”

  “You shouldn’t be worrying about me, Grandma. And you shouldn’t be out here in the heat.” Sage climbed up the steps and threw her arms around Bethel. The familiar scent of butterscotch and flour drifting off her grandmother’s clothes would always be a reminder of home and happiness.

  “I just hate knowing that you’re out there driving all by yourself after that terrible wreck, sweetie. You’ve only been feeling better for a day. I could have driven you.”

  “I told y
ou I’d be fine, and see?” Sage spun around in a circle. “I’m all safe and sound. And for the millionth time, it was a minor wreck, though my car might disagree. Now let’s get you back inside where it’s cool.”

  “Don’t you be fussing over me, young lady. I may have a few years on you, but I can handle myself just fine. A bit of heat won’t slow these bones down. Now be a good girl and come inside. I’ve made you muffins and there’s fresh lemonade chilling in the fridge.”

  “That is just what the doctor ordered,” Sage said with a grin.

  “You will make a terrific doctor, darling. It makes me feel so safe having you back home again.” Bethel scooted over to the fridge and filled a glass with icy-cold liquid.

  Bethel’s reference to home sent a pang through her. How in the world was she supposed to tell her grandma she wanted to live with Grace? What if the woman was really crushed and thought Sage didn’t love her enough to stay?

  “I met up with Grace down at the diner for lunch,” Sage said as she sat back. “I’ve missed her so much. I can’t believe how long it’s been since the two of us have gotten to hang out. Did you know that Kelly Purly is going to have another baby?” Kelly had gone to school with Grace and Sage. It was strange to think that she was a mother now.

  “Yes, it seems that everyone is having babies,” Bethel grumbled. “It sure would be nice if I got to be a great-grandma before the good Lord decides to pull me from this world.”

  “Grandma, you look tired. Why don’t you go lie down?”

  Bethel let the change of subject pass, much to her granddaughter’s relief. The last thing Sage wanted to do was have another discussion about eligible men and to field questions about whether she was ever going to have a family. She was only twenty-six, not on the verge of retirement.

  “You’re right, dear. A nap would do wonders for this old body,” Bethel said, then she took her time leaving the room.

  Sage watched her go with a worried frown. She needed to discuss her plans with her grandma, but she didn’t have the energy for it right now. Or that’s what she told herself. In reality, she was just too chicken. Maybe over dinner . . .

  Suddenly, the afternoon caught up to her, and she felt completely drained, so she decided to lie down for a few minutes. Famous last words—sleep claimed her instantly.

  “TIME TO GET up, sweetheart,” her grandmother said, shaking her awake. “We have a party to go to.”

  “What? What party?”

  “Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention that Martin Whitman is having a giant gathering at his place this evening. We can’t miss it.” Bethel was the picture of excitement.

  “Are you up for it, Grandma?”

  “Listen, girlie, I was dancing long into the night when you were still in diapers, so don’t try mothering me. I feel just fine and I deserve to go to this party.”

  “I’m sorry, Grandma, but I’m a little tired.” So tired, in fact, that she didn’t notice that her grandma sounded awfully hearty for someone supposedly under the weather. “Would you mind going with Eileen so I can stay home and rest?” She really didn’t want to go to the Whitman Ranch, not now that she knew Spence was in town. He was sure to be there.

  Just the name Whitman had her on edge again. But that was ridiculous. If Spence was going to be in town often, she’d have to get over it. Besides, her reaction was so over the top. Maybe if she’d taken Grace’s advice and had a few solid flings while away at college—no time in med school!—she wouldn’t be harboring these feelings for her childhood obsession.

  “I suppose I could go with Eileen, but her eyes aren’t so good these days. We were kind of hoping you would drive us, but I understand if you aren’t up for it.”

  Sage couldn’t stand to disappoint her grandma—plus she really didn’t want the two women to be out driving the winding country roads, especially after dark.

  “I’m sorry, Grandma. I’ll just take a quick shower and drink a strong cup of coffee, and then I’ll feel much better. I’ll take you.”

  Sage climbed out of bed, kissed her grandma on the cheek, and rushed into the bathroom. When Spence hadn’t even known who she was last week, her childhood embarrassment had been renewed. She’d compared all men to him through the years, and he hadn’t even thought of her once. How mortifying was that? To be around him now just wasn’t something she could handle. It was best to move forward with her life, focus on who and what she wanted to be, and let go of her childhood crush.

  Easier said than done.

  After showering and dressing quickly, Sage put on mascara and lip gloss. She couldn’t decide what to do with her long red hair, so she threw it up in a ponytail and called it good, if boring. She looked at herself in the mirror with a tentative smile.

  There had been men who’d told her she was beautiful, but she always had a hard time believing it. She was considered short at only five foot four—that was average height, dammit!—and even if she had been acceptably tall, she wasn’t model material. She just didn’t have the exotic look that Grace did. Her curves certainly stood out, but who needed curves when they weren’t being used?

  She wanted to tell herself that if she stopped comparing herself to other people, maybe she’d appreciate what she did have. Didn’t quite work. But she wasn’t without good points, and she knew it. She examined her deep emerald eyes critically. She’d always wanted to have blue eyes that shone like the sun reflecting on a lake, but she could live with green. In fact, a friend had once told her that her eyes were her best asset. Sage had laughed at the time and glanced pointedly at her chest. Men seemed unable to look past her cup size long enough to notice anything about her eyes, and she’d always been irritated by that. She refused to date a guy who couldn’t pick her face out of a lineup. Hmmm, was that why she’d hardly ever dated?

  She ran a finger over her full lips and smiled once again. At least her lifelong diligence in wearing sunscreen had spared her from a superabundance of freckles, but she’d have killed for the ability to tan. Darn Celtic blood.

  “We have to leave, Sage,” Bethel called out from the kitchen.

  “Coming.” Sage turned her back to the mirror, squared her shoulders, and walked out of the bathroom.

  “You look beautiful, dear,” Bethel said as she surveyed Sage’s outfit. Her granddaughter wasn’t dressing up, dang it, but then again, no one really did at these country parties. The evening had cooled as soon as the sun had set, so Sage wore her favorite pair of jeans and a thick sweater over a modest blouse.

  “You look great, too, Grandma. Do you have a hot date tonight or something?” Sage had been teasing, and was shocked when her grandma turned a shade of pink. Wow. The young woman’s eyes grew wide as she realized the woman who’d raised her might actually be sweet on someone. “Uh . . . are you . . . dating someone, Grandma?”

  “No, no, nothing like that,” Bethel replied hastily, then rushed over to grab her purse and jacket.

  Sage wanted to fire questions at her, but she could see she’d flustered the poor woman, so she let the subject drop. She’d be keeping an eye on her grandma tonight, though. She wanted to know who had her acting like a teenager going to her first boy-girl dance.

  The idea of sharing her grandmother with someone else sparked a smidgen of jealousy in her, but Sage pushed it back. She wasn’t always around, and if Bethel could have someone to love her, she more than deserved it. Plus, this meant her grandma might not be so opposed to Sage’s plan of moving in with Grace.

  Her grandfather had been gone for sixteen years. It was long past time for Bethel to move forward with her life.

  “You deserve whatever happiness you can find,” Sage said, embracing her beloved grandmother.

  “Now you quit fussing over me and worry about yourself,” Bethel grumbled, but the pink still hadn’t left her cheeks. “We need to get going. We’re running so late that I’m sure Eileen is wearing a hole in her living room carpet.”

  Sage wrapped an arm around her grandma’s shoulders and led
her to the car. She could do this—she could attend the party even with Spence there. Tons of people always showed up for these country blowouts. She probably wouldn’t even see him.

  Of course, when had fate ever been that kind to her? She shut the front door, resigned to whatever the night held.

  “Come on, Michael. Are you going to put some oomph in that or ride like a girl all day?” Spence yelled at his little brother as they raced across the wide-open pastures.

  “I have no trouble keeping up with you, old man,” Michael yelled back, then leaned down over his horse’s neck, pushed his knees in, and shot forward to take the lead. They rode fast and hard over the flat land, exchanging front position every few minutes. After they made a tight loop, they raced back toward the stables, crossed into the yard in a photo finish, and looked toward Camden, who was laughing at them.

  “Who won?” Michael asked as he jumped down from his horse. Spence followed speedily behind him and stared expectantly at Camden.

  “Haven’t you guys outgrown your competitiveness?”

  “Not at all,” Spence said impatiently. “Now who won?”

  “It was a tie. Dad’s waiting in the barn.” Camden rolled his eyes and shook his head in mock annoyance while he walked inside.

  “Damn. I was sure I had you that time,” Michael said with a grin that took any sting out of his statement.

  “Someday, little brother.” Spence threw his arm around Michael’s shoulders and they led their horses inside to start brushing them down. The animals had received a hard workout, so the two brothers spent added time brushing them and spoiled them with a few extra treats.

  “Boys, I need some help,” Martin called. Spence immediately headed to his father’s office, with Michael on his heels.

  “What do you need, Dad?” they asked in unison, then smiled at each other. Yes, they always thought and said almost the same thing. They’d been inseparable for twenty years, from the second they’d come home from the hospital on that fateful day their lives were forever changed.