Colorado Cabin in the Pines (Peakview series Book 3) (6 page)

“What do you think?” Penny yelled above the noise.

“It’s different.”

“They have the best burgers around.” She stopped short, remembering that Darrell didn’t eat meat. “Sorry, I’m sure their salads are good too.”

A waitress, who looked as though she had been there as long as the building itself, took their order. Several people Penny had known since her childhood stopped by to talk. She smiled. Everything about Peakview County was so comforting—so natural. The last few days she’d been racking her brain to remember just why she had wanted to get away so badly. These people were truly happy with their existence. Could she feel that way here again, too?

The band began its first set of rowdy country songs, and since talking became nearly impossible, she turned her attention to the band. A line dance formed, and she grabbed Darrell and pulled him out on the floor. Although he stumbled to keep up, he was a good sport and laughed along with her. Finally a slow song started, and he looked relieved and pulled her into his arms. Penny leaned against his shoulder and swayed with the music as he held her close. Darrell had been good to her for these past four years, but she felt as though she was dancing with a brother. No tingling—no warm fuzzies when he held her close. Why had she not seen this before? She needed some passion in her life. She longed to feel the way she did when Luke held her in his arms. When she got back to Chicago, she’d have the “just friends” talk with Darrell. She hoped he wouldn’t be hurt, but she needed to find someone she could fall madly in love with for life.

Darrell left at the crack of dawn, and Penny sighed in relief as his car disappeared down the road. The next month would go by fast, and she needed some time to relax before the challenging year ahead. Knowing that Darrell had feelings for her she didn’t return made his visit awkward to say the least. She wanted to make things right with Luke. Unfortunately, she was at a loss as to how to go about it.

It was a beautiful morning—deep, blue Colorado sky without a cloud in sight. She breathed in the sweet aroma of pine as she saddled Ginger and set out for a ride. This time she headed west, she’d always ridden through Walker land, and there was no reason to stop now. Spurring Ginger across the meadow at a full gallop, she relished the wind in her hair and the warm sun on her face. Entering the hills on the other side, she slowed to a walk and wound her way up the steep path. At the top she dismounted and plopped down on the small marble bench. She knew Luke came here when he needed to think and feel close to the mom he’d lost. Over the years, she started coming here, too. She hadn’t known Luke’s mom well. Penny was still a child when his mother passed, but somehow this place gave her peace.

She softly began to mouth the thoughts on her mind into the breeze. “I know that I hurt Luke—again. I never meant to. It’s the last thing I ever wanted. How can I make things right with him? I don’t want him to hate me. I love him.” Whoa, where had that last sentence come from? She looked around nervously and was glad no one was there to hear her. She did love him, as a…what? That was the problem. Her feelings became jumbled after that night she spent in the cabin. Was he just a friend or something more? She wished she knew.

She sat for a while in silence until Ginger began to paw impatiently at the ground, then mounted and started back down the rocky, steep trail. She listened to the wind in the pines, as she felt the back and forth movement of her horse’s muscles as she made her way down the path. Reaching the edge of the clearing, she pulled up on her reins. There was the cabin. She couldn’t help but be curious as to what he’d accomplished since her last visit. Maybe she should ride up to the back side and have a peek in the windows. No harm there.

About to emerge from the cover of the trees, she heard the sound of horse hooves and laughter, so she held back. Heading across the meadow were two horses. As they drew closer she saw that it was Luke riding Geronimo with a girl close beside him on another horse. She had striking long, thick, brown hair and a pretty face. She threw her head back laughing at something Luke said. Luke laughed, too. They weren’t close enough for Penny to hear their words, but it was evident they were having a good time. Who the heck was he with? Penny knew almost everyone in Peakview County, and this girl didn’t look familiar. She fought the tentacles of jealousy that crept up to her heart and threatened to strangle her. Had Luke moved on? Did he have a new girlfriend he failed to mention? She had no hold on Luke. Of course, he had the right to move on. But still….

She held Ginger’s reins tightly and remained in the shadows until they passed. Thank goodness they didn’t see her. All she wanted now was to get home. She spurred Ginger and flashed past the cabin, trying to leave her unexpected pain behind.

***

As Penny sat drinking coffee with her mom the next morning, she couldn’t help feeling restless. She needed something to occupy her time here, especially since Luke had apparently found someone to occupy his.

“So Mom, when Darrell and I were driving to Aspen Ridge the other night, we had to stop for some kids on horses, and I noticed a sign saying Peak Adventure Camp. I don’t remember that place.”

“Oh, that’s where the old Farley Ranch. It was vacant for some years, ever since Ted Farley died. Ryan and Willow Haywood purchased it, and are running some kind of summer camp. You remember Ryan, he played on the football team with Luke? And Willow Green? They were a class or two ahead of you, I think.”

“I do remember Ryan. Half back, Right? I knew him, but not well. I remember Willow too, but not sure we ever had a class together. They got married?”

“Yes, I believe right after they graduated. I saw her at Violet’s the other day. They’re expecting their first child.”

Their friends from high school were married and having children? That seemed like such a distant idea in her own life. Not that there wasn’t much else to do here in the mountains…but still. “Seems awfully young.”

“I wouldn’t mind having a son-in-law and a few grandchildren myself one of these days.” Her mom looked over at her hopefully.

“Don’t get your hopes up just yet. I have to find the right guy first.”

“That guy is not Darrell?”

Penny noticed that her mom’s face lightened with the question. “You didn’t like him?”

“It’s not that I didn’t like him, he just doesn’t seem right for my baby girl.” She reached over and patted Penny’s hand.

“Don’t worry, I am not about to jump into anything.”

You know, Luke Walker won’t stay single forever.”

“Mom. That’s the past. We’ve moved on. I’m happy for Ryan and Willow though. Maybe I’ll stop by and say hello.”

***

Heading out for her daily ride, Penny rode away from Walker Ranch. She was in no mood to run into Luke and his friend again. She made her way down the trail by the creek and noticed it appeared well-worn from horse traffic. She decided to stop and see what this “Peak Adventure” was all about. She rode through the new wooden gate and headed down the rocky lane. As she emerged from the trees, there was a cluster of small buildings filling the valley below, with a large barn and corral in the center. Sounds of laughter rose in the air. A scene of pandemonium played out in front of her as children of varying ages ran around in every direction. A couple of wranglers were in the corral hurriedly saddling horses. She walked Ginger up to what appeared to be the main building. An obviously pregnant woman was sweeping off the wide porch.

“Willow?”

Startled, the women looked up from her chore.

“Well, Penny Anderson. How the heck are you? It’s been ages.”

Penny tied Ginger to the rail and walked onto the porch. “Yeah, probably since high school. My mom told me you and Ryan had purchased this place. Congratulations, by the way, on your marriage and the baby. When are you due?” She couldn’t help staring down at Willow’s large belly.

“Early October. It’s a boy. We’re very excited. What about you? I heard you went to school back east somewhere?”

“Chicago. I graduated in May with a degree in Education. I start teaching there in an inner city school in a few weeks. What have you been up to since high school besides the obvious?”

“Ryan and I got married the summer we graduated and then headed to the University of Denver in the fall. We spent a lot of time working with inner city youth and trying to find ways to help. Shortly before we finished college, Ryan’s grandfather passed away and left him some money. We decided to buy this place.”

“What exactly is Peak Adventure?”

“It’s our attempt to help inner city youth. Get them out of the city for a couple of weeks and into our beautiful mountains. We cater to kids in minor trouble with the law, kids with family issues, and kids in foster care. Some of these campers have never been outside of the city before coming here. It’s amazing what a couple of weeks away from home, in the fresh air, and around horses does for their whole outlook on life. Maybe we don’t have a permanent impact, but at least we give them a break from their harsh lives. The hope is that they’re able to take some of what they learn here back home. Time will tell.”

“Willow, this is a marvelous thing you’re doing. Where do you get your campers? I bet we have kids in Chicago who’d absolutely love it here.”

“Right now, we only have kids from Denver, but we hope to expand nationwide. Of course, our kids can’t pay to come, so we have to depend on grants and donations. We pick the campers up in Denver. If we expanded, we’d have to think about transportation costs as well.”

“Are you only open in the summer?”

“Last summer was our first year. We closed at the end of summer and spent the winter fixing the holes in the place. This year we wanted to stay open year round. You know, have tubing, sledding, snow shoeing, cross country skiing in the winter months, but now with our son coming in October, I don’t think we’ll pull it off. Most of our staff are college students, who leave in the fall. Maybe next year.” Willow looked wistful.

“Is that Penny Anderson, I see?” Ryan walked up to the porch and picked her up in a tight hug. “How long has it been?”

“Too long. It’s good to see you, Ryan. Willow was just telling me about your camp.”

“What have you been up to? Are you back in Peakview? How’s Luke?”

Willow lovingly placed her arm around her husband. “Slow down, honey. Ask her one question at a time.”

Penny smiled. There’s the kind of relationship she wanted. She explained about Chicago, the work she’d be doing, and that she was home for the summer. “I haven’t seen much of Luke. He and I were over a long time ago.”

“That’s too bad. You two always seemed so perfect together. Weren’t you voted ‘most likely to get married’ in the yearbook?”

“Things change.” Not knowing what else to say, she changed the subject. “So, I was wondering if you could use any volunteer help? I have four more weeks of vacation, and I’m starting to go stir crazy.”

Ryan smiled. “Are you serious? We’d love to have you. Willow’s not going on as many rides now that she is near the end of her pregnancy, and I could sure use another wrangler with her own horse. How does that sound?”

“Perfect. When can I start?”

“We have a new group of campers arriving for two weeks on Sunday. Could you start Monday morning? The campers really get attached to the staff so starting with a new group would work best.”

“I’ll be back Monday then.” Penny smiled and waved as she swung up on Ginger and headed back up the lane. She loved working with kids, and getting to do so right here in Peakview was a bonus. She couldn’t wait for next week to begin. Plus, being busy would take her mind off of Luke.

***

Luke trudged up the steep incline from the main ranch to his cabin. It had been a long day. They were breaking a couple of new colts, and it took a lot of patience. He’d been thrown into the dusty corral several times since morning. Working with horses could be hard work, but it was rewarding when one finally caught on and everything started to click. Horses were such intelligent animals. Maybe smarter than most humans he knew. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else with his life.

He walked across the newly-stained porch and into the coolness of his log home. Now that the plumbing and electricity were in, he was staying here full time. He still needed to paint the interior and buy furniture, but for him it was livable. He liked having his own space. He wasn’t much of a cook, but knew he was still welcome at his parents for dinner anytime, and June always sent home leftovers. After heating some of them in the microwave, he grabbed a beer and headed out to the deck on the rear of the cabin to watch the sun go down. He loved the quiet, the sound of the wind in the pines, still—he’d always imagined the sounds of laughter and children playing. Maybe he should get a dog.

He startled as he heard the creak of a floor board and looked up to see Mary walk around the corner of the house.

“Hey, Luke. Care if I join you?” His sister sat down on the railing beside him. “It sure is beautiful up here in the evening.