By Summer's End (Christian Fiction) (15 page)

“So, don’t go.  It’s only a year. 
Harrison will be back here soon enough…”

She shook her head.  “I just…  I need to
go with him—to be with him every minute I possibly can.  If something happens…”

Ryan sighed loudly and ran a hand
through his hair.  If life wasn’t complicated enough, it had just become much
more so.  If he was still a praying man, he might be dropping to his knees
about now.  But no, he wasn’t bowing to anyone or anything.  His father had
taught him that much.

“Ryan, please…  I know this has come as
a shock…”

“No, I suspected you’d be going.  I just
didn’t think it would be this soon.”

“But look on the bright side,” she said
happily.  “I’ll be back.”

“I
bet the store closes early on Sunday,” Brianna speculated.  “Do you think we
have time to stop by?”

“Sure.  If we leave right now, we should
make it.”

The two hurriedly closed up the house
and headed out front.  They were about to climb into Holly’s car when Ryan
pulled up behind them.  He dropped out of his truck and offered a wave and a
self-conscious smile as he approached.  “Hi,” he said awkwardly.  “Looks like
I’ve caught you as you’re about to leave.”

“We’re going to the western wear store
in town,” Brianna volunteered.  “I’m getting a pair of cowboy boots.”  She
winced.  “Well, provided they don’t cost too much.”

Holly struggled to hide her frustration
with Brianna.  The girl was far too forthcoming with information.  She blanked
her face, but resolved to have a conversation with her sister later about matters
of privacy.

Ryan checked his watch.  “Not much time
till the store closes up,” he  mused, but perked up.  “Why don’t I drive you? 
If we leave right now, we should have a half hour or so to shop.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Holly
said. 

“Actually, I’d like to.  I was wondering
if I could take you both to dinner after?”

Brianna’s eyes widened eagerly. 
“Really?”

He nodded and directed his attention to
Holly.  “Absolutely.  There’s something you and I need to talk about.”

“Well … okay,” she said.  “That sounds …
fine.”

As he helped her into his truck, and
Brianna after, she couldn’t help but wonder why Ryan had asked them to dinner. 
He said he had something to discuss with them.  What could that possibly be?

On the drive to town, Holly found
herself pressed close to Ryan.  As he shifted the truck into reverse, and then
drive, she felt the warmth of his arm against her leg.  She felt a shiver
travel up her thigh and felt embarrassment that an innocent touch could elicit
such a response from her.  Had it been so long since she’d been near a man that
her body was compelled to respond?

No, there was more to the story.  She
knew full well that she felt something for Ryan—though she couldn’t discern
exactly what that was.  She was attracted to him, of course.  With his dark
good looks, who wouldn’t be?  But there was more to the man—any man—than his
looks.  Ryan seemed like a terrific guy, but there was some undercurrent of concern—something
amiss she couldn’t quite understand or identify.  Sometimes, he looked at her
with anguished eyes, which made her heart tug, and made her feel as if something
worrisome was looming…

“I like your truck, Ryan,” Brianna said,
interrupting Holly’s thoughts.  She was glad for the distraction.

“Thanks,” he said, with a quick smile in
her direction.  “We country boys like our trucks.”

“Someday I’m going to buy a big Ford and
paint it pink,” Brianna said with a chuckle.

Ryan laughed.  “Well, we’ll definitely
see you coming.”

“That’s the point,” Brianna said.  “And
of course, it’ll have to be big enough to pull a horse trailer.”  She paused,
tipping her head in thought.  “It’ll have to be an extended cab too, so I’ll
have room for all my dogs.”

“I do believe you are country girl,
Brianna,” Ryan observed.  He angled a glance at Holly.  “How ‘bout you, Holly? 
Are you a country girl?”

She smiled.  “I think I might be, but
apparently I won’t know for certain if I’m a die-hard Washingtonian until I’ve
spent a couple gray winters here and have come out the other side in one
smiling piece.”

He laughed ruefully.  “Ain’t that the
truth,” he said.  “Heavy on the gray.”

“Do you get much snow here?” Brianna
asked.

He shook his head.  “Some years more
than others, but not much as compared to the Midwest or New England.  We’ll
have the occasional snowstorm that’ll stick around for a few days—maybe a week
or two.  Mostly, we get rain.”

Brianna gave an unconcerned shrug.  “As
long as I have a horse to ride, the gray weather won’t bother me.”

“Annabelle’s going to be glad to hear…” 
His words trailed off.  He suddenly remembered that Annabelle intended to leave
the area by summer’s end.  His heart twisted at the thought.  Aside from Ben,
she was the only constant source of support in his life.  He’d lost Ben, and
now it seemed, she was leaving him too.

“Are you all right, Ryan?” Brianna
asked.

Holly too watched him with concern,
having detected the shift in his manner from light-hearted to melancholy.

He gave himself a shake and attempted to
restore his upbeat mood.  “Well, I learned today that my sister is leaving
Washington for a year or so.”

“When?” Brianna asked, aghast.  “Why?”

“She’s getting married,” he said. 
“Apparently Harrison is being stationed somewhere out east, but will be
discharged in a year or so.  Annabelle tells me that he’ll be deployed for a
period somewhere mid-way through the year.  She’s determined to go with him,
but intends to return when he’s no longer in the service.”

“So … she’s coming back to Washington?”

“That’s what I understand,” he said with
a forced smile. 

“You guys are close, huh?” Brianna
observed.

“Yes.”

Brianna was silent for a moment.  “I
always wanted a brother,” she mused.

“Hey!” Holly cried, in mock
indignation.  “I thought you always wanted a sister.”

“I did,” she said, chuckling.  “And I
couldn’t ask for a greater big sister, but I wish we had a brother too.”  She
turned serious.  “Maybe Holly and I can be your sisters while Annabelle is
gone.  We’ll help you around your place whenever you need it.”

Ryan turned and caught Holly’s eyes. 
His expression was mischievous.  “So I can count on you?”

She laughed lightly.  “Of course.”

A silent communication passed between
them.  Brianna caught the sudden tension and glanced from one to the other,
curiously.  “We’re here,” she said after a beat, spotting the western wear
store just ahead.

“That we are,” Ryan said, as he steered
his truck along the curb and parked in front of the store.  “Let’s hurry,” he
urged.  “I know the manager, and he closes up on the dot.”

He followed the women inside.  A
cheerful salesgirl asked if she could help them and Brianna asked for
directions to the women’s cowboy boots.  “Right over there,” she said.

Brianna hurried across the store to the
boots.  The selection was large and varied.  Uncertain which boot to choose,
she glanced at Holly.  “I don’t know where to begin,” she admitted.  “There are
so many to choose from.”

Fortunately, Ryan stepped in and began
instructing her on the benefits of each boot.  Finally, they decided on a
mid-priced brand, known for durability.  Holly was proud of Brianna, since she
herself had actually been drawn to a pink pair with lovely floral stitching. 
Ryan caught her admiring the expensive boots.

“Do you like them?” he asked.

Her face infused with warmth and she
knew her cheeks had gone red.  “I do,” she said with a wince.  “But I doubt
these are made for general outdoor wear.”

“You should get them,” he urged. 
“That’s actually a good boot and it’ll hold up well, despite the frilly
adornments.”

“Ah, I don’t need them.  Besides, I have
a good pair of rain boots that will serve my purposes.”

“Your purposes?”

“Gardening, general lawn maintenance,
checking the mail in the rain, etcetera.”

“Etcetera,” he repeated with a laugh.  “Hey,
if you’re going to be a surrogate for Annabelle, along with Brianna, you’re
going to need cowboy boots.”

“I’m not a cowgirl,” she whispered,
almost apologetically.  “I just don’t think I’d be much good on a horse farm.”

Ryan reached for her hand and gave it a quick
squeeze.  He followed by reaching for the boots.  “You should get them. 
Really.”

She gingerly took them from him and put
them back on the shelf.  “Maybe I’ll get them later.  I tend not to make
impromptu purchases if I can help it.”

He realized she couldn’t afford the
boots.  She wasn’t in a position to splurge on what would be a big-ticket item
considering her personal finances.  He felt horrible for pushing her to get
them. 

He met her gaze and shuffled awkwardly,
wishing he hadn’t been so insensitive.  He was relieved when the salesgirl
joined them.  “Have you decided on a pair of boots?” she asked, directing her
attention to Brianna.

“Yes.  Thank you.”

Brianna followed her toward the
registers.  Holly fell into step behind her, and Ryan brought up the rear.  He
was still kicking himself for his stupidity as the clerk rang up the boots. 
“One hundred eighty-nine dollars,” she said.

Holly was about to pass the girl cash,
when Ryan quickly passed her his credit card.  “I’ve got it,” he said.

“Thank you!” Brianna cried, and turned
to Holly, mouth agape with surprise.

Holly shook her head vehemently.  “Ryan,
that’s very thoughtful of you, but no.  I can’t allow you to…”

“Look.  Brianna needs the boots because
she’s helping out at my place.  They’re an essential part of her uniform, so to
speak.  It’s only fair Annabelle and I…”

Holly continued shaking her head.  “It’s
not necessary.  Besides, Brianna will probably wear them most places since…”

“I’m a bona fide cowgirl,” she cut in
with a grin.

“I’m buying them,” he said in a tone
that defied argument.  “Please,” he added, smiling winningly in Holly’s
direction.  “Let me do this.”

Holly felt helpless to resist,
particularly since the clerk had already run his credit card through the
machine and passed him the receipt, which he promptly signed.

“I’ll pay you back,” she said with a
sigh, and pulled out a small notebook.

“What are you doing?” he asked with
interest.

“Writing down that I owe you for the
boots,” she said.  “I don’t want to forget.”

“You don’t owe me for the boots,” he
insisted, as he took her elbow and led her out of the store.

“Thank you so much, Ryan,” Brianna said
eagerly, as she practically bounced to the truck.  “I can’t wait to wear
them.”  She grinned.  “I’m going to put them on right now.”

“You’re going to want to break them in
slowly,” he told her.  “Be sure to wear a thick pair of socks until they fit
comfortably.  You don’t want blisters on your feet.”

Inside the truck, Holly felt numb.  She
felt wholly uncomfortable accepting an expensive gift from a veritable
stranger.  The gift was for Brianna, but still…   The teenager was her
responsibility and as such, it was her job to provide for her.  

Ryan sensed her discomfiture.  “Holly,
please don’t worry about the boots.  Honestly, she needs them in order to help
out with
my
horses,” he said, emphasizing the ‘my.’

Holly was about to respond, when she was
suddenly thrust against Ryan’s side.  Brianna, beside her, had shifted in the
seat.  She’d contorted her upper body in order to lift her leg to pull on the
first boot.  When she began tugging on the second, her elbow diced into Holly’s
side, causing her to gasp with pain.

“Oh, sorry, sorry,” Brianna said
contritely, as she continued struggling to tug on the boot.

Still pressed against Ryan, Holly lifted
her eyes and found him staring into her face.  His eyes lingered and once
again, she reddened.  He offered a reassuring smile as he waited patiently for
Brianna to put her boots on.

Finally, she declared cheerfully,
“Done,” and lifted her feet, planting them on the dash in front of her.  She
continued admiring her boots.

“Brianna, get your feet down,” Holly
insisted. 

“Oh, sorry,” she said, giggling.  “My
feet just look so good!”  She settled into her seat once again, which enabled
Holly to move to her right and thereby give Ryan more room.

He shifted comfortably into the driver’s
seat and started up the truck.  “I hope you girls like Chinese food,” he said. 
“I’ve been craving it.”

“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…