Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) (8 page)

~ ~ ~

S
oft knocking on the door woke Addison from a dead sleep. She groaned and rolled out of bed. “Who is it?”

“It’s Belle. Sorry, I know it’s early.”

She padded to the door and opened it, still rubbing sleep out of her eyes. “Is everything all right?”

Belle nodded and entered the cabin holding a tray with scrambled eggs, toast and coffee. She sat it down on the bed. “Yes. Sorry, I woke you up. I’m heading into town this morning. Would you like to come with me?”

“Sure. Sounds like fun.” Addison sat on the bed and noticed her friend’s fancied up wardrobe for the first time. “What’s the special occasion?”

Belle fiddled with the collar of her violet blouse. “I’m interviewing someone today. If all goes well, they’ll be taking over for me at the diner.”

Addison’s eyes widened. “Are you thinking of moving away?”

Her friend nibbled on her lip and then a look of pride glowed over her face. “No. Actually the exact opposite. I want to take over the ranch some day.”

“Wow, that’s a big responsibility.”

“I know. I just feel in my heart that it’s what I’m supposed to do though. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl.”

Addison ate her breakfast while Belle filled her in on the plan that Logan had come up with. Her friend’s excitement was contagious, but she hoped Belle knew what she was getting herself into. Sure, dreaming about the future seemed exciting but Addison had learned firsthand that things don’t always pan out in the end. Not too long ago she’d been naïve and starry-eyed like Belle. Addison had it all—fame, a promising career and a handsome rich fiancé. Then Jared humiliated her and all her dreams of a happy future came to a screeching halt.

Addison kept her reservations hidden as Belle stood with the breakfast tray. “Well I’ll take this back to the kitchen. When you’re ready, go ahead and meet me outside.”

~ ~ ~

An hour later they arrived in a little town called Farley Ridge. Addison observed the little shops lining the town square while Belle parked the truck in front of a small restaurant.

“The interview is in Annette’s Café.” Belle explained. “You can do some shopping until I’m finished if you want.”

Addison agreed and they went their separate ways. Normally she would have passed by such a sleepy little town. Los Angeles had so many wonderful department stores with designer clothes and this place couldn’t even compete. However, today she actually looked forward to browsing through all the charming little shops.

Her designer’s heart skipped a beat when she found an antique store.

A petite elderly woman greeted her at the entrance. “All the items with green tags are fifty percent off.”

Addison thanked her, grabbed a shopping basket and browsed through the store, admiring the vintage trinkets and furniture. If this store was closer to home she would be grabbing this stuff off the shelves by the armful. It was a designer’s dream. Most of the stores she’d been to around LA didn’t have genuine antiques like this. The pieces were just distressed to look that way.

She hated passing up so many diamonds in the rough, but reserved herself to just choosing things that would fit in her little basket. They would dress up her rustic cabin while she stayed there.

After purchasing her treasures and leaving the store a small flash of light caught her eye. She stopped and her eyes darted left and right. Had the paparazzi found her already? Addison didn’t see anyone. Maybe the light had been a reflection from a store window. She swept her worries away and started looking for Belle.

A few minutes later she found her friend leaning against the truck with a wide grin.

“How’d the interview go?”

“Good. I hired her.” Belle nodded toward the plastic bag in Addison’s hand. “I see you found the antique store. Buy anything good?”

Addison tried to act casual but couldn’t hide the goofy grin on her face as she held up her bag of trinkets. “Yes, too much. I guess now you know one of my weaknesses.”

Belle chuckled and shook her head.

“What’s so funny?’

“Oh, I just figured you’d buy some clothes…maybe something more…um should I say more durable? Since you’ll be staying at the ranch for a few weeks it might be a good idea.”

Addison glanced down at her designer top and skinny jeans. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Will you help me? I have no idea what to look for.”

“Of course. Just follow me.” Belle led her across the street and they headed into a store called
Myrtle’s Farm Supply and Outfitters
.

Addison looked around at all the denim, plaid and leather. “Um…Belle? Are you sure about this?”

Her friend grinned and tugged on her elbow. “Of course. I’m going to transform you into a real cowgirl. You’ll love it. I promise.”

~ ~ ~

As the workweek came to a close, Logan marveled at the change in Addie. Sure he’d been shocked when she came home in the new western wardrobe his sister helped her find, but that wasn’t the only surprising change. Addie and Belle seemed to be attached at the hip. When they weren’t together she spent time talking with Gramps down by the creek or went exploring around the ranch.

Today he watched from afar as she spent time with a small group that Colton was teaching to lasso a makeshift cow. Addie tried to swing the rope but her arm bumped her cheek and somehow she managed to lasso herself.

Logan chuckled to himself as Colton helped untangle her from the rope. The cowboy recoiled it and then held Addie’s arm, showing her how to swing the rope correctly. With his help she lassoed the fake cow perfectly. It was innocent—something he’d seen Colton do numerous times before but now it knotted his stomach.

Before Logan had a chance to think, he’d closed the distance between them and tapped on Colton’s shoulder. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

The other man nodded and joined him off to the side of the corral. His blue eyes narrowed. “Is something wrong?”

Logan shook his head. “No, everything’s fine. I just noticed this morning that the fence over on the west side of the field needs to be mended. Could you take care of it for me? I’ll finish up here.”

Colton furrowed his brow, glancing at Addie for a moment and then back at him. “Okay. I’ll take care of it right away.”

After Colton left, Logan finished the last five minutes of the lesson. When the little crowd dispersed, he took the opportunity to walk next to Addie. “You’re getting pretty good at lassoing.”

“Yeah, I’ve learned how to rope
myself
very well.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “It’s a good start anyway.”

She shook her head and let out a nervous chuckle. “Maybe, but I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of this whole ranching lifestyle.”

“It just takes time and practice. Once you spend some time here it really becomes like a part of your soul. You learn to love the mountains…the creek…the horses. They draw you in.” He motioned toward the stables. “Speaking of that, would you like to learn a little more about what we do here at the ranch?”

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

He led her into the stables. “Well most of the horses here have been rescued. It’s something my mom started. We enjoy having guests here and it pays the bills but taking care of horses in need has always been something my family is passionate about.”

They stopped by Skipper’s stall and Logan lifted an eyebrow. “I think you’ve already gotten acquainted with this rascal.”

Addie chuckled and stroked Skipper’s midnight black forehead. “Yeah. He really gave me a run for my money. Why’s he so jumpy anyway?”

Logan shook his head. “We’re not sure what happened to him but he was skin and bones when we found him abandoned. He’s terrified of loud noises as you know, but he’s much better than he used to be.” He led her to the next stall and a paint horse lifted her head and whinnied.

Addie’s eyes lit up with recognition. “This is Belle’s horse, right?”

Logan nodded with an amused smirk on his face. The mare was so fancy that she almost seemed out of place with the other horses. “Yeah, this is Sidney and she’s a diva. My sister spoils her.”

Addie petted her mane. “I love her coloring.”

Logan nodded. “Yeah, she’s a pretty girl and fast too. Belle uses her for barrel racing.”

They moved on and Addie’s smile widened when Maddy came to view in the next stall.

The brown mare bobbed her head up and down in excitement as they reached her.

Addie patted the white star shape on her forehead. “Hey there. You’re a sweetie aren’t you?”

He nodded. “Yeah, she is. She’s got a sweet tooth too.” Logan took a sugar cube out of his pocket and fed it to her. “That’s my girl,” he whispered as she nibbled on it. “She’s one of our oldest horses. I’ve had her since I was a teenager.”

Addie read her nameplate. “Madelyn huh? Is that your real name girl? Very pretty. I’m sorry I said you smelled when we first met. I didn’t mean it.”

Logan chuckled. “I don’t think she holds it against you.” He glanced down at Addie and gulped, realizing she was reading the plague below Maddy’s nameplate. Maybe it was a mistake bringing her in here.

She ran her fingers over the inscription and furrowed her brow. “Sam. Gone too soon but never forgotten.” Addie looked up with curiosity gleaming in her jade eyes. “Who’s Sam?”

He swallowed hard and looked away from her, trying to think of the simplest explanation. “Um…Maddy’s original owner. She was one of our neighbors that passed away a long time ago. Um…her family moved away shortly after her death and couldn’t take the horse with them so they gave her to us for safe keeping. They had this special nameplate made for her.”

“Well, I’m glad she found a good home. I can tell that you adore her.”

“Yeah, I do,” Logan said, struggling to hide his discomfort.

She smiled and put her hands on her hips. “So do you want to tell me about the rest of the horses?”

Logan breathed a sigh of relief, glad she’d changed the subject. He walked further into the barn. “Sure. Follow me.”

Silverstar was next, a silvery gray horse that Colton rode. Then there was Blaze, the young and feisty bay horse that had gotten the best of him in the corral a few days ago. He also introduced her to Willow, Moongazer, Callie and several others.

When they exited the barn two little kittens darted in front of their feet and chased each other into the bushes.

Addie crossed her arms and frowned. “I’ve been trying to catch one of them for about three days. They’re so quick.”

“That’s because they’re half wild barn cats.” Logan grinned and picked up a piece of straw. “It’s all in your approach. Which one do you want?”

“The little calico is my favorite.”

He put his hand out. “Okay, just wait right here.”

She agreed and sat on a stump next to the barn while he tiptoed through the grass by the bushes. When he was close enough, Logan knelt in the grass and dragged the straw across the ground. The little calico’s eyes grew wide as saucers and she pounced. He grabbed for her but she scampered away.

Addie chuckled from behind him. “It’s all about your approach, huh? Looks like someone’s been outsmarted.”

Logan turned and winked at her. “Oh, that was just for practice.” He inched closer to the bush and tried again. This time he let the kitten play for a few moments until she let her guard down. Then he scooped her up in his arms and handed her to Addie.

She rewarded him with a radiant smile and cuddled the little kitten on her lap. “She’s so beautiful. My parents use to have a calico when I was growing up.”

“You can have her if you want. She’s weaned and we have plenty of barn cats to catch mice already.”

Addie smiled and scratched the kitten under the chin. “Thanks, but I don’t know. She’s used to being outside. I’d hate to take her away from all this. It’s her home.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’d be happy as an indoor cat. Home isn’t necessarily the place you live. What matters most is being with the people you love.”

She peeked up at him. “I guess you’re right. I’ll have to see if she warms up to me in the next few weeks. In the meantime, should we give her a name?”

He noticed the shade of the kitten’s eyes matched Addie’s “What about Jade?”

She gave him a radiant smile and nodded. “I love it. Jade it is.”

Logan’s heart pounded in his chest. What was this woman doing to him? He’d just sent Colton off on a fool’s errand because he was getting too close to her. Now he was giving away kittens and speaking in sonnets?

He looked away as the truth hit him between the eyes. He liked Addie. A lot.

Logan tossed his reservations aside and watched the glow of the sun as it hid behind the tree line. It provided him the perfect opportunity to spend more time with her. “Will you take a ride up the mountain with me, Addie? I want to show you something.”