Colorado Cabin in the Pines (Peakview series Book 3) (19 page)

“Could I really? This is going to be the best year ever. Could you be my grandma?”

Her mom smiled at the child. “Well, you can call me grandma, if you want, but don’t you already have grandmas?”

“I guess.” Marissa stared down at her lap. “I don’t know my dad or his mom. He’s in prison. My grammy is real sick.”

“Do you have grandkids?”

Mom winked at Penny. “Not, yet. But someday.”

“Have you seen your grammy recently?” Penny asked.

“The caseworker lady took me last week. She was in a big building, in a bed. She was very sleepy, but so happy to see me. She told me so. I told her I wanted to live with her again, but the lady said she was too sick to take care of me. I’m pretty good at taking care of myself. I wish I could take care of Grammy.” Marissa sighed.

Penny tears started to well up again. How could she make this better for this child? “I want to share my family with you. Would that be okay?”

Marissa smiled for the first time since they conversation started. “Yup. You already shared your friend, Luke, with me. How are Luke and Brutus?”

“Luke’s great, and Brutus is growing so fast he’s going to be the size of a small horse soon. Next time you’re in Peakview, how about we go up to Luke’s cabin and visit them?”

Marissa beamed. “Really? Can we do that? What flavor of ice cream are you getting?”

It felt so good to hear the child’s giggles and see her smiling face. Was she happy all the time? As they neared the home after their treat, however, the child’s sunny attitude slowly changed. Tears filled her eyes as she hugged Penny goodbye on the front steps. “I don’t want you to leave me.”

Penny fought back her own tears. It wouldn’t help for the child to see her cry. “It’s okay sweetheart. I’ll see you soon, I promise.” She turned and got back in the car before Marissa could see her own emotions.

Penny fell silent as her mom drove out of town and headed up I-70. This world was so unfair sometimes. She thanked God she was staying in Colorado where she could watch out for this little one. Marissa deserved a permanent home where she’d have parents and grandparents who loved her forever, not some temporary foster home. She made a mental note to call the department of human services and see what she could find out about the child’s grandmother, and if there were any other options for this poor child. She’d make sure that Marissa didn’t fall through the cracks of the overcrowded system.

Luke plopped down in one of the Adirondack chairs on his deck, too tired to even make it inside the cabin. It had been a long, hot week. Baling hay was a strenuous, dirty job, but they were almost finished—for this year at least. The extra workers they’d hired and the hot dry days let them get the work done in record time.

He hadn’t seen Penny since Sunday, and he missed her smiling face and all the other parts of her, too. Somehow he survived four long years without her, but now…. a few days seemed too long. He smiled, going over his plan for tomorrow night one more time in his mind. He pushed his aching body up and went inside to grab a cold Coors and his cell phone. Brutus followed, looking almost as tired as he was. The puppy had been with them in the fields all week, running who knows how many miles chasing rabbits and anyone who took time to play with him. Luke decided against sitting on any of his furniture until some of the day’s dirt and grime was washed off, so he whistled for Brutus and went back out on the porch. The sun was already setting to the west and the gentle evening breeze cooled his sunburned skin.

Penny answered on the first ring. “Hey, stranger. How’s your week been?”

A smile covered his face at the mere sound of her voice. “Exhausting—dusty—hot, but we’re almost done.”

“Glad to hear it. Do you want some company? Ginger and I could head over that way.”

“Tempting. Very tempting, but I’m covered in dirt, and as soon as I can drag myself into the shower, I’m going to hit my bed.” His body reacted as his mind pictured her in the shower with him. “How about we wait until tomorrow night when I don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn?

“Oh, okay. I guess we can do that.”

His heart broke at the sound of disappointment in her voice, but he wanted their next time together to be special. “We’re going to be done working early tomorrow. Want to come over around five? We can take a nice long evening ride and then put together some dinner.”

“I’d love that. See you then. And Luke, think about me tonight. I’ll be picturing you in bed beside me.”

He groaned. “No fair. And you can count on it. Sleep tight, my love.”

He stood up and disconnected. If he sat any longer he would fall asleep in the chair. Stripping out of his grimy clothes and climbing into the warm spray of water, his thoughts turned back to Penny. He couldn’t wait until she stayed here every single night. He needed her as much as he needed his life here on the Walker ranch. She completed him in every way.

Stepping out of the shower he toweled off, and fell into bed naked, soon fast asleep dreaming of his soul mate.

***

How was it only two o’clock? Penny glared down at her watch for the umpteenth time today. Awake at the crack of dawn, the day had crawled by. She’d worked on plans for camp all morning. When Mom asked her to accompany her into Peakview to pick up some supplies at the hardware store and grab a late lunch at Violet’s, she jumped at the chance to get out of the house. Make the time pass quicker.

Arriving at Violet’s she was the center of attention. Any tidbit of gossip spread like wildfire in their tiny town, and the news that she was staying in Peakview was apparently the news of the week. Neighbor after neighbor stopped by their booth to ask about her job at the camp and, of course, what this all meant for her and Luke.

Finally, they were the last remaining customers in the café. Violet, the queen of Peakview gossip, slid into the seat next to her mom. “So you and Luke are a couple again? I always said the two of you were meant to be together. I’m so happy for you. When’s the wedding?”

Penny blushed. “Everyone needs to slow down. He hasn’t even asked me yet.” She patted the older women’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’m sure when he does you’ll be the first to know.”

“If I see that boy, I’m going to ask him what he’s waiting for. Life’s too short to waste time. Men! I didn’t think my Howard was ever going to get around to proposing. I guess he was worth waiting for though. Ever since our wedding, our nights are pure heaven.” Violet smiled and winked at her.

Penny forced a smile. Now she was picturing the sixty-something year old couple in bed together, not a welcome image.

“When he does pop the question, keep me in mind. I’d be happy to cater the reception.”

Penny jumped at the chance to change the subject to food. “I’d like that. I’ll let you know.”

The door creaked open, and Penny turned to see Melanie. Her friend hugged her as she slid in next to her. “I hear you’re staying. I’m so excited to get to spend some more time with you. And congratulations on you and Luke being a couple again.”

“Thanks. And thanks for being such a good friend and giving me some excellent advice.”

Violet looked over at her step-daughter. “Now we just need to find a good man for you. Penny, do you have any ideas?”

“I think I have enough to handle with the bookstore and Sophie. I don’t need a man to complicate my life. Just concentrate on getting one person married off at a time.” Melanie turned back to Penny. “So has he asked you to marry him yet?”

“Not yet, but as I just told Violet, I’m sure everyone in this town will know when he does.”

Normally she’d enjoy all the friendly conversations, but not today. She glanced at her watch again. All she wanted was for the day to end so she could be with Luke—feel his arms around her and his lips on hers. It had been almost a week since they’d spent the night together—a week too long.

***

At exactly 5:00 p.m., Penny hugged her mom goodbye. “Don’t wait up,” she said before crossing the yard to the barn. She climbed on Ginger and called Bandit to follow her as she headed out the gate and across the field that led to the Walker Ranch. She’d stressed about what to wear, which was ridiculous. It was just a horseback ride, still…she wanted to look her best. She’d curled her long, blond hair and left it down, putting on some nice, clean jeans, her good boots, and a white tank top. She tied a flannel shirt around her waist, since even on these hot, Indian summer days, the air cooled as the sun went down. She rode out of the trees and the cabin came into view. Luke stood on the porch, and she heard the welcome “woof” as Brutus came charging down to greet Bandit. Luke waved and walked down to greet her, catching her by the waist as she slid from the saddle.

“I missed you,” he breathed in a husky voice as his lips found hers, kissing her gently at first and then deepening the kiss, pulling her body close until they molded together as one. She wound her arms around his muscular neck and tangled her fingers in the hair. A moan escaped her throat as she pressed against his warm, hard body. She could easily skip the ride and dinner and start making love to him right now.

Too soon, Luke pulled back and gazed into her eyes, his voice still husky. “We should take that ride, before the sun goes down. There’ll be plenty of time for other activities later tonight. I don’t plan on letting you leave until morning.”

Her body quivered at the thought of a whole night together, but he was right. It would be a shame to miss out on such a gorgeous evening. Cold weather would be here soon. She did love riding with him. She reached up and touched the peeling skin on tip of his nose. “You’re sunburned. Is all the hay in?”

“Yep.” He grinned, that charming boyish grin. “I’m all yours.”

He’d saddled Geronimo before she arrived and tied him to the hitching rail in front of his cabin. The saddlebag on the back held the small velvet box, along with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. If all went well, he’d slip a ring on her finger before the sun slipped behind the western mountains. After they’d mounted their horses and called the dogs to follow, Luke led the way down the hill to the main ranch and through the gates into the vast meadow west of the barns. As they entered the field, Penny rode up beside him and he reached over and took her hand in his. Her skin was soft. He remembered the first time he’d reached over and entwined his fingers with hers while on a ride. It must have been almost ten years ago. They were in Junior High, and it was the first time he’d ever held hands with a girl. He remembered the tingling sensation that had cursed through his body. Not much different than the sensation it gave him today. Fortunately for them, Ginger and Geronimo had grown up together. Just as they had. The horses were content to walk side by side. As they rode slowly through the grass, he asked her about her week, and enjoyed her stories about her plans for the camp.

“I saw Marissa when Mom and I were in Denver.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Okay, I guess. I promised to get her up to camp soon. She wants to come visit you and Brutus.” He looked over at her, a sadness showing in her eyes.

He rubbed his thumb against her palm. “I’d love to see her. Maybe she can come for dinner sometime or spend the day riding with us.”

“She’d love that. I’m glad I’m going to be around to keep an eye on her situation. Her grandma, the only real family she has, is sick and in a nursing home. She seems to feel all alone in the world. The foster home doesn’t give her much love. I’m so happy right now, I want to share some of my happiness with her.” Her voice trailed off. “Oh, and we seem to be the main topic of Peakview gossip right now.”

He laughed. “I could have guessed that one. That’s life in a small town. I wouldn’t trade it though.”

“Me either.” She looked back over at him. “Although when Violet started to get into her sex life, I changed the subject fast.”

They both laughed. He recounted some humorous stories from the week’s harvest. In the cooling air, Luke breathed in the sweet scent of new mown hay. There was nothing in the world that compared to that fragrance. Home—it smelled like home. He hoped their kids would grow up with the same appreciation for the land.

They had reached the far end of the meadow, and he turned Geronimo toward the small path leading up the hill. “Let’s watch the sun set from the ridge.”

“Sounds nice.” She reined Ginger in behind him and they wound up the narrow, rocky path to the top. They fell into a comfortable silence, surrounded by sounds of the wind in the aspen leaves, the water falling gently down the creek bed, and the occasional rustling of the dogs forging their own paths through the brush. When they emerged from the trees near his mother’s memorial, he reined to a stop.
This was it. The biggest event in his life since the day they had spread Mom’s ashes here among the rocks. Only this time, his heart was full of hope and happiness. His mother deserved to be a part of this moment, and he felt her presence surround him.

Penny dismounted and after tying her reins to a nearby tree, and followed Luke over to the small bench which had been placed on the edge of the hillside in remembrance of his mother. She sat down beside him and took his hand in hers. Gazing out at the orange and purple sky outlining the setting sun, she knew how much this place meant to him. She felt honored that he was willing to share it with her. It was windier up here out of the protection of the trees. She shivered and untied the shirt from around her waist.