When Eden flipped the radio on and hunted for a country station, he was content to let her take control. She certainly wasn’t a chatterbox, apparently only feeling the need to talk when she had something relevant to say. A refreshing change after the mindless social chatter the Hollywood crowd delighted in rehashing at every party. As he drove along with only the music and her presence for company, he found some much needed peace.
Blake finally interrupted her quiet humming. “Tell me more about your life. I know you have two brothers—both great guys, by the way. They left the ranch, but you didn’t?”
She broke off mid-chorus of a Keith Urban song and smiled. “I heard you met my two oldest brothers on a raft trip in Utah. Griff and Sawyer are both getting married next month.”
“Oh, yeah? That’s great. Is Griff marrying the woman he rushed back to California to rescue while we were on the river?”
She nodded. “Ainslee’s a sweetheart. Sawyer’s marrying her best friend. They met on a different raft trip in Idaho. Devin’s great, too. They’re planning a double wedding at the ranch.”
“Very cool. I’d like to stick around long enough to congratulate them both.”
A grin tilted her lips. “If we’re still pretending to be involved, you can be my date for the wedding. Hannah would be thrilled.”
“Deal.” He glanced over. “Who’s Hannah?”
“Remember the college roommate I mentioned, the one who’s smarter than me?”
He nodded. “That’s right.”
“Hannah’s dating Tripp, the youngest of my three older brothers. They’ll be coming for the wedding, obviously.”
“I didn’t know you had a third brother.”
“Tripp’s an extreme skier. He and Hannah live up at Lake Tahoe.” She hunched down in the seat. “It’s a little weird for me, knowing my best friend and my most irritating brother are now a couple, but I’m doing my best to get used to it. Hannah is smoothing out Tripp’s rough edges, and they may be in it for the long haul.” She grimaced. “If they do get married, I’ll be maid of honor. Again. What’s that old saying about always a bridesmaid but never a bride?” She tapped her chest and made a face. “You’re looking at her.”
He laughed out loud. “I can’t feel too sorry for you. If your only goal was matrimony, all you’d have to do is give that Zane guy a shout.”
“True. I guess I’m not all that pathetic.” A sigh slipped out. “I turned twenty-seven last month. I may not be an irrevocable old maid quite yet.”
“I’m thirty-one and unattached. I’ve never felt any pressure to tie the knot.”
“That’s because you’re a man. Thank God my mom is focused on my brothers right now and won’t expect me to produce grandchildren any time soon.”
“So, you’re happy being single and working with your wild horses?”
“Pretty much. I also have an online leather goods business. Belts, purses, wallets, that sort of thing. Orders have picked up lately, so much so that I’m swamped with work, but I enjoy making original, quality products. I know it may seem weird that I still live at home, but my whole life revolves around the ranch.”
“Not weird at all, considering what you do. You definitely have your act together.” He slowed then turned off the highway onto a two-lane county road. “What do you do with the horses once they’re tamed?”
“I adopt them out to families.” A smile brightened her eyes. “It’s incredibly rewarding to send my horses to a family I know will care for them. I thoroughly vet all my applicants.”
“Hmm, you save horses and bring kids joy for years. I might give a couple on a date pleasure for an hour or two. Makes me wonder about what I do for a living.”
“Millions of couples on dates around the world forget their troubles for those two hours. There’s nothing wrong with entertaining people. You can’t overrate happiness or its power to spur on a positive attitude that lasts long after the date is over.”
He glanced over. “Wow, you actually make me sound important. I like how you think.”
“Not exactly the profound stuff of philosophers, but it doesn’t hurt to look for good where you can find it.”
“No, it doesn’t. Even on a day like today.” He hesitated for a moment then pointed. “We’re almost there. Blue Valley sits at the base of those mountains.” The sadness she’d helped him keep at bay throughout the drive encroached. Without warning, tears pressed behind his eyelids, and he drew in a ragged breath.
“Pull over.”
“Huh?” He blinked a few times before glancing her way.
“Just do it. There’s no traffic.”
“There never is.” He didn’t question her again but did as she asked and braked to slow the car to a stop on the shoulder of the road.
She released her seatbelt and held out her arms. “Come closer.”
He eyed her with uncertainty before unfastening his belt. “What’s going on?”
“You look like you need a hug. I’m here to provide it.”
His grief spilled over as he wrapped her in his arms with the center console between them. He couldn’t speak, just held tight to her warmth and vitality for long minutes and let the tears seep out. “Thank you, Eden. I’m so glad you’re here. If you hadn’t come—”
“You would have managed just fine because you have a strong heart. If I can make things a little easier, I want to.”
He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head then released her to wipe a hand across his eyes. “I’m thankful. Honestly.”
Her smile shook a little, and her eyes shone with sympathy. “Better?”
“Yes. Let’s do this.”
She nodded.
Releasing a long breath, he took his foot off the brake and eased back onto the road that led home to Blue Valley.
Chapter 6
Eden stood off to the side of the crowd gathered in the cemetery behind a small white church. She’d intended to take a walk during the service but was drawn back by the words of the preacher, ringing in the still afternoon air. He spoke of Josie as everyone in the town had known her, a young girl full of dreams for the future. A future that had ended on an unfortunate night twelve years before.
“The Lord has finally welcomed Josie home.” The preacher’s voice rose, and his long, white beard waggled. “We can all rest easier tonight knowing she’s in a better place.”
Fine lines bracketed Blake’s lips as he stood beside a blond woman who wore a simple black dress. She had on no makeup, and an unhealthy pallor tinged her skin. On her other side, an older man, thin to the point of gauntness, swayed now and then as if he were no match for the light breeze. His hands shook as he clenched and unclenched his fingers at his sides. When the woman Eden assumed was Josie’s sister glanced his way, hazel eyes darkened with an emotion that looked a lot like anger.
Was the scrawny man the prodigal father come home to bury his daughter? If so, he didn’t appear to have been welcomed by the one who still remained.
“Would anyone like to say a few final words?”
Eden’s attention jerked back to the preacher as he eyed the mourners.
Priscilla shook her head. “I just can’t.” Her voice broke. “Blake?”
He nodded and stepped up beside the man clutching a Bible to the front of his faded suit. Blake had changed out