CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
JENNY WAS WORKING BEHIND THE BAR WHENSUMMER WALKED IN. SHEwas wearing a black turtleneck and black slacks, which set off the pale color of her hair. She hurried toward Jenny and climbed up on a barstool on the opposite side.
“I heard about the shooting,” Summer said. “Everyone in town is talking about it. Is Cain all right? What happened?”
“Word travels fast,” Jenny said as she dried a shot glass.
“One of the paramedics has a sister who lives up here,” Summer explained. “He told a friend, who told a friend, and well . . . you know how it goes. He’s okay, then?”
“He was shot while we were horseback riding on his ranch. It was terrifying. I thought the guy was going to kill us both.”
“Oh, my God, I didn’t realize you were also in danger.”
“Cain lost a lot of blood. They did surgery to repair the muscles and tendons and close up the wound. But he’s back at the Grandview now. I hope he’s resting, but with Cain, it’s not a good bet.” She smiled, hoping to hide her worry. “You want a Diet Coke or something?”
“Sounds good.”
Jenny filled a glass with ice, poured in the cola, and set it on the bar.
Summer took a sip. “I’m glad Cain’s all right. Have they caught the man who shot him?”
“Not yet. No idea who did it.” Jenny prayed it wasn’t Ryder Vance. The idea of her being responsible for nearly getting Cain killed made her physically ill.
Jenny sighed. “Cain’s coming so close to death made me realize how much I care about him.”
Summer’s head came up. “You aren’t falling in love with him?”
“I’m trying to convince myself I’m not.”
Summer smiled. “How’s that working out?”
“Not too well so far.” She moved down the bar to wait on a couple of guys who had just climbed up on a stool. She drew them each a beer, then returned to Summer.
“So how about you? How did your date go with Dylan?”
Color crept into Summer’s cheeks. “He’s just . . . It was a wonderful two days.”
“Two days? I thought he was only staying in town the night of the party.”
“We . . . umm . . . spent that night in a room upstairs, then drove up to Sedona the next day. We had such a good time, Dylan decided to stay another night.”
“And the extra night included you.”
Summer nodded. “It felt so right being with him.” She took a sip of her Coke. “But, in a way, I wish I hadn’t slept with him. I’ve always had a crush on your brother. Now I know he’s exactly the guy I thought he was. I’m half in love with him already, and I have no idea what he feels for me.”
Jenny reached across the bar and squeezed Summer’s hand. “He stayed with you an extra night. That’s a good sign.”
“I guess.” Summer’s blue eyes filled. “I’m going to be miserable if he doesn’t call me again.”
Jenny’s stomach tightened. “I know what you mean.” She thought of the way she’d felt last week when Cain hadn’t called. Everything inside her had ached. Maybe Cain had been right in leaving for Scottsdale, trying to slow things down. That week had given her a glimpse of how she was going to feel if things didn’t work out between them.
Only it was going to be much, much worse.
She should pull back, give herself some room, try to protect her heart.
But the sad truth was, it was too late.
Summer left to return to the Butterfly Boutique. Molly filled in while Jenny took a break. She hadn’t had time to check with Heather, make sure everything in the hotel was running smoothly.
