For just one moment longer.
Heather pulled into the dusty ranch driveway, her sun-faded ballcap tucked low, hair coiled at the nape of her neck, exhausted clear down to her bones. Scout and Holly were snoozing in the back seat, and her duffel held three days' worth of trail dust and memories.
She hadn’t planned to drive all night, but after the hiker rescue, the late-night debriefs, and the stillness of the post-miracle calm, she realized there was only one place she wanted to be.
One person she wanted to see.
But as she stepped out of the Jeep and gathered the dogs, it was Mike who met her. Her heart sank as she glanced around him.
"Welcome home," Mike said. "I hear your mission was successful. Congratulations."
She tried not to let her disappointment show. Of course Lyle wouldn't be home yet. In fact, there was a possibility that he wouldn't return at all. He had another life in Montana. She tamped down her secret hope that life here with her would be more of a draw than the one he’d left behind in Shotgun Ridge.
"Yes, we found the girl. Or rather, Holly did." She gave the retriever's ears an affectionate scratch.
"Good job. The media got some nice photos of you and the dogs, but I’m sure you’ve already seen all the praise. Your phone’s gonna be ringing like crazy with new customers wanting to sign with you.”
The story had indeed made the national news. The media circus was her least favorite part of what she did. Yes, it was decent advertising for her search and rescue training business, but every case didn’t always turn out positive. Becky’s hadn’t. And each new news story had created a raw heartache for both her and Becky’s mom.
Thankfully, the search for the teen in California had ended happily.
“Thanks, Mike. The dogs did their job beautifully. I couldn’t do it without them.”
“Need any help unloading your gear?”
“No, I can manage.”
“I've got some leftover enchiladas in the kitchen if you're hungry."
Heather glanced toward the beautiful white ranch house in front of her. An ache in her chest formed and she wasn't sure what to do with her emotions. Joe and Kenny were leading a group of guests on horseback toward the barn, obviously just returning from a trail ride. Without Lyle and Charlotte there, she wasn't sure she could face the big family kitchen. For some stupid reason, she was a cat's whisker away from tears.
"I'm pretty beat, Mike, but thanks for the offer. I think I'll get the dogs settled back at the cabin and just crash."
Mike nodded and gave the bill of her ball cap a tug. "Fridge is stocked if you change your mind. Just come on in and help yourself."
"Thanks." She told herself she wouldn't ask, but couldn't seem to stop herself. "Any word from Lyle?"
Mike smiled gently, his shrewd eyes not missing the hope in hers. "I spoke to him last night. They were at my sister, Dora's house. Dora does baby animal photography for greeting cards, so there's never any lack of cute critters at their house. Charlotte is in baby animal heaven."
"Oh, that's so sweet. I'm glad Dora's found happiness in Montana."
"That she has. Although I've heard through the family grapevine that she and those two littles and all the animals have really shaken up Ethan Callahan's fancy horse breeding ranch."
Heather remembered Dora. The only girl among four brothers, she was sassy, bossy and self-assured, and one of the kindest women Heather knew. It had been years since they'd seen one another, but Heather remembered her well.
"Lyle told me she's found her tribe there and she's happy." He'd also said he wanted what his sister had. A family life. Would that include her? Or would he realize during this time away that his happiness was indeed in Montana.
Why-oh-why had she let her heart get tangled up with a man who very likely was not available?
A week passed and the only communication she had with Lyle was a brief text congratulating her on finding the missing hiker. Obviously, he’d seen the news reports as well. After that, nothing. And with each silent day that passed, Heather's heart broke a little more. But she was determined to give him the time he needed.
She took on two new clients and worked from dawn to dark, not giving herself time to think. The nights were difficult, though. Because that's when she dreamed.
She nearly shrieked when she came around the corner of the barn the next morning and ran headlong into Quentin Watkins. "Oh my gosh, I didn't see you...you're home?" She was stammering and her heart was beating entirely too fast. If Quentin was here, did that mean Lyle was too?
“Got in just a bit ago. Little Charlotte made me carry Pudge out of the plane like a baby. That cat’s got more air miles than most dignitaries.”
Heather laughed and tried not to blatantly look over his shoulder in search of Lyle and Charlotte. The fact that Quentin was standing here in front of her instead of Lyle seeking her out the minute he got home spoke volumes.
