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Before Eloise could slip away, Ella gestured out to the land and the therapy sessions already in full swing. “Can I ask you what this is all about? When I heard country club, I thought this would be a hoity-toity place for the wealthy folks to sit around and drink scotch.”
Eloise’s laughter was beginning to sound infectious. “This place is far from what you thought it might be. It has equine therapy services for both special needs individuals and those with PTSD. We have housing for those who have to travel long distances for their therapy sessions. Shane recently hired a couple trainers to offer services to the locals who want to compete in dressage. And, of course, we have the restaurant and the dancing hall.”
Ella’s eyes must have looked like they were about to pop out of her skull for the way that Eloise was staring at her. She let out a slow whistle. “Shane sounds like quite the ambitious person.”
“Oh, he is. But surprisingly, he’s a great deal more grounded than you might believe. I think it has a lot to do with hischildhood. You know how that sort of thing can shape you.” Eloise got to her feet as her gaze swept over toward the door to the restaurant. “Look, I really want to catch up, but I’m filling in for the hostess until we get another one. Normally I’m in the back, cooking. May I suggest you try one of the desserts?”
“But I haven’t eaten lunch yet—”
Eloise winked. “You only live once, right? Haven’t you ever heard of eating dessert first?”
“That’s a little impulsive, don’t you think?”
She grinned. “But it would make you happy, right? Seriously, try the chocolate mousse. It’s exceptional.” Eloise slipped toward the door, and Ella smiled after her. Eloise really did seem extremely happy in her new life as a married woman.
23
Lucas
From Lucas’s position in the saddle, he could see everything on his property. Up until this year, he had taken most of it for granted. He could see that now. This land belonged to his family, and Wade had done everything he could to keep it from being taken by the banks.
When he was younger, it had merely been the place he wanted to escape from. He’d spent most of his time at Taven’s place. Back then he’d only suspected Taven’s father of being abusive. Taven never said anything about it.
They’d grown up side by side, and the closest he’d gotten to finding out was when his friend’s father had come out of the house shouting for Taven to get his rear-end inside.
Today, Lucas couldn’t recall much of his own parents. Wade had filled that role more than anyone, and they weren’t even that far apart in age. It was strange to look around this placeand suddenly realize that all of it would belong to Wade and the family he and Brielle started.
Any day now, they could make an announcement that they were expecting. Then what would happen to the rest of them?
Lucas wanted a family. He knew deep down it was something that drove him to try to be better. But it wasn’t a good enough reason to drag Ella into his mess of a life.
“Come on, man. You aren’t still thinking about her, are you? It’s over. Good riddance. You dropped the dead weight.” Taven’s statement grated on Lucas’s final nerve. Taven didn’t know what he was talking about.
Out of all the women Lucas had dated, Ella had been the cream of the crop. She’d been the only one who had been willing to see past the front that Lucas put up and see him for who he was. She deserved so much better than what Lucas could offer her.
So, Lucas didn’t say a thing. He only scowled even harder at the property line.
Taven’s horse shuffled, pawing at the dirt. Both of the animals were antsy to head home. It was the best part of taking a long ride out to the brinks of his property line. The second they let the horses loose, it took a great deal more effort to rein them in.
“You know what we should do? I’m still in town for a couple weeks. We need to find some pretty girls—and when I say pretty, I mean better than—”
“Will you just save it?” Lucas said. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Taven gave him a blank stare. Lucas could almost see his friend’s mind working through what he’d just said. The next thing Lucas knew, Taven would be accusing him of something he wasn’t comfortable with, and then he’d have to get into a fight with his childhood friend.
He’d already lost one person who meant something to him. He wasn’t about to lose two. Lucas heaved a sigh. “You want to go on a date with someone local to Copper Creek so you don’t have to call them when you head back to Montana. Is that what you were going to say?”
A sly smile spread across Taven’s face, his confusion quickly fading. “You know me so well. See? That’s what true friendship is about. We can spend years apart and the second we’re back together, it’s like no time has passed.”
Lucas didn’t glance in Taven’s direction. Friendships that could stand the test of time were worth keeping, right? Even if that friend had some less-than-stellar qualities. It wasn’t fair for Lucas to just kick Taven out of his life. That wouldn’t be right.
The big problem with that thought process was that Taven wasn’t the most likable person, and he could very well contribute to several disappointments in his life.
“What did you have in mind?”
Lucas jumped. Had Taven been talking that whole time? Or was he just now asking for suggestions? He glanced in Taven’s direction. “What do you mean?”
“Thegirls, man. You’ve been here the whole time I’ve been in Montana. Where is the best place to pick up some beautiful women? You know the kind I’m talking about.” He wagged his eyebrows and chuckled. “I need someone I can sink my teeth into.”
