Once Upon a Groom. Karen Smith Rose

architects. Zack had an idea of his frustration now.

      “I’m back in Miners Bluff for the moment,” he revealed to his friend.

      “You’re kidding! You’ve been away for years, now suddenly two visits in a few months? What happened?”

      “Dad had a heart attack.”

      “Zack, I’m sorry. How is he?”

      “He just came home today. I’m going to be here for the next few weeks, so if there’s anything you need to know before you make the move, just give me a call.”

      “Do you have work to keep you busy while you’re there?”

      “Some. There’s a new project I’m thinking about doing. I can do a lot of the research from here.”

      “Give your dad my regards.”

      “I’ll do that. And you call me if you need anything.”

      “I will. I’ll be driving up there some time after the first of the year to look at the school. If you’re still there—”

      “No way will I still be here.”

      Dawson chuckled. “Try not to go stir crazy. I’ll give you a call in a couple of weeks to see how your dad is.”

      “Thanks, Dawson. I’ll talk to you soon.”

      Zack closed his phone and clipped it onto his belt, wishing he could do something concrete to help his friend. He couldn’t imagine having a child and watching him suffer.

      He hadn’t thought much about being a father … until now. He didn’t date women who had motherhood on their minds. Maybe he should think about dating a different type of woman. A woman like …

      Jenny?

      No, he told himself. They were over.

       Chapter Three

      Golden sunrise drifted over the pastures of the Rocky D, defying the colder weather that had moved in since the beginning of November. Jenny loved early mornings this time of year, when one season teetered on the brink of another. This early, Silas’s three permanent hands, Hank, Tate and Ben, were already at work. The horses weren’t yet restless to be let out, to be let free. She could forget about what problems the day might bring with Zack and Silas under the same roof and have some time for herself.

      She led Songbird from her stall, rubbed her nose and asked conversationally, “Ready for a rough and tumble ride?”

      “And just what is a rough and tumble ride?” a deep male voice asked from behind.

      Jenny turned and saw Zack coming down the walkway.

      “You’re up early,” she said lightly, ignoring her racing heart.

      “I usually am. I thought I’d go for a ride instead of doing an early-morning workout. Mind if I join you?”

      Had anyone told Zack she rode every morning? Had he come out here purposely to talk to her about something? He seemed to be waiting for an answer so she responded, “I don’t mind. Which horse would you like?”

      “Tattoo.”

      He’d already picked one out? “How do you know you’re compatible?”

      He laughed. “Only you would ask something like that. I was down here last night. Tattoo and I struck up a conversation and we’re well along to becoming friends. So … any problem with me taking him out?”

      “No.” She hesitated, then asked, “Why did you come down here last night?” When he gave her a studying look, she said, “Sorry, none of my business, I guess.”

      “It was after dinner. You were discussing new recipes with Martha. Dad was on the phone with Clay’s father. I thought I’d take a look around. Everything’s been kept up well. I noticed the mares’ barn had a new roof.”

      “Last year.”

      “Are you still attracting clients from across the country who want cutting horses for competitions?”

      “Yes.”

      “And the boarders’ barn is full.”

      “Always.”

      Zack had to pass her to reach Tattoo’s stall. He was dressed in jeans, boots and a sheepskin jacket this morning.

      “You couldn’t have brought that along,” she said gesturing to his coat.

      “Nope. It was hanging in the closet in my old room. I’d forgotten about it. It was huge when Mom bought it for me. Now it fits.”

      Jenny could almost see the memories in Zack’s eyes, some bittersweet, some warm and some painful. She wasn’t sure what to say.

      “We can talk about her, Jen. All my memories of her have been limited to the photographs I took along and the videos I made. I have never had anyone to talk to about her. Do you know what I mean?”

      “I do. I mean I talk to Dad about Mom when he’s around, which isn’t often, but I don’t really have anything of hers except the funny hat she used to wear to church. I took it from the bag Dad was giving to Goodwill after she died. I know things are just things, but they seem to mean a lot after someone’s gone. The pearl earrings your mom gave me for high school graduation are one of my prized possessions.”

      “You wore them the night of the reunion.”

      “You noticed?”

      The quiet of the stables seemed to breed intimacy, and this morning was no different. This was the everyday barn, where favorite horses were lodged, where personal tack was kept, where the hayloft up above whispered about the kisses shared there when she and Zack were teenagers. And not only kisses. On that graduation night—

      “I noticed,” he responded, and she didn’t know now if they were talking about earrings or so much more. This was dangerous territory for both of them. Especially for her. Since his return, her secret seemed to be on the tip of her tongue, ready to spill out. But there was no reason to tell him about her pregnancy and miscarriage … no reason to hurt him with something they couldn’t change. With him standing there, looking down at her, all brawny and handsome in the sheepskin jacket and jeans, she knew she needed some cool air to capture her equilibrium once again.

      “Let’s saddle up,” she suggested a bit shakily.

      Zack just gave her an imperceptible nod and moved away.

      Ten minutes later they were on the trail. This time of year, the most impressive aspect of the landscape was the mountains in the distance—Moonshadow Mountain and beyond it, Feather Peak.

      “Have you ridden to Horsethief Canyon lately?” Zack asked.

      Horsethief Canyon led up to Feather Peak. She and Zack had spent time there as teenagers, exploring, hiking, making out.

      “No, not lately. Celeste and Clay have. They spent a honeymoon weekend there.”

      “You were at their wedding?”

      “In their wedding. It was beautiful. They exchanged vows in Clay’s backyard even though his parents probably would have preferred something more elaborate.”

      “Clay was always good at standing up to his dad.”

      “I think he and Mr. Sullivan have come to a new understanding since he and Celeste married.”

      They rode along the fence line until it gave way to rockier terrain. Both horses snorted as if begging to be let loose. Jenny felt the same way. Riding side by side with Zack, she felt edgy, awkward, unlike herself.

      “So how about that rough and tumble ride?” he asked with a grin that could always make her breath hitch.

      She tossed him a smile over her shoulder and then took off.