Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)

Just then Jo arrived with the dessert and questions about the mysterious Gideon went unanswered.

After everyone finished eating, the tables were pushed back and the chairs drawn in a loose circle. Charlie collected the presents for Heidi to open.

The invitations had gone out with “Bring something Heidi will love” as the gift suggestion. Lingerie was a given, and well represented. Mayor Marsha gave Heidi a beautiful set of antique cheese molds, perfect for a woman with goats and a cheese business. May, Heidi’s future mother-in-law, had wrapped two tickets to Paris.

“For your honeymoon,” May said happily.

Heidi stared at the gift, then looked up, obviously stunned. “Paris? For two weeks?”

Charlie sighed. “Yes, and before you ask, Annabelle and I have already volunteered to look after the goats. We’ll be by in a couple of days for our milking lessons.”

Heidi wiped away happy tears as she hugged them all.

Later, while the guests created a wrapping paper wedding gown, Charlie pointed to the collection of empty champagne bottles.

“There are going to be less of those left over than we’d thought.”

Annabelle sighed. “I know, but it’s been fun. What a great shower.”

“Have a little bride envy?”

“Maybe. When I married Lewis, there wasn’t any of this. He thought it was silly and I pretended I agreed with him.”

“Shane wouldn’t mind the party and later he’d want you to try on all the sexy outfits.”

“Who said anything about Shane?” Annabelle asked.

“No one has to. We can all see it. You’re falling for him.”

“I’m not.” She sighed. “Maybe. A little.”

“Heidi swears Stryker brothers are the best,” Charlie told her.

“I don’t question his character. He’s a great guy. But he has baggage and it makes me nervous.”

“Nobody’s perfect.”

“You’re telling me to follow my heart?”

“I’m saying from where I’m sitting, falling in love sounds nice,” Charlie admitted.

“Then you could, you know, start dating.”

“I don’t think so. I can walk right into a burning building without blinking, but going out with a man?” She shook her head. “Not going to happen.”

Annabelle reached out and squeezed her friend’s hand. Sometimes the solutions were obvious. Impossible, but obvious. Charlie should get off her butt and go out with a guy and Annabelle, well, she was less sure what she should do. Trust Shane came to mind. Believe in him to find his way.

Because Charlie had a point. From where she was sitting, falling in love sounded very, very nice.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“IS THAT A PIG?”

Shane didn’t bother turning around. What was the point? There was only one answer to the question.

“Yes.”

“A real pig?”

“His name is Wilbur.”

Giggles exploded from behind him. He flinched like a cat being hit by rain.

“From the book,” one of the girls said.

“It’s Charlotte’s Web,” another offered. “Shane, have you read it?”

He finished adjusting the saddle and then reluctantly turned around to face his class of beginning riders. “Yes, I know it’s a book. Yes, I know the name of it. Yes, I’ve read it.”

Shane’s big plan that would give Wilbur a week with Priscilla and Reno had ended the second his mother seen the pig. Once she’d met Wilbur, it had all been decided.

“Let’s get started,” Shane told the girls.

They stood in line as he gave each one a lift up into the saddle, then pointed to the open gate on the left.

“In there,” he said.

They did as he asked, walking sedately into the ring. Before he could follow, his mother burst out of the house.

“Did you tell them?” she asked eagerly.

“Not yet,” he answered, over a chorus of “Tell us what?”

“Sorry,” May said, not looking the least bit sorry. “I’ll be quiet while you tell them now.”

Four pairs of eyes stared at him. Shane stood in the center of the corral and suddenly felt foolish. What if they didn’t want to be a part of things? What if he couldn’t teach them or the horses?

He cleared his throat. “I thought it would be fun for you to be in the parade with Annabelle.”

“Really?”

“Can we?”

“That’s so great.”

“Yay!”

“That was a yes?” he asked, holding in a smile.

They all nodded.

“Yes!”

“Good. I’ve been working on what you could do on your horses. A few simple steps.”

“And there’ll be costumes,” May added.

Shane turned to look at his mother. “Excuse me?”

“Costumes. For the girls.”

There was more cheering. Shane felt the beginning of a headache. “I didn’t say anything about costumes.”

“That’s because you’re a man. It’s a parade. They need costumes. I’ve seen what Annabelle is going to wear and I’ve made a few sketches. Now we just have to find someone who can sew.”

“My mom sews,” one of the girls offered.

“Mine, too.”