Part 2 (1/2)

”Come on and mount up. The day is getting past us,” Mitch said with a smile.

She climbed up and settled herself in the saddle. It had been six years, but it felt like only yesterday since she had been on Sa.s.sy. She figured she would know the difference after a few hours of riding, though. A quick ride back to their ranch shouldn't leave her too sore to work on the house, though, and it would be great to spend the time with Mitch and Sam, like old times.

They walked down her drive then cut across the narrow strip of land not fenced in. They moved to an easy canter. The wind in her hair felt glorious to her. She followed Mitch with Sam behind her. They veered off to the left once they got past the fence instead of heading right toward their home. She started to say something but decided they wouldn't waste a lot of time. Besides, she was enjoying her ride.

It didn't take long for her to recognize where they were heading. The old pond out behind their house had been a favorite spot of theirs over the years. They'd met there anytime something was wrong and needed sorting out. Most of their major problems in life had been discussed and solved on the banks of the pond. Maybe they felt like she needed it to do some sorting out in her life right now. Did she?

They eased around the edge of the water and dismounted by the old tree where they tied off the horses to let them rest while they stretched out on the gra.s.s. No one said anything for a long time. Then Sam spoke up like always, starting the session.

”Want to talk about it?”

”About what?” she asked, knowing what they wanted.

”What happened in Billings that brought you back here?” Mitch tossed a rock into the pond.

”There really isn't anything to say. I'm getting a divorce and moving back home.”

”We all know there's more to it than that,” Sam said.

She was silent for a long while as both Mitch and Sam skipped rocks across the pond. She sat up straight and wrapped her arms around her knees. Maybe talking about it here where all their other secrets had been spilled would help her get past it so she could get on with her life. She rested her chin on her knees.

”I caught him in bed with one of my so-called friends.”

”b.a.s.t.a.r.d,” Sam said without looking at her.

”Want us to beat him up for you?” Mitch asked as he threw yet another rock.

This was what she'd liked about them and this spot. They didn't make a big deal out of anything, just conversation. And, like always, they'd offered to beat up the offender.

”No. He's not worth it. I should have known, though.” She rubbed her chin on her knees.

”We never did like him, but you were in love. Nothing we could have said would have changed a thing.” Mitch sat down next to her.

”You're right. I wouldn't have heard a word you said if you had tried to talk me out of it. I can't believe I was so stupid.” She looked up where Sam stood over her, blocking the sun from her face.

”You were in love. Nothing stupid about it. He is the one who's stupid. He had the best woman in the world, and screwed it up.”

”Thanks, Sam. You're good for my ego.”

”Just saying what's true. What man in his right mind would screw up a future with you?”

”Sam.” Mitch spoke up.

”Well, I'm going to work on my house and the barn and get a job. I have plenty to keep me busy, so I won't be moping around any.

”We won't let you mope, Jackie. You should know us better than that,” Mitch chastised ”I know. You guys are the best. I missed you both so much while I was in Billings.”

They looked at each other, and a silent understanding that they would always have each other as friends pa.s.sed between them. But she picked up on something more, too. They looked at her in a way that sent a yearning in her blood. But they were off-limits. They were her best friends, and she couldn't choose between them. The idea of not choosing, but taking both of them, flitted across her mind before she jumped up and brushed off the back of her jeans.

”We should be going. I need to finish scrubbing down the walls in the kitchen so I can get paint and start painting,” Jackie said.

Mitch and Sam nodded and walked over to where they'd tied the horses. All three of them mounted up and turned the horses toward Mitch and Sam's house. It occurred to her that she hadn't been there since their parents moved out. She wondered if they'd made any changes, or if it would look exactly the same. Being men, they probably barely cleaned the place, she thought with a smile.

”What's that pretty smile for?” Sam asked as he edged up next to her.

”Thinking that I haven't been to your house since your parents moved out. How are they anyway?”

”Doing great. Love the retirement community they're living in.”

”That's good. They were always good to me.”

”They thought of you like a daughter,” Mitch told her.

”You know my parents were good to me in their own way. They were just so much older when they had me that they didn't know what to do with me.”

”I know. Didn't really understand it back then, I don't guess,” Mitch said.

They reached the barn and one of the hands came out to take over the horses.

”Do you mind if I groom Sa.s.sy?” she asked. ”It's been a long time, and I'd really like to.”

Mitch and Sam looked at each other. Mitch shrugged. ”She's all yours, Jackie. Always will be. When you finish, come on inside for something to drink.”

”I'll-” Sam began.

”Sam,” Mitch called out as he walked toward the house.

”-see you in the house,” he finished.

She watched them disappear inside the back door before she accepted the brush from the hand and began brus.h.i.+ng Sa.s.sy down. She let the familiar rhythm of it take over as her thoughts flowed freely. They were still attracted to her. She could feel it in the air while they'd been at the pond. What did it mean for her? Was anything really any different than it had been?

She was different. That was for sure. Besides being older, she was also wiser. She would like to think that she'd learned something from her experience. But what?

Well, for one thing, love doesn't last forever like you thought, Jackie.

She finished up with Sa.s.sy and handed her over to the cowhand. She watched as he settled her into a stall before she turned and headed for the house. She hesitated to just go on in, but finally knocked on the back door. She didn't feel comfortable barging into someone's home no matter what they had said.

Sam answered the door with a frown on his face. ”Said you could just come on in.”

”Sorry, I didn't feel comfortable doing that.”

”What would you like to drink? Coffee? Tea?” Mitch asked.

”Coffee would be wonderful. Then I've got to get back to work.”

”We'll get you back over there as soon as we finish coffee.” Mitch poured a cup and handed it to her. Their fingers met and she nearly dropped the cup at the searing heat his touch caused.