CHAPTER ONE

 

Heavy rain continued to pour from the thick cumulous clouds in the darkened sky. Wet and shivering, Macey huddled behind the empty ticket booth. The old cinema's narrow marquee and small outdoor lobby did little to keep the waterlogged wind from penetrating her soaked blouse and jeans. Her feet and socks inside her boots sloshed in what felt like buckets of water. Comforting herself with the thought that at least she was out of the heavy downpour, she swallowed hard and tried to hold herself rigid to combat the uncontrollable shivering.

The movie house had closed for the evening around midnight, and wouldn't reopen until two in the afternoon. Her body ached from the long walk from the outskirts to the town proper. She'd had to let her horse go when the weather turned stormy. Paqui, her mare and old friend from her early teen years, knew her way home. Macey didn't have the heart to keep her hungry and thirsty. She mocked herself for her stupidity. At least she should have taken some money with her. Trouble was, she had no money left. Her parents gave her a generous allowance monthly, but she never saved a penny, living by the adage, enjoy today, for you don't know what tomorrow may bring. Well, she was at tomorrow. And what it was bringing, was misery. When would she ever learn not to let her emotions rule her. Anger and getting back at her parents wasn't going to put food in her stomach, or at least a warm jacket on her shivering body.

At least listen to the weather report before deciding to run away from home, she chided herself further. The events of the past few months had placed her in the dog house with her parents and her friends. And once again she'd been dumped, if gently. Chris was kind. She honestly believed she stood a chance with him. He was one of the few who responded to her feelings, or crushes, as her parents referred to them. True, he'd dated her on the rebound from Lexie, whom he had loved since childhood. When Lexie broke their engagement and his heart, Macey grasped the opportunity to capture his affections. But Lexie regretted her decision and reconnected with Chris, and once again, Macey was out, blonde, slender, attractive curves and all.

Her mother often warned her that she distanced prospective suitors with her flirtatious over-anxiousness to form a relationship the moment she met someone who fit her idea of the perfect hero and offered her a friendly smile. Her father warned her not to steer away so quickly from the few who fell for her first, but did not fit her image of the perfect physical specimen. She firmly rejected those suitors, though with utmost kindness, flattered by their interest. She did not feel she was better than them, but she refused to alter her image of the perfect man.

 

The shivering was lessening now, or was her skin growing numb. Her legs felt so weak. They buckled under her and Macey slid to the ground, her back against the walls of the ticket booth keeping her from sprawling across the floor. She was tired, and sleepy. Perhaps if she let herself doze for a short while, her strength might return.

"Hey girl, wake up. Come on, wake up."

Macey groaned, "Leave me alone. Let me sleep."

"Come on, you're freezing. You have to move. Macey, for heaven's sake!"

Someone shook her. Wouldn't let her sleep. Pulled her stiff arms through jacket sleeves and buttoned the front up to her neck. Then strong arms lifted her and held her tightly with care, and safely carried her forward.

"Dad?" Macey moaned.

"No, sweets. But I'll get you right back home with him and your mom."

Macey forced herself to hear better. No, it wasn't her dad. But she recognized the voice.

"Cal?"

"Yeah, it's me, sweets. My pickup's right up the block. Got blankets and a thermos of hot coffee. You'll be warm in no time. I'll call your mom and dad and tell them I found you, and we're on our way home."

"I don't want to go home," Macey grumbled through sluggish lips.

"I know, but that's where you need to be right now. Get warmed up and get your strength back. I'd also advise a visit to Doc Jenkins. I wouldn't be surprised if you come down with a whopper of a cold."

"That's an old wive's tale," Macey murmured. "Getting drenched doesn't give you a cold."

"Yeah, I know that's what modern wisdom says. But I'm still calling the doctor when you get home. I know your Dad will agree."

"You know everything, don't you," Macey grumbled unappreciatively."

"That's a fault I suffer with ... a bad habit, I know, starting my sentences with those two words. I'm sorry, sweets. You just keep reminding me. I'll break the habit."

They had reached the truck. Cal gently lowered her to her feet, but kept one arm around her waist, and opened the passenger door on the black pickup truck. "Can you feel your legs?" he asked, with concern.

"Barely."

"All right, I'll lift you up into the seat."

 

Safely cocooned in a large wool blanket, Macey leaned back against the black leather upholstery. She needed sleep and closed her eyes.

"Stay awake," Cal's voice startled her. "And if you can, flex your arms and legs. Get your blood circulating. I don't want you passing out on me."

"I'm not passing out. I'm just a bit numb from the cold and the rain. I'll be fine."

"Yes, you will," Cal said. He turned on the ignition, revved the motor, and started the wind-shield wipers, then switched on the heat. "Better?" he asked.

Macey nodded. "Yes," she admitted, her legs warming, regaining strength.

Cal headed out of the town and onto a dirt road, a shortcut that led quicker to Tanner and Linda's ranch. He'd called them before climbing in beside her from the driver's side. "They're heading home, themselves," he said. "They were out looking for you all night."

Her thoughts were clearing, and her actions of the past hours, seemed more and more foolish. Remorse was setting in. "Not very smart, am I, causing my parents so much worry."

Rain and wind pounded the windshield, giving the wipers a hard time.

"Why did you run away?" Cal asked.

"I want to live on my own. I'm old enough. My parents are constantly picking on me. They're upset with me 'cause I chose not to go to college. I've no interest in higher learning. I graduated high school with flying colors. I'm smart enough. I've no interest in a career. I just want to enjoy life. No more studying, no more homework. No more when are you going to grow up. I am grown up."

A deer sprinted across the road. Macey cried in alarm. "Watch out, that poor thing."

Cal slowed and pulled over enough to avoid hitting the animal. "It got across. It's okay."

Macey nodded, with a sigh of relief. "I hope it finds someplace safe."

In the distance, a wolf howled. Macey gasped and blanched.

Cal reassured her, "That howl came from the other side of the hill, way over."

"It's silly of me," Macey said. "This is nature's way. I just don't like to think about it." As an afterthought, she added, "You know what movie I won't watch again."

Cal glanced at her, amazed at how upset she appeared. "No, which one?"

"Bambi. I can't watch that movie. I cry. I feel so bad when Bambi's mother is killed. I know the movie is considered a well-loved classic, but I think it's horrid."

Cal chuckled. "Oh my dear Macey," he whispered tenderly.