three
Julia braced herself for news of an accident or a fire. In the current heat wave, a single ember could set the hills ablaze. The Smokey Bear sign outside the resort was set on red, and the drought conditions were the lead story on every newscast in Southern California. Her stomach flipped at the thought of smoke and scorched earth, lost jobs and even lost lives.
Zeke pressed the radio button. “I hear you, Cowboy. What’s the problem?”
“It’s that confounded goat.”
Goat? Surely she had misunderstood. Brows tight, Zeke raked his hand through his hair. “I’m on my way.”
A grunt rattled across the radio. “That nasty old thing has to go. I don’t give a hoop-dee-doo who owns her. Get her outta here, Zeke. Or I’ll have the last word.”
“Roger, Cowboy.”
“I’ll feed her to the buzzards!”
“Give me five minutes.” Zeke clicked off the radio. Looking pained, he faced Julia. “I’m sorry, but I have to handle this. How would you like to tour the clubhouse with John? Maybe take a golf lesson? If I’m not back in an hour, he’ll take you to the hotel.”
His suggestion made sense, but something in his expression made her feel like the girl in Berkeley who had thrived on adventure. “I’ll go with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
They said good-bye to John and returned to the SUV. As soon as Julia fastened her seat belt, Zeke zipped out of the parking lot and headed west to a fork in the road. “I’m sorry about this. If Ashley were here, you’d have her undivided attention.”
“Things happen. I’m just glad it’s not too serious.”
“Oh, it’s serious all right.”
“A goat?”
“A mean goat.” Zeke’s jaw hardened. “Ladybug is a menace, but she’s owned by Ginger Travers. Ginger keeps her because she has a calming effect on a horse named Clipper. Most people have dogs or cats for pets, but not Ginger. She adopted Clipper from a racehorse rescue operation. Ladybug was part of the package.”
“Cute name.” Julia pictured a little white goat in the spirit of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, a story she occasionally read to Max. “I take it Chet isn’t fond of Ladybug.”
“No. And neither am I.”
He made a right turn, drove up a long driveway, and parked on an apron of hard-packed dirt. A short man with a fringe of white hair under a straw cowboy hat strode toward the SUV, his bowed legs churning up dust. Zeke climbed out and so did Julia.
The cowboy, presumably Chet, tipped his hat to her but made a beeline to Zeke. “That goat leaves or I do.”
“What did she do this time?”
“She ate the seats off the Gator.” Chet hooked a thumb at a small utility vehicle with a flat bed, off-road tires, and two torn-up seats. “This is the third time.”
“I know—”
“If you don’t stop her, I will.” The cowboy’s face was as red as the bandanna hanging out of his hip pocket. “They’ll be serving goat stew in that or-ganic restaurant of yours.”
Julia traded an amused glance with Zeke. Out of respect for Chet, they both held back grins.
“So where is she?” Zeke asked.
Chet flung his gnarled hands up into the air. “If I knew where she was, I’d have her lassoed by now. No doubt she’s somewhere she doesn’t belong, eating everything in sight. Try that or-ganic garden. I have a trail ride coming in—six horses with four adults and two kids. I’m shorthanded as it is, Zeke. You know that.”
“I’m working on it.”
“There’s no way I’m goin’ on a goat hunt right now. If you want Ladybug, you’re gonna have to round her up yourself.”
Zeke lowered his chin. “I get it, Chet.”
The old cowboy didn’t seem to hear him. “I don’t give a rip who that nasty thing belongs to. Ginger Travers or the president of United States, or John Wayne himself. That old thing—”
“Chet. I get it. That’s enough.”
“Sorry, boss.” The cowboy turned to Julia and tipped his hat. “And apologies to you too, miss. But that goat gets on my last nerve.”
As he stalked off, Zeke gave Julia a rueful look. “This isn’t the side of Caliente Springs we usually show to guests.”
“No points off. I promise.”
A familiar twinkle returned to his eyes—the one that looked into her heart and read her thoughts. Six years had passed, six years full of tragedy and triumphs, and yet they were still attuned to each other’s feelings. One side of Zeke’s mouth hooked into a grin, a sign that he remembered too. It didn’t seem possible, but she was close to choking up with the sweetness of it.
Swallowing hard, she pushed her emotions back into her chest. “Can I help you look for Ladybug?”
Zeke shook his head. “You’re here for a business presentation, not a hike around barns and corrals. I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
“You’ll lose time. I’ll wait in the car.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’ll check messages on my phone.”
Zeke helped her into the SUV, gave her his cell number in case she needed him, then strode past a row of covered stalls, dust puffing under his black oxfords. Even in a suit, he looked like he belonged here.
That was Zeke. Comfortable in his own skin. In charge. And ready to fight for a good cause.
Julia picked up the phone and shot a text to Ashley. Hugs to you & Rachel. Single moms unite!
Next she texted her mother. How’s it going? Love to you and Max.
Waiting for replies, she relaxed against the seat and closed her eyes. The smells of hay, horses, and summer filled her nose, and she dragged in a lungful of warm air. It felt good to let her guard down for a moment.
Her phone signaled a text. Expecting her mom or Ashley, she lifted it off her lap, saw Hunter’s name, and sighed. The message started with a link to the Encino Hills Academy, the private school they had discussed for Max and the school Hunter attended as a boy. Julia didn’t like the idea, in part because Hunter would use the high tuition to manipulate her. She wanted to send Max to the school run by her church, where he’d be with his friends. It was accredited and considered excellent.
The rest of the text said, School meeting. Monday at 9. Can you make it? Need to know now.
As if she had no other obligations! She needed to submit the Carter proposal before Tuesday and was planning to spend Monday at her computer. A playdate for Max was already arranged. Hunter’s presumption galled her, but the text was typical of the conflicts that came with co-parenting. His way or her way? What was best for Max, and how did she measure it?
Before she could decide, something slammed into the back of the SUV.
Her gaze swung to the side mirror, where a large brown goat, presumably Ladybug, stared back at her. The goat was about the size of a Great Dane, silky brown with patches of white, and eyes the exact the color of her coat. Two short horns curved back on the top of her head, and a pair of long, floppy ears grazed her rhinestone collar.
Julia called Zeke on his cell. “Unless you have more than one brown goat, Ladybug just butted the car.”
“I’m on my way.”
With Julia watching in the mirror, Ladybug veered to the right and trotted toward the long driveway. “Uh-oh. She’s leaving.”
“Which direction?”
“Down the driveway.”
“I’ll hurry, but I’m almost at the garden.”
Julia climbed out of the SUV and slammed the door. “She’s headed toward a storage shed. I’ll follow her.”
“Don’t. She’s dangerous.”
“I’ll keep my distance.” With the phone to her ear, she followed Ladybug, narrating her progress to Zeke as she trailed the goat for about fifty feet. “She stopped at a hedge of some kind.”
“Julia, I mean it. Stay back.”
“Don’t worry. I will.” She could run in her heels if she had to, but why take that chance? “She’s eating leaves off the hedge.”
“Oh dear.”
“What?”
“She’s looking right at me.” Julia backpedaled a few steps. “She’s coming this way.” At a trot . . . an enthusiastic trot, with her eyes glued to the shiny gold buttons on Julia’s dress. “I’m going back to the car.” She turned and walked as fast as she could, keeping the phone to her ear as she glanced over her shoulder. “My word! She’s fast.”
“Hurry, Jules. Get to the car.”
Ladybug bleated repeatedly, like a freight train working up speed. Julia’s breath came in matching pants that carried over the phone.
“Julia. Talk to me.”
“I’m—I’m running.”
Zeke muttered something Julia couldn’t hear.
“She’s gaining on me!”
The SUV was just ten steps away. Then nine, eight. With her eyes focused on the door handle, Julia lowered the phone and made a final sprint. Ladybug bleated behind her. Just as Julia grabbed for the door handle, the goat snagged a mouthful of fabric and tugged. As the dress ripped, Julia spun and lost her grip on her phone. It flew up in an arc, sparkled in the sun, and landed at Ladybug’s cloven hooves.
Julia dove for it but fell short. On her hands and knees, she crawled forward, eye-to-eye with Ladybug as the goat snatched up the phone and crunched down on it.
“Bad goat!”
“Maaaah. Maa—AAAH!” Ladybug screamed at her, sounding more like a person than an animal. Julia had never heard anything like it.
She leapt to her feet, dashed to the front of the SUV, and scrambled onto the hood, losing her shoes as she climbed. Ladybug snagged one of them, worked her jaw a couple of times, then spat out the leather and bellowed at the top of her lungs.
“Julia!” Zeke was running at full speed, his coat flapping behind him and his eyes full of determination to save her. “Are you all right?”
“That goat ate my phone!”
“Don’t move. I’ll get her.”
Julia hoped he lived to tell the story and pulled her feet all the way up onto the hood of the SUV.
Zeke snapped some leaves off a shrub, then approached Ladybug with a gold lamé leash hidden behind his back. The goat stared at him with an air of superiority, bleated once as if to scold him, then walked docilely toward him and nibbled the leaves.
“Good girl.” Zeke reached for the collar, but Ladybug twisted away from him, spat out the leaves, and grabbed the flap of his coat instead. Legs splayed, she tugged with all her might.
“Hey—” He tried to pull the coat out of her mouth, but Ladybug pulled harder. The fabric let loose with a long, slow rip. Muttering to himself, he grabbed her collar and hooked the leash into place. Ladybug stepped back as far as the short line would allow, but Zeke, now looking at Julia, kept a grip on the handle. “I’ve got her. It’s safe.”
Julia wasn’t so sure. Ladybug had circled behind him. Head down, she took aim at his backside. “Zeke! Watch out—”
Whump!
His hands shot out to break the fall, but he still landed on his belly in the dirt. Muttering and sputtering, he managed to hold on to the leash as he lumbered to his feet. Dust was everywhere—on his chin, his face, all over his pants and the torn coat.
“Oh no!” Julia cried. “Are you all right?”
“Just another day on the job,” Zeke deadpanned.
When Ladybug let out another man-killer scream, Zeke broke out laughing, and so did Julia. She laughed so hard her ribs ached and tears pushed into her eyes. Those tears were born of more than laughter; they sprang from the desire to live life to the fullest. Deep down, in the most tender part of her heart, she longed for more moments like this one, where she could be herself with a man who knew how to love and laugh. She yearned for that kind of relationship, but she was terrified of repeating her mistakes. A lump shoved into her throat, a plug that bottled up her crazy, confused feelings.
Zeke gave Ladybug a very dirty look, then wiped the dust off his coat and shortened the leash. Ladybug’s screams dwindled to pathetic bleats.
“She nailed you,” Julia said with a big grin.
He just shook his head. “When you write up the Carter proposal, make sure you include goat hunting as a new sport.”
“Oh, I will.”
Their eyes met, his twinkling and hers too, until he broke the silence. “I’m going to tie her up. Stay put.”
“No problem!”
Zeke led Ladybug to a split rail fence and tied the leash in a knot. The goat protested with more pitiful bleats, then discovered some weeds and snagged a mouthful.
Zeke strode back to Julia. She scooted to the edge of the hood, but when she reached for his hand, her silky dress glided over the paint and she picked up speed. Instinctively she grasped his shoulders. Gripping her waist, he lifted her up and spun her around until she landed gently on the ground and stepped back.
Their gazes matched and held for what felt like six years. She recalled walking down Telegraph Avenue, where sidewalk vendors and street people made every day a circus. She’d been so full of big ideas back then. More than anything, she had valued personal freedom and self-definition. Zeke, far more pragmatic, had majored in business.
“Why not religion?” she had asked him once.
“I’m a preacher’s kid. I’ve read the Bible my whole life. With a business degree, I can bring some practical know-how to a church or a ministry like my dad’s. That’s what I was born to do.”
But here he was now, at a resort that didn’t look anything like a church. There was a story there, but if she asked him about it, she’d have to tell her own. It was best to stick to business.
Cramming the past back into its proper place, she offered a wry smile. “I guess this ends the tour.”
“For today, yes. But I hope Ladybug didn’t scare you off completely.”
“No.” She glanced down at her torn dress flapping at her knees, then remembered—“My phone!” She spun around, spotted the device ten feet away, and hurried across the rough ground. Her bare foot found a rock. Yelping, she hopped on one leg until she lost her balance.
Zeke grabbed her arm, steadied her, then picked up the phone and inspected it front and back. “The screen’s cracked, but the SIM card might be all right.”
“I hope so.” Julia needed her business contacts, but mostly she wanted the countless photographs of Max.
Zeke dropped the phone in his pocket. “The hotel will replace it along with your dress and shoes. Did Ladybug get anything else?”
“That’s all.”
Zeke collected the shoes and handed them to her. “I’ll cut a check for the clothing. But you need the phone now. How about a trip to San Luis Obispo?”
“Hmmm.”
“We can grab dinner away from the hotel.”
The trip would be private and personal. Just them, the past six years, and the things she didn’t want to tell him about Hunter. She didn’t want to risk that conversation, but she needed her phone. She tried to say yes, but all she could manage was another indecisive “Hmmm.”
Zeke waited a moment. “Was that yes or no?”
“Both.”
Something bright flashed in his eyes. “You always did confuse me, Jules.”
Especially at the end, when she broke off their relationship with vague allusions to needing emotional space instead of the truth that she had started to date Hunter. “I was confused about a lot of things back then.”
“So let’s be confused at the Apple Store.” He held up the phone to show her the cracked screen. “My goat just ate your phone. I owe you a new one, plus an upgrade for your time and trouble.”
She owed Zeke too—gratitude for his prayers six years ago, amends for her arrogant attitude at the time, and maybe a confession about Hunter, though she wasn’t sure about that last item. “All right. We’ll go.”
He raised the radio to his dusty face. “GM calling Cowboy.”
Static crackled until Chet answered. “Cowboy here.”
“Ladybug’s in custody.”
“Well, hoop-dee-doo,” Chet grumbled, “but I can’t fetch her right this minute.”
“I’ll put her in her pen.” Zeke signed off and lowered the handheld radio. “I’ll take care of Ladybug, then we’ll go back to the hotel, clean up, and head out.”
Julia climbed into the SUV to wait, drumming her fingers as Zeke coaxed Ladybug to follow him. While he was gone, she made plans. When she reached her room, she’d call her mom from the hotel and give her Zeke’s cell in case of an emergency.
Hunter presented a different problem. He was waiting for an answer to the school question, but Julia wasn’t ready to commit to anything. She didn’t want to annoy Hunter, but sometimes life happened. For once, he would just have to wait.