Page 22 of It’s Your Love
“She told me he caught herandcarried her.”
Courtney let out a longmmmm.
“Is there anything or anyone Joyce didn’t share this with? And you sayIread too many novels.” Beth scooped her tome from the floor and waved it in the air. “Let’s not forget, he’s a cowboy. I’ve already told you I’m not getting on a horse again.”
Vivien held up her hands. “Just because he’s a cowboy doesn’t mean horses have to be involved.”
“Do you even listen to yourself sometimes?” Beth shook her head. “Let it go. He’s not only a wrangler–ranch hand. He’s a horse trainer. Lives and breathes everything equine—and lives in Oregon.”
“I’m just saying. We’re talking about the man, not his transportation.” Viven narrowed her gaze. “You seem to know a lot about him.”
“I hear things.” Beth swallowed. “And he stopped by the hospital.”
Vivie’s blue eyes rounded. “Oh?”
“Let’s not forget that I was a mess—by the way, that wasn’t your non-staining fake blood. I had to use an exfoliator scrub five times to get it off.” Beth had cringed when she’d finally seen herself in the hospital room mirror. Still red-faced, even if turning more pinkish, and her hair had clung to her skull, dark with sweat. And losing her lunch… Yeah. Super romantic.
Not that she cared. She wasn’t a starry-eyed teen anymore.
“Sorry about that.” Vivien rubbed her hands together, ideas knitting her brows into a fine line.
Beth held a hand. “No. Stop. I know what you’re thinking.”
“What am I thinking?” Vivien threw her hands in the air like the innocent party in a dispute.
“You’re thinking of polishing off your matchmaker manual. I can see it in your eyes.” Beth put a hand on her hip. “And let’s be honest—the last time you tried to set me up with someone,youended up marrying him.”
Courtney sputtered a laugh before coughing and clearing her throat. “She’s got you there.”
“Not that I mind. I mean, you and Boone are perfect together, but you are zero-for-one.”
“Okay, so noted.” Vivien paced the floor of the living room. “But that should not disqualify me from future matchmaking. If anything, it’s given me much greater clarity.”
“Well, then, for your recordkeeping, I will give you three reasons why that is a preposterous proposition.” Beth held up her index finger. “One, he’s Dylan’s friend, and that would be weird.” She held up a second finger. “Two, he lives in Oregon and I live in Deep Haven, so it’s a dead end.” She lifted a third finger. “And three—I’m done with dating for a very, very long time.”
Fourth, she wasn’t ready to admit—her teenage heart had already experienced the sting of adoring Grayson Fox.
“But it’s been more than nine months since Lyle left. You need an adventure.”
Beth picked up her journal. The one where she wrote all the things she dreamed of doing. “Adventure doesn’t require me living—how many is it?—six states away. Or a man. But this camp position? It’s my dream job. A real career in outdoor recreation and education.”
“Can’t beat that.”
“That reminds me—” Beth stood and went to the peninsula, shuffled through the mail. She pulled out the envelope. “My dad got an invite for a European river cruise.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun!”
Beth opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. The Post-it on the front page was handwritten.
It’s been a long time. I’d love to have you join us. Janet
She turned the page around to Vivien and Courtney.
“Who’s Janet?” Courtney asked. “Is that Janet who recently joined the church?”
Beth nodded. “She was his high-school sweetheart. Before he met Mom.”
“Oh?”