Hill Country Reunion

The page nearly fell from her hand. “Tripp.”

“Yep, it’s still me.” His lopsided grin made her stomach dip. He held up a bulging deli bag. “Guess great minds think alike.”

Or not. Diana forced a smile. “Just moved in and you’re already discovering all the popular eateries in Juniper Bluff. When you’re ready to try Mexican, I recommend Casa Luis.”

An odd look crossed Tripp’s face. “Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Oh, I forgot. You’re on some kind of health kick these days.”

“You could say so.” Tripp glanced away. “Well, don’t let me keep you. Have a good afternoon, Diana.”

“Yeah, you, too.” The line moved, and Diana took a giant step forward. She was so ready to end this conversation.

“Diana?”

She winced, then turned and met Tripp’s steady gaze. “Yes?”

“I just wanted to say how good it is to see you again. Your own business and everything—that’s...really great. I’m happy for you.”

At the pensive look in his eyes, the corner of her heart that had been frozen all these years melted a tiny bit. “Thanks. I’m glad to know you’re doing well, too. I hope you’ll be very happy in Juniper Bluff.”

“I think I will be. The slower pace is already a welcome change.”

“Funny,” Diana mused with a twist to her lips, “I didn’t think anything could lure you from your big-city lifestyle.”

Tripp shrugged. “Maybe that was true...once.”

“Well, I guess a lot can change in twelve years.”

“Yeah, a lot can change.” The words came out on a sigh. After a moment’s pause, he offered a parting smile and strode away.

Lost in trying to figure out what this new Tripp Willoughby was all about, Diana jumped when the deli clerk called her name. “Oh, hi, Stan. Yes, I’d like two Reubens, an egg salad on whole wheat and a ham-and-Swiss on rye, light on the mustard.”

She added a gallon of fresh-brewed iced tea to her order, then selected a large bag of chips. Fifteen minutes later, she was on her way to the assisted-living center.

By the time she arrived, she’d regained a semblance of composure. At the reception desk she asked for directions to Aunt Jennie’s quarters, then followed the signs to apartment 18C. The door stood open, and her great-aunt beamed from the opposite end of a small dinette.

Aunt Jennie stretched out her arms. “Come around here and give me a big ol’ hug!”

Diana dropped the deli and doughnut bags onto the table, then scooped the petite ninety-two-year-old into a gentle but enthusiastic embrace. “I’m so glad you’re finally here!”

Aunt Jennie patted Diana’s cheek as she knelt on the carpet beside her chair. In a conspiratorial whisper, she asked, “Did you remember my favorite doughnuts?”

“Right here.” Diana slid the smallest bag closer. Rising, she swept her gaze around the room. “Oh, good, you brought some of your own things to make it feel more like home.”

“Yes, but it was very sad leaving my comfy little house and garden.” The elderly woman’s lips turned down with remorse. “Even harder to give up my sweet little Ginger-dog.”

“I know, and I’m so sorry.” Diana had known Aunt Jennie wouldn’t be allowed to bring her lovable corgi to the new apartment. Aunt Jennie’s next-door neighbor Mrs. Doudtman had taken Ginger, saying she’d be a great playmate for her two shelties.

“She’ll adjust, honey, just like I will.” Aunt Jennie patted Diana’s arm.

Her great-aunt might be putting up a brave front, but the wistful look in her eyes every time she mentioned Ginger’s name brought a lump to Diana’s throat. She’d have offered to keep Ginger herself, but she already shared her two-bedroom cottage with three cats, a lop-eared rabbit and a parakeet. Besides, her tiny backyard wasn’t fenced, so a dog was out of the question. Ginger was too prissy to last long as a farm dog, which meant Diana’s parents weren’t able to take her, either.

But Diana did have an idea she hoped to implement soon. She’d begun investigating programs where volunteers brought pets to visit shut-ins, and if things worked out, she planned to establish a group right here in Juniper Bluff.

Thinking about pets brought to mind an unexpected complication. Unless Diana wanted to drive the extra miles to a veterinary clinic in a neighboring town, anytime her menagerie needed health care, she’d have no choice but to make an appointment with Tripp.

Chapter Two

Nothing like fresh country air to sweep away the mental cobwebs. A plate of scrambled eggs and toast in one hand, a glass of almond milk in the other, Tripp eased into a red retro-style metal lawn chair and propped one bare foot on the porch rail. He couldn’t ask for a more relaxing start to a Sunday morning.

For now, at least, it remained quiet. Not long after he’d arrived to start moving in on Friday, Serenity Hills Guest Ranch was invaded by a vanload of excited kids. Tripp’s landlord, Seth Austin, had apologized for not giving him a heads-up about Camp Serenity, a program the ranch participated in for disadvantaged children. Turned out this was one of their camping weekends.

The clop-clop of horses’ hooves drew Tripp’s attention to the tree-shaded lane. Moments later Seth Austin ambled into view with his towheaded young son, Joseph, each of them leading a horse.

“Mornin’.” While his son continued on, Seth halted in front of Tripp’s cabin. “Getting settled in okay?”

Tripp swallowed a bite of toast before replying. “Close. Got a few more things to unpack.”

“Any problems, feel free to holler.” Seth patted his horse’s neck. “Just taking horses out to pasture. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“Not at all. I grew up in the city, but my grandparents used to have horses. Nice being around them again.”

“Anytime you’re up for a trail ride, I’m happy to oblige. In fact,” Seth said with a nod behind him toward the barn, “we’ll be taking several campers out for one more ride this afternoon before they head back to San Antonio. You’re welcome to come along.”

“Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

“Oh, and my wife and kids are going into town for Sunday school and church this morning. Christina would be happy to introduce you around.”

Tripp chewed his lip. Juniper Bluff was a small town. How likely was it that Diana went to the same church? Nope, not quite ready to risk running into her again. “Maybe next time, after I get a little more organized.”

“Sure thing.” Seth clucked to his horse and continued along the lane. “Let me know if you’re interested in that trail ride.”

“I will. Thanks.”

While Tripp finished breakfast, the nickering of horses, birdcalls from the treetops and the scent of cedar in the air lulled him into the deepest sense of relaxation he’d felt since before he started veterinary school. Man, did he need this! After a couple of debilitating flare-ups within the last several months, his doctor had warned him that if he didn’t significantly reduce his stress level, keeping the Crohn’s under control would be next to impossible.

From beyond the trees came the sounds of doors banging and children’s laughter. The campers must be up and about. Tripp took the commotion as his cue to go inside.

As he set his breakfast dishes in the sink, his cell phone rang. The display showed his little sister, Brooke’s name and number. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey, yourself. All moved in yet?” Much more a morning person than Tripp would ever be, she sounded way too perky for 6 a.m. California time.

“Getting there. How’s it going with Mom?”

Brooke’s long sigh drained all the lightness from her tone. “Not so good, Tripp. She’s trying hard to be positive, but the dialysis routine is wearing her down.”

Tripp sank into the nearest chair and massaged his eye sockets. Fighting kidney disease for the past few years, their mom seemed closer than ever to losing the battle. “How’s Dad handling it?”

“He’s struggling. Yesterday I caught him behind the garage crying his eyes out.”

The image of his father breaking down brought a catch to Tripp’s throat. “I’m glad they moved out there with you, but I feel bad I can’t be of more help.” As the only family member who’d tested close enough to be a potential match for kidney donation, he felt even worse. The Crohn’s made him ineligible. “Maybe I should have transferred to a vet clinic near you in Los Angeles instead of staying here in Texas.”

“No, Tripp, you’d hate it here. I would never have relocated to LA if not for Jeff—and then right when I thought the jerk was about to propose—” A gulp left the rest of her statement unspoken. “Tripp, I’m sorry. Our situations were totally different.”

“It’s okay. I get it.” But he could have done without the reminder of how he’d ended things with Diana. Best to change the subject. “You still like your job, right?”

“Definitely.” A smile had returned to her voice. “Getting promoted to accounts manager for an advertising firm has been my dream since college. So whenever I start fixating on...other things...I remind myself of the story of Joseph in the Bible where he tells his brothers, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.’” Her tone softened. “You need to believe that, too.”

“Yeah, most days I try.” The thing was, Tripp had never wanted to hurt Diana, not in a million years. His Crohn’s diagnosis had hit him hard, though, and he felt he had to come to grips with it on his own before even considering bringing that kind of baggage into a relationship. During those difficult early months of two steps forward, one step back, as he learned to live with the disease, he’d convinced himself he’d done Diana a kindness by letting her go.

“Hey, bro, I really called to find out how you’re doing. Do you like the new clinic?”

“Nice people, a lot less stress. I think it’ll be a good fit.” Except for one tiny detail. “Uh, Brooke?” Back to the subject he didn’t seem able to avoid. “Did you happen to remember Juniper Bluff is where Diana Matthews is from?”

“Diana—oh, wow! It’s been so long I’d forgotten.” A concerned pause hung between them. “Does she still live there? Have you seen her?”

“Yes, and yes. She runs her own bakery and coffee shop, Diana’s Donuts. My new partner took me there for coffee yesterday.”

“Yikes. Was it ridiculously awkward?”

“You could say so.” Their second encounter at the supermarket deli hadn’t been much easier.

“Maybe this is your chance to clear the air. I still can’t believe you never told her why you ended things. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to keep your secret?”

“I know. It wasn’t fair.” He plowed his fingers through his hair. “But she’s got her own life now. After all this time, what if telling her the truth only hurts her more?”

“Or...what if it gives you two a chance to fall in love all over again?”

Tripp hadn’t so much as hinted that Diana was still single, and now he wasn’t about to. Seemed like the perfect time to end the call, before his sister went any more hopelessly romantic on him. “How about you tend to your own love life and let me tend to mine.” Dismal as it was. “Bye, sis. Give Mom and Dad hugs for me.”

Later, as he arranged socks and T-shirts in the chest of drawers, his hand grazed the small velveteen box he’d never been able to part with, its contents an ever-present reminder of what he’d given up. He opened the lid for one more longing look at the classically elegant diamond ring nestled inside, while his sister’s parting words played through his mind. What if he and Diana really could find their way back to each other?

And how many more regrets would he carry through life if he didn’t try?

* * *

Closing the shop after the early Sunday morning coffee-and-doughnuts rush, Diana almost decided to skip church. Why risk running into Tripp again in case he tagged along with Doc Ingram?

But the past was the past, and she was a big girl now. Anyway, Juniper Bluff was too small a town to avoid Tripp for long—seeing him twice in the same day had proven as much—and she refused to rearrange her life on his account.

Even so, when Doc Ingram and his wife arrived without Tripp in tow, Diana relaxed slightly. She offered a friendly nod but couldn’t help wondering how much Tripp had revealed about their shared history.

Leaving the sanctuary after worship, Diana spotted Christina Austin, pregnant with twins and already showing. Her service dog, Gracie, stood faithfully at her side. The gentle golden retriever, who helped Christina deal with the aftereffects of the traumatic brain injury she’d suffered in a car accident a few years ago, reminded Diana yet again how an animal’s love and devotion could make a positive difference in someone’s life.

She ambled over to say hello. “Hey, lady, how are things at the ranch?”

Christina turned with a cheery smile. She held the hand of her seven-year-old stepdaughter, Eva. “It’s another Camp Serenity weekend. Need I say more?”

“Ah. That explains your handsome hubby’s absence. Did Joseph stay home, too?”

“No, he’s around here somewhere.” Christina’s glance swept the crowded foyer. “He had a question about his pony for Doc Ingram.”

Eva looped one arm around Gracie’s neck. “I have a pony now, too,” she told Diana. “Her name’s Candy.”

“Wow, that’s great!” Diana knelt to tweak Eva’s pale yellow curls. “Can I come see her sometime?”

“Sure. We’re gonna do a trail ride with the campers after lunch. Wanna come with us?”

Diana hadn’t had much time lately to take her own horse out on the trail, and the weather today would be perfect. She pushed to her feet. “What time are y’all heading out?”

“They’ll saddle up around one thirty,” Christina replied. “Seth can always use an extra hand to keep those energetic campers in line.” She patted her pregnant belly. “And I’m not much help these days, especially if it involves getting on a horse.”

“It does sound fun.” Diana checked her watch. She could easily grab a bite for lunch, run out to her parents’ ranch to load Mona in the horse trailer and make it out to Serenity Hills in time for the ride. “Okay, count me in.”

By one o’clock she’d stowed her saddle and other gear in the tack compartment of her dad’s one-horse trailer, already hitched to his pickup. Mona, her copper penny bay mare, looked eager for a change of scenery and pranced into the trailer with her head held high.

“Hope you settle down before we get there,” Diana said as she clipped the trailer tie to Mona’s halter. “I don’t need any extra drama this weekend.” Seeing Tripp Willoughby walk into her doughnut shop yesterday was about all the drama she could handle for the next, oh, fifty years or so.

At Serenity Hills, Seth Austin and his stable hands already had several horses saddled and tied to the corral fence. Waving to him as she passed, Diana pulled into a parking area next to the barn.

As she stepped around to the rear of the horse trailer, Seth ambled over and offered a friendly hug. “Christina said you’d probably join us. Need some help with Mona?”

“I’m fine.” Diana grinned toward the camp counselors struggling to buckle riding helmets onto the heads of several rambunctious campers. “Anyway, looks like you’ve got your hands full over there.”

“That’s the truth. Two more hours and we’ll have peace and quiet again.” Seth exaggerated a look of fatigue, but Diana knew how much he enjoyed the arrangement he and his grandparents, Bryan and Marie Peterson, had made with the San Antonio–based philanthropic organization that sponsored Camp Serenity. Besides saving the family from having to sell the guest ranch, the camp provided fun and adventure for kids who might otherwise never have the chance to get out of the city, much less to learn about horses and riding.

Diana unlatched the trailer door, and Seth gave her a hand lowering the ramp. Sidling into the trailer, Diana clipped a lead rope to Mona’s halter and prepared to back her down the ramp. Apparently, the drive over had only heightened the mare’s excitement. “Easy, girl.”

“She’s lookin’ kind of feisty.” Seth laid a steadying hand on Mona’s rump.

“No kidding.” Diana barely got her toe out of the way in time to keep from getting stomped on. “Maybe I’ll take her over to the round pen and see if I can settle her down some.”

Seth returned to his campers while Diana walked Mona to the round pen. Standing in the center of the fifty-foot-diameter pen, Diana used a lunge whip to send her horse into a trot around the perimeter. When Mona began to settle down after a few circuits, Diana wasn’t quite so concerned about getting tossed on her keister somewhere out on the trail.

At the horse trailer, she buckled on Mona’s saddle and bridle and mounted up as Seth started her way leading his trail riders. Immediately behind him were Joseph on Spot and Eva riding her new palomino pony.

One hand gripping the reins and saddle horn, the little girl grinned and waved. “Hey, Miss Diana! You came!”

“Sure did, hon. Is this Candy? She’s adorable!”

Eva beamed. “You can ride next to me, okay?”

“Love to.” Diana prepared to fall in step.

Then, as she glanced back toward the other riders in the lineup, a familiar pair of crystal-blue eyes locked gazes with her—Tripp.

She froze, her jaw going slack, while Tripp Willoughby drew closer and closer.

“Miss Diana,” Eva called, “hurry and catch up.”

She snapped her mouth shut. Nudging Mona with her boot heels, she reined the horse around and trotted up next to Eva. When she could find her voice, she said, “Hey, Seth, what’s with the, um, new volunteer?”

Straining to look past her over his shoulder, Seth grinned. “Oh, you mean Doc Ingram’s new partner? He’s just along for the ride. We’re renting him one of the staff cabins.”

“So he’s...he’s living here?” Her voice climbed an octave. “On your ranch?”

“Yep. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce you. Remind me when we get back later.”

Diana grimaced. “That’s okay. We’ve already met.”

* * *

Diana was riding with them? Great. And Tripp assumed living out at Serenity Hills would mean fewer unexpected encounters with the woman he’d never gotten out of his heart.

Could this move to Juniper Bluff get any more complicated?

Maybe if he made sure to stay at the rear of the line, he could spare them both more discomfort.

And yet...man, she looked good on the back of a horse! He’d seen Diana in boots and jeans plenty of times, even gone riding with her when they used to spend weekends now and then at his grandparents’ place outside Austin. The passage of time had only made her more beautiful, and though he did miss the long hair, her shorter, perkier ponytail poking out beneath a tan felt Stetson added a certain amount of sass.

Not that she didn’t have plenty already. The look she’d shot him a few moments ago was one hundred percent sass. Although in that split second of recognition, Tripp had definitely glimpsed something else in her expression, and it looked a whole lot like panic. Considering he’d had the same reaction to their third unplanned meeting in less than two days, he ought to know.

Noticing his poky old cow horse was falling behind, he gave the beast a gentle kick. “Git up, Tex. No backing out now. Might as well see this through.”

The trail meandered past a small lake and picnic area, then up a rocky slope shaded by cedars and live oaks. The hills should have been teeming with birds and animals, but with the campers laughing and howling like wild animals themselves, any expectations Tripp had about observing wildlife soon vanished.

He was too busy watching Diana anyway. And making sure to keep a nice, safe distance between them. Once or twice on the way up the hillside, she scrunched up her shoulders as if she could feel his eyes on her, but she never looked back.

Soon the trail opened into a meadow tufted with brown grass. Up ahead, Seth angled right, leading the riders in a wide circle as they changed directions for the return to the barn. In another few strides, Diana would be riding directly toward Tripp. His pulse ratcheted up a good twenty beats per minute. Would she say anything? Would she even look at him?

“Hi, Tripp.” She spoke. Even smiled. At least he thought so. With her face shaded by the hat and a pair of sporty sunglasses, it was hard to be sure. “Enjoying the ride?”

He had about three seconds before their paths would diverge. “Yeah, can’t beat this weather.”

“Mmm-hmm.” The quirk of her mouth told him exactly how lame his reply had sounded.

When she rode on by and he was once again bringing up the rear, he let out a frustrated sigh. Brooke was right—eventually he needed to be honest with Diana about why he’d broken things off. Maybe if she knew the truth, she’d forgive him.

If only he could count on forgiveness being her only response. The whole point of not telling her in the first place was so she wouldn’t stick by him out of pity or obligation. If they did have any chance of starting over—if Diana would even give him the time of day after how he’d hurt her—he wasn’t about to risk a “sympathy relationship” by playing the Crohn’s card.

Up ahead, a flicker of motion caught Tripp’s eye—a startled deer bounding into the woods. In the same instant, Diana’s horse shied and skittered sideways. Tripp swallowed a gasp as Diana landed hard in a clump of dry grass.

“Hold up, everyone,” Seth shouted as he wheeled his horse around. He instructed those nearest Diana to move their horses a safe distance away.

Tripp wasn’t waiting. He urged Tex forward, swinging out of the saddle the moment he drew even with Diana. He knelt beside her, resisting the impulse to physically check her for broken bones. “You okay?”

“Stupid horse. I knew she was way too full of herself.” Diana sat up and rubbed her hip, then groaned as she snatched up her mangled sunglasses. “There goes fifty bucks down the drain.”

Tripp couldn’t care less about the glasses. “Take it slow. You might be hurt worse than you think.”

“Stop looking at me like I’m one of your patients.” Diana’s hat lay an arm’s reach away. She slapped it onto her head, then cautiously pushed to her feet. Brushing dead grass off her jeans, she scowled at Tripp. “I’m fine, I promise. The worst damage is to my ego.”

Seth rode over, leading Diana’s horse. “Here you go.” He snickered as he handed her the reins. “Guess y’all should have taken a little longer in the round pen.”

“Guess you should keep your opinions to yourself, cowboy.” Diana’s sharp tone didn’t match the teasing twinkle in her eye, which reassured Tripp she really was unhurt.

Her horse still looked a little skittish, so Tripp kept a firm grip on the mare’s bridle while Diana climbed into the saddle. Once she’d settled, he looked around for his own mount. Tex hadn’t wandered far, seeming content to munch on grass and ignore the commotion. Back in the saddle, Tripp decided he’d risk Diana’s scorn and ride next to her in case her horse acted up again.

By then, the other riders had continued on, leaving Tripp and Diana at the back of the line. Exhaling loudly, she glanced over. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”

He cocked his head and grinned. “Yeah, it brought back memories.”

“Oh, please. Don’t you dare bring up the time at your grandparents’ when my horse threw me into the water trough.”

At least she was smiling—a good sign. “That had to be a softer landing than today.”

“No kidding. My hip’s going to be a zillion shades of purple by this time tomorrow.” Diana sat straighter and cleared her throat. “We should catch up with the others. I still need to go visit my aunt this afternoon.”

“Aunt Jennie’s in town?”

She looked surprised he’d remembered the great-aunt she’d always been so fond of. “Yes, as of yesterday.” Briefly, Diana told him about moving Aunt Jennie into the assisted-living center. “I’m just sorry she had to give up her dog. Juniper Bluff really needs a therapy pets program.”

“If you need help starting one—”

“Got it covered.” Diana clucked to her horse. “Let’s go, Mona. We’re getting left behind.”