Читать книгу One Summer At The Ranch: The Wyoming Cowboy / A Family for the Rugged Rancher / The Man Who Had Everything - Rebecca Winters, Christine Rimmer - Страница 14
ОглавлениеThe man and horse truly were one.
Talk about rugged elegance personified in its purest form!
Except for Johnny, everyone else sitting on their mounts was speechless. Tracy realized she was staring and looked away, but she’d never get that picture of him out of her mind. The quintessential cowboy had been indelibly inscribed there.
“If you’ll follow me,” came his deep voice, “we’ll take a short ride past the cabins. On the way back, I have a surprise for you.”
“Won’t you tell us?” Sam called to him.
“No,” his sister chided him. “Then it won’t be a surprise.”
Tracy exchanged an amused glance with the Harrises. The three of them rode behind the children. Johnny caught up to Carson. Two cowboys—one short, one tall—both wearing black Stetsons. She would love to hear their conversation, but the only sound drifting back was the occasional cough.
To see her son riding so proudly on his pony next to his mentor brought tears to her eyes. They’d been here such a short time, yet already he was loving this and showed no fear. Coming to the Tetons had been the right thing to do!
In the last twelve hours she hadn’t heard him talk once about his father. In truth, Tony hadn’t been actively in her thoughts, either. Neither she nor Johnny had memories here. The new setting and experiences had pushed the past to the background for a little while. As Natalie had reminded her, this was what the right kind of vacation was supposed to do for you.
Tracy hadn’t believed it was possible, but this evening she was confronted with living proof that Johnny was enjoying life again. So was she. The old adage about a mother being as happy as her saddest child could have been coined with her and her son in mind. But not tonight. Not tonight.
At one point, Carson turned his horse around. Flashing everyone a glance he said, “We’re going to head back now. The first person to figure out my surprise gets to choose the video for us to watch in the game room afterward.”
The children cried out with excitement and urged their horses around, which took a little doing. Carson gave them some pointers. Tracy listened to his instructions so she wouldn’t be the only one who had trouble handling her horse.
Pretty soon they were all facing west. Sam’s hand went up like he was in school. Johnny’s hand followed too late.
“Tell us what you think, Sam.”
“The mountains have turned into giants!”
“That’s what I was going to say,” Johnny muttered. Tracy hoped he wouldn’t pout.
Carson’s horse danced in place. “They do look pretty imposing, but I’m still waiting for the special answer.”
“I know.”
“Go ahead, Rachel.”
“The sun has gone down behind them, lighting up the whole sky with colors.”
“Congratulations! It’s the greatest sight this side of the Continental Divide.” Carson lifted his hat in a sweeping gesture, delighting her. “The lovely young cowgirl on Mitzi wins the prize.”
After the grownups clapped, Monica let out a sigh. “It’s probably the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen, and we’ve watched thousands of them over the ocean in Florida, haven’t we, Ralph.”
“You can say that again.”
Tracy agreed with them, especially the way the orangey-pink tones painted Carson’s face before his hat went back on.
A sly smile broke the corner of his mouth. “First person to reach the corral wins a new currycomb.”
Sam’s brows wrinkled. “A curry what?”
“A kind of comb to clean your ponies after a ride. They love it.”
“Come on!” Johnny shouted and made some clicking sounds with his tongue the way Carson had shown him. Goldie obeyed and started walking. In her heart of hearts, Tracy wanted her son to win.
In the end, the ponies hurried after Goldie. They kept up with each other and rode in together. Carson smiled at them. “You all win.”
“Yay!”
While Bert helped the children down and unsaddled their ponies, Carson went into the barn and brought them each their prizes. Once he’d dismounted, he removed the tack from his horse and showed them how to move the round metal combs in circles. They got to work with a diligence any parents could be proud of. Then they watered the horses and gave them oats.
He was a master teacher. Tonight they’d learned lessons they’d never forget—how to appreciate a beautiful sunset, how to care for an animal, how to handle competition. The list went on and on, increasing her admiration for him.
“Who wants a ride back to the house?”
“We do!”
“Then come on.” He punctuated it with a cough. “There’s room for everyone in the back.”
The men lifted the children. While Ralph helped Monica, Carson picked up Tracy. This time the contact of their thighs brushing against each other flowed through her like a current of electricity. She tried to suppress her gasp but feared he’d heard it.
On the short trip through the sage, the kids sang. They sounded happy, and Tracy started singing with them. It took her back to her youth. She’d had a pretty idyllic childhood. When Carson pulled the truck up in front of the house, she didn’t want the moment to end.
Ralph moved first and helped everyone down, including Tracy. That was good. She didn’t dare get that close to Carson again tonight. He’d kept the engine idling and said he’d see them in a minute before he took off around the back of the house. Everyone hurried inside to wash up.
Soon Carson joined them, bringing sodas from the kitchen. He sat on one of the leather chairs while the rest of them gathered round the big screen on two large leather couches. Fortunately, they had the game room to themselves.
To the boys’ disappointment, Rachel chose The Princess Bride, but Tracy enjoyed it and got the feeling all the grownups did, too. Before it was over, both Sam and Johnny’s eyes had closed. Ralph took his son home, leaving Rachel to finish the film with her mom.
Carson eyed Tracy. “Johnny’s had a big day, too. I’ll walk you to your cabin.”
Her heart jumped at the idea of being alone with him, but to turn him down would cause attention. Instead, she said good-night to the others and followed him out of the ranch house while he held Johnny’s hand. Her son was pretty groggy all the way to the cabin.
Tracy had to laugh when he staggered into the bedroom. Carson looked on with a smile as she got him changed into pajamas and tucked him into bed without a visit to the bathroom. “My son is zonked.”
He nodded. “Johnny’s gone nonstop all day. This altitude wears a man out.”
She turned off the light and they went into the front room where another bout of coughing ensued. Tracy darted him an anxious glance. “You should be in bed, too.”
Carson cocked his head. “Is that your polite way of trying to get me to leave?”
She hadn’t expected that question. “No—” she answered rather too emotionally, revealing her guilt. “Not at all.”
“Good, because I rested earlier and now I’m not tired.” He removed his hat and tossed it on the table.
“Please help yourself to any of the snacks.” She folded her legs under her and sank down on the end of the couch.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He reached for the pine nuts. The next thing she knew, he’d lounged back in one of the overstuffed chairs, extending his long legs. “We need to have a little talk.”
Alarmed, she sat forward. “Is there something wrong?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Between narrowed lids his eyes burned a hot blue, searing her insides.
“I don’t understand.”
He stopped munching. “I think you do. You need to be honest with me. Are you uncomfortable around me?”
She swallowed with difficulty, looking everywhere except at him. “If I’ve made you feel that way, then it’s purely unintentional. I’m so sorry.”
“So you do admit there’s a problem.”
Tracy got to her feet. “Not with you,” she murmured.
“Johnny, then?”
Her eyes widened. “How can you even ask me that?”
The question seemed to please him because the muscles in his face relaxed. “Does your family wish you hadn’t come?”
“I know my in-laws were astounded you and your friends had made such an opportunity available in honor of their son. They were really touched, but I believe they thought Johnny would want to turn right around and come home.”
One brow dipped. “Is that what you thought, too?”
“When I first told Johnny about the letter, he said he didn’t want to go. I knew why. Wyoming sounded too far away.”
“What did you do to change his mind?”
“I asked him if he at least wanted to see the brochure you sent. He agreed to take a look. The second he saw that photo of the Tetons, he was blown away.”
Their gazes fused. “Those mountains have a profound effect on everyone.”
“Then he wanted to know about white water. But something extraordinary happened when he saw that gigantic elk with the huge horns...” Carson chuckled. “He looked at me and I felt his soul peer into mine before he asked me if I wanted to go. He always asks me first how I feel when he wants something but is afraid to tell me.
“I still wasn’t sure how he’d feel after he got here. In retrospect, even if he’d wanted to turn right around, that airplane trip from Salt Lake would have put him off flying for a while.”
Carson’s smile widened, giving her heart another workout.
“My sister-in-law Natalie thought it was a fantastic opportunity and urged me to accept the invitation, but I don’t know how my in-laws really felt about my taking their grandson to another part of the continent.”
The tension grew. “Now that you’ve ruled out all of that, we’re back to my original question, the one you still haven’t answered.”
Naturally he hadn’t forgotten where this conversation had been headed and wouldn’t leave the cabin while he waited for the truth. “As you’ve probably divined, I’m the problem.”
“Why?”
He had a side to him that could be blunt and direct when the occasion demanded. It caught her off guard. “I guess there was one thing I hadn’t thought about before we left. After we arrived here, it took me by surprise.”
“Explain what you mean.” He wasn’t going to let this go.
She took a fortifying breath. “I assumed we’d be coming to a vacation spot with all the activities mentioned, but it has turned out to be...more.”
“In what regard?”
“I—I didn’t expect the one-on-one treatment,” her voice faltered.
“From me and my buddies?”
“Yes.”
He got to his feet. “But that was the whole point.”
Tracy nodded. “I realize that now. But for some reason, I didn’t think your business enterprise meant it would be a hands-on experience involving you so personally.”
His brows met in a frown. “A dude ranch is meant to cater to the individual. If the three of us weren’t here, there’d be others giving you the same attention. After losing your husband, does it bother you to be around other males again? Is that what this is about? I’ve half suspected as much.”
She felt her face growing red as an apple.
“Have you even been out with a man since he died?”
“I’ve been to faculty functions with men, but they’ve always been in groups.”
“In other words, no, you haven’t.”
“No,” she whispered.
“And now you’re suddenly thrown together with three bachelors practically 24/7.” He put his hands on his hips in a totally male stance. “I get it. And I’ll tell you something.”
At this juncture, she felt like too much of a fool to know what to say, so she let him talk.
“I haven’t been out with a woman since I was transported from the Middle East to Walter Reed Medical Center. When we were discharged, I felt like I was going home to die. The only thing that kept me going was this plan I dreamed up with Ross and Buck to bring a little happiness to the families who were suffering the loss of a husband and father.
“Lady—when I saw you walk through the airport terminal, I was as unprepared as you were. It was one thing to visualize Anthony Baretta’s widow and his son in my mind, but quite another to be confronted with the sight of you in the flesh.”
Tracy lowered her head. “After thinking of you in the abstract, the sight of you was pretty overwhelming, too,” she confessed. “I guess we’d been picturing three marines in uniform whom we’d get to meet at some point during our stay so we could thank you. Instead, we were greeted by the king of the cowboys, as Johnny refers to you in private. He wasn’t prepared, either, and clung to me for a long moment.”
“I remember,” he said in a husky-sounding voice before another cough came on. “From a distance, he was your husband’s replica. That is, until I saw both your faces close up.”
She eyed him covertly. Close up or at a distance, Carson Lundgren was no man’s replica. He was an original with a stature to match the mountains outside the cabin door. “I’m glad we had this conversation. I feel much better about everything.”
“So do I. From now on we each understand where the other is coming from. It’ll make everything easier.”
Not necessarily. Not while her pulse was racing too hard.
“Pardon the expression, but you and Johnny are our guinea pigs in this venture. The next family we’ve invited will be arriving next month. Because of you, we’ll be much better prepared for the emotional upheaval created by war, whatever it is. Thank you for being honest with me. It means more than you know.”
“Thank you for a wonderful day.”
His eyes deepened in color. “There’s more to come tomorrow, if you’re up for it. But after Johnny’s experience flying into Jackson, maybe not.”
She took an extra breath. “You’re talking about a hot-air-balloon ride? The kind mentioned in your brochure?”
“It’s an unprecedented way to experience the Teton Valley. Buck will be taking some groups up.”
“I’d love to go, but I’ll have to feel out Johnny in the morning before breakfast. If it’s mentioned at the table and the other children want to g—”
“I hear you,” he broke in. “Johnny might be afraid, but will be too scared to admit it. I don’t want to put him under any pressure. When you know how he feels, call the front desk. They’ll put you through to me. If necessary, I’ll give Buck a heads-up.”
“Thank you. You have unusual understanding of children.”
“I was a child once and had my share of fears to deal with. Peer pressure was a killer. I’m thinking that if he doesn’t like the balloon idea, then we’ll take a longer horseback ride tomorrow and enjoy an overnight campout on the property.” He put his hat back on, ready to leave. For once she wasn’t ready to let him go, but she had to.
“I can tell you right now he’ll be in ecstasy over that option.”
“Good. If it turns out to be successful, then he’ll probably be ready to do another one in Teton Park. We’ll take the horses up to String Lake. It’s a great place to swim and hike around.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
She had to remember that he was working out the rest of their vacation agenda rather than making a date with her. Yet that’s what it felt like. Her reaction was ridiculous considering she was a mother of twenty-seven instead of some vulnerable nineteen-year-old.
The only time she’d ever felt like this before was when she’d driven to Cleveland with some of her girlfriends from college. They were having a picnic at Lakefront State Park when a crew of firefighters had pulled up to eat their lunch and toss a football around. The cutest guy in the group started flirting with her. Mr. Personality. He could talk his way in or out of anything. Tony was a mover who told her after one date that he was going to marry her.
When she thought of Carson, there was no point of comparison because he wasn’t pursuing her. That was why she was a fool trying to make one.
“All we’ve talked about is Johnny’s pleasure. Since this vacation is for you, too, why don’t you tell me something you’d like to do while you’re here?”
She laughed gently. “If he’s happy, then that’s what makes me happy, but I have to admit I enjoy riding. I had no idea I’d like it this much. You’re a great teacher.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
“It’s true.” After a brief pause because she suddenly felt tongue-tied, she wished him goodnight. He tipped his hat and left.
Tracy closed the door behind him and locked it. Though he’d walked away as if he was glad the air had been cleared, she was afraid she’d offended him. It was humiliating to realize he’d figured out her lame hang-up about being around a man again before she’d articulated it.
To make certain she didn’t get the wrong idea about him, Carson had revealed his own surprise at meeting her. Then, in the nicest way possible, he’d let her have it by spelling it out she wasn’t the only one suffering emotional fallout from the war.
When she finally got into bed, she felt worse than a fool.
* * *
WHEN TRACY STEPPED out of the shower, she could hear Johnny talking to someone. Throwing on a robe, she walked into the bedroom just as he put her cell phone on the bedside table.
“Who was that, honey?”
“Grandma and Grandpa.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you were in the bathroom. They said they’d call back tomorrow morning ’cos they were in a hurry.”
“How are they?”
“Fine. They want to see me ride Goldie. I told them Carson’s been teaching me and took us to get my cowboy outfit and cap gun.” He ran over and gave her an exuberant hug. “I’m having the best time of my whole life!”
“I’m so glad.”
“When are we going home?”
Uh-oh. “Next Saturday morning. Why? Are you missing them too much?”
“No. What’s today?”
“Monday.” Time was flying.
She could hear him counting in his head. “So we have five more days?”
“Yes.”
“Goody! I don’t want to go home. I can’t leave Goldie.”
Tracy knew he’d said it in the heat of the moment, and she was happy about it, but the implication for what it might portend for the future stole some of her happiness.
Though home would be wonderfully familiar to her son after they got back, he would suffer his first attack of culture shock, because nothing in Sandusky or Cleveland compared remotely to Wyoming’s Teton Valley.
“Mom? Do you like it here?”
That was one of his trick questions. He needed to find out what she really thought before he expressed exactly what he thought. No doubt her in-laws had asked him the same question.
She ruffled his hair. “What do you think? I got on a horse, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” he answered in a quiet tone.
Something else was definitely on his mind, but she didn’t know if he was ready to broach it yet, so she asked him a question. “How would you like to go up in a hot-air balloon today and see the whole area?”
Tracy had to wait a long time for the answer she knew was coming. “Do you?” That lackluster question told her everything.
“I don’t know. There are so many things to do here, it’s hard to pick. We could fish or swim, or go on a hike.”
No response.
“Maybe we ought to have a break and drive into town to do some sightseeing. I’ll buy you some more caps.”
“I don’t want to do that,” he muttered.
“Or...we could go horseback riding. I like it.”
He shot up in her bed. His dark brown eyes had ignited. “I love it.”
His reaction was no surprise, but the intensity of it had come from some part deep inside of him. “Then it’s settled. Hurry and have your bath. After we’re dressed we’ll have breakfast and walk over to the corral.”
Johnny pressed a big kiss right on her mouth. That told her everything she needed to know before he scrambled out of her bed to the bathroom. When he was out of earshot, she called the front desk and was quickly put through to Carson.
“Good morning, Tracy.” His voice sounded an octave lower, sending vibrations through her. Maybe it was due to his coughing, or maybe he sounded like that when he first awakened. “What’s the verdict for today?”
She smiled. “Surely you don’t need to ask.”
“Well that answer suits me just fine, since there’s nothing I’d rather do than be on the back of a horse. I’ll tell Buck to go on without you. After you’ve eaten breakfast, I’ll come by the cabin. You’ll need saddlebags to pack your things to stay overnight and go swimming.”
“Swimming?”
“Yes. We’ll be camping next to a small lake on the property. If Johnny has a camera, tell him to bring it. He’ll have a field day taking pictures of the wildlife I was talking to you about.”
An unbidden thrill of excitement ran through her. “We’ll hurry.”
* * *
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES later Carson swung by the cabin in the Jeep, having sent some of the hands to the lake to make preparations for everyone. Johnny was outside shooting off caps.
“Carson!” Like a heat-seeking missile, Tracy’s boy came running in his cowboy hat. “Mom said we’re going on a campout!” He clasped him around the waist, hugging him with such surprising strength, his hat fell off. Johnny had never been this demonstrative before.
Without hesitation, Carson hugged him back. “We sure are, partner,” he answered in an unsteady voice, loving the feel of those young arms clinging to him. Nothing had ever felt so good.
As he started coughing, he looked up and saw Tracy on the porch step, but was unable to read her expression. She’d told him Johnny was protective of her. Without saying more than that, Carson got the point. Her son had a tendency to guard her.
But she couldn’t have missed witnessing his exuberance with Carson just now. It had probably shocked her as much as it had him. Needing to return the situation to normal as fast as possible, he reached in the back of the Jeep and handed Johnny some gear.
“These saddlebags are for your stuff. The bigger one is for your mom. Will you take them into the cabin so she can pack what you need?”
“Sure.”
“Remember to bring a jacket.”
He flashed him a huge smile. “I will. I’ll be right back.”
Carson kept his distance and lounged against the side of the Jeep to wait. Pretty soon they came out. Johnny carried both bags and handed them to Carson to put in the back. It warmed his heart to see the boy was a quick learner.
“Can I ride in front, Mom?”
“If it’s all right with Carson.”
“Anything goes around here. Come on.” He opened both passenger doors for them, avoiding eye contact with her. So much for the talk they’d had last night. Considering he was more aware of her than ever, it had accomplished absolutely nothing. “We’ll drive to the barn and mount up.”
“How come Rachel and Sam didn’t come to breakfast?”
In the rearview mirror he noticed a pair of hazel eyes fastened on him.
“They ate early and went on an activity with Buck. He’ll bring them to the camp later, but they won’t be riding up with us.”
“Hooray!”
“Johnny—” his mother scolded. “That wasn’t nice to say.”
“I’m sorry, but their ponies always come right up to mine.”
Carson glanced at him in surprise. “So you noticed.” He had natural horse sense. Everything the boy said and did pleased him.
“Yeah. They get in the way.”
“I know what you mean. When it happens again, I’ll teach you a simple trick so they’ll leave Goldie alone.”
“Thanks! How come they do that?”
“Have you ever heard of the three blind mice who hung around together?”
Johnny giggled. “Yes.”
“That’s what the ponies do, because they’re friends. When you’re on Goldie, you have to show them who’s the boss.”
“But how?”
“Have you ever heard the expression giddyup?”
“Yup.”
“Well, you’re going to practice saying that to Goldie today. And when you say it, you’re going to nudge her sides with your heels. That’ll make her go faster. Pretty soon she’ll start to go faster every time you say the word and you won’t need to use your heels. When she understands, then you wait until you’re riding with the other kids. If their ponies start to crowd in on you, just call out ‘giddyup’ and see what happens.”
“But what if that makes the other ponies go faster, too?”
Carson threw his head back and laughed, producing another cough. When it subsided, he could still hear Tracy’s laughter. “That’s a very astute question, partner. In all probability it will, so you’ll have to ride even harder and make a lot of noise. But you’ll also need to be prepared to pull on the reins so you don’t lose control.”
“That’s going to be fun!”
Johnny bounced up and down on the seat all the way to the barn where their horses and pony were saddled. Carson parked the Jeep outside before grabbing the bags, including his own. He fastened a set behind each saddle while Bert helped Tracy and Johnny to mount.
Bert waved them off. “Have a good ride!”
“Thanks. We will!” Johnny called back. “See ya tomorrow, Bert.”
“Okay, young fella.”
Add another fan to Johnny Baretta’s list. To charm old Bert wasn’t an easy feat. So far the waitresses and desk staff, not to mention Carson’s buddies, found him delightful.
Carson hadn’t personally known Anthony Baretta, but he had a reputation in their division for being well liked and easy to get along with. Like father, like son.
Carson led them along a track through the sage in a northeastly direction. Johnny followed, and Tracy brought up the rear. When they’d been going for a while, he fell back alongside Johnny and told him to start working on Goldie.
The first few times the boy said giddyup, he didn’t use his heels fast enough and nothing happened. Johnny’s frustration started to build.
“You have to be patient and listen to Carson, honey.”
“But I am listening, Mom.”
“Sure you are,” Carson encouraged him. “The trick is to use your heels at exactly the same time you call out. Try a louder voice the next time.”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
“Then you keep trying until it does. Did I ever tell you about the first time I learned to ride a bull?”
“No. What happened?”
“I was training for the junior bull-riding competition. It was awful. I got unseated so fast every time, I was ready to cry.”
“Did you?” came the solemn question.
“Almost. But then I looked at my grandpa. He was just standing there by the gate with a smile, telling me to try it again.”
“What did you do?”
“I got so mad, I walked back behind the barrier and climbed on another bull. When the gate opened, I concentrated on what I’d learned, and guess what? I stayed on long enough for the other cowboys watching to clap.”
“I bet your grandpa was happy.”
“Yup, but not as happy as I was.”
“I think I’ll wait a little while before I try again,” he announced.
Carson understood Johnny’s sentiments well enough. He’d been there and done that many times before. “That’s fine. We’re in no hurry.”
Tracy drew up along the other side of her son. “I hope you don’t wait too long. We’re coming to the forest.”
Carson could sense her desire for Johnny to conquer this moment. It managed to fire her son who got a determined look on his cute face. All of a sudden they heard a loud giddyup rend the air and Goldie took off trotting. Johnny let out a yelp.
“Pull on the reins and she’ll stop.”
To Carson’s delight, Johnny had the presence of mind to follow through and ended up doing everything right. He turned his pony toward them. “She minded me.”
“Yup.” Carson couldn’t be more proud if Johnny were his own son. “Now she knows who’s boss.”
“You were amazing, honey!”
“Thanks.”
When Tracy beamed like that, her beauty took Carson’s breath. She stared at him through glistening eyes. “You’ve worked magic with him.”
“He’s your son, don’t forget.”
“I can’t take any credit for this. His confidence level is through the roof. How do I thank you?”
“With that smile, you already have.”
“Hey, you guys—aren’t you coming?”
Johnny’s question broke the odd stillness that had suddenly enveloped them. Both their shoulders shook with laughter at the same time. “What’s the hurry?” Carson called out when he could find his voice.
“I want to keep riding.”
“You mean you’re not tired yet?”
“Tired? No way! Come on! Goldie wants to keep going.”
“We’re coming. Since you’re in the lead, we’ll continue to follow you.”
“What if I get lost?”
“Hey, partner—we can’t get lost. This is my back yard.”
“Back yard!” Johnny laughed hysterically. “You’re so funny, Carson.”
He blinked. “No one in the world has ever said that to me before.”
“Sometimes you really are,” Tracy concurred. “As my son has found out, it’s a very appealing side of you.”
Carson felt an adrenalin rush. Is that what you think too, Tracy?
“Mom? How come you guys keep talking?”
He heard her clear her throat. “Because we’re waiting for you to get going.” She darted Carson an amused glance.
“Oh.”
With less trouble than he’d demonstrated earlier, Johnny turned the palomino around and headed into the forest. The three of them were on the move once more, this time with Tracy at Carson’s side. But after they got into the thick of the pines, the trail became less discernible in spots. Carson pulled alongside Johnny. His mother stayed right behind them.
“Seen any bad guys yet?”
“No, but I’m keeping a lookout.”
“Got your mustang handy?”
“It’s in my pocket. How far is the lake?”
“We wind up the slope for two more miles.”
“What’s it called?”
“I call it Secret Lake.”
“Who else knows about it?”
“Only my best friends.”
“You mean Ross and Buck?”
“That’s right. And a few others. It’s my favorite place. I can’t let just anybody come up here. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a secret.”
Johnny looked over at him with those serious dark eyes. “Thanks for bringing me. I’m having the funnest time of my whole life.”
