Hill Country Reunion

Then Tripp was the one left behind, since the old trail horse was content to plod along at a snail’s pace. Just when he thought things were relaxing between him and Diana, she’d shut him down. Was there any hope at all they could come through this as friends?

Was he crazy to hope for more?

Chapter Three (#ua4a41274-e155-5f58-8947-b93fa350f6a0)

Returning to the barn after the ride, Tripp clipped Tex to the cross ties at the far end of the barn aisle and loosened the saddle cinch.

Seth moved down the line to check on the campers, then stopped next to Tripp. “So you and Diana know each other?”

“Small world, huh?” Tripp managed a quick laugh. “She and my sister were college roomies.” It was the truth. Just not all of it.

Hiking a brow, Seth tipped back his Stetson. “Yeah, that totally explains why you two are walking on eggshells around each other.”

“This goes in the tack room, right?” Tripp hefted the heavy saddle off Tex’s back.

“I’ll take care of it.” With a nod toward the barn door, Seth cast Tripp a knowing grin. “She’s limping a bit after that fall, so I’m sure she’d appreciate some help with her horse.”

Shoulders slumping, Tripp handed over the saddle. The sooner he and Diana could put this awkward phase behind them, the better. Squinting against the afternoon sun, he traipsed out of the barn, hauled in a deep breath and headed for Diana’s trailer.

She’d just gotten the horse loaded and grimaced as she stepped off the ramp, clearly favoring her bruised hip.

Tripp hurried over. “Here, let me give you a hand.”

“That’s okay, I’ve got it.” Turning, she bent to lift the ramp, then groaned beneath the weight.

“Sure you do.” Ignoring her refusal, Tripp donated his muscles to the cause. Together they hoisted the ramp into position and secured the latches.

Diana stepped back, dusting off her hands. “Thanks. Again.”

“My pleasure.” Tripp shifted his stance. “Look, Di—”

“I prefer Diana, if you don’t mind.”

“Sorry. Diana.” She wasn’t about to make this any easier. “It’s pretty clear my being here is making you uncomfortable, and I just wanted to say I’m sorry. If I’d known you were still in Juniper Bluff—”

“What? You’d have turned down Doc Ingram’s partnership?” Her withering stare made him flinch. “Yes, this is a small town, but it’s plenty big for both of us.”

He bristled. “I’m trying to apologize. We were having a nice conversation for a few minutes there on the trail, and I was hoping—”

“That we could be friends? Let bygones be bygones?” Diana brushed past him and marched around to the driver’s side of the pickup. “Sure, Tripp,” she called over her shoulder. “Don’t even think twice about it. It’s all in the past.”

Catching up, Tripp blocked her from opening the door. “First of all, quit finishing my sentences for me. Second, I get it. I hurt you, and I’ll regret it to my dying day. Third, yes, I would like it very much if we could start over as friends.” He let out a long, slow sigh and hoped his desperate half smile would win her over. “Please.”

Her throat shifted. She crossed her arms. “You’re right,” she murmured, “and I’m sorry. I don’t like this tension between us any better than you do.”

“Thank you.” A part of him really, really wanted to take her in his arms for a hug, but he figured that might be pushing things. Besides, he was afraid once he held her again, he’d never be able to let go.

She didn’t give him the chance anyway. After tossing her hat across to the other seat, she jumped in behind the steering wheel. “Need to get going. See you around.”

“Yeah.” Tripp stepped back as she yanked the door closed. “See you around.”

* * *

Diana could not leave Serenity Hills quickly enough. And there was nothing the least bit serene about her departure. She could see Tripp sincerely felt bad about barging back into her life. But friendship, after she’d thought they were on the verge of making a lifetime commitment? The fact that it still hurt so much only proved the depth of the feelings she once had for him.

Once? All right, still. Every man she’d dated since had the misfortune of being held to the standard set by Tripp Willoughby. Either the guy wasn’t funny, smart, kind or romantic enough, or if he happened to meet all those criteria, there remained the chance he’d dump Diana just like Tripp had. It was a lose-lose proposition any way she looked at it.

Arriving at her dad’s ranch, she returned Mona to the pasture, then backed the horse trailer into its spot next to the garage. Before she could get it unhitched, her dad came out to help.

“Have a good time?” he asked.

“It was fun—until Mona spooked and I hit the ground.”

“Uh-oh. You okay?”

“I’ll live.” Stooped over the trailer hitch, she could pretend her hip was the only thing bothering her.

When they’d moved the trailer tongue onto a cinder block, she thanked her dad and forestalled more questions by saying she needed to get home and change before going over to see Aunt Jennie. She just hoped to have her emotions a little more under control by then.

An hour later, with freshly washed, finger-combed hair and wearing a clean pair of jeans with a purple peasant top, Diana tapped on the door of her great-aunt’s tiny apartment. A soft “Coming, dear” and shuffling feet preceded the click of the doorknob. The door swung open, and Aunt Jennie welcomed Diana with a cheery smile and a warm hug.

Diana stepped into the cozy sitting room. Her great-aunt’s plush blue recliner and favorite antique end table added a homey touch. “Looks like Mom and Dad got you all settled. It’s a lovely apartment.”

“Yes, it’s quite comfortable, and the people here are as nice as can be.” Aunt Jennie sighed as she eased into the recliner. “Only one thing could make it better.”

“I know—you miss Ginger. Tell you what,” Diana said as she plopped onto the love seat. “One day this week I’ll take you over to my house and you can hug on my critters.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful.” A bright smile lit Aunt Jennie’s face. “Do you still have all three of those spoiled-rotten cats? And the rabbit, too?”

“Sure do. Plus a stray parakeet I found fluttering around the bird feeder last spring. He’s made himself right at home, and he knows how to show those cats who’s boss.”

As Diana described her menagerie, she itched to get rolling with her plans for a therapy pets program. Not only would it make Aunt Jennie’s transition a little easier, but pet visits could bring a spark of life and laughter to the other residents, as well.

* * *

The next morning, Diana awoke to a blaring clock radio and an overweight gray-striped tabby sitting on her chest. She slapped the off button on the radio while shoving the cat to one side. “Okay, okay, Tiger, I’m awake.”

Midnight and Lucinda, the tomcat’s partners in crime, paced across Diana’s feet, all apparently near starvation, if their plaintive mews could be believed.

The hardest part of owning a doughnut shop? The 4:00 a.m. wake-up call. And Diana had stayed up entirely too late last night downloading information and application forms for starting a therapy pets program. Tossing back the covers, she stumbled to the bathroom and splashed water on her face, then saw to her pets before sitting down to her own breakfast.

By 4:50 she was out the door. At the shop, she helped Kimberly start batches of doughnuts, muffins, scones and apple fritters, then set up the coffeemakers. At one minute before six, she flipped the Closed sign to Open and unlocked the door.

After the early-morning rush ended, she helped Kimberly get more pastries in the oven, then made herself a café mocha latte and carried it to her office. Logging in to her email account, she hoped to have a response from the therapy pet organization she’d contacted about sponsoring a chapter in Juniper Bluff.

And she did. Agnes Kraus, a representative from Visiting Pet Pals, asked Diana to call at her earliest convenience. Adrenaline pumping, she dialed the number immediately.

“Yes, Diana, it’s good to hear from you,” Mrs. Kraus said. “We’re delighted you want to launch a program in Juniper Bluff.” Papers rustled. “I’m looking at your application right now. I see you want to focus on dog owners initially. How are you doing with potential volunteers?”