wondered if it was OCD or just all the rigid upbringing from his dad. Whatever it was, she wished he’d let his guard down more often.
She’d learned a lot about Rick Warren over the past week, but there was still a whole lot of man to uncover.
That task she would enjoy every minute of.
* * *
FERN WOODROW THREW HER ARMS around Rick’s neck and held on a little too long. “You haven’t called me in way too long,” she whispered.
Rick didn’t have any sisters, but he gave Fern what he hoped was a sisterly pat on the back before he straightened up and broke her hold. He’d been hoping she’d left the job playing the role of the Browns’ daughter at the Old Homeplace, but here she was. And the sweet smile on Summer’s face as she watched the display of affection didn’t match the coolness in her eyes.
“It’s good to see you, Fern,” Rick lied. “And Peggy.” The older woman let M&M take over the churning for a moment while Rick gave her a hug of real affection. “Man, I’ve missed your Dutch oven blackberry cobblers.”
He watched Summer wander out of the log cabin behind a group of girls.
“Well, you need to quit making yourself so scarce,” Peggy chided. “Now, catch me up on what’s going on with you.”
Much as he wanted to follow Summer, Rick felt obligated to chat for a while with his old friends. He covered the past three years of his life—the time since he’d left the park ranger’s job—as succinctly as possible, but by the time he’d finished, Summer had vanished. She could be in any of the sixteen log structures.
The farm was a place where the kids could roam free and spend as much time as they wanted learning about what interested them. So now that he’d spent some time visiting with his old friends and extricating himself from the clutches of Fern Woodrow, he and Summer could have two hours of free time together. Well, as free as they could be surrounded by thirty people.
But he’d take what he could get.
He tried to decide where she might’ve gone after the kitchen. Toolshed, maybe? She drove a bus, after all. The corn crop looked good, he observed as he walked the edge of the field toward the toolshed. Felix Pratt stopped his saw-sharpening demonstration long enough to shake hands with Rick and welcome him back. Rick felt the sting of another delay stealing precious minutes away from time he could have with Summer.
Some of the girls were going toward the cabin where they could make cornhusk dolls, so he headed that way in hopes of finding her. But just before he stepped through the doorway, he caught the flash of sunlight on her braid, going into the barn. He had to force his legs to a walk rather than the jog they were insisting on.
The doors at both ends of the barn were open, pulling a breeze through that smelled of leather, straw and horse manure.
When his eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight to the shade, he found her, cooing and nuzzling the neck of one of the horses, looking so tiny and delicate standing next to the giant animal. He paused just to take in the sight.
“I’m not sure that’s appropriate behavior with a horse you just met.” He strolled up beside her.
She raised her chin and tilted her head to lean it against the animal’s jaw as she continued scratching its neck. “Well, you certainly seem well acquainted with everyone.”
The horse snorted and bobbed its head.
“You stay out of this,” Rick scolded. “These were my stomping grounds for four years,” he added by way of explanation to Summer’s question.
Her eyes squinted in challenge. “I think you did more than stomp.”
“Fern and I had three dates.” Rick shrugged, hoping that ended it. “There was never anything between us. She just wanted a man.”
“Bless her heart.” Summer’s fingernails found what must have been the perfect spot. The horse stretched out its head, and she scratched harder.
Rick couldn’t hold back the grin. “I never pegged you for the jealous type.”
Summer cast him a sidelong glance. “Because I’ve never been jealous.”
“Never?”
“Nope. I have this philosophy. A guy you have to fight for isn’t worth having.”
Rick scratched his head. “That’s pretty harsh.”
“Not really.” She gave a shrug. “If he wants somebody else, then he doesn’t want me.”
He reached out and caught her chin on two fingers, turning her face to him. “I want you.”