Chapter 5
Later that evening, Viv was in her employee cabin, curled up on the bed with her laptop, waiting for Eden McIntyre to log on. It had been too long since they’d spoken and she was dying for news from back home. Finally, her friend’s face filled the screen, a big grin on her face.
“Viv! You’re still pink! I’m so glad. I wondered if you’d be wearing a cowboy hat, all tanned, and wearing flannel.”
Viv shuddered.“Perish the thought. Though if I was here in the winter, I think the flannel might be required based on what I’ve heard about the temperatures. What’s going on back home?”
Eden flashed her hand on the screen, and a sparkling ring caught Viv’s eye.“He made it official! We’re engaged!”
Viv squealed.“Oh my god! Josh finally asked you! That rat bastard. He was supposed to do it before I left so I could celebrate with you properly.”
A man’s face popped over Eden’s shoulder.“Sorry, Viv. The ring needed to be resized, and I had that business trip for the vineyard. I didn’t want to wait for the fall.”
“I know and I understand. I just wanted to be there to help you celebrate. This is so exciting! I was there when you got back together, both times, and I wanted to be there now.”
Josh winked and popped off screen. Eden gave her a sympathetic look.“I know, Viv. But you can be here for the wedding. We’re looking at a holiday one, this year.”
Viv’s eyes widened.“Don’t let Amy hear you say that. She’ll think you’re copying her.”
Eden laughed. Viv’s cousin Amy, whose father owned Westwards Vineyard with Viv’s father, had gotten married the previous Christmas to Eden’s ex-boyfriend, causing a lot of family strife, especially considering Amy and Eden had been friends growing up. Lovelorn, the town where they all grew up, was a small town, so everyone was in everyone else’s pocket. You couldn’t help but be friends with everyone else, or at least know them. But Amy, Eden, and Viv lived next door to each other and were close in age, so they had spent their entire lives together. When Amy and Brad began dating, then got engaged, it was as scandalous as anything the small town had seen.
But Eden had handled it with grace, even agreeing to be a bridesmaid, which was where her troubles began. She was determined to bring a date but had some trouble finding one, until the town matchmaker, William Quinn, actually found the perfect man for her, Josh Haynes, the same man Eden had a bit of history with. But they resolved that and Viv was thrilled to see them finding their happily ever after, even if she wasn’t there to celebrate it.
“You will be home by then, right? Your job in Montana will be done in time to help me plan?” Eden asked, her voice tentative.
Great, now even her best friend was doubting her life choices.“My contract is for the summer season, until Greta comes back. Unless they renew it.”
Eden’s eyes widened.“You’re not considering staying out there, are you?”
Viv settled more comfortably against the log headboard, shifting so the pillows propped her up.“I like it here, Eden. No one is second-guessing my decisions or questioning why I’m not working at the vineyard with the rest of my family. No one is saying, ‘Are you the Kendrick from Westwinds?’ No, they accept me for who I am and let me be me.”
Well, almost everyone. She still thought maybe Wade questioned why she was there, a city slicker playing at living life in the old west. But they had come to a detente after their ride that day.
“I know that look. Who is he?”
“Who is who? No, I’m not here for some guy. When have you ever known me to make a decision based on a guy?” Viv was offended that Eden would even think that of her.
Eden looked apologetic.“I’m sorry. That was wrong. You’ve never actually chased a guy, though a few have chased you. But you have met someone.”
Now Viv was uncomfortable. How could she respond to that? Truthfully or not? “I’ve met lots of people. It’s a guest ranch. We have lots of people coming through here on a daily basis. It’s an amazing place, Eden. I thought it would be like some rustic camping ranch experience. Maybe tents or some cabins where guests rough it. A couple of yoga sessions for the few people who would deign to show up. Maybe a small spa facility and a bunch of cows and horses all over the place. But I swear, this place is like its own city.”
Viv shifted again, warming to her topic.“The spa facility alone is a building, with facials, massages, hot tubs, saunas, and a salt room. Then we offer a bunch of exercise classes like meditation, yoga, aerobics, nature walks, and goat yoga.”
“I love goats,” Eden squealed.
“Everyone does in theory, but those little bastards chew everything, try to constantly escape, and poop everywhere,” Viv replied dryly, the comments sounding so much like Wade that she winced.
Eden wrinkled her nose.“I don’t think I’d like that. Can’t you use diapers?”
Viv grinned.“Have you tried to put a diaper on a goat? Yeah, they chew each other out of them. Really, they’re adorable, so that’s all that saves them.”
“Sounds like you’re having a good time. Are you really enjoying it?” Eden sounded almost wistful.
Viv thought for a moment, then nodded.“Yeah, I am. It’s been a challenge. There’s a lot to coordinate. It’s more than just teaching classes. Ordering supplies, making schedules, managing staff. But I’m liking it.”
Eden said nothing for a moment.“I’m happy for you, Viv. I know you weren’t happy at the Yoga Center here in Lovelorn. But don’t think I didn’t notice that you never answered my question. What’s his name?”
Crap. She thought she’d distracted Eden enough, but her friend knew her too well. She sighed.“His name is Wade Buchanan, and he’s a cowboy.”
“Oh, Viv. A cowboy?”
“There’s nothing going on, Eden. We’ve just talked a few times, and he’s helped me find the escapee goat. That’s it.”
“Is he hot?”
Her silence was answer enough. Eden sighed. Josh poked his head back in.“A hot cowboy? Go, Viv!”
Eden and Viv both laughed, and Eden shoved him out of the screen.“Enough, Josh. She’s not staying, so why get involved?”
His head popped back in.“Why not? You and I were supposed to only be for a week, for the wedding events. Who knows what could happen? This could be her one and only.”
Viv froze, her mind flashing back on her last night in Lovelorn when she met Eden for drinks at the Happy Hookup. While she was waiting, William Quinn, Lovelorn’s matchmaker, had sat next to her and told her she was going to find someone soon, the perfect person for her. He advised her to be open to possibilities and to trust herself. He also told her that she had more strength than she knew and would find her place soon. Then he told her that he would miss her.
Holy shit. Had William matched her without even seeing her match? Damn, she knew he was good, but this was epic.
“Viv? You’re freaking me out. What’s going on?”
Viv just shook her head.“Nothing, Eden. I’ll tell you someday. Just know that I’m fine and happy. Really happy.”
“And maybe find that cowboy and ride him hard?” Josh waggled his eyebrows.
Viv burst out laughing.“Dude, seriously. You’ve got to stop.”