Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO
In the Cupcake Heaven Pastry Shop located down a narrow lane off Main Street in Danville, Katy Miller lifted a slice of caramel cheesecake out of the display case.
“No, Katy, I asked for a piece of the caramel cake, not the cheesecake,” the customer exclaimed.
“Oh, sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”
But as she corrected her mistake she knew exactly why she couldn’t concentrate. The man she ached for, Doug Anderson, had been cleared.
While most of the people in the town had believed him guilty of the appalling liquor store robbery, she had never doubted his innocence. Or kept her belief a secret. After he’d moved out of Danville he would occasionally return for various reasons and would always stop in to buy his favorite pastry. She would proudly announce she believed in him, and though he’d nod and offer the semblance of a smile, she could see how he was suffering.
The moment she’d heard the wonderful news she’d hurried into the kitchen and called him, but his voicemail had picked up. As her shift came to an end and she still hadn’t heard back, she told herself he was probably overwhelmed with the news and wasn’t ready to talk to anyone. But still disappointed and feeling restless, she decided to drive out to the barn where she boarded her mare and enjoy a quick ride before sunset. She often rode after work and kept a change of clothes in her truck.
Walking outside she discovered a breeze had kicked up and there was a chill in the air. It was the kind of weather that gave the horses what she referred to as, an extra zip in their doodah. It was a quick drive to the ranch, and when she arrived she hurriedly dressed, then grabbed a halter and walked out to the paddock. Mindy, her mare, whinnied a welcome and walked up to greet her.
“We don’t have much time,” Katy remarked, looking up at the sky. “It’s getting dark so early now.”
Leading the mare back to the barn, she entered the aisle and began chatting with a couple of other girls who were about to ride in the arena.
“I know there’s no point in asking you to join us,” one of them declared, “but you’re welcome to if you want.”
“Thanks, but yeah, I’m off to the trail through the woods.”
Though she was often chided for going out alone, she loved the solitude. Listening to the myriad of sounds she imagined creatures running to hide when they heard Mindy’s hooves crunching the twigs and leaves beneath her feet.
After giving the mare a quick brush and tacking her up, Katy led her out to the mounting block and climbed into the saddle. The happy horse automatically started towards the trees.
“It’s no fun just going around the ring, is it sweet girl?” Katy purred. “It’s so boring.”
Mindy was rarely bothered by anything, and Katy could ride on a long, loose rein. A deer had once bounded across their path, and though the mare had stopped and stared, she didn’t shy or try to bolt away.
“So, Mindy, what do you think?” Katy began. “Should I call Doug again?”
The question lingered in her mind as they ventured further in, until her phone vibrated in her pocket. Praying it was Doug she hopefully lifted it out…only to see her mother’s name.
“Hi, mom. What’s up?”
“Where are you?”
“Riding in the forest.”
“How many times…” her mother muttered with a sigh. “Please don’t do those trails by yourself.”
“Sorry, but it’s heaven being out here alone.”
“So you keep saying. Anyway, I’m calling about Doug Anderson. I’m so pleased you were proven right. I’ve always liked him. I didn’t think he was capable of such an awful thing either.”
“I know, and I also know working at the Sheriff’s office made it hard for you to voice your opinion, but I still wish you had.”
“Perhaps you’re right. Regardless, he may not live in Danville anymore—and who can blame him—but I want to have him over for dinner. Have you heard from him?”
“All I know is what he told me before he left over a year ago. That he was going to a place called Three Oaks Ranch at the base of Smoky Hill. He made me promise not to tell anyone, but I suppose it doesn’t matter now…though…thinking about it…you should probably keep it to yourself.”
“Don’t worry, I will. I assume you’ve called him.”
“Yes, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet.”
“When you do give him my best regards and let him know how much I’d love to have him over for dinner. I feel a bit awkward calling myself. I don’t know him very well, but I still feel the need to reach out to him.”
“I can understand that. Sure, I’d love to ask him.”
As the call came to an end Katy realized the light was fading fast and turned for home, but as she did a thought floated through her head.
She’d been told the Smoky Hill trail was completely unique. If the weather was right, fog would rise up from the ground and float around the trees. But at the very top it cleared, and there was a meadow where the majestic mountains overlooking Moonshine Lake looked close enough to touch.
As they left the forest and started back Mindy quickened her step. Katy grinned. Her mare knew she’d soon be munching on her dinner. But as the barn came into sight an idea suddenly flashed through Katy’s head. It was a bit crazy, but she’d always been a risk taker. With her pulse ticking up, she lifted out her phone and called a long-time, close friend who lived in Smoky Hill, Annie Baker.
Annie had left the small town and moved to Nashville to seek fame and fortune in country music. She’d succeeded, but had fallen into the clutches of a despicable manager. Somehow she’d escaped and returned to the cowboy she’d left behind. They married, and now lived on a ranch at the base of Smoky Hill.