Finding Love Again (Crystal Lake, Montana Book 1) Read online

  FINDING LOVE AGAIN

  Crystal Lake, Montana

  By: Christa Ann

  Finding Love Again

  Crystal Lake, Montana – Book 1

  © Copyright 2016 Christa Ann

  Published by After Glows

  PO Box 224

  Middleburg, Fl. 32050

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-944060-12-1

  Print ISBN: 978-1-944060-13-8

  Cover by

  Formatting by AG Formatting

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  AfterGlowsPublishing.com

  DEDICATIONS

  To my husband who put up with me staying up late during the week and up even later during the weekend. But mostly for his love and support.

  To Lia Davis who is not only a fantastic author put a great person and friend. Thank you for all your help and support. And for answering all my endless questions.

  FINDING LOVE AGAIN

  Widow Shannon Ward lives for her job and her children. Her closed off heart helps her hide from the pain of losing her husband suddenly. Her four best friends and children decide she needs to get out and live again. A ‘girls only’ vacation to the Mountains of Montana might be just what she needs. Finding love again is farthest from her mind and definitely not on her to-do list. However, a certain sexy rancher could change her mind…

  Rancher Ryan Collins finally divorced his high school sweetheart. The only good thing that came out of the marriage were his three children. Ryan is done with love and women. He's happy with running his ranch and being a bachelor…or so he thinks until he meets Shannon.

  Two hearts closed off from love and determined to stay that way, until that first glance. Will Shannon and Ryan risk their hearts one more time or just walk away?

  CHAPTER 1

  Although the view might be stunning to some, all Shannon could see were wide open spaces of nothingness. The land was green, sure, but so was mold. Frustration bubbled in her stomach, and she couldn’t help blurting out for the fourth time, “I can’t believe I let you three talk me into this. What was I thinking? Tell me again, why you decided I should leave Florida? We didn’t have to come out West for a vacation. We could’ve just gone to the Keys or even St. Augustine.”

  Lisa, her best friend, glared at her in the rearview mirror. “Here we go again. Damn it, Shannon, you had five weeks of vacation. You deserve some time off. I know you miss your husband, but he wouldn’t want you to be sitting around while life passes you by. He would want you to live and maybe find love again.”

  Shannon glanced away from her friend. Lisa would know. She’d met Tom in college and they’d become good friends. The two of them had had a lot of discussions about life. But when they’d started talking about leaving family behind in the event of death, Shannon would leave the room. The thought of not having Tom with her and the children made her sick to her stomach. Shannon never thought she would have to face that situation.

  Lisa could be a pain in the ass sometimes, but she meant well. She just didn’t understand. I loved my husband. He meant everything to me. After the car accident that took Tom’s life, Shannon just didn’t have the energy to go anywhere. However, her so-called friends, along with her loving children, talked her into going to the mountains for two weeks. The first ‘girls only’ vacation, they called it. Every year, going forward, they planned to go somewhere different.

  As they drove through the small town of Crystal Lake, Montana, the beauty of the mountains along with the clear blue sky relaxed Shannon both in body and mind. The slight chill to the air made it too cool for shorts and t-shirts, but warm enough not to need a coat. She could breathe better without all the fumes from cars, and the only sounds were birds, not people yelling or horns from cars. A soft touch on Shannon’s shoulder alerted her that Bianca wanted to lend her support. Always the peacemaker, wanting to comfort when needed or smooth high emotions.

  With the sun shining in through the open window Bianca’s soft brown hair flowed up around her head giving her an angelic look. “This is going to be fun! We all needed a vacation away. I read somewhere that there is a ranch where you can go horseback riding. You told us that when you lived in Maryland, you had horses. There’s a resort that’s popular in the winter for their skiing. We can go there and check it out.”

  With her signature contagious smile, Erica beamed at Shannon, and she couldn’t help but grin back. “Horseback riding would be fantastic. I’m hoping we could all go hiking and take pictures of the scenery.”

  “Oh, for the love of God! Will you stop being Mary Sunshine, Bibi?” Lisa said, using Bianca’s nickname—teasing based on the look on her face, which made Bianca and Shannon dissolve into laughter.

  “Why don’t we find someplace to eat before we head to the cabin? We had a long flight and we didn’t get a chance to have any lunch, so we can have an early dinner.” Shannon smiled. Okay, vacation starts now.

  Lisa didn’t wait for anyone to answer. Instead, she just pulled into a parking space on Main Street. Shannon got out of the SUV, needing to stretched the soreness from her legs, arms, and back and noticed a park two blocks away. Couples held hands and families played with their children, all enjoying the beauty of day. They’d parked about a block from Frank’s Diner. Shannon looked across the street at a store called “A Little Bit of Everything.” As they headed to the diner, everyone smiled and some said “hello” or “evening.” Before opening the door to the diner, another sign caught Shannon’s eye: “Conway Books.” Yes, a bookstore!

  A little bell jingled as they opened the door to the diner. The smell of bread and apple pie hit Shannon’s nose and her stomach growled. She instantly recognized home cooking. A woman behind the counter, wearing a colorful plaid apron, looked up and hollered, “Just take seat anywhere. I’ll be with you folks in a minute.”

  Only three places were available, two tables and one booth. They took the round table in the back corner so they could see everything. The place appeared very busy, so the food must be fantastic. Everyone talked and said hello to their group as they made their way to the table. The waitress came over with menus and a smile. She wore jeans with a light blue t-shirt that said Frank’s Diner in white letters and a nametag that read ‘Nell’. “You ladies aren’t from around here, are ya? Where are you from?”

  “We’re on vacation from Florida,” Lisa replied.

  “Are you planning on staying or just passing through? The county fair is in a couple of days. There’ll be some crafts, cakes and pies up for sale, along with the best barbeque you’ll find in the county. Some of the boys and girls from the high school will be singing. There will be other events going on: a contest with the local livestock and a bakery contest, too. It’s a lot of fun.” Nell’s words bubbled with obvious excitement and her grin never wavered. She clearly looked forward to the fair and loved her town.

  “Well
, we’ll definitely be here. We’re renting a cabin from Mr. Lawson for two weeks. I just hope it gets a little warmer.” Erica smiled.

  “Oh, don’t you worry about that. You’ll be wearing shorts and t-shirts by then. In the meanwhile, what can I get you to drink? Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you about the special. The special for today is steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli, salad, and a slice of apple pie. You can replace the pie with one of the other desserts, if you’d like.” Nell pulled a pad and pen from the pocket of her apron and prepared to write down their orders.

  Lisa ordered a soda, as if she needed any more caffeine. Bianca got water with lemon, Erica and Shannon ordered sweet tea. Nell went off the get their drinks while they looked over the menu. Everything looked so good that Shannon struggled to decide what she wanted.

  Nell returned with their drinks and a basket of warm rolls. “Do you know what you’d like or do you need a minute?”

  Shannon, Lisa, and Erica ordered the special. Bianca had to be the odd one out and ordered a chicken salad—she was on another of her diets. Bianca worked in a bakery and thought of herself as overweight. Shannon would love to have some of Bianca’s curves. Nell went off to put their order in and promised to come back in a few minutes to refill their drinks.

  Shannon got out her cell phone and took a quick look at Lisa and Bianca. “I really need to call Dylan and Alexis to let them know we got here okay. I don’t want them to worry. I’m just going to step outside; it’s just too loud in here. If the food gets here before I get back, come and get me.”

  “Okay. But don’t be long. We’re on vacation.” Lisa looked up after texting her boyfriend, Brad, that she had arrived safely.

  “Tell them we said hello and will talk to them later.” Erica just put her phone away from letting her parents know they’d arrived and adjusted her blond hair with her red headband. Bianca was already typing a text to her brother, who had her three-year-old daughter, Mia.

  Shannon called her son first, because Dylan would be a fast call. Being in the Army, he wouldn’t be able to stay on the phone long. He might not be able to answer the phone, so she likely would have to leave a message. Please let me just leave a message.

  “Hi, Mom. Did you get there okay? Everything okay with the rental and the drive to the cabin? You four didn’t have any problems, right?” Dylan shot off the questions before Shannon could answer him.

  “Yes, dear. I arrived here okay. Everything went fine with getting the rental, and Lisa drove like a madwoman down the highway. We’re having dinner before going to the cabin. Is there anything else you’d like to know?” Shannon just had to add that last part. She knew her son worried, and she loved him for that.

  He started to laugh. “Okay, okay. I got it. However, everything good? If you and your friends need anything, just give me a call. I’ll get there or get you help. If I can get some time off, I’ll come out there to see you. Would that be alright with everyone else?”

  “It’d be great if you could come and see everyone. It’s been almost nine months since I’ve seen you. I’ll call you later, alright?”

  “Okay, Mom. Please tell everyone I said hello and let Ms. Lisa know to stay out of trouble. I hope that I can see you soon. I gotta go, Mom. I have guard duty tonight.”

  “Love you. Be careful and safe.” Shannon had to smile when she hung up the phone. God, she loved her son. He would do anything for anyone, just like his father. Calm in a crisis, he listened to the problem, analyzed it, and came up with a solution.

  Now, for the hard phone call—her daughter. God, give me strength.

  “Mom! It’s about time you called. Where have you been? Your flight landed four hours ago. What took you so long to call me? Did something go wrong? Are you okay? Do you need me to come and get you? Did you have a hard time with the rental? Oh, my God, did it break down? Did some...” Alexis rambled on faster than her brother had.

  “Alexis, stop!” Shannon loved her, but she worried more than Dylan.

  “Well?” Alexis questioned.

  “Everything is okay—the flight and the rental. And, no, the SUV didn’t break down. We’re having dinner before going to the cabin. You need to stop worrying. I’m the parent here, and forty-five years old. I think I can take care of myself,” Shannon answered her daughter with a smile on her face. Her daughter was more like her than she wanted to admit. She loved with all her heart and would do anything for the people who meant the most to her without question or reservation. But, like Shannon, she didn’t like family to fight or see them hurt.

  “I’m just worried. This is your first vacation since Dad died. Well, shit, I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry.” The hurt resonated in Alexis’ voice.

  Shannon’s vision blurred from the sorrow in her daughter’s voice. Placing a hand below her neck to keep the lump in her throat from preventing her to speak, she said, “Yes, it is my first big trip, but, I think your dad wouldn’t want me sitting around the house anymore.” She practically quoted what she’d just heard from one of her dearest friends. “Your father’s death hit us all hard, but it’s time for me to try to get out and live life.”

  “When you didn’t call, I got worried that someone hit the rental. Just like Dad. I know it’s dumb to jump to that conclusion, but I just couldn’t seem to stop thinking about it. The drunk driver, the phone call from the police, and then the ride to the hospital, only to be too late… I’m sorry I jumped on you that way, but when you were late calling...” Alexis stopped to sigh deeply.

  “It’s okay. I’ll talk to you later. I promise to call. Okay?” Shannon just wanted her daughter to be happy for her and to get off the phone. She really loved her, but she didn’t want to drudge up bad memories on her vacation.

  “Okay, Mom. Just call me later and, please, please be careful and safe. I don’t want to lose you, too.” Alexis might be a whirlwind, but she had good intentions.

  “I will.” As Shannon hung up the phone, the back of her eyes started to burn. She blinked fast in order to stop from crying. She loved her children with all her heart and soul. They’d always been close, but since Tom passed away they’d become even closer. They even tried to get her to move closer to one of them. She sat outside for a little while to get herself together. She didn’t want to worry her friends. I need this vacation to start living again. We all deserve to be happy again. But can I ever replace the one man who had my heart?

  * * *

  Ryan watched Hank, his foreman, exercise the new horse that arrived the day before—Argo, a dark brown Quarter Horse with a black mane.

  “Hey, Dad!” Dustin yelled.

  “Hey, son. What took you so long to find me? Did you decide to take the day off or something?” Ryan tilted his black Stetson up to look at his oldest son—well, the oldest of his twin boys. He looked so much like his mother with his black hair, brown eyes, and his olive skin tone, though he got his height from Ryan, standing six-foot to his six-two. “What do you think? He’s a beaut.”

  “I came to tell you Steve is coming down the road.” Dustin turned to the new animal. “He’s going to be a good addition, and the ladies are going to love him, just like Thunder.”

  Ryan, Steve, and JP had been friends since first grade. Went to school together, played football together, and did just about everything together. They’d become something more like brothers than best friends. Frank, who owned the diner in town, became their fourth when his family moved to Crystal Lake during middle school. The four of them were hell on wheels and they only got worse in high school. Damn, what a long time ago, Ryan thought to himself.

  “Okay. I’ll run up to the house to see what’s up,” Ryan commented over his shoulder as he headed that direction. He didn’t have to worry about the ranch between Hank and his two sons, as they all knew what needed to be done.

  “Take your time. Hank and I got everything covered here,” Dustin responded.

  Ryan noticed Steve waiting for him by his black Chevy Silverado. “Hey, old man. Wh
at the hell is going on?”

  Ryan shook his head and held out his hand to shake. “Not much. Lose the old man bullshit. You’re the same age as me, dumb ass. You don’t have something better to do than bother me? Shouldn’t you be waiting for whoever you rented the cabin to?”

  “Nah. I told them that the cabin would be unlocked and the keys hanging on the hook by the door. I’ll go by tomorrow sometime just to introduce myself. Want to go have an early dinner?”

  Ryan stood there and stared at this best friend. He must think I’m stupid. “Bullshit. One of my sons called you. Which one, Dustin or Colby? Had to have been Dustin. That damn boy needs to mind his own fucking business.”

  “Look, your sons and I noticed you haven’t done a damn thing outside of your ranch. The divorce was finalized three years ago, and your sorry ass hasn’t been out since. So let’s go and do something, man. Your sons have the ranch; your daughter will be fine when she gets off from work. We’ll go have an early dinner at the diner then go to After Hours for some beer. Maybe some two-stepping with some of the single women, just like old times. Unless you’re too old for some fun…” His ornery grin tempted Ryan to agree. Steve could give anyone that grin and get exactly what he wanted; you just couldn’t deny him. His whole face lit up with excitement.

  Their friend, JP, inherited the ranch during their senior year of high school after his parents passed way, and then opened After Hours. He hated ranch life and planned to move, but with some advice from his friends, along with his cousin Nell, they’d converted the Equestrian into After Hours. It became a place where anyone could come and hang out, drink, listen to music, and dance up a storm. He hadn’t been to After Hours in years, because Vicky—his ex-wife—hated the place. Frank, Steve, and Ryan used to go to After Hours and hang out, drink beer, and dance with all the single girls.