It Takes a Cowboy

Uncomfortable with the conversation again, Blair cleared her throat. “I’d say this weekend has been very pleasant for all of us. I’ve enjoyed the chance to relax and read. You’ve been hiking and fishing and you had your first flying lesson. All in all, it’s been a great success.”

She hoped Jeffrey had also benefited from Scott’s advice about school. Even if she still wasn’t sure about his working-the-system-for-personal-gain philosophy, she approved the well-meant intentions.

“The weekend isn’t over yet,” Jeffrey reminded them. “What are we going to do tomorrow?”

Though Blair was reluctant to dampen his enthusiasm, she needed to prepare him for the return to reality. “We’ll have to leave fairly early tomorrow. You need to spend some time tomorrow evening getting ready for school Monday morning.”

Jeffrey’s sudden scowl was all too familiar. He hadn’t magically changed his opinion about school just because Scott had pointed out its value. She could only hope the advice would have some influence in the long run. “We don’t have to leave too early,” he argued. “I don’t have any homework.”

“No, but you have a spelling test to study for.”

“I already know all the words. I want to go fishing again tomorrow.”

With a look of commiseration, Scott shook his head. “I don’t think we’ll have time tomorrow, partner. Not if your aunt wants to get back early. We’ll have time to take another hike in the morning, see if we can spot some wildlife. Maybe we can go fishing again some other weekend.”

“I want to fish tomorrow,” Jeffrey insisted. “We have time.”

“Jeffrey, don’t push your luck,” Blair advised him firmly. “You’ve had such a good day. Don’t spoil the rest of your evening by sulking.”

“Yeah, I was hoping we could play another game this evening,” Scott added quickly. “You and Blair stomped me last night. I need a chance to get revenge.”

Though the boy’s lower lip showed a tendency to protrude in a pout, he allowed the subject of fishing to drop. At Blair’s urging, he helped clean the kitchen and then moved with them into the living room, where they selected another board game. By the time the game was under way, he was smiling again, to Blair’s relief. But there was something in his stubborn eyes that warned her he wasn’t going to make things easy for her when it was time to leave the next day.

*

ONCE AGAIN, Blair had trouble sleeping that night. Not only was she still in a strange bed, but she really wasn’t all that tired, she decided. She’d spent the whole day being lazy and now found herself wide awake and restless in the middle of the night.

She read for a while, still enjoying the author’s crisp, fast-paced style. But even that failed to hold her interest after a time, so she set the book aside. She was a little thirsty. She wondered if she could make it to the kitchen for a cold drink without disturbing her sleeping cabin mates. She crept to the railing that looked down over the darkened living room, noting that both bedroom doors were closed. Maybe she could...

“Should we act out the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet?” a deep, quiet voice asked from the shadows below.

Blair jumped, clutching the railing with both hands. “Scott?”

He stepped into a path of dim light coming from her loft, his face upturned to her. “No, it’s Romeo.”

She couldn’t help smiling as she leaned against the metal rail. “What are you doing down there?”

“I got hungry. Thought I’d find a snack.”

“I didn’t hear you come out of your room.”

His wic

ked grin flashed. “I’m pretty good at sneaking in and out of bedrooms.”

“I’ll just bet you are,” Blair murmured.

“Shall I sneak up to yours?”

Because she would have dearly loved to say yes, she very quickly answered, “No. I’ll come down.”

“If that’s what you prefer,” he said, exaggerating his disappointment.

She moved quietly down the spiral staircase. Waiting at the bottom, Scott reached out to take her hand for the last few steps. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“No. I’m thirsty.”

“Then it appears you and I are headed the same direction.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Come into my kitchen and let me impress you.”