Promise from a Cowboy. C.J. Carmichael
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away from home?
Savannah hoped not. The wrong guy at the wrong time could derail Regan’s plans for med school. And her sister had worked too hard to let that happen.
“Smells good in here.” She smiled at her sister, before checking out their visitor. He was a nice-looking kid, in his early twenties like Regan, with sandy-colored hair that curled around his ears and at the back of his neck. He looked tanned, as if he spent his days outside.
“It’s only chili.” Regan lifted a wooden spoon out of the pot on the stove. She had dark hair, too—all three of the Moody siblings did, thanks to their mother’s French-Canadian blood. But Regan was shorter than Savannah, with delicate features and a small, pouty mouth.
“You know I love chili.” She felt a pang of guilt for going to check out the Silver Creek barn instead of staying home and making dinner for her sister for a change.
“Hi, I’m Savannah.” She offered a hand to Murray, who shook it firmly.
“Murray St. Clair. Nice to meet you. I hope you don’t mind me showing up for dinner.”
“Murray’s been here a lot while you were away.” Regan said this matter-of-factly, as if it were no big deal. “He brought over a bottle of wine. Help yourself.” She nodded to the open bottle of Malbec on the counter. It was already half-empty.
Wine for a midweek dinner was a rarity in the Moody household, but Savannah decided a glass might be a good idea. She had to be calm and not overreact. Regan was twenty-four now, hardly a kid to be ordered around.
“How was the trip to Oregon, Vanna? Did you see Hunter?”
“He didn’t show up.”
Her sister gave her a look of commiseration. “So you weren’t able to surprise him. How disappointing.”
“It was.” She took a sip of the robust red. “So—how did you two meet?”
“At Monahan’s,” Murray said.
“He’s an instructor,” Regan said in a voice meant to convey the superiority of this position over hers.
“Are you working for the summer, like Regan?”
“No. I’m full-time. I’ve been with Monahan’s since I graduated high school.”
“He was a year ahead of me.” Regan sampled the chili, then nodded. “It’s ready. Want to grab some bowls, Mur?”
Savannah was disconcerted to see that he knew the right cupboard to open. After pulling out three bowls, he went to the cutlery drawer and selected spoons, as well.
Regan ladled chili, added a handful of grated cheese, then passed a bowl to Savannah, before serving Murray, then herself.
Savannah sat at her usual spot and waited until the others had joined her. “You must know Cassidy Lambert. She just started working at Monahan’s a few weeks ago.”
“I do. She’s amazing. But then, Straws only hires the best.” Murray’s face and ears reddened. “Jeez. That didn’t come out right. I didn’t mean to be bragging or anything.”
“But it’s true,” Regan was quick to point out. “Straws does hire the best, and that includes you.”
When she saw the smile her sister gave Murray, Savannah suddenly realized that a lot had happened during the week she’d been away.
Regan had fallen in love.
And judging by the look in Murray’s eyes right now, the feeling was mutual.
“So, Murray, any plans for college in your future?”
He shrugged. “I’m pretty happy where I am.”
Savannah shifted uncomfortably. Couldn’t Regan see that this romance of hers wasn’t a good idea? “I guess you know Regan’s planning to go to med school.”
“If I get accepted.” Regan stirred her chili, then shot a glance at Murray. “I’ve been thinking, Vanna. It’s been a long time since I took any sort of break. You know I started work just a few days after my final exams.”
“You were lucky to get a job,” Savannah pointed out. “Med school is expensive.”
“Yes. But I’m tired. And what if I don’t get into med school?”
“You wouldn’t be tired if you didn’t stay out until after midnight every day. And you will get into med school. I’m sure of it.”
Another look passed between the two friends. Lovers? Savannah’s stomach felt leaden as she realized it was possible. Why, oh, why had she gone searching for her brother when she should have stayed home looking after the one person who truly mattered in this family?
“Even if I do get in—and say I even qualify for a partial scholarship—we can’t afford for me to go. There’s no way.”
“We’ll figure something out.”
“Will we? Don’t you get tired of everything being such a struggle all the time? We never have any fun. It’s all studying and working for the sake of a future that never seems to come.”
“We have fun. What about Friday movie nights?”
“A TV movie and popcorn. When I was little, yeah, it was kind of neat. But I want to go places and see things.”
Savannah realized suddenly that this wasn’t aimless complaining on Regan’s part. She had an idea. Maybe even a plan. “What are you really saying here?”
Regan glanced at Murray, then took a deep breath. “We’re going on a road trip. We’ll camp, so it won’t cost much money. We’ve already spoken to Mr. Monahan, and he’s agreed to give us four weeks off.”
“Four weeks with no salary?”
“It’s a drop in the bucket for what I’d need for med school. But four weeks of traveling could change my life.”
“Carpe diem,” Murray added—not very helpfully in Savannah’s opinion.
Living for the moment was a fine philosophy. But where did it get you in the end? With a medical degree, Regan’s future would be set. “There’ll be lots of time for traveling once you’re a doctor.”
“You’re so stubborn! When will you accept that this dream is simply out of reach?”
“I told you I’d find the money. And I will.”
“You’ve sacrificed enough for this family. You should be dating, going on exotic vacations and having fun, too. Instead, you spend all your time working, visiting our mother in the care home and worrying about me.”
Savannah rested her head in the cradle of her hands. The blood was pounding in her forehead. She could feel it. She could also see her sister’s point of view. But what Regan didn’t understand was how easily life could come unraveled. Without a solid education, she’d never get a good job, the kind that promised a nice home, security and a respected position in society.
There was no more respectable job than being a doctor. And this wasn’t something Savannah had pushed on her sister. This had been her dream since she was little.
Still, she couldn’t just shoot down Regan’s travel plans. Maybe a compromise? “How about you go camping for a week, then go back to work?”
“I’m sorry you’re against the idea, Vanna. But Murray and I are doing this. We’ve cleared it with Mr. Monahan, and we’re leaving in the morning.”
“And there’s nothing I can say?” Savannah couldn’t believe it. Regan had never defied her before.
“Nothing.”
* * *
B.J. AND BIG BLACK rode up to the home barn at Coffee Creek ranch just as the first star appeared in