Chapter Two

      Nothing like fresh country air to sweep away the mental cobwebs. A plate of scrambled eggs and toast in one hand, a glass of almond milk in the other, Tripp eased into a red retro-style metal lawn chair and propped one bare foot on the porch rail. He couldn’t ask for a more relaxing start to a Sunday morning.

      For now, at least, it remained quiet. Not long after he’d arrived to start moving in on Friday, Serenity Hills Guest Ranch was invaded by a vanload of excited kids. Tripp’s landlord, Seth Austin, had apologized for not giving him a heads-up about Camp Serenity, a program the ranch participated in for disadvantaged children. Turned out this was one of their camping weekends.

      The clop-clop of horses’ hooves drew Tripp’s attention to the tree-shaded lane. Moments later Seth Austin ambled into view with his towheaded young son, Joseph, each of them leading a horse.

      “Mornin’.” While his son continued on, Seth halted in front of Tripp’s cabin. “Getting settled in okay?”

      Tripp swallowed a bite of toast before replying. “Close. Got a few more things to unpack.”

      “Any problems, feel free to holler.” Seth patted his horse’s neck. “Just taking horses out to pasture. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

      “Not at all. I grew up in the city, but my grandparents used to have horses. Nice being around them again.”

      “Anytime you’re up for a trail ride, I’m happy to oblige. In fact,” Seth said with a nod behind him toward the barn, “we’ll be taking several campers out for one more ride this afternoon before they head back to San Antonio. You’re welcome to come along.”

      “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

      “Oh, and my wife and kids are going into town for Sunday school and church this morning. Christina would be happy to introduce you around.”

      Tripp chewed his lip. Juniper Bluff was a small town. How likely was it that Diana went to the same church? Nope, not quite ready to risk running into her again. “Maybe next time, after I get a little more organized.”

      “Sure thing.” Seth clucked to his horse and continued along the lane. “Let me know if you’re interested in that trail ride.”

      “I will. Thanks.”

      While Tripp finished breakfast, the nickering of horses, birdcalls from the treetops and the scent of cedar in the air lulled him into the deepest sense of relaxation he’d felt since before he started veterinary school. Man, did he need this! After a couple of debilitating flare-ups within the last several months, his doctor had warned him that if he didn’t significantly reduce his stress level, keeping the Crohn’s under control would be next to impossible.

      From beyond the trees came the sounds of doors banging and children’s laughter. The campers must be up and about. Tripp took the commotion as his cue to go inside.

      As he set his breakfast dishes in the sink, his cell phone rang. The display showed his little sister, Brooke’s name and number. “Hey, sis.”

      “Hey, yourself. All moved in yet?” Much more a morning person than Tripp would ever be, she sounded way too perky for 6 a.m. California time.

      “Getting there. How’s it going with Mom?”

      Brooke’s long sigh drained all the lightness from her tone. “Not so good, Tripp. She’s trying hard to be positive, but the dialysis routine is wearing her down.”

      Tripp sank into the nearest chair and massaged his eye sockets. Fighting kidney disease for the past few years, their mom seemed closer than ever to losing the battle. “How’s Dad handling it?”

      “He’s struggling. Yesterday I caught him behind the garage crying his eyes out.”

      The image of his father breaking down brought a catch to Tripp’s throat. “I’m glad they moved out there with you, but I feel bad I can’t be of more help.” As the only family member who’d tested close enough to be a potential match for kidney donation, he felt even worse. The Crohn’s made him ineligible. “Maybe I should have transferred to a vet clinic near you in Los Angeles instead of staying here in Texas.”

      “No, Tripp, you’d hate it here. I would never have relocated to LA if not for Jeff—and then right when I thought the jerk was about to propose—” A gulp left the rest of her statement unspoken. “Tripp, I’m sorry. Our situations were totally different.”

      “It’s okay. I get it.” But he could have done without the reminder of how he’d ended things with Diana. Best to change the subject. “You still like your job, right?”

      “Definitely.” A smile had returned to her voice. “Getting promoted to accounts manager for an advertising firm has been my dream since college. So whenever I start fixating on...other things...I remind myself of the story of Joseph in the Bible where he tells his brothers, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.’” Her tone softened. “You need to believe that, too.”

      “Yeah, most days I try.” The thing was, Tripp had never wanted to hurt Diana, not in a million years. His Crohn’s diagnosis had hit him hard, though, and he felt he had to come to grips with it on his own before even considering bringing that kind of baggage into a relationship. During those difficult early months of two steps forward, one step back, as he learned to live with the disease, he’d convinced himself he’d done Diana a kindness by letting her go.

      “Hey, bro, I really called to find out how you’re doing. Do you like the new clinic?”

      “Nice people, a lot less stress. I think it’ll be a good fit.” Except for one tiny detail. “Uh, Brooke?” Back to the subject he didn’t seem able to avoid. “Did you happen to remember Juniper Bluff is where Diana Matthews is from?”

      “Diana—oh, wow! It’s been so long I’d forgotten.” A concerned pause hung between them. “Does she still live there? Have you seen her?”

      “Yes, and yes. She runs her own bakery and coffee shop, Diana’s Donuts. My new partner took me there for coffee yesterday.”

      “Yikes. Was it ridiculously awkward?”

      “You could say so.” Their second encounter at the supermarket deli hadn’t been much easier.

      “Maybe this is your chance to clear the air. I still can’t believe you never told her why you ended things. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to keep your secret?”

      “I know. It wasn’t fair.” He plowed his fingers through his hair. “But she’s got her own life now. After all this time, what if telling her the truth only hurts her more?”

      “Or...what if it gives you two a chance to fall in love all over again?”