Free Counting on Starlight by Lynette Sowell

the music. Or the cake, or the dresses. I ran everything by Matt—”
    “His name’s Matt?” Jake felt a tendril of jealousy trying to wind itself around his heart and squeeze. A man he didn’t even know, claiming Liann.
    Liann nodded. “ Anyway , I took a step back and realized she was pointing out the truth. Then I took another step back and realized I was aligning myself with Matt’s dream. But it wasn’t mine. He’s a youth pastor. I love working with young people, but I would rather work with kids who wouldn’t necessarily darken a church doorway. When I realized that… Oh, you should have heard the debates we had about that . Not long after that, I called off the wedding and started looking for jobs anywhere but there. Starlight was at the top of my list. Whenever we visited when I was a kid, I liked it here.”
    She paused at the sound of an engine, and Jake looked in its direction. Billy, coming along in his truck. He pulled up, a cloud of dust swirling around them.
    “Y’all look like you’re in a bind. Maddie caught the horses, so I figured I’d hop in the truck and see what became of you two.” Billy gave Jake a pointed look, as if he knew exactly what had become of the two of them.
    The wet denim of Jake’s jeans and shirt pulled on his arms and legs as he drew closer to the truck. “Had a little mishap by the rocks. Slipped in, spooked Patch.” He leaned on the hood and eyeballed the pristine leather interior.
    “You can ride in the back, if you don’t mind.” Billy gestured with his head. “Wet denim and leather seats don't go together very well.”
    Jake glanced at Liann, who walked with him to the rear of the truck. He popped the gate down, then helped her into the truck’s bed. He climbed up behind her as she slid over to one side. She hugged her knees up to her chin. Water still dripped from their clothing.
    Nope, this definitely wasn’t the way he’d envisioned the evening unfolding for them. He wasn’t sure exactly what he’d expected. He knew it would involve hearing the Beauty and the Beast music over and over, plus flipping of flags and hopefully no broken glass anywhere. But not a kiss at the river.
    Now Liann sat across from him, jostling with the movement of the truck, closed up tight as a clam. Her hair had already started to dry from the heat, and she ran her fingers through the dark strands. For the first time, Jake noted a reddish sheen to her hair, a trio of freckles on one cheek.
    This was why he didn’t let himself get distracted. She was right. It wasn’t fair of him to kiss her. Lord, help me make amends for this mistake.
     
    Chapter 7
     
    Liann made it through supper, somehow, although the memory of Jake’s kiss wouldn’t leave her alone. Not that she or Jake had anything to feel guilty about. But she wasn’t about to follow a man somewhere she wasn’t ready to go herself. She folded her arms and leaned against the porch railing. Jake had made it clear he was on his way out of Starlight. And her? She was just here long enough to figure out what would come next for her. What the Lord had for her. So far, she wasn’t sure she’d chosen wisely in coming to Texas.
    “...isn’t that right, Ms. Rivers?” Maddie asked.
    “I’m sorry, could you repeat that question?” Liann looked across the porch at Maddie.
    “I said that you brought your own equipment tonight so we can work on the routine together.”
    “Yes, I did.” Liann stood upright. “Matter of fact, I can get them out of the car now so we can get started. After all, that’s why I’m here.” She dared not look at Jake. Fortunately, her clothing dried quickly, and she’d worn an old track suit of Mrs. Tucker’s in the meantime. She’d felt like a sopping-wet waif next to the statuesque Justine Tucker, who still worked professionally as Justine Campbell. Of all the ways to make a good first impression on someone, returning waterlogged from a trail ride hadn’t been one of them.
    Liann