Lisa’s laughter at Jennifer’s comment quickly faded, and she paused for a moment, her expression sobering. “It’s a workshop for women who’ve experienced sexual violence. Dr. Norcross is running it. I’m helping as part of my internship in the program.”
Jennifer’s busy needles stopped their rhythmic movements. She stared at Lisa for a long moment. Kelly held her breath, her needles pausing as well, waiting for Jennifer’s reaction.
“Uhhhh, I don’t know, guys,” she said, glancing back to her yarn, fingers moving slower. “I’m not sure I want to do that. Not with all those strangers.”
“You don’t have to be in the workshops, Jen,” Lisa reassured her friend. “You can simply be there for the knit and crochet sessions. “But if you wanted to listen in, I’m sure Dr. Norcross wouldn’t mind. You know her.”
Jennifer kept knitting, slower than before, focusing on the stitches forming, one after another. Lisa said nothing else, simply waited for Jennifer to speak.
Kelly held her tongue as long as she could before speaking in a soft voice, “It might be good, Jen. With Dr. Norcross there, you know.”
“Maybe . . . I don’t know,” Jennifer said with a sigh. “I’m not used to a group thing.”
“Listen, you can just hang with me if you’re not comfortable,” Kelly suggested. “We can hike up there. It’s going to be gorgeous with the spring flowers bursting through the last of the snow cover.”
“You can go horseback riding, too,” Lisa offered. “The ranch we’re going to has stables as well as cabins and stuff. People can ride every day if they like.”
“What do you say, Jen?” Kelly said, leaning toward her friend. “A spring weekend in Poudre Canyon. We’ll have a campfire and keep away the bears.”
“And the mountain lions,” Lisa offered with a wicked grin.
“That’s supposed to encourage me?” Jennifer shot them both a look.
“Hey, there will be so much chatter going on, those varmints will head for Cameron Pass,” Kelly promised with a laugh.
Jennifer released a long sigh. “Okaaaay, you guys. I’ll do it if I can hang out and do my own thing, okay?”
“Absolutely,” Lisa agreed, nodding vigorously as she caught Kelly’s gaze.
Kelly and Lisa exchanged a look of careful optimism between them. Fingers crossed.
Two
Kelly
leaned on the open passenger window of Lisa’s car and watched the craggy rock walls of Poudre Canyon pull away from the road, opening to a meadow where pale green spring grass dared to make its presence known. At this altitude, nighttime temperatures still dropped to freezing. Mountain grass had to be hardy to grow in the canyon.
“Are we there yet?” Jennifer asked from the backseat for the umpteenth time.
“Almost,” Lisa replied as she steered around a curve. “In fact, we should be coming to the turnoff in a couple of miles.”
The road steadily climbed. Kelly saw signs of spring everywhere. Even the scrubby bushes had tinges of green showing in between the brown. Boulders pushed their smooth round shoulders through the ground, where spiky grasses grew out of crevices in the rocks.
SUVs and cars sped by, kayaks strapped on top. Cars were pulled off to the side of the road—empty. No drivers, no passengers, kayaks stripped from rooftops. They were in the water already. Water thrill seekers out for the day, testing themselves against the fast-running current. Some wouldn’t return.
“Gorgeous, simply gorgeous,” Kelly repeated, watching the canyon slope upward. “This ranch really is high up. A little farther up the road, and we’ll be at the Pass. I wonder if we’ll be able to see any mountain peaks from the ranch. That would be great.”
Many Rocky Mountain peaks kept their icy glacial collars throughout the summer, especially the north-facing ones. The sun’s warmth never had a chance to melt them. Ranges like Never Summer were true to their names. Snow glistened on their mountaintops year-round.
“I’m starting to get that mountain property itch again.”
“Uh-oh. Better watch out, Jennifer,” Lisa warned playfully. “She’ll want to see properties pretty soon.”
“Well, we’ve gotten some new listings this month, now that the spring thaw has gotten rid of the ice on the roads. I’ll check them and see if there are any you might like.”
“Actually, why don’t you look for land parcels this time, Jen,” Kelly suggested.
“I
knew
you and Steve would want to build rather than buy,” Lisa declared. “He’s an architect, for Pete’s sake. Greg and I are dying to build a mountain place one of these days. We’ve almost got enough saved to buy some land.”
“Do you want me to look up here, Kelly?” Jennifer asked, knitting needles still working despite the car’s movements. “Last time, you were in love with Bellevue Canyon.”
“Yeah, and I have to admit I’m still partial to that location. For one thing, it’s closer to Fort Connor.” She checked her watch. “This canyon is gorgeous, with the river and all, but it’s farther away. We’ve been driving for an hour now, and we still aren’t there—”
“Yes, we are,” Lisa announced as she turned onto a dirt road. A wooden log arch rose above the road, carved letters proclaiming the LAZY C RANCH.
“Well, finally,” Kelly said as they bumped along the road. She glanced to the backseat. “Wow, that blanket is nearly finished. I don’t see how you can knit in a car on a bumpy road. How do you do that?”
Jennifer shoved the afghan into her bag. “Actually, you just have to relax into the car’s rhythm. But right now I’d better stop or the needle will wind up my nose.”
“Hey, we’re coming to a clearing. There’s the ranch house,” Lisa said. “Look, people are already unloading cars.”
Kelly saw several cars parked in the clearing ahead. A log beam ranch house was to the right of the driveway and set back. The stable, barn, and corral were to the left bordering the driveway, and a long rectangular log building was set in the middle. Kelly noticed trees running along the back of the property, and the land appeared to slope downward almost as if there was a stream or a creek bed running behind those trees.
“Looks like you can pull in over there.” Kelly pointed to a space remaining beside a midnight blue minivan.
A woman carrying a duffel bag and another one holding a knapsack walked through the barnyard. They both were dressed in jeans and sweatshirts and appeared to be in their thirties or forties. Lisa pulled her car into the space as a younger woman in tee shirt and shorts walked past, backpack over her shoulder. Like the others, she was headed toward a tall, slender, gray-haired woman standing at the other end of the barnyard, holding a clipboard.
“How many people are signed up for this retreat?” Kelly asked as she opened the car door.
Lisa grabbed her bag and stepped from the car. “Eight have signed up, but we’ll have to wait and see. Some people get cold feet at the last moment.”
“I can understand that,” Jennifer said as she exited the car, knitting bag over her shoulder. Looking around, she added, “Well, it certainly is pretty here.”
Kelly turned in a full circle, surveying the Lazy C Ranch. It wasn’t as pretty as the canyon property she’d fallen in love with over a year ago, but the ranch had its own rugged beauty. Kelly couldn’t wait to start exploring.
“I see some paths winding toward the trees,” she said as she grabbed her backpack and knitting bag from Lisa’s trunk. “What’s the drill? Will we be able to hike? I’d love to take a look around.”
“We have to check in with Dr. Norcross first.” Lisa started across the barnyard, Kelly and Jennifer following. “She’ll tell us which cabins are available, and we’ll get the class schedule. I think Dr. Norcross plans her first session right around one o’clock. We ought to be able to take a short hike before that. Then we’ll be doing a fiber class after the session.”
Another woman crossed the barnyard ahead of them, also heading for the group gathered farther ahead. “I’m glad I’ll get the chance to meet Dr. Norcross. I’ve heard so much about her.” Kelly glanced toward the retreat leader, noticing that Dr. Norcross was attired in jeans and a denim shirt exactly like hers. “I do admire her taste in clothes,” she added with a smile.
“You’ll really like her, Kelly. She’s the most gifted and insightful psychologist I’ve ever met,” Lisa said as they walked.
“Wow, that’s high praise coming from you, Lisa,” Kelly said, noticing a tall, rangy man stride from the stables toward the group of women at the edge of the barnyard. “What do you say, Jen? Is that a fair description?” Kelly turned back for Jennifer’s reaction.
Jennifer didn’t respond. She’d stopped walking and stood staring wide-eyed, straight ahead, her face ashen.
Kelly quickly went to her friend’s side. “Jen? What’s the matter?”
Lisa turned around and hastened over. “Jen, are you okay?”
“Oh, my God . . . it’s him . . .” she gasped.
Lisa looked over her shoulder. “Do you know that guy?” She jerked her thumb toward the man standing with the group of women. “Who is he?”
Kelly knew immediately who the guy was. She could tell from her friend’s reaction. “That’s the guy who assaulted you, isn’t it, Jennifer?”
“
What
!” Lisa rasped, dropping her voice as another woman sped past them through the barnyard, heading toward the group.
Jennifer didn’t answer. She simply stared ahead, then she nodded slowly.
“
Bastard
!” Kelly hissed as she glared at the man, all decked out in cowboy garb—boots and jeans, Stetson dipped over his eyes. He stood, smiling a smirking smile, talking with Dr. Norcross and the women. Kelly felt her blood start to heat up as anger raced through her. She wanted to walk up to the man and wipe that smirk off his face. But lacking Steve’s knockout punch, Kelly held herself back and seethed within instead.
Dr. Norcross held up her hands then and addressed the group. Kelly, Lisa, and Jennifer stood on the very edge, behind the others. “Gather around, everyone. Before we begin, the owner of this lovely ranch, Cal Everett, wants to say a few words of welcome.” She gestured to Everett beside her.
Kelly quickly turned to Jennifer. Jennifer was still staring ahead, but color had returned to her face. Kelly glanced to Lisa, and they both moved closer together, blocking Everett’s view of their friend.
“Howdy and welcome, ladies, to the Lazy C Ranch,” Everett drawled with a wide smile. “We host a lot of groups here at the ranch, and we like to make sure they have plenty to do when there’s free time.” Gesturing to the college-aged boy beside him, Everett continued. “Rico, here, is in charge of the stables and horses and will schedule regular afternoon trail rides. You ladies don’t have to worry. All our horses are gentle and operate on cruise control. So all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery.” His grin spread as laughter rippled around the group.
Kelly glared at Everett, who clearly enjoyed being the center of attention while he did his routine. She had no doubt it was a routine.
“And over there on the ranch house porch are Donny and Marie.” He waved to the young couple leaning on the log railing that wrapped around the porch. “Like Rico, Donny and Marie are college students who spend their summers working in this little piece of heaven up here in Poudre Canyon. They’re in charge of meals and housekeeping and taking care of you folks. All meals are served in the ranch house dining room. Feel free to spread out on the deck if you like. You’ll know when it’s chowtime because you’ll hear Marie ring the bell.”
Marie chimed in on cue and rang a large cowbell, its jangle clear in the mountain quiet. Again, Everett’s audience responded with predictable amusement. Meanwhile, Kelly felt her nails digging into her palms. Glancing at the muscles clenching Lisa’s jaw, she knew her friend was also trying to hold herself back from storming forward to confront Cal Everett.
“I’ve told Dr. Norcross to feel free to use the back deck for sessions if you’d like. There’s a real pretty view overlooking the creek back there. So, relax and enjoy yourselves while you’re here. I usually try to stay out of everyone’s way, but you can find me if you need me. I’m sure Rico and Donny and Marie will take care of everything you need.” He gave them another wide grin. “Any questions, before I give you back to your leader?”
One of the middle-aged women up front spoke up. “I’ve noticed trails around the ranch. How far can we hike?”
“You can hike as far as you can go, ma’am,” Everett said. “Until you run into the river. The trails end at the Poudre, at the edge of the property.”
The group started talking amongst themselves then, and Everett headed back toward the ranch house. Jennifer’s quiet voice sounded behind Kelly. “I’ve gotta go . . . I can’t stay here . . . not now,” she said, turning away.
Kelly’s protective instincts rose up full force. “That’s okay, Jen. I’ll take you into town.” Glancing over her shoulder she said, “Lisa, lend me your car keys, will you? I’ll drive Jen home, then come back up. With luck I should return before our fiber session starts this afternoon.”
Lisa followed after them, her face registering her concern. “Are you sure, Jen? Do you want to talk with Dr. Norcross first?”
Jennifer stopped and looked at her friends. “I’m sorry, guys . . . I just don’t think I can be here . . .”
“It’s okay, Jen. I’ll take you back—”
“Jennifer, I’m so glad you were able to come with Lisa,” Dr. Norcross said as she strode up to them. “Is this your friend Kelly? I haven’t had the pleasure.” She extended her hand as she walked into their midst. “I’m so glad all of you could come this weekend.”
Kelly shook her hand, searching for something to say. When she couldn’t, she simply blurted in her usual direct fashion. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Norcross. But I was just about to take Jennifer back home. Lisa can explain.”
A worried expression crossed Dr. Norcross’s kindly face. “Are you feeling all right, Jennifer? Did you become ill?”
Jennifer glanced to the side and shook her head. “No, it’s . . . it’s something else.”