Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(26)

Annabelle figured her friend was in for a financial adjustment. Heidi and her grandfather had never had an excess of funds. Now Heidi was marrying a very successful businessman with millions to his name. She would bet that Rafe would pay for any kind of wedding Heidi wanted. But she also knew Heidi wouldn’t see it that way.

“Besides,” Heidi continued, “this is more about the room than the costs. I’ve made so many friends here in town. I want everyone to come and have a great time.”

“More party than reception?” Charlie asked.

“That sounds perfect.”

“I agree,” Annabelle told her. “The weather will be warm but not hot and people will enjoy the more relaxed venue. You were leaning toward a less formal ceremony anyway.”

May, Rafe and Shane’s mother, walked into the dining room, several pads of paper tucked under one arm and a fistful of pens in her free hand.

“Am I late? Did you start without me?”

“You’re right on time,” Heidi assured her future mother-in-law.

“I saw you and Glen pulling into town about three this morning,” Charlie told her.

“Our flight landed in San Francisco at midnight,” May said, taking a seat at the table and passing out the pads of paper and pens. “We talked about grabbing a room by the airport but decided we would rather be home.”

“How was Australia?” Annabelle asked.

“Wonderful. We’re going back. The flight is long, but worth it. Do you know it’s their winter now? We loved that. And the toilets really do flush the other way.”

“As long as you spent your time on the important things,” Charlie teased.

May laughed. “We saw the sights. I’ll bore everyone with pictures later. But first we have a wedding to plan and I need to be caught up with everything that happened while we were gone.”

“Just the usual,” Heidi said. “There hasn’t been any hot gossip.”

May smiled, her dark eyes similar to her sons’. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

Heidi touched her hand. “I promise I’m not.”

Theirs was not a traditional household, Annabelle thought, watching the exchange. Most brides-to-be didn’t live with future mothers-in-law. But last spring May and Rafe had moved in with Heidi and her grandfather. First Glen and May had fallen in love, then Rafe and Heidi. The older couple were having a small house built at the edge of the property and would be moving out as soon as it was finished.

Now Shane was living in the house, which made for crowded conditions. But Heidi seemed to be thriving with her new family. In truth, Annabelle felt a bit of envy. Her parents had split up when she’d been very young and they’d both made it clear neither of them wanted to be “stuck” with her. She’d been an only child and the house had been lonely. Having a lot of caring people around seemed pretty perfect to her. The sense of community that existed in Fool’s Gold had been the main selling point for her.

“I hear Shane is teaching you to ride,” May said.

Annabelle nodded. “It’s going well.”

“On Khatar?”

“He likes me.”

“It’s more than like,” Charlie said with a grin. “She’s his one true love. Shane can’t figure out how to keep him contained when she’s around.”

May frowned. “He’s a dangerous horse. Be careful.”

“I will, but actually he’s very sweet. So affectionate.”

“It’s true,” Heidi told May. “You’re going to have to trust us on that. Khatar wants to cuddle when he’s around Annabelle.”

“If you say so.” May looked doubtful.

“There’s more,” Heidi said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Little girls have been showing up to learn how to ride. They want Shane to teach them because he’s a real cowboy.”

Annabelle sighed. “That’s my fault. I didn’t realize all his horses were so valuable. I mentioned the lessons to a few of the girls who come to the library and it quickly got out of hand. Shane’s being great about it,” she added quickly. “He’s talking about renting some horses.”

“Renting? There’s no need for that.” May rose. “You girls go on with your planning. I’ll be right back.”

Heidi watched her go. “Uh-oh. I have a feeling a few more old animals are going to be showing up in the next day or so. Poor Shane. He’s being thrown in the deep end of the ocean for sure. Talk about getting involved.”

Annabelle winced, realizing that Shane’s worry about his mother hadn’t been in vain. Not that she was going to be the one to tell him. She reached for her iced tea and was about to take a sip when she realized Charlie was staring at her. “What?”

“Speaking of involvement,” her friend said slowly. “Were you trying to set me up with Shane?”

Annabelle shrank back. “No. Yes. Maybe. I’m sorry.”

“What did I miss?” Heidi asked. “Something fun?”

“Annabelle thinks I need to get out more,” Charlie said, never taking her gaze from Annabelle. “Start dating.”

“Does she…” Heidi pressed her lips together.

Charlie finally looked away. “Yes, I told her about my past.”