Tackling Summer Part 18

"Call it what you want," Chanel said. "I've been in denial most of the summer myself."

"What? You mean you and Maddox finally came to an understanding?"

"Uh huh. He's a different guy than he was in May. He's thoughtful and caring. It's crazy. Who would've thought of me and one of the celebrity jocks?" Chanel slid open the door to the deck and stepped out. The day was heating up, and she felt a little guilty for not going out with the crew to move cattle. It was even harder work when it was hot outside.

"Um, I did the first time you called whining about him."

Chanel could picture Bert's delicate features arranged into a smug look. "Whatever. So, when do you get back to school? I was thinking I'd go back a couple days early since Maddox will already be there for practice. He leaves Friday afternoon." Her stomach clenched every time she thought about it. The week was going to go by so fast. It was already Tuesday.

Bert's silence added to Chanel's unease. "Bert?"

"Yeah, about that," Bert spoke slowly and Chanel's heart sunk. She knew what was coming."

"You aren't coming back, are you?"

"I'm sorry. It's just that Dolores didn't just give me better duties for my internship. She hired me as her a.s.sistant. Hers left in a huff a couple of weeks ago. I stepped in, wowed her, and well, I got the job."

"But what about your degree? You're almost done!" Chanel couldn't imagine walking away from her education when she was so close to the finish line.

"Dolores has connections and has gotten me into one of the best fashion inst.i.tutes in the city. I'm going to finish over here. And, well, Magnus is the icing on the cake."

Chanel plunked down on the deck railing, thrilled for her friend but crushed for herself. She didn't have a lot of friends at Doumit despite being there for the last three years. There were some nice people at the stable where she worked, and she had some acquaintances she studied with from time to time. Knowing Maddox would be there helped a lot, but he'd be busy with football into November and maybe beyond if they made it to a bowl game. Plus, they were so new. They may not even make it more than a few weeks once he was back on his playground. And then there was the rent for the apartment she and Bert shared. Chanel couldn't afford it on her own. Anxiety and doubt swirled through her mind until she was ready to throw up. How was it possible to feel so many things at once?

"Chanel? Are you okay? I'm sorry, doll. I should've called and told you sooner, but I was dreading upsetting you." Bert knew her well. "You'll have Maddox."

"Maybe," Chanel grumbled. "We'll see how things go once we get back, and he's surrounded with his buddies and their gorgeous groupies."

"Stop it. For as in love as you say you are, you're writing things off awfully quick. You'll find another roommate. And maybe, we can get you over here at some point. I'd love to show you around."

Chanel knew exploring New York with Bert would be an amazing experience, but affording it was so far away, that she couldn't even entertain the idea. She sighed, "Maybe someday."

"I hate to leave you sulking, but I have to get back into the office. We have a shoot in thirty. I promise to call soon. You know I love you?"

"Yeah," Chanel replied. "And you know I love you and am excited for you. This just wasn't what I expected."

"I know. Take care. Talk soon." Bert clicked off, and Chanel stared at the back of her house. That was not what she'd expected when she picked up the phone.

After moping for a couple of minutes, Chanel threw a load of laundry in the washing machine and headed out for Christine's place. The familiar walk began the process of soothing her nerves. Huckleberries were ripe, and the air was heavy with their sweet fragrance. Chanel picked a handful and made a mental note to bring Maddox out after dinner. Mountain huckleberries were something he must experience before leaving. She noted a fresh pile of bear scat and grinned. That would unnerve him.

Both Seth and Christine were busy in the garden when Chanel arrived. The bruises on her cousin's face were fading to yellow, but he still moved gingerly from his cracked ribs. He'd been frustrated that he couldn't ride the last couple of weeks, but Christine kept him busy enough to prevent him from getting too antsy. Just like when they were kids, and he'd broken his wrist falling down the hayloft steps, Chanel thought.

"You made it!" Christine said wiping the back of her hand over her sweaty forehead, leaving a dirt streak. "You want to start picking those green beans? Things are exploding this year. I'll be able to send a winter's worth of canned goods to school with you two."

Chanel grabbed an empty basket from the edge of the garden and waded in. Seth was in the raspberry section, so he wouldn't have to do as much bending. Christine went back to work on the tomatoes.

"You should bring your dad and Maddox over for dinner tonight," Christine said. "I'm thinking salad. Maybe you and Seth can go catch some fish in Mackey Pond later this afternoon."

"Great idea," Seth said, grinning over at Chanel. She knew he would rather go fishing than sweat over the canner on the stove and appreciated Christine giving them some extra time together. Seth's semester started three weeks after Chanel's, so she'd be leaving much sooner than him.

Seth paused to study Chanel. "You're kinda long in the face for someone who's newly in love."

She couldn't hide anything from him. "I called Bert before I came over." It was all Chanel could do not to fling the beans into the basket, but she knew beating them up would just get her in trouble with Christine. Even as adults, they weren't immune to her scolding.

"Is everything okay?" Christine asked as she carefully placed several tomatoes in her basket.

"She's great. Found herself an old man and a job."

"What?" Seth choked out the word through a laugh and stopped picking.

"I haven't heard from her this summer unless I chase her down. A couple of times she was with someone when we talked, so I figured something was up. I just didn't realize how serious it was. He's a fashion photographer and fifteen years older than her!"

Chanel caught Seth and Christine exchange looks from the corner of her eye. They weren't ones to judge someone's choice of partner.

"Good for her," Christine said.

"Yeah, yeah," Chanel muttered as she tugged another bean from its plant.

"So what about the job?" Seth asked. "I thought she went over on an internship."

"She did. And she was so good at it, her boss hired her on as her a.s.sistant."

The laughter from her aunt and cousin were not helping her mood.

"That's awesome," Seth said. "You aren't being a very good friend right now. So, what's the problem?"

"She's not coming back to Doumit." Chanel explained Bert's plans and grew more frustrated as she watched two of her favorite people light up. "What is wrong with you guys? This isn't funny."

"You're right. It isn't," Seth said, setting down his tub of raspberries and making his way over to the bean patch, using the strategically placed stepping stones. Christine was fierce when it came to protecting her plants from being trampled by careless feet. He drew Chanel in for a gentle one-armed hug. "But it is serendipitous."

Chanel couldn't suppress a giggle. "You just said serendipitous. How gay are you?"

"Very, thank you. And you are going to love this...," Seth left the statement hanging, grinning over at his mother.

"Tell me now, or I'll poke you in the ribs." Chanel held up a threatening index finger.

"You wouldn't," Seth challenged, and Chanel moved her finger closer to his side. "Okay, okay! Geez! I'm transferring to Doumit this fall."

The basket of green beans started to fall from Chanel's hand, and she b.u.mped Seth's injured ribs as she fumbled to save it. He groaned, but the beans were saved.

"Sorry. Did you just say you're transferring? Why? When did this happen?" Excitement whipped through her, chasing away her bad mood. Chanel helped Seth to the edge of the garden and into the yard to a lawn chair.

"Mom and I have been talking," he looked around Chanel into the garden where Christine continued to harvest tomatoes. They both knew she was listening. She had a knack for hearing everything her children said whether they wanted her to or not. "A lot."

This made the older woman look up and grin.

"Anyway, despite everything that's happened this summer, I've realized I don't want to be so far from home. Von isn't coming back. I gave up my apartment. Everything is set for a new start. And now, it sounds like you need a roommate."

Chanel opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. How was this possible? Suddenly her c.r.a.ppy outlook was Disney-fied. Having Seth on campus while she and Maddox gave their relationship a try made it all a lot less scary.

"You look like a fish."

As she drew a fist back to slug him, her cousin waved his hands in front of him, "Injured man! Injured man!"

"Right, right," Chanel said lowering her arm. "Lost my brain for a second. I'm just so excited."

"I think you'll be even more excited if you have a pantry full of green beans," Christine called from the garden.

That was her cue to get back to work. They could figure out the details later.

The evening air was cool, giving a sample of the fall weather to come. Maddox and Chanel rode quietly through the small, motley herd of cattle. A couple were limping painfully, several calves frolicked near their mothers feeling better after having been treated for scours, and one poor cow had a huge infected teat. They called this the hospital pasture. It was located just off the corrals and ran down along a creek. Jerry did most of the doctoring and had taken to bringing Maddox along with him to hold the squirming calves while he gave them their pills. Since Maddox had become so handy with the roping chute, Jerry also taught him how to use the squeeze chute and help with caring for the full-grown cows' ailments.

Tonight, though, he and Chanel were just on an easy ride. She hadn't even bothered with a saddle, letting her legs dangle at the palomino's sides. He knew even though they weren't officially working, she was looking over these animals as they pa.s.sed through to make sure they were doing okay. Taking a deep breath and settling into his saddle atop Malcolm, Maddox mused over the fact he was actually relaxing on top of a horse. Never in a million years would he have seen that coming. He wasn't sure if it was Chanel's presence and how happy it made her to ride, or the fact that he and Malcolm had reached an understanding. Maddox refused to ride any other horse, especially Rosalind.

Darkness was just starting to fall as they neared the far end of the pasture. Soda started acting funny. Usually, if she wasn't trotting along beside Chanel and Vivi, she entertained herself by chasing ground squirrels, paying no mind to how far she strayed from her owner. Chanel and Vivi were closer to the creek than Maddox. She seemed lost in her thoughts. He knew his leaving was weighing heavily on her mind. She'd also told him about Bert and Seth. There was a lot to think about. He just wished she'd worry after he was gone, so they could get the most out of their last days together.

Soda ran over to Maddox and Malcolm, her tail between her legs, body tense. The little Border Collie kept looking over her shoulder. One of Malcolm's ears twitched to the right toward the creek, and he swished his tail. Something was up. Maddox glanced over at Chanel. She and Vivi continued to ride along. Nothing seemed to be on their radar. Maddox wouldn't call himself any type of animal whisperer, but over the summer he'd picked up on some of their behavior. He could feel the tension in Malcolm's big body. The big bay stopped, rooting himself in place. He continued to wring his tail and stared toward the trees and brush bordering the creek.

Then Maddox saw it too. Not it. Them. Three wolves stepped out of the vegetation to study the humans and their animals. Maddox recognized, without a doubt, the giant gray. The other two were a bit smaller. One was black. The other, a dusty brown, sort of like a coyote. He opened his mouth to call out to Chanel, but at that moment Vivi caught their scent and spooked. Unprepared, Chanel fell to the ground as the mare shot out from under her. Without a second thought to the pack of wolves, Maddox kicked Malcolm, forcing him to gallop to where Chanel lay swearing on the ground.

"Are you hurt?" Maddox shouted. He hit the ground running, making sure he kept Malcolm's lead rope secure in his hand so the horse couldn't run off with Vivi. Even Soda had let go of her fear to hover over her person.

Chanel's face was pinched into a look Maddox had seen many times on the field. "My shin. Son of a b.i.t.c.h, it hurts!"

The way she was writhing told him her back and neck were fine. Maddox glanced over to where the wolves had been, but they'd faded back into the foliage. He hoped the commotion scared them enough to make them leave instead of waiting for the right moment to strike. Malcolm blew his nose and began grazing. That meant they weren't hanging around.

Sighing with relief, Maddox turned his attention back to Chanel. "We gotta get you back to the house." Her skin looked a little green in the gathering darkness. It was common for people to throw up when they were in extreme pain. He wasn't looking forward to walking back in the dark.

"C'mon." Maddox tucked Malcolm's lead rope in the top of his pants. It was enough to keep them connected but loose enough to let the horse go if he got spooked. Gently, Maddox lifted Chanel by putting his forearms in her armpits. "Push up with your good leg."

Lips smashed tight, she followed his instructions. She groaned and leaned into Maddox once she was standing on one leg. "Oh my G.o.d, it throbs."

Vivi whickered from down the pasture, and Malcolm replied.

"We can't leave her out here," Maddox said. "Not sure if you saw them or not..."

"Them?"

"There were three wolves."

"Can't believe I missed them. Dad's been worried about them moving in on these cattle. They're easy targets." She gave a wobbly sigh and then got a better grip on his arm. Placing two fingers in her mouth, Chanel produced a shrill whistle that about blew out Maddox's eardrums at close range. Vivi came trotting their way. "You'll have to get me on Malcolm and lead Vivi. It's going to hurt like h.e.l.l, but it's the only way to get me back."

Once the mare was close enough, Maddox reached out and grabbed her reins. "How do you want to do this?" He was worried about making the pain worse, but he couldn't see a graceful way to hoist her to Malcolm's back. Vivi was shorter, but he didn't want to take the time to move the saddle between horses.

"Think you can just lift me up and set me on sidesaddle?"

"No problem." Chanel was easy to pick up, and as gently as he could, he settled her on the seat. "Okay, here we go. You got a good hold on the horn? I want to make sure you don't slip off."

In the dim light, Maddox could see her clenched jaw and barely made out a quick nod. Her hands squeezed the horn, probably more from pain than fear of falling from her mount. Chanel's silence told him how much she was hurting.

Heart racing, he set out at a brisk pace, making sure not to go too fast, which could cause the horses to break into a trot. Injuries were a whole different ball game out here. At school they had trainers rushing after them if they got a hangnail. Soda's presence a few paces ahead was a comfort. Maddox knew she was on the lookout and would let him know if anything was off. He wished Chanel had used her saddle tonight. She always kept her pistol in the saddlebag. The gun would have eased his mind a bit. Not that he could hit anything, but he was pretty sure the sound of a shot would scare off their canine predators.

It took a good fifteen minutes to reach the edge of the compound, though it felt like two hours. The couple had remained silent except for Maddox's occasional inquiries as to how Chanel was holding up. It killed him to hear the tension in her voice. He'd broken his ankle in high school, and it had hurt like a son of a b.i.t.c.h.

As soon as he thought anyone could hear him, he shouted, "Hey! I need some help out here!"

Lights were on in both bunkhouses, as well as in the A-frame. Dogs started barking at his voice, and Soda ran even farther ahead to see her friends. It was fully dark now. Maddox was thankful for the light poles installed near the shop and barn. He heard a door open as they got closer, and the dog commotion grew.

"What's goin' on out there?" Jerry's voice boomed at the barking dogs, and they quieted.

"Jerry! Help!"

"Maddox?"

"I've got Chanel here, and I'm pretty sure her leg is broken."

Maddox heard Jerry pound on David's door. "Dave, get out here! We've got an emergency." Then his heavy footsteps clomped down the steps. Jerry took the horses so Maddox could take Chanel into his arms. She groaned again.

"I feel sick."

"It's okay, babe. That's normal. We're going to get you to town. Just give me some warning if you're gonna puke."

David appeared from the shadows. "What do you need?"

"Call Mitch. Have him bring his truck down. We gotta get Chanel to the hospital," Maddox said.

Without a word, David ran back to his bunkhouse. Jerry headed to the barn with the horses. Finally, Maddox saw Mitch backing out of his driveway. Chanel rested her head on his shoulder as he leaned against the rail fence surrounding the bunkhouses' lawn. Her body was tense, but her leg was limp.

"Is this the first time you've broken something?" he murmured.

"Mmmhmm."

"How'd you manage that all these years?"

He smiled when he felt her shrug. Since meeting, Chanel had never been this quiet, unless they were kissing.

Mitch pulled up and ran around the truck to open the back pa.s.senger door. Maddox eased Chanel into the backseat. Mitch handed him a couple of rolled blankets to place under her leg. David came running up to the pickup with large bottle of whiskey.

"This'll help her relax on the way to town."

"Thanks, man," Maddox said. "C'mon, Chel. Have a drink."

"I don't feel good."

"I know, babe, but this will help."

Finally she took a sip. He watched her work to swallow, and she surprised him by taking a deeper drink before handing back the bottle. Maddox closed the door and climbed into the front seat. As they headed out, a shudder ripped through his body.