little longer in the round pen.”
“Guess you should keep your opinions to yourself, cowboy.” Diana’s sharp tone didn’t match the teasing twinkle in her eye, which reassured Tripp she really was unhurt.
Her horse still looked a little skittish, so Tripp kept a firm grip on the mare’s bridle while Diana climbed into the saddle. Once she’d settled, he looked around for his own mount. Tex hadn’t wandered far, seeming content to munch on grass and ignore the commotion. Back in the saddle, Tripp decided he’d risk Diana’s scorn and ride next to her in case her horse acted up again.
By then, the other riders had continued on, leaving Tripp and Diana at the back of the line. Exhaling loudly, she glanced over. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
He cocked his head and grinned. “Yeah, it brought back memories.”
“Oh, please. Don’t you dare bring up the time at your grandparents’ when my horse threw me into the water trough.”
At least she was smiling—a good sign. “That had to be a softer landing than today.”
“No kidding. My hip’s going to be a zillion shades of purple by this time tomorrow.” Diana sat straighter and cleared her throat. “We should catch up with the others. I still need to go visit my aunt this afternoon.”
“Aunt Jennie’s in town?”
She looked surprised he’d remembered the great-aunt she’d always been so fond of. “Yes, as of yesterday.” Briefly, Diana told him about moving Aunt Jennie into the assisted-living center. “I’m just sorry she had to give up her dog. Juniper Bluff really needs a therapy pets program.”
“If you need help starting one—”
“Got it covered.” Diana clucked to her horse. “Let’s go, Mona. We’re getting left behind.”
Then Tripp was the one left behind, since the old trail horse was content to plod along at a snail’s pace. Just when he thought things were relaxing between him and Diana, she’d shut him down. Was there any hope at all they could come through this as friends?
Was he crazy to hope for more?
Returning to the barn after the ride, Tripp clipped Tex to the cross ties at the far end of the barn aisle and loosened the saddle cinch.
Seth moved down the line to check on the campers, then stopped next to Tripp. “So you and Diana know each other?”
“Small world, huh?” Tripp managed a quick laugh. “She and my sister were college roomies.” It was the truth. Just not all of it.
Hiking a brow, Seth tipped back his Stetson. “Yeah, that totally explains why you two are walking on eggshells around each other.”
“This goes in the tack room, right?” Tripp hefted the heavy saddle off Tex’s back.
“I’ll take care of it.” With a nod toward the barn door, Seth cast Tripp a knowing grin. “She’s limping a bit after that fall, so I’m sure she’d appreciate some help with her horse.”
Shoulders slumping, Tripp handed over the saddle. The sooner he and Diana could put this awkward phase behind them, the better. Squinting against the afternoon sun, he traipsed out of the barn, hauled in a deep breath and headed for Diana’s trailer.
She’d just gotten the horse loaded and grimaced as she stepped off the ramp, clearly favoring her bruised hip.
Tripp hurried over. “Here, let me give you a hand.”
“That’s okay, I’ve got it.” Turning, she bent to lift the ramp, then groaned beneath the weight.
“Sure you do.” Ignoring her refusal, Tripp donated his muscles to the cause. Together they hoisted the ramp into position and secured the latches.
Diana stepped back, dusting off her hands. “Thanks. Again.”
“My pleasure.” Tripp shifted his stance. “Look, Di—”
“I prefer Diana, if you don’t mind.”
“Sorry. Diana.” She wasn’t about to make this any easier. “It’s pretty clear my being here is making you uncomfortable, and I just wanted to say I’m sorry. If I’d known you were still in Juniper Bluff—”
“What? You’d have turned down Doc Ingram’s partnership?” Her withering stare made him flinch. “Yes, this is a small town, but it’s plenty big for both of us.”
He bristled. “I’m trying to apologize. We were having a nice conversation for a few minutes there on the trail, and I was hoping—”
“That we could be friends? Let bygones be bygones?” Diana brushed past him and marched around to the driver’s side of the pickup. “Sure, Tripp,” she called over her shoulder. “Don’t even think twice about it. It’s all in the past.”
Catching up, Tripp blocked her from opening the door. “First of all, quit finishing my sentences for me. Second, I get it. I hurt you, and I’ll regret it to my dying day. Third, yes, I would like it very much if we could start over as friends.” He let out a long, slow sigh and hoped his desperate half smile would win her over. “Please.”
Her throat shifted. She crossed her arms. “You’re right,” she murmured, “and I’m sorry. I don’t like this tension between us any better than you do.”
“Thank you.” A part of him really, really wanted to take her in his arms for a hug, but he figured that might be pushing things. Besides, he was afraid once he held her again, he’d never be able to let go.
She didn’t give him the chance anyway. After tossing her hat across to the other seat, she jumped in behind the steering wheel. “Need to get going. See you around.”
“Yeah.” Tripp stepped back as she yanked the door closed. “See you around.”
* * *
Diana could not leave Serenity Hills quickly enough. And there was nothing the least bit serene about her departure. She could see Tripp sincerely felt bad about barging back into her life. But friendship, after she’d thought they were on the verge of making a lifetime commitment? The fact that it still hurt so much only proved the depth of the feelings she once had for him.
Once? All right, still. Every man she’d dated since had the misfortune of being held to the standard set by Tripp Willoughby. Either the guy wasn’t funny, smart, kind or romantic enough, or if he happened to meet all those criteria, there remained the chance he’d dump Diana just like Tripp had. It was a lose-lose proposition any way she looked at it.
Arriving at her dad’s ranch, she returned Mona to the pasture, then backed the horse trailer into its spot next to the garage. Before she could get it unhitched, her dad came out to help.
“Have a good time?” he asked.
“It was fun—until Mona spooked
