Chapter 1
Josh
"You're going to join us for the 4th of July festivities downtown, right, Josh?" my best friend Evan asks.
I'm having dinner at his house like I do every week. Every Sunday is family dinner with his four kids and his wife, and they are gracious enough to include me since I am unmarried and have no children.
"Of course. I really enjoyed it last year. There's just something about a small-town July 4th celebration that beats out any of the big town ones we've celebrated. Plus, the boys put on a hell of a show with sparklers last year. I think we need a repeat," I say. Though at the same time, I’m trying to pull my head out of the clouds and back into the conversation.
"I couldn't agree more," Evan says with a grin.
"Hell yeah. That was so much fun," Finn says. He's the middle of the three boys and a daredevil. He rides in the rodeo to earn money for the ranch the boys plan on buying, but also for the thrill of it. I'm sure the attention from the girls doesn't hurt, though it has earned him a playboy reputation.
"Don't encourage them! They almost burned the deck down last year!" Evans's wife says.
"Mom, we weren't even close to burning it down. Plus, we are more experienced this year." Zach, the youngest brother, joins the conversation.
Janet gives the boys the 'I'm your mother, don't start with me look,' and I can't help the chuckle that escapes. Though when Jenna looks up at me from across the table, she’s got a small smile on her face. She was nothing but my best friend's little girl, running around in pigtails and starting her first day of school. Then, somewhere after her sixteenth birthday, she had a pool party and walked out in this lacy black bikini, and suddenly, she was no longer a little girl in my eyes.
After that, I stopped coming around claiming some big projects at work, and even moved away for a few years.
When their youngest child, Jenna, turned eighteen, they bought their place out here in the small town of Walker Lake, Texas. Once they moved here, I started to come for visits figuring enough time had passed. But the first time that I saw Jenna after all those years, I was about knocked off my feet.
I tried to keep my distance, but a few years ago, a ranch came up for sale in town, and Jenna was gushing over how much she loved the house on it and all the old details. Before I knew it, I was the proud owner of that ranch, and I moved here to Walker Lake. She was twenty-one.
Now, it's been two years of Sunday dinners, and I've managed to keep my distance. Not that she's really made it easy. Though I'm guessing she doesn't know what she does to me because there's no way she's interested in her father's best friend, who's fifteen years older than her.
"He'll take me on the rides again this year, won't you, Josh?" Jenna asks.
It's such an innocent question for everyone else at the table, but what she's asking is if I'll be going on the rides that will push us together, and many of them end up with her almost in my lap. But the way she laughs and smiles, there's no way I would tell her no.
"Of course, that is as long as no one else here wants to go with you," I say.
Since Jenna's brothers are currently looking to buy a ranch together to run, I’m sure they’ll be more interested in networking with other ranchers. There's always a big animal show on the 4th of July, so that's where they will be spending their time.
Jenna's parents like to walk around and look at all the booths and crafts and spend their time tasting food. They have no interest in the rides.
"We wouldn't dare break tradition this year. Besides, I heard the diner has a food booth this year and they're trying out some new recipes to see what the town likes so they can add it to their menu. We can't miss that," Jenna's mom, Janet, says, reaching out to take Evan's hand in hers.
They've been sweethearts since middle school, and to see them still so head over heels in love gives me hope that maybe someday, I can still have that. But to find it, I have to get Jenna out of my system.
"Yes, Austin has been trying some new recipes. I even heard they will start offering more homemade pies. Her sister Natalie has been experimenting with some new recipes," Asher says.
I haven't known that boy to turn down anything sweet in my life.
As the conversation continues, my mind keeps wandering back to Jenna. She's sitting across the table from me, wearing a simple sundress that's hugging her curves in all the right places. Even though I try to divert my gaze, my eyes keep returning to her. She's grown into such a beautiful woman, and it's hard for me not to let my mind wander to what it would be like to have her in my arms. But I can't let myself go there. She's too young for me, and besides, she is my best friend's daughter.
"I almost forgot. I got a lead on a ranch. It needs a lot of work, from what I'm told. Though it hasn't been worked in a few years, and it's further out of town than we were looking at, but I'm going to try to set up a meeting to take a look," Asher says.
He's always been more of the take-control one. Finn and Zach are working just as hard to earn money for the ranch, but Asher has been the lead on looking. Now that they are close to buying, they have an idea of what is out there.
"Let us know, and I'm happy to go with you and take a look," Evan says.
"Me too. A woman's touch on the house you will be living in, even for a short time, is always needed!" Janet says.
"Of course, we want your opinions," Finn says.
I know they have already looked at one ranch, but it was smaller than they wanted. Also, Evan caught quite a few things they had missed that would make it impossible for them to get up and go with in a year like they had planned. Things like how the fence had to be replaced and half the pastures were unusable as they hadn't been taken care of properly. The deciding factor for them not buying the property was that alfalfa had started to grow in a few of the fields, which can be toxic to cattle.
It's also a pain in the ass to get rid of and would prevent them from working the ranch for a good year. So, they reluctantly passed on that ranch. I know it was hard for them because ranches in this area don't go up for sale often, especially not at the lower price point they are looking at.
After dinner, Evan and I go for a walk along the edge of the lake. They bought a beautiful house right on the lake when they moved here, and one of our favorite things to do is talk and enjoy the beauty.
I'm drawn to the way the moonlight bounces off the water and the way the cool breeze feels on my skin. When I glance over at Evan, he appears content and relaxed. He's found his happiness, and I immediately squash my envy at his happiness. I want that, too.
"Are you okay, Josh?" Evan asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Shaking my head, I force a smile.
"Yeah, just a lot going on. I have a new horse being delivered tomorrow and was making sure I have everything in order." It's not a complete lie. I do have a horse being delivered. Only it is just the furthest thing from my mind. As always, Jenna was front and center. What would she look like in the moonlight? What would it be like to be walking with her along the lake instead of Evan?
Pushing those thoughts aside, I focus on my friend. He deserves my full attention.
"Janet and I have a favor to ask of you, and we know it's a big one," Evan says after we are away from the house.
"What's that?" I ask, since he now has my attention, and my curiosity spiked.
"While you are talking to Jenna and going on the rides, will you see if you can encourage her to submit her books to publishers? We know she is done or almost finished with it. We've heard her talking about it with her friends. Why she seems so hesitant to submit it, we’re not aren't sure why."
Ever since she graduated from college, Jenna has been writing a book. It's been her dream, and her parents have supported it, which is why she's been living with them while she learns and writes. At the same time, she's been working at the diner to meet people and get ideas on character building. At least that’s what she tells us.
Personally, I think she took the job because she wanted to get out of the house and earn some money herself. Not that she needs it. Evan was really good at what he did and investing in the stock market. They don't ever have to worry about money, and they've been taking care of Jenna.
I know they're really proud of their boys too, who are insistent on saving the money and buying the ranch without their parents' help. Of course, that means it's going to take them longer to get going and up on their feet.
"Yeah, I'll talk to her. My guess is there's something holding her back," I say.
I don't like the idea that fear could be stopping her from achieving something that she's been working so hard for. This is something she really wants, and I will do anything and move oceans to make it happen for her.
"I don't know if she's just scared to submit the book or if it's the fear of the unknown. But maybe she'll open up to you, as you two always seem to have a special bond," Evan says.
At his words, instantly guilt hits me. I was always Uncle Josh growing up, but as she hit those adult years, she stopped calling me Uncle Josh, and it became just Josh. Our relationship has definitely changed. What we discuss is much more adult, and I definitely don't see her as the little girl she used to be.
When we talk, the conversation flows better than any date I've ever been on in my life. Even though we have known each other for so long, there isn't ever a lack of things to discuss.
"I'll feel her out. It will come up anyway because we haven't talked in a while. I’ve been busy with the ranch, and we haven’t seen each other much this summer." Though in reality, I've just been avoiding her.
It's easier to spend time with her when it's cold out and she's all bundled up. However, on the chance of running into her in another bikini, I stay away in the summer. With the exception of events like the July 4th festival and Sunday night dinners where I make it a point that we aren't alone together.
"Well, I should head home and get ready for tomorrow," I say. In reality, if I go back inside, I'll be drawn to Jenna, and who knows where that could lead.
We say goodbye, and I leave. My best friend was none the wiser about the completely inappropriate thoughts I'd been having of his daughter all night.
