Open Heart Read Free Page B

looked at Jake, saw his joy just shining out of him.
    “My God, you two! I am thrilled for you… you have no idea!”
    She hugged them both, then pulled back and clapped her hands. “We need to celebrate this… what are we gonna do?”
    Jake grinned. “I know you’re a big fan of parties over in the staff quarters, Mattie. I bet Tammy would want to plan the Hen Night over there.”
    “Nothing fancier?” Mattie asked. “Maybe somewhere where we’d actually need to dress up and make a reservation?”
    “Oh, no,” Julie said. “I’d prefer something here, with food prepared by Manny. I mean, I don’t need fancy and expensive and elegant. We’re getting married right here, after all.”
    “You are?” Mattie’s silver eyes were brilliant in her wrinkled face. “At the ranch?”
    “Yep,” Jake said. “Under the blue sky, with mountain wildflowers in Julie’s hair.” He ran a huge hand over Julie’s curls and pulled her in for a kiss.
    Mattie shook her head. “You two are just incredible. So, how’s about I help Tammy plan the party, and you just show up, Julie? Maybe next month?”
    “Sounds good,” Julie said.
    Just then, Annabeth appeared in the stables door. “Good morning.”
    “Well, hey, girl!” Mattie said. “Come on over here and hear the good news.”
    Annabeth walked over. “What’s the news?”
    Julie extended her slim hand and Annabeth looked down at the diamond glittering in the bright morning sun. “Oh! Oh, my God!” She hugged Julie, hugged Jake, surprised at the burst of happiness and excitement that passed through her. “Congratulations!”
    “Thanks, Annabeth.”
    “So… any details planned yet?”
    “Nope, nothing.” Jake shrugged. “All we know for sure is we’ll be married here at the ranch. Beyond that… it’s all up for discussion.”
    Annabeth felt tears prickling her eyes. “I think getting married here would be perfect.”
    “Yeah.” Julie looked at what Annabeth had in her hands. “What’s that?”
    “Oh. Oh, yes.” She pulled herself together a bit. “I’m leaving soon, and I wanted to give you a goodbye gift.”
    “You’re leaving soon?” Julie said, perplexed. “But isn’t the cabin booked for another six days?”
    “Yeah. But I finished the book far more quickly than I thought I would, so I’ll be leaving early. The day after tomorrow. I’ll pay for the whole reservation, of course.”
    “Don’t even worry about that,” Julie said. “I’m just happy the book is done! We need to celebrate this, right?”
    “Oh, no. No need for that. Anyway, I just wanted to give this to you.”
    “Annabeth. There’s no need to buy gifts…”
    “I didn’t buy it. It’s mine and I want you to have it.”
    “Really?” Julie said.
    “Yes. Open it.”
    Carefully, Julie opened the lid and gasped. “Oh. It’s beautiful.” She pulled out a silver necklace with an emerald pendant; it was graceful and delicate and feminine. “I can’t accept this, Annabeth.”
    “I really want you to.”
    “It’s too much…”
    “No.” Annabeth shook her head. “You have been nothing but supportive and warm and kind to me and you’ve pulled me through some dark times, I can tell you that. Cam gave this to me the day after he proposed… it’s actually perfect that I’m giving it to you now, in light of your news."
    Mattie was very still. “Tomorrow’s the anniversary of Cam’s death, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.”
    “Oh, no.” Julie was horrified.
    “It’s OK.” Annabeth smiled. “I’m really OK. Better than I have been in a while. I really want you to have this, Julie. Please. It would make me happy.”
    “Are you absolutely sure?”
    “Absolutely.”
    “OK, then. Thank you.”
    The women hugged again, but Julie met Jake’s and Mattie’s eyes and saw her own unease and disquiet reflected there. Something wasn’t quite right, but none of them could put their fingers on it.
    Annabeth drew back now and gave them all a brilliant smile. “OK,