Heads were nodding around the room.
“When times get tough—when money gets tight or a drought hits—”
Laughter swelled the room as a rumble of thunder sounded outside.
“Or lightning sets your barn on fire,” Joan added with a shrug, “it’s human nature to look for an easy out from the pain. When you’re a teenager and you’re getting picked on, or you didn’t get asked to prom, maybe you start looking for a way to numb out.”
People had stopped eating, Stella noticed. Joan had them hooked.
“I’ll be honest with you—addiction is a problem that’s far easier to prevent than to cure. First and foremost, the work you’ll do volunteering for this fundraiser is prevention work—getting the community together for a good cause. Stella will talk to you about her plan to include teenagers in the volunteering. That’s a good start. I hope all of you think of ways to get teens involved and connected. That’s the best way to prevent addiction.”
“I like that,” a woman called out. “We’ve had a lot of fun events this year because of people going after the Founder’s Prize. I hope that doesn’t stop happening when it’s over.”
“I hope so, too,” Joan said. “Now, what you’re going to raise money for this time is expanding the detox and stabilization program we already have. We need a space that’s dedicated to teens; they can’t be in with the grown-ups. That’s two more rooms for sleeping: one for girls, one for boys. A common space to hang out, have meetings in and speak to counselors. Restrooms. And we need increased staffing, of course.” She named a number that would get them started. It was a lot of money, to Stella’s way of thinking. “If we can get the program started, it will be easier to get matching state and federal funds,” Joan finished. “I’ll hand things over to Stella to get into specifics about the day itself.”
Just then the door opened and Eric slipped in. He smiled and waved at Stella. She gave a little wave back, gratified that he’d come to help. He’d texted her that he would make it, but he hadn’t sought her out after their night at the Boot and she hadn’t been sure he’d show up. He took a seat near the back of the room, quietly greeted the others already sitting around him and gave her his attention.
“Well, like I said earlier, this will be the Runaway Lake Olympics, and maybe it will be an annual affair, who knows?” She shrugged. Monica shrugged, too.
“Guess it depends on how fixing up the lodge goes.”
“We’re going to host an array of events, most in the water but some on land,” Olivia went on.
“Is it just for kids?” a man called out.
“No, kids and adults. There will be different age groups so that everyone can participate. That’s why we need so many volunteers. I’m going to pass around sheets of paper with the events we’ve come up with listed. Please sign up for any you’d like to help out with and note down the time period during which you’re willing to participate. If you have some ideas of your own, let us know.”
Stella passed around the signup sheets, and a buzz of conversation rose around the room. When she got to Eric’s table, he got hold of her wrist and playfully tugged her closer.
“I think this is really great. You’re going to help the community in a big way.” He stroked his thumb over her skin and leaned closer. “Can I take you out after this? Get a drink?”
“Not tonight. I’ve got work tomorrow, and it’s been a busy day getting ready for this.”
“Another time, then.” He stroked her wrist again. “I’ve been missing you, you know.”
“We see each other all the time at work.” She tried to keep it light, but she didn’t like the way he was proclaiming their relationship for all to see with his actions, especially since they weren’t actually having one.
“Seeing and doing things together are very different, don’t you think? Look, I’m sorry training together didn’t work out the way you wanted it to. Sorry I’ve been busy lately, too. I guess I’m a competitive guy, and that’s not what you were after in a training partner.”
“Not exactly,” she admitted, but his awareness of the problem softened her.
“I think I’m better at dancing with a pretty girl than training with her. I’ve got kind of a one-track mind. I can’t be attracted to someone and just be buddies, you know? I can’t be doing something competitive and be focused on someone else’s performance. So… as much as I hate to say it, maybe find someone else to train with and just go to dinner with me?”
She wasn’t sure about dinner, but she didn’t want to sort that out here. At least he understood what he’d done wrong, Stella thought. She nodded.
“I’ll text you later.”
“Sure.”
The rain stopped before she drove home, and as she maneuvered along the slick streets, she found herself wondering about Eric. Was there simply too big a difference in their age? Was that why they were never quite in sync? Steel was only four years older than her—
Stella blew out a breath. Always Steel. But where was he today? Eric was the one who’d showed up and was volunteering for her fundraiser. He’d admitted he’d messed up and asked for a second chance. What had Steel done lately?
Nothing but dance with her when he thought he could get away with it.
Steel was never going to be boyfriend material, she told herself as she turned into the lane that led to the Flying W. He’d said someday he’d be done with his mysterious endeavor, but she needed to make sure she didn’t waste her life waiting for something that might never happen.
Movement in the pasture closest to the house caught her eye as she pulled in and parked.
Strange.
The cattle weren’t anywhere
