Stranded in Oasis by Clay Verna

Author:Clay, Verna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: funny romance, opposites attract, romantic humor, romance series, romance after divorce, romance money, romantic dilemma, desert romance, romantic conflict
Publisher: Verna Clay

Chapter 17: Riding the Trail

Pilar gave Max directions to their destination located at Grand Canyon Village. When the GPS started talking, he switched it off. He smiled and said, "I like your voice much better."

Pilar glanced out the window. The encounter at the diner replayed itself and only served to enforce how utterly ridiculous a romantic relationship with Max would be. The man was rolling in cash and biding his time until he could escape Arizona. She and Willie were only short term distractions. She needed to keep her romantic nature from rearing its head.

Willie was the first to jump from the car when they pulled to the front of the livery barn. Pilar had to grasp his shoulder to keep him from running off to find Caleb. "Hold on, son. Wait for me and Max."

Willie danced from one foot to the other. "This is going to be fun!"

Pilar chuckled at his enthusiasm while they waited for Max to unload the trunk. Everyone shouldered their backpacks and Max said, "Lead the way."

A child yelled, "Hey, Willie, over here."

Pilar turned to see Caleb waving and running toward them from the barn. Willie glanced at his mom. She motioned him forward. "Go ahead. We're right behind you." Seeing Willie so happy made her heart glad. She spoke her thoughts aloud. "It's too bad Willie's father is missing his son's youth. One day our son will be grown and days like this will become only happy memories—for me, at least. His father will have nothing to remember but piles of paperwork and sleepless nights worrying about how to become more successful. And that's very sad." She gave Max a sheepish look. "Sorry, I was thinking aloud."

For a long moment he contemplated her. Then he said softly, "Let's go make some wonderful memories."

His sweet words touched the sorrow in Pilar's heart over her failed marriage, and she quickly glanced away, blinking rapidly. Max made no mention of her emotional state. Instead, he clasped her elbow and said, "My bum is already hurting just thinking about sitting on that mule. How long did you say it takes to reach the bottom?"

Pilar gained control of herself. "It's ten and a half miles, which equates to about five hours."

Max rubbed his behind and said, "Ouch!"

Pilar quirked a smile. "Come now, don't tell me Ruthless Rutherford is afraid of a little mule ride?"

Max grinned. "Not if there's a Jacuzzi waiting for me."

Pilar scrunched her face. "Sorry, Max, the cabins and dorms are rustic."

"Then maybe I can talk you into a back rub to soothe aching muscles."

Pilar lifted her eyebrows.

Max leaned in. "Okay, then how about I give you the backrub."

She laughed and started toward the barn. "You are incorrigible."

"I know," he laughed and followed her.

Inside the barn, Willie and Caleb were talking to Silas while he checked the cinches on the mules. He waved when he saw Pilar and Max enter. "Howdy, folks. Looks like a beautiful day for a mule ride." He said to Caleb, "Why don't you show our guests to the boarding area while me and the wranglers finish getting the mules ready.

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