One Indian Summer©

Free Online Short Love Story

Written by American Author Sky Taylor

“Dear!" Indoria exclaimed, clamping her hands together and acting quite delighted as she scanned mysterious-looking eyes over artist Brogan's shapely form. "Brett will be pleased."

Indoria leaned forward, poured out a cup of steaming coffee from the copper pot, then handed it to Brogan.

The cup was so hot that Brogan had to maneuver it about, grasping the handle as she had almost dropped it onto the plush Oriental rug supporting the mahogany coffee table. That would have been a disaster, she silently mocked.

And she was a bit leery of her new employer's lackadaisical demeanor.

Indoria McKay - flighty, feather-headed, awkward and friendly - a summation that had taken Brogan a handful of minutes to develop - because the middle-aged woman was an easy read.

Given such, Brogan had decided that her time at The Crooked Run ranch would be an enjoyable one with Indoria on board. The waters would be continually turning over, Indoria appearing unable to embrace the calm.

"Why it's been years since my son and I had a professional portrait - at least two," Indoria thoughtfully emitted, tensing her brow as she struggled to remember the last family portrait setting. "And even though it's just me and Brett, I still like to refer to the painting as a family portrait, don't you agree dear?"

Brogan nodded and Indoria rushed out, "Brett - it's his fault, you know? The reason it's been so long between portraits."

Before giving Brogan an opportunity to respond to the comment, Indoria continued without taking in a breath, "He is always so busy playing with the ranch. I wish he would become as charmed with a woman," she went on to confide, her voice easing down to a mere whisper as she leaned toward Brogan.

"I'm not getting any younger and would like to know my grandchildren before I die. But of course, Brett must first find a wife before I can have those grandchildren."

Brogan produced a weak smile, concentrating on the sizzling coffee cup rather than Indoria. She was a bit amused with the cup design - a flock of large steers parading around the china. Flock? No, that wasn't quite right. Fledging of cows? No - cattle, she went on to hastily correct. She had never been good with identifying groups of animals. Herd! A herd of cattle she remembered, a smile fixing itself onto her pink lips as she silently congratulated herself.

However, it swiftly faded as she looked up, her eyes connecting with Indoria's as the woman eased out, "I'm glad that you see what I mean, dear."

But Brogan had no idea what Indoria had meant....

As she peered more intently into Indoria's face, she would have been blind not to have noticed a mischievous streak, front-sentry.

Unfortunately, her suspicions were confirmed as the older woman drawled in that secretive tone that was beginning to become very familiar, "Dear, you are much better on the eyes than that load of cows that consumes Brett. Perhaps you'll er....steer his interests elsewhere." She produced a small chuckle, then continued, "Three years - three entire years without a romantic relationship. That isn't a healthy thing, mind you. And he's not getting any younger either."

"Three years?" Brogan croaked, feeling like a giant toad waiting for the witch to transform her into a maiden-fair and offer her to offspring, the woman's plans suddenly crystalizing.

"Yes - three years," Indoria confided. "But let that be our little secret, dear. I daresay that he would be furious to learn that I have shared his private life. Then again, Ricky wasn't all that."

"Ricky?" Brogan echoed, feeling a bit ill to her tummy as she saw Indoria's hand pierce her with the pin and stick her onto the insect board right next to Ricky - whoever the devil Ricky was....

"Yes, Ricky. Oh that child; she was so bad, cheating on Brett like she did. It broke something inside of him. I think most would call it 'trust'?

If Brogan had any sense at all she would jump up and run through the four-foot entrance door, but something was holding her to the spot. Perhaps she had been invisibly hexed by Indoria, she went on to ponder, feeling totally ridiculous in the process.

She lifted her brows to Indoria's rash comment, not knowing what else to do. Nothing was appropriate where Indoria was concerned she went on to decide.

"Yes, it was a sad thing to watch. I couldn't do a thing to help. I-I'm not one to interfere," Indoria continued to share with a thoughtful face. "Ricky ran off with Brett's best friend, Chris."

Brogan drew a hand to her Adam's apple, making an attempt to swallow - and follow Indoria's scatty story.

"I am sorry for your pain," Brogan sympathized, not knowing why.

Then again, she did know why. Her bank account desperately needed this assignment as it was thinner than Indoria's eyebrows - which looked practically plucked-to-death.

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