Lessons in Fly Fishing: Far From Home, #1

By Eliza Lloyd

Determined to break the final ties to her hometown, Kasey Hunsaker returns to Bozeman to her high school reunion where former sweetheart, sometimes lover and best friend, Daniel Forrestal patiently waits for her return.

 

It had been a bad summer all around. Twenty years ago and pregnant with the child she eventually miscarried, Kasey left Dan to her best girlfriend—the woman who claimed Kasey's interference ruined their own chances at happiness. And Dan? Well, his fledging business would be ruined if he had to support a child at such a young age.

 

Mom also thought it would be a good time to tell her one more secret, one that assured leaving Bozeman was the best thing possible.

 

In spite of the distance, their lives remain connected. Forrestal Fly Fishing is a large client of Kasey's marketing firm. Kasey vows never to hurt Dan again, but she does just that when she tells Dan goodbye for the last time. Dan finds out what commitment is when Kasey is severely injured in an automobile accident as she leaves Bozeman. With Kasey recovering and finally in a corner, Dan learns the secrets, the burdens and the love she has carried and he is determined to get his girl back, once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eliza Lloyd
• Release date: Aug 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201049867

Book preview

Prologue

Bozeman, Montana

April. Opening Day.

Tell me again why I’m standing hip-deep in freezing cold water when I could be curled up in my bed under a down comforter reading a good book? Kasey looked over her shoulder with an impish grin on her face. And I’ll bet if I asked real nice, Aunt Virginia would even bring me a plate of homemade cookies and a glass of cold milk, she teased as she stood in the middle of the Gallatin River.

They aren’t as good as my mom’s. Daniel Forrestal glanced at Kasey Anne Hunsaker standing hip-deep in freezing cold water wishing he could be the one to warm her up—down comforter optional.

So true. But does she make bedside delivery?

You know you’d rather be fishing.

Yep.

"You’re reeling too fast. How am I ever going to know if the Danny Boy Dangler works if you don’t use it properly?"

She gazed back, lifting one arched brow. "Most women know what to do with a dangler. It’s men who seem to have trouble reeling their dangler properly."

He laughed. There was no woman who made him happier.

Kasey recast her line before she continued. I’ve been fly fishing since I was four. Don’t try to give me advice on proper reeling techniques. Next, you’ll be telling me I don’t know how to cast. And why did you give me an automatic reel anyway?

Nothing but complaints. You’re testing my new lure, not comparing reels. He was standing a few feet away from her casting downriver. Kasey was behind him casting across.

She balanced the fishing rod in one hand. I do like the feel of this graphite.

You would, he said. He couldn’t stop the sly grin that lighted his face.

Are you sure you don’t have a single-action in the back of your truck? This is taking all the fun out of fishing. I can’t get enough fly line, Kasey complained.

Well, excuse me—

Hey, hey! I’ve got something coming in. Kasey started a slow turn. The whirr and click of her Ross reel indicated her progress. Oh, yeah. Come to Mama. A few minutes later, she snagged a fish. Not bad for the first catch of the season. Professor Jameson will appreciate that I put the day to such good use instead of attending Modern Jazz. She slipped the hook from inside the large grayling trout’s mouth. I don’t know if it was your new rod or the dangler lure, but this is a beauty. She held it up for him to inspect.

Let me get a shot before you release. Danny tucked his rod beneath his arm then pulled out a blue waterproof camera and snapped a photo. "Now I have proof the Danny Boy Dangler is all that I said it would be. Do you mind if I use this in my promotional literature?"

Kasey looked over her shoulder and shrugged before giving him a doubtful smile. "Sure. Like it’s going to help sell the Danny Boy."

You never know, he said.

As anxious as Danny was to see how his new lure performed, Kasey Hunsaker standing in her grey waders and red-and-grey checked flannel shirt got more attention than his new fly-fishing lure. Her dark auburn hair was tucked under a Forrestal Fly Fishing cap he’d given her last year when he started his tour business.

Kasey looked good. So damn good. He was starved for the sight of her after all these months. He didn’t know how long he could hold himself back, though he was afraid if he reacted as he wanted to, he’d only to scare her off again.

He had a good feeling. Once he sold the Danny Boy, he was going to be rich.

And once he was rich, Kasey would look to the hometown boy to settle down with and marry, not the campus frat boys she dated now.

Missoula. What had ever possessed her to go to college there?

Kasey dropped the fish back into the cool, clear running water. Danny made sure he was standing next to her when she grabbed her rod to recast. He’d snuck up beside her while she was admiring her catch.

He wrapped one arm around her neck and pulled her into an embrace, sloshing water over his waders and into his pants. An ice-cold drenching was just what he needed. Nice catch, Kasey. He bent to kiss her.

Kasey kissed him back.

Danny closed his eyes enjoying a bit of heaven. His mind raced. How could he get his Kasey back? What did she want?

When he pulled away, Kasey narrowed her lids, glared at him with those river green eyes and snapped back at him. Why do you keep doing that? You know I have real boyfriends now.

Oh? And I wasn’t?

It’s not the same, Kasey hedged. So don’t kiss me anymore, she insisted.

I’ll keep doing it as long as you keep kissing me back. Boyfriend or not, I know what you really want, and I’d bet he doesn’t kiss as well as I do anyway, Danny answered.

"Danny, I’ve told you hundreds of times—we’re just friends. I’m going to drive back to college tomorrow and forget all about you and that kiss. When I come home to Bozeman in the summer, you’ll no doubt try to kiss me again, and I’m going to tell you the same thing. So I wish you would just stop it."

No, he’d never stop trying. Not until he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Kasey Hunsaker didn’t love him. Sure, Kasey. Tell yourself that all you want. She frowned in consternation. Danny winked at her and turned to trudge through the water to his own spot.

He shouted over the water at her, totally unconcerned he was disturbing the fish below. They’d kept up a running conversation since they’d arrived. It was amazing they caught anything at all. I’m going to be rich someday, Kasey. I already make the best lures in the state, and soon I’m going to have the biggest fly-fishing tour business in Montana and you’re going to beg me to marry you. Who knows? By then I’ll have so many women lined up wanting to hold my rod, you’ll have to take a number to get anything from me. He laughed at his own humor.

She yelled back. If that’s a proposal, it’s one of your more lame efforts. And the answer’s still no. Who wants to marry a best friend when the whole world is lying at my feet?

Danny recast his own line looking back at Kasey. He swallowed back his doubt. Truth be told, he wasn’t all that confident. At first, her nos were followed by apologies; now they were stern, quick and meaningful. The last two years were hell as he watched her go off to college and bring a different boyfriend home every month to meet her mom and dad—her aunt and uncle as it turned out.

She’d ripped his heart right out of his chest and he still didn’t know what had happened.

Was it all connected? Was finding out about the adoption and her sisters all that came between them? He doubted it but she wouldn’t tell him anything.

At least she still called him her best friend. It was something. He’d thought their friendship was over. It was hanging by a thread when she left for college and if it were possible, it spiraled downward in the months afterward. No threads. No frayed knots. Just nothing.

But to his eternal relief, she finally started returning his phone calls after Christmas. Kasey seemed to have worked through the issues bothering her. The boyfriends she had were still an annoying nuisance but at least they were talking. At least.

He wanted so much more.

Kasey. She glanced over her shoulder at him. I’m glad you came, he said.

She gave him an embarrassed smile and nodded in agreement. Me, too.

Whatever Kasey Hunsaker was looking for, she didn’t think she was going to find it in Bozeman.

Danny knew Kasey well enough to know she wasn’t going to find it outside of Bozeman. Because he wasn’t leaving Bozeman anytime soon.

Chapter One

May. Eighteen Years Later.

Ryan, you’re making me crazy. If Kasey wasn’t leaving the office in a few hours, she’d take the time to tear out her hair.

Kasey sat at her desk looking over the last of her to-do list, including the newly developed project list from her boss delivered by the proverbial messenger she was about to kill, before she headed home to Bozeman. Six days out of the office and he acted as if she’d be gone a year. She glared at him before she continued. I had nothing to do with the marketing campaign for Davidson Dry Cleaners. Talk to Bernice Feldman. It’s her baby.

Not anymore. Bernice had to take a month off with her father. Phil says it’s all yours. Ryan Bunning, her three-year intern-turned-Boy Friday carried a file and a computer disk he dropped on her nearly empty desk. Her desk drawers were cram packed to hide the guilt she left behind.

My plate is full. And where are those brochures for Gemini? she asked as she rifled through a last stack of papers. Ryan walked to a bank of file cabinets on the far wall. Without looking up, she said, Go tell Phil that I—

Tell Phil what? Phil Bancroft stuck his head in the door. Lanky and elegant, Phil’s demeanor and dress just shouted salesman, down to the perfect little hanky in his jacket pocket. He’d started his agency fifteen years ago. Kasey had worked for Street Marketing for almost five years now. His every thought and action commanded obedience. With the slight nod of a head or a few well-chosen directives, staff members scrambled.

Phiilll! she drawled, coating the word with guilt. I can’t take another account. You promised you’d lighten my load. Last week you added TelStar Communications, the month before that Romani’s Pizza.

Romani’s asked for you. How could I refuse a client that’s growing as fast as they are? Phil asked in that irritating manner of both supplicant and commander.

Yeah, well that still doesn’t explain TelStar or Davidson’s. Can’t you hire me some decent help?

Ah hum. Ryan cleared his throat with pretend affront. What am I? Your pool boy? Ryan asked.

Phil laughed.

No, you’re my graphics man and don’t pretend you’re not snowed under, too. She turned back to Phil, who had walked further into the room and stood near her desk. Well, I’m waiting, she said.

Oh, come on Kasey. What else have you got to do? The moment I lighten your work load, you’ll think your work isn’t up to par and you’ll be in my office demanding to know why I’ve taken away an account, so just be thankful I’m such a giving boss and that I know how to fill your time. Now, what about Romani’s? We’ve promised them their new marketing materials at the end of June.

I’ll be ready. She handed Ryan some sketch ideas while he handed her the brochures she wanted, and with a jerk of her head indicated he could leave her office. She could be freer with her words when no one else heard.

Are you sure? Phil asked.

Have I ever missed a deadline?

He leaned against her desk and shoved his hands in his pockets looking down at her in a non-boss sort of way. A way she had pretended didn’t exist and she certainly wasn’t going to acknowledge. Not in recent memory, but I do recall a couple of all-nighters you pulled trying to get the Smithfield account flying.

Why the guff? I’m your star. Let me shine, would ya?

My star seems a little off her game. It’s not like you, Kasey.

Phil’s concern went deeper than an off day at work. Kasey pretended indifference. Well, it wasn’t pretend. She was indifferent. She didn’t want to encourage him in any way. Especially that way. He was the boss and a sort-of friend, she didn’t want to blur the line by hinting she had any interest.

I’ve been busy planning this reunion. I don’t think it’s affected my work, has it? She lived and died Street when she was in the office and sometimes when she wasn’t. There really was nothing for him to complain about. Planning the reunion took up a lot of time and effort—and even more emotion.

You had your twenty-year reunion just three years ago. Don’t you remember how it was? All the old anxieties, who’s gone to pot, who’s a success, who’s doing who? This weekend is important. I’m sorry I’ve been distracted. I’ll be back on Wednesday and all will be right with the world.

Promise?

Yes. I’m turning over a new leaf. Back to work. Hip hip hooray. Now leave me alone. Ryan and I have a hundred things to finish today before I leave, she said.

All right. On Wednesday when you get back, I want to go over Davidson’s, he held up his hand to stop her from interrupting, and Romani’s. I don’t want to miss a thing on that account. And what about Forrestal? We haven’t done anything grand since the website.

Ryan and I are kicking around a couple of ideas, but nothing that’s worth investing any time in. I’ll see Dan this weekend and see what he thinks. Maybe he’s even got some ideas of his own.

Keep the clients happy, Kasey.

Don’t I always?

Phil mumbled a few words about having a safe trip before he departed from her office.

By eight that evening, Kasey packed her laptop and tidied up the last few items on her desk. She went through the drive-up for supper, arrived back at the house in time for her favorite reality show and packed during commercials.

This year, she intended to do it. One last hurrah before she left the past behind her. She hit the power button on the television and walked into her bedroom. In front of her on the wall, little Belle smiled back. The daughter Danny should have had. The daughter they should have had.

Kasey could not, did not want to live another day staring in the mirror with self-recrimination and carrying the load of guilt she hauled around since she walked away from Danny without an explanation, lost their child and launched a lifetime of missed opportunities and bad decisions.

Bozeman was where it had all started, and that’s where she needed to finish it.

She caressed the face of her daughter in the drawing on the wall—Belle as Kasey imagined her. As a mother imagined her.

I love you, Belle, but I’ve got to go on. She touched Danny’s face in the portrait. He was flesh and blood, living and breathing in Bozeman. He would be harder to leave, harder to let go.

But for both of their sakes, she had to cauterize her wounds. Her intention had been to spare him, but he might have been hurt most—and he would never know it. She had to let Danny go once and for all.

Chapter Two

Where did twenty years go? Kasey asked out loud as she wrapped the festive ribbons around the tall column of the Bozeman Country Club ballroom. Twenty years was too long. She’d put off what she should have done years ago. Trouble was—she was going to rip out her heart in the process.

Ballroom was an aggrandizement of the square, blue-carpeted vaulted ceiling cavern, but every reunion for their high school class had been held in this very room.

In 1999, Greg Blankenship proposed to his high school sweetheart, Tanya Long; in 2004, Kasey’s husband had gotten falling down, embarrassingly drunk and hit on one of her good friends, Janet Kyle-Barrows, but not before taking a swing at Dan Forrestal. John missed by a mile and Dan was gracious enough not to deck him afterward. In 2009, she’d snuck off early with Dan and made love to him—again. She needed to stop doing that—if she was any sort of real friend, she’d stop teasing him and let him get on with his life.

It was time she told him the truth. There would never be a Kasey and Dan. She’d used him as a crutch for far too long. Dan would counter with the same argument—that’s what friends were for. This year she’d have to mean it. Dan needed to let loose of his infatuation. And she needed to let him.

After this year, Kasey was never coming back to Bozeman. The place hadn’t been her home for years, more so since Aunt Virginia had finally told Kasey the truth about her parents.

Her real parents.

After the truth came out, she’d stopped calling her mom. She said Aunt Virginia now, because that’s what she was. Everyone had some secret shame—hers was how she had treated Aunt Virginia.

Well, maybe she wouldn’t tell Danny right away that she meant for this to be her last trip to Bozeman. She’d sleep with him one last time. As insensible as it was, she’d always intensely enjoyed that part of their friendship even though she felt guilty afterwards. It left the mistaken impression she cared more than she did.

Every time she came back to Bozeman, she had these same old feelings.

That was just it, she did care. She couldn’t hide it from Dan, but he always interpreted it as something more. It was obvious she wasn’t a true friend. She used him to satisfy her immediate needs and to help her through life’s rough patches. But she gave nothing back.

Kasey let out a long sigh. She’d betrayed him once by not telling him. She still hadn’t forgiven herself. But until now, she didn’t have the strength to stay away. This year, things would be different. This year, she’d have to let Dan go free.

Dan was her first lay; he was there when she found out about her sisters; he was there when she divorced. He was always there. She had to stop relying on him when life threw her an emotional upheaval. Or was it just her way of excusing her behavior? A crisis was a sneaky way to get close to Dan without appearing as if she needed him any other time in her life.

Where, oh, where did twenty years go? she asked again.

Down the toilet along with bad marriages, forgotten dreams and size six jeans, Tanya Blankenship answered back when she walked past Kasey with an armful of tablecloths.

It was only my marriage that went South, Tanya, Kasey said.

Tanya looked back over her shoulder. Yeah, right. Yours and several others.

Janet Kyle-Barrows came in carrying a crate stuffed with an assortment of books—all bearing the familiar blue and gold colors of the Bozeman High Bears. "These are all