I wasn’t sure if I should ask questions about Matty’s mom, but I couldn’t deny that I was curious to know what had happened.
Although he seemed reluctant to talk about it, Luke must have figured that I’d find out sooner or later, so he answered my unspoken question.
“Matty’s mother wasn’t suited to life on the ranch. She tried, I know she did, but she was never truly happy here. When we divorced, we agreed that Matty should live with me. It was hard enough that his parents were separating; we couldn’t take him from his home as well. I know it was one of the hardest decisions she ever made, and it still pains her that she only gets him part time. She’s a good woman.”
I gave him a small smile, warmth flooding me at the fact that he spoke so highly of his ex-wife. I loved that although they parted, they’d done it amiably, and they were concerned about their son’s happiness first. It showed me the kind of man he was, and I had to admit, even if it was just to myself, that I liked everything I knew about Luke so far.
“Patty is a good woman,” Hank added with a nod. “And we were all sorry when things didn’t work out, but I have to say, it’ll be nice having a pretty young woman around here again.”
I blushed, then realized what Hank had just said. “Patty?”
My eyes shot to Luke’s face and he tilted his head in question. “Patricia’s Matty’s mom, and my ex-wife … She didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head, confused that Patricia had got me this job, in her old home, and never told me the ties she had to this family.
Why would she do that? I wondered, then began to eat, eager to have a distraction from the strange turn of conversation.
“Hmmm,” Luke murmured, seemingly wondering why Patricia had held back that information, then took a bite of his lunch. His eyes shot to mine in surprise. “This is delicious.”
I felt a rush of pleasure at his compliment, then flushed when Hank added loudly, “Damn, girl, you can cook.”
A giggle escaped before I could bite it back, causing both men to grin at me. No more words were spoken as they ate with a gusto, until they stopped and asked me for seconds.
When they stood and said they had to get back to work, I was torn between sadness at being left alone again and eagerness to contemplate Patricia’s actions.
I walked them out and stood in the doorway, watching as they mounted their horses.
“See ya soon, Belle,” Hank called with a wave, and Luke tipped his hat.
I waved my farewell, and stayed there as they galloped away. Then I shut the door and proceeded to clean up the mess from lunch, thinking about how pleased I was about the success of my first meal, and that it was even nicer to work here than I’d imagined it would be.
Chapter 22
After a quiet supper with Luke, I went to my room and called my sponsor, Sarah. She was the person I could talk to whenever I felt the need to have a drink, or just needed to talk about something. We’d met at the rehab center when they’d had an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. She’d been sober for five years, and sought me out after I got up and told my story. Sarah had started drinking after the death of one of her children, so she thought that she’d be able to help me, and so far she’d been great.
I’d called her just to check in and give her an update on my new job, not because I was struggling with the need to drink. She’d encouraged me to keep have an honest and open dialogue with Luke. It was when I bottled things up that I tended to get the urge to mask my feelings with alcohol.
When I hung up I felt lighter, happier, just like I always did after our conversations.
I shot a quick text to Ginger, not sure if she’d be on her way to work yet or not. I hadn’t been allowed to have electronics while I was in rehab, but Ginger and I had kept in touch through the mail. We’d sent each other letters, cards, and even pictures, but I hadn’t talked to her yet since I’d been out and I was eager to hear her voice again.
It was too early to go to bed, but too late to do any work, so I wandered out into the living room to see what Luke was doing.
He was kicked back on his leather couch, feet up on the ottoman in front of him, with football playing on the TV. He looked relaxed in jeans and a T-shirt with his feet bare.
“Is it all right if I join you?” I asked softly.
“Of course,” he responded, sitting up and dropping his feet to the floor.
“You don’t have to get up,” I protested as I sat in the recliner farthest from him.
“And you don’t have to ask permission to come into the living room.”
I chuckled softly and replied, “I’m just not sure how to act yet.”
“You’re welcome in here any time you’d like. I don’t expect you to be holed up in your room when I’m home,” he said with a kind smile. “I want you to feel comfortable here.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I’m sure we’ll get used to each other soon.”
We sat back and watched television for a while, neither of us saying anything. I didn’t really like football, and didn’t follow what was watching, but it felt good just to be in the same room with someone … with Luke. It was comfortable, and I felt at ease with him, which was a nice surprise.
“I usually go for a walk before bed, to check things out and wind down. Would you like to join me?” Luke asked.
“Yes, that sounds great,” I responded. “I’ll just go grab my shoes.”
“You may want a jacket. It gets chilly at night.”
I nodded, then rushed to get my things. I was back seconds later, and followed him outside eagerly.
We walked side by side in silence, the sounds of crickets and other nocturnal creatures filling the void. I could barely make Luke’s face out in the dark, but could see his eyes searching the fence line as we made our way farther from the house.
We’d been walking for a while when I heard a rustling and looked around to find the source.
“That’ll be Joe,” Luke said as a beautiful black lab came into view. “He’s Pa’s dog and likes to check the land before he goes to bed at night too.”
“Hey, Joe,” I cooed as I knelt down to get to eye level with the dog. I offered up the back of my hand for him to smell, then pet him vigorously when he gave me his consent. “Aren’t you a pretty boy.”
Luke chuckled beside me as I lavished attention on the beautiful dog.
“Joe,” I heard Hank call in the distance, followed by a sharp whistle.
“Go on,” Luke urged, and Joe took off at a sprint toward the sound of Hank’s voice.
“You like animals,” Luke said as a statement, rather than a question.
“Yes.”
“Horses?”
“I’ve never actually seen one up close,” I admitted.
“Well, we’ll have to fix that. I’ll take you to the stables, introduce you to Skywalker.”
“Skywalker?”
“My horse.”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to him, trying with all my might to hold back laughter.
“You’re kidding right?”
For the first time since that night in Vegas, I was hit with the full force of Luke’s easygoing smile, and I felt it down to my toes.
“What, you don’t like Star Wars?” he teased, reminding me of how fun and sweet he was. I felt a rush of pleasure that he seemed to be more at ease with me now. I’d been worried after our interview that the guy I’d met that night had been an illusion, but he wasn’t. He was standing in front of me now.
“No, I love Star Wars,” I said, unable to contain my laugh any longer. “You just took me by surprise, that’s all.”
We laughed together, and I don’t know how it was possible, but Luke looked even more incredible when he laughed.
His eyes still filled with merriment, he shocked me when he said, “You look really good, Belle. Not that you weren’t gorgeous before, but you look happier. Healthier. It looks good on you.”
“Thank you,” I replied, not bothering to hide my p
leasure at his words. “I feel a lot better.”
“I’m glad,” he said, then we turned and headed back toward the house, and I felt lighter than I had in months.
Chapter 23
Luke slept in, and I had breakfast ready at nine, as instructed. The conversation was easy, but when he left to go into town to pick up his son, my nerves returned. Luke was only one half of the duo that I was going to live with while I was here, and I hadn’t met Matty yet.
What if he hated me?
What if he was a monster of a kid? A holy terror?
I’d been so worried about Luke and his reaction to having me in his home that I hadn’t thought about what would happen if his son and I didn’t get along.
Once Luke’s truck pulled away, I’d been overcome with stress.
I pulled out the recipe for the Kit Kat Cookies that Ms. Lucille had promised were his favorites, and I went over her list of his favorite foods, determined to get on his good side.
I was not ashamed to bribe him, if that’s what it took. I knew that no matter how well Luke and I got along, if his son didn’t want me there, I was as good as gone.
I worked myself into such a panic that by the time I was supposed to expect them home, I was a wreck. Supper was ready, as were the cookies, but I was a mess. And I wanted a drink.
Badly.
I grabbed my phone and took it outside, breathing the fresh air in deeply as I waited for Sarah to pick up. Although the rocking chairs looked inviting, I was too antsy to sit, so I paced instead.
She answered on the third ring, and talked me down over the next ten minutes, so by the time the truck pulled up and parked, I was sitting in the rocking chair laughing as she told me a story.
“They’re home, so I’ve gotta go,” I told Sarah as I stood and watched the little boy with dark hair jump down from the truck. He seemed tall for his age, and his hair was in need of a cut, but there was no denying that he was Luke’s son.
“Hi,” I said, putting on a brave face and descending the stairs to greet them. “I’m Belle, you must be Matty.”
“Hi, Belle,” Matty said with a sweet grin, instantly melting my fears away. “Are you named after Belle on Beauty and the Beast? Is California always sunny? Have you been to the ocean? I’ve never been to the ocean, but I want to build a sand castle. Did you know mares can be pregnant for up to three hundred and sixty days?”
I laughed, utterly charmed as Matty put his hand in mine and pulled me up the stairs and into the house. I turned back to look at Luke, who was smiling and shaking his head at his son.
“No, I didn’t know that,” I responded as we went into the kitchen. “Yes, I’ve been to the ocean. California isn’t always sunny, but it usually is, and no I wasn’t named after that Belle. My full name is Mirabelle, which was my great-grandmother’s name.”
“Oh,” Matty replied, then yelled, “Cookies!” and proceeded to shove one almost entirely in his mouth.
“Matty, get a plate,” Luke admonished, but he was wearing a big smile, and I could tell he was as charmed by his son as I was.
“Kay, dad,” Matty said, then reached into the cupboard and pulled a paper plate down.
He put four cookies on it, then looked up at his dad, who said, “Two. You haven’t had dinner yet.”
Matty put two of the cookies back, finished off his second cookie, then asked, “What’s for dinner?”
Dinner was easy and fun, with Matty asking a million questions and talking a mile a minute. I loved it and felt foolish for allowing myself to get so worked up over something that ended up being fine.
“He’s great,” I told Luke when he and I were sitting in the living room. I’d cleaned up the kitchen, and Matty was off getting showered and ready for bed.
“Thanks,” Luke replied, his face showing obvious pride for his son. “He keeps us on our toes.”
“I bet,” I said with a chuckle, then I admitted, “I was really worried about meeting him.”
“Why?”
I shrugged, not wanting to let all of my insecurities show.
“Well, you didn’t have to be. Matty is pretty easy to get along with.”
We were sitting back, watching the news, when Matty came running in, his hair damp and curing around his ears.
“Ready, Dad?” he asked his father eagerly as he hopped on one foot and put his shoes on.
Luke stood, ruffled his son’s hair, and replied, “You bet,” then he turned to me and offered, “Would you like to join us?’
“Yeah, could ya?” Matty asked so enthusiastically that I didn’t have the heart to say no.
“I’d love to,” I said, my smile genuine as I joined father and son on their nightly walk. I was thinking how much I enjoyed being here, and how great Luke was with Matty, when I felt Matty’s hand slip in to mine.
Joy filled me at that innocent touch, and I wondered how I ended up in this place.
Chapter 24
The next morning I made Matty pancakes for breakfast, made sure his bag was ready by the door, and went to wake him up.
“Matty, it’s time to get up and get ready for school,” I said softly, shaking his shoulder gently to rouse him.
There was no response.
“Hey,” I tried getting a little louder. “It’s time to get up.”
Nothing.
I turned the light on and looked down at the sleeping boy, worrying my lip as I wondered how I could get him up without scaring him to death.
I pulled the covers back and tried to shake him awake again.
Finally I said in a louder-than-normal voice, “Matty, get up, your shower’s ready.”
His hand twitched by his side, and his eyes fluttered open.
“Whaaa?” he mumbled.
“Time to get up,” I said forcefully. “Get in the shower, then come have your breakfast.”
“Kay,” Matty said as he rose slowly, stretching as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and let them dangle.
“Okay,” I said with a smile, proud of myself for finally getting him up. I wondered if I’d missed something in the notes that Ms. Lucille left, or if he wasn’t normally so hard to wake.
I left Matty to do his business and went to make sure his jacket and shoes were by the door along with his backpack. I had a feeling he was going to be running behind, and I didn’t want him to be late for the bus.
I went back down the hall a few minutes later to check on his progress, and let out a frustrated grunt when I saw he was back in bed, sound asleep.
“Matty!” I yelled, not bothering to try and whisper him awake this time. “You have to get up.”
He sat straight up in bed, his hair adorably tousled, and replied, “I’m up.”
This time I went to the bed and helped him stand, then led him down the hall to the waiting shower.
“You’ll be lucky if there’s any hot water left,” I muttered as I nudged him into the bathroom and shut the door behind him.
Fifteen minutes later when Luke came to collect him, Matty was sitting at the counter finishing up his breakfast.
“You not ready yet, buddy?” Luke asked, walking right for the coffee maker and filling up his travel mug.
“I had a hard time waking him,” I admitted, not wanting Matty to get in trouble.
Luke turned to me with a grin. “Lucille didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head, indicating that she definitely did not give me a head’s up about Matty sleeping like a log.
“You just have to turn on the little radio next to his bed and give him a few minutes. He’ll get up on his own and find his way to the bathroom. Sorry, I should have mentioned it.”
“That’s okay, at least I know now.”
Luke nodded and brought the steaming mug to his lips.
“I’d like you to come with us this morning, that way if there’s ever a time I can’t get him to the bus, you’ll know the way.”
“Sure, just let me get my things.”
I threw on a hoodie and s
ome tennis shoes, then came back out to find Luke and Matty waiting for me by the door.
“Ready?” Luke asked.
I nodded and followed them out, taking Matty’s offered hand as we walked in the chilly morning air.
Matty chattered happily about what they were going to do in gym class that day as we walked along a cleared path through the trees. It was a beautiful morning, and although I wished it were a little warmer, I was sure it was a lovely way to start each day.
About a half-mile later, we came to a clearing that opened up into the road I’d arrived on.
“The bus will pick him up right here,” Luke explained as we waited.
As if on cue, the large rumbling of the bus proceeded it, then it pulled into view and stopped in front of us.
Luke crouched down and gave Matty a hug and a kiss and said, “Have a good day, bud. I love you.”
“I love you too, Dad,” Matty replied sweetly, then he turned to me and said, “See you later, Belle.”
“Bye,” I responded as he walked up the stairs and into the big yellow bus.
We turned and started back the way we came, leaves dry from winter crunching beneath our feet as we walked.
“So, Patricia didn’t really say, what exactly do you on the ranch?” I asked, curious and wanting to know more about him.
Luke bent and picked up a large stick, fiddling with it as we ambled through the woods.
“We raise cattle and breed horses, mostly. Sometimes we’ll run programs like the Adventure Therapy with the rehab center, or offer learning opportunities for camps and special needs foundations.”
“Did you always know that this is what you wanted to do?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” Luke answered with a grin. “I’ve been on the back of a horse for as long as I can remember. My Pa never shielded me from life on the ranch. He said it would ultimately be my decision whether I took over for him or not, that the land is either in your blood, or it’s not … It was never a question in my mind, and I think it’s the same for Matty. I have no desire to live in the city, or wake up each morning and put on a suit. It can be a hard life, but it’s a rewarding one.”