“Tori, I’m a fool.” He kissed the baby’s cheek. She blinked, waking up from her nap.
With Tori in his arms, he headed for the arena, where the men were still team roping but had switched to a roping machine pulled by a four-wheeler. The replica steer had horns and hind legs for the riders to practice on. Joe drove the ATV around the arena and the two riders positioned behind it practiced lassoing the horns or the back legs. Tori squealed as they watched the horses work with the cowboys.
Not that it was all fun and games. A few of the horses balked at the idea of getting close to the mechanical steer. The replica squeaked and bounced as it was pulled across the arena. A cowboy on a pretty buckskin mare just about got tossed in the dirt when he allowed the horse to shy away from the steer.
“You need to push him back in and hold him,” Ethan called out. “You’re not in control of your horse and your legs are too loose. Use your legs.”
Joe stopped the four-wheeler and pushed his hat back. “Finally, someone who knows what they’re doing. Isaac was supposed to help out but he went and got himself engaged.”
There were a half dozen men standing around. They appeared to range in age from about twenty to several years older than Ethan’s thirty-one years.
“I can give some pointers,” Ethan offered. “First, keep on that steer. And don’t let your horse take control.”
“Can you stick around?” Joe asked, firing the four-wheeler back up.
“Sure, for a bit.”
Ethan moved to the risers where the men who weren’t riding had taken seats to watch the others. He sat by a skinny young man with light-colored hair beneath his too-big hat and an easy smile.
“Hi, I’m Ethan.”
“Kenny.” The young man held out a hand. “I wasn’t in the army.”
“No?” Ethan asked but he watched the action in the arena.
“Nah, I couldn’t join. Juvenile record. But I met Jack in Tulsa and he took me in. Probably a good thing. I would have ended up in prison.”
Ethan gave the kid a longer look and he saw more. He saw that Kenny had a scar on his neck and other smaller scars on his face.
“Car accident,” Kenny informed him without Ethan asking the question.
A truck started in the distance. The men sitting on the metal bleachers all looked toward the main house where the vehicle was backing out of the garage. Jack’s truck, Ethan knew from his short stay at the ranch. But he thought Jack had temporarily moved to his son Carson’s house.
“Isaac must be going to pick Jack up.” Kenny supplied the answer. “Sometimes they get a call in the night from a veteran who needs a place to stay. The ranch is famous because of all the articles written about it. Jack only wishes he had more resources and could take in more people. He can handle about a dozen at a time. But most of them move on after they get their life together. Jack has a van and a driver to make sure they make it to VA appointments. He also acts as an advocate, making sure they get the care they need.”
“He’s quite a guy,” Ethan agreed. Not many people would take their personal fortune and use it the way Jack West had used his.
“I owe him my life. Literally. He saw me in trouble, stopped his truck and physically put me in the backseat.” Kenny shook his head. “No one ever cared whether I lived or died until Jack came along.”
The words shook Ethan. He’d lived a fairly comfortable life on his family ranch. Sure, they’d had drought years, times when cattle prices tanked or instances when they’d had to borrow from the bank to keep things afloat, but he’d never really known hardship. Not really. He’d known heartache, but not hardship.
“It’s a good thing there are people like Jack around,” Ethan told Kenny. “And I’m glad he was there to help you out.”
“Yeah, me, too. I’m going to college. Physical therapy. Crazy, right? Jack wants me to work here on the ranch. He said I have a gift because I help some of the guys with their PT.”
“That’s pretty impressive.”
Kenny gave Tori a long look, his eyes narrowing. “Is she okay?”
The baby girl had been resting in his arms but as he looked down at her, her flushed cheeks indicated that she might have a fever.
“Kenny, I look forward to getting to know you better, but I think I’d better get her to the house.”
“If you need anything, Dr. West’s number is on the fridge,” he said.
“Thank you.” Ethan climbed down from the risers and headed for the house. Tori whimpered a little in her sleep. He considered waking Eve but then thought better of it.
Chapter Eight
Although Tori had been in Eve’s life for less than a week, it seemed strange to sit at the kitchen table on Sunday morning and not have the baby with her. She had gotten up extra early, made coffee and toast. All the while she’d thought about the quiet apartment and how the baby changed everything.
When she heard footsteps, she expected it to be Sierra. Instead it was a woman close to Eve’s age with short blond hair and bangs that hung across half her face, not really hiding a black eye.
“Oh, hi.” The woman stopped mid-step and glanced around, as if seeking escape.
“New roommate?” Eve asked with a smile. Four years of roommates had taught her that each woman who arrived at Mercy Ranch had a story. This woman’s story was written on the side of her face, and it wasn’t a happy story.
“Yes, I guess I am. It was late when I got here. I’m glad I didn’t wake you up.”
“You didn’t. I made coffee and there’s toast. I’m not much of a cook.”
“Thank you.”
Eve poured herself a cup of coffee, giving the other woman a much-needed moment to compose herself. She heard the sniffle, then the paper towel being ripped off the roll.
“I’m Eve, by the way,” she said as she turned her chair with one hand, holding the coffee with the other. It was a dangerous maneuver with hot liquid but she was confident.
“Abby Wallis,” the other woman responded. “And I’m a mess. Sorry. I just never expected this. We were going to get married and then...he changed.”
“I’m sorry,” Eve responded, unsure of what else to say. It dawned on her that people did the same to her. They apologized because they didn’t know how to respond. “You know what? Today, just try to get your bearings and if you need anything, ask.”
“Is there a church nearby? Stupid question. Of course there is. This is Mercy Ranch.”
“Yes, it is Mercy Ranch. I leave for church in an hour if you’d like to go.”
Abby poured herself a cup of coffee and held the mug as if it were life support. “Yes, I’d like to go. I haven’t been in years.”
“You’re welcome to ride with me.”
“You drive?” Abby closed her eyes and gave her head a quick shake. “I’m sorry, of course you do.”
“Don’t be sorry, it was a valid question. I do have a car and yes, I drive. And usually safely.”
“Usually?” Sierra appeared a few seconds later. “Most of the time she thinks she’s a race car driver. I would offer you a ride but I don’t go to church.”
“Oh, okay.” Abby looked from Sierra to Eve.
Sierra breezed into the kitchen, her sundress swishing around her ankles. “Don’t look so worried, I’m joking. Except for the part about church. Eve is the safest driver of us all. And the best person to hang out with. Speaking of which, I just saw Glory coming up the sidewalk. Let me guess, you’ve not only taken Tori to raise, but Glory, too? What’s gotten into you?”
“She’s lonely,” Eve defended. Glory had called her two hours ago, asking if she could go to church with Eve. She would’ve gone with Carson and Kylie, but they had their children. And Cara. The girl had barely gotten her daughter’s name out and started to cry.
“Of course she is. So are all of the dogs in the kennel. I
’m surprised they’re not all in the apartment with us.” Sierra opened the fridge and pulled out a dozen eggs. “Abby, how did you sleep?”
“Not great but definitely better than I’ve been sleeping. Thank you for making this possible for me, Sierra.”
“Don’t thank me. Jack made the decision. But I do hope this gives you a place to start over.”
A knock on the door signaled Glory’s arrival. Sierra shouted for her to come in. Glory’s blond hair hung loose in spiral curls and she wore a peasant skirt and T-shirt. Her wire-framed glasses appeared too big for her face.
“Glory, I’m glad you’re here. Sierra was just starting omelets.” Eve smiled at Abby. “Want one?”
Abby seemed to be a decent coconspirator. “I’d love an omelet, if we have time.”
“Vegetables only,” Glory said, her cheeks turning pink as she made eye contact with Sierra. “I’m trying a vegetarian diet.”
“You need protein,” Sierra shot back.
“I’m eating beans and nuts.” Glory smiled sweetly, maybe not sincerely. “And eggs.”
An hour later Eve pulled into the church parking lot. Glory jumped out immediately, having spotted Carson, Kylie and their children. She paused long enough to ask Eve if she needed help.
“I’m good, but thank you for asking. Go kiss Cara.”
Abby waited, her short hair brushed to the side, covering her bruised and battered face. She pulled a pair of sunglasses out of her bag and slid them on.
“I never thought I would be that woman.” She said when she noticed the direction of Eve’s gaze. “I’m not even his wife, just his girlfriend. We met in the Army and started dating after boot camp. We had the same job, went to the same school and then got sent to different duty stations. He was in San Diego and I was in Norfolk. I guess we didn’t really know each other. But I thought I was in love so when I got out, I moved here, to his home state.”
Eve had pulled her chair from the backseat, attached the detachable wheels and transferred herself from the car. She remained focused on Abby, although she thought the woman found it easier to talk to someone who appeared to be distracted.
“How’d you find Mercy Ranch?” Eve asked after Abby suddenly went silent.
“I went to the VA yesterday. I thought I had a concussion. He beat my head against a door.” Tears rolled down her cheeks and she removed the sunglasses to swipe them away. “I’m a strong, independent woman and I let a man beat me. I thought I could help him. The first couple of times he made excuses. I believed him.”
“You’re not a victim. You left.”
She smiled at that. “Yeah, I guess I did. Anyway, I met Sierra there and she told me about Mercy Ranch. She called Jack for me.”
“Mercy Ranch is a good place to start over.”
“I’ll stay for a little while. I can’t go home to my parents. They’d never understand how he spent most of my money, beat me to the point of losing consciousness...”
“You’re alive. That’s the important thing,” Eve said. And she realized how much truth there was in that statement. Not just for Abby, but for herself.
The church bell rang. Abby slipped her sunglasses back on. “I guess that’s our cue.”
“It is.” Eve led the way to the church.
When they reached the ramp, Abby grabbed the handles of her chair. “Can I help?”
“Thanks.”
They entered to find the usual crew from Mercy Ranch. They were all there, except Sierra and Ethan. She scanned the church, thinking he might have sat elsewhere. When she didn’t see him, she took her spot at the end of a pew that had been shortened to make room for a wheelchair. Abby sat in the pew in front of her.
The music that morning was a blend of worship songs and old hymns. Eve closed her eyes, moved to tears by the songs in a way she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. When the sermon started, she wasn’t surprised that the message made her cry, as well. It was just the way the morning was going.
Of course the sermon would be about accepting the past in order to live in the present. She tried to close her mind to the words because she and God had been arguing for several years. She’d tried anger. She’d tried pleading. Nothing had changed her situation. This was her present and her future. Was she living in the present or lamenting the situation that had brought her here?
Pastor Jordan Stone was new. He wouldn’t know her story or the times she’d left a service mid-sermon. He stood behind the pulpit, tall and very in command of the faith he preached. Of course, Sierra wouldn’t want to work with him at the wedding chapel.
Church finally ended and she somehow felt lighter, freer than she had in months. As she left the church, Isaac’s fiancée, Rebecca, joined her. She introduced herself to Abby as she tried to keep her daughter, Allie, from running off to join the other children.
“Do you know where Ethan is?” Eve asked Rebecca.
“I haven’t seen him.” She scanned the crowd and pointed at Allie. “Get back over here. Oh, wait a sec, I do know where he is.”
Eve blinked a few times. “Am I supposed to keep up with this conversation?”
Rebecca dimpled at her remark. “You can try. Jack said that Tori caught the stomach bug. Ethan was up all night with her. He stayed home to take care of her.”
Eve was surprised at the anger that washed over her. When Rebecca gave her a questioning look, she managed a smile.
“I’ll have to check in on them.”
Disappointment took the place of anger. Disappointment, hurt and several other emotions. He hadn’t called her to help. Why? Because he thought she was the one who needed to be taken care of?
She’d show him who needed to be protected.
* * *
Ethan had moved himself and Tori to a small room at the back of Jack’s log home, far from everyone. But he really didn’t have much of a choice. The library, as Jack called it, had a desk, sleeper sofa, television and a wall of bookcases filled from top to bottom with books of every genre. One smaller bookcase near the desk contained Bibles, Bible studies, devotionals and self-help books. When he’d entered the room with Tori, he’d breathed in the scent of leather, polished wood and books.
He was so tired he no longer noticed how welcoming the room was, nor did he pay much attention to the windows that overlooked green fields and grazing cattle. Wind whipped at the trees and clouds covered the sun. He didn’t care. Tori had finally fallen into an exhausted sleep after a night of battling the stomach virus. Fortunately Carson and Kylie West had made sure he was well equipped. He had bottles of water, snacks and grape popsicles for Tori.
No one had ever told him that being a parent could be this exhausting.
A knock on the door got him up off the sofa, where he’d managed to doze. Thirty minutes, he realized as he glanced at his watch.
He looked at Tori. She was still sleeping and crossed the room. He opened the door, and the person he found on the other side looked like she might be ready to do bodily harm.
He held a finger to his lips. She opened her mouth and closed it, her gaze shooting past him. He stepped into the hallway, closing the door so that it was open only a crack. Just in case Tori woke up.
“How is she?” Eve asked first. “And why didn’t you tell me? You could have called me to tell me she was sick.”
“I didn’t think it was necessary to wake you up and make you come over in the middle of the night.”
She tapped her fingers on the armrest of her chair and glared until he squirmed like a five-year-old caught eating candy before dinner. The problem was he’d done something wrong and didn’t know what.
“I’m not sure why you thought I couldn’t be counted on to help. We’re supposed to be doing this together. Together means both of us.”
“Oh, I get it. I wondered what I’d done to deserve this much anger.”
She cocked her head the slightest bit to the side. “Do you get it?”
“I think so. I should have called you, and I’m sorry. Now you think that I think you’re not capable. Everything I do is measured to the horse I thought you couldn’t handle.”
Her chin came up a notch, much like the teenager he’d once known. He bit back a smile because he guessed that wasn’t the best response to her ire.
“I’m sorry, Eve,” he started. “I really do know that you’re capable. I left her with you that first day. And then for two days after that. I obviously know you can handle caring for her. She was sick and I didn’t really think about calling and waking you up.”
“Next time you will,” she insisted.
“Next time I will.”
“May I come in?”
He pushed the door open. She zoomed in ahead of him and went straight to the playpen. She peered over the side at the sleeping child, her expression softening. Ethan stopped next to her, his hand resting on her shoulder. She stiffened beneath his touch but then she covered his hand with her own.
“I’m so sad that Hanna and James will miss out on seeing her grow up. I’m so sad that she won’t know them.” Her voice broke and she swiped at tears running down her cheeks.
“I know.”
“I do not understand life. I don’t understand why some are taken and others...”
She didn’t finish her thought. Backing away from him, she turned to look out the window. He didn’t follow. He knew when she needed space. Experience had taught him that much.
After several minutes of silence, she moved to face him with more sadness than he’d ever expected to see in anyone’s eyes.
“I can live with what happened to me. I can’t live with knowing that somehow our coordinates were manipulated by an enemy we couldn’t see and suddenly we were in an isolated area, nowhere near our destination. I was the person in charge of navigation. I was the one responsible.”
He remained silent, knowing she didn’t need to hear that he was sorry.
Her Oklahoma Rancher Page 9
