Renewing Love

by Linda Ford

  Ma and Aunt Alice sat at the table, papers, notebooks, pen and ink around them.

  Aunt Alice paused from whatever she was doing to look up. “We see you.”

  Ma smiled. “Welcome home, son. Glad to have you back.”

  “Thanks.” He glanced around. “Where’s Eve?”

  They both spoke at once, but he managed to figure out that she was taking food out to someone in the woods. His neck creaked with tension. “Some boy? Did she say how old this boy is?”

  Again he had to sift through their combined answer. “She hopes to talk him into going to live with her parents? I’m going to find her.” Who knew what sort of person this boy was?

  “Don’t go thundering after her and frighten the boy,” Aunt Alice said.

  “God has sent him our way for a purpose. Remember that,” Ma called after him.

  Outside, he took a deep breath and forced himself to slow down. He wouldn’t see this boy if he scared him away. He saw the path that Eve used and eased down it.

  He heard her before he saw them and stopped to listen.

  “Matt, you can’t keep living like this. My ma and pa would give you a good home just like they did me.”

  A voice he knew must belong to the boy answered. “I can’t live in town.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t like town. People laugh at me.”

  “Well, think about it. Take all the time you need.”

  Those words echoed through Cole’s head. If only he had offered that same consideration to Eve, things might have turned out differently. A little late to think of that. He edged forward silently, wanting to see this boy.

  He saw a hint of dark blue he knew to be Eve’s dress. He pressed to the trees. Slowly he poked his head out and saw a boy not more than twelve at the most. Thin enough to make Cole’s stomach hurt and about as bedraggled as a box of dirty rags.

  The boy shifted. His eyes widened.

  Cole stepped away from the trees. “Don’t run. I mean you no harm.”

  The boy was on his feet, his gaze darting from side to side.

  Cole continued. “I know you’ve seen me before, so you know I’m not a mean man. I treat people and animals kindly. You’ve seen my mama and my aunt. They live with me. I’d be honored if you would join us for supper. You could live with us if you want. I’ve been wanting a boy to help with things.” He hadn’t planned those words, but they were true, a compilation of many things—he could use a boy old enough to ride and like Ma said, God had put this boy here for a reason. Now that he’d said it, he knew it to be right.

  The boy rocked back and forth and darted looks at Cole. Cole saw the hunger and yearning in the quick glances. He understood the boy wanted to join them but was frightened to admit it.

  “Eve’s a good cook. And you’d like my ma and aunt. And they would love your company. Sometimes the days get long and lonely for them.” He kept talking in the hopes of persuading the boy to take that first step.

  Eve got to her feet and made a step toward Cole. “Come with us, Matt. You’ll be safe.”

  “I won’t have to live in town?”

  Eve looked to Cole for the answer, which he gave freely. “You can live here if that suits you.”

  Eve took another step and waited.

  The boy wobbled like a tree cut off at its roots, then took one step. And another. He stayed three feet behind them as they made their way back to the house.

  Cole stepped to the veranda. Eve followed, and they waited. Matt stopped, shaking.

  “Matt, you’ve come this far.” Eve spoke softly. “Come the rest of the way. You’re safe. You’ll have a home like your mama and papa would want you to have.”

  He stepped to the veranda.

  Cole went inside and held up his hand to warn the ladies.

  They watched as Eve backed through the door. Matt followed a few paces behind her.

  The boy looked like he’d pass out if anyone moved too quickly. No one did.

  “Lots of food.” Eve pointed to the worktable. Cookies. A loaf of bread. On the stove pots of food. “Potatoes, creamed carrots, and fried pork,” she said, as if knowing the temptation of what awaited him would draw the boy closer. “Sit down, and I’ll put it on the table.”

  Cole held a chair, indicating the boy should sit. The whole room released a breath when he did.

  Eve set out plates and served the food.

  Cole’s stomach rumbled. He chuckled. “I ran out of food this morning.”

  Matt looked at him, his blue eyes full of sympathy. The boy understood hunger far too well.

  “I’ll say grace.”

  Matt bowed his head and clasped his hands together.

  Eve smiled. After grace, she passed food to Matt, but he didn’t take it. He stared at his plate.

  Cole understood. The boy feared his hunger would make him take too much and bring criticism down on him. Cole had experienced that too. He took the serving dishes and gave the boy a generous amount, took an even larger amount for himself.

  Again, Matt studied him.

  Cole smiled. “There’s no shame in a man admitting he’s hungry.”

  Matt nodded. “I’m hungry.”

  “Then eat up.”

  The boy took a deep breath and grabbed his fork. He struggled with it a moment, then ate hurriedly but neatly. It was obvious the boy had been raised well until his parents died.

  The meal ended, and Matt pushed away.

  Cole saw his intention to run back to the woods. “Would you like to help me with the chores?”

  Matt considered it a moment, then nodded. “I know how to take care of animals.”

  “That’s good to know. Maybe you could help me regular-like.”

  “Maybe.”

  He and Matt went to the barn. Cole got Matt busy brushing Sanchez while he did the chores.

  “No need for you to sleep outside.” Cole kept his words casual.

  “Like it outside. It’s safe.”

  “Could be cold and wet too.”

  “I had a dog once. He kept me warm.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “He was good at stealing, but someone saw him and shot him.”

  “Dogs are nice, but a warm bed is better.” He could put a cot in his room for Matt.

  “I could maybe sleep with the horses.”

  It was a huge step for the boy, and Cole agreed. “Sanchez would like that. I’ll get you a blanket.” He trotted back to the house and pulled a blanket from his bed.

  The ladies watched him. He stopped to explain. “He’s going to sleep in the barn.”

  “One step at a time,” Eve said.

  Cole took the blanket to the boy, and even though it was early, Matt settled himself in a bed of hay. “You’ll come for breakfast?”

  Matt studied him. “I’d like to.” He waited until Cole was about to pull the door closed to speak again. “I seen you were a good man.”

  “Thanks.” He wasn’t sure what the boy had seen or why he had interpreted it that way, but it made him feel ten feet tall.

  The ladies had gone to their room when he returned to the house and he could hear Aunt Alice reading aloud.

  Eve waited for him on the veranda. “Can we talk?”

  “Sure. Let’s walk toward the river.” They fell in step. He waited for her to say what was on her mind.

  “You offered him a home.”

  “I hadn’t planned to say that.”

  “Are you changing your mind?”

  “Not at all. I’m prepared to take in the boy and treat him right.”

  “He’s a cautious person.”

  “That’s all right.”

  “Good to know.” They reached the river and sat on the bank, watching the water flow by.

  She didn’t say anything more about the subject but asked about the cows.

  As he reported on what he’d done, he got the feeling she expected more of an answer from him, but he was at a loss to know what he’d neglected to
say.

  Chapter 13

  Eve was happy for Matt. Cole and the ladies would give him a good home. He’d be taken care of and educated. She’d done her best to warn Cole that in some ways Matt was like her. He was careful, didn’t jump into things without considering them. She’d hoped Cole would understand that she talked about herself as much as Matt.

  He didn’t seem to get the message, and she was far too cautious to come right out and say, Cole, I take time to make decisions but when I make them, I never renege. She wanted him to see her strengths as an asset.

  Instead, she told him about the writing and drawing his mother and aunt were doing.

  He groaned. “More stories about me? Lovely.”

  “I believe you are the hero of these stories.” She’d only glimpsed his ma’s writing. “Your aunt draws lovely pictures.” She’d wondered if using the injured arm would cause pain, but Alice insisted it didn’t.

  “I remember her sketching little drawings on scraps of paper. I’m glad they’ve found activities to amuse themselves.”

  They sat and talked as the sun lowered and the water became a river of orange and pink. Eve was fascinated by the way the colors swirled. Something about the dance made her want to confess what was in her heart…a wish to try and recapture what they once had. Her feelings had not died as she hoped. They had only needed to see him and spend time with him to burst forth in full bloom. It was on the tip of her tongue to say what she was feeling when he pushed to his feet.

  “We better get back.”

  As they climbed the hill, she wished she had gathered up her courage sooner.

  He stopped to look toward the barn. “I guess he’ll be all right. After all, he’s been on his own for some time.”

  “It just makes me feel more protective of him.”

  “Me too.” He faced her and smiled. “I think you’re the only one who could have reached him.”

  “Why do you say that?” She looked deep into his eyes. Did she see admiration? Affection? Or was she only hoping for those things?

  “You understood that he needed to have time to decide what he wanted to do.”

  “Some of us need that.”

  He rubbed the back of his finger down her cheek, sending delicious tremors along her nerves.

  “I’m beginning to understand that and see the value in it.”

  Her breath caught between her teeth. Would he say more? Give her a bit of hope?

  An owl hooted, catching his attention. He caught her hand. “Time to get you safely home.”

  She gritted her teeth. Sometimes this safety business was downright annoying.

  She wakened the next morning with a feeling of anticipation. At first, she couldn’t think why she should feel that way, but as she left her room, she saw Matt and Cole together at the corrals. It was nice to have Matt join them and nicer still to have Cole come home.

  It was impossible to tell if they talked or not, but Cole had one booted foot propped on the bottom rail of the fence and leaned his elbows along the top rail.

  Eve smiled to see how Matt did his best to imitate Cole’s stance.

  She dashed away a tear and hurried to start breakfast.

  The pair sauntered in a little time later and parked at the table waiting for food.

  Over the meal, Cole asked, “Anyone have plans for the day?”

  Aunt Alice smiled and batted her eyes. “Your ma and I thought we’d don our finest gowns and go to a party.”

  Cole slanted a look to Matt. “She’s joshing. You’ll get used to that.”

  His mother chuckled at the uncertainty on Matt’s face. “We haven’t anything planned. I’m hoping you’re going to suggest something fun.”

  The ladies winked at each other.

  “Oh, oh. What do you two have in mind?”

  His ma answered him. “We’ve been here three weeks, and I’ve seen the inside and outside of the house and not much more. Cole, I’d like it if you’d take me down to the river. I thought we could have a picnic.”

  Cole looked to Eve. “A picnic? Can you do that?”

  She chuckled. “We’ll need a wagon to carry enough for you and Matt.”

  Matt looked ready to run, but Cole signaled him to remain seated. “You’ll soon learn that Eve likes to tease.” Cole waited until the boy relaxed, then looked at Eve. “I’ll carry the food if you’re worried about how heavy the pack will be.”

  “Then it sounds like a lovely idea. When will this adventure take place?”

  They decided they’d leave as soon as possible, have the noon meal out there, and return when they felt like it.

  It had been a long time since Eve had enjoyed the idea of an outing as much as this though she did wonder about getting Aunt Nancy down the hill.

  It turned out Cole knew how to do it. He tipped the chair back on its big wheels and backed his mother down the hill. On the grassy bank, he spread a blanket and lifted her to the ground. She lifted her arms to the sky and sighed. “Lovely. This is just lovely.”

  From the bundle Cole had prepared he withdrew two towels, a bar of soap, and some clothes. “Matt and I are going over there.” He pointed toward some bushes. “To take care of business.”

  The three women watched them leave.

  His mother said, “Cole’s devised a way to get the boy washed.”

  Nancy added, “He’s got extra clothes with him for him.”

  Eve raised her eyebrows. “I can’t wait to see Matt in Cole’s clothes.”

  “Nancy, you and I have a project ahead of us making that boy things that fit.”

  Alice poked among the rocks on the edge of the water, and Nancy watched as they waited for Cole and Matt to return. Eve wondered what Alice hoped to find.

  They heard Cole speaking to the boy and looked the direction he had gone.

  Eve smiled at the sight. Matt wore a shirt of Cole’s. The sleeves had been torn off to the right length for the boy, but the hem reached his knees. Beneath the shirt she glimpsed the same thread-bare trousers belonging to the boy. Matt’s hair was scrubbed and was indeed a dark blonde. His face glowed from being washed. But his blue eyes sparkled as if he’d had a good time.

  “Look at you,” Nancy said. “You’re as handsome as can be all cleaned up.”

  Matt ducked his head, but not before everyone saw his smile.

  “Matt tells me he can skip rocks like no one else.” Cole’s gaze met Eve’s, and something secret and sweet passed between them.

  Eve put it down to shared pleasure over helping Matt.

  The pair went to the edge of the water and selected some stones.

  Eve sat on the grass near Cole’s mother, content to watch the big man and thin boy together. Matt’s shirt billowed out and caught at his feet.

  Cole noticed. “Let’s fix that.” From the bundle he’d brought back from their dip in the river he pulled out the material he’d torn from the shirt. He ripped off pieces and braided them into a belt. He tied it about Matt’s waist. “How’s that?”

  “Better. Thanks.”

  They turned back to the river. Cole threw the first stone, and it skipped.

  Matt tossed his. It sank. He moaned.

  “You’re just out of practice. Try again.”

  Eve blinked back tears at the gentle patience in his voice.

  Matt tried again and chuckled when his stone skipped.

  Eve pulled her knees up, spread her skirt to remain modest, and leaned her chin on her knees. She could watch Cole all day…the way he spoke to Matt and touched him on the shoulder, the way he laughed when the boy was pleased with his throwing, the way his dark eyes flashed with the joy of life, the way his broad shoulders filled his shirt and his muscles pushed against the fabric.

  Perhaps she’d been staring too intently. She might have even sighed without realizing it, because his mother chuckled.

  “He is a pleasure to watch.”

  Eve jerked up, looked around to see what had become of Alice. She sat next to Nancy, we
aring a pleased smile that matched the one on Nancy’s face.

  “No use in denying you were admiring him.”

  Eve didn’t even try. “What are you doing with the pile of rocks?” She indicated the handful beside Alice.

  “No plans. We just like pretty things.” The pair examined their stash, and Eve turned back to watching Cole and Matt. So what if her gaze spent more time on the man than the boy?

  Cole and Matt wandered up the river, talking and pointing. Was Matt revealing anything about his past to Cole? She would be sure to ask the first chance she got.

  They returned to where the ladies sat.

  “Why don’t you come with us?” Cole asked Eve.

  She was instantly on her feet and went to his side. “It’s a beautiful day. I’m glad you suggested this.”

  Matt had bent to examine something.

  They stopped to see what held his attention. It was a frog. Eve expected Matt would pick it up, perhaps claim it for a pet, but he simply watched it. “Do you think he’s looking for his home?” he asked.

  The question seared Eve’s heart. She didn’t know how to answer and glanced at Cole.

  “I don’t know anything about frogs,” he murmured.

  Eve squatted down by the boy. “I suppose if he wants a home he has to let someone pick him up.”

  “What if he’s scared of me?”

  Eve prayed for wisdom. “Maybe he needs to feel safe before he can decide what he truly wants.”

  The frog hopped away, and Matt made no move to follow or capture it. He sat back on his haunches. “Could he leave if it didn’t feel right?”

  Cole rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. She glanced up at him. He nodded, letting her know he understood. Encouraging her.

  She turned back to Matt. “I suppose so, but he might have to give himself a chance to get used to having a home rather than living among the rocks by the river.”

  “I think he might be lonely and scared by himself.”

  “I would think so.”

  A duck and a vee of ducklings swam nearby. Matt got to his feet.

  “He’s just a frog. What does he know?” He took a step toward the ducks. The mother quacked and flew low over the river, making a great deal of noise as her babies disappeared into bushes growing into the water.