Home on the Ranch--Tennessee Homecoming

by April Arrington

  Landon squatted and kissed Emma’s cheek. “If it’s okay with your aunt Katie?”

  “Yes.” Katie stilled her weight on the tips of her toes, resisting the urge to walk into his embrace, too. “Call us anytime. Every day, if you’d like.”

  Katie hoped he would. Way more than she had any right to expect.

  “Bye, Uncle Landon.” Matthew ran over and hugged Landon tight, the quiet sound of his sobs bringing tears to Katie’s eyes.

  After saying goodbye, Matthew and Emma hopped in the car and buckled up then looked expectantly out the window at Katie.

  Turning her back to the car, she walked over to Landon and threw her arms around him. She buried her face in his neck and held on, wondering how she’d ever manage to let go.

  His hands were in her hair, winding the strands loosely around his fingers, then he dipped his head, his lips moving against her cheek. “You’re gonna miss your flight.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut. “Landon?”

  “Yeah?” His palms drifted over her back.

  “I’m going to miss you.”

  His hands stilled against her then he squeezed her so tight she could barely draw breath. “I’ll miss you, too.”

  Landon released her and walked away, taking long strides toward the house. Rascal darted across the front lawn and followed him.

  Katie bit her lip, her heart breaking into a thousand pieces. For Landon. For the kids. For Jennifer and Frank. And for herself.

  “Landon?”

  He paused and glanced over his shoulder.

  “Thank you for helping me,” she said softly.

  Landon smiled, but it was empty and sad. “Take care of them, Katie.”

  Chapter 11

  Katie clicked a button on the remote in her hand, advancing the slideshow presentation to the last image, then faced the small group of men and women seated around the mahogany table in KC Marketing’s Los Angeles boardroom.

  “And this,” she said, “is the packaging Sandra has chosen for the bath boutique products. As you can see, the frills on the wrapping are minimal and the most care and attention has gone into producing eye-catching yet elegant lettering. These boutique products are high quality and their performance speaks for itself, so Sandra and I agreed last week that fancy packaging wasn’t necessary. Instead, the emphasis for the Sandra’s Sexy Suds brand will be on the quality of the product rather than gimmicky sales tricks or the flash-in-the-pan promotions our competitors employ. We’re seeking to build a loyal clientele.”

  Sandra, seated at the opposite end of the table, nodded. “I couldn’t be more pleased with what Katie has done. And I truly believe her marketing approach will help consumers see how special our product is and keep them coming back for more.”

  “And you’re confident that no improvements are needed to the formula prior to distribution?” Carla Lemming, Katie’s boss and head of KC Marketing, rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

  “Very confident.” Katie spread her hands, trying her best not to glance at the window for the hundredth time. It was dark out and she’d already stayed two hours later than she’d anticipated. “I’ve tested every item myself.”

  Carla smiled. “Then I’d say this is a go. Nice job, Katie.”

  “Thank you.” Katie turned off the projector and checked her watch. Her stomach dropped. It was already eight o’clock. “If there are no more questions, we’re all done here.”

  And not a moment too soon. Katie had promised Matthew and Emma that she’d be home over two hours ago.

  Everyone stood, expressed their approval then left the boardroom, smiling, shaking hands and chatting along the way. Except for Carla and Sandra. Both lingered in the boardroom, examining the products on the table and thanking Katie for her hard work.

  “I’m so happy with your plans,” Sandra said, admiring one of the boutique gift baskets Katie had put together.

  “I was happy to help.” Katie sneaked another glance at her watch.

  “I’d like to meet with you in the morning, Katie.” Carla picked up a bath bomb and rolled it around in her palm. “We just signed a new client and I think you’d be perfect for his project. Think you could come in an hour early tomorrow?”

  Katie winced. “I’d love to, but I thought I’d take a break. Maybe put in for a few days off?”

  “A break?” Carla made a face. “In all the years we’ve worked together, I don’t recall you ever taking a break.” Her face flushed. “Well, except for...”

  Carla looked down, her voice trailing off, but there was no need for her to finish. The funerals were what she’d meant to say. The one time Katie had taken time off work had been two and a half weeks ago when she’d returned to Elk Valley for Jennifer’s and Frank’s funerals.

  “I’m sorry,” Carla said. “I didn’t mean—”

  Katie held up a hand. “No. It’s okay. But I do have more obligations than I used to, and it would be a big help if I could take the time off.”

  Carla’s smile returned. “Of course. Take a few days.” She headed for the door then hesitated on the threshold. “But, Katie?”

  “Yes?”

  Carla’s mouth twisted. “If you’re still interested in the new executive position, I think I should let you know now that the demands of the job—time-wise—will be even greater.”

  Katie nodded slowly. “I understand.”

  After Carla left, Sandra whistled. “Wow. There is no mincing of words with her, is there?”

  Katie shrugged. “She’s straightforward. Always has been. I used to like that about her.”

  “And now?”

  Katie toyed with three of the bath bombs in front of her, arranging them in a line, and avoided Sandra’s eyes. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just not as...enthusiastic about work as I used to be.”

  Sandra hesitated then asked, “Because of the kids?”

  “Yeah.” Katie looked at her watch again, her shoulders slumping. “It’s only been a week and a half but I can already tell I can’t keep the same hours I used to.”

  “You can’t?” Sandra asked softly. “Or you don’t want to?”

  Katie stilled, her fingers resting on the pink bath bomb at the end of the row she’d formed. The last one she’d named using Landon’s suggestion.

  Be in Love.

  “I don’t know,” Katie whispered. “I just know that by the time I make it home at night, the kids are either already in the bed or about to be.” She forced a laugh. “If my mom hadn’t flown in yesterday for the weekend and offered to babysit for free tonight, I would’ve paid babysitters more than I made this month, and other than taking Matthew and Emma to the beach their first day after moving here, I’ve broken every promise I’ve made to spend more time with them.”

  Sandra sighed. “I’m sorry, Katie.”

  “I knew things would change,” Katie continued. “But I didn’t know—” She lifted her arms, at a loss for words. “I guess, I didn’t know that...”

  “That you would change, too?”

  Katie stared at Sandra. “Maybe.” After a moment, she opened her bag, swept the bath bombs in it then headed for the door. Katie hugged Sandra on her way out. “I’ve got to go. I’m already late.”

  She drove back to her apartment as quickly as she could while still making it there in one piece. The elevator was broken—again—so she took the stairs, jogging up them two at a time until she reached her floor. Outside the door, she paused to catch her breath, smooth her hair and pin a smile on her face.

  Which was a sign in and of itself. Used to be, she’d looked forward to putting her feet up after a hard day’s work, but now she felt guilty every time she walked in the door.

  Taking a deep breath, Katie went in and smiled wide at her mother and the kids, who sat around the small kitchen table. “I’m home.”

  Katie cringe
d. The words had sounded as lackluster out loud as they had in her head.

  Matthew and Emma looked up, both picking at a mostly uneaten plate of food, waved a hand in the air then stared back down at the table.

  “We held dinner as long as we could for you.” Patricia scooped the last bit of pureed peas from a jar and fed it to Sophia. “About a half hour ago, the kids became too hungry to wait any longer.”

  Katie walked into the kitchen, placed her purse on the table and sat beside Sophia. “I’m sorry. I really am. I tried my best to get out of there sooner.”

  Matthew put down his fork. “It’s okay, Aunt Katie.”

  “No. It’s not.” Katie’s throat tightened as she looked at Sophia, who smiled back at her from a high chair. “I promised you I’d be home earlier than this and I didn’t follow through. Again.” Turning back to Matthew, she forced a smile. “How was school today?”

  He looked away and picked at a loose thread on the tablecloth.

  “Matthew?” Katie leaned closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’d like to hear how your day w—”

  “I don’t know anybody, okay?” Chin trembling, he shook his head. “None of my friends are here and the classes are different.”

  “In what way? If you’d like me to, I could speak to your teachers.”

  “It won’t help.” Matthew frowned, his voice lowering to a whisper. “I like Elk Valley Elementary better. And I miss my video games. I forgot and left them behind.”

  “Well, we can get you new video games.” Katie bit her lip. “Emma? What about you? How was your day?”

  Emma continued staring at the table.

  “Emma?”

  “I miss Uncle Landon.”

  Emma’s words were so soft, Katie barely caught them. But she did, and before she realized it, Katie whispered back, “I miss him, too.”

  Matthew and Emma looked up at her, a hopeful look on their faces.

  Katie’s eyes burned. She rubbed her forehead then held out her arms. “It’s getting late. How ’bout a quick hug before you take your baths? I even brought some bath bubbles back for you.”

  They both stood and hugged her then went to their rooms, the same crestfallen looks on their faces that they’d sported the majority of the past week, leaving Katie to feel guiltier than ever.

  “What’s wrong with me, Mom?” Katie slumped back in her chair and bit back a sob. “Why can’t I get this right?”

  Patricia began stacking the dirty dishes. “It’s early yet. The kids have only been here a little over a week, and you’re doing your best.”

  “But my best isn’t good enough.” Katie shook her head. “I promised them so much and I haven’t delivered any of it. And why are you defending me?” She managed a smile despite her low spirits. “It’s kind of creeping me out. I’m used to you critiquing me, not cutting me slack.”

  Patricia laughed then put down the dishes and sat beside her. “That last part is absolutely true. I have been too hard on you and it’s something I’m trying to rectify now.” She squeezed Katie’s shoulder. “Believe me when I say no one is perfect, Katie. If you need an example, look at us. All of those years I could’ve built a close relationship with you and instead, I let my resentment get in the way.”

  Katie stilled. “Resentment?”

  “Yes.” Patricia sighed. “Please don’t misunderstand me—I didn’t blame you for wanting to branch out and leave Elk Valley—but I was hurt by how quickly you left. It felt as though you couldn’t wait to get away from all of us. What hurt even more was that you rarely ever came home. It was like you’d forgotten us.”

  “That wasn’t it.” Katie twisted her hands in her lap. “I just didn’t feel like I fit in Elk Valley. When I came here, I found a successful job, made new friends and this place felt like home.” She glanced around at her apartment, realizing how much she missed her small mountain hometown, the ranch and...Landon. “I’ve been chasing so many things over the years, I don’t think I’ve ever stopped to think about what I really wanted out of life, and what I have here doesn’t feel like home anymore.”

  “What does feel like home?” Patricia asked, a note of hope in her voice.

  Katie smiled. “Elk Valley. I miss you and Dad.” And Landon. “I miss leading chorus practice at the elementary school and being called Ms. Richards. I even miss mucking the stalls in Landon’s stable.” She curled her hands around her purse, feeling the bath bombs she’d tossed in there beneath her fingertips. Her smile grew. “I don’t want a promotion here in California. I want to find a job closer to Elk Valley where I can be at home more. I want to spend more time with Matthew, Emma and Sophia. I want to take them camping and sing with them at festivals, laugh more often and play like a kid myself once in a while on the weekends. And I want to—” Her voice broke and she swallowed hard. “I want to be in love. Every day.”

  Patricia squeezed her shoulder tighter. “With Landon?”

  Katie met her eyes. “Yes.”

  “Well, now that you know what you want,” Patricia said, grinning, “what are you waiting for?”

  * * *

  Landon pushed off the porch rail with his foot, rocked back in his rocking chair and stifled a frustrated sigh for what felt like the millionth time.

  He glanced around his familiar surroundings and breathed in the warm spring air. The stars were out and the moon, though not full, shone almost as bright. That same ol’ barred owl hooted among the rustles of the trees. And the towering range of mountains impressed themselves upon the valley as usual.

  But something had changed. Something was off.

  Landon glanced at Rascal, who sprawled on the porch floor by his side, blinking up at him silently. Then he stared at the smooth, empty driveway. One without a rut in sight.

  Groaning, he shoved the rocking chair back and stood, glancing over his shoulder as the headrest thumped against the side of the house.

  That’s what was missing. It was too quiet. Too still.

  He left the porch and went inside. Walked to the kitchen, grabbed a beer from the fridge, cracked the top off then upended it. He leaned against the sink, took a few swallows and looked around the room, but his house remained just as quiet, just as still and just as empty.

  Rascal scampered into the kitchen, sniffed around then lay down and lowered his head onto his paws.

  “I know,” Landon whispered. “I miss them, too.”

  He had every day for over a week now and would probably miss them every day for the foreseeable future.

  A smile pulled at his mouth as he stared at the high chair across the room. He wondered what sweet Sophia was doing now. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Katie had probably given her a bath, rocked her to sleep and settled her in her crib.

  And Emma? She’d be brushing her teeth right about now, piling up in the bed and waiting for a bedtime story. Matthew wouldn’t be too far behind, either. If he had his video games, he’d more than likely be trying to sneak in a few extra minutes, but as he’d left his console behind on the entertainment stand, there was little chance of that. And with the kids settled in bed for the night, Katie would probably be headed for her tub and a long soak in a bubble bath.

  Landon set his beer bottle on the table and dragged a hand over his face. No more alcohol tonight. It was making him maudlin.

  He left the kitchen and trudged through the living room, stumbling to a halt in front of the TV. Speaking of video games, there it was. That damned aggravating contraption Matthew had left behind. Though, Landon had to admit, the idea of a noisy distraction filling the house was too good to pass up.

  Landon turned on the TV and the game console, grabbed a controller then sat on the floor. Colorful images flickered across the screen and the familiar loud pings of the game clamored through the air. He flicked the joystick with his thumb and had no clue what he was doing, but the sights
and sounds alone were enough to ease the throbbing pain inside him.

  God, he missed the kids. And Katie. He missed Katie so damned much.

  The floorboards behind him creaked. “Landon?”

  Heart stalling, he paused the game and jumped to his feet.

  Amber stood just inside the doorway, eyeing him with concern. “I knocked but I guess you didn’t hear me.”

  His shoulders sagged but he straightened and tried to hide his disappointment. “Sorry.” He was happy to see his sister—he really was. At the moment, he just wished she was someone else. “I was, uh—” he motioned over his shoulder “—just playing a game.”

  A small smile flickered across Amber’s mouth. “I see that.”

  “Is everything okay? The triplets all right?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Amber waved away his concern. “Nate’s with them. I just gave a friend a ride and your place happened to be on the way, so I thought I’d stop by and check on you. See if you needed anything?”

  Landon managed a smile. “That’s supposed to be my line, isn’t it?”

  “Maybe.” Amber shrugged. “But I can be concerned about my big brother once in a while, right?”

  He nodded. “I’m fine.”

  She gestured toward the TV. “But lonely, huh?”

  “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I miss them.”

  “I have a feeling that’ll get better soon.” Before he could respond, Amber walked over, kissed his cheek then headed for the door. “Nate’s been alone with the kids for an hour now, so he’s probably desperate for me to show back up. Call me if you need anything.”

  He made to answer but she had already left, her light footsteps fading down the front steps. A door slammed, and an engine cranked then the sound of a car receded into the distance, leaving the ranch quiet again.

  Landon frowned—the house felt emptier than ever—and was just turning back to the game when a knock sounded on the front door.

  “You forget something?” He strode across the living room and opened the screen door, but instead of his blonde, five-and-a-half-foot sister, he found a stroller with a twenty-five-inch-tall baby with brown curls and the damned cutest grin he’d ever seen.