Thomas put a palm on Jolene’s shoulder. “Jolene, you are always welcome at the barn. I have to be honest with you, though. Even I feel out of my element here. This was definitely my dad’s thing. I’m keeping the business going more out of obligation than true passion. Gosh, I feel like a horrible person for even admitting that.”
“That doesn’t make you a horrible person, Thomas. Just an honest one.”
“Well, honestly, it will be nice to have someone around the barn that knows even less than I do,” Thomas joked. He reached toward the barn wall and picked up a rake that had a basket shape at the end. He handed it to Jolene. “Shall we start with scooping poop? That’s one thing I actually do know how to do.”
24
Luke
LUKE SAT ON the edge of the bed, rubbing his hands, one over the other. He’d been home for only a few hours, but his heart was already set to leave again.
When he’d first pulled up to the ranch, his father, Curtis, was in the middle of trimming hooves, so Luke lent his hand. His dad had been in a mood to talk. Luke wasn’t. He answered with grunts and nods, but offered no real information about his quick trip. His dad seemed content with that, picking up on the fact that Luke wasn’t feeling exceptionally chatty. He’d always appreciated his father’s ability to read Luke’s emotions. They didn’t talk in depth about much, but they had an unspoken understanding that Luke cherished.
Luke’s mother, Patty, on the other hand, did not get the cue. Over lunch, she’d asked him about every detail of his trip, down to inquiring about the lake house bathroom décor and the number of stop signs in the small town. Truth was, Luke couldn’t really remember any of those details. Merrylark Lake was all a blur.
What he could remember, though, was anything and everything pertaining to Jolene. The way her pale green eyes would lift at the corners when her cheeks pushed them up in a smile. The way her corkscrew hair would curl around her face and how his fingers ached to touch them, to feel their softness on his skin. The sound of her laugh. He still could hear it so clearly. How she could giggle and talk at the same time. He’d never met anyone who could do that before. It was like beautiful music.
But he didn’t share any of that information with his mother.
He’d excused himself after their lunch. His apartment above the barn used to feel like home, but not anymore. Now it just felt like a barren bachelor pad. Glancing around the small space, Luke’s shoulders sunk. There was nothing here that meant anything to him. It was just a box with a bed, a dresser and a small kitchenette in the corner. Nothing like Jolene’s home where every aspect was meaningful and purposeful, filled with life and love.
Reaching for his phone, Luke dialed a number, figuring his call would go answered, but trying anyway.
“Handley, brother!” Devon exclaimed from the other end of the line, surprising Luke. “Didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon. Rumor has it you left town in quite the rush.”
“News sure travels quickly in Merrylark.” Luke’s stomach tensed at the thought of all of the possible stories flying around that little town to explain his swift and unexplained departure.
“Only because Jolene told Aunt Martha this morning.”
“Jolene?” Luke’s heart tripped at the mention of her name. “How is she?”
“Fine, I s’pose,” Devon answered. “Gotta admit though, buddy—I’m a bit hurt you left without saying goodbye. I thought we were a good team, you and me.”
“I know, Devon. I’m sorry about that. That’s why I’m calling. I didn’t really have much of a choice but to leave without any fanfare. I was more or less ordered out of town.”
“Ordered? Who would order you out of town? You’ve been nothing but a blessing to us all.”
“Jolene’s sister.”
“Didn’t even know Rose was in town again. Well, whatever you did, must’ve been bad for Jolene’s pint-sized sister to intimidate you enough to leave for good. She’s a little bitty thing, if I remember.”
“She sure is, but she was about ready to tip me out of my boat and into Merrylark Lake. Not something I wanted to experience.”
Laughter roared through the receiver. “What in the world were you doing on a boat in the lake in the middle of December?”
Luke felt a sudden rush of humiliation sweep through him. He figured he didn’t have any real reason to keep what he’d planned to do to himself, though, so he decided to open up to Devon. “In all honesty, I was going to tell Jolene I’d fallen in love with her.” Luke waited for more laughter, but that didn’t come. He continued. “I was going to take her out into the middle of the lake—into the very heart of Merrylark—to tell her that she’d become my heart. That I couldn’t imagine my life without her in very center of it.”
“So why on earth are you back in Kernlyville?” The tone of Devon’s voice was like a wallop upside Luke’s head. “Brother, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.”
“I know. It doesn’t. None of it does.”
“So now what?”
Luke swallowed. “I have no idea. All I know is that I have to somehow tell Jolene how much she stills means to me, even if she won’t let me say it. I have to get her to hear me.”
“There are ways to let someone know you care about them without using words. That’s what we have to do here. We gotta find a way for you to show Jolene just what she means to you.”
“A little hard to do when I’m over three hours away.” Luke was defeated, no way around it, and even though Devon was trying to help, his suggestions felt like dead ends.
“So you need to come back.”
Luke rubbed at the growing ache in his shoulders. “Where am I gonna stay, Devon? Certainly not the lake house. You know I love Merrylark, but it’s definitely lacking in the hotel accommodations department.”
“Good thing I’ve got a recently renovated studio apartment all set for you then.”
Luke thought on it. It was a solid idea. The most solid one Luke had on the table, at least.
“I suppose that could work,” he agreed, playing the idea out in his head. “But I’m telling you, Devon, I’m not liked in Merrylark. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rose posted Wanted posters with my likeness on them all over Glenn Street. I won’t be able to show my face.”
“Haven’t seen any yet,” Devon teased. “But I’ll keep an eye out.”
“So what happens after I get there?”
“First things first, brother. Just get here. Tomorrow morning. We’ll figure out the rest after that,” Devon said. “But I gotta tell you, it would’ve been easier if you just called me before taking off so quickly. Would’ve saved you in gas money, at the very least.”
“I know. I just kind of freaked out.”
“Women will do that to us,” Devon said, his laughter echoing through the phone. “Get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
LUKE’S GOODBYES WERE quick. While his mom was visibly disappointed that her son was leaving no sooner than he had arrived, Luke’s dad understood that matters of the heart didn’t adhere to any set timeline. Luke’s uncle, Ted, was coming into town later that day to help out with the ranch, so the timing was ideal.
“Do what you need to do to make things right,” his father had said when Luke loaded his truck up with a duffle bag and sleeping bag after an early breakfast of eggs and toast. Devon had a space available for Luke’s stay, but Luke knew he didn’t have the furnishings yet. He was fine with that. Crashing on the floor would be no problem.
“Thanks, Dad.” Luke turned to give his father a hug, surprised when his dad held on for longer than usual.
“I mean it, Luke. If you really think she’s the one, then do whatever you can to let her know. To make things work.”
While the two had always been close, Luke’s father was never one to share this sort of advice with his son, not even when Luke had talked to him about proposing to Kiara last year.
“But you haven’t even met her.”
“Do
n’t need to. Just seeing you like this—broken hearted and at a loss as to what to do next—that’s all the confirmation I need that she really means something to you.”
Luke leaned his back against the side of his truck, folding his arms over his chest. “In fairness, isn’t that pretty much the same state I was in after Kiara dumped me?”
“Not even close!” Luke’s dad’s voice lifted. He looked at his son thoughtfully. “I think that had more to do with the shock of it than anything. You and I both know that was a mismatch from the very beginning. I’m not grateful for the pain she caused you, son, but I am grateful things came to an end. Of course we would’ve welcomed her into the family, but she wasn’t the type of woman I’d choose for my daughter-in-law.”
“Jolene definitely is, Dad. She’s amazing. Both you and Mom would love her.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Curtis put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Things are going to work out for you, Luke. I have a strong feeling about this.”
Luke wished he had his father’s confidence. With each mile he drove in the direction of Merrylark, he felt his resolve slipping. Maybe this was stupid. It felt rash and spontaneous, but so did his decision to leave Merrylark. Luke was mid-thought, toying with the idea of giving Jolene the space she clearly wanted and leaving her alone forever, when the flashing lights reflected in his rear-view mirror seized his attention. He looked over his shoulder, only to see the officer gesture for him to pull off to the side of the road.
Luke groaned.
Rolling down his window after shutting off the engine, he looked up at the highway patrolman. “Morning, Officer.”
The man tipped his head. “Morning. License and registration, please.”
Reaching over to open the glove box, Luke retrieved the document for his vehicle. He remembered he’d placed his wallet in the front pocket of his coat though, rather than his back pants pocket so he wouldn’t sit on it while he traveled. He pulled out his identification and passed it through the rolled down window.
“Thank you.” The officer took the items from Luke and scanned them over. “You know why I pulled you over?”
Luke figured head in the clouds wasn’t a specific reason, so he just shook his head.
“Left taillight’s busted. Simple fix. I’m going to let you off with just a warning this time, but get that taken care of as soon as you can.”
“I will. Right away. Thank you, sir.”
“Where’re you headed?”
“Merrylark,” Luke replied. The officer held out the registration and I.D. for Luke to take back.
“Fantastic place. You been there before?”
“I have. Actually hoping to make a permanent move.”
“Well, if that’s your final destination, be sure to look up a man named Hank Haverstein. He’ll get you all set up with a new taillight at a great price. I’ve run into him and his big tow truck many times out on this road. He’s a great guy. The best.”
Luke just laughed. “I’ll look him up. Thank you again for being so understanding. I’ll get it fixed right away.”
The officer clamped his hand on the truck’s driver’s side window frame and gave it a pat. “Take care and Merry Christmas to you.”
“Same to you.”
After the officer left, Luke stayed pulled over on the shoulder for a few extra moments. He couldn’t ask any more favors of Hank. Luckily, fixing a broken taillight was well within Luke’s car mechanic repertoire. Bessie was sure showing her age lately, but Luke didn’t mind tending to her. Chuckling, he wondered if she’d be the only girl in his life from here on out.
Reaching over the passenger seat, Luke placed his registration back into the glove box. Then he slipped his hand into his jacket pocket to put his driver’s license back into his leather wallet. It was then that his fingers grazed across something made of paper, folded in half and tucked deep into the fabric pocket. Taking it in his grip, he slid it out from his jacket.
Kiara’s letter.
He hadn’t bothered reading it yet. Whatever was written in it couldn’t at all be life altering. Still, curiosity got the best of him and Luke found himself slipping his finger under the sealed edge to see what was inside. He lifted the flap. He’d expected to see pages and pages of Kiara’s cursive writing, but there was just one sheet of paper inside. A check. Luke looked at the sum and his mouth fell open in shock.
$30,000.
Luke had never seen so many zeroes, one after the other, all on the same line.
Peeling a sticky note from the check, he read Kiara’s words.
Luke:
I know all the money in the world cannot pay for the damage I’ve caused between us. Even still, this is my only way to truly make things right. I was able to convince the caterer, the photographer and all of the rental companies to give us back our deposits. And even though you wouldn’t accept the ring when I tried to give that back to you last summer, my hope is that you will take the money for it instead. This money belongs to you—for you to build your future upon. I know you will make it a beautiful one.
With love always,
Kiara
25
Jolene
“IT’S ALL QUEUED up and ready to go. Just push play.” Jolene tucked the wool blanket under Millie’s feet and handed her the remote. “Anything else I can get you?”
“A handsome young man to fan me with palm fronds and feed me grapes.” Millie tugged roughly at the blanket as she situated herself on the sofa. She jabbed Roger with her elbow. “This old geezer will just snore throughout the whole movie and drool on my shoulder, too. Does every dang time.”
“She’s probably right about that,” Roger admitted, shrugging. “Even more likely after staying at the hospital last night. They don’t seem to know the difference between night and day there. I’m lucky if I got three hours of shuteye with nurses popping in every hour or so to take Millie’s vitals and check up on her.”
“And I got even less with all of your gargling and wheezing!”
Jolene looked at her friends and smiled. Based on Mildred’s quick and prickly remarks, Jolene knew she was feeling one-hundred percent back to her old self.
“Just call me if you need anything. I’m around all day.”
“We’ll be fine, dear,” Roger said. “Go about your day. I’ll take care of my Millie. Don’t you worry about us one bit.”
Before leaving, Jolene made sure all the cats had full water and food dishes. She even placed an extra bowl outside on the front porch, just in case Ozzy wasn’t the one they’d buried out back. One could always hold out hope.
It was a beautiful day. The air was crisp, the snow crunchy, and puffy white clouds hung high in the sky like bunches of cotton candy suspended in a blanket of blue. As she drove to the barn, she took time to appreciate the clarity this new day provided. The brief storm had passed. She knew it was more than just a metaphor and wouldn’t take that for granted. Life was good.
“Jolene!” Thomas hollered as soon as she stepped from her car. He raced toward her, his strides clipped and fast. “Glad you got here when you did. I’ve got to leave to check on Dad and the horses still need feeding. Would you mind giving them their lunch? A flake of hay each in their stalls.”
“Oh, goodness. Is your dad okay?”
“He’ll be fine. Just a bit out of sorts today. More than usual, I guess. I’d just feel better if I could spend the afternoon with him. It feels like the barn takes up all of my time and attention these days and I know my mom struggles to care for Dad all on her own.”
“I’m more than happy to help with anything you need around here, Thomas. Just name it and I’ll do it.”
Jolene surprised even herself at the offer. She’d have to overcome her horse fear quickly. There were just some things that required you to suck it up and get the job done. Taking care of a friend definitely met that requirement.
After Thomas left, Jolene walked over to the hay storage, an open front gambrel roof barn with red sidi
ng and white trim. Bales upon bales were stacked ten feet high. She found an empty laundry basket and filled it with grass hay to carry over to the stables. As though she’d rung a dinner bell, Cyprus and Clara whinnied boisterously at the sight of Jolene with their meal. Jolene could hear them pawing at their stall doors, their locks jostling and clanging as their hooves pounded against the plywood.
“Alright, alright,” Jolene said once she got closer to the animals. “Hold your horses.” The joke was a tired one, but it didn’t keep her from bursting into laughter. “I’m sure you get that all the time, right?” As though he could understand every word, Cyprus’s head bobbed up and down in answer. “Yeah? What else? Why the long face? That’s a classic.” Unlocking the door to Clara’s stall, Jolene hesitantly walked in, careful to keep a wide berth. She dumped the hay into a large green tub and then backed away. Clara seemed more interested in the hay than in Jolene, and for that, Jolene was immensely appreciative.
“Not so bad,” she muttered to herself as she locked the horse securely in. “Okay, big boy. You’re next. Lunch time!”
Jolene unlatched Cyprus’s stall door, but unlike Clara, he didn’t move to allow her through.
“I’m going to need more room than that, Cyprus.” Jolene balanced the basket on her hip. “Back up.”
Cyprus took one step back. Jolene cocked her head. “Did you do that because I asked you to? You really are a smart boy, aren’t you? Okay. Let’s see if you can do that again. Back up.”
One more step.
“Wow,” she breathed. “That’s amazing. It’s like you understand what I’m saying. Go on now. Back up.”
Another step.
“You are one special horse, aren’t you?” If she’d felt comfortable doing so, this would be the place where Jolene would scratch his ear or pat his big cheek. But she wasn’t about to touch him. She would continue to appreciate him from a safe and secure distance.
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