by Danni Roan
“Iowa,” Owen grinned, “up north where it’s the prettiest.”
“Kade Ballard,” the cowboy offered hefting three overstuffed bags, as Rainy grasped Lucas by the hand and scurried into the house.
***
“I don’t care what you say,” a petite black-haired woman spoke to a tall, auburn-haired lady at a table close to the kitchen. “Girls are the worst bullies.”
Rainy was having a terrible time keeping up with Lucas as he tugged her further into the house, pointing and commenting at everything.
“That doesn’t make any sense Michi,” the other woman said as Rainy was dragged to an oversized cookie jar. “Girls are sweet and kind, boys are the bullies.”
“No, they aren’t.” The woman called Michi snapped back. “Think about it. Sure boys are physical and more prone to pop someone on the nose, but when a girl starts getting her own way she’ll never stop until someone stops her.”
“You realize that sentence makes no sense.”
“Philomena Haven, you mark my words. Girls are the worst kind of bullies. It’s like they are torn between sweet and rotten.”
“Michelle Ballard, you’ve lost your mind. My daughter is wonderful.”
“I’m not talking about your daughter. I’m just saying that girls who get their way too often end up being mean. You know, spoiled little rich girl syndrome.”
“After all you’ve been through I don’t know how you can say that. Kade lets you have your way all the time.” The taller woman, who appeared to be in her early thirties, brushed her hair over one shoulder.
“Yes, but he also isn’t afraid to tell me when I’m pushing things too far.” Michelle toyed with the cup in her hand. “He helps me find balance.”
“I can’t argue that,” Philomena replied. “I feel the same way about Chase. Oh hello, little man.”
“I’m so sorry,” Rainy rushed to the table a cookie in her hand. “I was getting him a cookie and looked away for a second, and he was gone.”
“He’s fine,” the pretty woman spoke. “I’m Phil and this is Michelle. Who’s your handsome date here?”
“I’m Lucas,” the boy replied before Rainy could, making her smile. “Are there any boys here to play with?”
“There sure are,” Phil replied. “And I have a little girl who is only a little younger than you. Maybe tomorrow you can meet them.”
“Can I Mommy, p’ease?” Lucas turned brown eyes on Rainy, melting her heart all over again.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“No bother,” Michelle said. “I’ll bring Kadence over for breakfast tomorrow, and you two can meet then.” The petite woman addressed Lucas then flicked a smile at Rainy. “First though, little buckaroos like you need a snack and a good night’s sleep.”
“Will I get to see the horsies?” the boy looked from his mother to the other two women.
“You sure will, and we just got some ponies in, so you can go for a ride too.” Phil looked up smiling at Rainy, “if that’s alright with you?”
“It would make me very happy. All he’s talked about this whole week is seeing the horses.”
“Well you came to the right place then,” Michelle smiled. “Phil here is the owner of the Broken J and her husband is the chief wrangler. They’ll fix you up perfectly, and if you don’t like that, you can ride in the wagon my husband runs. You probably met Kade outside.”
“That big cowboy is your husband?” Rainy looked down at the smaller woman who was barely as tall as her own five foot two inches.
“Yep, Kade Ballard. He runs the cattle here on the ranch and does a load of other things too. He’s Phil’s cousin.”
Rainy gaped, amazed at the connections she was making, as she handed Lucas his cookie. “I’m pleased to meet both of you,” she finally said. “I’m looking forward to a nice relaxed stay on the ranch.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast,” Michelle Ballard stood to her feet along with her friend. “We’d better go relieve the baby sitter.” Together the women waved then headed out of the room
“Come on pumpkin, I’ll get you some milk.” Rainy gazed around her at the spacious dining area as she reached for Lucas’s hand.
“Can I help you with anything,” an older woman asked stepping out of the kitchen with a grin.
“I’m sorry,” Rainy shook her head. "Lucas came belting in here so fast that I haven’t even checked in.”
“You just get what you need, and we’ll sort it all out later. I’m Mrs. Wade, and I’m the chief cook and bottle washer at this place. If you need anything just let me know.”
“Rainy! Where in the world did you get off to? You left me and Anne to deal with getting checked in and your father is parking the car.”
“Sorry Mom,” Rainy cringed, sounding like a school girl all over again. “Lucas is pretty excited.” By the time she had turned back around, Mrs. Wade had pulled a glass of ice-cold milk for Lucas, sitting him at a table with a cookie in both hands.
“Dining area is open until eleven,” the older woman grinned. “Coffee, tea, milk, and ice-tea are available at all times at no additional charge. Soda’s and other beverages need to be billed to your room.”
Rainy felt her shoulders relax at the woman’s words. She wasn’t going to be adding anything extra to her parents’ bill. She already felt guilty for them paying for the trip even if it was a graduation present for her. “Thank you.”
Mrs. Wade grinned, patting Lucas on the cheek. “I was a young mother once too,” she said, her dark eyes sparkling. “Don’t you fuss. You’ll have a wonderful time here at the Broken J.”
Before Rainy could thank her again, the woman had hustled back into the kitchen checking over everything as they prepared to close up shop.
“Did I hear someone say coffee?” Owen walked into the room, rotating weary shoulders. “I wouldn’t mind a cup.”
“I’ll get it dear,” Mrs. Smythe said. “After all you did all the driving. Where’s Anne?”
“She was right behind me a second ago.” Owen turned around looking for the missing girl.
“Well, never mind, she’s a big girl and can look after herself. You have a seat and I’ll get us some coffee.”
“I’ll stand,” Owen grinned, winking at his daughter who was trying to deal with the crumbs her son was getting everywhere.
“Hey, you started without me,” an indignant Anne walked into the room her eyes lingering on a small group of cowboys by the back door. “I was just checking to see that everything made it to our rooms. Rainy just wait until you see them. They look like they are right out of an old western novel.”
Rainy suddenly felt the long drive and busy morning descend on her like a blanket of weariness. “I’m sure they are very nice.”
“No, you don’t get it. There is all this antique furniture and framed letters from the original family who lived here. Did you see the dress in the hall? It’s stunning and so tiny. People back then must have been really short.”
Rainy felt a smile break across her face as her mother returned with two coffees handing one to her and one to her father. With Anne here, she knew she would have loads of fun. Her friend's active imagination would soon be making up stories of love, romance, and adventure at the Broken J, convinced they had all come true somewhere in the past.
“Anne stop your nattering and grab a coffee,” Mrs. Smythe stated. “I’m getting a couple of those cookies.”
“Me too!” Lucas said squirming from his seat.
“Oh no you don’t,” Rainy grabbed the boy swinging him up. “You can finish what you have right here, and then it’s off to bed.”
A soft chuckle drifted from where her father stood, looking at old photos of horses, cows, and ranch people.
“Dad, you are not helping.”
“Here,” Anne returned handing Rainy a cookie. “Let Lucas go, we’ll all keep an eye on him,” she urged. “We’ve all been cooped up in that car too long. Let him stretch
his legs.”
Rainy relented with a nod. After all, they were on vacation.
Chapter 3
The sun was barely up when Rainy felt a tug on her arm and rolled over with a groan.
“Wake up Mommy.” Lucas tugged at her hand again. “It’s time to see horsies.”
Rainy felt herself chuckle, even though another couple of hours of sleep wouldn’t have gone amiss. “Alright,” she laughed. “It was nice having her own room at the old ranch house, and it was everything that Anne had said, but oh how she would have loved to send the boy to his grandparents and roll back over.
“Mommy,” Lucas raced to the window. “Look at the horsies and towboys!”
Rainy rolled out of bed, her bare feet hitting the soft rag rug before she padded across the room to the window overlooking the barnyard.
A pale amber glow radiated around the house spilling into the lawn and pushing the shadows of night away while bright lights sparkled in the big age-darkened barn across the way.
“See, see!” Luca’s voice squeaked with delight.
“They must be getting ready for a ride,” Rainy sighed. She knew that today riding was not on her schedule, but she couldn’t corral her son for much longer. “We’ll go out and see the horsies after breakfast.”
“Now!” Lucas scowled.
“No, now you have to meet little Kadence Ballard, remember. You’ll have a boy your age to play with.”
Rainy felt her heart sink at the words. She knew that Lucas would be happy to have a friend to play with, but what would she possibly have in common with Michelle Ballard. The woman was at least seven years older than she was. A flicker of annoyance filled her soul as she thought about women having the opportunity to wait until they were ready for children.
“Come on.” Lucas took her hand heading for the door.
“We have to get dressed first,” Rainy’s voice was weary.
Lucas let go of her hand and ran for the small red and blue suitcase that held his clothing, tossing items onto the floor as he dug for his favorite jeans and shirt.
Rainy grabbed her jeans from the night before, pulled a clean shirt over her head, and brushed her hair into a messy bun with a plastic clip.
“Help, Mommy.” Lucas was half in, half out of his shirt as he struggled to get his head through his armhole.
“Here, slow down so we can fix it.” Rainy grabbed the shirt, turning it and slipping it over the boys head. No sooner had the boy popped through the shirt than he threw his arms around her neck kissing her lips with a loud smack.
“I love you.” He said leaping away and running for the door.
Rainy felt the smile return to her face as she stomped into her shoes grabbing the boy and pushing socks onto his feet. How could something so precious come from such pain? She wondered not for the first time.
“Now we’re ready.” She reached down waiting until Lucas took her hand, then swiped the key from the bureau top and headed out the door. It was a new day and she was going to try to see it through Lucas’s eyes. Everything was new, fresh, amazing.
Rainy wanted to recapture that sense of awe and wonder as she stepped into a new day. She had come a long way in the past few years, and this was her fresh start. She had her degree, the love and support of her parents, and a friend who knew all of her secrets. Today she would revel in her son’s sense of adventure as she looked toward a brighter future.
“You’re up?” Owen stuck his head out the door across the hall. “Wait, I have something for Lucas.”
Rainy, pulled Lucas to a stop. “Wait for Poppa,” she whispered, not wanting to wake any other guests.
“Hey little man,” Owen stepped into the hall plunking a cowboy hat on the boy’s head. “Now you’re all ready to ride.”
“You shouldn’t have, Dad.” Rainy smiled.
“Our little guy needs to look like a real cowboy.” Owen shrugged, closing the door.
“Come on, Lucas.” Rainy reached down for the boy’s hand as he adjusted the hat on his head. “Let’s go make some new friends.”
***
“Hi,” Lucas hurried over to the little boy sitting at the table with Michelle Ballard. “I’m Lucas.”
“Kadence,” the boy replied. “Nice hat.”
Rainy grinned at the boys’ awkward introductions, but she had learned to just let things happen on their own.
“You look like you could use some coffee,” Michelle smiled pushing her dark curls over a shoulder. “I’ll watch them for a bit while you get your breakfast.” She smiled watching Lucas climb up onto the bench seat across from Kadence.
“Thanks,” Rainy didn’t hesitate but hurried to find food for both her and her son. Coffee would go a long way to lifting her eyelids.
Looking around the beautiful, western-themed dining area, Rainy soaked in some of the ambiance of the space. The coffee pot and drink dispensers were modern, but the feel of the place was old, settled, and welcoming.
Drawing a large mug of coffee, Rainy grinned. Before Lucas and her online college career, she had hated coffee. Now, it felt like her life’s blood. Taking a sip, she leaned against the counter taking in the people at various stages of breakfast.
Unlike other meals, breakfast was served a la carte and folks could get whatever they wanted from a Hotbar or cold cereal dispensers. At the far end of the room a group of cowboys, presumably wranglers from the ranch, sat devouring large plates of the fine fare.
Rainy took another sip of her hot brew as her eyes swept the trim figures, wide shoulders, and straight backs of the majority of the younger men. They were good-looking specimens, and she forced her eyes away. Yes, she was still a young woman, but she wasn’t looking for love. She knew that no one would ever love her Lucas the way she did, and she would give anything to ensure that the boy didn’t have men swinging in and out of his life.
Turning, Rainy walked back to the table, placing her cup down and checking on her son, before going back to collect two plates.
“They’re getting along well,” Michelle said once Rainy had settled at the table again.
“I think they are having an unofficial eating contest right now though.” Rainy’s smile was bright, though she felt awkward around Michelle. She knew that sooner or later, the questions would start, and she didn’t have all the answers.
“How long are you staying at the ranch?” the other woman asked. “Maybe we can arrange a real play date at my place.”
“Really?” Rainy was shocked at the offer. After all, she was only a guest at the ranch.
“Sure, children don’t care about all the business stuff. They just know who they like and these two seem to be getting along well.”
Together both women turned to watch their boys chatting and getting to know each other. Lucas was full of questions about horses, and Kadence seemed confident to tell him all he knew. He was very seriously explaining how to give a horse, or mule, a carrot which made Rainy laugh.
“Kade is big on teaching his son about everything on the ranch. Even at four, the boy is picking things up as he grows. To be honest, sometimes it scares me. I’ve always been a little afraid of horses.”
“You’re kidding?” Rainy’s shock was evident in her voice.
“Nope, I’ve learned a lot living here, and Kade is great at helping me with everything.” The petite woman chuckled. “My favorite thing is to drive the pony cart. We only have one pony that drives, but Dandy is steady and likes to move out if he’s given a chance. The new ponies are all for little guys like these two.”
“How do I sign up for Lucas to get a pony ride?” Rainy asked. She would look into it first thing and pay for it out of her pocket.
“Just head over to the front desk and book a time. There are different things you can do; lessons, a lead ride, and a turn around the carousel, which is just a big circle with the ponies tied to a machine. They only do that a couple of times a day though. Kade said they don’t like to overwork the ponies, but like to keep them in shape a
t the same time. He thinks little critters get fat on air.”
“Rainy!” Anne walked into the room, a bright smile on her perfectly made-up face. “I see you’re up already.” The tall blonde waved as she made her way toward food then headed to the table. “Hi, I’m Anne.” She sat her tray on the table and looked up curiously at Michelle.
“Michelle Ballard, I brought Kadence over for breakfast, so he could meet Lucas today.”
“Sweet!” Anne enthused as Rainy repressed a groan.
Anne Evans had never met a stranger, and her enthusiasm for living was charming if sometimes exhausting.
“So what are we doing today?” Rainy’s oldest friend asked.
“Michelle was just telling me about the pony rides,” Rainy spoke. “I thought I’d sign Lucas up for whatever’s available.”
“I don’t ride ponies,” Kadence innocent voice echoed across the table. “My dad lets me ride with him, and I can even ride on the mules if I want to.”
“Yes,” Michelle chided, “but only if your father is with you. Don’t be putting ideas into Lucas’s head. He hasn’t been around horses.”
“Maybe your dad can take you for a ride with me,” Kadence bright suggestion made Rainy cringe.
“I don’t have a dad,” Lucas said. “But maybe I can get Poppa to go.”
“Why don’t you have a dad?” Kadence asked pushing his empty plate away.
“Kadence, it’s time for us to go.” Michelle flicked her eyes from her son to Rainy’s strained face. “We’ll make a play date with Lucas later this week, but for now, I have to get to work, and your sister has been with Phil long enough.”
“Ah Ma,” the boy drawled, climbing down from his bench.
“I’m taking a half-day from the print shop tomorrow,” Michelle looked up at Rainy as she wiped her son’s face. “Why don’t you bring Lucas over in the afternoon? I’m in the blue house next to the stream. You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks,” Rainy nodded. “I’ll check everyone’s schedule and let you know.”
“Just drop in if you can’t get me before then. Have a great day girls. I know you’ll have fun.”
