The sound of a vehicle pulling up alerted her that her guests were there. She went out the door and waved at the family as their car parked in the driveway. A man got out waving back as his wife went to the back to unbuckle the cutest little girl sitting in a toddler seat. He walked up to her, his family not far behind.
“Hi. My name’s Jacob,” he said. “This is my wife, Katherine and my daughter Emily.” They sidled up next to him and smiled.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I have your room ready.” After the first people had stayed and she realized the rooms had not contained a smaller bed for the children, she and Cole had gotten together some of the bunk frames, and she’d made a thin cotton mattress to go on top. They were probably not the most comfortable, but Cole had shortened the legs, so they fit underneath the bigger beds. One day, she’d have all the comforts of home for them, but for now, she’d just have to make due.
She showed them to their room.
“This is so cute!” Katherine said. “Look, Emmie. There’s a special bed for you.”
The sweet little girl put her hands to her face in a surprised smile. She couldn’t have been more than three.
“The itinerary for the day is here.” Charlotte picked up the paper she’d printed out. “We have another family staying with us as well as a young man. The other family has a ten-year-old boy who is excited to see the farm area of the ranch. We have a couple of chickens and an old milking cow that loves affection. We also have a foal who was born only a couple of days ago. She loves the attention too. I’d love for you to join us if you care to.”
“That would be great!” the mother said. “Emmie, you want to see a moo cow?”
“I love moo cows!”
The father was already pulling out his laptop. “You two go. I’ll just catch up on some work.”
Katherine gave Charlotte a strained look. “Sorry. He’s a workaholic.”
“I heard that.”
“It’s okay. Maybe he’d prefer to join us on the trail ride later.”
Jacob grunted, already into his own thoughts.
Katherine rolled her eyes. “Come on, Emmie, let’s go see the moo-cow and chickens.”
Emily headed for the door. “Bye, Daddy,” she called.
Once outside the door, Katherine sighed. “I can’t ever get that man to take a second away from his work. I thought this little trip would help.”
“Understandable. Maybe we can get him out of his shell later.” She smiled but felt bad for the woman.
The other family came from their room.
“Katherine, this is Jonathan and Tia. And their son, Jon Jr.”
Katherine shook hands and introduced her daughter.
“Can we see the cow now?” Jon Jr. asked. “I’ve been waiting all day.”
Charlotte grinned. It was only nine o’clock in the morning. He couldn’t have been out of bed for more than an hour or two. “Let’s do it.”
Cole walked up with Samantha behind him, and Charlotte made more introductions.
“Anyone ready to milk the cow?” he asked. Cole was great with kids. One day, he’d be a father just like theirs was. Attentive and protective. It saddened her that Jacob sat in his room in front of his laptop while his daughter had her first experience with a real moo-cow.
“Someone say cow milking?” the handsome loner asked standing in his doorway. “I’m writing this book about a farm. The best experience is in doing, right?”
“Absolutely.” Cole shook his hand. “Cole.”
“Thomas. Let’s do this.” Thomas looked in Charlotte’s direction with a wink.
Her face reddened at the attention. He was a tall man with light-brown hair and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Handsome, for sure, but nothing could hold a candle to Ezra. Her heart beat heavily at the thought of him. If only she knew he was safe.
Once they had all pet the cow and helped gather eggs with chickens pecking at their feet, Charlotte asked if they would like to visit their foal, Lucky.
The kids were all in. As she led them to the stables, she watched the young girl holding her mother’s hand excitedly. Her heart yearned for a child of her own.
They found Lucky nursing on her mother at the back of the stable, and she went inside, waited for her to finish then led Lucky to the fence that separated her from the kids. Clementine followed protectively behind. Charlotte rubbed Clementine's muzzle, letting her know it was okay.
The kids reached through the bars and gently petted the foal.
“I want a horsey, Mommy,” Emily said. “She’s so soft and pretty.”
Jon Jr. agreed readily. “Me, too. Daddy, can we buy Lucky?”
“Lucky is not for sale,” Charlotte interrupted. “Sorry about that.”
She’d given up so much already. There was no way she wanted to sell even one more horse.
“Aw, no fair,” Jon Jr. said but shrugged shyly when his father gave him a reprimanding stare. “Sorry.”
CHARLOTTE WAS TIRED. They’d spent the entire day showing the families around the ranch, milking cows, pointing out the desert plants, and finally taking them on a trail ride. Of course, Jacob had declined everything, saying he had work to do. Charlotte was almost tempted to pull the plug on the router for the WIFI just to make him come out and join his wife, but in the end, she decided it was better to allow his wife to deal with him.
They’d all had their share of spaghetti and thanked her profusely. She’d gotten tips from all of them and was happy to add that to the jar that helped to keep the electricity running. All in all, it was a good day.
“Can we make cactus candy now?” Jon Jr. asked, wiping leftover spaghetti sauce from his chin.
“Let’s save that for tomorrow,” his father chided. “It’s been a long day.”
“Cole is getting a fire set up in the back if you’d like to relax. I’d love to keep Jon with me and make some candy.” She was exhausted, but soon it would be bedtime, and she’d get rest. She needed to make their stay enjoyable.
“Can I, Dad?”
“I’ll stay with him, you go relax by the fire with the guys,” Tia said.
Katherine agreed to stay with Emily and make candy as well. They got together at the table, and Charlotte brought out the supplies. As she set them down, a shadow entered the doorway. She looked up, and her body froze.
“Um, excuse me for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
All eyes turned to Ezra standing in the doorway. She rushed to the door, pushed past him and out to the back of the store. All the worry that had built up inside of her had come out like a typhoon ready to hit.
“Charlotte, wait. Where are you going?”
She kept her pace without turning back to him. Once she reached the fire pit, she headed for Samantha who was sitting next to Cole. The fire was already blazing. Leaning down, she whispered into Samantha’s ear asking her to take over the cactus candy making for her.
Samantha gave her a strange look. “I don’t know how to make it. Is something ―” Her eyes caught on Ezra’s. “Oh, yeah sure. I think we can muddle along.”
“There’s a recipe on the table.” Charlotte’s insides shook as she looked back to Ezra.
“Sure, no problem.”
Cole looked up and as soon as his eyes met Ezra’s, he stood. “Excuse me,” Cole said and headed toward Ezra.
“Cole, wait.” Charlotte put a hand on his chest. “Let me talk to him.”
“He burned down―”
“Tend to the guests, please. Let me talk to him. There’s no use getting everyone upset.”
Cole stepped back. Narrowing his eyes at Ezra for a moment, he looked away and went back to the guests. Charlotte turned and stormed off toward the stable. Ezra followed.
“What’s going on?” he called. “I’m sorry I left without telling you, but I had some things―”
Charlotte spun around so quickly, she nearly fell. “Left without telling me? You think that’s it?” She spun back around and continued walking.
“Cha
rlotte, would you just stop? Talk to me?”
Turning again, she said, “You could have killed someone!”
Chapter 23—Ezra
“What are you talking about?” Ezra watched her face. “Killed who?”
“The Monroe fire. I thought we agreed you wouldn’t go after him.”
His heart fell into his chest. He’d forgotten all about his first intention and how it must look when he left so abruptly. “Charlotte, I didn’t start any fire, I swear.”
“No?” She looked for a second like she wanted to believe him.
“Wait, there was a fire at Garrett's house?”
That fire came back into her eyes. “Please, just tell me the truth. I can't handle—”
“I didn't do it. I swear!” Ezra raised his hands.
“Oh yeah?” Her hands went to her hips. “Then why is our gas can and all the gas from the truck missing?”
Ezra lowered his head. He should have known she would think that. So much had happened since then that he hadn’t even thought about what it must look like to her. But then again, he hadn’t known that the house had actually been burned down either. Who else would want to hurt Garrett?
“Come with me.” He continued to walk toward the stable, only this time he was leading, and she wasn’t moving.
“I’m not going anywhere with you until you explain.”
He turned to face her. “What I have to show you will explain everything.”
Hesitantly, she followed him. When they got to the back of the stables, he showed her the missing gas can. “Lift it.”
She picked up the gas can and sniffed it. “It’s still full of fuel. But why, then?”
Ezra sat on the ground and leaned his head against the back of the stable. “I planned to. I was so angry after I heard you and the doc talking. He said I was dangerous to your family every day I stayed here. I wanted to put a stop to all of this.”
“Ezra, he didn’t mean―” She sat next to him.
“Yes, he did. And he was right. I don’t blame him. But that night, I was so consumed with anger that I got the stuff together, and I planned on burning down his house.”
“But you didn’t?”
“No. I walked all the way over there, and I was set to do it. But when I watched through the window for a while as they were talking, I thought about the reason I left in the first place. I’m not a killer, Charlotte. Wanting revenge and taking it are two different things.”
“You’re right. I’m glad you didn’t do it.”
“You believe me?”
“Of course, I do. Ezra, I have been praying for you all this time. I asked God to change your heart. Only, I thought―”
“You thought it was too late for me. That I’d already gone too far.”
Charlotte nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry for not believing in you.”
“I don’t blame you. The evidence was all right there. I would’ve thought the same thing. I planned to do it, but the more I listened to them talk, the more I realized that Garrett wasn’t the reason I was so angry. It was my father I was angry with, not Garrett. Wait. Is Garrett okay? What about the others?”
“The police came here the next morning. They said no one was in the house when the fire was started.”
Ezra let out a deep sigh. Whether or not Garrett was a bad man was irrelevant. The thought of the man who raised him burning to death was unsettling.
“Where did you go then? You’ve been gone for days.”
“So, I came back, left the gas can here, and went to confront him. My father, I mean.” He wasn’t ready to tell her about the money he’d inherited. He didn’t want her thinking he could buy her love. He would earn it, and when he told her, it would be theirs. At least that was his hope.
“You did? What happened?”
“He’s nothing but a shell. He doesn’t even know who I am.”
“Oh, Ezra. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s better that way. I was so enraged at him that I might have done something stupid. But while I was in town, I met this man. He was a vet who lived on the streets. A good guy, he―” Suddenly he felt embarrassed about his new-found belief. Not ashamed of God, but worried that she might find it all too contrived. Like he’d say anything to get her back.
“He what?”
“He told me about God. Charlotte, I know you think―”
“That’s great, Ezra. I’ve been telling you all along. At least trying to.”
“I know you have. But it was . . . he made so much sense.”
“I’m glad.” Charlotte touched his hand.
“Charlotte, I’m so in love with you. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Charlotte stared at him for a long time. “Ezra, I―”
At her hesitation, he placed a finger over her lips. “You don’t have to say anything. Just know that I care about you. I’m going to get my life together and prove to you, and God, and whoever else, that I am worthy.”
“God already knows,” she whispered. “Everything happens for a reason.”
“I believe that, Charlotte. But how do I right the wrongs I’ve done?”
“It will all work out in the end.”
“How? There are so many people I stole from. I just don’t know where or how to―”
“Ezra you were so young. You did what Garrett told you to do. If you asked God to forgive you, then He has.”
“But people ― how do they forgive me? I don’t even know who I stole from. All my life, Garrett has told me that what we were doing was okay because they had so much and we had nothing. But it wasn’t right. Those people worked hard and earned what they had . . . and . . . and we took from them.” He felt like a young child again. Lost and confused.
“I don’t know the answer. I only know that if you trust in Him, He will make it better.”
But would God give him his heart’s desire? Charlotte? He was willing to suffer the consequences of his actions, but he didn’t want to lose her.
“Come on, let’s talk to Cole. He’s pretty upset about all of this.” She stood and held out a hand to him.
“He’s not going to believe me.”
“Not right away. Give him some time.”
Ezra didn’t know if all the time in the world would change the way Cole felt about him and that mattered to him. But trust didn’t come easy. Taking her hand, he stood, and they headed to the lodging rooms.
Cole sat by the fire chatting when they got there. His glare told Ezra it would be no easy task to win him over. Ezra’s mind continued to go back to Garrett’s place. Who had set it on fire? How would he clear his name with Cole or anyone else? Did the police suspect him?
Cole stood and walked around the corner out of hearing of the guests.
“You shouldn’t be here.” Cole stared at him in defiance. “You’ve caused enough trouble.”
“Cole, he didn’t do it.”
Cole looked up at his sister. “Don’t let love blind you. The evidence is all there.”
Chapter 24—Charlotte
Charlotte looked back to the lodging rooms. “Let’s go in the house. We don’t need to disturb our guests.” She knew her brother. He wasn’t yelling yet, but whenever he wanted to make a point, he tended to get loud.
Cole gave Ezra another glare and stormed off toward the house.
“This is too much. Maybe I should leave,” Ezra said. “I’ve caused enough trouble.”
“Maybe I should talk to him alone. It’s late, and you’ve had a rough couple of days. Why don’t you take a shower and get some sleep?”
“I should talk to him. All this trouble is because of me.”
There was no way Cole would calm down enough to listen unless she spoke to him alone, showed him the evidence, and explained to him what happened. Ezra’s presence would only provoke him more.
“Let me talk to him tonight. I know my brother. He’ll be reasonable, but I should do it alone.”
Ezra shook his head. “I’m sorry for all the troubl
e I’ve caused.” He kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
Charlotte wanted to call him back and tell him none of this was his fault, but she didn’t. The truth was, they’d lived a quiet existence before he came along. Convincing Cole of his innocence was not going to be easy. Their entire life depended on keeping the ranch up and going. That couldn’t happen if trouble followed them around every corner. For the first time, Charlotte understood why Ezra had been so set on leaving. Without even trying, he was causing problems. Until he could break away from the hold Garrett had on him, his life would never be normal.
Charlotte watched him go into his room. A sadness came over her. The situation was too big to handle on her own. Even if she convinced Cole that Ezra didn’t start the fire, which she truly believed was the truth, how would she convince him that Ezra was not a danger to the ranch?
Charlotte went back to their guests who were still sitting by the fire. The kids had returned to their parents and everyone looked exhausted. Soon they were up and heading to their rooms.
“Thanks for a wonderful time.” The mother touched her arm. “You have really made us feel at home.”
“It was my pleasure. Have a good night,” Charlotte said.
She picked up the shovel as her guests closed their doors and piled dirt onto the fire. Once it was completely out, she headed back to the house.
“Hey,” Samantha called from behind. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
She turned to see Samantha standing just outside her door. She was wearing a light-blue pajama shorts set.
“Hi, Samantha. I thought you were down for the night.”
“I was. Well, I was reading, anyway. I heard you two outside.”
“Why don’t we go inside the store. I don’t want to disturb our guests.”
Samantha nodded and followed her to the store. Charlotte unlocked the door and went inside. Samantha followed.
“What’s on your mind?” Charlotte asked.
“I know you know your brother better than anyone else, but he talks to me, so . . . well, I thought maybe I could tell you how he’s feeling about all of this.”
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