Return to Abundance

by Shanna Swenson

  “There’s my sweet girl! How was your day? Were you good for Uncle Nate and Aunt Jordan?” Jack said as he scooped her up and kissed her cheek. She laid her little head on his big shoulder, melding to him as she wrapped her tiny arms and legs as far around him as she could go.

  The love that Jack Kinsen had for the angelic little girl that would never be his by blood struck a chord deep inside Nate’s chest, and he felt a flood of warmth fill him. He gulped as he watched their encounter, his arms stilling as he retrieved the bags of groceries. Nate had always been so consumed by the destruction he’d caused in the aftermath of what he’d done that he’d never been able to see beyond that. All the anger and pain he’d had at killing Troy had caused him to overlook all the good that had actually come from it too; all the love that had blossomed at the outcome of that tragedy. He might have taken Troy’s life that day, but in the process, he’d freed his sister and Dallie too. Natalie, Jack and Dallie had healed from their wound. Maybe it wasn’t so impossible to believe that Nate could heal from his too.

  After talking to Dallie about her day, Jack sat her down, and she ran into the house, calling for her mother. Jack approached Nate then, who reluctantly looked into his face. Jack extended his hand, and Nate took it, obligingly.

  “Thanks, Nate.”

  “Actually, Jack. It’s I who should be thanking you,” Nate began. Jack had a confused look on his face, as if he couldn’t fathom why Nate needed to thank him for anything. “For taking such good care of my family these last couple years, for loving my sister and her daughter the way you do, for being all that they needed after what Troy did, for being the reason they are both so happy.”

  Nate spoke earnestly, from his heart, and for a moment, Jack seemed taken aback by his words then Jack’s eyebrow raised and his mouth cocked in a half grin as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, don’t you go and get all sappy on me, Butler.” With that, he laughed and patted Nate’s back, walking with him towards the house. “No hard feelings about the other day…”

  “Jack.” Nate stopped and looked at his brother-in-law squarely. “I’m just glad you didn’t kick my ass- to be honest. I know that I really deserved it.”

  “Yeah, well… you’re lucky,” Jack stated factually.

  Nate smiled big for the first time in a long time. “Yes, yes, I believe I am.”

  Chapter 11

  Jack and Nate were smiling as they came into the living room. That made Natalie’s heart happy. Dallie sat beside her holding Savannah as Natalie helped hold Savannah’s tiny head onto Dallie’s small shoulder.

  Savannah was a beautiful baby. Her little nose looked just like her daddy’s, and her hair was a color combination of both Natalie’s and Jack’s. Vanna’s eyes were blue as was most newborn babies, but Natalie knew she had a good chance of having either blue or green eyes, and Natalie knew that if they were somewhere in the middle they would be exquisite. She looked up at her handsome husband who came to kiss her and sit down beside her.

  “Take a load off, Nate.” Jack gestured for Nate to take a seat. Nate sat the bags down and sat across from them, smiling over at Natalie. It was so good to see that smile again.

  “How are you, sis?”

  “I’m good! Tired, but I couldn’t be better.” She looked down at her two girls… Wow, two girls! It was hard to believe that she’d given birth to two beautiful, sweet little girls.

  “Honey, I tell you, we made one good-looking kid…” Jack kissed her cheek and leaned into her as he looked down at their children. It was as if he’d read her mind.

  That she’d been able to give her precious husband what he’d been dreaming of since she’d lost the last baby made her feel so thankful.

  “Daddy?” Dallie looked up at Jack, scolding. “Not so loud. Vanna’s sleepin’.” Jack pulled back, tickling Natalie’s hip and feigned a pout. Natalie smirked at him. “Mommy, I’m hungry.” Natalie took the baby back, and Dallie ran off to go get a snack. Nat looked over at her brother.

  “You wanna hold her?”

  “Sure…” Nate looked a little intimidated at the bundle in her arms, but she stood and gently laid Savannah into his tight embrace.

  “Just support her head. She’s not as breakable as you think… See, you’re a natural.” She stepped back, and Nate looked down, a triumphant grin on his face. Natalie ambled back over to her husband and gently fell into his massive chest. He kissed her forehead and rested his head against hers. They sat that way for several long peaceful moments, Nate rocking Vanna, and Jack nuzzling her hair as he stroked her back absent-mindedly.

  “Vivian called,” Nat informed Nathan. “She hated that she missed Savannah’s birth, but insisted she would be flying in before the week was out. She’s right in the middle of filming in Colorado.”

  “Well good! I know she really wanted to see this little angel when she arrived.” Nate smiled down at the baby. “Where’s Mom and Dad?” Nate asked, suddenly remembering.

  “Oh, Dad’s down at the barn and Mom went into town. She should be back soon. She wanted to cook dinner for us… You wanna stay for dinner?”

  Nate shrugged and nodded. “Sure, I don’t have anything pressing. I can call Jordan and the guys and just let them know. That way they won’t be expecting me.”

  About that time, Dallie came running in with a banana in her hand. “Mommy, help?” Natalie peeled the banana halfway and had her sit at the coffee table to eat it. “Daddy, I wanna go see Ameera. We need to work on her longeing today.” Jack just looked over at her amused then his head fell back on the couch. He looked exhausted.

  “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Jack asked. Dallie shook her head. He yawned. “It can wait until tomorrow…”

  “Dallie, Daddy’s super tired,” Nat insisted and patted her husband’s thigh.

  “Aw,” Dallie pouted.

  “Hey, I’ll go longe her with you,” Nate piped in. Dallie’s eyes got big with excitement.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, absolutely.”

  “Dallie, how’d you do on that math test?” Natalie asked.

  “I got a 100! And I think everyone liked my project too.”

  “That a girl!” Jack leaned up and gave Dallie a high five. “Nice work, kiddo. I’m proud of you.” Natalie just nodded in agreement, smiling into her daughter’s sweet face.

  Natalie had always known her daughter was special, but she got to find out just how much of a prodigy she had birthed when she’d been pulled aside about two weeks after Dallie had started kindergarten to be told that she needed to be tested for the gifted class. Natalie had laughed at first, completely unaware that there was such a thing in kindergarten, only to be informed, much to her teacher’s consternation, that her daughter was far too smart for her class. So, Dallie had been tested, passed with flying colors and was taken from Mrs. Carrie Johnson’s class to the advanced placement class of Ms. Lily Hildegard. Dallas was her teacher’s pet, and Jack and Natalie couldn’t be more pleased with the progress she was making socially, academically and in her overall life in general. She was really shining, and what happened in Chicago seemed to be more like a bad dream than an actuality. She was starting to forget, and it didn’t seem to be affecting her in any negative ways that Nat could see. Natalie’s prayers had been answered in more ways than one!

  Dallie had thrived on the ranch too, alongside her adoptive father, Jack. Natalie couldn’t love him any more if she tried. He’d truly been their God send. He loved them both with his whole heart, allowed Natalie to be able to trust again and had taught Dallie so much about the horses she adored. She was coming into her special gifts with amazing skills that none of them could explain nor understand, and they’d all simply let her work her magic as she brought the horses to their utmost capabilities with ease. Natalie had finally started to believe, after much doubt, that Dallie could indeed understand them unlike anyone she’d ever known. Jack, most of all, was blown away by her skills and felt a lot of the time that he was simply jus
t assisting her and not the other way around. Whatever the case, they both enjoyed working together, and it made them happy, so who was Natalie to oppose, especially if her daughter was safe as Jack had always made sure she was.

  Jack got up to get the baby from Nate, gingerly cradling her into his big arms and chest. Savannah whined a little, but quickly readjusted to her daddy’s embrace. It must be the way he smelled. He’d always smelled so amazing.

  Nate replaced his hat and took Dallie’s hand as they headed out the back door.

  “I’ll call you guys up when supper’s ready,” Natalie called to them as they closed the door.

  She smiled at her husband as he sat back down beside her on the couch and cuddled his newborn daughter. The look on his face was priceless as he gazed into Savannah’s tiny face, taking in her sweet little features and falling even more in love with her. She knew he could never love anything more than he loved his three girls, and her smiled widened as he looked into her eyes.

  “What?” he asked, grinning, clueless as to how her heart overflowed with such love for him. She’d never believed she could love him any more than she had that night she’d finally and completely given herself to him… then she’d given birth to his child.

  “I just love you so very much is all.”

  He grabbed for her hand then and his eyes were all encompassing. “And I love you, my darling… I’ll never be able to tell you just how much… You’re my everything! You and these two amazing girls you’ve given me.” Natalie’s eye began to tear up. “Baby doll, please don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry.” She laughed even as she swiped at her wet cheeks. “I don’t mean to be so emotional. It’s just that I’m so happy. Seeing you with your own daughter now.”

  “You mean my second daughter?” he asked. Natalie’s tears poured then. He really considered Dallie his own child. She may not share his blood or his DNA, but she shared his name and his love and to him, that’s all that had ever mattered. Dallie had become his practically since he’d first laid eyes on her, Natalie knew. His heart had been wrapped around her little finger for a long time now, and just because he now had a biological child of his own, that wouldn’t change how he felt about Dallie. His eyes spoke all this to her as those sexy green spheres burned into hers. He smiled and looked back down into the tiny face before him. “It really is amazing how much love our hearts have, isn’t it? I didn’t know if I had any more room left in my heart to love another person this much…and you… I didn’t think that it could be possible to love you even more than I already did, but God, I just, I love you so much.” His eyes brimmed with tears then too, and she leaned into him, her lips softly pressing against his. He deepened the kiss then and pulled her into him with the arm that wasn’t holding Savannah to his big chest. Their kiss was long and searing, and when Natalie finally pulled back, she had to catch her breath.

  She looked back at her husband’s flushed face and then down at the baby. She pulled the blanket back from Savannah’s little chin and stroked at her warm little cheek with her index finger. Their baby was so sweet and precious. Natalie pondered on their blessing. Life could be incredibly unpredictable and spontaneous, and at times, it was so very good.

  “What do you reckon is goin’ on with Nate?” Jack asked.

  “I dunno. I was going to ask you the same question. He seems so different now. It’s like an overnight miracle.”

  “Yeah, very unexpected…”

  “You think Jordan has something to do with it?” Nat asked. Jack shrugged. “Well, something has softened him, for sure. This is the first time he’s been himself since…” She didn’t have to finish that sentence for him to know what she was talking about.

  “Maybe this sweet little thing softened his heart a little.” He motioned to Savannah.

  “Perhaps.” Nat took Vanna’s little hand in hers. “Either way, I like it, and it makes me happy to see him smiling again.”

  “Me too, Nat. Honestly. It’s high time.”

  Nate and David watched in awe as Dallie worked her magic with Ameera. She was something alright. Nate felt like he was the one being trained. Dallie might not be strong enough yet, but her will was and the little assistance he provided on the longe line was nothing compared to Dallie’s drive and determination. Ameera had her full attention. She was responding well to all verbal commands, hand signals and indirect pressure aids. This 3-year-old pony was well on her way to becoming the horse Jack and Dallie dreamed she would be. Nate was speechless. Dallie’s incredible gift never ceased to amaze him.

  “Alright, good girl! Let’s take a break.” Dallie stepped back and drew the filly into her then and stepped up to rub her muzzle and praise her. Nate came in then too and stroked the black filly’s mane and throat latch. She was beautiful and graceful. She was going to make a fine horse for Dallie. He couldn’t wait to see them in their prime. Dallie was going to win ribbons, he knew.

  They gave Ameera a water break and worked for another half hour before brushing her down good, putting her away and feeding her. Nate and his father made the rounds, haying and watering the other horses in the stalls before turning off the main lights and shutting the barn doors.

  Nate had worked up quite an appetite when they got back to the house. The dining room was bustling as Jack and Corrine moved food from the kitchen to the table. David, Dallie and Nate all went to go wash up and came out to help.

  “Let me grab that, Mom.” Nate reached for a big bowl of creamed potatoes his mother held. She kissed his cheek, thanked him and handed Dallie a basket of rolls to follow her uncle with. They all met at the dining room table and sat in their respective spots, his sister already there with Savannah tucked into a bassinet not far from her, Jack beside her at the head of the table, Dallie next to him, Nate next to her, Corrine across from Nate, next to David who was at the opposite end of the table.

  “How’d it go, sweetie?” Nat asked Dallie.

  “Really good, Mommy. She’s got great form.” Dallie smiled over at her mother.

  “Alright, David. Go ahead and say the blessin’,” Corrine said after they were settled.

  His father said the blessing and for the first time in a long time Nate listened hard to the words of thanks and reciprocated them in his heart, feeling them deep inside.

  They feasted on meatloaf, greens, coleslaw, creamed potatoes, creamed corn and homemade yeast rolls. His mother’s cooking was exceptional as always and before long they were all stuffed. They talked about their days, laughed at Dallie and Nate’s attempt at the song she’d learned in school today and speculated on the weather. David asked Nate how business was and surprisingly, business had been good. Nate was thriving off his father’s good name and reputation. Several of his clients had followed Jack when he’d opened Kinsen Ranch, but he and Nate had chosen to work in cooperation not competition with one another. Most times, they worked together and would referred their clients to the other when one of them had too much work on his plate. Jack had told Nathan that Kinsen Ranch was an extension of Starlight Valley, not a separate entity, and he’d always treated it as such.

  Savannah chose that time to wake up and make her presence known.

  “Well, at least I got a hot meal this time.” Natalie laughed and grabbed her up and carried her into the living room to feed the little one. Dallie called for dessert and Corrine got up to grab the yummy sugary treat she’d made for all of them as Jack went to make coffee.

  After coffee and pound cake, they all sat in the living room watching his mother rock her grandbaby back to sleep. Nathan admired the sweet little bundle in her arms. So tiny, new, and precious. It felt wonderful to be back in his family’s loving presence again with no tension, as if nothing had ever transpired between him and Natalie. He listened to his mother’s sweet, calm voice lull the newborn into peaceful bliss as the rest of them spoke softly.

  “Dallie, it’s about time for you to get ready for bed, honey,” Natalie informed her. Dallie looked less than pleased, bu
t didn’t argue as she and Natalie went upstairs to get her bathed.

  “So, Nate,” his mother said and looked up at him then, “how are things with Jordan?”

  “Jordan…” That’s when Nathan remembered that he’d completely forgotten to call Jordan and let her know he wouldn’t be home for dinner.

  Eric carried the last of the plates to the sink that Jordan had filled with soap and water. The suds swallowed the dish as he placed it in.

  “Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.”

  “It’s no problem. It’s the least I can do after you worked all day on that delicious meal.”

  Jordan had slow roasted a massive pot roast complete with new potatoes, carrots and sautéed mushrooms, accompanied by garden fresh green beans and cheese biscuits. She’d also made a berry cobbler. And not heard a word from Nathan all day. Go figure he was pouting, but he could have a least let her know she would be alone with the guys at dinner.

  “Well thanks, but bless your heart, you aren’t in any condition to help anyone but yourself. Go take a load off that leg, and I’ll bring you an ice pack. I’m gonna sit for a spell myself and do these in a little bit,” Jordan said and placed the last two glasses on the counter.

  Eric didn’t argue as he headed into the living room, and Jordan finished putting away the leftover food. She, Eric, Mitch, Cass, Billy Bob and Zack had all had an enjoyable meal with amicable talk. Jordan had been a bit anxious around Mitch at first without Nate there, but she tried not to let her feelings show. He’d been different since the incident, and when he did happen to chance a look over at her or speak directly to her, his cheeks turned red and he always lowered his head in embarrassment. They had all been perfect gentlemen at the dinner table, and Jordan had quickly felt more at ease with Eric’s easy-going and suave nature. Zack had laughed and flirted with her and overall, she’d enjoyed the meal with all of them. Mitch had been one of the first to leave and once he did, it was as if a huge cloud had lifted from around Jordan.