by Lois Richer
“What is it then?” she asked, pushing back the weariness that swamped her.
“It’s kind of embarrassing to admit,” Luc muttered. Then he looked her straight in the eyes, dots of red coloring his prominent cheekbones. “I spent so long trying to figure out how to get him to my place. Now that he’s coming, I don’t know what to do with him. I’m scared, Holly.”
“You can’t be scared of Henry.” She laughed but smothered it immediately as she realized how serious Luc was. It was odd to see the big rancher so unnerved by a little boy, but it was also endearing, and somehow sweet that he cared so much. “What’s bothering you?”
“What if I do or say the wrong thing?” he said hesitantly. “Henry isn’t my son yet. What if I do something that damages my case? What if I somehow hurt him or make a mistake with him? I couldn’t stand that.”
Luc looked so miserable that Holly had to reach out and pat his shoulder.
“Luc, nobody is born knowing how to be a parent. It’s trial and error for everyone.” She smiled, hoping to ease his anxiety. “I tell my prenatal classes that if you love the child and keep his best interests at the forefront of your mind, you won’t go far wrong.”
“I know but—” He hesitated before he continued. “Could you come over tomorrow morning and have breakfast with us? That might ease things.”
“Sorry. I can’t.” She drew her hand away, wishing with all her heart that she could be there to watch Luc form tighter connections with Henry. “I just got a text and agreed to reschedule two prenatal appointments for tomorrow morning. I won’t be free till noon or so.”
“But what will I do with him until then?” Luc said in a panicked voice.
“What kind of things did you envision doing with your son?” She smiled at him, coaxing him to remember, hating to see this strong man so vulnerable. “Come on, Luc. You’ve talked about adopting Henry. Now’s not the time to get cold feet. In fact, this is probably the perfect time to try the things you want to do with him when you adopt him. Show him what you love,” she said quietly. “He’ll love it, too.”
“I guess that’s my biggest fear,” he admitted in a soft, hesitant tone. “Maybe Henry won’t like my life. Sarah didn’t.”
“Are you kidding? Cowboys are Henry’s heroes. To him you’re the best thing since bubble gum.” Holly shook her head at him. “You just wait, Luc. He’s going to dive headlong into whatever you show him. But if he doesn’t, you’ll find something else, right? Because Henry is the son you’ve always wanted.”
Luc nodded. Then without warning he leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “You’re a good friend, Holly.”
She gulped, utterly unnerved by that soft kiss and yet deeply moved that this strong, competent man needed her. It took a second to get her happy-go-lucky mask in place so Luc wouldn’t see how deeply he’d affected her.
“Stop worrying and concentrate on the fun you’ll have. This is what you prayed for. God’s answered your prayer. Enjoy it.” She smothered a yawn and thought how often she did that around Luc. He was going to start thinking of her as a doddering old spinster.
“Come on,” he said. “You need to get home. I’ll drive you back to the house and pick up my truck.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Then you can take Henry home and tuck him up in that spare room you fixed up especially for him.” She knew Luc had recently painted and installed new carpeting.
“I’m looking forward to that,” he admitted in a soft voice that brimmed with yearning.
“You’ve got two whole days with Henry.” Holly smiled at him. “You asked about God’s will. Well, He’s in control of everything so why not relax and enjoy this time with Henry and leave the future to God.”
As they drove home, Holly decided that she was going to take her own advice, even if she had to sneak time from her sewing to spend it with Luc and Henry. She could sew anytime, but spending time with these two special guys was not to be missed.
*
“So we can have scrambled eggs with toast or pancakes,” Luc offered. “Which one sounds good?”
“Scrambled eggs with toast and ketchup and pancakes,” Henry decreed.
“Excellent.” Though the boy showed no sign that last night’s injuries still bothered him, Luc had decided to go with less ambitious activities today. He just hoped he could keep Henry interested.
He had barely begun cracking eggs into the hot pan when a knock on the door made him pause. His heart gave a bump of relief when Holly stepped through the door. He’d wished she’d show up but didn’t want to get his hopes up. Funny how with Holly on hand he felt less likely to botch the job of entertaining Henry.
“Have you eaten?” he asked. “We’ve decided on scrambled eggs and pancakes.” Then he remembered. “I thought you had appointments this morning?”
“I did. Listen, lazybones, I was up way before you. I’ve been to Family Ties, had some cancellations at my office and now I have the rest of the day to myself.” She grinned at him as if this was the best place she could imagine being on a sunny spring morning, then leaned down to tweak Henry’s nose. “Hi, buddy.”
When Holly turned her head and smiled at Luc, her joyous smile made his stomach clench. Belatedly, he realized smoke now filled the room from his overheated pan.
“I’ll take an egg and some toast since you’re offering,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “But I prefer my toast not black.”
“Ha-ha. I didn’t hear your car.” Luc glanced out the window. The palomino gelding she’d named Babycakes stood placidly under a poplar tree, munching on freshly sprouted grass. “Oh, you rode.”
“You talked about teaching Henry to ride, so I thought I’d be ready in case that’s what you’d planned. Babycakes is always good to go.”
“Really? You’re sticking with that dumb name for that magnificent animal?” Luc made a face then got on with his cooking.
“He’s a big baby, Luc. The name suits him.” She chucked Henry under his chin and mussed his hair. “How’re you feeling?”
“I’m good.” Henry’s eyes widened. “You mean we could ride a horse?”
“Yes, a horse.” Holly giggled. “You’re sure not going to ride Sheba,” she joked, petting Luc’s dog who rested under the table. “She’s expecting puppies.”
Luc had planned something else but if riding was what Holly wanted, that’s what they’d do. Why was it she only had to look at him and he’d do anything she asked? He knew the answer. He’d promised Marcus he’d do his best to keep Holly happy and he had no intention of reneging on that promise.
“How about if I make toast while you cook the eggs and pancakes. And Henry can set the table.” Holly waited for his nod then got to work.
Luc’s kitchen filled with her laughter at Henry’s newest knock-knock jokes. She told him a couple of her own and answered his endless questions with patience and humor. Mom Holly at her best.
Luc managed not to scorch the eggs or the pancakes, but it wasn’t easy. His attention kept drifting to Holly with her glowing face. She didn’t need cosmetics to make her more beautiful. She was already the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen and it wasn’t just a skin-deep beauty.
Though Luc didn’t know what drove Holly to keep sewing, he did know how much she loved it. He could hardly have missed the mounds of fabric cut out in odd shapes piled on her dining room sideboard. He’d carefully avoided the quilt frame hogging a big corner of her living room, too. Holly was a woman with plans. She had things to do.
Yet she’d given up her beloved sewing to be here for him, to help him with Henry. That touched a spot deep inside him and Luc felt a rush of…something. Unwilling to define that feeling right now he slid the pile of fluffy golden eggs onto a plate and called the others to sit down. After a short grace, Luc leaned back and watched the pair dig into their breakfasts before his stomach rumbled and he attacked his own.
Henry was still gorging on pancakes when Holly pronounced the meal delicious and pushed h
er half-empty plate away.
“If it was so delicious, why did you pour a cup of ketchup on your eggs and then leave some?” he asked, delighted to see a flush of red staining her cheeks. She always seemed so in control.
“Me ’n Holly like ketchup,” Henry explained, the red sauce smeared all over his face next to the syrup. “On everything.”
“Except chocolate ice cream.” Holly winked at Luc. “I don’t like ketchup on that.”
When Henry giggled, Holly joined him. A certainty filled Luc. This was going to be a wonderful day because of Holly. Out of the blue, a thought struck him. If he was looking for a wife, Holly would be the standard he’d use to measure her against.
But of course he wasn’t getting married.
Once the dishes were in the dishwasher, Luc conferred with Holly because her advice was always good and because she had medical experience.
“Henry doesn’t look to be hurting.” Luc used his quietest voice while the boy lavished affection on Luc’s dog. “But just in case, maybe he should ride in front of me to the stream?”
“Excellent idea,” Holly agreed. “I wore my swimsuit just in case you’d planned to go there. The water might be chilly but—”
“Might be chilly?” Luc said drolly and arched one eyebrow.
“Okay, it will be frigid.” She shrugged, unable to suppress her grin. “So?”
“Yeah, we’re tough ranch people.” He flexed a biceps, trying to look manly. “We can handle a little chill.” He growled and bent over like a football player intent on sacking the quarterback.
He was acting silly. But Holly didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she was growling, too, and encouraged a freshly-washed Henry to do the same. That was what Luc had always admired about Holly. No matter what the game, she always joined in.
“Let’s go saddle up, pardner,” he said to Henry, whose eyes stretched wide.
“What’s a pardner?” Henry asked as they walked to the horse barn. “Is it like a partner?”
“Exactly the same,” Luc assured him. “It’s just a different way of saying it.”
Henry hesitated in the barn doorway.
“What’s wrong, bud?” Luc crouched down, saw the confusion in Henry’s dark brown eyes.
“I don’t think I can be your pardner.” Henry’s round face brimmed with misery.
“Why’s that? Don’t you like it here?” Luc voiced his worst fear. “Don’t you like me?” He hated asking but it was better to get it said out front, though saying those words made him cringe. What if—
Lord, help.
“It’s not that,” Henry rushed to reassure. “I love you and Holly. You’re the nicest people I know.” He glanced up at Holly and tried to smile but it was a poor effort. “I wish I could stay here forever.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Luc glanced at Holly and shrugged, trying to tell her without words that he was at a loss to understand what was going on.
To his dismay, Holly said nothing. She simply watched him for a moment then her glance strayed to her horse. Something in Luc’s brain clicked.
“Henry,” he said quietly, taking the boy’s small hand in his. “Is it the horses? Are you afraid of them?”
Henry’s head bobbed once.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Horses are very gentle.” Luc squeezed Henry’s hand but the look on the boy’s face told Luc it would take more than a few words to soothe his fears. He glanced at Holly again but she simply smiled and nodded, as if to encourage him.
“Can’t we do something else?” Henry asked in a plaintive tone.
“Well, we could. But I really think you’d love our little creek. Holly’s been going there since she was a kid.” Luc saw a new frown appear.
“But I can’t swim!” Henry wailed, looking ready to cry.
“Are you kidding me?” Luc touched his cheek then shook his head. “Henry, everyone can swim. They just have to learn how.”
“Will you teach me?” Half-worried, half-excited, Henry shifted from one foot to the other.
“Maybe. If the water’s warm and you want to. Or we could fish. What do you think, Holly?” he asked, trying to draw her into this. “I’ve been wanting a good feed of fish for ages.”
“Either one sounds good to me.” She crossed her arms and tilted back on the heels of her cowboy boots.
Luc tossed her a frustrated look then turned his attention back to the boy he hoped would one day be his son. Maybe by then he’d be better at figuring out this kid. “Do you like to fish, Henry?”
“I don’t know. I never did it.” Worry had overtaken Henry’s excitement. “Maybe we should stay here.”
“I’ll tell you what. Let’s ride up to the creek and see if you like it. You don’t have to ride a horse on your own,” Luc explained, interrupting his objections. “We’re pardners. You can ride in front on me on my horse. Dillyboy is a great horse. Very safe and gentle. He and I have gone lots of places together.”
“Dillyboy?” Henry frowned. “You said Holly’s horse had a silly name but Dillyboy is silly, too.”
“I know. I bought him from a little girl.” Luc made a face then pretended to sneak a look at Holly before he leaned close to Henry and whispered, “Her name was Dibby.”
“Dibby and Dillyboy?” Henry’s grin spread.
“See what I mean? I should probably change his name,” Luc said, immensely relieved that Henry was no longer frowning. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Very aware of Holly trailing behind them, Luc led the boy into the barn and to Dillyboy’s stall. With great hesitation Henry touched his fingers to the stallion’s crest and let them rest there a moment while he gathered his courage. Then he climbed on a bale, slid his hand upward, past Dillyboy’s poll and between his ears to his forehead.
The horse whinnied and bent his head lower for a good rub which, when he understood, Henry willingly gave. His grin stretched wide when he touched Dillyboy’s muzzle and the horse neighed his appreciation. But when Dillyboy dipped his head lower and nudged it against Henry’s chest his smile drained away.
“He’s going to eat me.” Henry pulled back.
“No way. He’s checking your shirt for carrots. He loves them.” Luc walked over to a box where he always kept a few carrots. “Want to feed him?”
Henry thought about it for a moment then tentatively agreed. He took the carrot and held it out. Dillyboy couldn’t reach and immediately stamped his foot.
“He won’t hurt you, Henry,” Luc explained. “But he can’t reach the treat you’re offering and he doesn’t like that. Just hold it in the palm of your hand and he’ll scoop it up.”
Henry did and crowed with delight when the horse snatched the carrot and gobbled it up. Without asking the excited boy raced to the box, grabbed another carrot and repeated the action. After the third one, Luc called a halt.
“We don’t want to stuff him. We need Dillyboy to give us a ride, remember.” Slowly, patiently, careful to make sure Henry understood, he showed him how to prepare the horse for a ride. “You can sit here, in front of me, and I’ll ride in the saddle.”
“We’re too heavy,” Henry worried.
“No. Dillyboy has a silly name but he is very strong.” Luc tightened the cinch the last millimeter, patted his horse’s flanks then turned to Henry. “Ready?”
“I—I guess.” He looked dubious when Luc swung up into the saddle but bravely accepted Holly’s help to get settled on the horse in front of Luc.
Henry’s face stayed tight and tense for several moments, until Luc had walked the horse out of the barn. He squealed when Luc nudged Dillyboy into a slow canter and squealed again when they drew to a stop by Holly’s horse.
“Okay?” Luc asked him, sharing a look with Holly who gave a thumbs-up.
“Can we go faster?” Henry wanted to know.
“One step at a time,” he cautioned, loving Henry’s enthusiasm. “Hey, I forgot something. Stay here for a minute.” He dismounted and handed the reins to Holl
y. “I’ll be right back.”
“We’ll be here,” she said, winking at Henry. “And, Luc?”
He stopped, turned back to her.
“Good job.” A soft smile curved her pretty lips. “You’ll make a wonderful father.”
“Thanks.” Luc strode back into the house to retrieve the picnic lunch he’d packed earlier. His heart sang with joy at Holly’s words. He could do this. He could be a father.
As long as Holly was around to nudge him forward.
What would he do without Holly?
Chapter Six
“Thanks for letting me tag along today, Luc. It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun.” Holly’s sides ached from laughing. She collapsed on a rock by the creek.
“Thanks for coming,” Luc said.
She studied him, savoring the sheen on his face, clearly visible since he’d removed his Stetson.
“I thought I was in shape,” he said, huffing as he sat down. “But clearly chasing a little boy all through this glade never figured in my fitness routine.” He grimaced. “Henry, on the other hand, seems to be suffering not a whit from his accident yesterday. He’s like one of your dad’s buzzing bees.”
“Kids recover amazingly well. You were great teaching him to swim.” She was so proud of the way Luc accepted Henry’s many fears and worked through each one.
She knew it hadn’t been easy for Luc to overcome Henry’s fear of actually immersing himself in running water, but she’d watched the cowboy draw on his incredible patience. Even though his lips pinched in frustration a couple of times, he’d pushed it back, inventing little games to get Henry used to the water until he’d finally managed to float a short distance on his own.
“I persisted because of something from my childhood,” he said in a low voice.
“Oh?” Holly appreciated Luc’s awareness of Henry standing fifty feet away, skipping pebbles over the water. He’d modulated his voice so the boy wouldn’t hear.
“I saw another foster kid die when he was twelve because he couldn’t master his fear of the water.” Luc’s face tightened. “It was such a needless thing. All kids should know how to swim and what to do if they get into trouble in the water.”
