by Leann Harris
“Don’t count on it. I don’t throw games. I learned quickly in foster care that I had to win to make it in the places where I was.”
“Then I can tell Pastor you and I will go with the kids and we’ll have another teen?”
Tyler shook his head and laughed. That laughter resonated in her soul.
“I know when I’ve been outmaneuvered. You can count on me if Riley agrees.”
Wanting to do a little victory jig, Beth tried to hide her excitement. “Do you want me to talk to Riley’s mom or do you want to do that?”
“I’ll let you talk to Susan. I’ll work on Riley.”
Beth knew when to retreat. She’d won the skirmish. “I won’t impose on you anymore.” She stood and headed for the front door.
He followed. “I saw Ollie’s truck earlier.”
“You should’ve come up. He came to tell us he’s cancer-free.”
“That is good news.”
At the screen Beth turned and listened to the silence.
“What?”
“I thought I heard a guitar earlier.”
He didn’t say anything.
She raised up on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “Thanks. You won’t regret it. I think you’ll see a change in Riley.” She pushed open the door. “And pray. God can do things that we can’t even imagine.”
Dogger slipped out onto the porch. Beth scratched his head. “Keep guard on your master,” she whispered. At her car, she flashed Tyler a thumbs-up, then slipped into the front seat.
As she drove home, Beth’s heart sang. Too bad Tyler didn’t flash that smile more often. It certainly packed a wallop.
Of course, the last man whose smile was that potent turned out to be a monster.
* * *
Tyler walked outside and leaned against the porch pillar. Dogger looked up at him.
“She’s quite a whirlwind, isn’t she, boy?”
Dogger looked back at the driveway.
“How’d she do that?” Tyler couldn’t help but admire Beth for her skilled strategy of getting him to agree to chaperone a bunch of teens on an all-night lock-in. The woman had talent. One instant he was eating home-baked brownies, a treat he hadn’t had since he left home close to a year ago, and the next instant he’d agreed to take Riley to the lock-in.
The woman would make a fine general. She could see the field and her tactical moves were perfect. He didn’t see the trap until she sprang it on him. Keep an eye on a group of teenagers. What could he do? The opportunity for Riley to have fun appealed to him and she had to know he’d do anything for the kid.
The few lock-ins he attended as a teen were some of the best times he had in high school. The lock-in his senior year a couple of friends fell asleep and the other teens dyed their hair purple with his help. He grinned at the memory.
Good memories were something Riley needed. Paul would want that for his little brother.
The big question now was, could he convince Riley? He had no doubt that Beth would talk Susan into the idea.
“So did Beth convince you to go to the lock-in?” Zach stood on the sidewalk before the ranch manager’s house.
“Yeah, I walked straight into that trap. You think I might be able to get out of it?”
Zach moved up the walk and leaned against the porch pillar supporting the roof. “Not a chance. And you can assume that Beth will get Susan to agree.”
“That’s what I thought. And I’ll get to spring the idea on Riley.”
Zach shook his head. “I’ve been on the short end of Beth’s schemes many a time. And, of course, Ethan has more stories than I do.”
“So you’re saying I’m outmanned.”
“You got it. But Beth’s idea is a good one. Be prepared to run a hard race that night. I suggest a nap before you go. Teenagers are ingenious and you’ll need the extra energy.”
“Are you going?” Tyler asked.
The grin that split Zach’s face told Tyler all he needed to know. “My wife’s pregnant and neither of us needs to be up all night. But take heart. Ollie and I will take over your chores that Monday.”
“Thanks,” Tyler grumbled.
“No need to thank me.” Zach turned and walked back to the main house.
Looking up into the night sky, Tyler studied the stars. With the elevation of Albuquerque, the stars shone so brightly it was as if Heaven smiled down on him, telling him to rest. He sat on the top step. Dogger settled beside him. Tyler felt as if God was whispering to him to come home.
Come home.
Tyler let the feeling settle around him and he felt a peace he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Chapter Six
The next morning, Beth prayed as she punched in the last digit of Susan Carter’s cell phone into her phone. By the fourth ring Beth’s anxiety had grown. She needed to talk to Susan before Tyler could approach Riley.
“Susan Carter.” Her voice reflected a woman of strength.
“Susan, this is Beth McClure.”
A long pause, followed by, “Is there something wrong with Riley?”
“No, no, nothing like that.”
“Oh.”
“I want to ask you if I might take Riley to the lock-in our church is having next Sunday night.” Beth went on to explain the event. “I think it would be good for Riley to be with kids his own age and it would be a night for him to be a carefree kid.”
Silence settled on the line. Beth started to panic. What could she say to ease Susan’s anxiety?
Finally a sound came from Susan’s end. It sounded like a choked cry.
Beth’s stomach lurched with fear. Oh, what had she done? “Susan, I didn’t mean to offend.”
“No,” came the tear-filled response. “No, you didn’t offend me. I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude. I think your idea is marvelous. It’s just the thing Riley needs. We’ve only been in Albuquerque for six months. My company transferred me down here and gave me a good raise. I thought it would help us both to have a fresh start away from old memories. Riley felt like I was abandoning Paul and his dad by leaving Kansas City.” She stopped, and Beth heard Susan trying to speak though her tears. “That’s why Tyler’s showing up in our lives has been a such a blessing. Riley has an adult male in his life who knew Paul.”
Beth’s heart eased. “Well, boys are kinda funny. Everyone claims that girls are impossible as teens, but I have two older brothers, and they run girls a race for being impossible. I think Riley will like the youth group. Our youth pastor is a wonderful man who has a gift for reaching teens. He listens, talks to them, but doesn’t allow any nonsense. Wrong’s wrong, and he tells them so. Amazingly, the teens love him, knowing where they stand.”
“Sounds like the kind of person to help. It’s okay with me, but what if Riley doesn’t want to go?”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to let Tyler float the idea to Riley. And Tyler has volunteered to chaperone, along with me, that night.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“And you’re welcome to go to church with us Sunday morning to check out the church and pastors,” Beth offered, hoping to ease any fears Susan might have.
“I like that idea. Riley can meet the pastor and kids and so can I.”
After hanging up, Beth dialed Second Chance Ranch. Sophie put the call through to the stables.
“What?” Ollie demanded, answering the phone.
“Ollie, you’re going to have to cut back that charm.”
He growled and she laughed, glad to have the cranky man back.
“Would you please put Tyler on the phone?”
The man didn’t reply to her but bellowed for Tyler. Beth had to yank the phone away from her
ear. After a couple of minutes, Tyler came on.
“Tyler, Susan gave our plan a go. Now the ball’s in your court.”
“Okay.” He hung up.
Tyler ran a second to Ollie in telephone manners. Beth slowly hung up the phone on her desk. “Thank You, Lord.” Looking around, Beth wanted to hop up and dance. It was a victory for Riley. And Tyler. He needed this time to laugh as much as Riley did. And she wanted that for him, as well.
But in her heart, she knew she wanted to spend the time with Tyler—and Riley, she hastily reassured herself.
“Beth,” Jill Kempa, Beth’s boss called out as she walked out of her office. “I need you to go to Tuba City and take a contract to David Santos. He’s finally decided to start using our stores to distribute his jewelry and handbags. And he agreed to an exclusive.”
David Santos, a brilliant but erratic artist, had developed the hottest new line of Southwestern jewelry and handbags. The extraordinary artisan had an eye for materials and how things should be put together. She’d discovered his small store when she drove through the Hopi and Navajo reservations, looking for local jewelry, clothing and purses with a Southwestern flair. She’d developed a friendship with him and had tried to get him to distribute his merchandise line through their stores. He didn’t want anything to do with it. The last time she had talked to him was right after Christmas last year.
“But—”
“He specified that you bring him the contract.”
How could she take him the contract and be back in time for the lock-in? “Couldn’t we just fax the contract to him?” Beth cringed the instant the words left her mouth. She held up her hand. “I’ll go home and pack now.”
“My secretary’s made the travel arrangements. We’ve chartered a plane. Pick up the information at her desk.” Jill marched out of the room.
Great news, but David’s timing sucked. Couldn’t he have decided to go with them next week? Or two weeks ago, instead of days before the lock-in?
Jill paused at the door to the large room that housed purchasing. “You’d better hurry. The plane leaves in ninety minutes.”
As she threw things in her purse, she prayed, It’s in Your hands, Lord. I know You’ll guide everything, but I would’ve liked to be here.
Then Beth laughed, because she knew He could handle it.
* * *
“Where’s Beth?” Riley asked as he walked up to the stables.
Sophie and Tyler stood by the mounting steps, checking out Charming’s tack.
“She’s on an unscheduled business trip,” Sophie answered. “She called me as she raced to catch her plane.”
“Oh.” Disappointment rang in his word.
“But you can help me get Brownie ready for Chelsea,” Sophie told the boy.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just hang out front.” He turned and walked down the aisle.
Tyler moved to Riley’s side and lowered his voice. “I thought Paul told me you were made of sterner stuff.”
Riley’s chin jerked up. “You don’t know anything.”
“I know that not a day goes by that I don’t miss him, but I think Paul would want better from you.”
Riley’s chin hardened.
“I also know Paul would be proud of you for helping Chelsea. And you know he would.” Tyler held his breath, praying his gamble would pay off.
Riley looked at Sophie, then back at Tyler. “Okay. I’ll go get her tack.”
As the boy disappeared into the tack room, Tyler let out his breath. Relief made his knees weak. He rejoined Sophie.
“I don’t know what you said, but it worked.”
“I’m amazed, too.” But he knew that he’d had some help from above.
“Beth will be excited to learn what he did.” Sophie looked out of the open door and saw Brenda Kaye. “The captain’s here.”
Tyler watched as Zach shook the woman’s hand. The two of them walked toward the mounting steps.
“Captain, did you get to meet Tyler Lynch the last time you rode? He is also ex-Army and will be your sidewalker.”
She waved off Zach’s using of her rank and held out her hand to Tyler. “Nice to meet you, Tyler. So you’re going to make sure I don’t slip off of the horse?”
The captain stood five foot seven, slender, but walked with a cane. Her brown hair was held back by a baseball cap, but her hazel eyes missed nothing. And in those eyes, Tyler saw pain.
Tyler nodded. “I’m going to try, ma’am.”
She waved off the respectful reply. “It’s just Brenda. I’m only in reserves now.”
Tyler instantly liked the woman. He guessed she was the type of officer who commanded respect because of her actions.
“Do you think you’ll need help mounting?” Zach asked. “And let me tell you, the first time I was here, I needed help. It didn’t matter one whit that I rode all my life.”
She grinned. “You’re telling me not to let my pride get in the way?”
Tyler’s gaze met Zach’s. The lady went up several notches in his estimation.
“Yes, I am.”
“Let’s give it a try.” She handed Tyler her cane. “I’ll probably need a little steadying to get on this beast.”
The woman won Tyler’s respect.
* * *
Tyler found Riley with Dogger in the stables. He was brushing Brownie. He paused, amazed at the kid’s actions. Beth’s influence was paying dividends. He stopped by Brownie’s head and gave her a pat. “I saw you with Chelsea earlier.”
Riley stopped. “Yeah.” He sounded unsure of himself.
“You did a great job with her and a good job saddling Brownie.”
The boy’s shoulders eased, but he continued to brush the horse.
“You feeling comfortable around here?”
“I guess.”
Tyler read through the kid’s act. He’d done the same thing when he first went to a foster home. No matter how much you like something, keep it cool. Tyler recognized the defensive ploy.
“Chelsea is doing better. I watched today and she held her posture longer.”
“I saw that, too. And she knew it.” Riley set the curry brush down.
“Later, you think you might like to do a little riding?”
“Really?” Riley’s eyes sparkled.
Tyler laughed. “Really. I didn’t ask you here only to help. You need to learn to ride.”
“Yeah, that sounds okay.”
“Good. There’s one more rider I need to help with. After that, we’ll do some riding.”
“Okay.”
As the kid started to turn away, Tyler stopped him. “I have something I want to ask you.”
Riley stilled, wary and suspicious, but said nothing.
“Have you ever stayed up all night playing games and eating pizza?”
“What?”
His approach wasn’t working. “Beth’s church does what they call a lock-in.”
Riley frowned. “Lock-in? What’s that?”
“The teens get to spend the night doing neat stuff like golfing, bowling, playing video games and other cool stuff. And as I said before, they stay up all night and eat pizza. It’s the big bash before school starts. Beth has invited you to come to the one this coming Sunday. It’s a big deal they do once a year.”
“What’s the catch?”
“I think the church wants kids to have fun and make friends before the new school year starts.”
“I’ve never heard of that.”
“My church back in Oklahoma did it, only we stayed at the church building and didn’t get to go different places. And other churches do it, too.”
Riley folded his arm
s across his chest. “That can’t be right.”
Tyler’s mind searched for something to convince the kid about the event. Zach entered the stables. Tyler called him over.
“Zach, I was trying to explain to Riley about the lock-in on Sunday night. He doesn’t believe me. You’ve been. Will you explain it to him?”
Zach laughed. “It was the best time I had in high school.” He explained about his adventures and how he’d helped for a number of years. “It’s something you don’t want to miss.”
“Zach, where are you?” Sophie called.
“Gotta go.”
“Satisfied?” Tyler asked.
Riley still seemed reluctant. “Why does Beth want me to do that?”
C’mon, kid, give it up. Although Tyler wanted Riley to agree to the plan, he understood the kid’s cautiousness. For a long time he’d questioned his foster parents’ motives for being nice to him. “Well, Beth thought it would be fun for you. And knowing the other kids before you start school helps sometimes. I know it helped me when I met a friend my first year at the lock-in. He ended up in five of my classes. We became good friends.”
Riley remained silent.
“I am also going to the lock-in. And Beth will be there, too.”
“I won’t know any of the kids.”
“True, but Beth suggested that we both go to church with her that morning and meet some people.” He hoped Beth’s argument worked for Riley as well as it did with him.
“I don’t know if my mom would let me,” Riley finally said.
He had him, or rather Beth had him. “Beth’s got that covered. She asked your mother if it was okay for you to go. She gave us the green light.”
“Mom did?”
“Yes. She left the decision up to you. So, do you think you’d like to go? You could try beating me at video games. Or at miniature golf.” Tyler knew Riley’s skill at that.
A smile curved Riley’s lips. “You want to try and beat me?”
“I can try,” Tyler replied.
“You’re on.”
* * *
Beth drove to the Second Chance Ranch, her stomach churning. She’d just flown in this afternoon from Tuba City, Arizona. It had taken three days for David to be satisfied with the contracts. He’d asked countless questions. What would happen if this happened, or what could he do about supplies, or ten million other questions that made Beth want to tear her hair out.
