Long Ride Home

by Boeshaar, Andrea

  “I’d love to be listening in on that next conversation.” He chuckled again.

  Kevin stepped back as Lara yanked the door open and marched into the house.

  She glared at him. “What are you doing here?!”

  “It’s nice to see you too. Say, did you know that when you’re angry, your eyes take on a real pretty shade of green?”

  Lara narrowed her gaze. “Don’t try to charm me, Kevin Wincouser. How long were you standing there?”

  “Oh. . .” He made like he had to think about it. “Long enough to be in on the wedding plans.”

  At Lara’s little yelp of indignation, Kevin laughed again—until she stormed toward him.

  “Now, Lara.”

  She grabbed both sides of his shirt and clutched it in her fists. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up out of nowhere and listening to my private conversation with Polly.”

  “Are you really mad at me?” Kevin couldn’t believe it. “It was all in fun, and since you were discussing our wedding—”

  “What I was or wasn’t discussing is no—”

  Kevin kissed her, figuring that would take the wind out of her sails.

  He was right.

  Slipping his arms around her waist, he realized how much he’d missed her.

  “Want to come to the airport with me? I asked Tim if he’d drive.”

  “Are you leaving?”

  “No.” Kevin watched as a look of relief spread across her features, and he realized she truly loved him. Lots of women had said they loved him, but he’d never seen the emotion staring back at him like he did now as he gazed into Lara’s face. The sight endeared her to him all the more. Holding her closer, he rested his cheek against her forehead.

  “What do you have to go to the airport for?”

  “Hmm? Oh.”

  For a moment, Kevin had lost all track of his thoughts. But that’s what this woman did to him. Skewed his senses. Made him think about marriage, a home, and even raising a family of his own—everything he’d avoided and even condemned for the last decade.

  Collecting his wits, he answered Lara’s question. “Clayt and I have been talking. We’ve sort of patched things up between us, and now he and his wife and my four-month-old nephew are flying into Milwaukee so we can have a long overdue family reunion.”

  “That’s terrific!” Lara pulled back and smiled.

  “I figured you’d approve.”

  “I do.”

  Kevin smirked. “Was that a practice?”

  It took a moment, then she caught his meaning. “Oh, you!” Pushing away from him, Lara whirled around and stomped her way down the hallway.

  He chuckled, thinking she was awfully cute when she was mad. “Hey, are you coming with me, or not?”

  “Yes. Let me get my purse.”

  Nineteen

  A muggy autumn breeze tousled Lara’s hair and clothing as, one week later, she climbed out of her car and traipsed across the wide-open yard at The Regeneration Ranch. She hadn’t seen or heard from Kevin since last Friday night. But it appeared that he and Clayt were well on their way to repairing their brotherly relationship, except Lara didn’t know for sure. She’d been occupied with Amanda’s shower the next day, and for the past month, Kevin had been attending a Bible study and church service with the Brambles so she hadn’t seen him on Sunday. Then they both worked all week long, and as a result, Lara never did learn the final results of the Wincouser reunion.

  And what about us? Kevin could have called me.

  In all her confusion over where she stood with him, Lara bristled. According to Polly, Brent phoned her at least once a week, and they talked for hours.

  Kevin and I live in the same city. A date would be nice. He’s not exactly broke.

  Regarding the latter, Lara had to admit she didn’t really know his financial situation, although she suspected it wasn’t as desperate as Kevin first imagined. He’d told her the financial counselor at County General had worked out a payment plan and even reduced his out-of-pocket costs because he agreed to pay a bulk of the debt up front.

  He could at least afford a pizza for two.

  She stomped into the barn, and suspecting Kevin was lurking about, she purposely strode past the office without a glance and headed for the corral where her kids were congregating.

  “Hey!”

  Kevin’s voice hailed her, but she kept on walking.

  “I thought that was you. Lara! Aren’t you even going to stop and say good morning?”

  She paused, remembering The Golden Rule. Pivoting, she manufactured a smile. “Good morning, Kevin.” Whirling back around, she continued on her way.

  “Um, s’cuse me.”

  “Yes?” Lara turned to face him again.

  “Is something wrong?”

  She tipped her head. “What could be wrong?”

  Placing his right hand on the wooden edging below the office window, Kevin moved toward her. His limp seemed more pronounced today and watching him hobble toward her lessened her annoyance.

  “Well, I dunno, but I’ve been looking forward to seeing you today, and I guess I expected a little warmer greeting.”

  Lara took a few steps toward him. “If you want to have a relationship with me, you’re going to have to put forth a little effort. When I don’t hear from you for an entire week, I start to think you don’t care.”

  “Look, I’ve been busy. My motor’s running from sunup to sunset, and after I eat supper, I usually pass out from exhaustion. Sometimes I never even bother to change clothes. One day last week, I slept with my boots on. That’s how tired I was.”

  While Lara empathized, she wasn’t about to shrug off his inattentiveness. In her heart, she wanted a man who loved her more than his job.

  “Life is never going to get less busy and relationships are like attending church, praying, and reading our Bibles. We have to make time for them. So, think about what you want to do and let me know.” With that, she spun on her heel and continued her trek to the corral.

  ❧

  Kevin watched Lara sashay out of the barn and decided women were a heap of trouble. She’d accused him of not caring, but he thought about Lara all the time. He’d even gone so far as to mention the idea of marrying her to Clayt. How’d she get it in her head that he didn’t want a relationship with her?

  He expelled a dismissive sigh. Fine. Let her be mad. Kevin wasn’t going to let her wrap him around her little finger. He wasn’t going to bend to her every whim. She’d walked in with an attitude today and decided to take it out on him. Great. Just great.

  Irritation pumped through his veins and caused his temples to throb. He walked back to the office where he’d been working on a project. He’d told Ron at breakfast this morning that his gait was unsteady and each word coming out of his mouth felt as thick as maple syrup. Kevin had definitely been overdoing it, and he had to slow down. His neurologist gave him a list of warning signs to watch for, and if he noticed two or more, he had to readjust his schedule or suffer a setback. Fortunately, the Brambles understood. Ron offered him a desk job the next few days, and Kevin accepted.

  Planting himself in the worn, leather chair, he stared at the spreadsheet before him. He had to admit that he felt rather wounded by Lara’s terseness. He’d imagined an entirely different scenario. He thought she’d be happy to see him, and Kevin envisioned wrapping her in an embrace and kissing her pretty, pink lips.

  Well, maybe she’s just got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

  He glanced at the bold-faced clock hanging on the wall. He’d give it until noon and see if she stopped in to apologize.

  But noon came and went with no sign of Lara.

  Making his way to the house for lunch, Kevin spotted her and a few other volunteers sitting with t
he kids on the lawn. Colorful plastic thermal-lined lunch containers were strewn all around them. Kevin was tempted to grab his lunch and join them, but he sensed Lara wouldn’t appreciate it. Even now, as he paused to stare in her direction, it seemed she deliberately ignored him. Kevin felt surprised at how much that hurt.

  Deciding he wasn’t hungry after all, he retreated to the office and sat there a little amazed at himself. If this was a taste of how his life would be without Lara, the outlook seemed bleak at best. He needed her. But when had that happened? He had never needed another human being before. When had Lara Donahue wheedled her way into his heart?

  A tap sounded on the large glass window, interrupting Kevin’s deliberations. He looked at the doorway to see the object of his thoughts standing not even ten feet away, holding a tray.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Sure.”

  She entered and set her burden on the corner of the desk. “Caroline wanted you to have some lunch, and since she’s juggling several minor crises right now, I offered to bring it out here.

  “Thanks.”

  “She made you a ham sandwich, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and a fat slice of peach pie.”

  With his insides so stirred up, it was hard to think about food.

  Kevin rose to his feet. “Lara, please don’t be angry with me. I’ll try to do better, okay? A lot of this is new for me, the relationship thing. It shouldn’t be at my age, I realize that. But it is.”

  She slipped her fingers into the front pockets of her blue jeans. “Okay.”

  Stepping around the desk, he pulled her hands back out and held them, one in each of his. Then he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I missed you, and believe it or not, you were never far from my thoughts.”

  “Well, Kevin, you have to tell me that. How else am I supposed to know? I can’t read your mind.” There was a sweetness in her voice that soothed his soul.

  “I’ll try to remember that.”

  “And you might want to look into a cell phone package that offers free nights and weekends.” Lara cleared her throat.

  “Point taken.”

  She gave him a grin.

  “Now, can I have a hug? Man cannot live by Caroline Bramble’s cooking alone.”

  ❧

  Sunlight trickled through the flaming treetops as Kevin entered the church for Tim and Amanda’s wedding. They couldn’t have asked for better weather, Kevin decided as he claimed a seat in the second pew from the front. He had arrived early, and as they’d discussed last night at the rehearsal, Kevin’s job was to save seats for some Donahue cousins who were driving in from Ohio today. Tim’s parents and grandmother would sit in the pew in front of him, and Lara, a bridesmaid, would be standing in the front.

  A small ensemble near the platform began to play their stringed instruments, and more guests filed into the sanctuary. Kevin willed his tense muscles to relax. He felt edgy, especially since last night’s practice. While he knew it wasn’t a big deal and it didn’t mean anything, Kevin hadn’t been able to stop a knot of envy from forming in his gut when he watched Lara walk up the aisle with her hand hooked around another man’s elbow.

  “Excuse me. This seat taken?”

  Kevin turned to his left and grinned when he saw Brent. “What are you doing here?” He stood, and the two men shook hands.

  “I told Polly I’d be her date for today.” Brent scooted into the pew and sat beside Kevin. “Would you believe there’s not another guy in all of Wisconsin who would escort her?”

  “No, I wouldn’t believe that.”

  “Me, neither. But here I am anyway.”

  Kevin chuckled. “Where’s Polly?”

  “Talking to some friends in the lobby.” Brent unbuttoned the jacket of his black suit.

  “Look at you, all dressed up. Spiffy lavender shirt. Where’d you find that?”

  “Bought it.”

  “Did you buy the suit too, or is that rental?”

  “I’ll have you know I own my clothes, okay?”

  Kevin laughed, and a few heads turned, so he quickly lowered his voice. “Well, if you never wear it again, they can always bury you in it.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I figured too.”

  Kevin grinned. He’d forgotten how much fun it was to razz Brent. Phone calls just weren’t the same.

  “You’re lookin’ mighty spiffy yourself, Wink.”

  “Thanks.” He tugged on the lapels of his jacket. “I’m meeting all of Lara’s family today so I rented a tux.”

  “Cheapskate.”

  Kevin snickered at the quip.

  “Polly tells me you and Lara are real serious.”

  “Yep. I’m going to marry her and live happily ever after.”

  “Asked her yet?”

  “Not yet, but she knows it’s coming. And she’ll say ‘yes.’ I heard her talking to Polly about it awhile back.”

  “Well, I need to tell you something.” Brent’s voice sounded just above a whisper.

  “About marrying Lara?” Kevin narrowed his gaze, studying his buddy’s profile. Brent’s jaw was clean shaven, and his dark brown hair appeared to have some special goop in it so it spiked up right above his forehead. Kevin wondered if the style of Brent’s cut was that “bed-head” look that Lara said she disliked.

  “I haven’t been the friend you think.”

  “Shut up.” Kevin stared straight ahead, knowing Lara would have told him if something had gone on between her and Brent.

  “Wink, listen. . .”

  Kevin whipped his gaze at him. “Do I have to remind you that you’re in church?”

  “I know where I am. In fact, I believe it’s God who wants me to do this.” He paused. “I need to apologize.”

  Kevin clenched his jaw.

  “I purposely tried to make you jealous right from the start. I could see Lara cared for you that first day in your hospital room. I wished a girl would fawn all over me the way she fawned all over you. But back then, I was too proud and stubborn to admit it. So now I want to tell you I’m sorry.”

  “You serious?”

  “Dead serious.”

  Kevin felt rather impressed. He could count the number of times on one hand that he’d heard Brent apologize. The recipients were all women, and Brent hadn’t been genuinely repentant. In short, the act of contrition had served his purposes in one way or another.

  But Kevin sensed this was very different.

  “Apology accepted.” He stuck out his right hand.

  Brent clasped it, their gazes locked in silent challenge, then each man began to squeeze.

  “Grip’s still a little weak.”

  “Yeah, I’m workin’ on it.”

  “Good. Wouldn’t want you to turn into some kind of cream puff.”

  Kevin retracted his hand and grinned. “Not a chance.”

  People continued to fill the large, octagon-shaped sanctuary in anticipation of the ceremony. Polly showed up and claimed the seat beside Brent. Kevin found it amusing that the lilac print on her black dress matched Brent’s attire.

  Kevin leaned over to Brent. “Did you two do that on purpose?”

  “Actually, no.”

  “Everyone’s going to think you did.”

  “So what?”

  Straightening in the pew, Kevin decided Brent must truly care for Polly if, number one, he agreed to miss a Saturday rodeoing to escort her to a wedding, and two, he didn’t care that they looked like a set of bookends.

  The Donahue cousins arrived, and after the usher brought them to the pew, Kevin introduced himself. Then, out of courtesy, he, Brent, and Polly slid down to the other end. Minutes later, a heavyset woman in a stylish skirt and blouse took a seat at the organ’s keyboard, and the processional began. Whe
n Kevin caught sight of Lara in the flowing, emerald green dress, he had to force himself not to gape. Her light brown hair had been pinned up, but several tendrils spiraled down and brushed the tops of her shoulders. But along with admiration, Kevin felt a surge of jealousy rip through his being at the sight of the man guiding her down the aisle.

  “Whoa, Boy. Easy now. That poor groomsman can’t help it that he was picked to walk down the aisle with Lara. Your turn’s coming.”

  Kevin’s gaze slid to Brent. “When did you start mind-reading?”

  “I didn’t.” Brent smirked. “But it wasn’t hard to tell what you were thinking when you turned the color of Lara’s gown.”

  Swallowing his laughter, Kevin realized how foolish he was behaving. He looked forward and found Lara’s gaze on him. He sent her a wink. She smiled in return, and two pretty spots of pink appeared on her cheeks.

  Brent leaned over again. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  “You’re right,” he replied, feeling captivated as he regarded the woman with whom he planned to spend the rest of his life. “I don’t.”

  Twenty

  Lara thought her younger brother’s wedding day had been beautiful. The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the fall weather was perfect for outdoor pictures afterwards. Making the day all the more wonderful for Lara was the fact that her relatives and friends seemed to like Kevin. Then again, what wasn’t to like? Handsome with an endearing limp that was becoming less noticeable with each passing week, Kevin charmed his way into the Donahue women’s hearts and laughed and joked with the men as if he’d been part of the family forever. With Brent to egg him on, the cowboys were the life of the party—second only to the bride and groom.

  By six o’clock, a scrumptious fare was served by candlelight in an elegant banquet room, and by eight, a shiny white limousine arrived to whisk the newlyweds to a undisclosed location. Tomorrow they planned to board a plane to Nova Scotia where they would honeymoon for the week.

  “Tim and Amanda make such a sweet couple,” Polly murmured.

  Lara couldn’t have agreed more as she stood outside the restaurant watching the limousine’s taillights vanish into the night.