by Grace Warren
Vanessa scoffed, “What are you on about?”
“You stepped in and raised two amazing children and stood by a man that was broken. That could not have been easy. I mean she was your sister, you were grieving too.”
Vanessa’s eyes looked to Lucy’s and filled with tears. “I love them all so very much.” She whispered. “I couldn’t bear to see them hurt all over again.”
Lucy shook her head. “Van, I won’t hurt them. I promise. Even if Nash decided this is not what he wants…if I am not what he wants, I love those two little children. I didn’t think a person could fall this hard this fast, but I have.”
There was a scuffling of feet in the hallway and Galen came running into the kitchen. “Aunt Van, daddy says we can have a cookie.”
Vanessa pulled the boy on to her lap. “He did now, did he?”
Galen nodded emphatically.
“Well I think perhaps you should ask Lucy if that is okay?” she said, watching Lucy from across the table.
Galen looked at Lucy with pleading in his eyes. “May I, Ma’am?”
She smiled and dabbed the corner of her eye. “I think we can allow that.” While she handed him a napkin stacked with chocolate chip cookies she whispered, “Thank you.” to a sincere Aunt Van.
SEVEN
Olivia and Galen lay in Olivia’s bed dressed in their pajamas. Lucy closed the cover of “Green Eggs and Ham” and placed the book on the shelf alongside a dozen other children’s books.
“Lucy,” said Olivia “will you sing us a song before we go to bed?”
She sat down and pulled Galen on to her lap. “Do you want to sing Come Follow Me?”
Olivia shook her head. “Can we learn a new one?”
Lucy sat for a minute and thought of some lyrics. She started off with a soft hum trying to remember the tune correctly. “Once there was a way to get back homeward, once there was a way to get back home, sleep pretty darling do not cry and I will sing a lullaby.”
Lucy continued the classic Beatles song and tucked in Olivia, kissing her sweet forehead. She hummed and carried Galen off to his own room, repeating the lyrics once more before tucking him in beneath his blankets and kissing his cheek. “Sleep tight, love.” She said and walked out the door. As she turned to head to her own room she saw Nash’s door click shut.
Her bed felt warm and welcoming. Her body was weary but it was a good feeling. She reached for the bedside lamp and switched it off moments after there was a soft knock on her door. One of the children must still be awake. Without thinking she called for them to come in. Nash opened her door.
“Are you awake?”
Lucy sat up in bed. “Nash, is everything okay?”
“May I come in?”
“Of course.” She reached for the light.
“No, don’t turn it on.” he said. Her fingers dropped back to her side. Nash sat on the edge of the bed beside her. “I came in to apologize and to thank you.”
“I don’t understand, Nash.” Lucy tried to see his eyes in the darkness of the room.
“I was wrong to treat you the way I have. I invited you to be a part of this family and I haven’t treated you like you are. I know you’re not…” his words cut off with a quick intake of breath. “You are Lucy and I don’t want you to be anyone else.”
She opened her mouth to tell him this wasn’t necessary, but he stopped her.
“Please let me finish.”
Lucy closed her mouth and listened, laying her hand on his instead.
“You have been wonderful. Olivia and Galen adore you and you are so good with them. I didn’t think I’d see that again.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Van is great, but she has her own family and friends. People she has set aside for three years now to take care of us.” He paused again. “Lilly would not have wanted that.”
Lucy pulled her hand away. Nash entangled his fingers in hers drawing her back. “She’d want us all happy.” There was silence in the darkness and when Nash brought her hand to his cheek and kissed her palm she felt the tears that had been shed.
“Nash?”
He kissed her palm again. “I want you to stay.”
EIGHT
Nash and Lucy were married on the front porch. Olivia sang and Galen stood proud holding the rings. Vanessa made a lovely meal and they all celebrated with family and friends. Lucy had never felt so sure about any decision in her lifetime more than she did when she uttered those two words “I do.” When the minister pronounced them man and wife and gave them permission to kiss, Nash took her in his arms and kissed her soft and full on the mouth. She was breathless.
A year later Nash stood in the bedroom at the end of the hallway, a picture frame in his hand, “Lilly, I’d like you to meet someone.” He placed the new photograph by the silver frame. A picture of him standing in front of the house, Olivia and Galen at his left and Lucy at his right, a pink bundle in his arms, was added to the shelf. “This is Lacey Lillian McCain.”
Lucy joined her husband, a smile on her face. “Lunch is ready.”
“Are you coming?” he asked as she lingered.
Lucy nodded and kissed his cheek as he left the room. She looked at the two pictures, her heart full. “Thank you, Lilly”
Table of Contents
Finding Peace
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
A Ranch to Call Home
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
