by Rose Verde
Sam shrugged. “It’s okay. I get to help other kids and I know it was the best decision I made.”
“That makes you a perfect fit for Andy. He’s been through a lot with his mom bailing out on them and making him know he couldn’t come visiting.”
That came as a surprise to Sam. “Did she tell him so?”
“Yes but not why. Her new husband doesn’t want him. Which is good for Andy. It’s not because Chance is my brother. But the child is better off with him.”
Sam couldn’t agree more. “I’m thinking of spending a bit of time with Andy.”
“Sure go ahead. What’s your plan for mid-morning? We could go somewhere with the kids and have fun.”
“That would be nice.”
“Awesome. I’m going to go see what that brother of mine is doing. Then, I’ll be back.”
Sam nodded. She heaved a sigh and massaged her temple. A headache was coming on.
Chapter Ten
Chance returned to the ranch a few minutes before the time Sam was due to leave. He told himself it was because he didn’t want her stressing out going home by herself. But he could ask his sister to drop her off. Except that he didn’t want to.
Something in him wanted to take care of her, be there for her. Maybe because he was coming to understand that he may be right all along about the fact that she had a tough life. And he knew it wasn’t pity. It was something strong. Something he hadn’t felt since the first time he knew he was in love with Teresa.
Chance cleaned off his boots and set them on the rack by the door. The aroma of his sister’s favourite Tex-Mex Meatball soup wafted through the door and he followed the trail. He sniffed as he came through the door. “Smells heavenly here.”
“Are you supposed to be back already?”
Chance rolled his eyes. “Where do I stand? You say to take things easy and spend time with family. Now you ask if I should be home.” He washed his hands at the sink.
Sierra laughed. “You’re doing so well for yourself, Chance. Dad would be proud.”
“Did you dare venture into the ranch?” he teased.
“Now you’re sounding like I’m a snob. And yes, I came. Jake was assisting one of the heifers that had a difficult delivery, so I stayed with him.”
“That one is a born rancher. He told me about the calf and new mom. They’re doing okay.” He sat at the island. “Where’s everyone?”
“In Andy’s room. Charis and Nate are fascinated by the pattern of learning, the flash cards and all that. They think it’s cool.”
“I think so too.” He sat there making small talk while a part of him was tuned for when Sam showed up. His phone rang and he turned it over to see Marc’s name on the screen. “Hey, bro. Let me guess. Ronnie had a baby.”
“You sure guessed right. I just stepped out of the delivery room. Everyone else is here but I didn’t want to flip your schedule.”
Chance couldn’t contain his grin at the excitement in Marc’s voice. “Congratulations, man. I’m so glad for you.”
“Thanks. I just thought I’d inform you quickly.”
“We’ll come visit when she gets home. Tell her I said congrats.”
“Definitely.”
When the call ended, he brought his sister up to speed.
“Wow, that’s great. I should pop by and say hello before heading back to BC.”
“Yeah, you should. You missed her wedding and she’d be glad to see you.”
Minutes later, Sam poked her head through the door.
“Oh, you’re back?”
Surprise flickered in her hazel gaze. “It’s not all the time I have people around. Might as well enjoy it.”
She smiled. “Good for you.”
She leaned against the door while she and Sierra talked for a bit. Sam’s serenity called out to him in ways he couldn’t explain.
“I’m heading out.”
He rose. “I’ll drop you off. Let me go grab my keys.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. I’m going to call a cab.”
“You should let him take you and save money on transport,” Sierra said, giving him a knowing look.
Ugh! He walked out and went in search of his truck keys. By the time he returned, his sister was handing her a food flask. “You don’t get to cook for dinner.”
“Thanks.”
“After you,” Chance said minutes later.
Samantha followed him out and he opened her door for her to get in. When he climbed in, he applied his seat belt and turned to her. “What are you doing for another car?”
“Nothing for now. I spoke with my insurance company but I’m not ready for another car right away.”
He pulled out. “Are you afraid?”
“Yeah. I shouldn’t be, though, because there was no way I could keep myself safe without God’s help. The only thing is that I never had a scratch in all my years of driving so this is huge for me.”
“I can imagine.” He slipped a CD into the slot. “I hope you don’t mind country music. It’s all I have in the truck.”
“That’s fine.”
They settled into the drive to town. They talked back and forth over Andy’s studying and then moved to his work on the ranch. As she giggled and talked, he saw another side of the quiet woman. And he wanted to do everything to make her let go and laugh like she was doing.
“Turn left,” she said minutes later. She pointed to the building.
Chance found a spot and pulled in. “Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to bring me home.”
“My pleasure.”
She opened the door and faltered. She turned and closed the door then hurried away. The door of a black car slammed and a guy was running after her. He cut her off. She made to go past him and he grabbed her hand.
“Let go of me.” Her shrill voice was laden with fear.
But whoever the crazy guy was, he didn’t let go. Pushing the truck door open, Chance climbed down. He hated quiet places like this one she lived in. If someone was attacked no one would know. “The lady said to let her go. What part of that don’t you understand?”
Still holding onto her arm, he snorted. “Why should I listen to you?” he turned to Samantha. “Is this your new boyfriend? Is that why you don’t want to talk to me anymore?”
“You’re hurting me, Todd.”
“I’m asking you nicely for the last time, unhand her,” Chance said, stepping closer.
“And if I don’t?”
“Maybe I should call the police and advise them of a harassment going on.”
That got his attention. He shoved Samantha into him, so hard that Chance almost lost his balance. A bruise was already forming where he held her. Chance glanced at the guy and then to her. “Are you okay?”
Huffing, he swung a fist at Chance. Despite not having fought martial arts in years, his reflex was still as sharp. Chance grabbed for his hand and twisted it behind him in one swing until he yelped. “Sam, dial 9-1-1.”
“What will they do?” he asked with derision.
“I guess we have to wait to find out.” Chance shoved his hand higher and he yelled. “That’s pathetic. You come after a woman and you scream like a little boy.”
“Chance, let him go. I’m okay.”
He glanced at her. “You don’t want to report him?”
“No, it’s okay.”
Chance contemplated for a moment. Then he leaned closer to the guy. “I want you to take a closer look at me very well. Memorize all the details. If you know what’s good for you, stay away from her. The next time, I won’t be this nice.” After applying pressure on his arm one more time, Chance shoved him away.
He stared back at them with blazing eyes and then headed for his car. He climbed in and peeled away.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Chance had his theory but decided to confirm. “Who’s he?”
She blushed. “My ex.”
“Figures. Has he always been this physical with yo
u?” Her color deepened. He put his imagination to use. “Are you okay? I could hang around if he’s likely to come back.”
“Uh, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” Her eyes said otherwise. The vulnerability in her gaze struck him and a protective instinct blindsided him. Whoa, bud.
The questions he wanted to ask about why she would let a man she was no longer married to terrorize her, died on his lips. “I’ll wait until you get in.”
She nodded, smiled her thanks and headed away. He hoped she’d be okay.
DAYS LATER, CHANCE came home at midday. “Can I sit with you?” he gestured to the spot beside her on the porch swing.
“Sure. It’s your house. Andy’s napping. So, I thought I’d just stay out a bit.” She’d wished he’d called her that day when she’d needed comfort. But he hadn’t or even said anything about it the next day. Not that she would be able to answer the questions that were bound to follow. Besides, she was his employee, why should he care about her? Something had come out of it though, and they’d talked about her. Not a lot of details, just enough to move them from the boss-employee zone.
“It’s all right.”
His gaze held hers and warmth flowed through her banishing the slight chill in the lower double digit temp.
“But it’s a little bit cold though. Why don’t we stay in the kitchen?” he continued.
She rose and followed him. Lost in her own thoughts as to the way forward dealing with Todd and his continued pursuit.
“How long has my sister and her kids been gone?”
“Since ten. They’re most likely going to be gone all day. She sounded excited to be visiting your cousin.”
“I know. It’s been a long time since she travelled. I think since Dad’s funeral. She’d been pregnant for her son then. And she is a social butterfly.”
Sam smiled. “I love the way the two of you relate. That was the kind of relationship I had with my brother until...”
He glanced at her, his eyes filled with understanding as he prepared coffee. When it was ready, he poured two mugs of the brew and handed one to her. “Thanks for the food you made for us yesterday.”
Sam shrugged.
“And I’m sorry about your brother.”
“Me too.” Chance sat beside her. He smelled of hay, sunshine and woodsy cologne all mixed together, a heady mixture if she ever smelled one, and she longed to lean into his strength.
Get a grip.
“You want to tell me what happened to him?”
“He drowned in our pool.” His startled expression showed he hadn’t been expecting that response.
“I’m so sorry.”
Sam set her mug aside. “I didn’t see it coming. He could swim, at least enough to keep him from drowning. But he’d been struggling with some mental health issues at the time.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Chance was silent, watching her. She glanced away. And continued. “He had dyslexia and was on the spectrum for autism. His mates called him names—dumb, stupid, all sorts. He grew up defining himself by what people thought. He was depressed most of the time and self-destructive. I should’ve known...”
He took her hand in his rough ones and rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand gently. “I’m so sorry to hear that. It must’ve been hard for you. If you don’t mind my asking, where were your parents in all of this?”
Sam gave a bitter laugh. “Cruising. I guess they were not ready for kids or the added responsibility.”
“Wow.” He was quiet for a moment. “Even my mom was no different. She left when I was ten.”
He didn’t add his ex-wife did the same thing. Sierra’s explanation of her desertion shed light on his reaction the first day they met. Was it just over a month ago? It was nothing like this cozy atmosphere. What’s with him holding her hand anyway?
Needing a little distance, she extricated her hand and stood. “Let me check on Andy.” She escaped from the pity that filled his gaze, emotion that threatened to break open the dam of tears and shatter the walls around her heart. Walls she’d painstakingly built over the years.
Andy slept peacefully. She hung back and watched him. Memories of when her brother was Andy’s age flooded. They’d been living with their aunt at the time. Little did she know that the life that looked promising as kids, at least to her mind’s eyes, would be cut short in the prime of life. She heaved a sigh.
Minutes later, running out of reasons to stay away, she retraced her steps back. As soon as she came through the kitchen door, Chance turned and took her hand. His free hand tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You are a strong woman.”
She struggled for a smile that didn’t quite work. He tugged her closer and rose. The warmth as his hand snaked around her neck sent tingles all over her body. She knew the moment his fingers touched her scar. Chance let his finger trace the burn mark, a frown creasing his brow. Sam struggled to get free.
“Hold still, Sam.”
His use of her given name again stopped her. His fingers probed the edges of her scar.
“What’s this?”
“A little accident.” She pulled out of his hold. He grabbed her hand before she could move away.
“Not so fast. Sam, where did you get that injury?”
“Why do you care about it? You are supposed to be at work, not hounding me with questions.” She yanked her hand free and he let her go. Her body shook. How could she have been so stupid to get close?
“Were you ever involved in a fire?”
Sam fought the flush that crept into her face. “Yes.”
He shook his head. “No, you’re lying. Someone did that to you. And I’d wager it’s your ex.”
“You are making a lot of assumptions.”
“Not at all. Your face betrays you.”
“I’m leaving.” She turned and walked out of the kitchen to the living room.
“You’re running.”
She ignored his words. He reached the peg before her, held out her coat and she pushed her hands through the sleeves.
“What am I supposed to tell Andy when he wakes up?”
“Tell him...anything.”
He hesitated for a moment. “How will you go? I could drop you off.”
She shook her head quickly. “No, I’ll call a cab.” It was going to be a long wait, but there was no way, no how she was letting him drive her.
“Will you come tomorrow?”
She hesitated. Her four months wasn’t over yet and she couldn’t leave the boy hanging. “Yes.”
Chance pulled her into his arms and hugged her briefly. “I’ll be watching out for you.” He let her go and she practically ran out of the house.
Tears blinded her as she walked out of the house. But she wasn’t about to let him know he’d laid her wounds raw today.
Chapter Eleven
Chance didn’t want to be encroaching where he wasn’t wanted, and he’d left as soon as Sam’s friend dropped her off the next day. The question that begged for an answer was why would Sam not seek some help with her ex? He shuddered to think of what would have happened days back if he hadn’t showed up.
How had he inflicted the injury on her? The rigid scars told a story he didn’t want to confront.
While the whole dilemma burned an ulcer in his belly, Chance wondered what he could do to help. He set wedges against the tires of his tractor to keep them stable. Next he located the correct wench size and went to work draining the oil. He slipped a bowl underneath to be sure he wouldn’t mess the barn floor.
What do I do, Lord? I need wisdom. If he wasn’t coming around her, I wouldn’t be worried...
“Boss?”
He turned at the sound of his foreman’s voice. “Hey.”
“You seemed lost in thought.”
He turned the drain plug counterclockwise. Soon, he broke it loose and then he unthreaded it the rest of the way with a gloved hand. Once done, he wiped the plug clean. He kept the O-ring aside. “I have a lot on my mind. What’s u
p?”
“My mom needs me to pick up her meds. I’m not sure how she didn’t realize she was out until now. My dad is out of town. I’ll be back as soon as I get it to her.”
Chance straightened once he had the oil flowing into the bowl. “That’s fine.”
Dale grabbed a towel and handed it to Chance. Then he slipped a glove on and together they removed the filter, replacing it with a new filter.
“You want to talk?”
Chance wondered if he could talk over things with Dale. He was like a much older brother to Chance. But, this wasn’t something he could talk about with Dale like other things. Sam was embarrassed and ended up running. She even seemed guarded this morning.
“Not something you can talk about?”
Chance shrugged. “Let’s just say I’m worried about someone and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Let me guess. A woman.”
He nodded.
“You love her?”
“I... I don’t know. I like her. A lot.”
“But, that’s not what worries you.”
“I... um.” He dropped the towel and removed his gloves.
“I understand it’s not something you can talk about to someone. I’d guess it’s a sensitive subject.”
Chance nodded. “I’m sorry. It’s not just like things about me I talk to you about.”
“You don’t have to apologize. You’re like a brother to me. Heck, I’m almost old enough to be your father. I’ve watched you deal with things and know you’re capable.”
Chance knew what he talked about. Dale had been there through Chance’s divorce, through his father’s passing, through his single parenting stumbles. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Have you prayed about what you should do?”
“I’m praying. No clear idea.”
“We don’t always know what the answer is right away. Keep praying. In the meantime, just be there for her. It’s the first time you’re talking about a woman and with the way I saw you a moment ago, I think you care for her a lot.”
His perception was uncanny. “I think I do.”
“God will give you wisdom.” He smiled and clapped Chance on the shoulder. “Let’s finish here so I can go and be back.”
