by Elsie Davis
The other kid’s faces fell. Waiting for your turn was never fun. Chad told the kids something to make them laugh, and just like that, their smiles had returned, and they moved to stand behind the nearby fence. Jake walked out of the barn leading Sugar, followed by a woman who went to stand by the children. The mare was saddled and ready to ride.
Chad lifted the little girl up into the saddle, her angelic face lit with joy.
Gemma drew closer, turning to Chad and ignoring Jake in the process. “Hey there. Need any help?”
Chad shot a welcoming smile in her direction. “You’re back. We’ve got this covered, but you’re just in time to watch the kids ride. They love to show off when someone comes to visit.”
They were beautiful children, so full of laughter and joy, and yet each one appeared to have a special need. The sweet sincerity of their happiness warmed her heart as they waited their turn.
After securing the straps around the little girl in the saddle and placing her feet in the stirrups, Chad led Sugar through the pasture. The girl’s laughter rang out loud enough to be heard all the way back to the barn.
Jake stepped closer.
“Fancy seeing you here. Don’t you have some doctoring to do somewhere?” She tried for a lighter, teasing tone since she had asked him for friendship at the diner this afternoon.
“I’m doing my doctoring, as you call it, right here.”
She shot him a questioning glance, wondering if he’d explain.
“These are kids from the House of Hope. They’re some of our local special-needs children. Some have Down’s Syndrome. One is partially blind. A couple of them have other varying degrees of learning disabilities. But the one thing they all have in common is they need extra love. Your dad is one of the people who make it happen.”
Jake was clearly part of the Chad Andrews fan club. Although she had to admit, her dad working with the children was pretty darn fantastic.
“So, what exactly does he do?”
“Almost every week, six kids are chosen to come to Whispering Pines and ride. GiddyUp Kids is a volunteer program he puts on to give special needs children a chance to excel at something fun that gets them outdoors. He doesn’t take much credit, but I know he still does interviews and photo ops to help raise money and awareness for others to step in and help the children.”
A volunteer program. This wasn’t a group lesson, and Chad wasn’t doing it for the money. Another side of her dad she couldn’t fail to appreciate. Admire was a better word. “And what is your role here?”
“I’m the on-call doctor just in case they need me. We all have to do our share.”
“You’re beginning to sound as saintly as the picture you keep trying to paint of Chad. Rescue squad. GiddyUp Kids. Local doctor. Not to mention father to an adorable little boy. You sure do keep busy.”
Jake appeared uncomfortable. “Nothing saintly about me. Just doing what’s right.”
“Next ride in three minutes,” Chad called out to the children as he led Sugar back toward the barn and helped the girl off the horse. She skipped off to the side before Chad led the horse to the water trough.
After tying up the horse, Chad joined her and Jake. “Nice to see you two getting along. Gemma’s gonna stay for a few days. I think Sugar sealed the deal. I know it wasn’t my charm, and we know it wasn’t yours.” He shot Jake a grin.
Jake looked guilty as charged, and Gemma was all too ready to agree.
“I was just explaining to her about the GiddyUp Kids program.” Jake was decidedly uncomfortable.
“Speaking of which, where’s Kyle?” Chad glanced around, trying to find him.
“I left him at my dad’s. He was still wound up after yesterday’s rescue. I figure he needed some downtime.”
“He’ll be heartbroken. He loves to hang out with the kids and ride.”
“He’ll be back next week. Dad’s going to take him to the park to play T-ball.” Chad frowned, the lines on his forehead deepening.
“I wish you had brought him. He could’ve played with Brody, and I could have helped with his swing in T-ball. I’d love to see him again.” What Jake did with his son or didn’t do was up to him, but Gemma wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to stir the pot. Especially given Jake’s explanation sounded fishy. She might not be a mother, but common sense told her taking an overactive child to the park to calm him down wouldn’t work.
She didn’t know why it was important, but she wanted Jake to like her. More than likely, to please Chad. The two men were close, and she didn’t want to come between them.
“Next time.” The tone of Jake’s voice said otherwise.
* * *
Gemma walked up to the house to get Brody. She put him on a leash for safety reasons, not wanting him to spook the horses or bother the kids. They walked back to the pasture, the dog attempting to pull her faster than she’d let him. She couldn’t blame him for being excited, what with the outdoor smells and new people to check out.
She stuck around for almost half an hour watching the two men work with the kids. She made a point of hanging off to the side so as not to interfere with the process. A couple of kids wandered over to pet Brody, their laughter and smiles precious. There was nothing special needs about having fun outdoors and living life. Too many kids nowadays were stuck behind TVs or video games and staying indoors and missing out.
Her heart ached for the children, each one with his or her own limitations. Their bravery to get up on the horse and embrace life was amazing. These children could be an inspiration and role model to all kids, their innocence and wonder a sight to behold.
Her respect for Chad and Jake continued to grow; the two men willing to give their time to help these children. To give them something special in a life where they faced many challenges.
The more she learned about Chad, the more she wanted to find out. And he wasn’t necessarily someone she was willing to let go from her life again, no matter what her original intentions had been.
And as for Jake, watching him in action, his face relaxed with an easy grin for the kids, gave her a new perspective of him too. She realized he was loyal to Chad, a friend worth having, even if his dislike of her was unfounded and based on missing pieces. She had to keep reminding herself it wasn’t his fault; he didn’t know the truth.
Jake wore his doctoring clothes as well as he did jeans and a T-shirt, but Gemma’s preference was definitely the latter. The way he looked now, with his cowboy hat slung low across his forehead and off to the right slightly, exuded confidence and strength—a man you could depend on. She couldn’t help but wonder about Mrs. Dr. Jake Duncan. No one spoke of Kyle’s mother, and Jake didn’t wear a ring.
A little girl wandered over to stand next to Gemma. Blonde curls framed the girl’s face as she gazed up and smiled as if to say hello. She pointed to the dog and used her hand to gesture up and down, in a wavy line.
“Do you want to pet him?”
The girl nodded her head, her smile broadening.
Gemma held Brody’s leash firmly just in case he showed signs of getting overly zealous, but he remained seated by her side. “Go ahead, he’s gentle and won’t bite,” Gemma encouraged the girl.
The girl reached out her hand to tentatively stroke Brody’s neck and back.
“What’s your name?” Gemma asked.
The girl didn’t answer, the smile fading from her face. She pointed to her mouth and shook her head furiously.
Gemma guessed the child couldn’t speak and it tore at her heartstrings. Getting down on one knee, Gemma drew level with her. “That’s okay, honey. I’ll just call you Freckles, because of all the freckles on your face.” Gemma smiled as she touched three or four sun-kissed spots on the girl’s sweet and childishly soft cheeks.
Brody turned his head to the side and licked his new friend’s face. Gemma was impressed with his self-control around the girl.
“Lindsay!” the woman called out from where she kept the kids under close watch i
n front of the barn. Her new friend lifted her hand to wave goodbye.
“It was lovely to meet you, Lindsay, but I kind of like Freckles better. What do you think?” Gemma grinned, thinking the name perfect.
The girl flung her arms around Gemma’s neck and squeezed before she ran back to the woman’s side, Gemma’s heart filling with love as she watched her go.
“Come on, Brody.” She tugged at his leash to let him know it was time to leave.
Dinner needed to be cooked, and it was her turn. One of her stops had been at the grocery store where she’d picked up all the ingredients to make her special Cajun Chicken Pasta, a recipe she’d perfected over the years, and one she hoped would impress Chad.
It wasn’t long before the guys walked through the front door. Their easy laughter was another reminder of the close friendship they shared. Gemma had to wonder when and how they’d met, their age difference unusual in a relationship that could be described as best friends.
They both stopped in their tracks when they noticed her in the kitchen.
“You didn’t have to cook. I invited you to stay but didn’t expect you to wait on me.” Chad shook his head as he came closer to check out what she was doing.
“No worries. It’s a special recipe of mine, and the least I can do is help out if I’m staying.” She wasn’t about to tell him it was one of about three recipes she knew by heart and that her cooking skills could only be labeled as limited.
Chad gazed at her, admiration on his face. She may not have had any intentions of liking the man, but he sure made it hard to do anything else. “Thank you. I won’t turn down a home-cooked meal made by someone other than me.” He chuckled.
Apparently, they had that in common. “Well, I guess I should be on my way, I’ve got to get home to Kyle.” Jake pulled the front door open.
Gemma owed this man more than a thank you for saving Brody and Chad, and so far, she hadn’t settled on any other way to back up her words.
“Do you want to stay for dinner? It’s not for another fifteen or twenty minutes. You can even pick up Kyle and bring him here. There’s plenty to go around.” Gemma made the offer, hoping to bridge their differences and for a chance to get to know Jake better. It was also a chance for Chad to clear the air with his friend and set things straight.
Jake stared at her for a moment, his lingering gaze enough to make her heart flutter.
“Thanks for the offer, but we can’t. Kyle does better at home.”
“Okay. I made plenty if you change your mind.” She was trying to be kind, and his rejection of her offer hurt. Jake seemed as if he could be friends with everybody—except her.
“It’s a great idea. It would give Kyle a chance to play with Brody. He’d have tons of fun,” Chad spoke up, refusing to take Jake’s rejection in stride.
“I wouldn’t want him to get attached to the dog when Gemma’s leaving in a few days. He’s already been asking to play with the dog and whining because he can’t. It would only make it worse. He’s better off keeping to the routine.”
A look passed between the two men Gemma couldn’t even begin to understand.
“A routine you broke by not bringing him here today, from what I gather. So, is it him you’re worried about, or my cooking?” Gemma meant it as a joke, but judging by the expression on Jake’s face, he didn’t see the humor.
“Both. Have a nice night.” Jake tipped his hat and left.
“Don’t take it personally. Jake’s protective of Kyle. Probably too much, but I have to give the man credit for trying to be both mom and dad to the boy.”
“Where’s his mother?” Her curiosity kicked into overdrive.
“She was gone before the baby was a year old. Jake doesn’t talk about it much, but I get the impression based on a few things he’s told me, she left because of Kyle’s hearing problems. He moved back home in a house next to his dad, took over as the local GP, and does his best to give Kyle everything he needs. I think he’s bitter about the whole thing.”
Poor Kyle. And poor Jake for having to deal with the fallout. Gemma closed her eyes. She needed to clear her head. Kyle’s mom was no different than her father. But at least Chad left because he had issues and not issues with the baby. That would be unforgivable in her book.
Did that mean Chad was forgivable?
She didn’t want to think about it. Not now. Focusing instead on the conversation, she hoped to learn more about the doctor.
“And in between all that he finds time to be on the volunteer rescue squad. And work with the GiddyUp Kids program. The guy sure gets around. Doesn’t strike me as the kind of a guy who would be brooding over his ex-wife.”
“I agree with you there, but that’s where my agreement ends. It’s not my place to say, but I haven’t seen him date anyone since he moved back to town. It’s a shame. He’s a good man, someone I’d be proud to call my son. But the few times I’ve mentioned it, he shuts down any idea of dating. I’m guessing it’s a once bitten, twice shy kind of scenario.”
She could only hope Kyle never learned the truth about his mother and why she left. Her heart broke for the kid, having firsthand knowledge of how it felt to grow up without a father. Kyle would have to learn to cope without a mother because it sounded as if Jake didn’t have plans to rectify the situation anytime soon.
“Or maybe he’s just rough around the edges with how he talks to women. Hasn’t been overly friendly toward me. He seems to think I should visit you more and that I’m some sort of wayward daughter who doesn’t come home. We both know that’s not anywhere near the truth, so I’m wondering why if he’s such a close friend, he’s in the dark on this one?”
“It’s not something I go around talking about. I’m proud to have you as my daughter, but I’m not proud of the way I handled things with your mother and you. Condemnation from others would be a bitter pill to swallow, considering the horse-size pills of self-condemnation I already take.”
“What’s wrong with Kyle’s hearing? Other than the fact he wears a hearing aid, he seems like an ordinary boy to me.”
“He didn’t start talking until last year, so he’s behind the other kids his age. Tom, Jake’s daddy, watches the boy during the day at his place, and they have a tutor come in and work with Kyle to help bring him up to speed. He’s got to have an operation when he’s older to correct some things in his ears. Other than that, he is a normal, cheerful boy. Just one without a mother.”
“I would guess that’s up to Jake. I’m sure there’s not a shortage of women who would be more than delighted to line up and apply for the position.”
“Yeah, well like I said, he’s not interested.” Chad headed toward the hallway. “I’m going to get cleaned up for supper, and then I’ll set the table.”
“Thanks. It might be easier since you know where everything is.”
“And only fair. By the way, I’m glad you stayed. This means a lot to me.”
“I’m glad I stayed too. In fact, I’d like to talk to you about something over dinner.”
“Okayyy.” He eyed her with curiosity but didn’t ask for more info, just turned and disappeared down the hall. Gemma mentally added patience to his list of qualities.
What started off as a whimsical crazy idea had taken root, and throughout the afternoon, she mulled over the details. Come Sunday, she didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay and get to know her dad. And in doing so, she could organize the fundraiser the rescue squad desperately needed.
The answer was a carnival. And who better than to organize one than an event planner? She could do this for them. Chad. Jake. The Hallbrook Rescue Squad. It was the perfect plan. Chad would have to agree because he had a starring role in the arrangements she’d planned out, and then she’d make a few phone calls to clear her schedule and make it happen.
Her dad still hadn’t returned, and Gemma searched the cupboards and drawers to find what she needed to set the table. She placed the pot of pasta on a potholder in the center between them for ea
sy reach and pulled the loaf of garlic bread from the oven.
“Dinner’s on the table,” she called down the hall.
“Coming,” Chad hollered back.
Brody sat at her feet, eyeing the dinner table. “Okay. Your turn.” She filled his bowl and set it on the floor, giving him a quick scratch behind the ears when he dug in. “Making up for yesterday, I see.” She laughed when some of the food spilled over the sides in his eagerness to chow down.
Gemma looked up when Chad entered the room.
“Sorry, it took me longer than I expected. I decided to take a shower since you went to all the trouble to fix a meal. No sense making you sit down to eat with a smelly cowboy.” His wink made her smile in return.
They talked a few minutes about GiddyUp Kids, although Chad wasn’t forthcoming with information about himself and the program. But she already knew what she needed to know from her conversation with Jake. She would’ve expected her dad to be all about himself like he had been when he was eighteen, but the adult version was a nicer guy. And humble.
It was obvious he cared about the kids and wasn’t in it for the accolades. It was her dad’s ability to raise money for the GiddyUp Kids that inspired her carnival plan to raise money for the rescue squad. And it would be his PBR fame and fortune she would tap into to make the carnival work. The Bullbuster would be her drawing card. The key to her success.
“This pasta is amazing. I love the spicy flavor. What is it?” Chad took another generous helping and put it on his plate, giving credence to his words.
“I’m glad you like it. I use smoked paprika to give it the extra flavor. It’s a signature dish of mine.”
“I’m sure you get the cooking gene from your mother, who probably got the cooking gene from her mother. I remember your grandmother used to cook up a casserole, and when it was fresh out of the oven and piping hot, she’d always ask me to stay for dinner. Never could say no to that woman.”
