Kitabı oku: «Rocky Mountain Hero», sayfa 3

“Promise.” Gabe gave his best Boy Scout pledge.

They rounded the corner of the block. Hoses, rakes and wheelbarrows lined either side of a set of open double doors. A sandwich-board sign sat on the sidewalk and proclaimed Spring Sale—Hurry In. A wooden palette held stacks of fertilizer bags with plastic buckets displayed across the front, two rows deep.

“I love this place.” Melanie listened to the delicate tinkle of wind chimes arranged from the rafters. “Very homey.”

“If Leon doesn’t have it, you don’t need it.” Gabe indicated they enter the store. “So far, he’s proven his motto right.”

“Gabe.” A petite woman in her early twenties with curly brown hair and freckles across her nose stood behind the checkout counter and waved. “You’re early. It’s not Saturday yet.”

“Guests staying at the ranch. Thought maybe they needed to pick up some stuff.” He stepped around the counter and gave her a hug. “Shayna, I want you to meet my friends, Melanie and Jason.”

When Gabe stepped back, Shayna turned around and presented a well-rounded belly. By the looks of it, probably seven months along. Out of habit, Melanie glanced at Shayna’s left hand, surprised to see her ring finger bare.

“Don’t think I’ve met you before. This your first time to Hawk Ridge?” She offered her hand. “Normally I hug everyone, but Buster here—” she ran her hand over the top of her belly “—gets in the way these days.”

“I can imagine.” Melanie liked the bubbly personality, especially remembering how tiring those last few months of pregnancy were. “Like the name—Buster.”

She caressed her belly with love. “Only because he’s ready to bust out. I’m really leaning toward Adam.”

“Dad’s name?”

“Oh, no!” Dimples bracketed a sweet smile. “I just like Adam.”

“This is more baby talk than I need.” Gabe gave Shayna another squeeze. “Bud, how about you and me go over to the parts? We’ve got a list we need to fill.”

His gaze lingered on her as he stepped away from the counter. For a moment, she thought he’d hug her, too. Instead, he motioned for Jason to follow. “Are you going to be okay without us?”

“I think I’ll survive.” Melanie bit the inside of her cheek watching Jason puff up tall beside Gabe.

As they walked off to the back of the store, Shayna leaned over the counter and exhaled. “It’s been a long day.” She looked over her shoulder at the young man stacking a display of windshield wiper fluid in the store window. “Hey, Russ, watch the counter. I’ll be back.”

Russ nodded and went back to work.

“Tough working when we have a sale.” Shayna stretched her back. “All I seem to do is waddle through the store.”

“I remember.” Melanie nodded. She swatted at a couple of tiny black insects. “Especially when all I wanted to do was sleep.”

“Amen. So are you looking for anything in particular?”

Memories of her own pregnancy flooded over Melanie. Luckily she’d finished her last semester of her undergraduate degree while she was pregnant. She couldn’t imagine running across campus with a baby in tow. Tough enough juggling study time in between doctor appointments, work and laundry. Her heart went out to the salesgirl. “Actually, the cabin has all I need and we’re only staying a short while. Maybe a fruit bowl?”

“Right over here.” Shayna turned toward the center aisle.

Melanie waved away a few more pesky gnats. “Gabe said you’d have everything we need, or we didn’t need it.”

“That’s my dad’s motto. He’s pretty proud of knowing what the town needs.” Shayna stopped in front of a display of ceramic bowls. “I’ll let you in on a secret. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll order it and then pretend he found it in the warehouse. It’s a game and everyone knows, so it really isn’t a secret at all.”

“Thanks for the insider tip.” Melanie slapped a gnat on her arm. “Does the store stock plants? I think you’re overwatering.”

Shayna nodded and pointed an aisle over. “We just received a shipment. Noticed they came in kind of buggy. Don’t know what to do about it other than pray they get bought soon.”

“Let me see.” Melanie approached the display of leafy houseplants stacked in the middle of birdbaths, ceramic pots and a water fountain. “The fungus gnats are breeding because of the moisture. Here.” She grabbed a package off the shelf. “Put these yellow sticky tapes around the pots for a couple of days. You should see a big difference.” She dug her finger into the soil. “If you stick raw potato slices in the pot, it’ll help catch them, too.”

“That’s great.” Shayna snagged the package of tapes and tore it open. “What did you say you’re doing here?”

“Normally I work with stuff like this. But for the next three weeks—” she held her arms open to embrace the entire concept “—I’m planning the Fourth of July barbecue at the Davidsons’.”

Shayna laughed so hard, Melanie thought she might go into labor right then. “Don’t understand how he roped you into it and don’t think I want to know. So, Gabe is shirking his responsibilities. Gabe!” She stood on tiptoes and yelled for him again. “Melanie seems like a nice person. Why saddle her with the picnic?”

Gabe and Jason came round the corner. He lifted a brow and winked at Melanie. She couldn’t help it and winked back.

“I’m doing my part for the event, honest. It’s just that Bud and I have this truck to fix, and fence to check, and water to fill, and—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know all about the important stuff.” Shayna waved him away. “Melanie, don’t you worry about the picnic. The ladies at church know how to do it all. I’ll be helping, too.” She grinned and nodded in his direction. “Gabe’s too chicken to work with us on the committee.”

The red infusing his face gave truth to the accusation. “Do tell.” Melanie played along. “Sweet little church ladies?”

He tipped his hat back, eyes opened wide. “Worse than a pack of starved kittens around a bowl of milk.” He shook his finger at her and grinned. “Don’t you let them weasel out of making the best steaks a man’s ever tasted. I’m counting on you to handle this assignment with kid gloves.”

Shayna elbowed her in the ribs. “Stick with me. Gabe will end up getting the glory, but we’ll know who did all the work.”

He offered Melanie a lazy smile. “I always give credit where credit is due. I think this year we’ll have one of the best parties ever. And I’ll make sure everyone knows who was in charge.” He indicated the spare parts in his hands. “Hopefully terms equitable for both parties.”

Chapter Five

That evening, Melanie sat at the dinner table in the ranch-house kitchen, now cleared of dishes. Homemade chicken and dumplings with all the fixings and the best berry pie with vanilla ice cream she’d ever tasted. She resisted patting her tummy. Life just didn’t get any better.

In the next room, Jason yelped, “No fair, Gabe! I didn’t know that boulder was going to roll onto the track.”

“Well, Bud. You better be prepared for the unexpected next time.” A hardy laugh echoed into the kitchen. “Had enough?”

“Uh-uh. I’m ready for you this time.”

“All right. One…two…three…” A buzzer sounded as the go-kart video game took off again.

Well, life could be a little better. Grace stood at the kitchen counter watering her plants. Martin had joined the boys in the living room. Melanie set her cup down.

“Grace, are you sure I can’t help you with anything?”

“Oh my, no.” She shook her watering can. “Gotta give my little buddies a drink before they go to sleep.”

“Plants don’t stand a chance at my home. After working with them all day, I forget to tend them at night. Jason knows chocolate is the way to his mom’s heart.”

“My boys used to drag home every weed the good Lord planted on the mountainside. Said they were pretty flowers, and so many of them, no one would miss ’em. I praised them for their thoughtfulness and prayed none of the seeds scattered on the way home.”

“You have two other sons, right?”

“I do.” Grace nodded. “Nicholas and Isaac. All three of the boys have grown into men I’m proud of.”

The sounds of the video game echoed in the background, Gabe’s full-bodied laughter causing her heart to trip. Melanie took a sip from her cup. If the other two brothers were anything like Gabe, the women of Hawk Ridge needed to watch out. “Where are they?”

“Zac’s in Denver. He went to college there and decided to stay.”

Grace returned to the sink and refilled her watering can. “Nick got a burr in his drawers one day. Hawk Ridge wasn’t where he wanted to be. Left the house he built up on the ridge and everything. He’d rodeoed all through school and thought he’d take off and see the country on the backside of a bull. He’s the one sending the cattle for the auction.”

“Sounds like exciting lives.” She scooted to the edge of her seat. “I’ll bet you miss them.”

“Well, it’s good for them to find out what they really want. Gabe never really wanted to go anywhere. He went to school in Gunnison for four years and then came home to do exactly what he’d done his whole life.”

“Awww, c’mon, Gabe.” Jason whined from the other room. “That water came out of nowhere.”

“Bud, you had to know it was coming.” Buttons clicked. “You’re driving right next to a river.”

“No fair…”

“You’re a lap behind. Stop bellyachin’ and get to movin’.”

A tiny bell tinkled each time the cars made a lap. Melanie watched the entire game—and cringed.

“And what about you, Melanie? You and Jason getting by?”

Melanie took a sip of her coffee and held the cup to her lips. A loaded question if she’d ever heard one. What kind of answer was Grace looking for? She took another sip and lowered her cup. “We take each day as it comes.”

“Does Jason get to see much of his dad?”

Okay, Grace. Just cut to the chase. “He never met his dad.” Melanie lowered her eyes, still unable to completely justify the past. She blew a quick sigh. How things could have been different. “He’s been gone a long time.”

Grace dropped the water can on the counter and wiped her hands on the dish towel. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Grace. It’s been a long time.” Melanie frowned as the older lady sat down beside her, grabbed her fingers and squeezed. She wanted to pull away, but Grace kept hold. “We’re fine.”

“Happened to my oldest boy, Nick. They hadn’t been married but a couple years when his wife died. He hasn’t been right since.” She squeezed tighter and shook her head. “Death can do awful things to those left behind.”

Paul? Dead? Melanie opened her mouth to correct the misunderstanding and then pressed her lips together. Paul might as well be dead to them. And she didn’t know Grace or the family well enough to explain the entire story.

Jason didn’t even know the whole truth.

“I’m sorry for Nick’s loss, Grace.” She searched the kitchen for words. “Time heals all hurts.”

Grace nodded. She patted Melanie’s hand before sliding her palm back and reaching for a napkin to blow her nose. “Time and prayer. God knows what He’s doing, even if we don’t understand.”

Wasn’t that the truth? She’d spent sleepless nights trying to come up with answers that just didn’t seem to exist.

“Do your parents help you?”

Melanie automatically cringed at the question.

Seconds later, Grace groaned. “Oh no. Losing your husband and your parents so young in life, poor thing.” Grace patted her hand. “Accident or illness?”

“Neither. My folks are fine. I just haven’t seen them in a while.”

Grace stared at her, searching for what Melanie couldn’t begin to know. Even though she hadn’t known Grace long, Melanie liked her and didn’t want to disappoint her, as she had her parents.

A slow nod made the gray streaks in her dark hair sparkle. “Life’s too short for that, honey.” Grace softened her tone. “Parents try as hard as they can to do the right thing. We’re only human, living by the grace of God. All the prayer in the world won’t give us the right answers for the difficult questions in life. But the good Lord knows we try.”

Appalled she might have insulted Grace, Melanie scrambled. “Of course you do. Raising children is the most difficult task in the world.” She pointed toward the doorway leading to the living room. “Gabe’s a fine man. A gentleman to be proud of.”

“All three of my boys are fine men. But that doesn’t mean mistakes weren’t made along the way.” Grace took a deep breath. “Someday our family will be restored. Melanie, don’t let the chance pass you by.”

“Trust me on this one, Grace. They won’t understand.”

“If you trust the Lord with your life, He’ll make the right choices for your life. But if you don’t trust the Lord, then you’ll never find out what He had in mind for you.”

Easy for her to say. If the shoe had been on the other foot and Melanie hadn’t wanted her child, maybe she could beg forgiveness. But how could she explain that her parents didn’t accept Jason? Even after all the years, the words still tasted acid on her tongue. “It’s hard to make everyone happy. Especially with difficult choices.”

Grace relaxed her shoulders and refilled both their mugs. “So tell me about this job. Do you have friends in Montrose?”

How did she explain the situation to Grace when Melanie barely understood the reasoning herself? “No, I don’t know anyone there. I’ve never even been to Montrose.”

Grace sipped her coffee, looking at her with questions in her eyes.

“I want a new start.” She pushed strands of hair from her face and took a deep breath, encouraged by Grace’s patient silence. “I’ve done nothing but research projects in an office no bigger than a bathroom for six years. Not exciting, but stable. Now, a gigantic corporation bought the company where I work. Reorganization. Cutbacks. My job is safe, but the parameters will change. Same money. More work. Less time with Jason.”

She traced a pattern on her mug. “When this opportunity came up, I didn’t give it a second thought. I called for an interview, packed up the truck and away we went. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Is that what you want?” Grace asked in an even voice. “Adventure?”

“Adventure?” It sounded frivolous when Grace said it. “I don’t need adventure. I need a solid, stable home for my son. I can’t do that when I’m working sixty hours a week.” Melanie stood and wandered to the sink and stared at the reverse reflection of the kitchen in the darkened window. “Jason is my world, Grace. I want to do all I can for him.”

“The mark of a true mother. It’s not easy, is it? You try to do everything you can to keep your children safe, but you can’t do it all. Only God is perfect. We have to remember that.”

Melanie released a quiet sigh. “I learned that a long time ago.”

She needed to change the subject before Grace unearthed more of Melanie’s failures.

Bells and sirens rang in the other room, signaling the start of another game. She nodded toward the living room. “I so wanted to get Jason away from video games. And what happens? We end up meeting the video game king himself.” Melanie blew another sigh. “This is all he does at home. He’s an addict.”

Grace sat silent a moment, the game ringing to announce the end of the race. “You know the more you push, the harder he’ll buck, right?”

“He’s only eight years old. I need to guide him in another direction before it’s too late.”

All emotion aside, Grace pinned Melanie with a look. “That’s all well and good, but he’ll always come back to the things you don’t approve of and he’ll probably not even know he’s doing it.” Grace drew a breath. “Even at eight years old, Jason thinks he knows what he wants. And he wants you to want it, too. The more you disapprove, chances are the more he’ll resist, and then one day he won’t be there to listen to you. Take it from me, I’ve been through it all.”

Not exactly what she wanted to hear. “What do I do? There’s more to life than video games.”

“Woohoo! I beat you, Gabe! Did you see? I dodged that rock slide like a pro!”

“You sure did, Champ. Good job.”

“Watch out. I’ve got it now!”

A low rumble of laughter filtered from the room as the buzzer rang signaling a new track. Melanie sank back into her chair. “I’m sunk.”

Grace took a sip of coffee. “Have you ever told him how good he is at his video games? You know, praise him?”

She stiffened. “You’ve got to be kidding? Encourage him?”

“No, let him know you’re proud of his accomplishments.” Grace studied the mug in her hand. “All he wants is your approval. Mark my words, show him you see how good he can be at video games, and he’ll want to show you how good he can be at other things. Kids want attention, good or bad. Trust me. I’ve raised three very headstrong boys. Praise and prayers to the Lord for patience. No better tonic around.”

Squeals of joy blared in from the other room. Melanie rubbed her forehead, the inkling of a headache just above her eye.

She glanced at the clock, searching for a polite means of escape. She’d had enough soul-searching for one night. “Sorry I took up so much time this evening with my problems. The dinner and company were wonderful.”

Grace waved her off. “I don’t often get to share my words of wisdom with new folks who haven’t heard them before.”

Melanie walked into the other room where Gabe played like a pro, cool and calm, while Jason rolled all over the floor in a pattern to match the track his kart raced. Jason maneuvered his car around a sharp curve and headed down the finish line.

“I won again!”

“You’re not half bad once you stop whinin’.” Gabe set his controller down on the coffee table.

“Okay, kid, it’s time to go,” Melanie said as she swallowed her disdain for the video games.

“Aww, Mom.”

Grace nudged her in the ribs.

Melanie wrinkled her nose. “You race like a pro, Jay. I’ve never seen you play so well.”

Jason stopped in midwhine. “You watched?”

“The way you came around the turn just now and drove down the straightaway? Terrific.”

Jason stared openmouthed at her. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome.” She caught Gabe grinning at her and felt heat warm her cheeks. Her next words stuck in her throat. “Maybe if Gabe isn’t too busy, you can come by and play again before we leave.”

Jason frowned and looked down at his controller. Music played behind him, waiting for the players to pick their track. He handed Gabe the unit. “Thanks, Gabe. Maybe we can do this again, sometime?”

“Sure. Just make certain—”

“I know—” Jason lowered his voice “—chores are done first.”

Gabe rumpled Jason’s hair then tickled his belly. “Smarty pants.”

Squeals rang as Gabe and Jason wrestled on the floor. Melanie smiled inside. Maybe she’d stumbled onto something good after all.

Gabe stopped and caught his breath. He grabbed the arm of the couch, pushed up from the floor and stretched his muscles.

Jason wrapped the cord around the controller and set it on the television. “But it’s Saturday night. Mom says I can stay up later on Saturday night.”

“Church time comes mighty early when you go to bed late. Better not chance it.” He snagged his hat from the peg by the kitchen door and settled it on his head. Morning definitely came early. Especially when he had a couple more hours of work ahead of him. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to your cabin so the wild chipmunks don’t get you.”

“Mom?” Jason darted past. “Are we going to church in the morning?”

“Looks like it, big guy. I have some important people to meet if we’re going to get a barbecue planned.” She stood by the door, her hand on the jamb. “Right, Gabe?”

“I’m sure the ladies of Faith Community will be singing their hearts out tomorrow morning.” He nodded to his folks, giving his mom a quick hug. “Mom, Dad. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“You done for the night, Gabe?” Martin ambled over to the door.

“Just need to button up a few things.”

“Not too late, son.” Grace kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t want to poke you awake in the pew during Pastor Dave’s sermon.”

Gabe ushered Melanie and Jason out and closed the door behind him. He’d had fun tonight. Jason turned out a worthy opponent. Ha, the kid even beat him a couple of rounds. Nice having human competition instead of playing the machine all the time. “How’s the cabin working out for you, Melanie?”

She stepped around a rut in the lot before looking up at him. “It’s nice and cozy. I know it’s only been a couple days, but waking up and having coffee out on the porch is fast becoming my favorite pastime.”

“I hear things crawling around in the trees all night long.” Jason ran up and squeezed between them. “Are there any bears up here?”

“Always that chance, but I’ve never seen one.” He ruffled Jason’s hair. “Had a couple mountain lions a few years back. And raccoons. No bears.”

Jason’s eyes grew wide and his mouth fell open. “Mountain lions? Cool. Maybe we’ll see one. Maybe I’ll get a picture of one. Maybe we can catch one.”

“Whoa, Jason.” Melanie stuck out her hand. “How about we plan a picnic without the added guests? I think feeding two-legged creatures will be test enough for me this first time.”

“Gabe?” Jason obviously turned from the answer he didn’t want to hear. “What do ya think? Can we go looking for mountain lions?”

“Bud, always be careful what you ask for. You never know when the good Lord is going to call your bluff.” He was sorry he’d said something. Mountain lions needed to stay well away from people. “I’ll bet there’s something a bit more tame for you to do.”

“And you never know what we’re going to find in Montrose, right?” Melanie shoved her fingers into the front pockets of her jeans. “Remember, we’ll still be in the mountains.”

“Maybe I’ll find a mountain lion up there.” Jason peered past Gabe and searched through the trees. “Hey, if we can’t go lion hunting, can we go four-wheeling, or play Karts again?”

The familiar pressure began to build across the back of his neck. There wasn’t enough time in the day for Gabe to finish all his usual chores, let alone entertain an enthusiastic boy. “We’ll see what kind of time we can come up with, okay?”

“How about catching raccoons? I’ve never seen a real one. You know they hunt at night.” Jason began to recite nocturnal carnivore facts like an encyclopedia. “If you have to work all day, we can go at night, right, Gabe?”

Melanie reeled her excited son in by the shirttail until he bumped into her. “Jason, we’re here to get a job done and we’ve only got a couple weeks to do it. Gabe isn’t on vacation like we are. We have to let him do his work.” She shot him a conspiratorial grin. “Let’s not make him want to get rid of us before the truck is fixed.”

Gabe grinned back, thankful for the diversion. This just wasn’t a good time to entertain guests. “Seems like the work never stops. Always something to do.”

“Great! I can’t wait to see what we’re gonna do tomorrow. This is going to be great.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. We? How had one nighttime video game become an instant daytime we? They reached the porch of the cabin, and Gabe held open the screen as Melanie opened the door.

“Thanks for the escort. It’s so dark up here with only the moon and stars for light.” Melanie tipped her head back and searched the sky, the tips of her hair reaching midway down her back. “The stars look like ice chips.”

Gabe followed her gaze. The inky night sky hosted tiny flecks of light, like a blanket of sparkles across the sky. “It clears up after a rain. The clouds all disappear. Makes you wonder where they came from in the first place.”

“I could stand here forever.”

Gabe peeked at her upturned face, her cheeks smooth and the corners of her mouth turned up. She squinted into the night as if trying to see into eternity. When was the last time he looked up into the night sky with wonder?

Enough wasting time. He had invoices to review, and they weren’t getting done this way. “Well, see you in the morning.”

Melanie gave him a shy smile as she turned toward the door. “Don’t work too hard. Good night.”

“Gabe.” Jason poked his head out the door. “Get everything done tonight so we can do stuff tomorrow.”

He turned on his heel and stepped down the path before Jason came up with more ideas. “Good night and sleep tight.”

The door of the cabin closed behind him and the dead bolt slid into place. As he made his way down to the office, he tipped his head back and studied the night sky.

He didn’t do we. He hadn’t done we in years. Not since Cheryl Slaughter had dumped him, accusing him of being married to his work and informing him she had no intentions of being the other woman.

Truth was, he couldn’t blame her. Who wanted to date a guy short on time and long on tasks? Ranching came first. He had to weigh his choices, pick his battles. Time didn’t stretch to accommodate his schedule.

How in the world was he going to fit we into his life now?