Its just that Caleb has just come out of a bad breakup. Mary traced a finger over the words on the cover of a photo album. Hes a good man and he deserves to find the right young woman. Someone nice.
Wait, you hardly know me. How do you know Im nice? Shed meant it to lighten the mood, but Marys face fell.
My dear, why of course I know you. Mary stood, coming after her, with her hands held out. Ive loved you forever.
Mary brushed her free hand over the wisps of Laurens hair and tucked them behind her ear, as one would do to a small child. I hope that you and I can get to know each other well before you head back to your life. I want you to find what youve come for.
Pain jerked through the core of her being. I havent come for anything. Im not like my mother. I vowed long ago not to be like her. You dont know that, I know, but its true. I didnt come here to get something.
Oh, yes you did, Mary said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. And its what I need, too. God bless you for coming when I asked. Forgive me, but its getting late and my old bones are tired. Thank you for coming all this way. I wanted to meet you while I can remember.
This she said with a smile. Shadows clung beneath her vibrant eyes and cut deep brackets around her mouth. In this light, it would be easy to believe Mary wasnt well. Affection for this dear lady warmed Lauren through, but she also felt concern. Are you all right?
Yes, dear. Im as right as rain. But Im not getting any younger. Mary turned to the stove to check on the boiling kettles. She poked a fork into a potato inside one of the pots. I guess none of us are. I gathered up a few family photo albums. Theyre on the edge of the counter, right by the table. You missed so many good years, maybe this will help you understand when you meet your brother and sisters tomorrow.
Okay, that idea made her seriously anxious. So much could go wrong. She tried to remind herself that so much could go right, too. She would be the outsider either wayand that was a role she was used to.
But this feeling of, well, connectedness was new.
There was understanding bright in Marys eyes. Well, the potatoes are done. Let me get them drained and the pot roast on the table, then you and I will catch up. I want to hear all about your life. Your college classes. Your drive here. Meeting Caleb. Everything.
It was hard to say no to that. Lauren went to help put the meal on the table.
Chapter Four
There was nothing like a Montana morning. Caleb liked to watch the sunrise come as quietly as an answered prayer. The webby shadows of darkness giving way to the gray-purple that came before dawn. By the time the promise of the sun was aglow, backlighting the rugged peaks of the Bridger Range, Caleb was climbing out of his truck with his travel mug of hot tea in hand and greeting the horses at the gate. Malia was the alpha horse, first to the rail and nipping to keep the others in line.
Be nice, he reminded her as he hauled the bucket of oats with him. Leaving his mug on a fence post, he spread out the molasses-sweetened oats in the long feed trough and the horses dug in. The sound of their crunching drowned out the lark song sweet in the fresh air. He gave Leo a welcoming pat and reached for his steaming mug.
As he took a sip, he scanned Marys spreadthe home, gardens, pool, patios and carriage house. He didnt really mean to notice, but the little guest homes windows were open and the curtains drawn back, as if welcoming the day. Lauren was up? He couldnt put his thumb on why that surprised him, but it did.
It was Jayna, thats why. He knew better, but hed painted city girls with the same slightly bitter brushstroke, mostly because it hurt less that way. Wounds of the heart took a long time to mend and sometimes they didnt heal over as completely as one might like. Still, he had to get over it. It had been almost two years, long enough to put all of it, even the scars, behind him.
He savored the crisp taste of the cinnamon tea and tried to let the mornings peace spill into him. But he couldnt seem to take his gaze from Laurens cottage. Maybe it was her presence he sensed, since a few moments later there she was, wading toward him through the knee-high grass.
Dressed in jeans and a pink T-shirt, she looked as refreshing as the morning and as innocent as the wildflowers at her feet. Not that he ought to be noticing those things, either.
Good morning, Caleb. Her soft alto was hushed as she came nearer. Youre a very early riser, too?
Guilty. Besides, the horses appreciate being fed first thing in the morning. Howd the evening go with your grandmother?
Wonderful.
You say that with relief. Like you were really worried.
In my experience, you can never tell about people, especially right when you meet them. Im not the most trusting person, I guess. But we had such a good time looking through old photo albums. It was past midnight before we knew it.
I reckon Mary loved sharing those photographsand the timewith you.
Oh, Im the lucky one. She is nothing short of a blessing. I dont know how Mom stole money from such a nice woman. And the family jewelry and heaven knows what else.
You figure everyone looks at you and sees her?
I would. I never answered birthday cards or sent a thank you for Christmas gifts. I didnt know Id gotten them. Her unconscious shrug seemed to dismiss the issue.
He could tell there was a lot of pain there. I suppose there was money in those birthday cards and pawnable items in those Christmas boxes?
Thats my guess, too. I was too little to know the difference and when I was older, everyone here had written Mom off for good and me along with her. Not that I blame her. Mom has a real destructive streak.
Thats why you dont have much to do with her?
I left home for the college dorm and didnt look back. There wasnt anything to go back to. Just a basement apartment with security bars on the windows. Nothing like what youre used to here.
There it was, he saw the shadows darken her eyes. Past hurts. He knew how that was. Yet she waved them away with an unconscious gesture.
He couldnt help liking her. She was nice. And shed been on his mind through the evening. Here she was standing before him with a wistful expression, looking at the mountains and pastures and horses. The promise hed made stood between them and he felt it sorely. Are you ready for your riding lesson?
Now?
Sure. I usually saddle up before I have to head in to work. Nothing like a morning ride to start your day off right.
What do you do for a living?
Im a town cop. He watched her eyes widen and she took a step back. What, you dont like policemen?
I dont have the best association with them. Great, now he thinks I have a record. Lauren rolled her eyes. She was getting off on the wrong foot with this man. One thing she really didnt like was looking back into the past. When I was little, Mom had a hard time keeping up with the rent. We were given notice of eviction a few times. Court ordered.
Thats rough.
When he could have been judgmental, he sounded kind. Somehow that was harder to accept. There are worse things in the world. Like pandemics. Wide-scale starvation.
Thats rough.
When he could have been judgmental, he sounded kind. Somehow that was harder to accept. There are worse things in the world. Like pandemics. Wide-scale starvation.
Those things would be rougher.
Exactly. In the scheme of things, it wasnt so bad.
The compassion in his eyes andagainthe kindness in his voice made her like him even more. Against her will, apparently. A cop, huh?
Yep. I try to be one of the good ones.
I dont doubt that. She could see him in her minds eye, all suited up in his uniform, upholding the law with that kindness of his. And compassion. Her heart tugged with an emotion she would not acknowledge. Back to the horses, which were a much safer subject. Can you really teach me to ride in five minutes?
Absolutely. Hed parked his truck nearby and he was already reaching into the back. See the brown mare?
You mean the tallest horse?
Thats the one.
Youre going to give me the biggest horse, knowing that Ill probably fall off and land on my hind end in the dirt? She was laughing, though. He had to be teasing her. Youre going to give me the short one to learn to ride on, right?
Oh, I see what youre saying, city girl. Youre worried about falling off a horse. Well, falling is certain. Getting back up is what separates the men from the boys. Or, in your case, the women from the girls. But that doesnt sound right.
No, it doesnt. I think youre making fun of a city girl, Mr. Stone.
Id never be disrespectful to any woman, no matter where she hailed from.
I will not be charmed by him, she thought. Liking him a little tiny bit was one thing. Letting herself feel more was another. And what about the falling part? Ive never realized how far it is from the back of the horse to the ground. It looks a lot farther than Ive ever imagined. Maybe its smart not to get back up.
She was like the sunlightquietly cheerful. Caleb was smiling, too, without knowing it, chuckling right along with her as he hauled the bridles out of the truck bed. She was all right. Tasha is a gentle giant. You shouldnt fall off. Much. Unlesshows your sense of balance? If its terrible, you might fall off no matter which horse I sit you on.
I didnt realize how much Id have to trust you. Im at your mercy. Maybe Id better rethink this horse-riding thing.
But her eyes were smiling again and she radiated anticipation. He thought about what shed told him, about her mother not being reliable enough to pay the rent regularly enough to keep a stable home for her child. Hey, you can trust me. Im an upstanding sort. Cmon, city girl, lets get you up on your first horse.
As long as I stay up. She followed him, climbing through the fences rails. How could it be possible that the horse got bigger with every step she took?
It only hurts if you fall, Lauren. Otherwise, its a piece of cake. Dont worry, well go slow. Hey, Tasha girl. He held the big bay by a halter strap so he could slip the bridle on and buckle it securely. When he was done, Tasha leaned into his touch for a gentle stroke. You feel like going for a run, girl?
Lauren stepped into the horses shadow and her heart stopped on the word run. I thought we were going to start slow.
What happened to trusting me? Calebs words were lighthearted, but the look on his face was not. He was iron-strong dependability all the way. First we walk, then we run. Youll love it.
I hope so. My expectations are pretty high.
Dont worry. Theres nothing like riding a horse. The experience will surpass your every expectation.
Wouldnt that be a new trend in her life? Lauren was close enough to the mare that she could breathe in her warm, friendly scent. Hi, girl.
The mare eyed her with what Lauren hoped was a friendly look. She gave a snort and tried to grab the hem of Laurens shirt with her big teeth.
Uh, she wont bite me, right?
Shes just friendly. Give her nose a stroke or two. Ill leave you two to get acquainted. Ill be right back.
Wait. But he was already moving away, releasing his hold on the leather bridle.
Tasha looked even more gigantic as she stepped forward with hooves that suddenly looked able to crush Laurens feet. Uh, how do I get acquainted with a horse?
You talk to her. He said that as if it was perfectly natural to have a one-sided conversation.
The trouble was, Tasha seemed to be expecting something. She took a harder grip with her teeth on Laurens hem and shook her head. When the mare stomped her front foot, the earth gave a tiny tremble.
Hi, pretty girl. Lauren ran her fingertips down the white stripe on the mares long nose and the sun-warmed velvet feel surprised her. Tasha was so sleek. Youre going to go easy on me, right, since Im a beginner?
Tasha released her hold on the shirt and raised her head so high, she easily snorted the crown of Laurens head. Thats when Lauren realized that Tasha had spied the pink barrette in her hair. And Tasha wasnt the only one. Horses were approaching from every side, corralling her in and nibbling at her hair. Uh, Caleb. Help!
They sure seem to like you, came his amused grin, which, fortunately, accompanied the approaching crunch of his boots in the grass. Girls, stop that. Its not candy. Move back, now. Lauren, thisll help.
A gray cowboy hat plopped onto her head, shading her eyes from the sun and hiding the pink barrette from sight. Caleb, at her side, seemed to make this new adventure feel just right. Comfortable. Safe.
How about that? She actually felt at ease with a man. Probably because her grandmother had sung his praises all evening. The great things he did for her, without any thought of compensation. How responsible he was. How good.
There was good in everyone, she reminded herself. But lessons learned had taught her there was bad, too, and thats what hurt a person. She had to keep up her guard.