He told the pastor that if someone didnt drive him home hed start walking. Your father seems very determined to get back to the ranch. So Pastor Johns giving him a ride. They should be here within the next couple of hours. She skimmed the area around them, avoiding eye contact. Hes leaving AMA.
He threw his head back against the seat. Seriously? A man with brain damage and a broken arm is allowed to leave against medical advice and no one calls me? Thats what AMA means, right? Against medical advice.
I believe thats what it means. She didnt know what to say.
Great. And no one thought to hire a real nurse? His voice low as he stared back out the window.
Horses! Momma, look. Horses!
The drive forked. To the left, a couple of large barns, two outbuildings and several pens made what looked like a small resort for horses. A sharp right put them in front of a giant wooden garage door that belonged on a fortress. Rich wood and large wrought iron hinges brought to mind another time and place.
Can we go see the horses? Please, Momma.
Bryce, its raining, and we need to get set up. Besides, the horses are off-limits. You cannot go to the barn area without me. Do you understand?
But, Momma...
Bryce. She lowered her chin and looked at him through the rearview mirror.
Hey, we need to help your mom unpack the car. Well, maybe repack first, then unpack and find out which room is yours.
Oh, I can take care of
Ill be in a different room? Is it far from yours, Momma? Worry filled his young eyes. He had seen too much in his short life, and it was her fault.
Right next to mine. Sleeping together had become their norm since the night Officer Torres had arrested Billy Havender, her last life blunder. No more mistakes. Bryce, itll be okay. Pastor John told me our rooms are connected through a bathroom.
Youre in my sisters room? His Florida Key blues narrowed. How did someone have eyes that blue without contacts? She didnt think he wore them. She hadnt thought about whose room she would be living in. The offer of a salary, plus room and board, had been all shed needed to hear.
Pull up. Ill run inside and open the door. His voice was gruff as he looked away again.
Oh, Pastor John gave me the remote. Digging it out of the console, she hit the button. The left door slid to the other side instead of overhead. As she pulled into the large space, the feeling of crossing the threshold into a special world washed over her. What if she couldnt do the job that was needed? What if they didnt let her stay? She stopped herself. No self-doubt allowed.
The concrete space was large enough to hold three cars along with a workshop. Currently only a large silver Suburban with the ranchs logo sat in the opposite end of the garage. Color-coordinated boxes lined the organized shelves, sorted by shape and size. She skimmed over her car, filled with a hodgepodge of boxes she had saved from the drugstore Dumpster.
Nothing organized or coordinated about her. Maybe she had made a mistake. Taking a deep breath, she studied the most precious thing in her life, the reason shed taken this opportunity. Bryce.
Are you ready for our new adventure, Bryce?
Can I go pet the horses? He blinked. Please?
Tyler opened Bryces door in time to hear the word horses. How about we help your mom get your stuff in the house? Then I can take you to the barns and introduce you to the stars of the Childress family.
Oh, Im not sure thats a good idea. Hes never been around large animals. She didnt want to come across as the No Patrol, but Tyler was making all sorts of promises and probably didnt
realize how serious a five-year-old took his every word.
Bryce started struggling with his seat belt. Another roll of thunder shook the walls.
Hold on, baby. Ill come help. She made her way to the other side of the car.
Her son glared at her. She paused. He had never glared at her before today. They had always been a team.
Im not a baby. I can get out of the car on my own, and Tyler said we could see the horses.
She realized shed embarrassed her son in front of his new hero. Karly glanced at Tyler. He shrugged his shoulders, the wet T-shirt plastered to his skin. He mouthed sorry from behind Bryces back. She put her attention back on her son.
First, you call him Mr. Childress. Second, I know you can get out of the car. I just needed to get my bag so you wont step on it. Third, the horses will have to wait.
Tyler crossed to the other side and started pulling out trash bags full of their clothes. She bit the inside of her cheek.
Do not apologize for your lack of luggage. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Karly Kalakona. Im sure this is the most unique baggage youve seen as a pilot. Her laugh sounded stiff to her own ears. She kept one eye on Bryce as he climbed out of the car, his legs still not at 100 percent.
Youd be surprised. Tylers voice brought her back to him. This looks like the luggage I used when I moved to college. Aunt Cora gave me a matching set, but I took it back to the department store for the cash and used dependable Hefty bags. My mom got so mad. The best part is when youre done you can use them for cleanup and they dont take up any space.