More than Exist(34)

Luke turned to me with a grin. “Lucille didn’t tell you?”

I shook my head, indicating that she definitely did not give me a head’s up about Matty sleeping like a log.

“You just have to turn on the little radio next to his bed and give him a few minutes. He’ll get up on his own and find his way to the bathroom. Sorry, I should have mentioned it.”

“That’s okay, at least I know now.”

Luke nodded and brought the steaming mug to his lips.

“I’d like you to come with us this morning, that way if there’s ever a time I can’t get him to the bus, you’ll know the way.”

“Sure, just let me get my things.”

I threw on a hoodie and some tennis shoes, then came back out to find Luke and Matty waiting for me by the door.

“Ready?” Luke asked.

I nodded and followed them out, taking Matty’s offered hand as we walked in the chilly morning air.

Matty chattered happily about what they were going to do in gym class that day as we walked along a cleared path through the trees. It was a beautiful morning, and although I wished it were a little warmer, I was sure it was a lovely way to start each day.

About a half-mile later, we came to a clearing that opened up into the road I’d arrived on.

“The bus will pick him up right here,” Luke explained as we waited.

As if on cue, the large rumbling of the bus proceeded it, then it pulled into view and stopped in front of us.

Luke crouched down and gave Matty a hug and a kiss and said, “Have a good day, bud. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad,” Matty replied sweetly, then he turned to me and said, “See you later, Belle.”

“Bye,” I responded as he walked up the stairs and into the big yellow bus.

We turned and started back the way we came, leaves dry from winter crunching beneath our feet as we walked.

“So, Patricia didn’t really say, what exactly do you on the ranch?” I asked, curious and wanting to know more about him.

Luke bent and picked up a large stick, fiddling with it as we ambled through the woods.

“We raise cattle and breed horses, mostly. Sometimes we’ll run programs like the Adventure Therapy with the rehab center, or offer learning opportunities for camps and special needs foundations.”

“Did you always know that this is what you wanted to do?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Luke answered with a grin. “I’ve been on the back of a horse for as long as I can remember. My Pa never shielded me from life on the ranch. He said it would ultimately be my decision whether I took over for him or not, that the land is either in your blood, or it’s not … It was never a question in my mind, and I think it’s the same for Matty. I have no desire to live in the city, or wake up each morning and put on a suit. It can be a hard life, but it’s a rewarding one.”

“That’s wonderful. It really is. It must have been nice growing up, knowing that you’d always get to do what you love.”

“I’m a lucky man,” was his answer, then he tipped his hat and said, “I’ll see you at supper.”

I watched him for a few moments, then decided it was time for me to get to work. But as I made my way into the big old house, I wondered again how Patricia could walk away from all of this.





Chapter 25





The next couple of weeks I got the routine down. Breakfast with Matty, keeping the house clean and the pantry stocked, and my favorite part of the day: supper. We always ate supper together and enjoyed a walk before Matty went to bed. After Matty was tucked in, Luke and I would often retreat to our own personal space, but sometimes, we watched TV together, or talked.

He favored shows about cops, firefighters, or boxers, whereas I liked the comedies, romances, and fantasies. I usually conceded to Luke’s choice, but sometimes he suffered through one of my shows.

I really enjoyed my talks with Luke, and the time I spent with Matty. I was impressed by how dedicated Matty was to working the ranch after school, and by how hard Luke worked. Sometimes he worked all seven days in the week, but he never complained, or seemed angry or frustrated about his job. It was obvious he loved what he did, and loved his son even more.

My days were busy, but because I had blocks of time where I could take a break, I’d been enjoying learning how to do things for myself.

Sometimes I would read a book, or write in my journal. Others I would do yoga, or Pilates. And, if it was an exceptionally beautiful day, I’d roam the land.

That was my favorite thing to do. There was so much acreage to explore, and it seemed like each time I went off on my own, I found a new little piece of heaven. I’d always been a city girl, born and raised, and that had stayed with me during my marriage to Ricky. We loved the convenience of having everything within a few miles of where we lived, and I thought I’d always want to live in a city, but Hope Heals Ranch was causing a change in me.