More than Exist(39)

“Jones is an idiot,” Luke said, his gaze sincere. “It’s true, I had Lucille get rid of any and all alcohol that was in the house before you came. You’re just coming out of rehab, and I didn’t want there to be any temptation here for you.”

“But, this is your home,” I argued, mixed feelings of guilt and tenderness warring within me.

Luke leaned against the counter and assured me, “It’s not a hardship, Belle. Would I sometimes come home and have a beer before I went to bed, yes, but I don’t need it, and I haven’t even missed it. Please, don’t even think of it. I haven’t.”

“You’re sure?” I asked as I rounded the island to stand in front of him.

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you,” I said, truly touched. “That’s the sweetest, most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

That said, I rushed into his arms and held him tightly. I breathed in his earthy scent, and let his warmth and strength envelope me.

This time it was the sound of a female voice clearing that had me looking toward the kitchen entrance. Patricia was standing there with a small, knowing smile on her face. I jumped back from Luke so fast he had to hold a hand out to steady me.

Once he was sure I was safe, Luke chuckled, “Hey, Patty, is Matty in the living room?”

“Yeah, he’s climbing all over Jones,” she replied, then let him kiss her on the cheek as they passed each other. She came in, eyes on me, and sat on a stool, while I scurried around to the other side and resumed my food prep. “I’ve been meaning to contact you to see how you were adjusting.”

I looked up and met her curious gaze. Her brown eyes were soft and she seemed pleased, which was confusing to me, so I had to ask, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I didn’t have to explain what I meant, she knew.

“I wasn’t sure you’d take the job if I told you Luke was my ex,” Patricia explained quietly. “I didn’t want you to pass up this opportunity, just because it may be awkward. Of course, I had no idea that you had met each other before. I knew your situation, and I knew Luke’s, and it seemed like a perfect fit at the perfect time.”

“You weren’t worried, about me being here with your son?” I asked, voicing the concern that had been with me for weeks.

Patricia leaned on her forearms and shook her head.

“Not at all,” she assured me. “I don’t know everything about you, but I like what I do know. You fell on hard times and reacted to the death of your husband. That’s totally understandable. I know you aren’t dangerous, and if I thought you were, or that you weren’t strong enough to be here, I wouldn’t have suggested it. I honestly thought you would all be a good fit for each other, and since I can’t be with my son twenty-four seven, I want to have him a strong, caring woman around.”

“I think you’re amazing,” I replied, touched by her kind sentiment.

“I think you’re pretty amazing too,” Patricia said with a smile. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Sure, thanks,” I said moving to the side so she could join me. “I didn’t know you were coming, but I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve missed the company of another woman.”

“Yeah,” she chuckled. “Life on the ranch can be pretty man-centric. Anytime you want to get away, just give me a call. We can meet up for shopping and dinner.”

“I’d really like that.”

“Me too!”





Chapter 28





I was back in the kitchen cooking in bulk. This time for a group of Girl Scouts who were spending the day at the ranch learning about horses. Luke had asked me if I could whip up some easy breakfast and lunch items and serve them to the girls, and the ranch hands that were helping him out.

The weather was getting nice, so I was looking forward to spending the day outside and getting a chance to see Luke in his element.

I’d made a breakfast skillet and put it in warming dishes, along with Luke’s contribution of chorizo beans, lots of chopped fruit, and assorted boxes of cereal, just in case we had some picky eaters.

Luke picked me and the food up in his truck and drove us down to the site. There were picnic tables set up, and a large covered patio with serving tables and a grill. We were keeping lunch simple with hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, and bottled water.

“Here, let me help you with that,” Hank said as he rounded the back of the truck and grabbed some bags out of the bed.

“Thanks.”

“Sure thing, Belle. You just let me know if you need anything, and feel free to use the house whenever you need to,” he said, tilting his head to the main house.