Tears sprang to her eyes. She hadn’t considered the impact of her illness on others, except for Katie. Dan, too, understood how important this was for Katie, and she wished she could go back in time to that first Thanksgiving she spent alone, when Dan and Brenda had done everything they could to try talking her into going to their house, but she’d adamantly refused.
She thought about the warm community in Columbine Springs, and how they’d all come around her, but the real relationship had developed because she’d chosen to open up to Janie. She’d found a friend because she’d taken a chance, and maybe, if she’d taken more chances, her life might not be so lonely.
Ty’s image sprang to mind as she realized just how much she’d done to push everyone out of her life. She hadn’t given him a real chance, even though he had been trying to make up for how badly he’d treated her when she’d first arrived. Every time she felt herself softening toward him, she’d found a reason to shove him away.
Even now, as part of her wanted to point out the fact that Ty’s interference here with her job was one more reason she couldn’t trust him because of how controlling he was, a tiny voice inside her suggested that perhaps it was because Ty cared. Even though she also didn’t like Ricky’s interference, she’d already accepted it with the realization that he was only trying to keep her, the granddaughter he’d just found, alive. But she wasn’t attracted to Ricky.
And maybe that was the real problem.
It had been so long since she’d been attracted to anyone that the thought of potentially giving her heart away and getting hurt again was too much to bear. She’d spent the past few years doing everything she could to keep from getting hurt, and now, because of it, she’d almost missed out on the opportunity to potentially find someone who could donate a kidney to her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, hoping Dan could hear the sincerity in her voice. “I didn’t realize until now how much I’ve been shutting everyone out. And you’re right—highlighting my need for a kidney just might give someone else the chance at life. I was so busy worrying about myself that I didn’t think about others. I’ll do better in the future.”
Dan nodded. “We’re going to make sure that you have a future. So tell me more about the ranch, so I can call Ricky with an answer.”
As Rachel told him about the ranch and her plans for it, she realized that in a very short time, she had fallen in love with it. She could understand Ricky’s passion for preserving it for future generations. And, as she remembered Ty’s interactions with Katie on their hike and how gentle he’d been with her at church, she could even understand why Ty would work so hard to protect it.
Ty wasn’t like Chris, controlling things for the sake of control. Ty worked to control the ranch because of how deeply he loved it. It didn’t mean that she had to jump in and give him full access to her heart, but it did mean that she could give him a break.
“If you don’t mind,” Rachel said, “I’d like to call Ricky myself. I know his heart was in the right place, getting you on his side, but I think it’s important we set some boundaries. I’m glad things are out in the open, and it’s good to know people are on my side. But both Ricky and Ty overstepped, and they need to know that it won’t be tolerated in the future. I don’t want anyone going behind my back.”
Dan nodded thoughtfully. “I hope you know that no one had any malicious intent here.”
“I do. And that’s why I’m interested in Ricky’s offer. I hated coming home, but it was necessary, both for work and my treatment. I’ll need to speak with my doctors to see how going back and forth to Columbine Springs will affect my treatment, so I will need to come back to town occasionally. I can stop by the office on those days.”
Already, she was thinking about how she could adapt her plans to make this work. Her doctor had told her that she’d be a good candidate for home dialysis, but she hadn’t explored it beyond looking at the literature she’d been given. She didn’t want to have a bunch of equipment at home that would scare Katie. But maybe, just like she should have opened up to others sooner, she needed to tell her daughter what was going on.
She’d avoided telling Katie about her illness, just like she’d avoided figuring out legal options to protect her daughter when she died, because of her fears. She’d once said that after Chris died, he would never control her again. But the truth was, the constant fear she carried was just his way of controlling her from the grave. She didn’t have to be afraid anymore.
“I don’t want you pushing yourself too hard,” Dan said. “As I’ve told you before, your health is my number-one priority. Yes, I’m in business to make money, but what good is money if it’s gained at the expense of those who have helped you along the way?”
In some ways, Dan sounded a lot like Ricky.
They discussed further plans about how to handle the transition of Rachel working from home or the ranch, and it was surprisingly simple. While Rachel did have a lot of meetings, they often did video chats with clients across the country. There was no reason why Rachel couldn’t call in to those chats, as well.
But that left just one more item on the list.
Rachel picked up the phone and dialed Ty’s number.
“When can we expect you?” Ty asked without even greeting her.
Rachel laughed. “A little presumptive of
