“It’s always been important for Ricky to give back to the community. When he heard there were foster kids in the city who never had the chance to spend time in nature, he made a point of reserving a week every year for them to come. I work closely with a lot of the charities in Denver to find kids who would benefit from the program.”
He might be a lawyer, but it was clear he had a heart. And suddenly, she felt guilty for making so many assumptions about him.
“That’s a great thing to do. I’d like to learn more about it when I return to the ranch. And I...”
Would it seem weird to go back to the part about him wanting her to come to the ranch because they hadn’t had much of a chance to talk the last time? She’d been so hostile, wanting to make her point, and now, seeing this side of him, she had to admit that maybe Ty was one more person she needed to give a chance to.
“I hope we can spend some time together,” she said.
“I’d like that.”
The promise in his voice gave her hope. One more source of support to accept. One more way to open her heart.
And suddenly, that didn’t seem so terrifying anymore.
Chapter Eight
Having Rachel and Katie on the ranch the past few weeks had been a refreshing change for Ty. Yes, there was still the work, but having Rachel and Katie around brought a lightness to things he hadn’t expected. He finished reading the contract for a new supplier and closed his computer. Ty smiled as he leaned back in his chair and looked at the pictures Katie had taped to his wall. Every day she came in with another drawing and a big hug for him.
As if on cue, the door to his office opened and Katie bounded in.
“Ty! Lookit what I made you!” She held up a necklace strung with macaroni painted in various colors.
Rachel followed, looking slightly frazzled. “Sorry. I keep telling her not to interrupt you when you’re working, but you know how she gets. She’s so excited when I pick her up from day camp that it’s hard to keep her contained.”
“It’s no problem,” Ty said, getting up from his desk. “I was just finishing up for the day anyway.”
That was the other benefit of having Rachel and Katie here. In the past he’d find all sorts of excuses to keep working, anything to avoid having to go back to his empty cabin at night. It wasn’t that he’d disliked his life, but until now, he hadn’t realized just how lonely it was.
He accepted the necklace from Katie as he returned the big hug that had become part of his daily routine. “Thanks. I’ll wear it to supper tonight. Are you guys eating with Ricky or did you make other plans?”
The tired expression on Rachel’s face made him wish he hadn’t asked. “I’m just going to have Wanda send up a tray. I didn’t have time for my dialysis this afternoon, so I need to do that.”
She’d made arrangements for a home dialysis machine, which meant she didn’t have to go back to Denver so often, but the treatments often interfered with her ability to participate in activities. Still, having her here was better than her constantly making the drive back and forth.
Even with the treatment, Ty had noticed Rachel’s energy levels waning a lot more lately. Though a number of people had been tested to be donors, so far they hadn’t come up with a viable match.
He closed his eyes and said a brief prayer that God would find her an answer soon. Katie needed her mother. Ricky was becoming deeply attached to them, and Ty...as much as he was trying to keep it professional, he couldn’t not care about her.
When he opened his eyes, they landed directly on one of the flyers from the kidney donation center. Which had been happening a lot lately. No matter where he put them, they always seemed to show up of their own free will in unexpected places.
But they were just papers. Nothing significant.
Still, the dark circles under Rachel’s eyes told him that maybe he should stop waiting around for someone to do something and take action himself. Wasn’t that what he was known for? So why was he so freaked out about this? Other than they would potentially be taking a vital organ out of his body.
But not so vital, since he’d still have a working kidney, and, if they were a match, so would Rachel.
He’d reread the material tonight. But for now there was a more pressing issue he could take care of.
Ty looked back at Rachel and tugged his ear. It was their agreed-upon signal that he was asking if he could take Katie without saying it in front of her and getting her hopes up.
He’d been spending more time with Katie lately, and while it felt good to know that Rachel was letting her guard down, it only made him more concerned for her health.
Rachel shook her head. “Katie is going over to Sam’s in a little while.”
He could tell by the fake excitement in her voice that she wasn’t as excited as she was trying to let on for Katie’s sake.
“Janie says we’re going to make homemade pizza!” Katie’s grin split her face.
“She makes good pizza,” Ty said, smiling at her. “Can I help you guys get ready?”
Katie shook her head. “I’ve got all my stuff together.”
A good thing, since Rachel looked like she was about to collapse on the spot.
“I can take her to Janie’s if you like,” Ty said, knowing she’d probably refuse, but he had to make the offer. Given the way she constantly refused help, not wanting to be a burden,
