***
Nathan pulled a clean shirt over his head, slipped into a warm flannel, and stomped into his boots. He had slept well and was ready for a new day.
Slipping from the bunkhouse on silent feet, he made his way toward the back of the house and the kitchen door. A few minutes of quiet before he had to get to the barn would go a long way to make his morning get off on the right foot.
Striding through the damp grass, he breathed deeply of the fresh, air, lifting his eyes to the amazing sunrise that turned the dew to diamonds, suspended on each blade of grass.
“Lord, that’s quite a show,” the young man grinned, letting the sight fill him with wonder, awe, and grace. “Thank you for this new day.”
Ducking his head he made the turn around the back of the house, taking the steps two at a time.
“Good morning Nate,” Mrs. Wade called making him look up, his jaw dropping as his dark eyes fell on the beauty of a familiar face.
“Rainy,” Nathan gulped, frozen on the top step.
Rainy looked up meeting familiar dark eyes as the air left her lungs. “Nathan,” the word rasped between numb lips. She shivered as if doused in icy water.
“Rainy,” Nathan could barely speak as his eye soaked in the sight of the girl he had left behind. Her hair was longer, her eyes full of shock and surprise, but it was Rainy, and she was even more beautiful than she had been five years ago when he had turned his back on her plight.
“Mommy, who’s that man?” the little boy next to Rainy asked, sliding down the bench to press against his mother’s side.
“An old friend,” Rainy said as bright tears filled her eyes.
Mrs. Wade gathered her plate and slipped back into the kitchen, like a wraith on the wind, leaving Nathan and Rainy staring across the porch at each other.
Lucas pushed closer to his mother feeling the tension in the early morning air. Turning he looked up into her tear-filled eyes and his lower lip quivered. Pushing up to his knees he wrapped his arms around Rainy’s neck burying his face in her shoulder. “It’s okay Mommy, don’t cry.” His little voice sounded confused but steady.
Rainy’s arms wrapped protectively around her son, as her heart shattered all over again. She had never expected to see Nathan again. He had turned his back on her all those years ago, leaving her alone to flounder in fear, confusion, and heartache. She didn’t know if she wanted to rage, weep, or run; instead, she pulled her son close as tears poured down her cheeks.
Nathan’s eyes flickered between Rainy’s damp face, and the tiny form in her arms. He had helped the boy get a cookie yesterday, and his heart twisted at the realization that the little life was part of him.
Lifting his eyes to Rainy’s tear-stained face, Nathan felt his heart shatter as shame washed over him in a bitter wave. He had been a fool to walk away from the beautiful woman sitting at the table.
Rainy felt her chest compress as her eyes took in every memorized feature of the man standing before her. She had loved him. She had given herself to him without reservation, and he had left. What did she say now? Even now she wanted to bundle Lucas into her father’s SUV and run. How could he stand there looking at her so calmly when so much stood between them?
“Rainy.” The name fell from Nathan’s lips as his heart tore. He felt as if he could collapse right there before her, but his knees seemed frozen as the pain in his soul cried out for hope, help, and deliverance. How did he do the right thing now when he had abandoned her before? Sorry wasn’t enough. Nothing he could ever do would be enough to expunge the stain on his soul. His heart was rent once more as the little boy patted his mother’s back and tears filled his big brown eyes.
Nathan knew beyond a doubt he was looking at his son. A boy he had never known.
“I’m sorry,” he croaked, his voice thick with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry.” His legs wobbled as he took a hesitant step toward her, words swirling in his brain as he desperately wanted to show her how he had changed. “I was wrong.” The words fell like a blade between them as Rainy grabbed her son and fled.
Chapter 9
Rainy sat on her bed, legs crossed, and stared across the room while Lucas squirmed down to play with his toys.
How could Nathan be here? What was he doing on the Broken J Dude Ranch? It wasn’t possible. A cold shiver raced down her spine as she replayed the confrontation from moments ago. Nathan, the man she had loved with all of her heart, had appeared out of nowhere, like a ghost from the past.
Outside her room, Rainy could hear other guests beginning to stir, but it didn’t register that a new day had truly begun. She was lost in the past replaying the moments, hours, and days she had spent in Nathan’s arms.
She had only been sixteen when she had first laid eyes on the tall, dark, and handsome man, and Rainy had lost her heart before he had even noticed her. Nathan was fun. He had been full of plans and life, and ambition, all the things that she longed for.
Short, quiet, and artistic, Rainy had never known what to say in a crowd. She had been friends with Anne as far back as kindergarten, but no one noticed her when tall, leggy, blonde, and outgoing Anne was around. Being Anne’s shadow had been fine right up until Rainy had met Nathan. She had loved him, pining away for him for nearly two years before he had finally asked her out.
Wiping the tears
