The sound of other guests arriving made Rainy slip from the high stool and reach for Lucas. “Thank you,” she said as Mrs. Wade hurried back to her stove.
“Come on Lucas, we’ll find a table and wait for Mimi and Poppa.”
“Thanks for the bacon, Mrs. Wade.” Lucas shot over his shoulder as he made his way out of the kitchen area and to a table.
In moments the room seemed to fill as guests and crew alike arrived for breakfast. The kitchen staff seemed to flip a switch shifting into high gear as they began to cook and serve the fresh hot food.
“Mind if I join you?”
Rainy looked up into the smiling face of Nathan who stood before her a plate piled with bacon eggs and toast in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other.
“Only if you watch Lucas for a second so I can get my coffee,” she smiled.
“Done.”
“Hi Nat’an,” Lucas grinned. “Are you going to ride the horsies today?”
“Not today buckaroo,” Nate admitted. “I have to do all my chores around the barn and see what else needs doing.”
“I don’t like chores,” the boy said.
“No, they don’t seem like fun do they?” Nathan said. “But they have to be done, and when you do them well you can take pride in that.”
“What’s pride?”
“It’s when you know you did something good.”
“That’s what Mommy says too.”
Nathan smiled, amazed at the boy who sat before him. There were things about Lucas that reminded him of himself at that age. Old photos drifted to mind and he longed to let the boy know who he really was.
“What are you two talking about?” Rainy asked slipping back into her seat and waving as her parents entered the room.
“Chores!” they both echoed at the same time making Nathan laugh.
“Good morning,” Mrs. Smythe greeted Rainy and Lucas, giving Nathan a hard glare. “What’s on the agenda today?
“Anne, Lucas and I are going on the wagon ride. Did you book it?” Rainy looked at her father for confirmation.
“Yes, I think there’s a picnic lunch by the pool. It sounds like it will be fun, and easier on my backside than a saddle.”
“I wouldn’t count on that Mr. Smythe,” Nathan said. “Kade doesn’t always stick to the trails and you can hit a few rough patches. He says it’s more authentic that way.”
“Well, I’m taking a cushion along then. At this rate, I won’t be able to drive home.”
“Morning,” Anne yawned, making her way to the table. “Coffee, please.”
“I’ll get it,” Dana Smythe said shaking her head. “What were you up to so late last night?”
“I found this really good book, and stayed up late reading,” Anne mumbled. “I had to see if the couple ended up together or not.”
***
“You’re sure about this?” Red Dixon asked as he and Nate pitched hay down the chute to the stalls below. “You’ve been praying about it.”
“I’ve been praying all week,” Nathan said. “Through lunch every day.”
Red rested his chin on his hand where it held the top of his pitchfork. “We’re all praying for you as well. You’ve had a pretty big shock, but you aren’t runnin’ from it. Whatever you do, we’ll be praying for you and that little boy.”
“I know my grandmother will be glad to have me back for a while, at least.” Nathan’s smile was weary. “I just don’t know if I’m strong enough for all of this.”
Red walked over placing his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “You aren’t doing this in your strength,” the old man said. “In our weakness, God is strong. He won’t leave you, son.”
“Thanks, Red.”
“Have you told her yet?”
Nathan shuffled nervously, bending his back and pitching a huge fork full of hay. “I’m hoping I can talk to her today. Rainy has been far more gracious than I had a right to expect. She still doesn’t want Lucas to know I’m his father, but I can’t blame her.”
“Have faith, Nate.” Red grinned. “Faith can move mountains.”
“You’ll be alright without me here?” Nate looked up, torn between staying here in this haven and leaving for Iowa in a few weeks.
“I’ll manage,” Red grinned. “We can always find someone to help out around the place. Chase and Kade can put in a few more hours if needed.”
***
“Rainy,” Nate leaned over the table speaking low. “Could we go for a walk after dinner?”
Rainy turned puzzled eyes on him surprised by his question. “Why?”
“I’d like to talk to you privately,” Nathan felt his ears flame.
Rainy looked between Nathan and Lucas, her heart skipping a beat. Was he going to tell her he wanted partial custody? Rainy knew she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t send her boy away from her for even a little while. “Alright,” she managed, taking a large gulp of her iced tea. “Mom, will you watch Lucas for a minute. Nathan and I need to talk.”
Dana Smythe pressed her lips into a hard line. “If you say so,” she growled. “Lucas, come here to Mimi.”
Rainy rose, following Nathan toward the back door, her jaw set. No matter what his reasoning or legal rights, she would fight Nathan on this issue if it came to it. He hadn’t been around for the past five years. She didn’t need him now.
“Rainy, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“You’re not getting custody of my son,” Rainy snapped. “You don’t have that right.”
“No, no.” Nathan turned eyes wide. “I wouldn’t fight you on anything like that. He doesn’t even know who I am.”
Rainy felt herself start to breathe again as all of her anger evaporated, and she stumbled. Strong arms steadied her as her shoulder brushed Nate’s. “I’m sorry,” she stammered.
“I just wanted you to know I’m moving back home.”
Silence fell like a blow and Rainy gaped. “What? Why?”
“Please, just hear me out.” Nathan’s eyes were pleading. “I know I have no right to ask to be a part of Lucas’s life. I left, I gave
