“Rainy, don’t do anything stupid.” Anne walked up and looked down at her friend. “I know that you and Nathan had something special.” She waved her hand, dispelling Rainy’s arguments. “Even in high school, you two clicked. I don’t believe in love at first sight or any of that nonsense, but I do think that some people mesh. You and Nathan were like that until he left. Just don’t let him break your heart again.”
Rainy looked up at her oldest friend, a million questions zinging through her brain. “I won’t,” she assured hugging Anne tight. “I’ll be careful.”
“You girls ready,” Mrs. Smythe pushed the door open. “I’m starving. It’s been a very nice trip, but I’m ready to get home and sleep in my own bed.”
Rainy grinned. “I know what you mean, Mom. There is so much to do when we get home, but this has been a wonderful adventure.”
Mrs. Smythe zipped her daughter a troubled smile. “It will be good to get back home and back to normal,” she uttered, significantly. “We can get home and away from all these distractions.”
Rainy slipped an arm around her mother’s shoulders. She knew the older woman was speaking of Nathan, and she appreciated the mama bear’s protective instinct, but Rainy could handle Nathan. What she wasn’t so sure about was if she could handle living in the same town with the attractive man who spouted the oddest and most confusing things.
His newfound faith, though obviously important to him, didn’t make a bit of sense to her. She had goals and dreams to grow into, and she didn’t see how a distant god had any influence on her life. If there was a creator, he had long since left the world to turn slowly on its own time, ticking away like a clock maker’s perfectly tuned timepiece.
“Anyone know what’s on the menu tonight?” Anne bounced into step behind the Smythe women. “I could gnaw the hind leg off a mule at this point.”
Rainy and Dana Smythe turned a horrified glare on their friend.
“Sorry, I heard one of the old wranglers say it,” Anne blushed. “I thought I would give it a try.”
“Don’t,” both Rainy and Dana echoed.
***
Nathan joined Mr. Smythe at the table after helping him load the luggage into the SUV in preparation to leave.
“Nathan, will you come to visit us sometime?” Lucas asked.
“Sure,” Nathan grinned. “I’ll come the next time I’m in town.”
“Can you bring a pony?”
“No, I can’t bring a pony,” Nathan’s laughter drifted over the table. “They aren’t my ponies.”
“Okay,” Lucas sagged. “You can still come to visit though.”
Nathan looked up as Rainy, her mother, and Anne all walked toward them. Rainy looked radiant in her faded jeans and a baggy shirt. No matter how many times he saw her, he was struck by the beauty that hit him square in the heart.
Maybe the young woman wasn’t the classical beauty some pictured in a novel or holiday movie, but she was stunning in his eyes. To Nathan, Rainy was a natural beauty. She seldom fussed with her appearance, and she didn’t need to. As he watched her, Nathan realized that though he had hardened his heart when he turned away from the mother of his child, he still held love for her.
“Lucas, don’t pester Mr. Nathan,” Rainy said flicking a nervous look at the man. “He has a life too you know and can’t be expected to stop everything to visit.”
Nathan felt the bite of her words to his soul and accepted them. “I’ll do my best,” he said meeting her eyes and willing her to hear the promise in each syllable.
Tonight was their last night together here at the Broken J, and he wanted to keep things light and fun.
The family-style meal arrived and for several moments everyone busied themselves filling their plates with tender pot-roast, bright vegetables, and rolls. “What’s next for you?” Owen Smythe looked up at Nathan expectantly. “I know you have some new plans.” Beside him, Dana gave her husband a hard look but turned her attention to her meal.
“I’m finishing out the month here,” Nathan said, “then I have a few interviews back home.” He was careful not to mention his move, still uncertain what Rainy had told her family. “It’s time I settle in and take responsibility for my life.”
The words hung in the air, a challenge to the doubts, and condemnation of his audience.
“I hope it works out for you,” Owen nodded, his eyes flicking to Rainy then back to his plate. “Life isn’t always easy.”
“No sir,” Nathan agreed. “We all make mistakes, circumstances change, and hard times come, but if we put our faith in the maker of it all, we can find hope.”
The rest of the meal was filled with small talk, chatter about the stay at the ranch, and the long trek ahead. Once coffee and dessert were served, the family stood to go.
“Rainy,” Nathan spoke softly so only she would hear. “This is my number if you need anything.” He handed off a slip of paper, his fingers lingering on hers. “Please, call if you need to.”
Rainy looked down to where their hands met, emotions rolling through her like a storm. She was a fool for letting him have such sway over her, but it was still there. That magnetic connection that drew them together. “Thanks,” she managed, moving away and tucking the note in her pocket. “Good-bye, Nathan.”
Nathan watched Rainy lift, Lucas, on to her hip feeling his heart traipse toward the door with her. He smiled and waved when the little boy looked back with a grin.
“Bye, Nat’an.”
“Well God,” Nathan drawled. “That went better than I expected, so why do I feel like there’s a great big hole inside me?” Turning he headed out the door for the barn and the quiet
