“What does that mean for us?”
“I don’t know.” Nathan’s comment was raw. “I’ve been praying about you for a long time. I know God brought you and Lucas to the ranch to force me to find the strength to meet you again. I needed to apologize and step up.”
“But you don’t have to take responsibility for Lucas. You gave up that right when you walked away.”
“I know I did, but I want to do what’s right. No matter what.”
Rainy felt all of her doubts beginning to dissolve under Nathan’s words. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him.
***
“Mom!” Rainy came pounding down the stairs of her lifetime home and rushed into the kitchen. “Mom, can you watch Lucas? I got a call back for that one job, and they want me to come in for another interview in an hour.”
“I’m sorry honey, I can’t. Your father has that eye appointment, and I have to drive. What about Anne?”
“She’s working today.” Rainy scowled. What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t take her son along on an important interview, and if her mother wasn’t able to watch Lucas, she had nowhere else for him to go.
Dana Smythe turned, looking at her daughter, a snide smile on her lips. “Why don’t you call Nathan?” she asked. “If he’s so changed, I’m sure he’ll be glad to come over here and watch Lucas.” Sarcasm dripped from the older woman’s lips.
Rainy met her mother’s gaze, seeing the doubt in her eyes, but the idea was sound. Nathan had told her repeatedly that if she needed anything from him to just ask. “I’ll call him.”
Rainy pulled her phone out of her back pocket, surprised when Nathan answered on the first ring.
“What’s up? Is everything okay?”
“Hi Nathan,” Rainy shot her mother a smug look. “I was wondering if it would be possible for you to come over and watch Lucas for a couple of hours today? I got a call back on an interview, and they want to see me in an hour.”
Silence hung on the line for several long seconds, and Rainy felt her heart start to fail.
“Sure,” Nathan’s voice echoed over the line making her breath again. “What time do you need me?”
“Can you be here in an hour?”
“I’ll see you then.” The phone clicked and Rainy turned to see her mother’s disgruntled face.
“Well, it’s about time he takes some responsibility.”
Rainy was putting her earrings’ on as the doorbell rang and she rushed to the door pulling it open with one hand.
“Right on time,” she grinned. “I hope this hasn’t messed up your day.”
“Nah, I switched shifts with one of the other guys at the feed store. No problem.” His smile was bright and understanding as he reached out and squeezed Rainy’s hand. “Is this your dream job?”
“I don’t know,” Rainy admitted, feeling the butterflies begin to move in her stomach. “It’s a good job, and the offer sounded strong but,” she looked toward Lucas who was pushing himself off of the floor to run to Nathan.
“Hi Nat’an,” the boy yelled racing their way. “What are you doin’ here?”
“I’ve come to watch you while your mommy goes to see about that new job.”
“Oh,” Lucas dropped his eyes. “If Mommy gets the job, will I still see you?”
“Of course you will, Lucas.” Rainy dropped to her knees disregarding the smart crease in her dress pants. “Nathan is your friend.”
“But you said if you get the job I have to go to daycare. When will I see Nathan then?”
“We’ll work out something, little man,” Nathan offered with a grin. “In the meantime, you have me all to yourself for the day.”
“I have to run,” Rainy said. “You have my number if you need anything. There are snacks in the fridge, and he’s already had his nap.”
“Go,” Nathan’s smile was encouraging, “and good luck.”
Rainy slipped out the door as Lucas reached up and took his father’s hand. She was losing her battle against loving Nathan and at this moment she was wondering why she was fighting at all.
“So what should we do while your mom’s away?” Nathan asked, letting Lucas lead him into the quiet house as Rainy closed the door behind her.
***
Rainy let herself into the house through the front door, tossing her jacket on a chair with a sigh. The interview had gone much longer than she expected, and she was exhausted. Job-hunting was grueling, and she was ready for a rest.
“Hello,” she called walking down the hall toward the kitchen and wondering where everyone was.
“Nathan?” Lucas’s voice echoed down the hall as Rainy approached, bringing a smile to her face. “Could you be my daddy?”
The boy’s words froze Rainy to the spot. She knew that Lucas felt the absence of a father, especially with all of his new church friends, but to hear the question hurt. Holding her breath she waited to see what Nathan would say. He had given her his word that he wouldn’t tell Lucas who he was without her permission.
“I would love that,” Nathan replied, “but you have your mama, and she loves you. One day, if God wills, you’ll have a man who loves you with all of his heart to call Daddy.”
The sound of the fridge door opening and closing and the clink of glasses made Rainy creep closer peeking into the kitchen to see Nathan pouring milk to go with a snack of home-baked cookies.
“Can I say da blessing?” Lucas’s voice was so serious that Rainy felt her heart stutter.
“You bet, little man,” Nathan replied taking his seat and reaching for the boy’s hand. “Go right ahead.”
“Dear Jesus, p’ease bless dis snack so I can grow up big and strong like Nathan, and give me the right Daddy. Amen.”
Tears poured down Rainy’s face at her son’s prayer and something seemed to shatter inside her. She felt as if a curtain that had been separating her from the truth had been torn aside, and she could see the light pouring into
