The Rancher's Texas Match

“I know. I’m just afraid. What if I can’t be the person Colby needs me to be? What if he never gets over being angry? Eleanor Mack and I have discussed this several times. We understand anger and sadness at the loss of his parents, but it seems like the anger is magnified, and we don’t know why.”

Bea poured water in two cups. The fragrant aroma of herbal tea filled the air with hints of cinnamon and clove.

“I would agree with Eleanor. Colby is an especially angry little boy. But give it time. We’ll figure out what is going on. Once we get to the root of the problem, we can start working on making the two of you a family. I know you’re afraid you can’t do this. We all feel that way when we are looking a problem head-on and thinking that this is our future. In time you come to a place where you realize you’ve survived it, and that, through it all, God made you a little stronger.”

“Thanks, Bea. I hope you’re right.”

Bea chuckled, “Haven’t you been told? I’m always right.”

“And if she isn’t, she’ll find a way to convince you she is.” Katie Ellis, in her twenties and receptionist of the boys ranch, entered the room. She got a cup and added a tea bag before pouring water.

“Katie, you know I’m always right.” Bea pushed the sugar jar to the pretty blonde receptionist. “Oh, did I tell you that Pastor Walsh is coming by for Bible study with the boys? He has a new video series he wants to do with them.”

Katie turned a little pink at the mention of the Haven Community Church pastor. “I’ll make sure the meeting room is ready.”

“That would be good. And you might offer to help him out.” Bea grinned as she made the suggestion.

“I would, but I have to do laundry tonight.” Katie headed for the door with her tea. “I’m going to head home. Is there anything else you need?”

“Nothing at all,” Bea called out to her. And then to Macy, “That girl. Pretty as they come and sweet, but she’s never really dated.”

Dating, the last thing Macy wanted to discuss. She smiled and reached into her purse for the information she’d found on the many Avery Culpeppers.

“I found all of this last night. Maybe one of these will be Avery Culpepper, granddaughter. A few of them even live in Texas.”

“You’ve been busy,” Bea said as she looked over the list.

“I don’t have much to do in the evenings.”

Bea looked at her over the top of her glasses. “That’s going to change when we get Colby home to you.”

“I hope so, Bea. I really hope.”

“It’ll happen sooner than you know. I realize the two of you had a rough visit when he tried the weekend pass. But that was a big event, going home for the first time since coming here. There are a lot of memories, a lot he has to deal with. We’ll try another pass soon, but for now we’ll stick with day passes. He might do better with a few hours just to let him get used to being at home with you.”

Macy must have made a face, because Bea patted her hand. “And that will give you a chance to get used to being the mom. He’s going to need you, Macy.”

She nodded, unable to give voice to her concerns. Booted footsteps interrupted the conversation. A moment later Tanner appeared in the kitchen. He was tall and broad-shouldered, ruggedly handsome, and for the better part of the year Macy had lived in Haven, he’d ignored her.

She could think of several reasons. Folks in small towns weren’t always eager to welcome outsiders. Or maybe he didn’t like that she’d made a mess of her relationship with Colby. He was protective of the kids on the ranch. She couldn’t fault him for that.

“Are we having a meeting about our missing alumni?” He cut a path to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup, taking a whiff before adding sugar.

“It’s a couple of hours old, probably a little on the bitter side,” Bea informed him. “And, yes, an impromptu meeting. Macy got the surprise you left in her bag.”

He turned, eyes narrowed as he looked from Bea to Macy. From that look, she knew he hadn’t left the book.

* * *

Tanner leaned against the counter, not sure what to say to the two women who obviously thought he should know what they were talking about. He barely knew Macy Swanson. And he didn’t make a habit of forming relationships with parents of the boys at the ranch. “Surprise?”

Macy pushed a book across the counter. He reached for it and gave it a long look. “Never seen it before.”

She handed him a note with handwriting that definitely wasn’t his. “This was attached.”

He shook his head. “Again, I’ve never seen it before, and that isn’t my writing.”

“But you asked me to read to the boys.” Macy’s voice trailed off at the end, and she took the book back from him. “Who else would have done this?”

“Interesting question. But I just saw Pastor Walsh on the front lawn because he was told the boys want Bible studies on Friday afternoons. That’s the first I’ve heard of that. Not that our boys aren’t good kids, but they don’t typically reach out to the local pastor wanting more church. More often than not, they complain about Sunday and Wednesday services.”

Bea rubbed a finger across her chin and hmm’ed. “You know, I got a note next to my phone, like someone had left a message after talking to Pastor Walsh. It said he was interested in spending more time here with the boys and thought that perhaps Katie Ellis could help lead a Bible study with the boys. Of course I called him and asked when he’d like to do this.”

“And here I was going to blame you, Bea.” Tanner sat down next to the older woman.

“Well, it wasn’t me, Tanner.” She gave him an arch look over the top of her glasses.

He winked at Bea and then glanced at Macy. She sat with her gaze lowered, focusing on the book and not on him.

That gave him a few seconds to study the woman sitting across from him. A curtain of blond hair fell forward, slightly hiding her expression. She was slim and graceful; even her hands seemed delicate. Delicate but capable.

He cleared his throat and cleared the thoughts from his mind. “But now that you have the book, are you interested in reading to the boys? I’ve lost track of the ages, but I think we have several under the age of ten who would enjoy a little quality time with you. Colby being one of them.”

“I’ll read to the boys. We’ll combine reading with a lesson on how to use the library, and they can also help me start packing it up.”

Bea clapped her hands together and shot him a beaming smile. “That sounds like a great idea. And I think this will give you some real quality time with Colby. He does love your stories. He talks about them, you know.”

Macy’s expression changed, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. “He always seems to draw back just as I think we’re getting closer.”

“Maybe he’s afraid of getting close?” Tanner offered. “I remember when we first came to Aunt May. We’d been on our own, and suddenly there was this woman wanting to be involved in every moment of our lives. It wasn’t easy to let her in.”

“But he wasn’t used to being on his own. He had parents who loved him and cared for him.”

Bea sighed at the reminder.

“Yes, and then they were gone and you were there trying to fill their shoes. It hasn’t been easy for either of you,” Bea said, her arm around Macy’s shoulders. “Now, Tanner, what brings you to the ranch this late in the day?”

“I wanted to arrange for the group of us looking for the lost residents to meet for dinner tomorrow evening at the steak house. I’m buying. We can look at any notes we’ve found and see what we need to do next.”

“What time?”

“Six okay for everyone?”

“That sounds good,” Bea said as she gathered their cups.

Tanner headed for the door, but then he remembered one other item on his list. “Oh, I forgot something.”

Bea set the cups back down on the counter. “What is it?”