Count On Me: Baytown Boys

by Maryann Jordan

  Her gaze dropped to his legs before she lifted her eyes back to his. “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you to run.”

  “I got used to it pretty quickly.” He held her gaze, an awkward silence settling. He suddenly blurted, “How were your sales?”

  Relief flooded her face. “Great! Would you believe that I sold everything I brought with me?”

  They walked side-by-side away from the crowd, and he stopped. His smile beamed as he said, “That’s great, Lizzie. How did this compare to the farmers’ market?”

  “Oh, my God, Scott. I sold three to four times more than I ever did at the market. It made me realize that I need to look for other avenues of selling besides just there.”

  He glanced over his shoulder before turning back and saying, “Listen, I need to go over to my vehicle. Can I meet you somewhere later?”

  Her brow furrowed as she asked, “Do you need to get something?”

  Hesitating for a few seconds, he swiped his hand over his face before pointing downward. “Honestly? I’m going to change my prosthetic. This is great for running but not good for walking.”

  “Oh.” Her gaze dropped to his blade. “Um... can I walk with you?”

  His smile widened and the tension in his shoulders seemed to relax. “I’d like that.”

  They walked side-by-side, and Scott was uncertain what had him more out of breath… running 10K or seeing Lizzie’s easy acceptance of his amputation.

  Her head inclined toward his prosthetic, and she said, “I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but when I look at the unusual design, I can’t imagine how you run on it.”

  He never minded people asking questions as long as they seemed genuinely interested and not morbidly curious. “The way it’s designed, it gives the body spring. It simulates a calf and an ankle. But, for it to work best, it needs the balance and speed of a run. That’s why it’s not very good for walking.”

  They reached his SUV and he unlocked the passenger door. Glancing to the side, he said, “If you give me a moment, I’ll change prosthetics.”

  She nodded and moved around to the front of the SUV, giving him privacy. He had no problem changing the prosthetic in front of the guys. And while she had not seemed as though she would be embarrassed, he hated the idea of her seeing his stump now. Quickly removing the carbon fiber blade prosthetic, he slid on the pads and socks over his stump and attached his walking prosthetic. He had considered pulling on sweatpants, but the day was warm, and he preferred staying in his shorts. Glancing up, he caught her staring at him from a distance, smiling.

  Making sure his SUV was locked after he slammed the door, he walked over.

  With her head tilted, she asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Well, the race was long, and I’m a little out of breath. But I’m in pretty good shape, so it wasn’t too bad.”

  She shook her head. “That’s not what I’m asking about, Scott. Are you okay with me seeing your prosthetic?”

  Shrugging, he replied, “I know it’s not visible when I wear my work clothes and long pants. But lots of people have seen it. I tend to wear shorts when I’m coaching the kids’ ball games, so most of the people around here are used to seeing this one.”

  “Papa Beau never mentioned it, not that he would need to, so I didn’t know.”

  She suddenly blushed and looked down, and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel embarrassed. With his knuckle, he gently lifted her chin, holding her gaze. “I lost my leg in Afghanistan, Lizzie. But I’m lucky. I came home. I also lost some of my friends, who never had a chance.”

  He wondered if he should have said that when her eyes filled with tears. “Lizzie, I’m so—”

  Shaking her head, she spoke, her voice raspy. “Scott, I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. I can’t even imagine.”

  “I shouldn’t have mentioned it, though,” he said, stepping closer. “Your grief is still too fresh to take on anyone else’s.” The rest of the people at the fairgrounds faded into the distance as he continued to stare into her watery eyes.

  She swallowed deeply, still shaking her head. “No, I’m glad you shared. I’m just embarrassed, that’s all.”

  “Embarrassed?”

  Her gaze left his, shifting to the side as she seemed to struggle with her emotions. His hands moved to her shoulders, gently squeezing, giving her time to pull her thoughts together.

  She opened and closed her mouth several times before finally lifting her gaze back to him. “I’m not sure why, but I assumed you had had an easy life with things just given to you. That was foolish, and I’m sorry.” Sighing heavily, she shook her head again. “I’m really not like that. Or, at least, I didn’t used to be.”

  His fingers kneaded her shoulders, trying to relieve the tension he felt in her body. “Lizzie, there’s nothing to forgive. But if it makes you feel better, then we can start over.” Stepping back a foot, he lifted his hand and said, “You must be Lizzie, Beau’s granddaughter. I’m Scott… a friend.”

  She quickly wiped away the moisture under her eyes and sucked in her lips. Finally, giving way to the laughter, she took his hand in her own. “It’s nice to meet you, Scott. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”

  The feel of her fingers, warm in his hand, moved through him, and he wanted to pull her close, wrapping his arms around her body. Before he had a chance to act on his desires, they were surrounded by others. American Legion members were congratulating him on the organization of the fundraising race, Lizzie’s new friends were checking on her sales, and invitations to join the picnic were abounding.

  He managed to sit next to her while they ate, but soon his duties interrupted his time with her as he made sure the fairgrounds were left in the same state as he found them. By the time the legionnaires were finished with cleaning up, the parking lot was almost empty, and he noted her truck was gone.

  Disappointment filled him, but he knew her animals had to be fed and cared for. Driving home, he hummed along with the radio, formulating his next plan. The plan that involved getting to know Lizzie even better.

  13

  A week later, Scott came in from his morning run, sweat dripping off of his body but anxious to get showered and on with his day. He and Lizzie had exchanged a few texts during the week, but since she had sold out of all of her lotion and soap, she was on a mission to replace her depleted stock, working late at night. Knowing her schedule left little time for the possibility of a date, he discerned a new way to spend time with her.

  Met at the door by Rufus, he scratched his dog’s ears, then said, “Boy, you’re going to have some fun today.” Glad to have a Saturday that did not involve an AL ballgame to coach, he could not wait to get out to the farm to surprise Lizzie.

  Rufus had made his way into Scott’s bedroom and now sniffed his boots. Laughing, he said, “If you weren’t going with me today, you’d really be sniffing my boots when I got home.” Grabbing his phone and wallet, he patted his thigh and said, “Come on, boy, let’s go.”

  Rufus jumped into the cab of his SUV, and it did not take long before they were pulling into Lizzie’s drive next to the large Weston Farms sign. As he drove toward the house, he suddenly wondered if showing up unexpectedly was a good plan. An inkling of concern that she might not be happy to see him oozed through his mind, but before he could turn around, he saw her at the back end of her pickup truck, hauling large bags, struggling under the load.

  Rufus began barking, and Lizzie stumbled as she turned too quickly, dropping the bag back onto the tailgate as she stared at the source of the noise.

  Dusty jeans, T-shirt covered by a short-sleeve plaid blouse, hair in a long braid down her back, and ball cap on her head. He grinned as he climbed from the truck, stalking toward her, thinking, Absolutely fucking gorgeous.

  Rufus ran around, and Scott called him back, making the dog walk at his side. “Good morning!” he called out.

  Lizzie stared, her gaze going from him down to the dog and b
ack up again before her lips curved into a smile. “Uh… good morning. What are you doing here?”

  “I had a free Saturday morning. I thought you could use some help, and I also thought that I need to have more of an idea of how the farm works to help you with your business plan.” Her mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came forth. Jumping into the silent breach, he stepped closer. “And, Lizzie, I really just wanted to see you again.”

  She snapped her mouth closed at that, and he saw her cheeks grow rosy, more from blush than the sun. Her gaze moved back down to the dog at his side. “This is Rufus. He’s a shelter dog that I rescued, but sweet as can be. I promise he’ll be good with the animals.”

  Rufus sniffed her hand and quivered with excitement. She looked concerned as she rubbed his head and scratched his ears. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do you think he’ll be okay out here?”

  “Why?” Scott asked. “Is it because he only has three legs?” He watched as she nibbled on her bottom lip and added, “I promise I wouldn’t have brought him if I didn’t think he’d be great. And believe me, this dog can do anything that a four-legged dog can do.”

  Smiling, she nodded her agreement. She stuck her chin out slightly as she peered up at him. “So, you want to spend some time on the farm?”

  “Absolutely. Just show me what needs to be done, and as we go about your chores, you can tell me about how things run.”

  She looked around in uncertainty, then said, “Well, I was hauling the bags of feed into the barn. I made a run to the feed store this morning.”

  Knowing her day began early, he wanted to help as much as he could. Moving to the back of her old farm truck, he hefted a bag of feed easily onto his shoulder and said, “Just point the way, ma’am.”

  Her bottom lip trapped between her teeth, she crinkled her nose as she dropped her gaze to his jean-covered legs. Not giving her a chance to become embarrassed, he said, “Lizzie, don’t worry. I’m just like Rufus… I can do anything that a two-legged man can do.”

  Holding his gaze for another moment as though pondering the veracity of his statement, she nodded and showed him where she kept the bags of feed. “I have to keep them in here and locked up,” she said, indicating the metal bin inside the barn. “I can’t afford to have the feed eaten by snakes or mice, and I certainly don’t want the animals to get into it.” Looking around, she added, “The barn is in good shape, but it could use a few repairs. And I know before I have people come to the farm, it really should be painted.” Shrugging, she sighed. “I suppose I need to add that to my list of things to do.”

  He looked around and could see there were several boards that needed to be replaced, but the barn overall looked sturdy. Scott was sure that if Beau was still alive, he would have taken care of it. It did not take long for him to get all the bags put away, and he turned, seeing her beam.

  “Wow, that was fast!”

  “These bags weren’t that heavy. My rucksack in the Army was much heavier, and we ran for miles with it.”

  “Until recently, I had no idea you were in the military. I mean, I guess I should since you belong to the American Legion, but it just never really hit me.” Her face softened as she added, “No wonder Papa Beau bonded with you. He used to love talking about his days in the Army and always enjoyed swapping stories with others.”

  “I enjoyed his company as well.” Wanting to keep the mood lighter, he grinned while rubbing his hands together and said, “What’s next on the farm?”

  Grinning, she said, “How would you like to meet my goats?”

  They started off in the small pasture where the baby goats were frolicking around, jumping and skipping over rocks and stumps. Rufus followed them in, and, obeying Scott, laid down on the grass and allowed the goat kids to come near him. Quivering with excitement again, Rufus sniffed them, standing when a few of the small goats decided that he was something they could hop onto.

  Moving into the larger pasture where the adult goats were, Lizzie explained her daily schedule with the animals.

  “Do you have to shear them?” he asked.

  Shaking her head, she said, “Generally, goats raised for milk or meat do not have the kind of fleece that needs to be shorn. I’ll do that for the alpacas.”

  Once inside the goat pasture, she was pointing out her milking goats when, without warning, Scott was butted from behind and his body flew forward. He barely got his hands up in time to keep his head from smashing on the ground. Lying flat on his stomach on the grass, he gasped as the wind had been knocked out of his lungs. “What the fuck?” he cursed, trying to see what had hit him.

  “No! Charlie!” Lizzie yelled.

  As Scott gathered his wits, he maneuvered to stand, still trying to figure out what the hell hit him. Lizzie had grabbed one of the larger goats by the horns and was dragging him to the side. Giving the goat a shove, she managed to get Charlie over to the other side of the pasture.

  Turning back to him, Lizzie’s eyes were wide as she apologized, “Oh, my God, Scott, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I forgot to warn you that goats will headbutt. I’ve got most of my goats trained, but Charlie wanted attention.”

  “Attention? I’ll give that fucker attention,” Scott said, only half-joking, dusting off his jeans.

  She rushed closer, bending to wipe off his jeans as well, but he captured her hands in his. “I’m fine,” he assured. Standing, he kept her hands in his and peered down into her eyes. Wanting to kiss her, he watched as concern mixed with horror filled her eyes.

  “I can’t believe you could’ve gotten hurt here.” She blinked away the gathering tears.

  Giving her hands a little shake, he repeated, “Lizzie, I’m fine. Believe me, I fell a lot more and a lot harder when I was learning how to walk again and certainly learning how to run.”

  She swallowed, her throat working as though it was difficult, and slowly shook her head. “How can I think about having people come and be with the animals if somebody could get hurt?”

  Always wearing her emotions out for anyone to see, Scott wanted to erase all of her doubts and worries. “That’s why we’re going to have insurance and talk to a lawyer. We’ll make sure we have everything in place to make everyone safe before we let people come. And if that means the children are only with the baby goats, then that’s fine. You can even have feeding stations so that people can feed or pet the adult goats through the fence.”

  Wide blue eyes looked up at him, and she slowly nodded. “Yeah, that might work.”

  Determined to lighten the mood, he said, “So, think of it this way. It’s good that it happened this morning because now we know of something we need to plan for. So, Charlie deciding to send me on my way was a good thing, even if my pride took a hit.”

  Mirth slowly took the place of concern in her eyes just before she began to giggle. Like watching a flower bloom, her face was transformed into outer beauty as her laughter took over, and she threw her head back, letting the emotion pour from her.

  Wiping her eyes as she tried to control her laughter, she gasped, “I’m… sorry. I shouldn’t… laugh, but… you looked so funny… flying through the air.”

  Her hilarity was so infectious he could not help but laugh as well. Finally gaining control, they stood hand-in-hand, smiling at each other.

  Swallowing deeply, she said, “I truly am sorry that Charlie butted you, but it felt so good to laugh. I don’t think I’ve done that in weeks.”

  Smiling, he lifted her chin with his knuckle. “You can always count on me, even if it’s just for a laugh.” He began to lean toward her, the idea of kissing her taking over his thoughts, when Rufus began barking, anxious to get in on the action.

  Lizzie blushed and stepped back. “Um... I guess we’d better finish our morning chores.”

  Scott followed as she walked back toward the barn. Bending to rub Rufus’ head, he whispered to his dog, “Stop cutting in on my action, boy. And for fuck’s sake, stop being a cockblocker.”

 
; 14

  Lizzie tried to still her nerves as Scott drove them in his truck to The Diner. They had continued to work and talk about the farm until lunchtime. She invited him in for lunch, but he insisted that he take her out.

  He had followed her into the house where she showed him the downstairs bathroom where he could wash. Leaving him on the first floor, she bounded up the stairs to her bathroom where she quickly washed her hands and face and re-brushed and braided her hair. Pulling off her plaid work shirt, she jerked a clean T-shirt from a drawer and pulled it on.

  Trying not to appear as though she were anxious, she slowed her steps as she walked back downstairs. Noticing he had put on a clean T-shirt as well, she lifted an eyebrow in surprise.

  He simply shrugged. “I brought an extra one in the truck. I was hoping I could take you out for lunch.”

  The way he said it made it seem like a date, but she pushed that thought to the side, knowing they were just going as friends. The morning had passed quickly, and she had enjoyed his company. She missed so many things about her grandfather and one of those was his conversation.

  Now, pulling into the parking lot of The Diner, she sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly as he walked around and helped her down from the passenger side. The parking lot was crowded, and she wondered if there would be anybody inside that she knew.

  She loved the feel of his hand resting on her lower back as they entered the diner, the bell over the door ringing. Carrie looked up, her gaze jumping between Lizzie and Scott, and a wide smile split her face.

  As expected, Joe was in the kitchen and threw his hand up in a wave. Mavis’ smile was almost as big as Carrie’s as she pointed toward a table and said, “Y’all go ahead and have a seat.”

  All of the booths were occupied, and it did not pass Lizzie’s notice that as they sat down at one of the tables, they were in full view of everyone there. What if they think this is a date? People are going to wonder why he’s out with me.