* * *
“Your results will be fine.” Lexie pinned him with a knowing gaze as he shifted on the balance ball the next afternoon. “I can tell you’re nervous. Less focused.”
“I’m fine.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Clint called.
Audrey opened the door, her face white.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Clint stood and walked over to her, managing to stay steady despite his hurried steps.
“Carly was on a FaceTime call with Joel, getting his flight itinerary and ETA. The screen went blank.” Her chin trembled and she clasped a hand over her mouth.
He hugged her. “That doesn’t mean anything’s wrong. Maybe just technical difficulties.”
“I pray so. But we’re talking Afghanistan. Carly’s certain he’s under enemy fire. She’s a mess.”
“When will she know something?”
“Whenever whatever happened gets resolved. It could be an hour, or tomorrow, or days.”
Lexie pushed down the wave of unease rising in her throat and checked her watch. “It’s almost time for school to be out.”
“Carly’s in no shape to pick up the kids. Or just be a mom.”
“Don’t worry.” Lexie slung her purse over her shoulder. “I’ll go get them. Charlee’s at the day care, right?”
“That would be wonderful.” Audrey sighed. “Maybe take them somewhere for an hour.”
“Or all night, if I need to. I’ll just say we’re having an adventure.”
“Your folks won’t mind?” Clint’s mom asked.
“Not at all. I’m supposed to have supper at Larae’s ranch with her and Stacia. They both have kids, so I’ll take Cooper and Charlee there. Is it okay if they ride a pony? She’s really gentle and good with kids. I rode her when I was a kid.”
“They’d love that.” Audrey pushed away from Clint and hugged her. “Thank you so much. We’ll go to Carly’s and keep her company.”
“It’s not a problem. If I need to keep them overnight, I’ll get them where they need to go tomorrow.” She gave Audrey a good squeeze. “I better go, though. You’ll call and let the school and the day care know I’m picking them up.”
“I’m on it.” Clint dug his phone out of his pocket. “Then I’ll call Ted.”
Did he want Ted around at a time like this? Or he knew Audrey needed him. Maybe both. Either way, it was a good sign.
“Take my car.” Audrey handed her the keys. “The kids will recognize it and I have Charlee’s car seat all ready in the back.”
Lexie cut through the kitchen and out the front door.
Five minutes later, she was in the pickup line at the elementary school. Cars inched along in front of her, picking up kids. When she reached a teacher standing on the sidewalk, she rolled her window down and leaned across the passenger’s side to see her.
“I’m Lexie Parker, a family friend of the Morgans. Here for Cooper.”
“ID, please.”
She fished her driver’s license out of her purse, handed it over.
The teacher scrutinized the picture and Lexie, then handed the license back. “Sorry, we can’t be too careful these days. His uncle called about you.”
“I’m glad you’re careful.”
“I’ll go get him.” The teacher smiled. “Be right back.”
As the cars continued inching forward, teachers escorted each child or children to the cars, making sure none of the kids got in harm’s way. Small towns. It was where she wanted to raise kids. If she ever had any.
She caught sight of Cooper led by the teacher she’d spoken with. Once she came to a complete stop, the teacher opened the passenger door and helped Cooper in.
“Is something wrong?” Cooper asked.
“Nope.” She caught the teacher’s gaze. How much had Clint told her? “You know my friend Larae from church. She invited us to her ranch.”
“Can we go in the rodeo arena?” He buckled up.
“Sure. But there won’t be another rodeo until the weekend.”
“I know, but it’ll be cool to check things out anyway.”
With Cooper successfully sidetracked and chattering about the rodeo, she inched along and finally exited the pickup line. A few miles down the road, she repeated the process at the only daycare center in Medina. The teacher there checked her ID as well, then brought Charlee out.
“Aunt Wexie,” Charlee said with glee as the teacher handed her over.
She’d never called her that before. “Hey, sweetie. How was your day?” Reminded her of when Jayda was little.
“Super.”
“I’m so glad.” Lexie buckled the toddler in her car seat. “How would you like to ride a pony?”
“Yay!” Charlee clapped her hands.
“I’m too old to ride a pony,” Cooper huffed.
“Well, maybe you can ride a regular horse, then.”
The teacher waved. “See you tomorrow, Charlee. Cooper, you have fun riding.”
“Thank you,” Lexie said, as the teacher shut the door for her.
“Where’s my mom?” Cooper obviously knew something was up. “Why aren’t you helping Uncle Clint walk?”
“We finished therapy early, so everybody could get busy at the ranch getting ready for your dad to come home. So I thought we’d have some fun.”
“I could have helped.” Cooper pouted.
“I know. But Charlee’s too little to help and I wasn’t sure she’d want to go ride without her big brother. Okay?”
“I guess.”
She wouldn’t be able to sidetrack Cooper for long. He was old enough to know something wasn’t right. Lord, please keep Joel and his unit safe. Give Carly good news. Soon. Let all of the soldiers come home to their families as planned.
Chapter Fourteen
Lexie sat on the porch at Larae’s ranch, sipping lemonade with her two best friends while Cooper rode a horse and Charlee, Jayda and the twins rode ponies, supervised by Lexie’s dad.
“Cooper knows something is up. I don’t know how long I can distract him.”
“You’re doing fine.” Larae patted her hand.
“Thanks for the behind-the-scenes arena tour. He loved it.”
“Anytime.”
“I don’t know if I could be a military wife,” Stacia admitted, pushing off with her foot to set the porch swing swaying again.
“Me, neither.” Lexie closed her eyes. “I can’t imagine how Carly must be feeling.”
“You’re pretty attached to this family. Especially when it comes to Clint.” Larae shot her a knowing smile.
“No, I’m not, at least where he’s concerned. I’m just trying to help them out.”
“You’ve always been a great at that,” Larae reminded her before turning toward Stacia. “Back when my dad had his first stroke and moved in with us in Dallas, Lexie was awesome. Lola, my landlord at the time, was a great babysitter for Jayda, but she and her husband were older. On the weekends, Aunt Lexie would swoop in and whisk Jayda away to Six Flags or the zoo.”
“Like some rock star aunt. I always dreamed of having one of those.” Stacia laughed. “Ready for the new job?”
“Past ready,” Lexie admitted.
“You don’t realize it now.” Larae wagged a finger at her. “But you’ll miss Clint.”
“Will not.”
“Mmm-hmm. You’re still going to the wedding, right?”
“Of course. I think the world of Audrey.”
“What are y’all wearing?” Stacia sipped her lemonade.
“Rance bought me a new pale blue dress. It’s really pretty.”
“To match your eyes.” Stacia set her glass down and began fiddling with the chain links of the swing. “I’m wearing aqua. I get so tir
ed of green just because of my hair, but it’s hard to find colors that don’t make me look pale or weird.”
“Your hair is gorgeous with all those honey and red highlights,” Lexie told Stacia, then turned to watch the kids round the barnyard again with Daddy grinning from ear to ear. “Women pay a fortune to fake your natural color.”
“So what are you wearing, Lexie?” Larae pressed.
“I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Go with that red one you’ve never worn.” Stacia’s tone held a note of longing. “I love red, always wanted to wear it, but it clashes with my hair. You’re gorgeous in red.”
“Thanks.” Lexie traced the condensation on her glass with her finger. “But it’s so flashy. I don’t know why I bought that dress. I’m thinking navy.”
“That’s it, I’m coming over before the wedding.” Larae pointed at her. “You’re wearing the red if I have to tie you up and dress you myself.”
“Have you found an apartment yet?” Stacia changed the subject, in an obvious effort to soothe tensions, the way she always did. Larae and Lexie had been friends to begin with, then Stacia and Larae. As they’d become a threesome, Stacia had fallen into the role of peacemaker.
“I haven’t looked. Mama and Daddy seem so offended every time I mention it.”
“Clint will love you in red.” Larae wouldn’t let it rest.
Lexie rolled her eyes.
“Just admit you’ve got a thing for him,” her best friend prodded. “And besides, in a few days, he won’t be your patient anymore.”
“His brain isn’t a hundred percent and I don’t have a thing for him.”
“You should definitely wear the red.” Stacia winked. “Reel him in.”
“You, too? I can’t believe you’re ganging up on me.”
“Sorry.” Stacia winced. “But I saw the thing in your eyes, too. You like this guy and we just want you to be happy.”
“I’ll make you a deal. If you’ll get a love life, I will, too.”
Stacia laughed. “We’re both doomed, then. With the twins, the store and the ranch, I don’t have time to think. Much less get a love life.” Her tone filled with longing again. “But sometimes I do get lonely. I mean it’s crazy, I’ve got the twins and Dad, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a good Christian man in my life.”
Lexie could be much more specific. She wondered what it would be like to have Clint in her life.
Gravel crunched and a white car came into view.
“Who’s that?” Larae shaded her eyes with her hand.
“Carly.” Lexie stood. “If it was bad news, she wouldn’t be driving. Right? Clint would have called to prepare me. Told me what to do with the kids...”
“Looks like she’s smiling, waving at the kids.”
Lexie blew out a deep breath. “Thank You, Lord.”
Carly parked the car. With a wave to Lexie, she headed for the barn. The passenger-side door opened, and Clint stepped out, then strolled in her direction.
“Yep. He’s got eyes only for you.” Larae waved at him. “See, he didn’t even notice me.”
Stacia grinned. “At least we got your mind sidetracked with all the talk of him.”
“Everything okay?” Lexie asked as soon as he was near enough to hear.
“She got an email from his unit. The internet server was down. All the soldiers are safe and due to be home Thursday, as planned.”
“What a relief!” Lexie pressed a hand to her heart.
“Yes. Carly’s been an emotional wreck. We can’t thank you enough for sparing the kids all that.”
“I enjoyed them, but I’m glad everything’s okay and that y’all came. Cooper was suspicious. I didn’t tell them anything, just kept them distracted.”
“Ladies.” He greeted Larae and Stacia, as an afterthought, then looked toward the barn. Carly was headed to the car with both children. “Looks like we’re leaving. See you tomorrow, Lexie.”
“Bright and early.”
He waved, strolled away.
“And he likes you.” Larae elbowed her.
Stacia chuckled. “A lot.”
“Y’all are impossible.”
Impossible, unless he fully recovered with his memory intact, and no permanent brain damage.
Otherwise, she could only get through the next few days, then the wedding, and hope not to run into him again. While they lived within five minutes of each other and attended the same church.
But no matter how often they saw each other, as long as Clint’s brain was scrambled with his emotions and choices in question, her heart couldn’t go near him.
* * *
The door of the therapy room blasted open and Cooper burst into the room. “Uncle Clint, let’s go fishing!”
“Cooper, I told you to wait until Clint’s finished with therapy.” Carly stopped in the hall, pointed her son toward the door. “Out. Now.”
“It’s okay, we were just finishing up for the day,” Clint told her, pulling the key from the treadmill. He was glad to be done anyway. Though he’d mastered the treadmill, it still took a lot out of him.
“I try to teach him restraint and you give him whatever he wants.” Carly’s gaze narrowed.
“That’s what uncles are for.”
“Can we, Uncle Clint? Can we?”
“I don’t know, ask my boss.” He motioned to Lexie.
“If it’s okay with your mom, I think fishing is just what the doctor ordered.”
“Yay!” Cooper did a fist pump in the air.
“Do I have to take my walker? We’ll ride down to the river in the Mule.”
“Not a mule like a horse,” Cooper clarified. “It’s a cross between a four-wheeler and a golf cart.”
“On steroids,” Clint added, as he managed to step off the treadmill.
“My dad uses one at the ranch where he works and I’d say that’s a pretty accurate description. Hmm.” She tapped her chin with a forefinger, looking way too cute. “If you ride the Mule and take it slow once you get there, the walker can skip the trip.”
“Yay!” Clint mimicked his nephew.
“Can you come too, Lexie?” Cooper asked.
“Um.” She grimaced. “I’m not sure. I don’t like worms. Or fish. Uncooked, anyway. The fish, not the worms. I wouldn’t even like worms if you cooked them.” She did a little shudder.
“I’ll bait your hook and if you catch anything, I’ll get the fish off for you.” He clasped his hands together as if in prayer. “I promise, you won’t have to touch anything slimy. Pleeeeeaaaaase come!”
Clint was torn. With wanting her to go. And wanting to escape her.
She chuckled. “How can I turn down an offer like that?”
“Yay! I like your scrubs.” Cooper’s face scrunched up. “But it’s not Independence Day.”
“Precisely,” she said, gesturing to her navy scrubs sprinkled with heart-shaped flags. “I’m patriotic all the time.”
“Cool. I’ll go get my tackle box.” Cooper darted from the room.
“See if Charlee wants to go, too,” Lexie called after him. “That is if it’s okay with you. I’ll let the guys fish and keep her away from the water.”
“Fine by me.” Carly started to close the door. “Sorry. Finish up and I’ll distract him.”
“It’s okay, we really were finished.” She checked her watch. “Fishing will be good therapy. Fine motor skills, reasoning and hand-eye coordination.”
“Please.” Clint shook his head. “Don’t turn fishing into therapy. It’s about fun. And food.”
“Therapy can be fun.” She shot Carly a wink. “Like jigsaw puzzles.”
“Not that again,” Clint growled. “I’m outta here.”
“I’ll go change, but I have no idea where I’m going, so somebody be
tter wait for me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll wait.” Clint’s gaze caught hers. He’d wait until she wasn’t his therapist. Until his memory came back. If it did, she’d be fair game.
“Be right back.” She scurried out of the room.
As if she couldn’t wait to escape him. So even if he remembered everything and the doctor gave him a clean bill of health, that didn’t mean she was interested. He longed for and dreaded next week. Lexie would be gone from his daily life. A blessing. And torture.
* * *
By the time she’d gone to her car, grabbed her clothes and changed, Cooper had his tackle box and Clint had gathered up several fishing poles.
Why had she agreed to go? At the end of their therapy session, she’d been home free for the evening, with only three days left to work with Clint. Three days left to resist him.
Could she get out of it? Nope. Not without disappointing Cooper.
“Here you go.” Clint held a pole toward her.
Charlee clasped her hand and squealed, “Charlee go fishing!”
“Sorry, guys, I’m out.” She scooped up the adorable toddler. “I’m on Charlee patrol. We’re gonna pick flowers and watch.”
“Oooh. Flowers.”
She rubbed noses with Charlee and got giggles in return. “Every girl needs wildflowers.”
“Okay, let’s pile in the Mule.” Clint opened the garage door, ushering them through.
“I’ve never ridden in a Mule.” A two-seater. “How will we all fit?”
“I’ll ride in the bed,” Cooper volunteered. “I won’t stand up and Charlee can sit in your lap while Uncle Clint drives.”
“Uncle Squint drive.”
“But your doctor said no driving.”
“I don’t think this counts. He meant on the highway, with other traffic.”
“Drive slow,” Carly cautioned.
“I always do when the kiddos are with me.” He climbed in, patting the seat beside him.
Cooper clambered into the bed, sat down and held on to the roll bar. “Come on, Lexie. Let’s go.”
“Why don’t y’all come, too?” Lexie hoped there wasn’t pleading in her tone. “I can walk if you want to ride, Audrey.”
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