The Rancher's Redemption

by Myra Johnson

  “Kent—”

  He kissed her then, sweetly and tenderly. Drawing away, he murmured, “That wasn’t meant as an expectation or an assumption. It was my promise as a man who would never hurt you. A man who wants with all his heart to make you happy.”

  She slid her arms around him and nestled against his chest. “Even if I can’t find it within myself to testify against Payne?”

  “Even if,” he said, brushing his lips across the top of her head. “But even though I haven’t known you very long, I know the kind of woman you are. And I know you’ll do what’s right.”

  * * *

  When it came time for Erin to pick up Avery from school, Kent asked her to drop him off at Diana’s Donuts. He figured one of the regulars wouldn’t mind giving him a lift out to his pickup. Besides, after the emotion-packed afternoon he’d just had, strong coffee and a sugary doughnut sounded like the ideal comfort food.

  “Hey, stranger,” Diana greeted as he stepped up to the counter. “I passed your house the other day on the way out to visit my folks. It’s nice to see the old Gilliam homestead looking so good again.”

  “Been putting it off too long.” Kent asked for a black coffee and the last two crullers in Diana’s display case. “Erin’s helping me redo the inside—sooner than I’d planned on, actually.” He explained about the sesquicentennial and his correspondence with Nelson Gilliam’s daughter. “I’m hoping it’ll live up to the old man’s memories.”

  “What a sweet thing for you to do, Kent.” Diana smiled warmly as she handed him his change. “And I’m glad you’re spending more time with Erin—though it’s amazing she has a spare moment these days. More than a few of my customers have mentioned calling on her for redecorating help.”

  “Word’s spread fast since she’s been working at Wanda’s.” Kent’s thoughts returned to Erin’s encounter with Lauren Hall, and his belly tightened. He glanced around the café, wondering if the woman had stayed in town in hopes of changing Erin’s mind.

  He didn’t see Lauren, but he did notice Pastor Terry and his wife at a corner table. With a nod to Diana, he took his coffee and crullers and ambled over. “Hi, Pastor. Excuse me for interrupting.”

  “Kent, good to see you. Have you met my wife, Gwen?”

  “Not officially.” Kent accepted her handshake. “My pleasure. I wonder if I might borrow your husband for a quick word.”

  Gwen Ulbright stood and picked up her mug. “Take my seat. I was just about to ask Diana for a refill.”

  As Kent slid into the chair, Pastor Terry said, “I can see something’s troubling you. What’s on your mind?”

  “I don’t want to break a confidence, but could you say some extra prayers for a friend who’s facing a tough decision?”

  Pastor Terry nodded. “Of course. Actually, I’m glad we ran into each other. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers since our last meeting, and this morning it felt like the Lord pointed me to a Bible verse I should share with you.” The pastor pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Mind if I send it to you in a text?”

  “That’d be fine.” Kent waited while the pastor pushed some buttons on his phone. A minute later, Kent’s phone chimed with the incoming text signal.

  “You can read it later,” Pastor Terry said as his wife returned to the table. “Think on it and we’ll talk more next time we meet. I think we’re still on for Friday afternoon?”

  “Right. See you then.” Thanking the pastor, Kent carried his coffee and crullers to an empty table.

  Curious about the scripture passage, Kent opened the text. The verse was from Isaiah.

  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

  One word repeatedly jumped out at him—through. With all the trials the writer addressed, there was no suggestion of attempting to alter difficult circumstances, no mention of circumventing the problem, no hint of turning tail and running far, far away. The passage read like a clear assumption that troubles were bound to come, but with firm assurance that God would always be there to give strength, courage and protection.

  The words grabbed hold of Kent like something—no, more like Someone—real and alive and powerful. Like the hand of God burrowing into his chest and wrapping around his heart, not to crush it like one of those fairy-tale villains on TV, but with the gently protective care of a loving Father.

  He was glad he had his back to most of the other patrons, because otherwise they were about to see a grown man cry. Leaving his coffee and crullers untouched, he eased away from the table and silently slipped out. With his hat jammed low on his forehead, he took a few steps down the block before remembering he’d left his pickup several miles south of town.

  Great. Way to make a graceful exit, Ritter.

  While he pondered his next move, a silver sedan pulled into an empty parking space in front of him. Lauren Hall stepped from the car, drawing to an abrupt halt as she recognized Kent. The hair and makeup that had been model perfect this morning looked bedraggled now. She must be as emotionally whiplashed as Kent felt at the moment, though he doubted either one of them could compare with what Erin was going through.

  Going through. Those words would forever hold new meaning for him.

  He breathed in slowly before offering a concerned smile. “Wondered if you’d stuck around.”

  “I was planning to stay for as long as it took to convince Erin to testify, but...” A trembling sigh escaped. “It seems unlikely she’ll change her mind, so I was going to grab some coffee before I head back to Dallas.”

  Kent massaged his jaw. “Is there a trial date?”

  “The first Monday of June.”

  A month away. Kent didn’t want to give Lauren false assurance, but he also couldn’t let her leave with no hope at all. “Does Erin know how to reach you?”

  Lauren’s lips flattened. “We never got that far.”

  He pulled out his cell phone. With his contacts app opened, he passed the phone to Lauren. “Give me your info. I’ll keep talking to Erin.”

  “You’d do that?” Doubt creased her forehead. “But you don’t even know me.”

  “I know Erin.”

  Eyes filling, she smiled her thanks, then thumb typed her contact information. Finishing, she pressed the phone into Kent’s hand. “Please, when you see Erin, tell her again how sorry I am for bringing all this up for her. I’d never have asked if I thought there was any other way.”

  “She knows.” Kent tucked the phone into his pocket, then tipped his hat. “Have a safe trip home.”

  As Lauren hurried into Diana’s Donuts, Kent started down the sidewalk, only to be reminded once more that his pickup was still miles away.

  Chapter Twelve

  I know you’ll do what’s right.

  No matter how hard Erin tried to ignore Kent’s parting words from Wednesday, over the next couple of days they whispered through her thoughts again and again.

  She also hadn’t stopped reliving the kiss. With Payne’s kisses, there had typically been an undercurrent of possessiveness, which at first had flattered her—until she came to understand what belonging to Payne Dearborn entailed.

  But Kent’s kiss had made her feel treasured. Appreciated. Respected. There hadn’t been the slightest indication that he expected more. This was a new experience for Erin, and she was still pondering what it meant—what she dared allow it to mean for her future.

  Kent telephoned Thursday and again on Friday, little more than a quick “How are you doing?” and to remind her he’d be around if she felt like talking or needed anything. She might have done well to accept his offer but preferred to get a better grip on her emotions first—and not merely those involving her encounter with Lauren Hall.

  What with
working at the gift shop, visiting a customer’s home to consult about a bedroom makeover and sewing Kent’s curtains, the time went quickly. By the weekend, she had Kent’s kitchen curtains ready to hang, and with Avery pestering her about visiting the new calf, she couldn’t keep putting off a trip out to the ranch. She phoned Kent Saturday morning to arrange a time.

  “I’m here all day,” he said. “Maybe after Avery visits with Prince, we could pack a picnic and saddle up some horses.”

  Erin wasn’t so sure about the horseback ride, but Avery would be thrilled. “How about I bring lunch? I have fixings on hand for chicken salad.”

  “That’s an offer I won’t refuse. See you in an hour or so?”

  “Sounds good.” Thoughts bouncing back to his previous remark, she chuckled. “You’re really calling the calf Prince?”

  “Figured it suited the spoiled-rotten little critter. Y’all won’t believe how much he’s grown in a week.”

  Arriving at the ranch later, Erin had to agree. The calf looked healthy and happy—and definitely spoiled. He practically begged for Avery to come into the stall and pet him, and Kent had to run interference to keep the little guy from knocking Avery over.

  “Can I help give him a bottle of milk?” Avery asked as she snuggled the calf’s neck.

  “He’s only eating twice a day now,” Kent explained, “and he’s already had breakfast.”

  “Then how about supper? Can I feed him his supper?”

  Glancing at Kent, Erin chewed her lip. “Honey, I don’t think we can stay that long.”

  “Let’s play it by ear, okay?” Kent allowed Avery a few more minutes with the calf and then invited them to the house.

  They stopped at Erin’s car for her picnic cooler and the curtains she’d brought. “I hope you like how they turned out.”

  “And I hope you like what I’ve gotten done this week.” Kent wiggled his brows as he relieved her of the cooler. “The old place is looking pretty good.”

  It truly was, Erin observed as she stepped inside the kitchen. She set her canvas tote on the table and pulled out a curtain panel. Unfolding it, she offered one end to Kent. “Here, let’s see how it’s going to look.”

  He stepped behind the table, and together they held the panel across the window. A smile of appreciation spread across his face. “This house is looking more and more like a home every day. Let’s get these curtains hung.”

  Kent had already mounted the hardware Erin had told him he’d need. Erin fed the fabric onto the rods, and then Kent set them in position—a valance and café curtains over the sink, a larger set for the window overlooking the breakfast table and a curtain with tiebacks for the half-glass back door.

  Arms folded, Erin stood in the center of the kitchen to admire the results. “Perfect. Now you just need some homey wall decor.”

  Kent narrowed one eye. “You mean my Zipp’s Hardware calendar isn’t going to cut it?”

  “Uh, no,” Erin said with a smirk. She tapped a finger to her lips. “I might have a few things I haven’t unpacked yet. Or we could look around Wanda’s Wonders next week.”

  “We obviously means you will do the picking, because in case you haven’t noticed, I was born without a decorator gene.”

  Erin laughed, and after the last few days, it felt amazingly good. “Show me what you’ve done with the rest of the house.”

  The downstairs looked pretty much done. Kent had thrown out the dingy living room drapes, which he’d probably need to replace eventually, but the white venetian blinds looked passable now that they’d been cleaned and repaired. Upstairs, Kent had finished painting the two guest rooms and had started on the master. He’d definitely need new curtains for all the bedrooms and a few pretty things for the walls and dresser tops.

  “Get your measuring tape,” Erin instructed, already on her way to the landing. “I’ll get my notebook and then we can talk about—”

  “Erin.” Kent’s tone grew low and insistent, his gaze intense.

  She could guess what he wanted to talk about. Stomach jumping, she forced a bright smile. “Or we can wait and do it after lunch. Are you ready for the picnic?”

  “I am!” Avery piped up. “Which horse do I get to ride?”

  Kent’s eyes shuttered briefly, a silent sigh escaping between tight lips. He sank onto his haunches to tweak Avery’s ponytail. “Your choice, Posey or Petunia. They’re both gentle as can be.”

  “Petunia’s the one with the white on her face that’s shaped like a flower, right?”

  Kent nodded.

  “I pick her.” She looked up at Erin. “So, Mommy, you get Posey. Is that okay?”

  “Sure, honey.” She’d rather skip the horseback ride entirely, but at least this line of conversation had circumvented Kent’s attempt to bring up Lauren Hall’s request. She preferred not to have that discussion at all, and certainly not while Avery remained within earshot. “Shall we get going, then?”

  Returning to the kitchen, she helped Kent move the food from the bulky cooler to an insulated saddlebag. He added bottled water and canned soft drinks, then tossed a rolled-up blanket across his shoulder before leading them out to the barn.

  With the horses saddled and the picnic supplies secured, he found a couple of riding helmets for Erin and Avery. Erin accepted hers with a suspicious frown. “This is all I get? No safety belt? Bubble wrap? Full body armor?”

  Kent’s gaze warmed into an inviting grin. “If it’d make you feel safer, you’re sure welcome to ride double with me.”

  Safer? She seriously doubted it, at least where her emotions were concerned. She drew her shoulders back. “If Avery can do this, I certainly can.”

  “All righty, then.” Kent boosted Erin into the saddle and adjusted her stirrups, then did the same for Avery. After climbing onto Jasmine, he led the procession out of the barn and through a gate into an adjoining pasture.

  Parts of the trail were familiar from Erin’s first encounter with Kent, but this time she actually got to enjoy the view, especially as she began to relax into Posey’s easy gait. The bluebonnets that were such a brilliant blue a month ago had faded, but now winecups, Indian paintbrush, evening primrose and other wildflowers painted the rocky, rolling land in myriad colors. The breeze carried the pungent scent of mountain cedar, along with another aroma not quite so pleasant. Erin wrinkled her nose as they rode past a few head of cattle.

  Riding between her and Avery, Kent snickered. “Big-time cattle ranchers would say that’s the smell of money.”

  “And you?” Erin asked.

  After a long, thoughtful moment, he responded softly, “Contentment. The smell of a good and happy life.”

  She studied him as he gazed out at his herd and saw something in him that hadn’t been there a month ago, at least not to this degree. Though his love for ranching and the Texas Hill Country had been obvious from their first meeting, he did seem more content, more at ease with himself...and with God?

  And just when Erin’s faith seemed to have hit a brick wall. Prayer had come hard the last few days, as if she couldn’t guess why. The times she felt most distant from God were typically when she knew deep down she was trying to escape His will.

  She certainly hadn’t prayed much while dating Payne, or she might have heeded the warning tugs on her heart. Now it wasn’t only Erin who had to live with the consequences of that mistake but also her innocent daughter.

  And Lauren Hall and every other woman Payne Dearborn may end up hurting because you’re too scared to do your part in holding him accountable.

  * * *

  Erin had grown quiet, and Kent could easily imagine the troubling thoughts she wrestled with. When she’d asked about coming out today, he’d hoped he could get her to talk about this thing with Lauren Hall, but all morning long she had doggedly avoided any mention of the case against her ex.

  Up ahead
stood the spreading oak where Kent had first found Erin on his property. She’d definitely chosen an ideal spot to lay out a quilt and enjoy a spring day. He motioned toward the tree. “How about we have our picnic here?”

  Erin’s blue eyes, shaded by the helmet brim, softened in a smile. “Perfect.”

  “This is where I met your mom,” Kent told Avery. “Right under that tree. She was making your birthday basket.”

  “Really?” Avery rose in her stirrups for a better view of the tree and the hillside sloping down to the creek. “It’s so pretty. I wish I could have a tree house and come out here to play every day.”

  “A tree house, eh? Why didn’t I think of that?” Kent chuckled as he climbed down from Jasmine and gathered up Petunia’s reins. “This is a long way from the house, though. You’d have to ride a horse out here to play.”

  “I would love that!”

  “But not by yourself, young lady,” Erin stated. “At least until you’re older—and maybe not even then.”

  Realizing what this conversation implied, Kent exchanged a nervous glance with Erin. A coral blush rose in her cheeks as heat singed his own face. They both quickly looked away.

  “Y’all hungry? I sure am.” He helped Erin and Avery dismount, then passed them the picnic supplies to set out while he secured the horses.

  By the time he finished, Erin had unrolled the blanket on the grass and had started unwrapping sandwiches. “I hope you like rye bread.”

  “I spread the mayonnaise.” Avery handed Kent a pink flowered paper plate and matching napkin.

  “I’m sure you did a fine job.” Kent awkwardly lowered himself onto the blanket—not easy in boots and snug jeans—and held out the plate for one of Erin’s sandwiches. Whatever she used in her chicken salad recipe gave it an enticing aroma, and he almost forgot to wait for Erin to offer grace.

  Then he noticed she’d already started eating. Avery had noticed, too, her eyes growing wide. “Mommy, you forgot to bless the food.”