“I’ve been afraid to go back because of the memories of Patty. I thought I couldn’t deal with it. But these past few weeks of bein’ without you were just as bad. I realized before I came after you I had never dealt with my grief. I closed myself off from everyone, and I was angry with God. When you came to the ranch, and Susie loved you so, I thought I’d finally gotten rid of my last tie to Patty. I was glad I didn’t have to take care of Susie. It didn’t take me long to realize you were special, but I refused to care for you. So I chose to stay with Veronica because she was the complete opposite of you. I thought I wanted a relationship with someone who’d expect nothing from me emotionally.” Rex took a sip of his cola.
“You don’t have to run from your pain.” Cora rubbed the scars on her wrists.
Rex ran his fingers through his hair. “I know now that when you run and hide, the problem only gets worse. I need to move back home so I can deal with the pain of losin’ her, if there’s any left inside me.”
“I think I’ve finally come to terms with Clark’s death. Some questions will never be answered, so I have to let them rest.” She paused. “I guess I could stay at the ranch. But if I stay there, Susie won’t understand why I’m not her caregiver any longer. I don’t mind at all spending time with her. I love going to the library and teaching her to read. Are you sure you wouldn’t want me to continue to be her nanny?”
“Absolutely not. I want you to go home with me and be free to do whatever it is you’d like to do. If you’re carin’ for Susie all of the time, you’ll not have the chance to...I want you to enjoy yourself.”
“I’d love to read a book or two, learn some more about the ranch, and maybe even find a new hobby.” Shivers rushed up Cora’s spine.
After their talk in the park, Cora showed Rex her old schools and her favorite hangouts from high school. There wasn’t enough time for Anne and her other friends to meet him, but maybe that would happen on their next visit. They ate lunch and shopped for a while but stayed away from the tourist shops, though Rex did buy a hermit crab for Susie.
“Let’s head home, but let’s drive by your hotel first and check out. There’s no reason for you to stay there when you’ll have to come pick me up in the morning.”
Chapter 15
That evening the conversation between the two generations never stopped. Cora grinned the entire time. Rex’s eyes sparkled when he snorted at Dad’s jokes. Cora marveled at Dad’s light-hearted nature—something new for him. Mom stared at Rex throughout the meal and listened to his every word. He answered questions in a polite Southern drawl.
As Cora watched the ease with which Mom and Dad interacted with Rex, her mind drifted. It would be awesome if Mom was her birth mother, and they hadn’t kept the secret from her. And even better if she could know more about her real mother. But she’d have to be content with the way things were. Surely someday they’d tell her more.
At eleven o’clock, everyone retired for the night. Rex stayed in the guestroom down the hall from Cora’s room. Once Cora got dressed for bed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth, she called Anne to say her good-byes. She tossed and turned all night—staring at the clock every fifteen minutes or so, fighting with her pajamas and sheets, knowing Rex was so close….
* * *
Cora and Rex prepared to head to the airport. She fidgeted all throughout breakfast over leaving. The last time she’d departed from Mom and Dad was when she’d left with Clark. This time she was doing the right thing, but butterflies still fluttered in her stomach.
“Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad. I’ll miss you.” Cora squeezed them as they stood by the front door.
“We’ll miss you, too, Cora.” Dad shook Rex’s hand as he smiled at Cora. “Rex, it was great meeting you. You’re a good man.”
“Thank you, sir. It was a pleasure meetin’ you both.” He tipped his hat to Mom.
“I’m so glad you came home, and we had this time together.” Mom wiped tears from her eyes. She leaned up and gave Rex a peck on the cheek.
“Me too,” Cora said. “I love you both.”
“I love you, Cora.” Mom squeezed her again. “And Rex, you take care of my girl, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure will.”
“I love you too.” Dad sniffled then grabbed her for one last hug.
As Rex pulled out of the Sinclairs’ driveway in the rental truck, Cora waved good-bye. She smiled bravely, but a tear still slid down her cheek.
“Are you okay?” Rex asked gently.
“Yes.” She wiped the tears away. “I guess I’m realizing how much I’ll miss them. I never thought I’d hear myself say that, but it’s true now. This is so different from the last time I left.”
“I’m real proud of you. You’ve grown up since you’ve been home.”
Cora frowned. “What do you mean? Should I take that to mean I was childish before?”
“Not at all. I mean you’ve been through a lot of junk in a very short time. Then, on top of everything, to go home to your parents, seeking comfort and support, only to find out all that you did. That only added to your pain. You’ve been through a growin’-up time without realizing it. You came out on top. You should be pleased with yourself.” Rex grinned.
Her brows relaxed. “Thanks for that. I give God all of the credit, though. He’s been doing a lot of work on me. I guess I have grown. I learned to accept my parents as they are, and to love them no matter what. I would’ve done that a long time ago, had I been able to see the future.”
“Sometimes it takes a major blow to make us realize what we have. At least you didn’t lose one of your parents to death. You still have a chance to start over with them.”
“I know. I’m thankful for second chances. Really thankful.” Cora giggled at Rex and placed her arm around his neck.
“What do ya think about skippin’ the whole airport scene?” He glanced over at her.
“What do you mean?”
“We could drive home in less time just about than it’d take us to get on the plane, wait, land, and drive to the ranch.”
“If you’re up for driving, it sounds great to me.”
“Okay. Let’s gas up then.”
“What about the truck?”
“We can return it when we get home.”
To start their road trip, Cora and Rex got a large fry and two chocolate shakes. Rex turned up the country music on the radio and sang like a lonesome cowboy, emphasizing the howling and yodeling at the end of each line.
Cora giggled until her side ached, seeing yet another facet of Rex’s personality. “I think I’ve got a slow-talking cowboy on my hands, just like that Loretta Lynn song we heard the other day.”
“If you’re goin’ to say it, say it right…slow-talkin’ cowboy.”
“So, I have to leave the g off the end of the word?”
“Yep.”
Cora clapped her hands like a child. “I’m so excited about getting back to Georgia and spending more time with you.”
“I’m glad you’re comin’ back with me. I’m not lookin’ forward to goin’ back to work, though. It’s gonna be hard to concentrate with you there.”
“I’m sorry.” Cora teased. “I can stay away from you, if you want me to.”
“No way! We’ll have the time change soon, and it will be dark earlier so our days will be shorter on the ranch. That gives me more time to spend with you in the evenins’.”
“Yay!”
“One problem is that it rains so much this time of year. We have to really watch the horses so they don’t colic.” Rex put on the blinker and changed lanes to get out from behind an eighteen-wheeler.
“Is that dangerous?”
“It can be. A horse can die quicker than you’d think. Especially when we have freezin’ temperatures. The hay will mold and rot so quick. It can be a mess.”
“Maybe we won’t have a bad winter this year. We’ll have so much on our minds with getting the B&B going, we don’t need to have to worry about the ranch and the horses on t
op of that.”
“I love how you say we. You’re already a part of the place.”
“Thanks.” Cora adjusted the air vent in front of her.
“We do need some freezin’ temperatures, though. If we don’t have a real good hard freeze, the mosquitoes and bugs will be a nightmare to deal with come spring and summer.”
“It’s always something, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yeah. It sure is.”
* * *
After they stopped for a bathroom break, Cora sat next to Rex in the middle of the truck with her head on his shoulder, drinking in his clean scent and the strength of his size. He could pick her up and rescue her from trouble or toss her to the ground and tickle her with ease if he wanted to. She held his scarred and calloused hand in hers. He was a hard-working man. A man who’d shaved his beard to try to impress her. She let out a soft moan.
Cora dozed on Rex’s shoulder, but he tapped the brakes hard to avoid running up on the back of an eighteen-wheeler, and she jumped.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to throw you through the windshield.”
“That’s okay. I was going to end up with a crick in my neck anyway.” She scooted over to her side of the truck. “Do you mind if I read for a little bit?”
“No. Go ahead. Whatcha readin’ lately?”
“A lot of Proverbs and Psalms. I also love Acts and Romans.”
“I love Romans. Why don’t you read it out loud?”
“Okay.” Cora turned to Romans and read. As they sat apart in the truck, they held hands.
By the time they drove across the Florida-Georgia line, torrents of rain pelted them. Cora put her Bible in her bag on the floorboard and squeezed the armrest.
“Are you okay?” Rex glanced over at her and then back to the road.
“Yeah, I just hate traveling on the highway in a rainstorm. It makes me so nervous.”
“There’s nothin’ to fear. Rex is at the wheel.” He winked at her.
The swishing of the wipers back and forth across the windshield calmed Cora’s nerves. She silently prayed for safety. Eighteen-wheelers zoomed by, knocking the truck about in the wind.
“How about we get off the highway for a bit and let this storm pass? Want some coffee?”
“That sounds great.” She sighed and relaxed her shoulders.
By the time they finished their coffee and shared a donut, a double rainbow reached across the sky in the distance.
* * *
Less than two hours later, Rex turned off the main road onto the dirt road leading to the Southern Hope.
“I can’t believe we’re really here!” Cora gushed. “That I’m back! When I left here, I wanted to come back, but I didn’t think I would, except to get my car. I knew you didn’t want me here.” Cora unbuckled her seat belt and slid over next to Rex.
“Well, I’m glad I came after you. If I hadn’t, there would’ve been a lot of misunderstanding goin’ on between here and Florida. I did want you. I just didn’t want to want you. I wanted you to reject me so I’d have an excuse for not fightin’ for you.”
“Crazy!”
“Yep.” Rex winked at her.
“I can’t wait to see your parents and Susie. Do they know I’m coming?”
“No, I didn’t tell them. They’ll be so excited,” Rex answered, smiling. “I know I am.”
“Me, too. How do you think Susie will react to me not being her nanny?”
“I gave it a lot of thought last night, while I was tryin’ to sleep in the room next to you.” He stabbed himself in the heart with his fist. “I think it’d be best if we didn’t actually tell her you aren’t her nanny anymore. You spend as much time with her as you want, of course, and then between Mom and me, she’ll never be without someone.”
“That’s a good idea. I was afraid if we sat down and told her, making a big production out of it, it’d only hurt her feelings. I’d never want her to feel rejected by me.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinkin’. She’s so young, she won’t know the difference. You don’t mind still spendin’ some time with her?” Rex squeezed Cora’s hand.
“Goodness, no. Besides, it’s almost wintertime now; outside there won’t be much to do. I will enjoy being with her.”
“Thanks. Oh, look.” Rex nodded toward the house. “Here we are.” He pulled through the gates of the ranch. Cows were lined up by the fences.
“My heart is pounding out of my chest. I never thought I’d feel this way about returning.” Cora gazed into Rex’s eyes.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I love you.” Rex leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Cora’s lips.
“You do? Rex, I love you too,” Cora whispered.
When they pulled up to the house, Cora watched Rex’s face break out into a huge smile. He held his shoulders back and his head high. He got out of the truck and helped her out. Hand in hand, they walked on to the front porch and toward the front door. As soon as Cora’s feet hit the porch, her heart filled with the assurance she’d finally made a right decision. As he opened the door, Rex held his index finger up to his mouth.
“Hell—llo. I’m home. Is anybody here?” Rex hid Cora behind him.
“Rex? Is that you, honey?” Pearl hollered from the study and came running with Susie behind.
“Daddy!”
“Yes, Mom, it’s me. Hey, Susie, look what I brought for you.” Rex handed Susie the aquarium with the hermit crab.
“What is it?” Her eyes were as big as quarters, eyeing the clawed creature with the painted shell.
“It’s a hermit crab. Now don’t reach in without Daddy’s help. It’ll pinch you.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“I’m glad you made it back safely. How did it go?”
“Pretty good.” Rex smiled. “And look who followed me home.” He stepped aside so Pearl could see Cora.
“Oh, Cora. You’re back!” Pearl grabbed Cora and squeezed her.
“Cora!” Susie plopped the hermit crab cage on the ground. She jumped up and down and wrapped her arms around Cora’s legs. Cora bent and picked her up.
“Hey, baby, how are you?”
“What about me, Mom?” Rex pouted jokingly.
“Come here, you big boy. Oh, my, look at your face. You’re so handsome. When did you shave that hairy old beard off? I’d forgotten what you looked like,” Pearl teased.
“Thanks, Mom. I never knew I was so undesirable to look at before. I shaved it off before I got to Cora’s parents’ house.”
“You look great.” Pearl rubbed her hand across her oldest son’s face.
“He didn’t look that bad before, if you ask me. But I truly love seeing his baby soft skin.” Cora rubbed Rex’s other cheek.
“I must say, Cora, whatever you’re doing is working. He looks great.”
“Stop! You two are embarrassin’ me.”
“Oh, look at him turn red. I’d never have imagined you were bashful.” Cora pinched his cheek.
“Where’s everybody else?” Rex pulled away from his two favorite women and hugged his little girl, still clasped around Cora’s legs.
“They’re out back in the kitchen. They were watching the rain. Come on.” Pearl led them to the back of the house.
Shouts came from the kitchen when they entered. “Cora, I’m so glad you returned to the ranch, and surprised, especially after the way this rascal of a cowboy treated you when you left.”
“Don’t be so hard on him, R.L. Rex was only running from his feelings. I knew he’d eventually come to his senses.” Everyone hooted at Cora’s remark.
While Jimmy prepared the evening meal, everyone sat in the den around a blazing fire. “What’s been going on while I was away? I know I was away only a month, but I bet there are plenty of stories to hear. Were there any developments on the kidnappings?” Cora sipped her hot cider while everyone filled her in on the previous month.
Then Rex announced, “You guys, we’ll be movin’ back ho
me. It’s time.”
“Good for you, Rex.” Pearl patted Rex on the back.
“Cora, we’d love for you to stay with us. You could have the pool house all to yourself for some privacy. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like,” R.L. offered.
“Thank you, R.L. That’d be great. I may eventually get a place of my own, but I accept the invitation to stay in the pool house for a while. If it’s okay with you, I’ll go there tomorrow and get it ready.”
Susie studied Cora. “Why do you have to leave Gramma’s house?”
“Cora needs to stay by herself some,” Rex swiftly explained. “And I want to be home with my little girl.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Susie wore a pout on her face, but Rex didn’t give in to Susie’s wishes and stood firm in his decision, unlike how R.L. usually was with Clarice.
After dinner, Cora excused herself to her old room upstairs. She yawned all throughout dinner and longed to take a shower and go straight to bed. Susie and Rex also planned to stay at the main house for the night since it was rainy still, and Rex didn’t have the energy to pack Susie’s things.
Rex walked Cora to her room, carrying her luggage for her. He tried to get her to sit in the den by the fire for a little while longer, but Cora turned down his offer with a gentle kiss to his neck. Then Rex took Susie to her room to read her a bedtime story and put her to bed. Cora’s heart swelled at the sight of the father and daughter together in a way they weren’t before.
Cora turned on the lamp by the bed and climbed in, sighing at the coolness of the sheets. She picked up her cell phone and hit the speed-dial to call Anne.
“Hello?” Anne’s voice was like a warm blanket.
Cora grinned. “Hey. Whatcha doin’?”
“Nothing much. Watching the design channel. I take it you made it safely there?”
“Yes, we did. Sorry I didn’t call you earlier. We were visiting and catching up. We finished dinner a little while ago. It was so good. Jimmy cooked roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and peach cobbler. Yum! A good change from all the seafood.” She licked her lips, still thinking about the meal.
Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) Page 18