Wholehearted

by Ronica Black

  Jake sank down into his seat and pressed buttons on the phone. Grace forced a smile and rolled down her window as the man, who was older, approached her door, gun lying alongside his leg. To her relief, he smiled in return.

  “Oh, you’re a woman. Okay,” he said. “You lost?”

  His teeth gleamed in the sun, but his Wranglers and boots were dusty and worn near clear through.

  “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

  “I thought you might be a G-man or something. Out here snooping around in a fancy car.”

  “Nope, no G-man. Just trying to find a ranch.” She laughed a little nervously.

  She handed him the papers and he slid his gun beneath his arm to look.

  “Aww, Healing Soul. I’ve heard of that place. It’s nearby, but it’s nowhere close.”

  “Sorry?”

  Jake started talking to May on the phone. “May, it’s Jake. We’re gonna die.” Grace grabbed the phone from him and threw it in the backseat.

  “Can you tell us how to get there?”

  He rubbed his stubbled jaw and looked to the west. “Well, like I said, it’s nearby but nowhere close.”

  Grace cringed. It’s nearby but nowhere close. Can this morning get any worse?

  Chapter Four

  There was something about April in Arizona that both awakened and soothed Madison’s senses. The clusters of wildflowers bursting with rich colors saturated and stirred her vision and sense of smell, while the cool breeze easing through the trees swept through her soul like the beautiful caress of an ever-attentive lover. She loved mornings like this and often slid out of bed well before dawn just so she could sink lazily into an Adirondack chair, sip her coffee, and watch the sun rise.

  All around her the desert would stretch and yawn, reaching out for mother sun. Butterflies and bees would flit and hover, the grass under her bare feet would deepen with green. The flowers would warm and send out a sharp, fresh scent. And somewhere nearby, a vocal owl would quiet and batten down for the day to sleep. The desert was magical, and each morning she was reminded why she’d chosen to open her ranch and work right here at home.

  “Another day, girls, another day.” Her dogs lifted their chins from the grass.

  Madison scratched Beamer’s head while Flaca rose and trotted to the end of the large lawn where, with nose to the ground, she began her daily search for lizards. She often found two or three and chased them intensely into the brush where she would sit and wait, head cocked, anxiously waiting for one to emerge. If Madison didn’t call her away she would sit there for hours, every once in a while pawing at the edge of the brush, hoping to stir one loose. Life at the Healing Soul ranch would go on around her, horses led around the property, kids laughing, ranch hands whistling. And there would sit Flaca, oblivious to it all.

  “Not today, girl,” Madison said, rising from the chair. “I need all three of you today.” She gave a firm whistle and they rushed onto the back patio to follow her into the house. Claws clicked on the pine floors as they hurried for the master bedroom. They were curled up on their pillow beds when she entered, one after the other, lined up near the foot of her bed, just off the large patterned rug. From there they would watch and wait as she showered and dressed. She supposed she’d be rather lonely without them, but she tried not to think of such things often.

  As she emerged from the shower and dried herself, she stepped into a pair of worn but hardy jeans knowing she looked the assumed part of plain old cowgirl. With her strong build, faded T-shirts, and hiking boots, she looked to be the hard-driving blue-collar girl most people ventured she was. The blue bandana she slipped onto her head didn’t help discourage that image either. But she had to be practical, and dressing comfortably and effectively like this was as much a part of her as her wine and other more expensive tastes. She enjoyed the ever-soft feel of her T-shirts and the easy pockets of her jeans, grooved and conditioned to harbor her hands and leather gloves. Her life felt the same way, grooved and conditioned, an easy fit to her habits and likes.

  The dogs scrambled to their feet when she emerged from the bathroom, ready to go. The sun was angling in through the wooden blinds and haloing softly on her big bed. The covers were in a long heap in the center where she’d curled the night before, arm and leg slung like she was hugging another. It was the only way she slept comfortably, but she refused to give in and buy a body-sized pillow. Doing so, she knew, would be to admit she needed something more, and that was something a part of her wouldn’t allow. She didn’t need anything more. Did she?

  Pushing that from her mind, she followed the dogs down the hallway to the large open kitchen where Marv was helping himself to the coffee. “You’re late,” he grumbled. His voice reminded her of his stubble. Ever present, somewhat whispery, and just a hint of roughness to it.

  “So you keep saying,” she said, refilling her mug from earlier. She snuck the cream away from him and shook it. “You used all the creamer.”

  He didn’t blink as he took a long, loud sip from his own mug. “So you keep saying.”

  She smiled covertly. “Kids here yet?” Like in the bedroom, the sun was shining through the wooden blinds, encircling the nearby sunken sitting room with low-angling white light. It spread across the sofas, climbed her giant stone fireplace, and lit up the photos on her large mantel. She loved the morning light at this time of day, seemingly in sync with her routine.

  Marv grumbled some more and finally answered her. “Nah.”

  “Then I’m not late.” She squeezed his shoulder, causing him to smile. He decided to playfully attack back.

  “When are you gonna fill up this fancy house with kids?”

  “It’s not fancy, and never.”

  “It is fancy, and why never?”

  “It’s too early for this shit, Marv.”

  “I know, so quit bullshitting me and tell me.”

  “I’ll raise a family when you do.”

  “I got all the family I need, darlin’.”

  “So do I.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “It’s about that time,” she said, heading for the kitchen door.

  “Coward.”

  “Old man.”

  He laughed and hugged her shoulders with his strong arm.

  “I feed you your favorite meal, share a hundred-dollar bottle of wine, and put you up for the night, and this is how you repay me?”

  “Somebody has to give you hell, and everyone else is too afraid to.”

  The dogs scrambled out ahead of them and Marv called after them.

  “Varmints.”

  They followed the flagstone path along the side lawn toward the large gravel driveway and beyond that, the stables.

  “They got no manners. Just like these damn kids you help.”

  “Well, that’s why you’re here, Marv. To teach them.”

  “There’s no teachin’ those dogs.”

  She laughed, amused, but decided to change the subject. “How are the horses this morning? That colt okay?”

  “He’s alive and kicking. Got a head on him. Stubborn. Not good when he’s afraid too.”

  “Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” she asked as she strode toward the stables.

  “What’s that?” He kept pace next to her.

  “If the owners stayed around long enough to mistreat him?”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me. They were probably hoping he would die too. Less guilt if he died right away, soon after the mother.”

  They made their way to the first stall and looked in. The colt was lying in the corner and when he saw them, he immediately jumped up and trotted nervously back and forth, keeping his distance. The few times he made eye contact, he kicked a little.

  “Did he eat this morning?” she asked, even though she knew the answer.

  “Hell no.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re the one who’s chicken.”

  He didn’t respond, just simply retrieved a bottle he’d obviously already filled and forced it into her hand
s.

  “Go for it, Wonder Woman.”

  “No time. Kids coming.” She pushed it back to him. “I just wanted a quick look-see. If anyone can do it though, you can.” She grinned, knowing she was right. “It’s either him or the crew. And we got a new boy coming today. Your choice.” It was all bullshit. Just her giving him a hard time and vice versa first thing in the morning. In fact, if they didn’t give each other a hard time, she’d wonder if he was okay.

  He shook his head.

  “That’s what I thought.” She patted his shoulder. “Good luck.”

  He called after her as she quickly looked in on the other horses and made her way back out of the stables. “You’re gonna need help with those boys. You know it and I know it.”

  “So come help me.” He would. He always did.

  She heard him curse. “You don’t pay me enough to do both.”

  “Then don’t do both. Just worry about the colt.” He’d probably been working with him for the past hour.

  She heard him say something about being too old for this shit and she laughed as she crossed to the driveway. Tough as he was, there was something about the youth and innocence of wild foals that got to Marv. She knew it was similar with the boys. Only the foals seemed more helpless and they got to Marv when the kids couldn’t.

  Dust was kicking up in the distance as she emerged from the stables. The boys usually arrived by six forty-five per her request. She liked to clock them in at seven sharp, and sure enough, a passenger van and two SUVs trained along after one another. They always came in twos or threes because her property was so far from town, people actually felt unsure about turning in alone even with the ranch sign hanging in their face. It amused her.

  She palmed the straw cowboy hat that she’d pulled off the stable nail and placed it on her head. Next came her shades, which shielded her eyes from the harsh UV rays and the dominance-seeking eyes of the troubled juveniles. Those gazes were oftentimes hotter and heavier than any penetrating Arizona sun she’d ever been under. But she held her ground well, and the less they could see of her, the less they could figure out.

  She sank her hands into her pockets as the van and SUVs arrived. Dust still hung in the air behind them, almost as if it were too offended by the disturbance to settle. After ignoring a wave from a driver of one of the SUVs, she removed her hands from her pockets and crossed her arms over her chest. The dogs quickly settled at her feet, troops awaiting routine action. People crawled slowly from the vehicles. Four young teenaged boys. Two boys were from one of the local group homes. They’d been caught shoplifting together. The two others were there on similar offenses, including truancy and property destruction. One boy, however, was missing.

  She checked her watch and started in, annoyed at the missing boy.

  “Gather round, please,” she said loudly and not overly friendly. The boys hurried directly to her, which was vastly different from their first day, when approaching her seemed to be unwritten law for “uncool.” They’d shuffled slowly and indirectly, eyeing one another, none of them wanting to be the first to reach her. It was amazing what a week could do. She smiled as they all remembered to remove their ball caps and sunglasses.

  “Can I work with that colt?”

  “Me too!”

  She held up a hand. “You will all get a chance to help with the colt. In the meantime, clock in, do your regular chores, and then report back to Marv.”

  They’d obviously been paying attention Friday afternoon when she’d mentioned to Marv about the arrival of the colt.

  “Are we gonna have to rent a mom horse for it?” one of the boys asked.

  “It would be considered a nurse mare, and no, I hope we won’t have to.”

  The boy clutched his sack lunch to his chest. “Can he eat apples?”

  “No, dumbass, he’s a baby,” the shortest boy said.

  “Hey.” She stared him down. “That’s an extra day mucking stalls.”

  He smiled. “Okay. I mean, yes, ma’am.”

  The other boys laughed.

  This often happened. The kids ended up loving the ranch and the work.

  “If I call him a dumbass too, can I get extra duty on that colt?”

  “No.”

  “Please?”

  “You want to run laps?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Then watch your mouth. Besides, the colt is too aggressive right now. But Marv’s working with him. You’ll all get a chance to work with him, I promise.”

  “I’m not a dumbass. I just thought he might like my apple. The others like apples. And carrots. And—”

  “We know.”

  “Enough, boys. Let’s go over today’s agenda.”

  “It’s the colt! That’s the agenda.”

  “You, take a lap.” She appreciated their enthusiasm, but they were getting too mouthy. His shoulders dropped along with his sack lunch. He took off around the ranch house and stables, his steel-toed work boots looking heavy. They all stood and watched, which were the rules. If one kid ran, the others either ran with him or they watched. Most hadn’t run in days. They’d burned out after the first three times and decided to listen instead. It was an idea she’d taken and implemented from her friend Rob, and it was the theme of the ranch. Hard physical labor helped to tame a wild boy. Exhaust him physically and his mind will open up.

  The boy bent and struggled for breath when he returned.

  “You okay?” Madison asked, wanting to be sure.

  “Yes, ma’am. Not as bad as that first two laps you had me do last week.” He straightened and smiled at her.

  “Glad to hear it. Are we ready for today’s agenda yet?”

  They gathered around her eagerly but another interruption approached from up the drive. A sedan was tearing up the dirt, headed directly for them. Madison watched, wondering who in the hell would drive so fast and reckless up that drive. The boys turned to watch with her.

  “Who’s that?”

  “I’m guessing that’s the new boy.”

  “You should make him run laps for driving like that.”

  She pulled off her sunglasses. “That better not be him driving. He’s underage.”

  The car slid to a stop not ten feet from them.

  “He’s late. He should still run,” another boy said.

  The driver’s door to the black Mercedes opened and a woman got out. Madison felt herself swallow with a shocking desire as the high heels and long legs were followed by a strikingly beautiful blond woman. Though coughing and waving her hands at the dust she’d raised, she was still one heck of a stunner in her tight gray skirt and matching short jacket. She struggled to walk on the gravel in her heels.

  “Holy shit,” a boy said softly, she wasn’t sure which one. “That is one hot mama.”

  “Take a lap,” Madison managed to say, eyes still peeled. The boys grumbled, knowing they’d have to watch him instead of the woman. “All of you take a lap.”

  “Aww, man.”

  “Make it two.”

  The grumbles fell away and the woman reached Madison. She stuck out her hand after tucking loose strands from her bun of blond hair behind her ears. She pulled off her sunglasses and Madison did the same. Light brown eyes met Madison’s. Eyes that reminded her of a fawn’s.

  “You’re Madison Clark?”

  Madison felt a warm, pleasant jolt as their hands connected. The woman’s hand was smaller but strong.

  “Yes.”

  “Grace Hollings. And this is—”

  She turned to the car but no one had budged. Instantly Madison recalled the phone call and her beating heart careened in a burning chest.

  “You’re late,” Madison said.

  Grace turned back to her. “Am I?”

  “Yes. Don’t let it happen again.” She was struggling for control and she automatically went on the attack, too afraid to be friendly.

  “I got lost. Can’t I get a mulligan or something?” She smiled, but it was tight with noticeabl
e aggression.

  “We don’t play golf around here, but you just got it.”

  “Okay, then.” She turned back to the car and yelled. “Jake! Get out here!” The car door slowly opened and Grace turned and was speaking to her again. “You wouldn’t believe the morning we’ve had. Damn online maps led us five miles the wrong way. We ran into a man protecting his land with a gun. This place is in the middle of nowhere. Honestly, it’s a pain in the ass to get out here.”

  Madison wasn’t sure what to say. Was this supposed to be her fault? And a man with a gun? What? She had several herself and most folks did out here, but Grace sounded like he was threatening.

  She steeled her jaw. “Now you know. You can plan better next time. And maybe avoid the man with the gun?”

  “Are you some kind of rude cowgirl or something?” She glared at her with those eyes like golden molasses.

  Ouch. Madison clenched her jaw and considered sparring with her. Instead, she found herself blinking in disbelief. No parent had ever readily been so rude to her. Grace Hollings continued.

  “Well, I’m an attorney and my nephew is court ordered to be here. Otherwise I—”

  “Would have him somewhere closer to home. Got it.” Madison strode quickly up to Jake, who had finally emerged from the vehicle. He stood looking at her with unaffected eyes, baggy jeans, high top sneakers, and a T-shirt. “Jake, I’m Madison Clark. Welcome to H and S. Take a lap.”

  “What?” He eyed the boys who were running nearby. “Why?”

  “Because you’re late.”

  “That’s not my fault!”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “Aunt Grace!” He stormed up to her. “Tell her it’s not my fault.”

  “It really isn’t. We got lost.”

  “You had directions.”

  Grace shook her head quickly. “I had Internet directions.”

  “You were sent directions from me via e-mail. There is also a map on the brochure.”

  “Fine, whatever. It’s my fault, not his.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” She walked up to them. “Before you run, take off your iPod and get rid of your phone. Neither one is allowed here. And I hope you brought pants that fit and steel-toed boots. They were on the list.”