Grace and the Rancher

by Mary Alford

  She touched his arm. “I’m sorry about your father.”

  He tensed. She was new to town. His father had died before she arrived. How did she know he’d lost his father?

  “I work at the grocery in town. People talk,” she added.

  He nodded. “Right. I’d almost forgotten how small towns are. Thank you,” he managed. “Let’s get you inside.”

  Kyle shoved open the door against the howling wind and went around to her side. “Watch your step. It’s pretty slippery out here.”

  Grace took the hand he offered and got out.

  They stepped onto the front porch. One of the steps was loose. The porch railing had rotted in several places. Guilt tore at his heart. He should have come home sooner. If he were being honest, he’d been delaying the trip for months. Facing the place again without his father’s presence, well, it was hard. He was almost grateful that he didn’t have to do it alone. Grace was here with him. Was she a sign from God?

  2

  Grace stepped inside Kyle’s home. The place appeared empty, not of furnishings, but there was a forlorn air. Dust covered both antique and rustic pieces in every room. Plastic drop cloths protected the furniture in the great room where a leak—now patched—had done a great deal of damage still.

  “Sorry about the mess,” he said as he shoved aside some boxes. “The house has been empty for a while. Today’s the first day I’ve been back in…months.”

  The pain in Kyle’s eyes was clear. He was one of the wounded ones. Her heart went out to him.

  “Yes, I know.” Grace could feel the flush rising. When people came through the grocery store and learned where Grace lived, they’d talked of Kyle and his father. She was ashamed to admit she’d listened to gossip, and she struggled to find something to say to fill the awkward silence. “When I first moved here you can’t imagine how many rumors there were about me.” She’d been careful to keep her past buried and so grateful that very few people in the small town knew about her life in Nashville. She caught him staring at her almost as if…

  “You know you look familiar. Have we met before?”

  Grace’s smile froze in place. Her heart beat a crazy rhythm. Did he know? It was impossible surely.

  Kyle must have noticed something wrong. “I’m sure I’m mistaken. Of course, I would remember if we’d met before. Maybe you just look like someone else. That happens a lot,” he added as if trying to make her feel more comfortable. “Make yourself at home. I’ll go get your things and bring them inside.”

  ****

  The minute the words were out, Kyle realized he’d hit a nerve. All color drained from her face. Why would someone as young as Grace move to a small town like Delaney in the first place? Most young people left the moment they graduated from high school. Very few came back.

  Before his father passed, he’d told Kyle during one of their long talks that the average age in this town was seventy. Delaney Mountain needed a fresh infusion of youth, and Kyle needed to fulfill his father’s dying wish.

  Kyle grabbed the groceries and headed back inside.

  Grace hadn’t budged. She turned and smiled at him. There was something almost sad about it. As if life had left an indelible mark on her.

  “Thanks for bringing them in…and thanks for saving me. I can’t imagine how long it would have been before someone else come along. I was very blessed that you found me.”

  Blessed. The word hung uncomfortably between them.

  She glanced around the room, taking in the place. Her gaze returned to him, and she caught him watching her. Heat crept up his neck. “I’ll just stick the cold items in the fridge. Do you want me to call Murphy’s and see if he can pull you out once the weather clears?”

  Pete Murphy had gone to school with Kyle. Pete had taken over his family’s towing business when he’d graduated high school. With this storm, though, Pete would probably be busy for some time to come.

  “No, I’ll do it.” She took out her cellphone and dialed the number. When someone answered, she turned away and spoke briefly. The conversation lasted only minutes, and then she faced him again. “Pete said it’ll be a couple of hours before he can get me out. I hope I’m not keeping you from anything important.” Her brow knitted together in concern.

  He shook his head. She needed his help, and his father would be proud that he was finally looking beyond himself to another’s needs. “Nothing at all. I’m actually grateful for the company.” This was a difficult day and Grace being here would take his mind off the past.

  Kyle could almost picture his dad’s compassionate smile, so unlike the man he’d come to hate growing up. In his later years, Ellis Delaney had been a changed man. He’d be thrilled to know some of the things he’d preached had sunk in past the self-destructive haze Kyle had been bent on keeping since his eighteenth birthday.

  “Runs in the family,” his father used to say. In his younger days, his dad had been a hard-core drunk, and Kyle and his brother, David, had followed right along in the old man’s footsteps. Yet, during the last few years of life, Ellis Delaney had turned his life around. He’d found God and made it his mission to made amends to his boys. He’d lost the battle with David, who had left home and all but disappeared. Ellis and Kyle’s attempts at locating David were futile. But Ellis talked to Kyle relentlessly, passionately; and slowly, Kyle and he had come to a truce. Initially Kyle had been uneasy, but Ellis had wholeheartedly thrown himself into the redemption of his son. At least his dad had lived long enough to see Kyle’s life changed.

  Kyle wished for his dad’s guidance. Instead, he’d relied on the worn-out Bible his father left for him. Ellis had marked all the right passages to bring Kyle to this point. Even in death, Ellis was guiding him. Kyle really wanted to have those long talks with his dad again. He shook himself mentally and switched gears. He had a guest. “Are you hungry? My friend Ryan stopped by a few days ago and stocked the kitchen. I could make us something.”

  “I…I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

  “You wouldn’t be. It’s no problem. It would be nice to share a meal. I hate eating alone.”

  She smiled her relief. “Thanks. That would be nice.”

  “Good. I saw a couple of steaks in the fridge and there are some potatoes. How does steak and a baked potato sound?”

  “Wonderful. I’m starved.” She nodded enthusiastically and grinned just as her stomach rumbled.

  He actually laughed. Over the months since his dad’s death, he could count on one hand the number of times he’d laughed.

  Kyle took out a skillet and placed it on the stove. Then he grabbed two steaks from the fridge. Amongst the spices lined up on a shelf, he found some steak seasoning. “This looks good.”

  “It is.” Grace smiled. “We have a running order for that at the grocery store. Everyone loves it.”

  “Well, then, looks like the steaks will turn out well.”

  “Let me do the potatoes,” Grace insisted. She took two from the fridge and rinsed them. A few seconds of poking around and she found paper towels. She buttered the potatoes, pierced them with a fork, wrapped them in dampened paper towels, and popped them in the microwave. She pushed the button and the microwave began.

  Kyle tossed the steaks into the pan to cook. He stole a couple of quick peeks at her.

  She was putting the butter back in the fridge and seemed to know her way around a kitchen. Questions filled his head. Why was she in Delaney working at a grocery store? Why’d she seem so familiar?

  He turned the steaks, sprinkled some more seasoning and let the meat sear to a crisp edge.

  The microwave dinged just as he determined the steaks were done.

  He grabbed dishes from a cupboard and plated the steaks.

  Grace took out the potatoes, tossing them from hand to hand. “Hot.” She laughed. “I should have found a pot holder.”

  Kyle grinned at her. “I guess they need to be washed, though.” Setting the plates on the table, he nodded to the chairs. Gra
ce sat, and Kyle sat opposite from her. He cut into his steak and started to take a bite.

  Grace had bowed her head.

  Kyle swallowed back emotion. His father had prayed over every meal. Kyle had come to look forward to hearing his old man’s prayers. Although his relationship with God was good, Kyle still found it difficult to pray at meals…he’d become so familiar with his father doing it and the reminder brought home the loss.

  “Amen,” she said softly.

  Grace was watching him, but he didn’t say a word. After an awkward moment, they ate in comfortable silence. Sharing a meal with someone drove away the loneliness. He hadn’t really had anyone to eat with since before his father passed away.

  Kyle took a forkful of baked potato and closed his eyes. “This is sheer heaven. How did you learn to do that?”

  “Thank you. It’s all about what you put on them. I’m glad you approve.”

  He nodded and glanced around the room that was filled with memories of his father. During those last days together, they’d spent a lot of time in the kitchen talking.

  “Are you coming home for a visit or…?” His smile froze, and she stopped with a glance at him. “I’m sorry, forget I asked. It’s none of my business.”

  Having to answer other people’s questions about why he was back would be an impossible task if he didn’t learn to face his demons head on.

  “No, it’s OK.” He cleared his throat. “Actually, I’m here to stay. I made a promise to my dad to make this place a working ranch again, and I intend to keep that promise.” Guilt tore at his gut. He should have come back sooner. At least to check on the ranch from time to time. Instead, he’d been wallowing in self-pity.

  His dad’s greatest wish had been to run a working ranch with his two boys. Ellis hadn’t been able to see that dream come true.

  Kyle was determined to make the ranch part happen. He’d sold everything he owned and would be sinking money into repairs, maintenance, and buying livestock. He’d left a thriving music agency in Austin to come home to Delaney Mountain. He just hoped he remembered enough of what his father had taught to make the ranch lucrative. But the ranch earning again would be the easy part.

  Finding his younger brother David—apologizing for his part in David’s leaving—well, he wasn’t even sure where to start.

  Grace reached across the table and covered his fingers. The touch of her hand extinguished his troubled thoughts.

  “You and your dad must have been close,” she said gently.

  Kyle’s mouth twisted. He hadn’t been close to his dad until a few months before the man’s death. Ellis had called out of the blue with the news he was dying. The father Kyle had despised wasn’t as invincible as he’d once thought. “Believe it or not, I hated my old man most of my life. When I went away to school, I swore I’d never come back here. I probably wouldn’t have if my father hadn’t reached out to me.”

  Her expression was curious, but she didn’t ask any questions.

  Her tact warmed him. He was grateful for it, because he wasn’t ready to talk about that just yet.

  Her phone rang. From their brief conversation, it was obvious Pete was finally free to tow her vehicle. Once she disconnected the call, Grace got up and took both their plates to the sink. “Pete’s on his way.”

  She rinsed the dishes, and he stacked them into the dishwasher. They worked in silence.

  He was exhausted down to his soul and all out of small talk.

  Grace seemed to understand. She didn’t say much either.

  Outside, a car horn sounded.

  “That must be Pete. I can’t thank you enough for coming to my rescue and for the meal. It was nice sharing it with you. I hope you’ll let me return the favor someday.” She smiled as she held out her hand and he took it.

  “It was my pleasure. It was very nice to meet you, Grace Bradford.”

  She laughed softly, probably at his formal use of her name. “And you, too, Kyle Delaney.” She returned with his full name.

  He went to the door.

  She slipped into her coat and took the bags of groceries and dog food. “I’m glad you’re back home, Kyle. I think you’ll do your father proud.” She smiled one final time and then headed out to Pete’s old wrecker.

  Pete waved at Kyle, turned the tow truck around, and headed down the drive.

  Kyle closed the door and was amazed at how empty the house felt without Grace.

  3

  Ryan’s men were half way through shoring up the posts on the porch when Kyle emerged from the house for the first time in two days. He’d meant to call Ryan the day he’d arrived, but he’d succumbed to lack of sleep.

  He stepped onto the porch.

  They’d been working for quite some time. The roof on the porch was sporting several brand new boards where it had rotted out.

  “You think the rest of the roof will hold through the upcoming winter?”

  “Probably,” Ryan answered. “Barring we don’t have another one of those record breakers. I called you last night. I hadn’t heard from you since you returned. I was worried. Are you coping OK with being home?”

  Kyle nodded. “Yeah. Just catching up on sleep. It’s been a rough few months with selling the business and uprooting my life.”

  “I can imagine. But you did the right thing, Kyle. I’m glad you’re back. This is where you belong.”

  Kyle wasn’t so sure where he belonged. He’d left a mess behind all those years ago when he moved out of Delaney Mountain, but his drinking had begun to spiral out of control long before that night. He still couldn’t think about what he’d done and not be overcome with guilt. The accident had almost cost David his life. That had been the crescendo for Kyle. After David left, Kyle had run away from his mistakes by leaving for the university early.

  “I wish I was as positive as you are. I hurt a lot of people. I was not a good person back then. I don’t know of anyone who’ll be happy I’m back in town.”

  “I am.” Ryan’s faith never wavered. “You’re not that person anymore. Let him go. People will realize you’re changed and forgive. It just takes time. It they don’t, that’s on them.”

  Kyle didn’t see things as simple as Ryan did, but maybe he would someday. Instead, he chose to change the subject. “I met my neighbor the other day. Grace Bradford. She seems nice.”

  Ryan’s only reaction was a slightly lifted brow. “Yeah she is. She attends the same church as me. She moved here not too long after you left to get your affairs settled in Austin.”

  Kyle hesitated a second before asking the question. “She moved here by herself?” He hadn’t been able to get her out of his head since they’d met.

  Ryan shot him another quizzical look and then grinned. “She’s not married, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Kyle looked away. He could feel the heat creeping up his neck. “It wasn’t. I was just making conversation.”

  “Uh huh.” Ryan grunted and left it at that. “I can tell you this: Grace rolled into town about seven or eight months ago and rented one of the cabins near the old ski resort. She was a mess back then.”

  “In what way?” Kyle’s full attention focused on his friend.

  “She looked as if she’d been in a car accident or something. She had a broken arm, she was badly bruised, and she could barely speak. I think she’d had surgery on her throat because she had it bandaged and now she has a scar.”

  “Did she say what happened?”

  “No, but there was plenty of speculation. I figured if she wanted us to know, then she would have told us.”

  “You’re right about that, I guess.”

  Ryan’s attention moved to one of his workers fixing the rail. Seemingly satisfied with the man’s work, he turned back to Kyle. “You hear anything from that private investigator you hired to find David?”

  “He called before I left Austin. He hasn’t found much yet, but I’m trying to be patient. The last time he has any record of David was seven years ago when
he was in South America.”

  “I wonder why he was there.” Ryan asked.

  “I wish I knew.” Growing up, David had never mentioned wanting to travel. Perhaps he was sent there with a job.

  Ryan patted his back. “I’m praying for your success, Kyle. Having your brother with you would be great for both of you. You need each other, especially if you plan to make this a working ranch. Are you still coming to the church service tomorrow?”

  Kyle had promised Ryan he’d start attending church, but he also planned to stop in at the local grocery store and see Grace again. He wanted to make sure she was OK since the accident. Yeah, right, who are you kidding? “I’ll be there, and I appreciate all your help and support, Ryan.”

  “No problem, buddy.” Ryan nodded toward the men at work. “I’ll see you later. I’d better get back to work before the guys see me goofing off.” Ryan returned to his crew.

  Kyle figured he’d stalled enough. He needed to take stock of the damage to the rest of the place. His footsteps crunched over the snow that had piled up behind the house. His first stop was the horse barns.

  His dad had long ago sold off the animals. During the last year of his life, Ellis had focused on making amends to the people he’d hurt during his lifetime. According to what his father told him, the list had been long.

  Kyle understood exactly what Dad meant by that. His own list was long, as well.

  He stopped in front of the smaller barn and surveyed it. It had survived the last few brutal winters without a problem. A few new shingles on the roof and it would be good as new. The main barn was another story, though.

  Last winter’s record snow had piled deep on the already precarious roof. Left unattended through most of the winter, it had caused parts of it to collapse onto the barn. The entire roof needed repaired as well as the north side. There was enough work around the ranch to keep Ryan and his crew busy for a couple of weeks.

  “Sorry, Dad. I should have come back sooner,” Kyle murmured.

  His only answer was the whistling of wind through the bare branches of the aspen trees.