Lorna laughed. “I was really surprised about the pink being okay’d, but he was a good sport about it all. He really loves his niece.”
“Yes, he does. He’s a really great uncle. Where are my manners, would you like some coffee?”
“Oh, yes, I’d love some.”
“Then let’s go into the kitchen. I have a pot made.”
“Jake, do you have any goats or sheep?”
“No, buddy, this isn’t that kind of place. I have a friend that has them, though. He has a lot of them; in fact, he has chickens and ducks, too.”
“Wow! Why don’t you have those?”
“Well, this is more of a ranch, than a farm. It’s kind of hard to explain to you right now, but when you’re older, I’ll tell you all about it, okay?”
“Like next year?”
Jake smiled and ruffled the little boy’s head. He was a cute kid. He looked just like Lorna, chestnut colored hair, green eyes and freckles on the bridge of his nose. “Maybe,” Jake said, then pointed off to a distance away. “I’ll race you to that tree over there.”
The little boy smiled and went without him, Jake followed.
“Wow, you’re fast,” Jake said to Liam, pretending to be out of breath. He put his hands on his knees and then fell over into the grass. The little boy ate it up. He giggled then came over to him and sat square on his chest, nearly knocking the air out of Jake.
“I like having a dad,” Liam said, poking him in the chest with one of his stubby fingers. He smiled, showing two missing teeth in the front. Jake felt his heart hammer in his chest.
“You have a dad, don’t ya, buddy?”
“I do, I guess,” he said.
Jake sat up and rubbed Liam’s back. They watched the little pond that was in front of them. Jake picked up a few rocks to his right and handed one to Liam. “Toss it in for luck,” he said, nodding to the water.
Liam threw his in and smiled. Jake handed him another.
“What’s he like?” Jake asked, “Your dad.”
“He’s mean.”
Jake felt like someone punched him in the stomach. “What… what do you mean?”
“He hit my mom.”
It took everything in him to stay planted to the ground. Jake nodded. “Well, you know that’s not the right way to solve things, don’t you, Liam?”
“Yes, Mommy says that when you love someone you kiss them and hug them. Not hit.”
Jake smiled. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Daddy never ran with me. We’ve never thrown rocks together. I’ve…never met him.”
“That’s a shame, because you sure are fun to throw rocks with,” Jake said, grabbing a few more and handing them to Liam. “Let’s see how far you can throw them.”
Liam smiled and threw one in, it landed with a large plop in the water and splashed them both. Liam giggled and took another rock, doing the same.
“Can we stay here for a while, Jake?” Liam asked.
Jake wasn’t sure if he meant throwing the rocks or staying at his house, but he couldn’t turn the kid down for anything. That was probably why Lorna decided to come after yesterday’s mess. She couldn’t disappoint her son. Jake decided that even if that was all, he was going to make it a day that Liam would never forget. He knew how rough his niece had it, and he wouldn’t wish that on any kid. At least now he knew why Lorna held back so much.
“Sure, kid, of course. You can stay here for as long as you like.”
Liam smiled and picked up another rock.
“SO, WHAT’S UP WITH you and my brother?” Jenny asked, calmly stirring her coffee.
Lorna didn’t make eye-contact. “I don’t know.”
“Really? Because he says that there is a lot going on with you and he, and he was worried you weren’t coming back.” Jenny was always good at making things up as she went, and Lorna ate it right up.
Lorna looked up now. “He said that?”
“He was really upset last night. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are here right now.”
“But you don’t…”
“I know my brother. He just doesn’t go after women. It’s been a long while since anyone has been in his life. One woman did him over pretty good a while ago, and he hasn’t dated since…well, since you.”
“We haven’t really…” Lorna felt like a harlot. “Dated.”
“I know he told me.”
“He told you!”
“Don’t get all embarrassed. We tell each other everything. We are all we have, remember? He told me he told you about that, too.”
“Yes, I am very sorry about that.”
“Me, too. It’s hard, knowing that you are all alone. And Sarah and I have been alone for a while now. I really am surprised that you haven’t commented on my bruises yet. Usually that’s the first thing people ask about.”
“I didn’t want to bring up something that caused so much pain; besides, I didn’t like it when people asked about mine either.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. “Oh, Lorna, you, too?”
Lorna nodded. Jenny held her arms out and they just hugged. “I know how it is, Jenny. If you want to talk about it?”
Jenny cried. “How long did it go on for you?”
“Years. He used to beat me with anything that was close by. His fist, pots and pans, a belt. Once, before I finally got smart and left, a tire iron.”
Jenny gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “How did you go?”
“I waited until he went to work. He used to beat me, then apologize and rape me. I call it rape, because I wanted nothing to do with the son-of-a-bitch. He started on our honeymoon and continued for all the years we were married. I thought it would get better. I don’t know what cloud I was living on, but I am glad that I am off it now. John, that was my husband, was in the Marine Corps, so he wasn’t home that often. I think that’s what made it okay. He would be sweet when he was writing me in letters. All sorts of apologies and words of endearments were made, and I fell in love all over…like an idiot.”
“I am so sorry, Lorna.”
“It is what it is. Hey, I got Liam. He was my final farewell present. After the tire iron and rape, I got my beautiful son. I didn’t know I was pregnant when I left.”
“Does he know about Liam?”
“No.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. “What if he finds out?”
“He’s dead now.”
“Oh, Lorna, did you?”
“No, I didn’t. I wish I did, but no. He went back for his last tour in Iraq and, thankfully, a roadside bomb ended my terror.”
“Does Liam know?”
“Liam only knows a little. He knows that his dad wasn’t so good. He overheard my mother and me talking one night about it. I am not proud, but when he had questions I didn’t want to lie about it. I promised myself that there would be no more covering it up, no more excuses.”
Jenny looked down at her legs and saw the bruises and scratch marks. “I know what you mean.”
“No more excuses, right, Jenny?” Lorna asked, looking at her legs, too.
“No more.”
“Are you finally going to realize that you are better than that?”
Jenny nodded, and just then Jake and Liam walked into the door, hand-in-hand.
Lorna smiled and wiped her eyes, as did Jenny and then they saw Jake and Liam. Liam ran for Lorna and hugged her tightly. “Mom, Jake is the best. He doesn’t hit and he likes to throw rocks, and he thinks hugs and kisses are better than smacks.”
Lorna’s eyes widened as did Jenny’s. Jake looked a bit uncomfortable. “That’s very nice, Liam,” Lorna said, making eye-contact with Jake.
Jake’s gaze didn’t waver, but Lorna could tell that Liam talked with him about his dad. She could see it in his eyes.
“Well, Jake, would you like some coffee?” Jenny asked, noticing the way Lorna and her brother were looking at one another.
“Not right now. I promised this little guy a story. Is Sarah aroun
d?”
“She is still in her bedroom!”
“We’ll head back there, and then we will talk, Lorna.”
Lorna was afraid of that. “All right.”
TWO HOURS LATER, JAKE came out of the room with a big smile on his face and two children attached to his back. “Can someone help me?” he asked, walking around the living room, interrupting Jenny and Lorna’s conversation, “I think there is something on my back.”
“It’s us!” the children roared, laughing.
“Looks like they are getting along.”
“Like peas and carrots,” Jake said, kneeling down so the kids could get off. Their mouths were going a mile a minute, talking about horses and toys.
“Mommy, you should see Sarah’s room, it’s so nice and it’s your favorite color and there are unicorns!”
“I know, baby, it’s real nice. I helped Mr. Tavers fix it up for her.”
“Wow! Thank you!” Sarah squealed, throwing her arms around Lorna’s neck.
“You’re welcome; you must be Sarah?”
“I am Sarah! I already know who you are. You’re Jakey’s girlfriend. He loves you,” Sarah said, making kissing noises. Jake’s ears reddened and Lorna grinned.
“Well, I am going to make these two some grilled cheese sandwiches and some macaroni and cheese,” Jenny said, and the two kids smiled. “Let’s go into the kitchen, Liam and Sarah.”
“We’ll be out in the barn,” Jake said, then took Lorna’s hand and escorted her out of the living room and through the door.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Lorna didn’t have to ask about what, she knew. “It’s not something you go around advertising, Jake.”
Jake held her hand in his, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. “Liam told me his dad hit you.”
“Yes, several times. Why does that matter to you?”
“It matters to me, Lorna. Did he hit him, too?”
“No! Do you think I could be with someone that did that to a child—my child.”
“I’d like to think no, but why would you stay with him if he did that to you?”
“You just don’t get it, Jake, he wasn’t like that all of the time. We made a commitment to each other. We were married in front of God. I thought he loved me.”
Lorna hadn’t broken down so much in one day before. First with Jenny and now with him.
Jake held his arm out and she let go of his hand and placed her head on his chest. “He’s dead.”
“Dead?” Jake asked, surprised. “Did you?”
“No.”
“Liam doesn’t know.”
“Why…how did you know that?” Lorna asked, shaken.
“He told me about his dad. He didn’t mention that he was dead. He said that I was a good daddy. I…why haven’t you told him?”
“He’s so little.”
“Yet he knows that he beat you?”
“Liam was born after I left. He was one of my parting gifts. I didn’t even know. I had left before.”
“Thank God.”
“I know. I can’t imagine. He hit me so hard that night, and I have been sick about it ever since, imagining the problems that Liam could have had. Thank God we weren’t there.”
“Why did you finally leave?”
“I had had enough.”
“What was the final blow?”
“Why do you want to know, Jake?”
“I need to know.”
Lorna swallowed and repeated what she had already told Jenny. Jake was enraged. “If that son-of-a-bitch were still alive, I would have killed him myself.”
Jenny nodded, then went into his arms. “I know.”
“You know that I am not like that, right, Lorna?”
Lorna knew in her heart, but her head didn’t trust it. She didn’t answer. Jake pulled back. “You have to know that I would never do anything like that. My sister. My Jennifer. She…just look at her.”
“I know. We talked.”
Jake was shocked to say the least. “She never talks to anyone.”
“She’s done, Jake. I can tell. I could see it in her eyes. She’s left him for good.”
Jake’s body shook and she could feel him tremble. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you ready to go back?” Lorna asked, reveling in the feel of being in his arms again.
“No. Why did you come back?”
All Lorna could think of is what her mom told her to say. “I…”
“Why?”
“Because, Liam…”
“You came back because you didn’t want to disappoint the kid?”
“No.”
“Did you come back because you…”
“I came back because I wanted to see where this went, I came back because I trust you, and I haven’t trusted anyone in a long time.”
Jake’s heart hammered in his chest and his hands moved up to both sides of her face and he brought her lips into his.
Chapter Five
Later that night after dinner and riding, Jake helped Lorna put Liam back into his booster seat. Surprisingly, Liam felt a little heavier. Jake could feel his age just then.
“How in the world do you do this all the time? You’re so small.”
“I am not that small,” Lorna said, laughing. “Besides, he’s sleeping. That’s the worst.”
“You are a strong woman, Lorna.”
Lorna paused at his tone and smiled. “Thanks, I try.”
“No, I mean, raising Liam by yourself. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“No, nothing ever worth it is, Jake.”
“Loving you is easy.”
Lorna gasped. Jake was standing a shoulder’s width apart from her. “You don’t love me, Jake.”
“I do.”
“It’s too soon.”
“So, how long do we give it?” Jake asked. He pulled out his cell phone and flicked the calendar app with his thumb. “When will I know for sure?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Lorna laughed.
“I told you what’s wrong with me. I’m older…I’ve never had kids, I have this big house, a good job, and plenty of time for you. How long ‘til I know for sure, Lorna?”
“I don’t know,” she said, frustrated. “It’s just too soon now.”
“So, give me a date when I should know.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“Jake, that’s crazy. How am I supposed to know that?”
“Exactly, but you are telling me that it is too soon for me to tell, but then on the other hand you can’t tell me when I should know for sure.”
“How about a year?” Lorna breathed.
“No, that’s way too long.”
“Too long?” she said, breathlessly, as Jake pulled her into his side.
“Yes, way too long. Try again.”
“Six months?”
“Let’s see, that brings us well into the New Year. I guess.”
“What’s so special about next year?”
“I want to be married to you by then.”
Lorna stopped dead at his words. “Married? No, Jake, I don’t ever want to be married again.”
“Everyone gets a mulligan, Lorna, or didn’t you know that?” Jake smiled, laughing at her reaction.
“A mulligan?”
“A do over. You didn’t do very well the first time, so God let you have a do over.”
Lorna couldn’t help it she snorted. “A do over. So, you are my do over?”
“That I am. So, I will give it six months, even though I already know that I am head over boots in love with you.”
“Head over boots?”
“I’m a cowboy.”
“Sure,” she said, laughing. She looked into the window at Liam. He was fast asleep and so sweet.
“So you agree?”
“To the do over?”
“Of course.”
“What about yours?”
“My what?”
“Your do over?”
“I am saving mine for something else.”
“What does that mean?”
“I am saving mine for when I do something stupid to make you mad—years later of course. And then, I will use that do over to remind you that I am not perfect.”
Jake looked happy with his explanation and grinned at Lorna.
“So, I don’t get one?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“You’re using yours on me. You had the worst and now you are getting the best. You are getting for keeps.”
Lorna wanted to cry. She never thought her life could be anything like what she read about in books. Jake was romantic, he was funny and he seemed to genuinely care about her. “I’d like a shot at that.”
“See, it doesn’t sound so bad.”
“No,” Lorna whispered, “It doesn’t.”
TWO HOURS LATER, LORNA was still thinking about what Jake said. She sat at the kitchen counter with a glass of milk and some leftover cookies. Liam was all snuggled in his bed and her mother was still not home from wherever she had went. “For keeps,” Lorna whispered with a sigh.
“What’s that?” Moira said, walking in the front door, hanging her coat on a peg.
“Oh, it’s just…where have you been?” Lorna asked, looking at the clock. “It’s midnight!”
“Oh, so it is,” Moira laughed. “I was at the bowling alley with Gus Lingstrom.”
“Gus? What’s that all about?”
“Well, Ms. Goody Goody, Gus asked me out on a date and I accepted.”
“How was it?”
“I know my daughter isn’t asking me about my beaus! Remember how you were earlier about Jake? Well, I do… someone wouldn’t give any details!”
Lorna laughed. “Well I don’t want details, Mother, I was just asking how it was.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean how it was, I meant…” Lorna covered her face.
Moira laughed. “It was fine. We bowled, ate a hotdog or two, had a few beers and then played pinball. Gus is wonderful at pinball. And now you see me, no kiss, but he said that he is saving that for our second date.”
The Cowboy Takes A Slave (Cowboys & Cowgirls) Page 4