Long Ride Home

by Boeshaar, Andrea

  Fibber? Kevin twisted around and saw Lara perched on the upstairs porch railing. With the moon directly behind her and her hair hanging down past her shoulders, she made a fetching sight.

  “What are you doing up there? Eavesdropping?”

  “Yes, except I didn’t mean to.”

  Kevin grinned. That girl was honest to a fault. With some effort, he managed to turn his chair around far enough so he didn’t have to crane his neck to look at her. The upper porch wasn’t even half the size of the deck and it only covered the two front doors, as if its original purpose was to protect arriving guests from the elements.

  But obviously, it had other uses too.

  “I was here when Tim helped you out of the house and into the lawn chair,” Lara explained. “I didn’t think there was any reason for me to go in. But then you started talking and I realized you were on your cell phone. By that time, there was no way for me to make a graceful exit.”

  “Okay. No harm done.” Kevin wasn’t offended in the least. “So what did Brent fib about?”

  “I’m not interested in him.”

  “Well, see? You’ve got it wrong already. I was the one who misunderstood. Brent explained that it’s Polly who’s got stars in her eyes.” And you’ve got the moon in your hair, he thought, feeling oddly captivated.

  Lara bent her legs so that she could wrap her arms around her knees. Her back was up against the front of the house.

  “Why don’t you come on down here so we can talk?” Kevin cajoled. “You can tell me what else Brent’s lying about.”

  Lara didn’t move, and Kevin wondered if she was thinking over his offer.

  Then he remembered. . .

  “Hey, look, I’m really sorry about what I said to you on Thursday afternoon.”

  “Oh, yes, that’s right. You said you’d apologize, and you were very confident that I’d forgive you.”

  “Of course you’ll forgive me. You’re a good Christian girl.” Kevin couldn’t see her features in the darkness, but he imagined she had pursed her lips in an effort to stave off a grin and had raised one pretty eyebrow. That look was her habitual expression to weak retorts, and Kevin felt a little amazed that he even knew something like that about her. “Come on down here, Lara. Keep me company for awhile.”

  Once again, she didn’t move nor did she reply. Kevin figured she was still miffed, so he tried a new approach.

  “You know, just like you didn’t intend to listen in on my private conversation, I didn’t intend to hurt your feelings. I took out my frustration on you, and that was wrong. I regretted it the instant you left my hospital room. Now, are you going to forgive me, or not?”

  “Yes, I forgive you.”

  “Good.” Kevin smiled with satisfaction. “Now, come down here.”

  “I can talk to you from where I am.”

  Kevin thought it over. “Did Brent tell you to be careful around me? If he did, I’m here to say that I’m harmless. More so than dancing with him all night, that’s for sure!”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, you heard me. Brent said the two of you ‘danced the night away’ on Saturday.”

  Lara started to laugh so hard that Kevin feared she’d fall from her perch. If that happened, he’d be unable to come to her rescue, and the realization made him feel all the more useless.

  “You’re making me nervous,” he barked. “Get off that banister.”

  Lara did as he said, then entered the house and closed the porch door behind her. As the minutes ticked by, Kevin started to think she wasn’t coming out, and the disappointment he felt surprised him. Well, what did he expect? He shouldn’t have used such a harsh tone with her. But he hated feeling so inadequate. On the other hand, everyone kept telling him to be patient.

  Suddenly, he heard a rustling of the bushes, then footfalls on the wooden front porch steps. Moments later, Lara appeared carrying a large candle. She’d come from around the side of the house.

  “Where were you?”

  “In the backyard. I stopped to pick up this candle from off the picnic table. It’s supposed to keep the bugs away.” She struck a match, and a golden hue spread across the porch.

  Kevin found the soft light rather romantic, although his practical side hoped the candle proved effective on the bugs. The mosquitoes were eating him alive. He slapped at one on his right arm, then looked over at Lara. She stared back with a curious expression.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Did you get your hair cut?”

  Kevin chuckled. “Yep. The top of my head feels like a tennis ball.”

  “Must be my dad’s handiwork.”

  “You got it.”

  A tiny laugh escaped Lara.

  Kevin smiled. “Now, about this dancing business. . .”

  “One dance. And I didn’t even enjoy it.”

  “No?” Kevin was glad to hear that. “How come?”

  “Because, well, I felt uncomfortable.” Lara tucked one leg beneath her. “I mean, if Brent were the guy I vowed to spend the rest of my life with, it might be different. But he’s not, so such close, personal contact didn’t seem right to me. But I suppose I had to learn that lesson firsthand.”

  “Hmm.”

  “I sound like a prude, right? Well, maybe I am.”

  “I take it we’re not talking about line dancing here, are we?”

  The sound of Lara’s laughter made Kevin chuckle.

  “Lara, Lara, Lara.” He said her name on a long sigh, a feigned reprimand. “Dancing with the cowboys. What are we going to do with you?”

  “Shhh.” She put her forefinger to her lips. “I don’t want my parents to hear. They’ll lock me in my room until I’m thirty!”

  Kevin grinned, but he felt sure the Donahues weren’t at all lock-her-up type of people. They were bighearted folks with a wealth of compassion.

  And they’d raised a proper, upstanding daughter who wasn’t at all a “prude.” In fact, Kevin found her. . .refreshing.

  ❧

  The month of July passed in a busy blur at work for Lara, mostly because her heart was at home. She had become accustomed to seeing Kevin around, and even though she reminded herself to keep her distance—to keep her emotions detached from him and his situation—it didn’t help. She always ended up sitting on the porch with him, talking and watching the sunset, or just watching TV with him and her parents.

  Mike Donahue, Lara’s father, had taken Kev under his wing, so to speak. He drove him to and from physical therapy sessions and assisted Kevin with his exercises at home.

  “Mike’s Boot Camp for Lame Cowboys,” Kevin called it in jest, but he showed obvious signs of improvement. Kevin could walk using an aluminum “elbow crutch,” one that fit securely around his upper arm for maximum stability. His speech sounded better, although he still had problems with detailed tasks, such as buttoning a shirt and writing.

  Lara’s mother had the summer off from her part-time teaching position, so she took pride in cooking, baking, and tending to her small “urban garden.” Everyone benefited from Peg Donahue’s domesticity; however, Kevin seemed to thrive on it, much to Peg’s delight.

  For weeks, everything appeared to be progressing at a nice, even pace, until Kevin learned from Quincy that Mackenzie Sabino had plans to sue him for breach of contract. The news troubled Kevin. In addition to rising medical bills, it depressed him to think he’d have to hire an attorney to defend him in court. However, Mike Donahue stepped in and contacted a lawyer he knew from church. After hearing the scenario, the advocate surmised that Mac and her daddy’s salsa company didn’t have much of a case, given the fact that Kevin had been injured through no fault of his own.

  The news brought Kevin a small measure of relief, but he told Lara that, knowing Mac, she’d try to get back at him
some other way.

  August arrived bringing with it the hot, sticky temperatures. Lara found herself seeking out Kevin’s company, yet in spite of the handsome distraction at home, Lara continued her volunteer work at The Regeneration Ranch. She had missed the first Saturday in July, due to the holiday. But two weeks later, she spent an entire day with her kids and enjoyed every minute of it. By Lara’s first scheduled weekend in August, Kevin was hobbling around well enough that she asked him to go along to the ranch with her. He accepted the offer, and Lara worked out all the details with the ranch personnel. Her kids would finally meet a real rodeo star!

  “I can’t believe you won’t come to Iowa with me,” Polly whined on Friday afternoon. It was the day before Kevin’s grand appearance at the ranch. A mini-rodeo followed by a picnic had been planned.

  At her friend’s complaint, Lara didn’t even pause in cleaning off her desk for the weekend. Polly knew where she stood. Lara refused the offer to attend this weekend’s rodeo and wasn’t about to change her mind.

  “Since last week when Brent called me, I’ve really wanted to go.”

  “I know.” Lara recalled how excited her friend had been after Brent’s phone call. The two of them shared what Polly termed “a meaningful conversation.”

  “I want to see him again. I think he might really be the one.”

  Lara cast an exasperated glance toward the ceiling.

  “Please, come with me.”

  “Take Annmarie.”

  “Yeah, looks like I’ll have to.”

  Grinning at Polly’s cynical tone, Lara stuffed her leather folder and other paperwork into a drawer and locked it. “You guys will have a great time.”

  “You really won’t come?”

  “No, and I told you before, I enjoy watching the rodeo, but I don’t care for what goes on behind the scenes.”

  “Well, I don’t, either, but I care about Brent.”

  “So Austin’s out of the picture for good, eh?”

  Polly shrugged. “He only e-mailed me once, and I haven’t heard from him since.” She tipped her head. “But you and Kevin are certainly hitting it off nicely.”

  “We’re friends.”

  “Oh, Lara, you are so in denial.”

  She laughed and stepped out of her office. The second-shift social worker had taken over, and it was time for Lara to punch out—and time for Polly to get back to work.

  “Listen, it’s true. Kevin and I are just friends. I’ll admit I wish it were more, but he still talks about rodeoing again. He’s determined to return to the circuit a changed man, in more ways than one.”

  Lara grabbed her purse before she and Polly ambled through the emergency department, past the trauma room, and down the hallway to the time clock.

  “It’s great that Kevin’s been attending church with your family.” Polly pulled a stick of gum from out of the pocket of her multicolored smock-top. “Brent hasn’t been quite as faithful, but he’s been going from time to time.”

  Lara’s heart thrilled at the news. “Kevin’s talked to him about the Lord too.”

  “We’ve made a difference in these guys’ lives,” Polly said. “Nothing more might develop between us in the way of romantic relationships, but God used us to bring them closer to Him. And that’s what this life is all about for Christians, isn’t it?”

  “Yep.” Smiling, Lara swiped her badge through the automated time-tracking device on the wall. Then she swung around and gave Polly a hug. “Have fun this weekend, okay?”

  “I’ll try, but it won’t be the same without you.”

  Lara caught Polly’s simulated pout before her friend turned on her heel and walked toward the elevators. With a smile still on her lips, Lara headed for the parking lot, feeling excited about everything that God had done. And everything He was about to do.

  Seventeen

  On Saturday morning, Lara bounded down the back steps with anticipation flowing through her veins. Today was the big day at The Regeneration Ranch. She just knew her kids were going to be so excited!

  Turning the corner on the landing, she proceeded down the next set of stairs only to come face-to-face with a very unhappy-looking Kevin Wincouser. He stood just outside her parents’ back doorway wearing faded blue jeans, a short-sleeved blue and white shirt whose bold stripes ran vertically, and a heavy frown.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Me. That’s what’s wrong.” He lifted his right hand, indicating the crutch he held. “How am I supposed to impress a bunch of kids today?”

  “These kids will be impressed. Believe me.”

  “Lara, I had to wake up Tim and ask him to button my shirt this morning.”

  She wondered if he worried about finding assistance at the ranch should he require it. “There will be men around who can help you today if you need it.”

  “I hadn’t even thought about that.” He groaned.

  Lara took a step toward him. “I wouldn’t have asked you to come today if I didn’t think you could manage. Once we get to the ranch, you’ll see what I mean.”

  Kevin didn’t look convinced.

  Dropping her shoulder bag onto the steps, Lara reached for his left hand and held it between both of hers. “Please don’t change your mind. My kids will be so disappointed. So will I.”

  “Why? I’m like damaged goods. There are other cowboys in Wisconsin, some that could entertain your kids with roping tricks or even a bull ride. I’m sure they’d do it for free too. Brent, Quincy, and I made charity appearances once in awhile.”

  “But we want you. I’ve talked about you, and my kids want to meet the guy who was my hero when I was thirteen.”

  “Was. That’s a good word to describe me.” His blue eyes looked misty, and the sight broke Lara’s heart.

  “Kevin, you have so much to offer. I wish you’d see that.” She smiled. “And just for the record, you’re still my hero.”

  He raised his brows, and a hint of a grin tugged at his mouth. “Lara Donahue, are you flirting with me?”

  She managed to contain a smile. “Well, maybe just a little.”

  He twisted out of her grasp, and within moments, his arm encircled her waist, and he pulled her up next to him. “A girl could get in big trouble flirting like that.”

  “You’re right. She could.” Lara stood so close to him that she smelled the mint on his breath and the spicy scent of his cologne.

  Kevin narrowed his gaze. “She could even get kissed.”

  “Well, it’s about time!”

  His eyes widened with surprise, and Lara laughed.

  “I’ve only been waiting twelve years for you to kiss me.” She said it in jest, but her heart had told the truth.

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner? I’m more than happy to oblige.”

  She laughed again, but very suddenly, it wasn’t funny anymore. Kevin’s eyes darkened to cobalt, and an ardent expression crossed his features. The seconds that followed were a million times more romantic than anything Lara had ever experienced, not that she possessed a wealth of knowledge in this particular area. But the instant his lips touched hers, she knew she loved Kevin. In fact, she had probably loved him for half her life.

  The kiss ended, and Lara felt oddly disappointed.

  “We’d better, um, get going,” Kevin stammered. “I mean, folks at the ranch are most likely waiting for us.”

  “Right.”

  Kevin released her, and Lara forced her legs backwards. She grabbed her shoulder bag and followed Kevin, who had already managed to descend the three steps leading to the outer doorway.

  In the car, as Lara drove to the ranch, neither she nor Kevin spoke. The silence told Lara a single kiss had altered their friendship. But why? It couldn’t have meant anything to him. Surely, he’d kissed a dozen women i
n his lifetime. Maybe more. But, perhaps, that was the problem. Lara’s kiss hadn’t measured up to his expectations. Should she apologize?

  ❧

  Kevin didn’t know what to say. Kissing Lara had activated every neuron in his brain, and now his thoughts were in a jumble. Talk about electric currents! That kiss could have lit up Chicago at Christmastime! He stole a glance in her direction. Had she felt it too?

  Lara braked for a stoplight, and Kevin brought his gaze forward. So now what do I do, Lord? I’m going to fall for this woman, and then what? I leave her? Break her heart?

  Kevin couldn’t stand the thought of hurting Lara. I could take her with me. Marry her. . . Kevin shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. What am I thinking? He couldn’t believe he actually considered “tying the knot.” He had successfully dodged wedding bells for twenty-nine years. Besides, marrying Lara wouldn’t work. She had already expressed her aversion to his lifestyle.

  Former lifestyle. That’s right, Lord, I’ve recommitted my ways to You.

  The light changed, and Lara stepped on the accelerator.

  “Kevin, I can’t stand it anymore. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

  He looked over at her. “What?”

  “You know. What happened before. . .I’m sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry?”

  “Because. . .” She swallowed hard, and her voice sounded strained. It dawned on Kevin that she might be upset. “Because you’re not talking to me.”

  “Sure, I’m talking to you. I just don’t have anything to say at the moment.” Clutching the steering wheel with her right hand, she lifted her left and proceeded to swat at something on her cheek. Kevin felt like the dumbest mule in the stable. He’d somehow hurt her feelings. “Lara, you’re not crying, are you?”

  She skirted his question. “I just don’t want you to be angry with me.”

  Kevin chuckled. “I’m not angry. Never was.”

  “When you didn’t say anything, I thought I did something wrong.”

  “No-oo.” Kevin reached out his hand, and she took it so fast it made him grin. “Lara, I’ll be honest. I’m developing strong feelings for you, and I’m not sure what to do about them. Seems like we’re from two different worlds, and I’m not talking about Venus and Mars, either.”