Rocky Mountain Hero

by Audra Harders

  Gabe backed up toward the door and reached for the knob. “That clock in the kitchen tells the right time, and the stove runs on propane. If you need anything, give a holler.” Before she could respond, he made his escape, closing the door behind him.

  Out on the porch, the wind continued to blow. He pulled his hat in place and stepped out from under the eave. Rain poured from the heavens. He followed the well-worn path from the cabin to the ranch house. The small stream coursing through the ruts would wick into the ground by morning.

  Melanie agreeing to coordinate the barbecue was a blessing, but the added distraction of their guests threw his entire schedule off. Gabe turned at the fence corner and walked toward the office door.

  Gabe had ideas and plans for the ranch operation. He had the tools and knowledge to trim time and cost; he just needed to convince his dad the changes were viable. Too often it seemed like Dad expected him to run cattle and keep tally of the stock on a wallboard in the barn much like his grandpa had.

  The Fourth of July auction would make or break him. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand and make this stock sale the best of the summer. The best ever.

  When he reached the deck off the office, he stomped on the worn doormat and glanced over his shoulder at the green roof of the cabin poking through the trees. On top of all the headaches screaming for attention, a new distraction now resided in a cabin out the office back door.

  Lord, grant me strength.

  The next morning, Jason sat in the back seat of the pickup, his arms dangling over the front seat. “I’m lost. Do you ever get lost driving into town?”

  “Been driving down this road all my life.” Gabe held the steering wheel with one hand as they rounded a corner. “Don’t think there’s anything to forget.”

  “I don’t think I’d find my way back.”

  Melanie had to agree. They’d turned and twisted up and down so many little roads before hitting the main highway, she didn’t have a clue how to get back. She shifted in her seat and nodded at him. “I think that’s why Gabe came with us today.”

  After the torrential rain the night before, the sky ahead of them shone crystal blue. Melanie tensed as Gabe hit a few ruts and puddles, his truck occasionally skidding. Gabe didn’t look rattled. The county roads still spooked her.

  Gabe downshifted down after hitting a deeper pothole. “No sense in an instant replay of yesterday.”

  “Thanks.” She pried her hand off the dashboard.

  He chuckled. “So where do you want to stop first?”

  “We need Coco Snaps and milk.” Jason started the list. “Miss Grace cooks really good. I don’t think Mom has to cook any meat or vegetables.”

  “Jason Hunter.” Melanie couldn’t believe her ears. “Remember your manners.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Gabe turned down the main street of town. “My mom will be feeding him every chance she gets.”

  “But still.” She shot Jason a warning look. “I guess we do need to stop at the grocery store.”

  Gabe pulled into a space down a side road. He slipped out of the truck, circled around to her side and opened the door before she had her seat belt off. Unaccustomed to the courtesy, Melanie stared at him.

  “Why’d you open the door?” Jason pushed against the back door and hopped out. “Was the lock stuck?”

  Gabe held the door. “A lady never opens her own door.”

  “Mom always opens her own door, even when she’s sick.”

  Uncomfortable being the topic of discussion, Melanie grabbed her purse and angled out of the cab. “I’m made of sturdy stuff.”

  Gabe closed the door behind her and indicated the sidewalk. “Bud, a man’s got certain obligations, and showing respect to a lady is the biggest one.”

  “I don’t see why it’s a big deal.” Jason frowned and jammed his hands in his pockets. “It’s not like she broke her arm or anything.”

  Gabe ruffled Jason’s hair. “We have a long way to go, don’t we?”

  Melanie snapped to attention. Her mind whirled around their conversation even as her heart beat faster. Just because Gabe Davidson demonstrated common courtesy and a more-than-capable attitude was no reason to start fantasizing about the man. Hadn’t she learned anything from past experience? Her fists tightened as she listened to Jason and Gabe discuss the finer points of good manners. She shook her head. Get a life.

  Her world of plant and insect research offered few choices of husbandry options beyond the realm of livestock genetics. Professors, over quiet dinners and coffee, enjoyed her quick mind and attention to detail but drew the line when invited to soccer games and school conferences. The other researchers in her department viewed the world through mugs of beer and late-night parties. They hadn’t a clue as to what parental responsibility entailed. And she’d never been interested in the singles scene. Not many choices left, were there?

  “After you.” Jason giggled as he held open the door to the grocery store.

  Gabe rolled his eyes. “Yep, a long way to go.”

  Melanie cringed, not sure if Gabe made a habit of instilling etiquette in young boys, or if she’d just been insulted.

  They ran through the store grabbing the essentials, Gabe taking them down each aisle to make sure nothing was forgotten. When they reached the cashier, Gabe inched the lid off a canister while Melanie unloaded the cart.

  He handed Jason a strip of meat. “Here, try this.”

  Jason scrunched his nose. “What is it?”

  “Elk jerky. Best you’ll ever taste.”

  “Eww.” Jason backed up.

  Gabe tore off a piece with his teeth. He chewed a couple times and swallowed. “Have you ever tried it?”

  Jason eyed the strip. “No.”

  “Do I look like I’m going to die?”

  Jason giggled. “No.”

  “Well?” Gabe pointed the jerky expectantly toward Jason.

  Melanie held her breath. Jason stared at Gabe as if he’d just offered a dose of poison, but took the snack anyway and tore off a bite. By the time all was said and done, Melanie had two bags of groceries, Gabe a dozen strips of jerky with Jason running behind him begging for another piece.

  “Let’s get this stuff in the truck. I need to stop by the animal clinic before we leave and Leon’s Hardware for a few parts.” Gabe stuffed the bags in the back of the cab. “Some of the fittings for your truck are easy to find.”

  The sun and fresh mountain air had lifted her spirits. Melanie shaded her eyes with her hand. “Remember, three weeks to get my beloved truck as good as new.”

  “Promise.” Gabe gave his best Boy Scout pledge.

  They rounded the corner of the block. Hoses, rakes and wheelbarrows lined either side of a set of open double doors. A sandwich-board sign sat on the sidewalk and proclaimed Spring Sale—Hurry In. A wooden palette held stacks of fertilizer bags with plastic buckets displayed across the front, two rows deep.

  “I love this place.” Melanie listened to the delicate tinkle of wind chimes arranged from the rafters. “Very homey.”

  “If Leon doesn’t have it, you don’t need it.” Gabe indicated they enter the store. “So far, he’s proven his motto right.”

  “Gabe.” A petite woman in her early twenties with curly brown hair and freckles across her nose stood behind the checkout counter and waved. “You’re early. It’s not Saturday yet.”

  “Guests staying at the ranch. Thought maybe they needed to pick up some stuff.” He stepped around the counter and gave her a hug. “Shayna, I want you to meet my friends, Melanie and Jason.”

  When Gabe stepped back, Shayna turned around and presented a well-rounded belly. By the looks of it, probably seven months along. Out of habit, Melanie glanced at Shayna’s left hand, surprised to see her ring finger bare.

  “Don’t think I’ve met you before. This your first time to Hawk Ridge?” She offered her hand. “Normally I hug everyone, but Buster here—” she ran her hand over the top of her belly “—get
s in the way these days.”

  “I can imagine.” Melanie liked the bubbly personality, especially remembering how tiring those last few months of pregnancy were. “Like the name—Buster.”

  She caressed her belly with love. “Only because he’s ready to bust out. I’m really leaning toward Adam.”

  “Dad’s name?”

  “Oh, no!” Dimples bracketed a sweet smile. “I just like Adam.”

  “This is more baby talk than I need.” Gabe gave Shayna another squeeze. “Bud, how about you and me go over to the parts? We’ve got a list we need to fill.”

  His gaze lingered on her as he stepped away from the counter. For a moment, she thought he’d hug her, too. Instead, he motioned for Jason to follow. “Are you going to be okay without us?”

  “I think I’ll survive.” Melanie bit the inside of her cheek watching Jason puff up tall beside Gabe.

  As they walked off to the back of the store, Shayna leaned over the counter and exhaled. “It’s been a long day.” She looked over her shoulder at the young man stacking a display of windshield wiper fluid in the store window. “Hey, Russ, watch the counter. I’ll be back.”

  Russ nodded and went back to work.

  “Tough working when we have a sale.” Shayna stretched her back. “All I seem to do is waddle through the store.”

  “I remember.” Melanie nodded. She swatted at a couple of tiny black insects. “Especially when all I wanted to do was sleep.”

  “Amen. So are you looking for anything in particular?”

  Memories of her own pregnancy flooded over Melanie. Luckily she’d finished her last semester of her undergraduate degree while she was pregnant. She couldn’t imagine running across campus with a baby in tow. Tough enough juggling study time in between doctor appointments, work and laundry. Her heart went out to the salesgirl. “Actually, the cabin has all I need and we’re only staying a short while. Maybe a fruit bowl?”

  “Right over here.” Shayna turned toward the center aisle.

  Melanie waved away a few more pesky gnats. “Gabe said you’d have everything we need, or we didn’t need it.”

  “That’s my dad’s motto. He’s pretty proud of knowing what the town needs.” Shayna stopped in front of a display of ceramic bowls. “I’ll let you in on a secret. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll order it and then pretend he found it in the warehouse. It’s a game and everyone knows, so it really isn’t a secret at all.”

  “Thanks for the insider tip.” Melanie slapped a gnat on her arm. “Does the store stock plants? I think you’re overwatering.”

  Shayna nodded and pointed an aisle over. “We just received a shipment. Noticed they came in kind of buggy. Don’t know what to do about it other than pray they get bought soon.”

  “Let me see.” Melanie approached the display of leafy houseplants stacked in the middle of birdbaths, ceramic pots and a water fountain. “The fungus gnats are breeding because of the moisture. Here.” She grabbed a package off the shelf. “Put these yellow sticky tapes around the pots for a couple of days. You should see a big difference.” She dug her finger into the soil. “If you stick raw potato slices in the pot, it’ll help catch them, too.”

  “That’s great.” Shayna snagged the package of tapes and tore it open. “What did you say you’re doing here?”

  “Normally I work with stuff like this. But for the next three weeks—” she held her arms open to embrace the entire concept “—I’m planning the Fourth of July barbecue at the Davidsons’.”

  Shayna laughed so hard, Melanie thought she might go into labor right then. “Don’t understand how he roped you into it and don’t think I want to know. So, Gabe is shirking his responsibilities. Gabe!” She stood on tiptoes and yelled for him again. “Melanie seems like a nice person. Why saddle her with the picnic?”

  Gabe and Jason came round the corner. He lifted a brow and winked at Melanie. She couldn’t help it and winked back.

  “I’m doing my part for the event, honest. It’s just that Bud and I have this truck to fix, and fence to check, and water to fill, and—”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know all about the important stuff.” Shayna waved him away. “Melanie, don’t you worry about the picnic. The ladies at church know how to do it all. I’ll be helping, too.” She grinned and nodded in his direction. “Gabe’s too chicken to work with us on the committee.”

  The red infusing his face gave truth to the accusation. “Do tell.” Melanie played along. “Sweet little church ladies?”

  He tipped his hat back, eyes opened wide. “Worse than a pack of starved kittens around a bowl of milk.” He shook his finger at her and grinned. “Don’t you let them weasel out of making the best steaks a man’s ever tasted. I’m counting on you to handle this assignment with kid gloves.”

  Shayna elbowed her in the ribs. “Stick with me. Gabe will end up getting the glory, but we’ll know who did all the work.”

  He offered Melanie a lazy smile. “I always give credit where credit is due. I think this year we’ll have one of the best parties ever. And I’ll make sure everyone knows who was in charge.” He indicated the spare parts in his hands. “Hopefully terms equitable for both parties.”

  Chapter Five

  That evening, Melanie sat at the dinner table in the ranch-house kitchen, now cleared of dishes. Homemade chicken and dumplings with all the fixings and the best berry pie with vanilla ice cream she’d ever tasted. She resisted patting her tummy. Life just didn’t get any better.

  In the next room, Jason yelped, “No fair, Gabe! I didn’t know that boulder was going to roll onto the track.”

  “Well, Bud. You better be prepared for the unexpected next time.” A hardy laugh echoed into the kitchen. “Had enough?”

  “Uh-uh. I’m ready for you this time.”

  “All right. One…two…three…” A buzzer sounded as the go-kart video game took off again.

  Well, life could be a little better. Grace stood at the kitchen counter watering her plants. Martin had joined the boys in the living room. Melanie set her cup down.

  “Grace, are you sure I can’t help you with anything?”

  “Oh my, no.” She shook her watering can. “Gotta give my little buddies a drink before they go to sleep.”

  “Plants don’t stand a chance at my home. After working with them all day, I forget to tend them at night. Jason knows chocolate is the way to his mom’s heart.”

  “My boys used to drag home every weed the good Lord planted on the mountainside. Said they were pretty flowers, and so many of them, no one would miss ’em. I praised them for their thoughtfulness and prayed none of the seeds scattered on the way home.”

  “You have two other sons, right?”

  “I do.” Grace nodded. “Nicholas and Isaac. All three of the boys have grown into men I’m proud of.”

  The sounds of the video game echoed in the background, Gabe’s full-bodied laughter causing her heart to trip. Melanie took a sip from her cup. If the other two brothers were anything like Gabe, the women of Hawk Ridge needed to watch out. “Where are they?”

  “Zac’s in Denver. He went to college there and decided to stay.”

  Grace returned to the sink and refilled her watering can. “Nick got a burr in his drawers one day. Hawk Ridge wasn’t where he wanted to be. Left the house he built up on the ridge and everything. He’d rodeoed all through school and thought he’d take off and see the country on the backside of a bull. He’s the one sending the cattle for the auction.”

  “Sounds like exciting lives.” She scooted to the edge of her seat. “I’ll bet you miss them.”

  “Well, it’s good for them to find out what they really want. Gabe never really wanted to go anywhere. He went to school in Gunnison for four years and then came home to do exactly what he’d done his whole life.”

  “Awww, c’mon, Gabe.” Jason whined from the other room. “That water came out of nowhere.”

  “Bud, you had to know it was coming.” Buttons clicked. “You’re d
riving right next to a river.”

  “No fair…”

  “You’re a lap behind. Stop bellyachin’ and get to movin’.”

  A tiny bell tinkled each time the cars made a lap. Melanie watched the entire game—and cringed.

  “And what about you, Melanie? You and Jason getting by?”

  Melanie took a sip of her coffee and held the cup to her lips. A loaded question if she’d ever heard one. What kind of answer was Grace looking for? She took another sip and lowered her cup. “We take each day as it comes.”

  “Does Jason get to see much of his dad?”

  Okay, Grace. Just cut to the chase. “He never met his dad.” Melanie lowered her eyes, still unable to completely justify the past. She blew a quick sigh. How things could have been different. “He’s been gone a long time.”

  Grace dropped the water can on the counter and wiped her hands on the dish towel. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Grace. It’s been a long time.” Melanie frowned as the older lady sat down beside her, grabbed her fingers and squeezed. She wanted to pull away, but Grace kept hold. “We’re fine.”

  “Happened to my oldest boy, Nick. They hadn’t been married but a couple years when his wife died. He hasn’t been right since.” She squeezed tighter and shook her head. “Death can do awful things to those left behind.”

  Paul? Dead? Melanie opened her mouth to correct the misunderstanding and then pressed her lips together. Paul might as well be dead to them. And she didn’t know Grace or the family well enough to explain the entire story.

  Jason didn’t even know the whole truth.

  “I’m sorry for Nick’s loss, Grace.” She searched the kitchen for words. “Time heals all hurts.”

  Grace nodded. She patted Melanie’s hand before sliding her palm back and reaching for a napkin to blow her nose. “Time and prayer. God knows what He’s doing, even if we don’t understand.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? She’d spent sleepless nights trying to come up with answers that just didn’t seem to exist.

  “Do your parents help you?”