Rocky Mountain Hero

by Audra Harders

  Gabe kept his other arm draped over Melanie’s shoulders. Jennifer started back toward the waiting room. Melanie leaned her head into the crook of his elbow and studied the shadow stubble along his jaw. “What a relief for you and the family to have your brothers’ help.”

  Gabe tensed the muscles in his arm and touched his forehead to hers. “I’ll call ’em. Don’t hold your breath waiting for them to come.”

  Melanie followed the paved walkway up to the ranch office. The noisy chatter of mountain finches chirped from the trees as she brushed past the boughs. Stepping onto the deck, she knocked on the jamb, since the door already stood open. “Can I come in?”

  Gabe motioned to her from behind his desk as he leaned back in his chair, the phone receiver pressed to his ear. Papers and folders cluttered his office. She picked her way to the chair he indicated and sat down. Gabe um-hummed into the phone as his gaze followed her every move.

  “It’s a heart attack, Zac. Not a stroke.” Gabe rolled his eyes. “Jennifer said they ballooned his arteries and he’s fine. He’ll be slow for a while. That’ll be the hard part.”

  She smiled at the assessment. Martin did tend to run the show. He’d have to take a backseat to the action until he healed.

  “I can’t get a hold of Nick. He must be out of cell phone range. Just come up for a weekend. Mom’ll be glad to see you and Dad—well, Dad will appreciate the effort.” He tapped his finger on the arm of his chair. “Of course we have enough help for the summer.”

  He winked and Melanie blushed. The corner of his mouth lifted, exposing white teeth. “More help than we’ve ever had.” His grin faded as he shook his head. “Yeah, well. Of course I’ll tell them.”

  Gabe replaced the receiver on the phone pad and stretched his neck, the strain of the last few days a shadow beneath his eyes. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and gave her a sideways glance. “Have any brothers and sisters?”

  She shook her head. “Only child.”

  “Hmm. In times like this, count yourself lucky.” He sat up and leaned toward the desk. “My little brother pulls the helpless card whenever there’s work around here.”

  “He’s not coming up to see your dad?”

  “Oh, he’ll be up, just not when we need him.” Gabe placed his elbows on the desktop, his shirtsleeves rolled to the tops of his forearms. Corded muscles flexed each time he pressed his fingers together.

  Tearing her attention away from his tan skin, she looked around the office. “You have your hands full here. Isn’t there some way he can come up to help?”

  Gabe laughed. He propped his chin in his palm and considered her with a long look. “Nick and Zac do whatever they want to in life and face the consequences of their own decisions. Same with me. Honestly, I don’t want them coming up to help me. They get in the way and then we argue.” He tilted his head, the crease in his cheek deepening. “If Mom or Dad calls them, they’ll come running.”

  She’d never understood the entire sibling rivalry issue. As an only child, she’d dealt with life alone in a big house while her father closed deals at the golf course and her mother kept a busy social calendar. She would have welcomed a sister or brother to alleviate the loneliness. “You do it all, don’t you?”

  “There’s nothing to it. Dad grumbles. Mom makes a fuss. I watch hay grow and keep track of cattle.” He ran his hand across his desk surface. “And plow through paperwork, hoping I can find all the little receipt stubs.”

  Melanie looked around. The desk really was a mess. As were the floor and all the horizontal surfaces in the room. If she had to keep track of files and spreadsheets in a space like this, she’d have gone crazy.

  The thought nibbled at the back of her mind for all of a few seconds. A smile spread across her face. The ladies of the planning committee had the party plans well in hand, just like Gabe promised they would. Melanie had learned a lot after only a week. But organization? Now there was something she understood. “Gabe, I’ve got a proposition for you…”

  On Thursday, the hospital discharged Martin with strict orders to exercise and watch his diet. Gabe pulled the truck up to the front yard gate as his mom waved from the kitchen door. He shifted into gear and turned off the engine. “C’mon, Dad, the welcoming committee is waiting.”

  He glanced over at his dad, surprised at how much he’d aged in just a few days. Tanned and rugged from living outdoors his entire life, Martin Davidson now sported hospital pallor. His cheeks thin and dark circles rimmed his eyes.

  Gabe removed the keys. “I’ll grab your bag.”

  Fletcher met them at the base of the drive, tail waggin’. Gabe got out of the truck and shut the door. After a couple of steps toward the fence gate, he heard the passenger side open. Releasing a breath, Gabe started toward the flagstone path.

  Grace appeared on the porch, her hands planted on her hips.

  “Gabriel Thomas Davidson, why aren’t you helping your father?”

  “Because his father doesn’t need any help.” Martin turned the corner of the pickup bed. “I ain’t no invalid.”

  Gabe winked at his mom. She held her stance. “I have his bag. What else should I do?”

  “Mr. Martin!” Jason shot out of the house and down the path. “You’re home! It’s been boring around here without you.”

  Gabe snagged the boy before he could barrel into the older man. “Whoa there, Bud. Give Mr. Martin a chance to get in the door, will ya?”

  Jason looked up and wrinkled his nose in frustration. “I’ll help him. Honest.”

  Satisfied the boy had calmed down, Gabe released him.

  Jason trotted down to the gate and wrapped his arm around the older man like a friend. “Miss Gracie’s been cooking, and my mom even made a pie for you.”

  Martin’s face almost glowed. “Um, ham and mashed potatoes?”

  “Uh-uh. Grilled chicken and steamed rice. Looks kinda white, but it smells good. Miss Gracie said the food would be good for you.”

  Gabe held his breath again, afraid his dad might explode. Though the boy was only the messenger, small details like that had never stopped his dad from shooting.

  A rough chuckle filled the air. “Kinda white, huh? Well, maybe we can squirt some ketchup on it and make it look better.”

  Gabe started up the path again. He shook his head and grinned. Would miracles never cease?

  The scent of grilled meat filtered from the kitchen. He stepped inside and dropped the bag to the floor behind the door. Grace stood by the stove, poking at the meat on the indoor grill. Melanie stirred a pot, shaking a spice into the mixture with care. The world had never look more comfortable.

  “Hey, Gabriel Thomas,” Melanie called from the stove, a dimple creasing in her right cheek as she giggled. “While us women work, how about you set the table?”

  He crossed the kitchen, the desire to plant a kiss on her cheek almost unbearable. Instead, he sniffed at the aroma wafting from the pot. “Oh really? Man, you’re bossy.”

  Her eyes grew dark and her grin deepened. The pit of his stomach flipped and he resisted the urge to brush the hair from her eyes. She leaned forward and brushed her nose against his sleeve.

  “Ah, much better.” She nodded over her shoulder. “Got those dishes?”

  Sassy thing. Turning to the stove, he closed his eyes and inhaled. “Mom, what are you cooking?”

  Grace gave the chicken one last poke with the stainless-steel tongs before grabbing one and placing it on the platter. “Melanie said her neighbor had a heart attack. She went to classes with her friend and learned to cook so folks could eat.”

  Gabe sniffed again. “Umm, thanks darlin’.”

  She shrugged with a grin. “Glad I could help.”

  “Smells better in here than anywhere in that hospital.” Martin and Jason crossed the threshold into the kitchen. Jason stepped ahead and pulled out a chair. Martin ruffled the boy’s hair and eased into his place at the table. “I’m starved.”

  Gabe grabbed a stack o
f plates and began passing them around. He drew a deep breath of spices mingled with grilled meat and dish soap. Maybe this healthy eating wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

  Melanie wiped her hands and loaded a dish with vegetables. She waved to Jason and handed him the plate. “Careful, it’s hot.”

  Jason inched his way back to the table, his concentration centered on the bounty in his hands. He stopped and glanced at Martin. “Mr. Martin, do you like carrots and peas?” At the older man’s nod, Jason continued to the table and laid the food close to Martin.

  “Gabe, can you grab the chicken and I’ll get the rice?” Melanie looked up at him with wide blue eyes, a bowl of rice and beans in her hands.

  “Absolutely.” As he shuffled around the table with the platter, careful not to bump or spill, the wonder of the meal hit him. His parents, Melanie, Jason, arranging themselves around a table just big enough to fit them all. A space waited for him between his mother and Melanie. He sat down just as Melanie slipped her hand into his on one side, his mother taking his other hand. All the pieces of his life fell together into place.

  They bowed their heads for grace, Gabe uttering the familiar words with a new contentment in his heart. At that moment he knew he couldn’t let Melanie and Jason slip away.

  Chapter Twelve

  Tired from all the excitement of Martin’s homecoming the day before, Melanie rejoiced when the meeting of the picnic committee drew to a close.

  “Jennifer.” She leaned across the table and dug a chart out from under the stack her friend had gathered. “I need this supply list. Unless, of course, you want to go shopping for all the decorations.”

  “No, ma’am. If I’d wanted to oversee this party, I’d have run my own truck off the side of the road.” Jennifer grinned. “Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. Gabe doesn’t have to listen to the ladies. All he has to do is replace a few parts.”

  A few very pricey parts. “This isn’t so bad. I kind of like listening to all the squabble. It’s friendly enough. Besides, Mrs. Wells gets them to chase around a menu item for a bit and then gives me the final decision.” Melanie waved the supply list in the air. “I’m very good at following directions.”

  Closing her notebook, Jennifer settled the pack in the crook of her arm. She glanced out the window. “Looks like Jason’s gotten the hang of the game.”

  Out back, the boys were playing dodgeball with a soft, red playground ball. Jason dodged a throw. He bounced around to watch the progress of the ball. Another throw came his way. He ducked and ran to the safe line.

  “Some games never go out of style, do they?” Melanie stepped out of the kitchen and headed to the playground.

  “Thankfully, no.” Jennifer closed and locked the door behind her.

  “Much better than video games.” They stood at the edge of the yard and Melanie waved her arm. “Jason. We have to go.”

  Jason dodged another throw and came running. “Quick, Mom. Before I get hit.” He never stopped moving until he rounded the building and ducked out of sight.

  Jennifer tapped her on the shoulder. “C’mon. I’ll go with you to the hardware store. I need to pick up some lawn seed anyway.”

  They drove to Leon’s Hardware, where the front display now boasted “Early Summer Sale—Hurry In!” and flats of bedding plants lay stacked around. Shayna sat behind a table looking miserable.

  “Hey, Squirt,” Jennifer called as they stepped beneath the awning. “You look awful.”

  “Thanks, Jen.” Shayna yawned. “My back muscles hurt and I didn’t want to take anything for the pain, so I tossed and turned all night long.” She looked at her watch and moaned. “Just noon. What I wouldn’t give for a cool room and sleep.”

  “Why are you out here?” Melanie noticed the pink tinge to Shayna’s skin. The lack of breeze didn’t help either. “Isn’t there something you can do inside?”

  “None of the guys want to talk flowers with the women that come in. Besides, Dad is doing inventory, and since I can’t lift anything this is really the best place for me.”

  “Home is the best place for you.” Jennifer shook her head. “Just let the customers choose for themselves.”

  “I can’t let my dad down.” She put her head on the table in front of her. “I’m in the shade and sitting down. I can’t complain.”

  Melanie remembered a similar point in her own pregnancy when she would have sold her most prized possession to cuddle down and nap rather than go to the diner and waitress. She had endured winter cold, wet and miserable—a far cry from the hot summer day Shayna fought—but they suffered the same discomfort.

  Looked like Shayna needed a friend like that right now, but she’d promised Gabe she’d finish sorting his invoices as soon as the meeting was over. And she had a shed to rummage through for additional decorations. And she’d promised Grace she’d make a heart-healthy dessert for dinner.

  When had her time become so scheduled?

  Shayna groaned and Jennifer reached out to touch her forehead.

  “All you’re doing is helping customers select bedding plants?” Melanie glanced over the order sheets on the clipboard on the table. “I can do that for you. Go home and get some rest.”

  Shayna offered a tired smile. “You can’t do that. You don’t work here.”

  “So what? I’ll do it as a community service. These are plants, Shayna. This is what I do. Didn’t you say your dad owned the hardware store?” She looked to Jennifer for support. “Doesn’t she look like she needs to go to bed?”

  “Mom, wait.” Jason interrupted in a panic. “What am I going to do if you’re going to stay and work?”

  “I’ll take you back to the ranch and you can help around there.”

  Shayna shook her head. “I can’t let you—”

  “Jason can spend the afternoon with me.” Jennifer patted Jason on the back. “Want to help me sew folks up?”

  Jason paled. “Uhhh.”

  “Only kidding about the sewing. But you could run errands for me at the hospital. My dad could probably use some help, too.” She turned to Shayna, a determined arch to her brow. “I’d say the good Lord just answered your prayer. Go tell your dad you’ll see him at home.”

  Shayna released a long, low sigh. She got up from the table and headed inside. “I love you guys.”

  Jennifer turned a skeptical eye on Melanie. “Sure this is okay with you?”

  Melanie gave Jason a hug and slipped behind the table. “Might as well put that horticulture degree to work. Easier than planning a picnic.”

  Gabe reached for one of the remaining stakes needed to complete the corral fence. Positioning it beside the fence panel, he swung the hammer and nailed his finger instead of the stake. White-hot pain shot through his hand and up his arm. He dropped the hammer and stuck his hand between his bicep and his ribs.

  “Gabe,” Jason yelled from the truck that had just driven up. Melanie had called and said she’d be late coming back from town. He’d been casting an eye on the drive all afternoon.

  The boy came running up. “Gabe! I got to help Jennifer put on a cast. I handed her tape and gloves and stuff. She said I was a real help.”

  “I’m sure you were, Bud.” Gabe felt his heart pound as Melanie joined them. She looked fine—really more than fine. “You were at the hospital? Everything all right? Shayna okay?”

  “She’s okay now. Jennifer and I sent her home from the store.” She avoided looking at him. “I took over for her.”

  “Doing what?”

  She shook her head. “Answering gardening questions.”

  “I think I’m missing something. Elwood Leon hired you?” His finger throbbed and he wanted a cool drink. All he was getting was confused. “Can you start at the beginning?”

  Jason beamed. “Shayna looked hot. Mom told her to go home. Jennifer took me to the hospital. Mom picked me up. We came home.” He came up for air. “See?”

  Gabe lifted a brow at Melanie. “Sure.”

  “Gabe.” She d
rew a deep breath. “Shayna shouldn’t have been out in the hot weather in her condition. I knew something about plants, so I could fill in.”

  He studied her. “Is she all right now?”

  She nodded and lifted her eyes. “She just needed rest.”

  Gabe blew out a breath and winced as his ribs pressed against his finger.

  “What’s wrong?” Melanie reached for his wrist and drew out his hand. “What happened?”

  “Finger got in the way of the hammer.”

  Jason wedged between them. “I know how to fix this, Gabe. Jennifer showed me. Got ice?”

  “In the kitchen. Get some ready and I’ll be right in.” Gabe locked on Melanie. “Give me a hand, will you?”

  Looking unsure, she nodded. He wrapped his good arm around her shoulders as he held his finger in the air. They started toward the ranch house after Jason took off on a run. “Okay now, tell me what’s wrong.”

  They took a couple steps in silence. Then she sighed. “Shayna needed rest and she was worried about letting her dad down. I know I promised to file for you and make dessert for Grace, but I just couldn’t let her sit in the heat like that. Please don’t be angry.”

  He stopped, pulling her to a halt beside him. “You thought we’d be mad?”

  A small nod answered him. “I’ve got a lot to pay back here.”

  Was that all she thought about? Paying him back? His gut twisted. Turning her to face him, Gabe nudged her chin up with his finger until their gazes met. “Sometimes we all get so wrapped up in our own world, it’s hard to think of anyone else. Mom and I appreciate everything you do for us, especially since Dad’s heart attack. But no task is more important than caring about others. Thank you for taking care of Shayna.”

  Her blue eyes misted. “She was so tired and I know all about plants, and—”

  He pulled her into his embrace. “Shayna’s lucky to have you as a friend.”

  She tensed a second and then relaxed. She chuckled into his chest before she lifted her pinkened cheeks. “Am I earning my keep?”