Embattled Home

by J. M. Madden

  “What?” he asked.

  Frowning, she motioned to the prosthetic. “I didn’t even realize. You move so normally.”

  Chad tried not to wince at the inference that he was abnormal.

  “I’ve had many years to practice. I lost it in ’07, same time as this.” He lifted his bandaged hand.

  “Why is it bandaged?”

  He snorted. “Because I’m stupid and haven’t been taking care of it. I need to moisturize it every day and things have been a little busy recently.”

  It was her turn to wince then. “I’m sorry we’ve messed up your schedule.”

  Chad shook his head. “No biggie. Really.” He motioned to the duffel. “I pack with the expectation of everything. It’ll be fine in a day.”

  Lora shifted on her feet as if she still had something to say. “I wanted to let you know that I appreciate everything you’ve done to welcome us here. I mean, this is your family home,” she sighed. “I would never wish trouble to follow us here, but I can’t help but worry.”

  He had his own worries about that, not that she needed to know. “My parents are very understanding. There’s such a small chance of Derek finding us. I do believe you’re safe for however long we need to be here.”

  Almost immediately, her shoulders relaxed and he could almost see some of the worry ease away. Chad wanted to go to her and wrap her in his arms, but he didn’t think she would be good with that. Instead he offered her a grin. “Enjoy your time on the ranch as much as you can.”

  She nodded and he thought he saw the glisten of tears in her eyes. “It is beautiful here. I meant to tell you that earlier. I’m a city girl, so all this quiet is kind of…odd.” She motioned to the darkening evening outside the window. “Are there predators up here?”

  He glanced out the window. “Occasionally we might see a mountain lion, but most often you’ll hear the coyotes howling. If you hear it, don’t be alarmed. They very rarely come near people.”

  Lora folded her arms and he could see the doubt in her expression.

  “Maybe I could get you on a horse. That would probably ease Mercy’s mind about Taco.”

  Big green eyes widened, then winced in pain. She pressed a hand to the bruised side of her face. “I don’t know if I can take that much excitement.”

  He forced a grin. “You may like it. Controlling an animal like that.”

  An odd expression crossed her face before she nodded. “I may, actually.” She glanced out the window. “I’ll let you get some rest.”

  With a final glance at him she slipped out the door.

  Chad slumped on the side of the mattress, wrung out. It was always disconcerting taking off his Superman costume, but “Lois Lane” had seemed cool with everything.

  Stretching out on the bed, he stared up at the ceiling, going over their interaction. The final few seconds played through in his mind. She’d looked at him, over his chest, but her gaze hadn’t drifted any further. She hadn’t even glanced at his leg before she’d walked out the door.

  Chapter Seven

  Lora wrapped her arms around herself and walked down the hallway to the bedroom she shared with Mercy. The poor little thing was tuckered out after traveling all day and playing, and she’d fallen into a sorrowful heap on the bed. Handsome was now clutched in her arms.

  As a mother, she wanted her daughter to be cautious, but she didn’t want her to hide away because of her past. Yes, Lora had tried to keep her sheltered from her father as much as she could, but there would come a time when the little girl would either fade away or use this experience as a jumping off point for a truly momentous life. Obviously, she hoped the latter.

  Every few months, Derek would come up with some scheme to insert himself into their lives. Showing up with tickets to the circus or the zoo, then leaving it to Lora to explain why they couldn’t go with him. It had become such a fight.

  And she always felt like the bad guy.

  Whenever Derek would do something like that, she made sure to try to follow through with Mercy herself. Some of the stunts he tried to pull were completely out of her budget, but for the most part she felt like she made sure Mercy had experiences.

  When Chad had offered to bring the pony up, she didn’t think it would cause such a meltdown with her daughter. Several months ago, Derek had tried to surprise her with a pony at the house, but Lora had taken Mercy out of town for the weekend, not believing he’d actually follow through with the message he’d left. By the time they’d returned, the pony had been gone, but the mess remained. She’d had to explain to Mercy what had happened.

  Heartbroken, the little girl had refused to talk to her for several hours.

  Lora had thought that Chad’s pony would bring her some happiness. She’d have to talk to Mercy in the morning.

  Crossing the room, she sank down into the chair beside the window, dragging a discarded sweater across her lap. The sun had gone down and evening was deepening. She should have been thinking about going to bed, but her mind refused to settle.

  It didn’t help that they were in such unfamiliar surroundings. This was nothing like her little suburban house in Denver. Literally she could see for miles here. Mostly cattle and long sweeps of brown land, but it was still picturesque. A little strange not seeing jagged peaks outside her window, but she could deal with it.

  Chad fit here. Laid back and calm, he seemed comfortable. Those cowboy boots made sense. Outside, especially. He’d said his dad had given him this acreage to try to get him to come home more often and she could see the appeal. Though the buildings in the suburbs made her feel secure, the expanse of land here thrilled her heart with its wildness.

  She could make a life with her daughter out here and not give Denver a second thought.

  She flashed back to Chad driving the truck into the yard. He’d seemed very natural introducing Taco to Mercy. Her throat tightened as she remembered how Mercy had burrowed into his arms when she’d gotten frightened.

  Lora wished she could do that as well.

  On nights like these, she ached with loneliness. Chad sitting bare-chested on his bed had seemed so appealing, even though she’d been shocked at his appearance. She’d had no idea he was missing a leg. That was kind of a huge thing to overlook, but she’d been lost in her own issues for too long. Heck, she couldn’t even remember him limping or anything, other than when he wheeled her out of the hospital. But she’d thought that had been acting.

  She’d been taken off guard, too, when she’d seen the defensive insecurity in his eyes. It was obvious he hadn’t wanted to tell her but he felt he had to.

  The thought of him experiencing something so traumatic that he’d lost a limb made her gut clench. The war overseas was a distant thing, easily put out of mind when daily life intruded. Mercy had asked about a couple of news segments she’d seen, but Lora remembered now that she’d reassured her and changed the subject. She had effectively buried her daughter’s head in the sand along with her own.

  As traumatic as the sight of his prosthetic leg had been, her reaction to his bare chest had rocked her more. Chad was muscled but lean. Actually, he could stand to put on a few pounds. But her gaze had been drawn to his chest and abs over and over again. Skin wrinkled over his muscles and his pectorals had rippled when he’d made a motion. There was also a tattoo on his left shoulder. All she could see from where she was standing was a dark blob. Without conscious thought, she’d crept a bit closer to him.

  Maybe she felt safer with him because he wasn’t perfect. She could see imperfections down the left side of his chest and neck, and there were freckles sprinkled across his upper shoulders. And when he grinned, she could see he had a crooked tooth at the bottom front. He didn’t seem to care though. Maybe part of his appeal was that he didn’t care what he looked like. He seemed okay with the scars and superficial marks, but the amputation made him insecure.

  Derek had been the extreme opposite, always going to the gym and working out with his guards. There had been a
private gym in the bowels of the family home. She’d never gone down there though Derek had urged her to all the time. She remembered a scene just a couple weeks after she’d had Mercy. His voice rang so clearly in her head.

  “You need to tighten up those arms. And your belly is disgusting. I don’t care if you did just have a baby.”

  She snorted. Even though she’d been disgusting, she’d apparently been okay enough to fuck.

  Lora shook away the thought. It had happened years ago.

  Chad was the first man to appeal to her physically. Too bad she’d never do anything about it.

  Lora woke up the next morning strangely energized. Mercy was chattering at her like a magpie, and she’d apparently forgotten about her breakdown from the night before. Lora found ingredients for pancakes in the cupboards and heated a griddle on the countertop. It was a little difficult juggling things with her good hand, but she managed.

  The huge, shaved-headed guy came in from outside and glanced at her in the kitchen.

  Lora took a deep breath. “If you’d like pancakes, there are plenty.”

  He tipped his head to her. “Thank you.”

  He disappeared down the hallway, carrying the big rifle like it didn’t weigh anything. Mercy’s eyes widened when she saw it but she didn’t say anything.

  Chad came in next. His eyes widened when he saw her cooking and he grinned. “Pancakes are the way to a man’s heart.”

  Lora flushed and turned back to the griddle, unwilling to engage in that conversation. “Maybe we can get in some groceries?”

  He leaned against the counter beside her and crossed his arms. He’d found an old ball cap somewhere and it sat cocked over his eyes. “We can. Why don’t you make a list and we’ll send somebody down.”

  She nodded, wondering who they would send. Hopefully Rachel. She’d professed not to be a cook, but maybe she could at least maneuver a grocery store.

  Mercy bounced up and down in her seat, excited to be out of school. She stuffed huge chunks of pancake into her mouth, dripping syrup down her chin and shirt. Lora swiped at her with a napkin, but it did no good. “You’re going to need another bath if you don’t close your mouth on that syrup, girl.”

  Mercy giggled and chewed away.

  Chad had left for a moment, heading down the hallway, but he returned within just a few seconds. Lora felt him enter the room behind her and didn’t need to turn her head. She gathered a fresh plate and a stack of pancakes and handed it to him.

  He stood in front of her, but he didn’t take the plate until her eyes connected with his. “You don’t have to cook for this group. We’re used to takeout and gas station food. We can make do anywhere they put us.” His eyes squinted as he smiled. “But the occasional home-cooked meal won’t go uneaten.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as he finally accepted the plate. “You need to eat better. You’re too skinny.”

  Something dark flittered through his expression before he turned toward the table.

  She snapped her mouth shut and turned back to the griddle, shocked that she’d made such a personal observation. What business was it of hers that he didn’t eat right?

  Flynn was on watch, but as soon as Chad finished his breakfast he went outside to relieve him so that he could eat. Lora thought she had made enough, but by the time Flynn was done, she had to wonder. Rachel was sleeping and Harper was the last to grab a plate. He drowned his cakes in syrup and went to stand by the window to eat.

  Lora grabbed the last few and wrapped them up for Rachel to have later.

  Flynn went back outside and within a few minutes, Chad was back.

  “Can I go see Taco again?”

  Lora looked at her daughter in surprise, then Chad. He nodded. “Of course you can, sweet cheeks. Clean up and I’ll take you out.”

  Mercy jumped up from the table so fast she was a blur. Lora swiped the last of her mess away.

  “Are you sure you have time to do this?”

  His brows shot up. “Of course. The other three are on surveillance rotating through. I’ll be with the two of you for the most part. Doesn’t matter what we do as long as I stick with you.”

  Lora’s heartbeat accelerated as she realized he would be with them exclusively. Brushing her hands down her jeans, she gave him a tight smile. “Okay then.”

  Mercy bolted out from the hallway and they trooped outside. The morning was cool, but not uncomfortable, and when they entered the barn the horses nickered.

  “What are they doing?” Mercy asked, giggling.

  “They’re talking to each other,” Chad told her. “And telling us hello.”

  He crossed to the stall at the very end, where a nose peeked over the weathered barn door. Taco shook his head and squealed when Chad stepped in, and seemed very happy to see people. Chad fastened a green halter on him and led him out, tying him to a ring set into the wall. The pony looked at Lora and Mercy from under a shaggy mane as if waiting.

  Chad handed Mercy a Smarties from his pocket. “Think you can share those with Taco?”

  Mercy nodded and bent her blond head to unwrap the cellophane. She popped one in her mouth, then held a second out to the pony. Taco lipped the sweet carefully from her hand making Mercy giggle again.

  Chad held a bristle brush out to her. “You need to take care of any horse you have and I know for a fact Taco loves to be brushed. You’ll put him to sleep.”

  Lora’s throat tightened with emotion as she watched Chad instruct her daughter in the proper care for a horse. And he was true to his word. Within just a few minutes, the pony’s head had drooped and his eyelids were flickering.

  Chad suddenly looked up at Lora and motioned to her to step inside one of the empty stalls. “Do you mind if she rides?” he whispered.

  Lora lost her thoughts as the scent of his sweet breath hit her. “N-no. As long as you’re with her.”

  The man in front of her gave her a serious look, as if he knew his nearness affected her. “I’ll take care of her, I promise.”

  And she knew he would.

  Turning, he stepped out of the stall. “Would you like to try to ride him?”

  Mercy looked up at him thoughtfully, her brow furrowed. “Yes, I think I would.” She didn’t mention yesterday.

  Tears came to Lora’s eyes at how grown up her daughter sounded. As Chad brought a small saddle from the tack room and showed her how to put it on, she realized how much her daughter had grown in the past year. Picking her up had become a chorenot that she’d change anything about her at all. But it was becoming more difficult. It seemed like every time she turned around they were having to shop for new, better fitting clothes.

  As Chad showed Mercy how to tighten buckles and straps while moving carefully around the horse, Lora thought about how fast the time had flown. It seemed like just yesterday she’d been cradling her belly, counting down the days before her child came into the world. Then, once she had, she’d been counting the days till she could get out of the house.

  It seemed like she went from one calamity to another, doggy paddling to keep her head above water and the sharks away.

  Shoving all that aside, she watched her daughter be lifted to the saddle of the old pony. She now wore a little red helmet with Velcro straps beneath her chin. Mercy’s eyes gleamed with excitement, but she stayed quiet as Chad told her to do. Lora wished she had a camera to capture the delighted look in her daughter’s eyes, but Chad had made her leave her phone at the LNF office.

  Chad untied the lead rope from the ring and walked the pony out of the barn. Lora walked beside Mercy to make sure she stayed steady, but her daughter didn’t seem to need her. Walking her in a circle in the sprouting grass, Chad watched her constantly to make sure she was secure.

  After they’d done half a dozen circles, Lora stepped out of the way and let them continue alone. Mercy held her back straight but flexible, as she’d been told, and clutched the saddle horn in her little hands.

  Lora’s atten
tion shifted to Chad as he walked backwards to watch Mercy. Didn’t he worry about tripping over something doing that? In all fairness, she’d never seen him trip, but it could happen.

  Chad pulled the pony to a stop as Flynn jogged around the side of the house. “We’ve got a truck coming up the road.”

  The easy atmosphere immediately charged. Chad turned for the barn, lifting Mercy down as he did. Lora reached for her daughter as he tugged the pony inside the barn.

  “Why don’t you just stay here for a minute,” he told her. “I’m sure it’s a friendly, but we’ll just make sure.”

  She nodded quickly and guided her daughter into the empty stall, watching his back as he left the dimness of the barn. Straight and tall, he walked toward the possible threat with no hesitation.

  Lora ducked inside the stall and waited. Once the truck pulled into the turn-around and quieted, she heard the rumble of voices, but she controlled her curiosity. Only when Chad called out her name did she walk out with her daughter.

  Chad’s father was in the truck and he tipped his hat to her when she drew near. “Ma’am.”

  “Mr. Lowell.”

  He shook his head, his face creasing in an easy smile. “Garrett is fine. No fuss here.”

  Lora smiled as much as she could and nodded. Mercy clutched her hand and kind of hid behind her. “I think we’re going to go get cleaned up a little bit, Chad.”

  He gave her a wave and watched as she walked away.

  “She’s got some cute under those bruises,” his father murmured.

  Lifting his brows, he turned back to his father. “Yes, she does.”

  Garrett rubbed a hand over his lean jaw. “Could be there’s a little more to this job, huh?”

  Chad shook his head and leaned against the side of the truck. “Nah. She’s not interested in anything like that and I don’t know if I am either.”

  “Boy, it’d be a hard man that could deny that baby, though.”

  Grinning, Chad looked after the retreating pair. His father had always loved the little ones. “I know. We just put Taco away. She wasn’t wild about him at first, but this morning she hopped on him and rode like she’s been doing it for years.”