by Ivy Jordan
“Where’s Luke?” he asked, looking over my shoulder.
“I came alone,” I replied.
“Did you not like the service?” he questioned, his eyebrows pushing down towards his eyes.
“I did. I guess I just expected more,” I admitted.
“You expected answers?” he chuckled.
I didn’t see what was so funny.
“I guess,” I mumbled.
“Some things are more personal between you and your God,” he said calmly.
“What does that mean?” I questioned, feeling that everything that had been said since I walked through that door was a riddle that couldn’t be solved.
“It just means that this is where you come to praise and worship. The answers you need are in here,” he pointed to his heart.
He paused for a moment, letting his words settle. “You need a ride?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I want to walk,” I replied.
I walked away from the crowd of people and past the preacher that didn’t answer any of my questions and started the long walk back to Lyla’s.
I thought about what Theo had said. I placed my hand over my heart and closed my eyes. Each step I took, I took from memory of what was ahead. I had faith that I knew where I was going. I took a deep breath, opened my eyes, and nearly walked right into the front of a police cruiser.
“You okay, Candace?” Officer Flowers asked, leaning out his window to speak.
“I didn’t see you there,” I smiled.
“Apparently,” he laughed.
I walked to his window and explained that I was trying to clear my head. He just nodded like he understood, but I knew he didn’t.
My chest started to fill with anxiety as cars passed by.
“You want a ride?” Officer Flowers asked.
I shook my head, took a deep breath like Lyla taught me, and said my goodbyes before heading on my way.
Cars and trucks zoomed past me for a few minutes, and then it stopped. The road was empty again, and I had time to think.
Listen to my heart. Live my life. Make my own choices. All these things that had been said to me were by people who always had these luxuries. I didn’t. I never did. Or did I? Did I choose to stay with Damien because I believed I deserved no better, or because I was simply scared?
I didn’t want to think I’d had any control of that part of my life, but maybe I did. Maybe I ran from choices, from life, from living. Was that what I was doing now?
I’d day-dreamed and worked my brain nearly to death by the time I made it to the ranch.
Luke was working on one of the cabins shirtless, his skin glistening in the sunlight. I walked towards him, my mouth watering from the exposed flesh, the muscles rippling down his arms and through his abs. A tingle between my legs shot through my breasts, and a strong urge to kiss him came over me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his face distorted as he stared at me.
I snapped out of my fantasy world, the one where I threw him on the ground and took him right then and there.
“I’m okay. The heat’s getting to me,” I chuckled.
“How was church?” he asked.
“Uneventful,” I sighed.
“Sounds about right,” he laughed.
“I better let you get back to work,” I smiled, getting one last look at his beautiful body.
“I’ll call you when I get done,” he smiled, pausing, waiting, I knew for me to kiss him again.
I wanted to, but I didn’t.
At Lyla’s, she had lunch prepared and set out on the table. She looked frazzled as I walked into the kitchen.
“I have to go to the office; there’s an emergency,” she said.
“Okay,” I replied, unsure of what it could be.
“Have lunch without me,” she motioned towards the table and rushed out the door.
I sat down, picked at the food, and then put everything away neatly in the fridge for her so she could eat when she returned.
I knew she hoped to get a session out of me, asking about church, what I thought, what I learned. I didn’t have anything to report.
Sully pulled himself from his box on my dresser and curled up in my hair as I laid down. I reached for one of his bottles from the small cooler near my bed and let him nurse himself to sleep.
When I woke up, it was dark, the day completely gone. I reached for the phone noticed two missed calls from Luke. Shit, I’d turned my phone on silent while in church.
I called him back, hoping he’d answer. It rang four times before his voice sounded through the phone.
“Can we go on another date?” I asked.
“Hell yeah,” he responded eagerly.
Chapter 31
Luke
Monday morning didn’t feel any different than Saturday or Sunday. I’d worked every day that past week to finish up the new cabins. Two were complete, and the one closest to the barn, not far from my own cabin, was already claimed, but Jackson hadn’t told me by whom yet.
I started out the front door, ready to tackle the day, hopefully getting a few new faces checked off my list of people to introduce myself to when Officer Flowers pulled up next to my truck.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I was going to talk to Candace, but Lyla suggested I talk to you instead,” Jake said.
My heart sank into my chest, fearful of what he was going to tell me, something bad enough that Candace had to hear it from me, not him.
“Damien tried to escape again. He was shot and didn’t make it past the fence, and they transferred him to a more secure prison two states over,” Jake informed.
I felt my chest relax, and I could breathe again.
“Fuck, I thought you were going to tell me that fucker escaped again,” I chuckled.
“It just means it will take longer for a conviction on Candace’s case against him. The state is probably going to pick it up anyway, especially now after everything he’s proved he’s capable of,” Jake sighed.
“So, that would mean that she wouldn’t have to even testify,” I pointed out.
“Hopefully, that will be the case, yes,” Jake smiled.
I slapped the roof of his car as he drove off and headed towards the barn to find Candace. I didn’t want to ruin her day with Damien’s name being brought into it, but she had a right to know, and this would be good news if she looked at the way I was looking at it.
I found her inside the barn, feeding a baby kitten. It was Dreamer, of course, the little runt that she favored. Four small children surrounded her as she showed each of them how to hold the bottle. My heart ached at the sight of her with the kids. I wanted that but knew with as slow as things were progressing and all the bad experiences Candace lived through, it may not ever be something she’d want.
“Hey,” she smiled as she looked up in my direction.
I motioned her towards me, guiding her from the barn and away from the kids. She handed Dreamer to one of the older kids and followed me outside.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, her face filled with worry.
“No, nothing’s wrong. In fact, it may be good,” I smiled.
She watched, waited, and held her breath as I tried to spit out what I needed to say.
“Damien’s been moved two states away,” I started.
“Why?” she asked.
“He tried to escape, unsuccessfully, and he was shot,” I told her.
Her eyes teared up, and I knew it was fear that was overtaking her.
“You’re safe. He can’t get you. Where he’s been moved to now is even more secure, and Jake said with all his other charges, the state is likely to pick up yours, meaning you won’t have to even testify or see him,” I told her.
Her body fell limp against mine, her breathing slow and steady. I knew she was okay. I stroked her silky blonde hair, pulled her to my chest, and took in the strawberry scent of her shampoo.
“Thank you for telling me,” she sighed, lifting from
my chest.
Her eyes looked up into mine, her bottom lip tucked behind her teeth, and she smiled as she tiptoed, kissing me quickly on the cheek.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s date night,” she sighed.
I was too.
“Why don’t you call me later when you get off work, and maybe we can have a pre-date night?” I suggested with a wink.
She laughed, slapping me playfully on the chest.
“I’ll see you at lunch,” she turned and headed back into the barn with the kids.
I jumped in my truck, headed to the main office, and found Jackson behind his desk.
“What’s up?” he asked, looking up at me with a smile.
“I was just wondering if Candace could keep a kitten from the barn. He’s a runt, and she’s hand feeding him,” I explained.
“I don’t see why not,” Jackson smiled.
“That’s great,” I grinned.
“She’s done an amazing job in the barn according to Tom, and now she’s taking on handling the children of patients, giving them lessons in animal care,” he gushed.
I was proud of her, and hearing someone praise her just tripled that feeling of pride in my heart.
“I’m glad she’s doing so well,” I replied.
“I’m actually ready to offer her a permanent position complete with her own place,” Jackson smirked.
“Really? The place by the barn?” I asked eagerly.
He nodded.
“You haven’t told her yet?” I asked.
He shook his head with a wide grin. “You want to do it?” he laughed.
“Hell yeah,” I exclaimed.
“Okay, do it by Wednesday; we need her to sign papers by the end of the week, and she still needs to get in with Theo for her physical,” Jackson warned.
“Not a problem. I’ll tell her,” I beamed, nearly bouncing on air as I left his office.
She was going to be so excited to have her own place, to have a permanent job in the barn, and hopefully, she’d be excited to have a place so close to me.
Chapter 32
Candace
Luke had been acting giddy lately, ever since he told me Damien had been moved. I still couldn’t help but wonder if there wasn’t more to it, like he knew something he wasn’t telling me.
“Where are you going tonight?” Lyla asked as she handed me three dress options.
“A double date with Theo and his girlfriend; somewhere fancy is all I know,” I answered, feeling panic coming on with the decision of what to wear.
“Try this one,” Lyla pushed a black cocktail dress in my direction.
“It’s gorgeous, but I’m not sure it’s me,” I scoffed.
“Nonsense. You’ll never know until you try it,” she pushed.
I closed the door with the dress in hand. In my room, I slipped it on, feeling the expensive fabric against my flesh. It was beautiful, but I still wasn’t sure.
“Let me see,” Lyla called from the other side of the door.
I opened it to show her, and her mouth dropped.
“Oh wow, that’s perfect,” she gasped.
“Are you sure it’s not too much?” I whined.
“No. You said it was somewhere fancy, right?” she exclaimed.
I nodded, smoothing the dress with my hands. It felt amazing on, and I did look great wearing it.
“I have the perfect shoes and necklace to match,” she said, rushing into her room.
I stood in front of the mirror, amazed at how different I looked when she returned. She placed the necklace around my neck, clasping it behind as I held up my hair. It was heavy and expensive looking, even though she assured me it wasn’t.
I slipped on the shoes and felt like a princess.
“We need to put your hair up,” Lyla beamed, swopping my hair into a messy bun.
“Do you think I can handle this?” I asked, feeling the elephant return to my chest.
Breathe.
“Candace, you’ve come so far so fast. I think you’re ready to take on the world,” Lyla grinned.
I took a deep breath, deciding to trust her.
“Okay,” I agreed, finally smiling with excitement.
“You have a strong will and an amazing support system in place. There’s nothing you can’t do,” she pulled me in for a hug.
It was strange, being hugged. I’d hated people touching me before, and now it felt natural.
As soon as Lyla finished my hair, a knock on the door caused me to screech with excitement. Luke stood in the doorway while Lyla announced he was there, my cue to step out and take his breath away.
“Wow,” he gasped as he first saw me, his mouth falling even further to the floor than Lyla’s.
“You like it?” I asked, spinning around so he could get a good look.
“I love it,” he grinned like a kid in a candy store.
“You look handsome,” I smiled, moving towards him to tiptoe for a quick peck on the cheek.
He wore a black button-up shirt with a dark gray jacket and matching suit pants. Of course, cowboy boots were on his feet, but they were new and clean, not the ones he wore to work.
I was glad Lyla talked me into the dress.
He stared at me the entire way out of town. I had to tell him to keep his eyes on the road a dozen times before we arrived at the restaurant. It really was fancy. Reservation only, by the lake, and everyone inside was wearing clothes fancier than mine.
I started to fidget, pulling at the hem of my dress. Luke must’ve noticed because he grabbed my hand, holding it in his and squeezing it tightly.
“Your party is already here,” the hostess smiled at Luke and then motioned for us to follow her through the crowded dining floor to a table near the large window.
Theo stood, his eyes wide and filled with amazement as he took a good look at me.
“You look beautiful,” he gushed, taking my hand and pulling it to his lips to kiss the back.
A woman with dark hair, perfect makeup, and a sincere smile stood and greeted me with a hug.
“This is Marla,” Theo introduced us.
She was extremely beautiful, but much more down to earth than I’d expected.
We ordered, drank wine, and talked about things other than work, like summer vacations Theo and Marla had taken, about Luke’s military experience, about the world, a world I’d never experienced. I felt out of place as they all talked so freely about these foreign things.
“Luke tells me you nursed a squirrel back to health,” Marla said, her eyes excited as she spoke.
“Yes, well, he has a long way to go, but he’s getting around quite well,” I replied.
The conversation suddenly turned on me, talk about possibly obtaining a degree, staying on at the ranch, or moving on, somewhere exotic. I was grateful that Theo and Luke hadn’t told Marla about my life, so she could imagine me capable of these things, but it was awkward trying to avoid the questions.
Luke saved me, changing the subject to Theo, and his plans to build a house in the mountains. He talked about Xander, and how he lived in the mountains for years, but for much different reasons than Theo’s.
I enjoyed dinner, and it was nice to feel fancy for a bit, but I was relieved when it was over. We said our goodbyes to Theo and Marla, and Luke pulled on my hand, nudging me towards a small ice cream stand.
“You barely ate at dinner,” he noted.
I hated eating in front of people, especially in a place like that. There were too many forks, so many rules, and I didn’t have a clue what to do.
“Chocolate,” I beamed, happily accepting the ice cream he offered.
Luke ordered two chocolate cones, double dips, and then reached for my hand again.
“I have some amazing news,” he announced, guiding me towards a bench that overlooked the water.
I knew there was something he was keeping from me. He was a horrible secret keeper.
“What?” I asked eagerly.
“Jackson tol
d me he’s offering you a position full-time,” he blurted.
My heart started to race. Full-time. That meant I had to decide to stay, not just for now, but for the long term. I started to panic as Luke took my hand.
“You can do this. They will help you if you want a degree. You’re not obligated to stay, but it’s them saying they want you,” he explained.
It sounded better the way he said it that time.
“That’s really exciting,” I said, apparently with less enthusiasm than Luke expected.
“Baby, don’t you want to stay?” he asked.
His eyes were so blue, so hungry for the right answer. I swallowed hard, took one last deep breath to kick the elephant from my chest, and thought about what Theo had said outside the church. I touched my heart, and then Luke’s. I knew I wanted to stay. There was no other place I wanted to be.
“Yes. I want to stay,” I smiled.
“There’s more,” he grinned.
I wasn’t sure I could handle more.
“Dreamer is yours to keep,” he winked.
“Oh, Lyla wouldn’t like that. She had a hard enough time accepting Sully,” I chuckled.
“She doesn’t have to accept it,” Luke grinned.
I stared into his eyes, trying to read what he was thinking. My heart raced, and my gut dropped like on a rollercoaster.
“My own place?” I exclaimed.
Luke nodded, his smile wide and proud.
I jumped into his arms, kissing him repeatedly on his neck as he held both our ice cream cones.
It was like a dream as Luke walked me up to Lyla’s. The night had been perfect, the diner, the ice cream, the long walk, and all this. He stood on the porch with a smile, and I knew he was about to ask. I leaned in, tip-toed upward and kissed him on the mouth, slow, sensual, and felt my entire body start to tingle.
I pulled back, nervous about the feeling it created, and stared wildly into his beautiful eyes.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
I was curious but didn’t ask.
“Kissing me like that really shows me you trust me,” he smiled.
“I do,” I said softly.
“Can I have one more kiss?” he asked, leaning in to whisper in my ear.