by Kat Brookes
“You’re having a party?” Jackson said, feigning surprise as he cast a quick glance at Lainie.
“We are,” her son replied as they made their way toward Jackson’s truck. “And you’re invited. Can you come? We’re having pizza.”
“It’s your birthday. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Jackson told him as he led them to his truck. “Just tell me what time I need to be here.”
Lucas looked to Lainie. “What time is my party?”
“Six o’clock.”
“I’ll be there,” Jackson said as he reached out to open the rear passenger door for Lucas. “But I’m going to give you your present now. If that’s okay.”
Lainie glanced back to see her child nodding excitedly. Laughing softly, she said, “I think that’s a yes.”
Jackson helped her up into the truck and then walked around to the driver’s side. “Buckle up,” he said as he did so himself.
“Already done,” Lainie assured him as she settled back in her seat.
They were pulling up to Jackson’s place in no time at all, but then he did live right next door to her brother.
Lucas started for the house, making Lainie grin knowingly. Jackson stopped them. “Your present isn’t in the house. It’s in the barn.”
“The barn?” Lucas said in confusion.
“Too big to keep in my house,” Jackson told him as he led them across the yard.
Jackson had called to ask her permission to give Lucas the gift he had in mind. A gift her son was sure to love. The thought had barely settled in her mind when they stepped into the barn and she saw them. Not one, but two long faces looking back at her from above the adjacent stall gates. The smaller of the two bedecked in a bright red bow.
“Happy birthday, Lucas,” he said with a wide grin.
The horses nickered in greeting as Jackson, Lainie and Lucas moved toward them.
“The one with the fancy ribbon tied to its mane is yours, Lucas. That is, if you want him.”
“Mine?”
“Yep. His name is Cody,” Jackson said. “He’s named after Buffalo Bill Cody.”
“I love him!” her son exclaimed.
Jackson chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes, that you want him.”
Her son nodded eagerly.
“We’ll keep him here until you’ve learned the basics of riding and caring for a horse of your own.”
“What do you tell Jackson?” Lainie prompted with a smile.
“Thanks!”
“You’re welcome. Happy birthday.”
As Lucas stood admiring his new gift, Jackson inclined his head for Lainie to step over to the adjoining stall. “This is Annie.” He looked to Lainie. “She’s yours if you want her.”
“Jackson, I told you giving Lucas a horse was too much, even though you convinced me to let you do so. But this is truly too much.”
“Lainie, I’ve got more than enough horses to call my own,” he explained. “And these two Paints are sweet natured and used to being ridden.”
“Jackson, I can’t. It’s Lucas’s birthday, not mine,” she said.
“Maybe so, but this is for all those birthdays of yours I missed,” he replied, his tone tender.
“Jackson,” she said again, scarcely able to get the words out. It had been years since she’d ridden, and she’d missed those carefree days. Missed the horse she’d grown up with. The one she’d sold before she went off to college, because Flapjack had deserved to be with someone who took him for rides and loved him as she had always done.
“These two needed to find a new home pretty fast and I thought about you and Lucas. Autumn mentioned that you were looking to buy a place with a barn, so you could get a couple of horses.”
“After I had a barn,” she pointed out as she took in the beautiful Paint, her heart melting.
“I suppose this is what they refer to as putting the horse before the cart. Or barn, as would be the case here.”
“Can we keep them?” Lucas said as he moved to stroke the white blaze running down the center of his horse’s nose, eliciting even more soft nickers.
Lainie looked to Jackson.
“Before you say anything, know that you are welcome to keep them here for as long as you need to. And they can stay here permanently if something happens and you don’t buy a place with a barn. But they will be yours and Lucas’s either way, and he can start riding Cody instead for his lessons.”
“Mom,” her son pleaded anxiously.
“Yes,” she said with a soft sigh, her hand coming to her mouth as she fought the rush of emotions moving through her. “We can keep them.”
“Yes!” Lucas shrieked, pumping a tiny fist in the air. His action caused the horses to pull back warily. He looked to Jackson with a worried frown. “I forgot to use my quiet voice.”
Jackson chuckled. “I think they’ll forgive you.”
Lucas surprised them both by wrapping his arms around Jackson’s waist in a tight bear hug. “This is the best present ever.”
A soft gasp caught in Lainie’s throat at her son’s reaction. She’d known he’d be excited, but it had been so long since she’d seen him display real warmth toward another. Jackson had done what even the specialists hadn’t been able to do. He’d managed to get past the emotional wall Lucas had built up around himself, one that had begun to seem unbreachable.
Jackson looked to Lainie in panic, as if he feared he’d crossed a line he shouldn’t have crossed. That she might resent him for the show of gratitude her son seemed determined to keep from her.
She offered a reassuring smile, wishing she could say more. But she didn’t want to do or say anything that would cause Lucas to take a step back when he had just taken such a huge one forward. “A horse does make for a very special gift. Especially for ones in need of a home. Thank you so much for thinking of us.”
Relief eased the look of tension on Jackson’s face. “It wasn’t hard,” he admitted, meeting Lainie’s gaze. “The two of you are never far from my mind.”
Before she could respond, her son released his hold on Jackson to ask, “Can I ride him now?”
Lainie looked over to see Cody once more nudging his nose in Lucas’s direction.
“Your mom has a birthday party to prepare for today, and I have some things to see to at the main ranch before the festivities begin,” Jackson replied. “How about we all take a short ride around the ranch tomorrow? Get to know your new mounts.”
Her son’s eyes widened. “Outside?”
“Outside,” Jackson confirmed. “You, your mom and me.” He looked to Lainie. “That is if it’s all right with you. I think he’s ready.”
Was her son ready to leave the relatively safe confines of the barn’s indoor ring? All she could do was trust in Jackson to know if he was or wasn’t. He’d been the one working with Lucas. And Jackson Wade was one of the best there was when it came to riding.
“It’s been so long since I’ve ridden,” she said. “It sounds like fun. And Lucas can show me what he’s learned.” Especially since her son hadn’t been keen on her watching him during his riding lessons. He said it made him mess up. She’d made certain to give him some breathing room when it came to his lessons.
“Then tomorrow’s a go,” Jackson said, his grin widening. He turned to Lucas and gave his hair a tousle. “Before I take you two home, would you mind very much if we swung by Tucker’s place? I believe Blue has a little special something waiting there for you, too.”
Lucas’s face lit up even more. “She does?”
“That’s so sweet of her,” Lainie said. Jackson’s family had taken Lucas under its wing. They’d done the same with her as well when she was growing up. Only now that wing included Tucker’s and Garrett’s wives. Women who were now her friends, offering her the same unconditional love and support the Wades had always sho
wn her.
Her son looked up at the horse Jackson had gifted him with. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Smiling, Lainie reached out to run her hand down the mare’s neck. “So will I.” It had been so long since she’d gone riding with Jackson. Excitement she hadn’t felt for a very long time fluttered in her belly. And once again, Jackson Wade was the reason behind it. His connection with her son drew her to him all the more. He was so good with Lucas, with Blue, even with the babies. She had to wonder if Jackson realized what a good father he would make someday. There was no ignoring the thought that followed: a good husband as well. Or the ache that undeniable acknowledgment caused in her heart.
* * *
“Happy birthday, dear Lucas. Happy birthday to you!” everyone sang in unison that night at the birthday party.
“Make a wish before you blow out your candles,” Lainie told her son as he leaned over the cake she had baked for him.
Her son sat staring at the candles.
“Come on, Lucas,” Jessica’s son, Dustin, pleaded. “Make a wish. I’m ready for some cake.”
“Dustin,” Jessica softly scolded, her gaze fixed on Lainie’s son, a worried expression on her face.
“I can’t,” Lucas said, his earlier joy gone. “I’ll never get what I really want.”
Lainie’s heart sank. She knew what her son wanted more than anything—for his father to be back in their lives again. But that wasn’t going to happen. Will was gone for good.
“I’d say take a rain check on it.” Jackson spoke up from the far end of the kitchen table where they all had gathered. “You might find something later you’d like to wish for.”
“Can he do that?” Dustin asked, looking to his mother.
“Sure can,” Justin answered. “Unused birthday wishes are good for a whole year, but you only get one each birthday.”
Lainie’s mom reached out to pat her grandson’s hand. “Just blow your candles out, sweetie, and stick that wish in your back pocket for later.”
Heads bobbed in agreement around the table, their understanding where her son was concerned so very touching.
Just when Lainie feared her son was going to jump up from the table and run off, the way he tended to do whenever he was struggling emotionally, Lucas inhaled, leaned forward and proceeded to blow out all eight candles in one try.
Lainie’s father gave a low whistle. “Those are some impressive lungs, son.”
“He takes after his mother,” Justin said with a teasing grin.
Lainie tensed, waiting for her son to reject the notion that he was anything at all like his mother. But to her surprise, he said, “I ride like her, too.”
Relief and surprise swept through her at his response. Lainie felt a hand cover hers beneath the table, giving it a supportive squeeze. She offered Jackson a grateful smile, before saying, “Something tells me he’s going to be an even better rider than I was at his age.” She looked to Lucas. “I can’t wait to see you on your new horse.”
“Not sure how I’m supposed to compete with a horse,” Justin muttered, his grin evidence that he was merely giving Jackson a hard time.
“Blame my brothers,” Jackson said with a smile.
“Your brothers?” Lainie queried. “It was their idea for you to get Lucas a horse for his birthday?”
He nodded. “Tucker gave Blue a coloring book of horses. And Garrett gave Hannah’s son the old wooden rocking horse he’d had as a boy. I couldn’t let them one-up me. I needed to give the best equine gift I could.”
“Can’t get any better than a real horse,” Justin remarked with a chuckle.
Lainie laughed. “You Wade brothers and your competitive nature.” Something she was grateful for, if it had played even a small part in Jackson’s generous gesture.
“I’d rather have a real one then a wooden one,” Lucas said as his grandmother handed him the first slice of birthday cake.
“Me, too,” Dustin said, eyeing the slice of cake Lainie’s mother was now pushing his way.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” Lainie’s brother said with a glance in Jackson’s direction.
“Don’t even think about it, Justin Dawson,” Jessica told him. “I know nothing about taking care of a horse.”
“Maybe Mr. Wade could teach us like he’s teaching Lucas,” Dustin suggested.
“I’d be happy to,” Jackson offered.
“I’m pretty good in the saddle as well,” Justin said. “If you want riding lessons, I can give them to you.”
“You don’t have a horse,” Lainie pointed out. The hours her brother had put in at work gave him no time to ride, so he’d sold his mount years before.
“I’ve been thinking about getting myself one again,” he replied. “As soon as we’re back to a full workforce, I intend to divvy up my workload a little more, which would give me more time for things outside of work. Like riding.”
And Jessica, Lainie thought with an inner smile. She liked the nurse very much and was grateful for the changes she seemed to have brought about in Justin. And her brother wasn’t the only one finding happiness. After such a dark time in her life, Jackson had become her light, bringing her more joy than she’d known in a very long time.
“I am so relieved to hear that,” Lainie’s mother said. “You work yourself to the bone and your father and I are getting too old to have to worry overly about the well-being of our children.”
Which was exactly why Lainie had kept her issues with her son from her parents.
“As if that’s going to change your worry level over your children,” Lainie’s father said with a snort. “You live to fuss and worry over your children, grown or not.”
She smiled lovingly at her husband of nearly fifty years. “I suppose I do. Just as I worry over you. Speaking of which, I should help you clean up. Your father and I need to be getting home. He’s not keen on driving at night anymore.”
He nodded. “True. The old eyes aren’t what they used to be.” Her father looked to the others. “I’m a blessed man to have such a caring woman watching over me.”
The eyes might not be, but the heart was, Lainie thought as she listened to her parents exchange of words. The love they still felt for each other was evident in their words, in the tender looks they gave each other, in their actions. Lainie longed to know that same kind of deep, everlasting connection of the heart, something she had almost found with Will. But he’d been taken from her before that bonding that came with time could fully take root. Her thoughts turned to Jackson and she could see, with such clarity, that the boy she’d given her heart to could become the man who could give her that everlasting love.
“No need, Mom,” Lainie said. “There’s not much to clean up. You and Dad get going. Because you’re not the only ones who worry. Just be sure to call me when you get home.”
“We will, honey.” She stood and moved to the chair Lucas was sitting in, kissing her grandson on the top of his head. “Happy birthday, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Grandma,” Lainie’s son replied, then he looked to his grandfather. “Thanks for the video game.”
“You’re welcome, son,” Lainie’s father replied. “Enjoy.”
Hugs were exchanged as her parents said goodbye.
“We should get going, too,” Jessica said as she walked over to help Lainie with the dishes. “I work the morning shift tomorrow.”
“Leave these be,” Lainie told her. “There isn’t much to wash up. I’ll do them after everyone is gone.” She had used paper plates to serve the pizza and birthday cake and only had to wash the utensils.
“I’ll go grab our coats,” Justin said.
“Can I ride with you to take them home?” Lucas asked from where he sat, working on a puzzle with Dustin.
“If it’s all right with your mother,” her brother told him, looking to Lainie for her deci
sion.
Lucas swung his gaze in her direction, too. “Can I, Mom?”
“Can he?” Dustin asked excitedly. “Then I could show him my room and let him hold Spot.”
“You have a puppy?” Lainie asked with a smile.
“Pet lizard,” Jessica explained.
“He’s a leopard gecko,” Dustin clarified with a toothy grin.
“Thus the name Spot,” her brother said.
“A gecko,” Lainie repeated in surprise, suddenly very thankful that Jackson had gotten her son a horse and not a lizard. She wasn’t as comfortable with reptiles as she was with farm animals. She met her son’s imploring gaze. “As long as you don’t bring a lizard home with you, you can go with Uncle Justin.”
“I won’t.”
“Okay, birthday boy,” her brother said. “Go upstairs and grab your coat while I go get ours.”
“Come on,” Lucas said to Dustin, the two of them racing from the room.
A few minutes later, Lainie and Jackson stood at the edge of the porch waving goodbye as Justin’s SUV drove away.
“Well,” she said, turning to Jackson, “that went well. Better than expected, honestly. And I owe part of that to you.”
“Me?” he said with a chuckle. “What did I do?”
“You know full well what you did,” she told him, poking a playful finger into his chest. “Telling my son to save his wish for something he might want later on.”
His playful expression grew serious. “I knew what Lucas wanted to wish for and saw it taking him to a place he didn’t need to be. So I threw that out. Figured a little gentle redirection of his thoughts couldn’t hurt.”
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him. “For all you’ve done for my son, for me, for the horses, for caring,” she said, emotion causing her words to catch. “Having your friendship back means the world to me, Jackson.”
“I thank the Lord every night for bringing you back into my life,” he admitted. “I’ve missed you.”
“Same here,” she said, growing teary-eyed. “Do you have time to talk?” she asked, motioning toward the settee on the porch.