“Can I ride the bus to school this morning?”
Honor’s question instantly changed Charlie’s trajectory. She’d been heading for a coffee refill. Instead she came to a screeching halt next to the breakfast bar where Honor was shoving her lunch box into her backpack.
“How come you want to ride the bus this morning?” Charlie had been driving her since her arrival. It felt like old habit now. Changing things might sting...a lot.
A shrug answered.
“Is there a friend you want to ride with?”
Honor shook her head.
“You just want to try it out, huh?”
A nod answered.
Okay. Charlie inhaled, exhaled. “I mean, yeah, sure, I guess. If that’s what you want to do.”
Honor flashed a winning smile that Charlie took as confirmation that she was doing the right thing. Angela had said from the start that Honor could ride the bus. Charlie was the one who hadn’t been ready yet.
After finishing their morning routine, they headed for the bus stop.
At the edge of the garage lot, Honor paused. “I’ll go by myself.”
“Are you—” Charlie didn’t get to finish her question. Honor had already joined the group of kids converging on the bus stop from various directions.
The pickup location was one block away, but the distance might as well be a mile for how far it felt.
Charlie waited for the bus to appear, sipping from her coffee mug, acting as if this was normal everyday stuff when it was actually huge, never-happened-before stuff.
When the bus pulled up and the door swung open, Honor hopped on without a glance back. A good thing, Charlie reminded herself as she entered the shop, donned her coveralls and popped in her earbuds. Maybe a little independence could be good for both of them.
First on her docket today was replacing an alternator. The procedure soothed her as she disconnected cables and the heat shield, removed the drive belt. She hummed along to her country playlist while she worked.
Charlie was usually pretty put together. Organized. Liked to know what was happening and when and why. She enjoyed math and logic and things that made sense—like engines. She wasn’t a fan of game playing or emotional drama.
Yet ever since Honor had entered her life along with her uncle, all of the structure Charlie craved had flown out the window. Since working on her to-do lists the last few nights after Honor went to bed, she finally felt as if she’d found her rhythm again.
Between songs on her playlist, she heard the back door of the shop open. She turned to greet Scott.
“Morning.”
Except the figure inside the door was taller and broader than the young mechanic. Charlie let out a screech of recognition and flew over to her brother. “What are you doing here?” She hugged him, making sure her gloves didn’t land on any of his clothes, and he laughed, squeezing her back.
“I finally found the one.” Finn wore a checked button-down shirt, jeans and boots. His long legs had always made her jealous, since Charlie clocked in at five foot six.
“A woman?”
“Definitely not one of those. At least, not again.” Charlie knew Finn had been involved with a woman for a short stint of time, but things hadn’t ended well, and Finn had been mum on the details. “A ranch. I’m buying the Burkes’ place. Finally found the right amount of land, right setup.”
Charlie removed her gloves. “That’s so great. Come grab a cup of coffee with me. Tell me about it.” They went into the office, and she brewed a new pot while her brother told her details about the number of acres, the house and outbuildings.
Finn took his coffee black, so Charlie filled a mug for him and handed it off before doctoring her own. “I’m so happy for you, brother. Congratulations.” They clinked cups. “It’s about time you got here. I moved here thinking you’d be here first, and now I’m the local.”
Finn’s grin showcased white teeth. Braces—with headgear, as Charlie happily recalled—had gotten him the perfect smile. There hadn’t been much she could tease her little brother about and win, as he’d been bigger than her almost from the start, but she’d definitely bruised him up over the embarrassing headgear.
“I’m glad I finally found the right place with the right terms. Trust me, I wanted to be here a while ago.”
“To escape a certain someone?”
Finn swirled the coffee in his mug, momentarily mesmerized by it. “That’s not the reason why, as this was always my plan after leaving Wilder Ranch. Save money and get a place of my own.” He met her gaze, hurt lurking in the shadows of his. “But the timing...yeah, I’m all right with that part.”
If only he’d tell her the whole story. “I’m sorry it’s been rough.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” Darkness claimed his features for a second, but he shook it off. “So, what about you? How’s the kid?”
“She’s great. Still adjusting to everything, of course, but I can see her starting to relax, to feel safe.” Her throat filled with a ball of emotion. “She didn’t ask for any of the mess she’s been dealt, that’s for sure.”
“You’re doing a good thing, sis.”
“Thanks.” But that wasn’t why she’d signed up. Caring for Honor wasn’t about earning brownie points or jewels in her crown. She’d just...known this was her next thing. Her next to-do. Sort of like she’d known to open the last shop in Colorado Springs that she’d ended up selling, and then followed her gut to Westbend once Finn had planned to buy a ranch and settle nearby. “It’s funny. She rode the bus to school this morning, and you would’ve thought she drove the car herself based on my reaction. I missed driving the tyke. She’s not very chatty, but we’re comfortable with each other.” At least Charlie was comfortable with Honor. She couldn’t speak for the girl’s feelings.
“Huh.”
Finn’s lack of response grated. “What do you mean by that?”
He topped off his coffee. “Nothing.”
“Finn Marshall Brightwood.” His middle name had come from their granddad, and Charlie had often been jealous of that connection, too. Though if the old man was picking favorites...she had no doubt they’d both assume they were the golden child. Their dad’s dad was a rock star in that way. “Spill.”
He took his sweet time sipping coffee before acquiescing. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. It’s hard for me to hear you’re getting attached when this sounds like it’s going to be a short-term gig.”
She’d bombarded Ryker the other night at school by spouting all of his fears, and now Finn was doing the same to her. “I know what I signed up for, and it’s going to come with a certain amount of pain one way or the other. But I’d rather live and endure some hurt than hole up and hide.”
Finn took that in slowly, digesting it as if it had something to do with him and not just her. His shoulders squared. “That makes sense. We have to keep living.”
What in the world had his last relationship done to him? Finn was usually so strong, so positive. Willing to see and believe the best in everyone.
“If loving Honor brings me some pain...” She raised her cup as if to say what can I do? “It is what it is. I’m here now, and I’m not quitting.”
“You sound like a Brightwood.”
They shared a smile at their granddad’s saying.
“I can’t wait for you to meet Honor. Do you have time today?”
“I’ll make time.”
And that, Charlie thought, was why she’d missed her brother. So it was a good thing he was about to get his rear end back to Colorado. She could use some more of his balance and steadiness in her life.
During the last three days, Ryker had worked for Alma Dinnerson doing projects at her rental properties. While she hadn’t offered him the duplex—unfortunately the showing after his had rented it without needing to delay the deposit—Alma had still rescued him by throwing him some work, even if it was only temporary. And she’d also referred him to a couple who rented out a room in their basement on a monthly basis.
It wasn’t ideal—Ryker would have preferred to find a two-bedroom right away—but considering that he didn’t have a permanent job and that he still owed rent for his room in Texas, Alma’s solution was a godsend. The space had its own entrance but not a full kitchen, so he’d have to make do with a toaster oven and microwave, which wasn’t really a hardship. He didn’t cook much beyond using those appliances anyway, and the minifridge would work for him, too.
He’d been able to afford the month of rent they’d asked for, and they hadn’t made him sign anything long-term, understanding that he’d be moving on quickly.
Ryker had moved his things over from the Lazy Bones Motel last night. He didn’t have furniture, except for his army cot, which he’d thrown into the back of his truck at the last second before leaving Texas. He’d be sleeping on that for the foreseeable future. The couple had left a small table and two chairs in the room for him to borrow, so the setup would work fine. And now that he had a place to call his own, albeit small, he’d have one of his old roommates ship some more of his things.
While Ryker appreciated the work and room Alma had sent his way and her quick payment which would help him stay afloat, it was now early Friday afternoon, and he still hadn’t found a permanent job that would allow him to stay in Colorado.
He couldn’t ignore Charlie’s challenge to him about Sunny Farms any longer. If he was going to fail at getting his dream job, he at least had to put forth a decent effort first.
Ryker popped back to his new place and showered, then dressed in jeans, boots and a button-down that hopefully screamed cowboy and good with horses. He forced himself into his truck, his foot hesitant on the pedal as he drove to Sunny Farms.
All they can do is say no, and I’m already at that juncture. It can’t get worse than my current situation.
The jaded pep talk did little to encourage him. Hearing no from Sunny Farms would sting, no doubt. That’s why he’d been avoiding driving out there all week.
He wound out of town, finding his way by memory. It was a beautiful spread, and as his truck kicked up dust down the long drive, he fought the strangest sense of rightness. Wishful thinking.
He parked and made his way over to a woman in an outdoor arena who was training young riders. After about fifteen minutes, the instructions ended. The kids led their horses to the stables along with another staffer, and the woman came Ryker’s way.
“Afternoon,” she called out. “Something I can help you with?”
Ryker sucked in a breath and shot up a silent prayer. “I left a message a few days ago.” He swallowed to combat the desert currently residing in his mouth. “Wondering if you’re hiring.”
The woman wore a Sunny Farms polo with jeans and boots. Ryker would place her in her midfifties. Her face bore faint wrinkles, but they were the variety that seemed to come from the sun and contentment.
“I’m Lou. Short for Louisa, but if you call me that, I won’t answer.” She offered her hand, and Ryker shook it. “Our phone system has been acting up. Not sure I heard your message, or I would have called you back. We just posted a job yesterday. What are you looking to do?”
Ryker’s pulse thundered. “Anything.”
By the time they finished talking thirty minutes later, Ryker had a job. A dream job. Because not only did the ranch raise and sell world-class horses, they offered an internship program to college students and employed teens as barn assistants. After his training, Lou wanted part of his job to be managing the teens.
If Ryker were a crying man, he’d seriously consider it.
Lou asked if he could start on Monday, so he filled out some paperwork before leaving. Shaky and surprised and grateful over how things had gone, Ryker got back in his truck and rumbled down the dirt drive.
“Guess I’m not as much of a screwup as you’d thought I would be, huh, Bruce?” He tossed the comment into the universe, hoping it smacked into the man who’d made it his mission to verbally kick Ryker on every occasion possible. Mom hadn’t listened when Ryker had tried to explain how Bruce had treated him, so eventually, he’d stopped telling her. He’d figured out how to fend for himself. To get out of the house every chance he could get.
God had been waiting for him at the Armijos’. Ryker had healed a lot over the years, but when things got dicey, those old wounds reopened and festered.
Not anymore. Not in Colorado.
Crazy to think that a job that had hatched out of an emergency could actually be exactly where he was supposed to be.
Without Charlie challenging him, Ryker wouldn’t have driven out to Sunny Farms. He wouldn’t have found a position that made his pulse fly. And he wanted to tell her about it. Her and Honor.
It was time for school to let out. If he hurried, he could catch the girls at pickup and share his good news.
Despite the fact that he was working toward taking over Honor’s care, he was strangely confident Charlie would celebrate with him—especially since she was the one who’d pushed him to apply in person.
Ryker slowed when he reached the school and scanned the pickup line out front. It was jammed with vehicles, so he pulled to the side of the road to get a better look. If he spotted them, he could throw his truck in Park and jog over, since space was limited.
Charlie’s red Mustang was in the second aisle, three cars back. A man filled the passenger seat. Tall. Lean. Young—around his or Charlie’s age. Ryker’s gut fell through the floorboard of his truck. He’d thought she wasn’t dating anyone. And even if it was just a friend, the last thing Honor needed in her life was some random guy.
The man got out to let Honor in the back seat and greeted her by bending to her level. She didn’t hug him. After a short conversation that Ryker would give anything to hear, she hopped in the back and the three of them rolled away. He sat, staring out the windshield as the traffic eased and parents and children vacated the lot.
He couldn’t decide if he was angry or hurt. Charlie was allowed to have a life, no doubt. But when it affected Honor...it became his business.
Charlie formed burger patties as Honor and Finn built a castle out of blocks in the living room. Since she no longer had space for Finn to stay at her apartment, he was renting a room at Little Red Hen Bed & Breakfast, which Addie ran. In an impromptu move, Charlie had invited Addie, Evan and Sawyer over for dinner tonight along with her brother.
With Finn showing up unexpectedly and she and Scott catching up at work today, this was the lightest Charlie had felt in a long time. She’d also checked on the progress of the construction next door and had been pleased to find that her contractor was on the ball and things were on schedule.
And even better than all of that—Honor had come home from school chatting about Gabby. The girls were quickly developing a close friendship, and each day Honor seemed more adjusted, less lost, more at peace. She’d even taken to Finn quickly. Though who wouldn’t? Charlie’s brother was the best of the best. As dependable and supportive as a summer day was long.
A knock sounded on her door, and then Addie poked her head inside. “It’s us.”
“Come in!”
“It’s me, it’s me.” Sawyer marched into the apartment as if he was a king, and to Charlie, he was. She adored the little rascal.
“Hey, trouble.” She quickly washed and dried her hands so that she could scoop the toddler up in a hug. “We got some new building blocks. That’s my brother, Finn, playing with Honor. You should go check them out.” The moment she released Sawyer, he did exactly that.
Charlie greeted Addie and Evan with hugs, then accepted the pan full of something delicious from her friend. “What did you bring me?”
“Strawberry shortcake.”
Charlie’s saliva glands kicked on full force. “Yum. You’re my favorite friend ever.”
Addie laughed. “Right back at ya.”
Charlie made introductions between Finn and Evan from her perch in the kitchen. Addie had met her brother previously. A hum of conversation filled her apartment, and Charlie’s heart expanded. This was good. Really good. For once she wasn’t doubting her choice to provide a home for Honor. The girl’s recent improvement was all the proof she needed.
“I’m going to throw these on the grill.” She snagged the plate of patties. “Be right back.” She headed down the outdoor wooden stairs. It was so bright with the sun beaming down at a slant that she almost didn’t notice Ryker sitting in his pickup truck, parked in the alley.
Almost.
Charlie plunked the platter of meat on the metal shelf attached to the grill. “What are you doing over there?” She raised her voice so that Ryker would hear her through his half-open window. The man was the definition of a stalker, sitting in his truck unannounced like that. Her insides even gave a squeeze of recognition that something was off as he hopped out of his vehicle and came her way. It was the first time he’d displayed any action reminiscent of their heated run-in at the park.
Weird. Charlie ignored the tweak in her universe and started the grill. It would need to warm up a minute before she added the burgers.
Ryker leaned against the wooden staircase, facing her, not saying anything.
“What is going on with you?” Her arms crossed without her permission, but the chill accompanying the man required a sweater.
“I think the better question is, what’s going on with you?” Ryker glanced away, almost broadcasting...hurt. But that didn’t make any sense. Charlie hadn’t seen him since the meeting at school on Tuesday night.
“Look, Ryker, I’m terrible at games, so spit it out. What’s your deal?” Had he seen she was having people over? Was he upset he wasn’t invited or something? No way. That option was too junior high to be possible.
“I went out to Sunny Farms this afternoon. They had a position and hired me on the spot.”
“What? That’s so great!” Charlie should be happy for him, right? She kept telling herself that Ryker getting his stuff in order was the best scenario for Honor. The girl should be with family. That’s how the system worked. That’s how things would likely end up. Charlie would figure out a way to adjust. To trust that God had a plan in all of it that she couldn’t see yet. And to trust that if Honor ended up with Ryker, that’s where she was supposed to be.
“Yeah. It was.” Ryker’s huff cut off further explanation.
“You still seem upset. I don’t understand.”
He shoved agitated hands into his jeans’ pockets. “I got the job and the only thing I could think about was telling Honor...and you.”
Her pulse skipped and jumped rope. “Oh.” That was nice. What did that mean?
“I went by school to tell you. It was on my way back into town. And what do I see but you picking up Honor with some guy in your car. I’m not sure who it is. Was. But I don’t think she needs anyone influencing her right now who’s not one of us. She’s too vulnerable. And I know what it is to have a rotten male influence in my life. I don’t want that for her.”
He was at a ten on the volume meter.
“Are you done yet?” Charlie jerked open the metal grill cover and began shoving burgers onto the sizzling grate. “I don’t appreciate the insinuation that I’d bring anyone questionable around Honor. You don’t know me well enough to make accusations like that, Ryker Hayes.”
“Well, I didn’t know what to think when I rolled up and saw the three of you.”
Steps sounded on the wooden platform above them. “Char? You all right down there? Evan thought he heard a commotion.”
Ryker’s face flipped to bright red, and he pointed above them as if to say told you so. As if proving she’d had a man with her in the car. Please. Charlie barely resisted poking the metal spatula into Ryker’s chest.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” She answered her brother, voice surprisingly smooth despite the anger heating through her. “Give me a minute, okay?”
Finn’s hesitation sounded in his slow return inside. Finally, the door clicked shut. “You had better pull yourself together, Ryker, or you’re going to repeat that first day in the park, and how far would that set you back? Coming over here to accuse me of something was a terrible idea. You can’t just pop by whenever you get the whim. Pick up the phone and call me next time. Ask me straight out.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Well, you’re doing an awful job of it.” She finished adding the patties and slammed the lid down with excess force, causing a clang to reverberate through her arm. “And it’s not like I have to explain my decisions to you.”
“I know.” The words exploded. “That’s what makes it so hard.” Ryker scrubbed fingers through his hair, leaving the disheveled locks in stark contrast to the rest of him. Smooth cheeks boasted a recent shave, and his long-sleeved button-down was coupled with crisp jeans.
He’d stepped it up for stopping by Sunny Farms.
Focus, Brightwood. In the middle of a heated discussion isn’t the time to be ogling the man.
“My brother, Finn, rode along to pick up Honor today. Not some stranger, not some random guy. Who did you think would be with me?”
Ryker’s upset visibly deflated. “I thought maybe a boyfriend. Wasn’t sure.”
“I’m not dating anyone. Wouldn’t you know that by now?”
“I thought I did. I just—” His lips pressed together.
Had he been jealous? Could that explain part of the fiery reaction shooting from him over the last few minutes? A spark ignited in Charlie, blossoming at the thought.
“Growing up, my mom was the queen of bad boyfriends, and a couple of them, one in particular, really messed with me.”
The baby ember was quickly snuffed out by trepidation. “Did he...” She was afraid to ask...and afraid to not ask and miss out on knowing more about this man in front of her. “Was he abusive?”
“Mostly verbal, though he shoved me around a time or two...” Ryker shrugged as if it didn’t matter, but of course it did. “He still affects me every so often. Still sneaks into my mind, and I just... I have to protect Honor from something like that. When I saw your brother, it all came rushing back. Even his build—he’s an imposing guy—reminded me of Bruce, who was my mom’s boyfriend when I was in middle school. I guess the sight of him messed with me.”
Middle school. So young. Not that there was ever a good age to suffer abuse. Tears pooled, and Charlie opened the grill under the guise of checking the burgers to hide her response from Ryker. He had his own emotions to deal with. He didn’t need hers added on top.
“I’m sorry that happened to you. It shouldn’t have. And I’m sorry that today triggered it. I can promise you my brother is the most kind and gentle man. Probably to a fault. I wouldn’t let just anyone around Honor. She means too much to me.”
Ryker’s exhale shuddered. “Thank you.”
Footsteps sounded on the wooden platform above them, but they were too light to be Finn’s.
“Uncle Ry?” Honor peeked through the wooden slats and then scurried down the stairs. She barreled into Ryker, and he scooped her up, obviously struggling to send his painful past far away from the present.
Charlie began flipping burgers to give them a moment. Ryker had peeled back a layer of himself just now, and she was surprisingly grateful it had been with her.
When she’d walked down the stairs and spotted Ryker, she’d envisioned a repeat of the first night at the park. But after his revelation, his heightened response over seeing a man he didn’t know with Honor made so much sense.
What didn’t was the pinch of disappointment Charlie had felt when she’d realized his concerns were over Honor...and not jealousy over her.