Chapter 4

MARY ELIZABETH’S STORY

How in the world was I going to explain Tommy without freaking Cody out? And how was I going to explain it without getting into all the details? I wanted to share all that with Cody, because he needed to understand why I was so protective of my identity and privacy, but there wasn’t time to get into it today. It needed to happen when we could be uninterrupted, and within the hour an eight year old interruption would blow into the house like a hurricane.

“What us, Mary Beth? Oh man, you’re married aren’t you? Or you have a boyfriend? I should have known someone like you would be taken. Man, I’ve really made an idiot of myself haven’t I?” Cody rambled.

I reached over and grabbed his large, strong hands, urging him to look at me. I saw disappointment and hurt there when his eyes did not meet mine.

“Cody?” I asked, trying to get him to focus completely on what I was saying. “Look at my left hand.” I commanded.

He looked at me in confusion but obeyed and looked down at my hand.

“What do you see there?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said softly before looking back up at me with just a glimmer of hope.

“That’s right. Nothing. There’s no husband, no fiancé, no boyfriend, no one. Do you think I’m the type of person who would lead you on if I weren’t available to you?” I asked softly.

“No, Mary Beth, not at all. It’s just when you said ‘us’ it scared me. If the us isn’t another guy then who is it?” he asked in confusion.

“Well, you may be even more scared by my answer,” I laughed nervously. “The ‘us’ is another guy, but it just happens to be an eight year old guy. My son Tommy,” I said hesitantly as I waited for his response, worriedly chewing on my lip.

“Wow! Your son? I admit I wasn’t expecting that answer,” he said as he sat down in shock, letting out a long, deep breath. “That I can handle,” he laughed nervously. “You belonging to someone else? That I know for sure I couldn’t handle.”

“So, you’re ok with this? I mean, just like that?” I asked incredulously.

“Well, I’m not going to say it’s not going to take some getting used to and I’m not going to say that I’m not a little weirded out by it, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I mean, I’m just a big kid myself. Once I get to know him I’m sure we’ll be great! Wait, you are going to let me get to know him, right?” he asked uncertainly.

“Of course! It’s not like I’m going to hide you in the barn or something while he’s home and then bring you out once he goes to school. If you’re going to be here and be a part of things you need to get to know him and him get to know you. You’re sure you’re going to be ok with this? Me being a mom?” I asked still unsure, my brow raised.

“Just give me time Mary Beth! I’ll be fine and so will we, ok?” he said reassuringly, laughing.

“Ok,” I smiled softly, my voice quiet.

“I have one question though,” he asked, suddenly very serious. “Where is his dad?”

“Cody, I promise you that I will tell you the whole story tomorrow, ok? Tommy will be home in a few minutes and it’s not a story I want to tell in front of him or with any interruptions. It’s going to be a hard story for me to get through, but I promise to trust you with all of it tomorrow, if you’ll allow me that,” I said hopefully.

“Mary Beth, I’d allow you almost anything.” He grinned. “That’s fine. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m not going anywhere. Now what should I know about Tommy before he gets home? I want to make a good impression!” he bellowed.

“Cody, where have you been my whole life?” I laughed, throwing caution to the wind and pulling him into another hug.

“Love, you ain’t seen nothing yet!” he chuckled as he returned my hug before letting me go and waiting for me to tell him more about Tommy.

“Well, he’s your typical eight year old in most ways. He loves cartoons. He loves video games. He loves to eat. Pizza is his favorite food. He loves riding his horse and playing outside. He loves sports, especially baseball and football. But he’s also incredibly intelligent and he loves to read and learn. He also loves to draw and he loves music,” I said proudly.

“What is his favorite video game?” Cody asked thoughtfully.

“Well,” I said as I heard the back door open, “why don’t you ask him?”

I heard Tommy drop his backpack in the mudroom before he ran into the kitchen. He ran straight up to me and hugged me tightly. He took a seat at the breakfast table, waiting for his snack, before he looked around the room and noticed Cody.

“Hey!” Tommy said, jumping up from his seat and pointing at Cody. “I know you!” he said excitedly with a smile.

Cody looked over at me as I blushed. He grinned and looked back at Tommy.

“Oh, you do?” he asked.

“Uh-huh. Mommy has a picture of you beside her computer! She said you are her, what’s that word again Mommy?” he asked.

“Inspiration,” I mumbled in embarrassment.

“Yeah! That’s it! She said you are her inspiration!” he said proudly.

Sometimes it drove me crazy that he never forgot anything.

“She said that, did she?” Cody grinned, winking at me, laughter rumbling from his broad chest.

“Uh-huh. I think she likes you,” he said simply.

“Thomas Calvin!” I exclaimed.

“Well, you said…” he began again.

“Never mind what I said. I want to introduce you. Tommy, this is my friend Cody,” I said as Cody reached out and took Tommy’s hand in his own. “Cody, meet my overly informative son Tommy.” I smiled.

“Tommy it’s great to meet you! Your mom has told me a lot about you!” Cody said warmly.

“Mommy, can I show Cody my awesome room?” he asked.

Cody looked at me for reassurance.

“Do you have homework?” I asked, using my best mom voice.

“No, ma’am. I finished it during study period,” he said proudly.

“Then, sure! I think Cody wanted to see your video game collection. I’ll just work on dinner while you guys have fun!” I grinned, winking at Cody.

“What are we having for dinner, Mommy?” Tommy asked excitedly.

“Chicken parmigiana.” I smiled.

“Yummy! Come on Cody!” he said, bouncing excitedly towards his room.

Cody leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek before turning to follow Tommy. I knew they would be occupied until I called them for dinner so I stepped out on the front porch before I began cooking. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and dialed Julie’s phone number.

“Julie Patten’s office.” her receptionist answered.

“Stacey, its Mary Matthews. Please put Julie on the phone asap,” I said with urgency.

“Yes, ma’am,” she responded.

She knew I was Julie’s best friend and we had met on one or two occasions. She had no idea I was the company’s biggest client though. Until today no one knew that except Julie.

“I take it you got your delivery,” I heard her answer in amusement.

“I could kill you, you know,” I said, trying to sound angry.

“Mary, we both know you’re not really mad at me. You’re just having a little trouble with things being out of your control. You know you’re glad he’s there and you know I was right to send him,” she said simply.

Leave it to Julie to know exactly what to say. She was such a wise woman and such a good friend.

“It’s not that, Julie.” I began.

“No, it’s exactly that. I know you, Mary. You’re trying to figure out how to make this stay in your little box that you’ve drawn around your ranch. It’s not going to. You’re 35 years old! You’re 35 years old and one of the most amazing, vibrant, incredible women I’ve ever known. You can’t stay shut away from the world there forever. You’ve talked to him, so I know you know by now that you’re not the only one who’s been dreaming about today,” she said simply.

What could I say in response? She was 100% correct.

“You know I’m right, don’t you?” she said smugly.

“Yes,” I hissed, trying to hold back my laughter.

“Good. So, just go with it. Get to know him. See what happens. I think you’ll be happy you did. I have a good feeling about this!” she said excitedly.

“Me too,” I admitted softly.

“Well, that’s a start!” She laughed.

“Julie, I’m going to need your help with something. I know part of the reason Cody came here was because he wants to make a movie of ‘Where the Trail Ends’. I have no idea really how we need to go about this, but I want 100% control over all of it. I’ll bankroll it if I have to. If that means setting up a production company of my own I will. Can you work on getting together whatever I need to do?” I asked hopefully.

“Of course. I anticipated this would be what you wanted to do once you talked to Cody, so I’m already working on it. I should have everything you need by the end of the week. Once you and Cody talk everything over and decide what you want to do, let me know and I’ll get the ball rolling,” she said, suddenly all business.

“Will do. For now I think I’d better get to work on dinner for my hungry men,” I laughed.

“So he’s met Tommy?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yes,” I said simply.

“How did that go?” she asked hopefully.

“Cody was shocked at first and a bit hesitant, but he’s trying. They seem to hit it off and at the moment are in Tommy’s room playing video games,” I said.

“Good. Just be honest with him, Mary.” Julie offered.

“I’m doing my best, Julie. I’m doing my best,” I said, hanging up the phone and heading back inside.

I ran right into Cody’s chest as I turned into the kitchen. I felt his arms close around me as he caught me.

“Whoa! I’ve got you!” He chuckled. “Let me guess. Talking to Julie?” He laughed, wiggling his eyebrows as he noticed the phone in my hand.

“Yes. I let her know you made it safe and sound.” I laughed against his chest before pulling away. “She’s working on pulling things together for us for the movie. She should have everything together by the end of the week.”

“That’s good. I’m not in any rush where that’s concerned.” He winked. “Oh, Tommy wanted something to drink. I wasn’t sure what you’d want him to have, but if you’ll point me in the right direction I’ll fix us some drinks.”

“He can have some juice or some milk. You can have whatever you’d like though.” I winked. “The glasses are in the cabinet next to the sink. If you don’t mind, please put Tommy’s in one of the sports bottles. Less mess.”

With a content smile on my face, I watched as Cody made himself at home in the kitchen. I began to gather what I needed for our dinner and went to work. He again crossed the room to where I was working and kissed me again on the cheek before going back to Tommy’s room. I cooked dinner on auto pilot, my mind on the man with the wavy brown hair and the ultramarine sky blue eyes, with a captivating smile that I could get lost in.

A little over an hour later I had dinner ready to put on the table. I went to Tommy’s room to get him and Cody for dinner. I just stood in the doorway and watched them for a while. They were playing one of Tommy’s football games and apparently having a great time. Their laughter was contagious and I couldn’t stop from joining them. They both immediately turned around when they heard my laughter. Cody immediately stood up and smiled over at me.

“Is dinner ready Mommy?” Tommy asked, bouncing around his room.

“Yes. How about you come set the table for me?” I asked, moving out of the way as he bounded out of the room.

“Anything I can do to help?” Cody asked, walking over to join me.

“Maybe fix the drinks?” I asked.

“Sure!” he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek again before walking back towards the kitchen.

We had a fantastic dinner full of easy conversation. Cody devoured two platefuls of what I had cooked, raving about how delicious it was. It felt nice to be appreciated. After dessert he and Tommy began to clear the table and do the dishes. Yes, I could get used to this, I thought.

“Mommy, when we’re done can we play Wii?” Tommy asked.

I looked at Cody to see if he minded. He smiled and nodded.

“Sure, for an hour. Then it’s off to bed with you.” I smiled.

Several games of Wii bowling and tennis later, Tommy was in his room changing into his pajamas and brushing his teeth. I was getting him tucked in his bed when he asked for Cody.

“What’s up buddy?” Cody asked, sticking his head in the door.

“Will you still be here tomorrow?” Tommy asked hopefully.

“Sure will Tommy!” He laughed.

“Good!” Tommy said before yawning and turning over.

I leaned over and kissed Tommy’s forehead, got up and walked out into the hall, shutting the door behind me.

“I think he likes you.” I smiled at Cody.

“I’m glad, because I really like him, Mary Beth. He’s a great kid!” Cody gushed.

“I think I like you too,” I said quietly before I could stop myself.

“I’m glad because I know I really like you,” Cody said quietly into my ear before turning to go into the living room.

Wow! Things were just moving so fast. I don’t want to say it was too fast because it just felt so natural. After being alone all these years, all this attention was overwhelming, but at the same time I loved every minute of it.

I went back to the kitchen and poured a glass of tea for Cody and myself before joining him in the living room. I stopped to turn some music on before walking over to Cody. I handed him his glass and sat down on the couch next to him. I curled my feet up on the couch, trying to get comfortable. Cody reached out and lifted my legs and put my feet in his lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

We talked about anything and everything, except the heavy conversation that was looming over us tomorrow. Cody told me about his brother and his sisters. He told me about the rest of his family. It was evident in his voice how much he loved them. He told me funny stories from his school years. It was obvious he could be quite the prankster.

I told him stories about Tommy. I told him about the fun things we liked to do together. I told him a little bit about the ranch and what we did and how we ran things.

Every so often when the music would change we would stop and talk about what kind of music we liked and who our favorites were. “Mine Would Be You” by Blake Shelton began to play and Cody stood up and pulled me to my feet. He wrapped one arm around my waist and closed the other around my hand. I curled my other hand around the back of his neck and leaned into his chest as he began to move us around the room.

I momentarily wondered why he chose this song. Why he chose that moment to dance with me. He saw through me, through all the protective layers, and saw the real me. I’d never felt more vulnerable or real than this moment. I snuggled closer into Cody’s warm chest, soaking up the safety I already felt there.

I don’t know how long we had danced but when I suddenly felt my eyes begin to droop and felt myself yawn Cody pulled away from me.

“Time for Mary Beth to go to bed,” he laughed, gently caressing my cheek.

“But…” I began.

“No buts.” He grinned. “I’ll still be here when you wake up.”

I got Cody settled in the guest room, making sure he knew where everything was that he might need. As I turned to walk out the door he grabbed me and wrapped me up in a big bear hug. I settled into it, savoring the moment. I could get used to this. The man knew how to give hugs. They were the best I’d ever experienced without a doubt.

“Good night, Mary Beth,” he breathed into my hair.

“Good night, Cody,” I sighed against his chest, pulling him closer for a moment before letting him go.

I quickly got ready for bed and crawled under the covers. I assumed now that Cody was here with me that the dreams would stop. I expected a night of uninterrupted sleep, something I hadn’t had in months. I fell asleep easily but somewhere in the middle of the night the dreams began again. This time, however, Cody was lying next to me in my dreams. I was wrapped up in his arms. I could feel his arms around me and his lips on mine. Just as the kiss began to intensify I awoke with a start, sitting straight up in my bed. I was breathing heavily and covered in sweat. Well, this was new, I thought in amusement.

I threw my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. I walked downstairs and stopped in the mudroom to pull on my sandals. I opened the back door and headed out to the barn. I’m not sure how long I had been standing there, watching Sodapop trot around the corral, before I felt Cody standing beside me. I felt his arm close around my shoulder.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, smiling up at him.

“I had a dream.” He smiled back at me.

“What?” I gasped.

“You too?” he asked in surprise.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Right before you came out here?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” I said hesitantly.

“I woke up from my dream about the time I heard you open your bedroom door,” he whispered.

Wow…this was getting intense.

“In your dream were we…” I began before he stopped me.

“Yes,” he said simply.

“In my…” I began again.

“Yes,” he answered.

“Wow,” I sighed.

I felt him rest his cheek against the top of my head. We stood there in silence just letting the moment sink in. I reached my arm around his waist and pulled him closer to me. He let go of the rail and turned into me, closing his other arm around me.

“Cody?” I asked as I ran my hands up his back.

“Hmmm?”

“I’m glad you’re here.” I smiled up at him.

“Me too, love. Me too.” He smiled softly before turning us back towards the house.

He kept one arm around my shoulder as my arm stayed around his waist. Once we walked through the back door he held my hand as we climbed the stairs. He stopped at my bedroom door and gently kissed my cheek.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” He grinned before turning to go back to his room.

I turned and closed the door behind me, crawling back under the covers. Within minutes I was sound asleep again. Thoughts of Cody drifted in and out of my head, but they were soothing and I slept soundly the rest of the night thankfully. Tomorrow was going to be a hard day, for me and I feared for Cody as well.