LITMIR.BIZ

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just that I’ve always thought of myself as a homemaker and a mother, not a sole provider,” she explained to Jodie. “Although I know how important it is to be independent, sometimes I feel that I can’t do this alone.”

      “Yes, you can.” Jodie gave Kate a fierce hug. “Besides, you’re not alone. You have us, for better or for worse. And everyone in town loves you.”

      Kate nodded even as she thought of one person who wasn’t so fond of her inquisitive son—their neighbor Luke Simon. Still, she hugged Jodie back and felt better now that she’d expressed her fears. She wasn’t a wimp. She would get a job and she would be strong for Eddie.

      “Okay, I’ll leave you alone with the laundry. I just came down to tell you that we’re going into town. Travis needs to stop by the hardware store, then we’re joining Hank and Gwendolyn for an early dinner at Bretford House. We’d love for you and Eddie to join us.”

      “I’m not sure. He’s still napping after his little visit to the pasture.” Talking about Eddie brought Kate’s thoughts back to their neighbor. Luke could be at the hardware store, or just around town…or with Hank and Gwendolyn for dinner out. Ever since that first nonmeeting at the café, Kate had been unexpectedly conscious of him. She could barely talk to him, even to apologize for her son’s transgressions. The man flustered her more than she’d been flustered in a long, long time.

      “Oh? Did he cross the fence again?”

      Kate held up the shirt. “There’s evidence he did, though I didn’t get a call.” Kate sighed. “I don’t know why Eddie’s so interested in those animals.”

      “Oh, come on, Kate. Zebras in the Texas Hill Country? A floppy-eared donkey and two matching white horses? Of course he’s curious. I just wish he’d listen to our warnings. Like you said, he walks—or runs, probably—across our pasture with those longhorns out there. They seem gentle, but those horns are deadly.”

      “I know. He loves being outdoors. I had to be so protective when we lived on a busy street in the suburbs. I’d hate to confine him to the apartment here.”

      “No, you can’t do that. Children need time to play. It’s too bad he’s such a sneaky escape artist—and I mean that in the nicest way.”

      Kate laughed as she stuffed the shirt into the washer. “I know exactly what you mean. Wait until Marsha starts crawling and walking. You’ll get a real workout then.”

      “Speaking of workouts, I’d better change. Bretford House isn’t formal, but I don’t like to go there dressed like I should be in yoga class or going for a jog.”

      Kate looked down at her own jeans and sweatshirt. “I’d have to change, too, and I still have a lot of work to do. Maybe I’ll pass tonight. You and Travis have a double date with Gwendolyn and Hank.”

      “And our two little monsters? I’m sure they’re bringing their little boy, so dinner should be interesting with both kids teething. Come to think of it, maybe you should stay home!”

      Kate chuckled, then Jodie said, “Well, I’m going to get dressed. If you change your mind, be ready in about a half an hour. Otherwise, we’ll see you tomorrow for church.”

      “Yes, that’s the plan. If Eddie doesn’t run off again.”

      “Good luck,” Jodie said with a smile, then turned and walked out of the garage.

      Good luck. Kate knew she’d need it to avoid Luke Simon for the rest of her stay in Ranger Springs. Or, if she got a teaching job here, for the rest of her life. She didn’t want that flustered feeling, she especially didn’t want to get involved with a man, and she extra-especially didn’t want to encourage Eddie’s interest in what should clearly be off-limits—exotic animals and a Harley-riding Californian.

      With a sigh, Kate added detergent and started the wash cycle.

      THE FOLLOWING Saturday morning after breakfast, Eddie excused himself to play soldier in the backyard. Kate didn’t approve of the game, but Travis had played it with him after Eddie had seen coverage of the war on television. They both claimed that Kate, being a “girl,” just didn’t understand “guy things.”

      Kate settled into her couch with her second cup of coffee and listened to Eddie’s new toy gun’s ratta-tat-tat as he ran from tree to tree. He should have a playmate. She hoped he made friends at the elementary school. Perhaps when she got a permanent job, she’d rent a house in town where there were other children his age. She didn’t want her son growing up lonely.

      Pushing aside her misgivings about Eddie playing soldier, she picked up a professional teachers organization’s magazine and turned to an article she’d tagged. During her years of marriage, she hadn’t kept up with educational standards and was sadly behind in understanding funding issues, certification requirements and classroom trends. Before long she was immersed in her reading. When she turned the page, she heard…silence.

      The ratta-tat-tat had stopped. There was no sound of her son scurrying from tree to tree. Nothing but the chirping of birds.

      She hurried out the door onto the small landing at the top of the stairs and called, “Eddie!”

      Nothing.

      She ran down the steps, calling him again. And again. No Eddie.

      Travis stepped outside onto his deck, baby Marsha in his arms. “What’s wrong?”

      “I think Eddie has run off again.”

      “If you wait, I’ll take you in the pickup.” Travis kept an old truck for driving across his rolling pastures to feed his longhorns, especially in the winters.

      “No, he was just outside playing. I think I can catch up with him. Then I’m grounding him until he’s thirty.”

      Travis unclipped his cell phone from his waistband. “Take this in case you need to call.”

      “Thanks. I keep forgetting mine.”

      “You should always have a cell phone with you, Kate. Or a walkie-talkie. I’ll get some for us. Be careful.”

      “It’s just a pasture.”

      “I know.”

      She rushed off, grateful she was wearing a comfortable pair of jeans, a turtleneck and sneakers, her “suburban mom” uniform. At the edge of the backyard she discovered Eddie’s empty juice box. Following the path two little feet had worked into the winter-dry grass wasn’t difficult. Eddie had obviously walked this way many times. Too many times, she silently corrected herself.

      By the time she arrived at the wire fence separating Travis’s property from Luke Simon’s ranch, she was out of breath. “I’ve got to start exercising again,” she whispered as she placed her hands on her knees and breathed deeply. Keeping up with one six-year-old was difficult enough, but soon she’d be charged with handling about twenty energetic elementary students on a daily basis. If she got the job.

      To her left she heard the faint sound of her son singing his favorite song. Relief swept through her, because although she didn’t doubt that he’d once again migrated to see the odd animals—and their equally mysterious owner—she was now sure he was safe.

      She’d just glimpsed his red shirt when the roar of a powerful engine disturbed the nature sounds. Looking toward Luke Simon’s driveway, she saw a large silver crew-cab pickup move toward the run-down ranch house.

      Curious, knowing she shouldn’t be, she jogged to the row of trees dividing the pasture and the driveway.

      “Luke!” a female voice called from the truck as the engine died. “Where are you?”

      A door banged shut. A few seconds later, Luke appeared, dressed in tight, faded jeans and a white T-shirt. His long hair was disheveled and his feet bare.

      Kate sucked in a breath. He looked like a movie star. A Greek god. Stop staring at him, she told herself. Concentrate on your son.

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