Chapter Twenty Two
Jameson drove the blue convertible while she leaned back in her seat, tired from the swim. Her sunglasses allowed her to take in Jameson while he drove and none the wiser.
“When do I need to give this car back?” she asked.
“It’s yours until you don’t need it anymore,” he informed her.
“It seems new. Who drove it before me?” she asked, watching him closely.
“It’s a new acquisition. You’re the first,” he said, glancing at her. “Did you call Rebecca and find out where you’re staying the night?”
“She set up one of the cabins,” Caroline said, turning to watch out the window.
“If you don’t want to stay there, we can come up with another solution,” he suggested as they pulled up to a red light.
“Rebecca’s watching Tara until Garrett and Riley return. Riley’s on her honeymoon. Rachel seemed upset with Matthew, and I don’t want to feel like I’m in the middle of a fight. It’s fine. After all, it’s only for two nights,” she said, sighing.
“My cabin has an extra bedroom,” he offered. “It’s no different than me watching you at the pool house,” he pointed out.
“I don’t know…It might seem rude,” she said, uneasily.
“Rebecca wants you to feel comfortable. Where do you want to stay?” he asked, holding his breath.
“I’ll stay at the cabin,” she said, resigned. “I won’t be there much anyway.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll leave the light on,” he teased, trying to ease the tension.
He loved the woman he discovered in the pool and playing cards.
She forgot the trauma and enjoyed herself.
It seemed like she let her guard down more around him, and the sight of him didn’t make her immediately stiffen, as if reminding herself about his last name and his father. He desperately wanted it to continue.
“Thanks. Do you own your cabin? Delaney said Rebecca and Julio own theirs, and Garrett’s property has access to the ranch,” she questioned as he turned on the road to Embers.
“No. I’m only using it. Kassie gave the original team who saved her and Emma houses. Julio’s came with the job,” he explained.
Her brows knitted together as if she missed a giant piece of the puzzle.
“I lied, therefore got titled the black sheep of the family, and didn’t earn it,” he said, not allowing the bitterness to get to him.
Knowing it wasn’t the situation of the house bothering him, it was the exclusion of him from the family. Some things never changed.
“How many people will be attending the shower?” she asked. “I know you have the place secured.”
“It’s only you women, and Amy, Kara’s mom. Delaney’s mom broke her leg in a fall, and she hasn’t socialized with the women in Embers. She keeps to herself here on the ranch,” Jameson informed her, turning into the driveway and driving toward Rebecca and Julio’s home.
“It must feel lonely. A new mom needs support,” she said, gazing at the fields.
“Delaney will have the women here, and Mac has taken an interest in her. I’m sure he’ll be hovering. All of us like babies and plan to chip in and give her breaks.”
“Even you?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes, smarty pants. I know my way around kids,” he said, feeling offended.
“Don’t be mad,” Caroline pleaded. “I’ve never seen you around kids.”
“I haven’t seen you around them either, and I think you’ll make a great mom. You like to play, though you might not want to teach them how to cheat on everything.”
Caroline punched his arm, grinning.
“Owww, you’re getting stronger. Your mosquito bite almost felt like a punch,” he said, rubbing his arm.
Caroline showed him her muscles. “Victoria said I’ll improve by the day. I feel stronger.”
“You’re getting there. Do you like your therapist? She’s one of the best,” he asked.
“Terry’s great,” she said, wincing.
“If you don’t like her, ask for someone else. Your mental health impacts you, too,” he encouraged. “Why the face?”
“She advised me not to work with kids. I have too much trauma, which might impact them if they pick up on it,” she said sadly.
Anger rushed through him. Caroline must be one of the sweetest women he’d ever met. She attended to the teens and fiercely protected them from Cain, sometimes at her own expense. Jameson hated the times he entered the bar to find Cain beating Caroline.
“She told you that?” he said, clamping his jaw shut to keep from blowing his shit.
“In a roundabout way. She suggested I find a customer service position or work from home. It’s a losing battle. No one wants to hire me.”
“Terry’s wrong,” he said firmly. “You’re great with the teens. I can’t say anything about the rest, but she’s absolutely incorrect.”
“I appreciate having you in my corner,” she said. “She’s the professional.”
They pulled into the driveway, and Rebecca opened the door. Little Megan ran out, leaping into Jameson’s arms.
“Hi, Uncle Jameson. I got a new pony. Do you want to see it?” she asked. “Daddy’s gonna help me name her.”
“How can I resist? Is it in the barn?” he asked, innocently.
“No, silly. Not a real one. Mama says I have to ride with them until I get bigger,” she explained. “She says I gotta eat more vegetables.”
“Then, I’ll buy you cans of spinach, and you can grow big muscles,” Jameson promised, tweaking her nose.
“Ewww. I don’t like spinach,” Megan said, scrunching her cute little face. “I like broccoli trees.”
“Then next time I watch you for Daddy, I’ll make you mac and cheese with broccoli trees. We’ll have dinosaur chicken nuggets, and they can gobble them down,” he said, tickling her.
Megan giggled as Jameson led her up the stairs, going into the house, and discussing pony names.
“I’m glad you made it. Welcome back,” Rebecca said, hugging her. “Uncle Jameson has a way with getting her to eat. It’s our biggest obstacle.”
“He’s full of surprises. While I’m here, I want to thank you for the car. Let me know when you need it back.”
Rebecca laughed. “It’s not mine. We don’t have much use for convertibles on a ranch.”
“Don’t you use it for the survivors? I know I’m first, but I’m sure one of the other women might like to find a job, too,” she said, walking toward the house with Rebecca.
“We don’t supply cars. Most of the women who come here don’t have a driver’s license or no longer resemble the person on their ID. It’s not to say we haven’t purchased a couple for women who wanted to attend college, and the other one needed a van for her wheelchair.”
“Oh, I must be mistaken,” she murmured as they entered.
Jameson lay on his stomach while he examined the handmade wooden barn, stocked with farm animals.
“What about this dude? He’s in the pasture by himself. Doesn’t he want to play with his friends?” he asked Megan.
“No. She’s different. They don’t like her. When she comes into the barn, they make fun of her and tug her braids,” Megan said, sadly.
Caroline knelt beside her. “Why do you think they make fun of her? Maybe they like her and want her to join them.”
“No, the boys pull her hair, and the girls think she’s weird,” Megan murmured, placing the sheep far away from the others.
Caroline pushed Jameson out of the way, grabbing another sheep. “Oh no,” she cried. “I’m lost, and nobody will help me find my way back to the barn.”
Megan watched the scene as Caroline made her sheep run in circles.
“Help. I want to play with my friends. Can someone tell me how to get back to the barn?”
Megan leaned down and picked up the banished animal.
“Hello, I’m Megan. I can help you,” she said in a high-pitched voice. “Let’s run this way.”
They ran beside each other until they made it to the barn.
“Here you go. I’ll see you later,” Megan said, making her sheep turn around and run away.
“Hey, wait,” Caroline called. “You’re my new friend. Come meet the others. They’ll think you’re brave for helping me find my way home. Do you like ice cream?”
“I love it,” Megan exclaimed. “Strawberry’s my favorite.”
“Mine, too,” Caroline squealed. “Hey, everyone, Megan likes the same things as us. Let’s show her our barn. Maybe she’ll stay with us and tell us about her ranch.”
Megan led both of the animals into the barn and smiled at Caroline.
“I think she’ll like the barn if she has friends.”
“Oh, I bet she will, too,” Caroline agreed. “Maybe Jameson can take over and show her the barn,” she said, suggesting Jameson take over.
She rose from her spot and returned to Rebecca’s side. “Does Megan go to school?”
“No. We have a teacher who visits and homeschools her. She’s not ready for it,” Rebecca said, watching her daughter.
“She’s lonely. Megan thinks she’s different than other kids and they don’t like her.
She needs friends,” Caroline explained. “If you don’t want to enroll her in school, maybe consider joining a homeschooling play group.
They go on field trips, have playdates, and give her a circle of peers her age. ”
“How did I not know this?” Rebecca said, placing her hand on her chest.
“Because you’re close to her. You play with her. She needs little people. I’m sorry. I’m overstepping,” Caroline cringed.
“No. You’re right,” Rebecca conceded. “I guess I’m scared to let her out of my sight.”
“Homeschool groups love volunteers, and the moms usually drink coffee and chat while the group does a project with whatever they’re focusing on for the week. They have music classes, too,” Caroline encouraged her. “If you find one here, it’ll most likely be small, where she won’t feel overwhelmed.”
“It’s a good idea. Thank you,” Rebecca said.
“I was working on my master’s when everything happened. I enrolled in school, but no one wants to hire me with a six-year gap,” she said.
“Megan, why don’t you get your shoes, and I’ll take you for a real horse ride? Mommy and Caroline can chat while we have fun,” Jameson whispered loud enough for the two women to hear.
Megan jumped up and squealed, running for her shoes.
“No running,” Rebecca reminded her. Taking Caroline by the arm, she led her into the living room.