Chapter 6
6
H arper opened her eyes and lifted her head from the window of Lawson’s truck. She must have drifted off on the drive. She hadn’t slept since the tornado. After it passed over the building where they had taken cover, the weather officials declared the area was safe, but they were warned that there was widespread damage. Lawson had taken charge, driving them to the rodeo grounds to look for her SUV. But it was no use. The grounds had been reduced to a parking lot, except most of the cars were gone.
Harper could hardly breathe as they took in the sight. Everywhere she looked, she saw buildings with roofs that had been ripped off and powerlines twisted and dangling. She stared at her feet at the scattered debris, while she listened to the sounds of sirens. Lawson had gently pulled her back to the truck and she climbed in, not sure what they would do next. When he explained that he would take her to his family’s ranch, she felt both relief and panic, but she couldn’t think of another option for the time being.
Before she could get her bearings, they were at the ranch. She hopped down from Lawson’s truck and surveyed the scene before her. Ranches in this part of Texas were common, but Whispering Oaks Ranch was something special. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was a feeling she had when she was here for the event, and she had it again as she sat beside Lawson pulling up to the main house. It wasn’t just a ranch, it was a family who lived and worked here together. There were at least eight vehicles parked in front of the house. She knew from their conversation on the way here that those must be his family, including all of the brothers. She had met a few of them at the event at the ranch, but not all. Most had wives and kids too. Harper wasn’t sure she could keep up with all of them.
But hopefully she wouldn’t have time. Hopefully, she just needed a few days to figure things out. She jumped at the sound of the driver’s side door slamming shut.
“Sorry,” Lawson said.
Harper waved a hand to say he didn’t need to be. It was her fault she was the one so jumpy after the storm. Before she could reach the front porch, the door opened and a woman who must be Lawson’s mother appeared.
“Hello! Welcome!” She held out her arms as if Harper were a long-lost friend, instead of what she actually was — a complete stranger coming to stay at her house.
Harper sucked in a breath as the older woman embraced her. She felt flooded with emotion as warmth from contact with another person filled her. How long had it been since she had been hugged? That wasn’t something she did on the rodeo circuit. Cowboys were a rough and tumble group, and while there might be a few of them who gave her a second glance, they weren’t interested in a friendly hug that made her feel like she was coming home.
Mrs. Macklin released her and stepped back to look at her. “I’m so glad you’re alright after that storm. We’re thrilled to have you here.”
“Thank you so much for letting me stay. I promise not to be any trouble.” As the words tumbled out, Harper felt like a little girl. Without a car, a home of her own, or a plan for the next few weeks, she felt her normal control slipping right out of her fingers.
Lydia Macklin waved a hand in the air. “You could never be any trouble. We’re so happy to have you. You know, for years I thought none of these boys would ever move out of the house, and now it feels practically empty with so many of them gone. I’m thrilled to fill one of those rooms.” She put her hand to her mouth and pretended to whisper. “Especially with a female instead of more of these smelly boys.”
Harper let a giggle escape her lips. “Well thank you. I’m very grateful.”
Lydia looked behind Harper at Lawson. “Son, bring in Harper’s bags for her.”
Harper winced. “I’m afraid I don’t have anything. The hotel where I was staying was hit. It’s possible my stuff is there somewhere, but we couldn’t even get close. Everything else was in my SUV when it got carried away.”
Lydia put a hand to her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”
“We were lucky we made it to the storm shelter in time, and that Lawson’s truck was alright.”
Lawson cleared his throat as he stepped up beside Harper. “There’s some hail damage, but on that old thing, who can tell? I told Harper that between all the sisters-in-law, I was sure we could find her something to wear for now.”
“Oh, of course!” Lydia looked her up and down. “I think you are about the same size as Grace, or maybe Katie. I’ll text them and let them know to bring some things over when they come for dinner.”
Harper wanted to protest. This was all too much to ask. But then again, if she said no, the only clothing she had was what she wore. She nodded and said, “Thank you.”
“Now then, come on inside and let’s get you settled.”
Harper fell into step behind Lydia, and Lawson followed her. As he reached in front of her to open the front door, he caught her eye, and she couldn’t quite understand the look on his face. She expected a look of pity or sorrow, or maybe just something that said he was as tired as she was. Instead, he looked happy. Was he glad she had come to stay here? No, that couldn’t be. He didn’t even know her. He just had the misfortune of being stuck with her because he was nice enough to let her ride in his truck.
Harper bit her lip as she moved into the house. No, he couldn’t be glad she was here. But something deep inside moved an inch as she let herself wonder what it would be like if she were here under different circumstances. What if Lawson had invited her here to meet his family?
Her heart stung at the thought of being part of a family again. Sure, she still loved her parents, but nothing had been the same since they lost her brother. And nothing ever would again. How could she think about being in a family when her brother, the best person in the whole world, never would be again. She shook off the thought and told herself to just be nice to the people who were being nice to her. She could be friendly without getting too close. Only few days. That’s all it would be. Then she could go back to her life on the road.
Lawson stepped into the house behind her. “I’ll show you down the hall to where you can stay. I’m sure Grace and Katie will show up soon with so many clothes you won’t know where to start. Katie is a born shopper, so watch out. If she doesn’t have something for you to borrow, she’ll have you headed to the mall before you can say, “No thanks.”
Harper smiled. “Is that what it’s like to have a sister?”
Lawson shrugged. “I guess so. We didn’t have any girls around here growing up. So when my brothers started getting married and bringing in women, Katie was the first one. She paved the way, and now she’s kind of the leader of the group.”
“They get along pretty well?”
Lawson nodded. “You would think they were real sisters instead of just married to brothers. They all ended up here different ways, but they take each other in and make them part of the team.” He turned the knob to a bedroom in the hallway and it creaked open. “This used to be Sawyer’s room. Mom changed out the decor when he got married and started calling it the guest room.”
Harper moved past him into the room. The dark furniture was beautiful. It looked antique but well-maintained. The white bedspread gave the room a feminine look. Harper walked to the bed and fingered the pink and yellow flower embroidery along the edge. It reminded her of a quilt her grandmother had on her bed when Harper was a little girl. “Thanks for doing this,” she said to Lawson for the hundredth time.
“Don’t mention it. It’s what we do. If my mom had heard about you and that I didn’t offer for you to come to the ranch, she would tan my hide.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’re tired. If you want to rest, or shower, feel free to take your time. Dinner is at six, and all the family will start filtering in sometime before that.”
Harper looked around the room, suddenly feeling awkward. “Alright. I think I’ll just sit here for a minute.”
“No worries,” Lawson said and walked out, shutting the door behind him.
Harper stared at the back of the door as she sank onto the bed. How would she ever repay him for this kindness? And how would she get through the next few days without thinking about how handsome Lawson Macklin was every five minutes?