Chapter 2
Kate drove her rented SUV down the gravel road to the ranch house she’d grown up in. Early March in South Dakota was a mixed barrel of weather, but that day, the sun was shining, and it wasn’t bitter cold. She pulled up beside Lawrence’s truck and got out. Buck came flying out of the barn straight for her. His tongue lolled to the side, and when he slid to a stop in front of her, his butt wiggled so hard he almost fell down. She laughed and bent down to give him some love.
“Kate?”
She lifted up and smiled at her brother. “Surprise!”
He wiped his hands as he powerwalked toward her. She met him halfway and was enveloped in his strong arms. “What in the world are you doing here? Why didn’t you call?”
“Because I wanted to surprise you.” After they separated, she hooked her arm through his as they walked toward the house. “Where are the kids?”
“School. The bus will drop them off in about an hour.” He cleaned off his boots on a boot brush nailed into a two-by-four board at the bottom of the steps to the house. “How long can you stay?”
“Well, that’s what I want to talk to you about.” She opened the door and stepped into the living room of the house. It was warm and clean, with everything in its place. “How would you like to let me stay here until I get my feet on the ground as a civilian?”
Lawrence stopped dead in his tracks. “What happened?”
Kate smiled and shook her head. “Nothing. I had a decision to make about my career, and I made it. I have money saved and want to start a vet clinic here in South Dakota.”
“Doc Macy has this territory sealed up.” Lawrence lifted the coffee pot, asking her silently if she’d like a cup. She nodded, and he poured them both a mug of heavenly-smelling brew. He set it down, then turned around a kitchen chair and straddled it.
“I know. I’m more experienced with small animals. Pets and such. Maybe down by Belle or Spearfish.” She took a sip of the coffee. “Dude, that’s strong.”
Lawrence lifted an eyebrow. “You’re not telling me everything.” He took off his cap and scratched his head before leveling a stare at her. “You got out because of Bridgette. You came home to make sure I was okay, didn’t you? That’s why you didn’t tell me.”
Kate drew a deep breath. “That did factor into my decision, yes.”
“Damn it, Kate!” Lawrence got up and shoved the chair into its place. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Kate leaned back and crossed her arms. “Are you done yelling?”
“I’m not yelling!” Lawrence roared and stormed out of the kitchen. Kate took a sip of her coffee and grimaced. It was horrible, and she’d had Army coffee, so she was an expert on awful coffee.
The front door slammed, and she drew a breath, letting it out slowly and counting to twenty before going outside and following him back into the barn. She found him aggressively cleaning out a stall, crying as he did it. Not all-out tears, but some, and she could tell he was trying to hold it together. She leaned against the door and waited. Finally, he stopped working. He gave her a glance and said, “Sorry.”
She walked over to him. “Lawrence, I can’t pretend to know how hard this has been for you. I’ve never loved someone like you loved Bridgette. I’m not asking you to get over it, to stop grieving or put all this in your past, because you can’t. This is your life. These are your feelings, but I do think you need help. This anger isn’t you. I’ve never seen you like this. The kids are worried about you and maybe a little bit scared.”
“What? My kids are afraid of me? What the hell?” Lawrence paled and grabbed his stomach as if a horse had kicked him in the gut. He crumpled a bit. “Oh, damn it. I’ve been trying, Kate. I’ve been trying.”
She walked up to him and put her arms around him. He wrapped her in his arms, and in that half-clean stall, he broke down. She’d never seen her brother cry before. He was stoic and brave, but a human could only take so much, and Lawrence had had his fill. She didn’t know how long they stood there, but the sound of Buck barking pulled them apart. “That’s his ‘I’m chasing a rabbit’ bark,” Lawrence mumbled, wiping his eyes and nose. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. Let me help with things around here, and we’ll figure out a way forward.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that.” Lawrence shook his head. “I should be stronger than this. I should be able to shake this off. But I can’t, Kate. I can’t shake it. Some days, I just want to lie on our bed, sleep, and never wake up.” He sniffed and pulled out his handkerchief. “But I don’t do that because of Craig and Hailey. They’re my world, and you’re telling me they’re frightened of me.”
“They’re a little scared when you lose your temper, but don’t forget the fact Bridgette would literally kick your ass for giving up. I can see her now, adjusting her halo before hiking up her sleeves and getting a running start.” Kate got a harrumph of a laugh from her brother, which was what she was going for.
He nodded. “Yeah, she would totally do that.”
“You don’t have to go through it alone anymore. We’re going to find you someone to talk to about this.”
Lawrence shook his head. “Nah, I can fix it. I can get better.”
“No offense, but it’s been over a year, and you’re not moving through the grief; you”re kind of stuck in a big pit. You need a rope to be thrown to you. Talking to someone isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of knowing you need help and asking for it. At least let me look for someone, okay?”
“I don’t have insurance. I had to let it lapse after Bridgette died. Things are tight.” He looked up at the ceiling. “I paid all the medical bills with my savings. I just couldn’t keep getting them in the mail. It was like pulling off the scab every time I got one.”
“Well, I’m still getting paid by the military for the next three months, and I have a good amount in savings.” And she’d pawn everything she owned to make sure Lawrence got help.
“For your business.” Lawrence shook his head. “I won’t touch it.”
“Who asked you to?” Kate pushed him a bit. “We’ve got this. Together, we’ll get you upright, and then I’ll figure out what I want to do. But right now, you have a house guest.”
“That sounds like a plan.” He motioned to the ground. “Your fancy boots are going to get ruined out here. How about I get your luggage and you get changed before the kids come home.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She led him to the SUV and popped the back.
“Is this yours?”
“Nah, it’s a rental. I need to take it back on Saturday. I thought you could help me buy a good used truck in Rapid this weekend. You know I’m horrible at spotting a lemon.”
“I can do that. We haven’t been to Rapid in a long time.” Lawrence grabbed her two large bags as she grabbed her backpack. “What kind of truck are you looking for?”
“Four-wheel drive. I don’t want to deal with South Dakota winters without it. Something newer, not beat up, and never in an accident. Something you’d trust me to drive the kids around in.”
“Price range?” Lawrence asked as he walked her to the back of the house. “I’ve been using this as a storage room. I’ll have to clear out this stuff.”
“No, I’ve got it. You don’t have to fuss for me. I don’t know how much to spend. The best possible price is what I’m looking for. I’m not into statement vehicles. I just want a good, reliable truck.” She put her backpack down on the bed and glanced at the boxes. “I can put them up in the attic. Craig and Hailey can help me before I make dinner.”
Lawrence sighed and looked down at the floor. “Thank God. I’m so sick of my own cooking.”
Kate laughed. “Same five dishes for over a year?”
“No, I go in every now and then and stock up on frozen dinners from the diner.”
Kate frowned. “The diner? That closed a long time ago.”
Lawrence sat down on a small chair that went with an ancient vanity tucked in the corner of the room. “Gen Hollister owns it now. She married Andrew Hollister … quite a spell ago. Not sure how long it’s been. The town has grown. Didn’t you drive through the place when you came back for Bridgette’s funeral? Didn’t you look up Tegan?”
“No. I didn’t talk to many people at the service or the house. It didn’t feel right to leave you guys.” And Tegan had probably moved on long ago. She’d stopped asking about him after the first couple of years in the military. Kate opened her suitcase and pulled out a dresser drawer. She reached in and picked up a stuffed horse that reminded her of the unicorn she’d rescued from under the USO seat for Blessing.
“Bet Hailey’s been looking for this.” The little girl had held onto it the entire time she was home for the funeral.
Lawrence nodded. “For about the last six months. Bridgette gave it to her when she found out she was terminal. Something to comfort her.”
Kate handed the toy to her brother. “Good thing we found it, then.” She put her clothes away as they visited for a while before she changed into jeans, her old boots, and a t-shirt. Buck’s bark from outside announced the arrival of the bus. Kate walked out of the small bedroom and watched as the two walked down the long drive to the ranch house.
Craig and Hailey walked into the house, and when they saw Kate, they flew toward her. “Aunt Kate!”
Hailey hugged her waist, and Craig got a side hug.
“Did you come for a visit?”
“How long do you get to stay?”
“Is that your truck?”
“Did you bring me anything?”
The questions came fast and furious from both children. Kate hugged them both. “Yes, I have something for both of you. That isn’t my truck, but this weekend, you, your dad, and I are going to go to Rapid City, so I can buy one, and I’m going to stay for a long time. I’m no longer in the Army, so I can stay until your father gets tired of me and kicks me out.”
Both sets of young eyes widened, and they swung to look at their father. He smiled and shook his head. “I’m not going to kick her out. You two get changed out of your school clothes. We need to do chores, and Aunt Kate volunteered to make dinner.”
“Yay!” The kids started jumping around and clapping.
Lawrence shook his head. “Maybe I needed more frozen dinners.”
Kate laughed and marshaled the children to their rooms. “Come on, kiddos. We have chores, boxes to move, homework, and dinner to make.”
“I’ll be finishing that stall,” Lawrence said as he headed out the door.
Craig tugged at her hand, stalling her. Craig had shot up at least six inches since she’d seen him, and his jeans were riding high on his boots. The twelve-year-old she remembered was now thirteen, and he was hitting puberty hard. She’d have to see about getting him some better-fitting jeans. “Thank you, Aunt Kate. Thank you for believing me.”
Hailey turned around and cocked her head. “About what? What are you thanking her for?”
“Craig told me he was getting tired of his dad’s cooking.” She winked at Craig when Hailey laughed, then skipped down the hallway to her room.
“I’ve got it now, Craig. You don’t have to worry any longer.” Kate pulled him in for a full hug, and he hugged her back with a grip that surprised her.
“Mom was right. She said if something happened, and Dad wasn’t doing too good to talk to you.” Craig wiped a tear from his eyes. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“Oh, buddy, so am I.” She hugged him again. “So am I.”