5. Patrick
Idon’t know what I was thinking when I suggested my family’s ranch as a place for us to hide out, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time. I reconsidered the idea several times, but staying elsewhere just felt wrong. It was as if the ranch was where we needed to be. When I get an overwhelming sense of “rightness,” I don’t argue with God about it.
For the next two days, Ariella and Alex stayed with Ethan and Amelia at their place while I got everything in order for our departure. Kiernan had said his goodbyes once the meeting was over and gave us his contact number in case of an emergency. He was advised to tell no one where Ariella and Alex were staying or try to contact them in any way.
I called my parents to ensure they were okay with us coming, not that they would have declined knowing that there was someone in need. They get paid handsomely by Shining Knight any time we use the ranch as a safe house, but they were ecstatic to know I would be returning home for this assignment. When I told them who would be with me, my mother almost broke down and cried. Until recently, they were the only two people who knew about my relationship with the princess.
“Mom, it’s not what you think. Ariella’s not here to rekindle a romance. She needs protection. She and Alex are hiding out because there was an assassination attempt on her life. If that hadn’t happened, she never would have contacted me. She’s married and has a son.”
“How can she be married when she…”
“I don’t know. She just is,” I said, cutting her off.
“Well, I’m glad we’re finally going to get to meet her. What will their names be when they arrive? I need to know so I don’t accidentally call her by her real name,” she asked.
“As long as no one is around, feel free to use their real names, Ariella and Alex. If there are any ranch hands on the property or if Dad needs the vet to stop by and check on the animals, she will go by Aria, and her son will go by Lex. He thought that was a cool name since he loves the Superman comics.”
She giggled and then promised me that everything would be ready for our arrival. “Who will be joining you this time?”
“Savannah, Jessie, and Jerry,” I told her. “Do you have the bunkhouse ready so they can bring in their equipment?”
“No, but it will be by the time they get here. What will you do about Alex’s education?” she asked,
“I was hoping you could home-school him. He’s eight going on nine, so it should be pretty easy for you.” She home-schooled me until I was 12.
She was silent for a long moment before finally asking, “How old did you say he was?” I repeated my answer, and her only response was, “Hmm.”
“Hmm, what?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about what programs to download for his education.” I knew she wasn’t lying, but she also wasn’t saying what was really on her mind either.
“We’re heading out tomorrow and should arrive in a few days.”
“Okay. We can’t wait to see you. Your father is out in the orchard, but he sends his love.”
“Love you. See you soon.” I hung up and immediately began packing. My parents would respect my wishes and not interfere in my work, but that isn’t going to stop them from doting on Alex. They have always held out hope that Ariella would return to me and that they would have grandkids someday, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards for me. No matter, I knew that they would spoil him rotten. Now, it’s time to find out if I’m right.
I pull up to Ethan and Amelia’s house to pick up Ariella and Alex. The rest of the team left yesterday so that they would have time to set up the surveillance equipment and show their faces around town as the seasonal ranch hands. Since it’s winter, most of the work is with the few horses they have or pruning the apple trees so they’re healthy for the spring bloom. Our property is large, but the ranch itself is a very small-time operation because it wouldn’t be much of a safe house if there were a lot of people working on it or milling about. However, the four of us should be more than enough help until this situation is resolved.
My fist is poised to knock on the door when Ethan suddenly opens it. “Come on in, Pat. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Patrick!” yells Alex as he comes tearing through their house. “You’re here!” He barrels into me, almost knocking me to the ground as he wraps his arms around my waist.
“I wouldn’t miss this adventure for the world! Are you excited to ride some horses and play in the snow?”
“Yes! I’m great at riding horses. I have one back home named Lightning McQueen because he’s fast!” He runs back into the house and up the stairs.
“He is an exuberant little boy,” Ethan says with a smile. “He’s been great with Xander, helping Amelia feed him. He sits on the couch and holds him while Xander drinks from his bottle. It’s the only time he sits still long enough for you to catch your breath. You’re going to have your hands full with that one,” he jests.
“I was like that when I was growing up. I had so much energy that my parents made me run the length of the farm and back. It’s why I run almost ten miles a day now, to expel the energy pent up inside.”
As I head inside, I hear Ethan mumble, “Why does that not surprise me?”
When I get to the kitchen, I stop in my tracks. Ariella is holding Xander and cooing at him while Amelia makes breakfast. An image of her holding our son comes unbidden, and I have to force myself to breathe.
Ariella notices my arrival and gives me a soft smile. She hands Xander over to me when she notices my outstretched arms. I bounce him around, and he giggles, saying, “Da-da.” My eyes widen in surprise.
“He said his first word?” I ask.
Amelia laughs. “Da-da is actually his second word. His first word was ‘No!’ I’m still trying to get him to say ‘Ma-ma,’ but sadly, I’ve been unsuccessful.”
A tiny smile graces Ariella’s face as I continue to bounce Xander around the kitchen. I turn to her and say, “I’ve never been good with kids, but they seem to like me anyway.”
Ethan walks into the kitchen and says, “Don’t let him fool you. He’s great with kids.” He kisses his wife’s temple and begins taking the plates out of the cupboard. The next thing I know, I hear a plbthh followed by a foul odor emanating from the miniature human I’m carrying.
I hold him out as far away from me as my arms will allow. “Um. I think someone needs to take care of this little guy. He may have soiled his diaper.” Ethan laughs but takes him from me and checks it.
“Nope. Just a little toot. I guess you bring out the best in him, Pat.”
“Lucky me.”
A loud thump, thump, thump comes from the end of the hallway. I check to see what the noise is, only to find Alex trying to lug a big suitcase down the stairs.
“Need some help with that, Buddy?” I ask him.
With his tongue sticking out and a determined look, he grunts, “Nope. I got it. I’m super strong.”
Thump, thump, thump.I try not to cringe as the wheels make contact with the steps, thankful that the stairwell is carpeted and not easily damaged. Eventually, he gets down to the landing and places his hands on his hips, his chest heaving with exertion.
“See? Mom says I can do anything if I set my mind to it!”
“She’s right, and you did a great job! I think that suitcase weighs more than you do!” He flexes his arms, and two little bulges appear. My eyes become huge with surprise as I reach out and squeeze his small muscles.
“Whoa! Those are some serious guns! I bet it’s because of all the tiny trees you eat!”
“Yeah! And also because I work out with Kiernan sometimes. He lets me use the heavy five-pound weights!” he exclaims.
Kiernan? It saddens me that he doesn’t call him Dad. There’s something special in the word, and it symbolizes a close relationship between a father and son or a father and daughter. I hope to have a child someday and that we’ll have a tight-knit relationship. I certainly don’t want my kid to call me “Patrick” or “Sir.”
“Well, it looks like you’re all set and ready to go, but how about we eat some breakfast before we start our trip?”
He takes my hand and leads me back towards the kitchen. “Amelia makes the best French toast and has been teaching my mom how to cook,” he whispers.
“Your mom doesn’t know how to cook? What is this world coming to?”
“I know, right? If it wasn’t for our chefs at the palace, I’d probably starve!” A loud guffaw burst from me at that, and all eyes turn in our direction.
“Ready to eat?” Amelia asks.
“Yes!” answers Alex.
“Manners,” Ariella scolds gently.
“Yes, please. Thank you kindly for making such a wonderful meal for us, madam,” Alex says, bowing with a flourish. He sounds more like a formal dignitary than an eight-year-old child. Ariella rolls her eyes at her son’s antics and whispers to him as she passes by.
“Turd.” At least Ariella and Alex have an amazing relationship.
We eat breakfast together and then load up the car, ready to hit the open road. Ethan stops me on the way out. “There’s something you should know about Kiernan and Ariella,” he says, his voice pitched low.
“And what’s that?” I ask, not sure I want to hear his answer.
“Not everything is as it appears to be. You and Ariella need to have a long talk. And before you ask, yes, I have been informed of your history. I don’t make decisions like making you the lead on an assignment as important as this if I don’t think it’s the best thing for everyone involved.”
“Cryptic much?”
He gives me a wry grin. “Trust me on this, Pat. Put all your assumptions away and have a long talk when you two get a moment alone. I’d fill you in on the details myself, but it’s her story to tell, and you owe it to her to listen.” He glances at Alex, and I get the gist.
She ghosted me for nine years and then shows up here married and with a kid. I don’t feel like I owe her anything. But even with all that, I know I’d do everything in my power to give her the world. The least I can do is hear her out.