Chapter 20
Lucy sat behind the wheel of Grandpa Rusty’s car and turned onto the country route that connected the Five Steers Ranch to Red Grove. As she drove, she thought about the past week. Her life had taken on a new rhythm.
Then, she went to the hospital to see her grandfather.
Every day he was a little stronger and a full recovery seemed more certain.
Because of his accident, Lucy had called both of her parents and all her uncles.
To be honest, she was happy to connect with everyone.
But she also understood that each of them had to leave the Five Steers Ranch behind.
After lunch, she went to the ranch. As it turned out, Aiden was able to help her, after all.
He got his foster brother, Ted, to make a few calls.
When Bryant Bros. Carnivals heard from the mayor, they expedited the ten-thousand-dollar payment.
Lucy received the check within days—and not weeks.
With the extra money, she was able to hire several temporary workers to manage the livestock and do the necessary chores.
Whenever she was on the property, a sheriff’s deputy was parked nearby.
The protection was thanks to Aiden as well.
His brother Callum had arranged for the extra security.
In the evening, she went back to Aiden’s apartment. He made dinner. Afterward, they watched TV. Sometimes a documentary. Other times a rom-com. Then, they went to bed where they had sex—careful to always use a condom. Then, she slept in Aiden’s arms, happy and exhausted.
A traffic light changed from yellow to red. Lucy dropped her foot onto the brake and stopped at the intersection. As she waited, she pressed a hand onto her middle. Could she feel a baby bump? After only one week, would she even notice a difference?
It wasn’t as if she’d missed a cycle—or was even late.
But what if she was? What then?
Well, Lucy had enough to worry about without adding to her concerns with something that might not be an issue. She gripped the steering wheel with both hands.
The turn arrow appeared, and she eased through the intersection.
Main Street unfurled in front of her. She exhaled and relaxed in her seat.
There was The Eatery. A group was gathered near the front door.
Several people, dressed in suits and skirts, walked toward Prime.
The bookstore was closed, as was Pixies. But a good crowd was still downtown.
Red Grove wasn’t the ranch. It wasn’t home. And yet, she was happy to be living in the middle of the hustle.
She found a spot next to the curb and parked.
After turning the key in the ignition, she stilled the engine.
She opened the door and stepped onto the road.
At the same moment, the door to the apartment building opened.
Aiden stepped onto the sidewalk. Dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, he gave her that smile—the one with the dimple. Her pulse quickened.
“I saw you from the window,” he said. “I thought maybe we could go out for dinner tonight. The Eatery will start putting up missing person posters if I don’t stop by soon,” he joked.
“I just spent all day going through the accounts,” she said. “So, I don’t smell like a horse. We can go now, if you want.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He reached for her hand. His touch still sent a spark up her arm. “And for the record, I’d go anywhere with you—even if you did smell like a horse.”
The evening air was cool, and she was thankful for Aiden’s warm hand wrapped around hers. The sky was pink on the horizon, and lights from the businesses spilled onto the sidewalk.
“So,” Aiden began. “How was your day?”
The Eatery was on the opposite side of Main Street.
They stood on the curb as a line of cars passed.
The pause gave her a moment to organize her thoughts.
But there was so much on her mind. The Five Steers Ranch.
Grandpa Rusty. The threats to her life. Her future—that was if she had one. The possibility that she was pregnant.
“You know,” she said, as the last vehicle drove past. “The same.”
They jogged to the opposite sidewalk and approached the restaurant. Aiden held open the door for Lucy as she entered. Several of the tables were filled with diners. She recognized a group of students who got on the bus every morning at a booth in the back.
“Let’s sit here,” suggested Aiden, walking to the booth next to the students.
She slid onto the bench, and he took a seat opposite.
Menus were stacked at the back of the table. Lucy picked up one and scanned the offerings. Before she could decide, Ruth came up to the table filled with students. With a tray balanced on her arm, she said, “Here you go.” Setting down several plates, the server asked, “How are classes?”
“I’m thinking about changing majors,” said one of the students. “But I need to decide before drop-add ends next Friday.”
Lucy sucked in a breath. She hadn’t gone to college, but she could figure out that drop-add was a period where people could change their classes. Could someone, like her, still enroll?
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
Had he somehow read her mind?
Lucy’s gaze snapped up. Ruth stood next to the table, a pen and order pad in hand.
“Oh, my order.” She closed the menu and set it at the back of the table. “I’ll take the Aiden Colton special and a water.”
“Make that two,” he said, “and bring me a coffee.”
“I don’t even have to write down anything,” said Ruth, teasing. “Be right back with your drinks.”
Once she was gone, Aiden reached across the table. She placed her palms in his. “Are you sure everything was okay today? You seem, I don’t know, distracted.”
Maybe he could read her mind. Should she tell him that she was worried about being pregnant? And if she did, what then? What would she do if he freaked out? No, better to wait until she knew.
After a pause that had gone on for a moment too long, she said, “There’s just a lot going on. Have you heard anything about the case?”
Aiden shook his head. “Nothing new.”
The last information they’d gotten was about the padlock used on the door. It was a common variety, sold all over the country, and could have come from anywhere. They were still waiting to see if any DNA or fingerprints could be pulled from the metal.
“How’s Rusty?” Aiden asked.
“Nothing new with that, either. He’s recovering slowly. One of the nurses said something about rehab the other day. But I don’t know when that starts.”
Ruth returned with the waters and coffee. Setting all the drinks on the table, she said, “Your sandwiches are almost ready. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Once they were alone again, Lucy asked, “What do you know about drop-add?”
“Like for classes?” He lifted both shoulders and let them drop. “I never needed to change my schedule once the semester started. Why?”
Nodding her head toward the college students in the next booth, she said, “I overheard them talking. They said any course changes had to be done next week. It got me thinking.” She gripped Aiden’s hands tighter, as if he was the only thing that could keep her afloat.
“Can people enroll at the university after classes start?”
He stared at her for a moment. Then, he gave her a big smile. His dimple was more adorable than ever. She could feel the heat rising from her chest to her cheeks.
“Are you thinking about going back to school?” he asked.
Was she?
Lucy thought about the ranch and all the work.
She thought about the cost of school and how little money she had.
With a shake of her head, she said, “I’m not really thinking about anything.
” She let her hands slip away from his. More than all her current responsibilities, there were logistics just to get into college.
“I mean, I graduated high school eight years ago. I never took any entrance exams. I don’t have my old report cards. ”
Aiden lifted his mug from the table. “You can get your official transcripts sent from your school, and I think UND at Red Grove is test optional now. You only submit scores if you think they’ll help you get in.
” He paused and sipped his coffee. “When Chief Kane’s son applied, he didn’t bother taking any tests. A lot of schools are like that now.”
Lucy imagined the path for her to go to college was like a narrow track through the woods, lined on both sides with trees just starting to change color. Somehow it was both inviting and mysterious.
“The ranch takes up too much time. Too much money.” For some reason, the words didn’t land with the same weight she felt.
“Hire someone to work at the Five Steers part-time. You can start by taking one class.”
Lucy’s throat was dry. Picking up her water, she took a long drink. “Sounds like you’re trying to talk me into going to school.”
“I’m not trying to talk you into anything,” he said. “But ask yourself what you want.”
“Things are up in the air right now.” All her responsibilities dropped onto her shoulders, pinning her in place.
She slouched with the weight of it all. Besides, if she were pregnant, going to school would be impossible.
“Grandpa Rusty. The investigation. The ranch. Winter’s coming up, and I need to find the money for feed. ”
“Here we go,” said Ruth, approaching the table. She had two plates in her hand. “It’s the Aiden Colton special for you both.”
She set the plates on the table. The sandwiches were toasted and cut into triangles. Cheese oozed out of the sides. A heaping serving of French fries sat between the two halves.
“Looks perfect,” said Aiden.
Lucy picked up a fry and popped it into her mouth. Salty. Warm. Crispy. “It is perfect,” she agreed.
For several minutes, they ate without speaking. The quiet gave Lucy time to think. For so long, she’d only focused on the ranch and everyone she’d lost. Could she do something different? Could she expect more from life?
Before she could decide, the door opened and Ted Barrett stepped inside.
Ruth called out, “Mr. Mayor. Welcome.”