CH 49 - #homeagain
#homeagain
Luke
Song: ”Love You Right” by Derek Mercer
My first night back at Culberson Ranch, I texted Madison the song by Derek Mercer that we listened to at my cabin right before I received the emergency alert on my cellphone, warning of an approaching tornado.
Hell, all I wanted to do was to be everything to her, kiss every one of her emotional scars from her past, and love her right like the lyrics described.
Madison hearted the song link, then asked me to call her. I immediately did. She wanted to hear my voice and also wanted to know how my day had been. It was full, just like Madison’s, fulfilling her job obligations, taking care of Beau and Bella, and helping her mom.
I called mine after I left Amarillo on Tuesday and told her what was going on between Madison and me. She was happy that we were working things out and hoped to meet her grandson soon. What I didn’t tell my mom was that I was concerned Madison would get cold feet about our relationship again.
Her belief that we were so different pulled hard at her, just as she had an issue with the distance between us.
I still believed she and I were alike in all the ways that mattered.
As for the miles between where she was and where I was?
It was manageable. It was also temporary.
If things continued progressing in the right direction with my redheaded, green-eyed goddess, I planned to move back to Amarillo or even Dallas.
I would do whatever it took to make Madison happy and keep her by my side.
“You about to head out?” Mr. Culberson asked as he was approaching me by my truck.
“Yes, sir.”
He smiled, nodding. “You’ve got to see that son of yours.”
“And his mother and her little girl, whom I claim as my own.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a family in the making.”
“I do and I’m grateful.”
“Have you got a photo of your son?”
“Several. Here, I’ll show you them.” I pulled my cellphone from my jeans pocket and scrolled my finger across the screen. “This one is my favorite of Beau and me.”
“He wasn’t afraid of Casper?”
“Not at all. I took him riding, and he kept giggling, wanting to go faster and faster.”
“He’s like you. He also looks like you, except for his red hair.”
“Which he got from his mother, Madison. Her daughter, Bella, is redheaded too. Here they are.”
I showed Mr. Culberson my favorite photo of them.
His eyebrows shot up. “They are both stunning.”
“I know.”
“One man to another, I applaud you, Luke, for embracing that situation with Madison and her not telling you about Beau.”
“I love her. I have never loved any woman as I do her.”
“It shows. Go see her, and I will see you back here on Monday morning.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
He patted my shoulder and returned to his truck. I checked on Casper in his trailer, then hit the road for Amarillo.
TWO HOURS LATER
I decided to go straight to my old ranch house instead of taking Casper to the barn first. I could hardly wait to lay my eyes on Madison.
As I was pulling up to park, she came running out the front door and down the steps toward me, smiling from cheek to cheek like I was doing.
I hurried out of my truck, caught her in my arms, picked her up, and hugged her tight.
Then I looked at her. She had happy tears in her eyes like I did.
“Kiss me,” I said.
“Happily.”
The moment our lips touched, I knew I was home.
“My eyes have missed you, Madison.”
“Mine have missed you too.”
“My arms have missed you.”
“Ditto, cowboy.”
“My whole body has ached for yours.”
She looked over my face. “I know how to remedy that ache.”
“You sure do.”
We went inside the ranch house, Madison taking me straight to her mom, Bella, and Beau in the living room. All three smiled when we walked in.
“Luke!” Bella yelled, running toward me.
I picked her up and kissed her cheek. “How’s my girl doing?”
“Good.”
“How’s your brother been?” I glanced at him, waddling toward me.
“Fine.”
I carried Bella toward Beau and knelt on the floor. “Hey, buddy!”
He reached for me, and I hugged him.
“How are you, Mrs. Livingston?” I asked, looking at her as she got up from her recliner and came toward me.
“I’m doing pretty well. And from now on, please call me Sara.”
I stood with Beau and Bella on my hips. “Alright.”
“How have you been, Luke?”
“Busy and ready to get back here.”
Sara smiled and patted my cheek. “Your crew was ready for you to get back.”
“Is there anything you need me to do around the ranch this weekend?”
“Not at this time, but I appreciate you offering.”
“If something comes up, let me know. I’ll take care of it.”
“I know you will, sweetheart.”
I looked at Madison. “I’m going to take Casper over to the barn and get him all situated.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“And I’ll keep an eye on my grandgirl and grandboy. Give me that chunk,” Sara said, reaching for Beau.
“It seems like he’s grown some more.”
“He’s going to be a big man like you.”