FIVE
A FTER AN HOUR OF uncomfortable, stumbling conversation, Tyler and Krista had found their pace, and Megan had taken that moment to make an excuse that took her from them, giving them space to feel at home in each other’s company.
Her heart warred with happiness for both Krista and Tyler and with her own feelings of loss. Reuniting the uncle and niece gave them both the one last piece of their family they had left, a tie to the past, to those not forgotten, and to the love that family had once openly shared.
Listening to their stories of Tyler’s parents and Krista’s mom, of Christmases and reunions, and daily life, made Megan long for her own family. She took the moment, walking a short distance from them, and called her father. He didn’t answer, probably bowling league day, but it soothed her soul to hear his deep, rumbling voice, a voice that had comforted her when she needed support the most, steady and loyal and hers.
She ended the call after leaving him a message full of appreciation, her eyes stinging as she watched Krista and her uncle through the blur of unshed tears. She marveled at how Krista’s shoulders had relaxed, her smile coming so easily, and the lilt of laughter in her voice.
Her own dreams crashed onto the beach, watching this, yet how could she be unhappy knowing that Krista could have this with the last surviving member of her family?
Tyler. She bit her lip as she shifted her gaze to him. He relaxed against the picnic table, his hands moving animatedly as he relived a story where Krista’s mom had done something silly. His green eyes lit with life that she hadn’t seen during their last two encounters.
She brought back their conversation of the night before, how easily it came, how fun it was to banter with him. It had been difficult to remind herself continually that she had made a business call, not a personal, flirtatious one.
Even now, she saw him glance at her several times, his eyes holding a suggestion that kept her heart hopping from one future to the next, wondering and wishing, yet knowing she had no right to interfere between uncle and niece, no right to deposit herself right there with them, no matter how much she longed to see if that mixture would work.
She sighed, a sound full of longing and dreamy heartache as she glanced at the time on her phone. Krista had duties at camp that began in a half hour. Even though she desired to stay rooted to the spot, to continue to see the life in those two pairs of eyes, she took a reluctant step toward them, then another and another.
Tyler caught her movement and pushed himself off the bench as if it pained him to do so, more than his stiff leg would inflict. “It looks like you have to go.” He smiled down at Krista. “Would you be open to meeting with me again?”
Krista looked at Megan with hope in her eyes.
“That ball’s in your court, my dear,” Megan said, pushing the words out.
“I would like that.” Krista stood, swiping a dark lock behind her ear. “Would you want to come see the horses?”
“At camp?” Tyler asked, glancing at her.
Megan ran through the protocols she could remember in order to see if that would be a possibility. She gave him a small shrug. “I’ll run it by Josie, but I doubt she’d have a problem with that.”
Tyler stood tall, straightening his clothes, tugging on his t-shirt as if he wore a uniform. “You tell me the time and place, Krista, and I’ll be there.”
Krista dipped her head, but not before the largest smile Megan had ever seen on her stretched across her lips. “I’d like that. I’ll have Megan call you again? After she talks with Josie?”
“I’ll keep my phone with me.” Tyler tipped his hat, standing awkwardly for a moment as if he wanted to take the girl into his arms, but he stepped back instead. “Thank you for giving me a chance.” He said the words to Krista, but his eyes pulled away to meet Megan’s, deep meaning filling them.
“Thanks for coming. I’ll call you when I know what’s going on.” Megan lifted her hand, putting the other one on Krista’s shoulder.
Tyler turned, striding toward his truck, his Wranglers making his departure just as heart-tugging as his arrival had been.
As he opened the truck door, Krista took a couple of running steps forward. “See you soon!”
Hearing the desperation in Krista’s voice had Megan putting a hand on her chest as if to shield it from the emotional barrage. She stepped up to the girl.
“Don’t worry. He’ll come back,” she said, squeezing Krista’s arm and nodding toward her car.
Krista worried her lip, but she followed Megan to the car and silently slid into the passenger seat. After breathing out several deep breaths, she finally asked, “You really believe he will? I mean, you don’t think I scared him off, do you?”
“You? Scare him?” Megan pushed lightness into her voice with a half-hearted chuckle.
“He looked scared. I never thought I would see Uncle Tyler scared, but I swear he was.”
Megan laughed for real this time. “Oh, I bet he was scared, but not the way you think. He didn’t act like a man who’s going to run. He’ll be back.”
“Just like he said.” Krista turned to search her eyes.
“I don’t know your uncle well, Krista, but I know the kind of man he is, and I would bet my life on him being a man of his word.”
Krista’s lips twitched as she turned to look out the window as if hoping to catch one more glimpse of her uncle. “Yeah, I think he’s that kind of man, too.” As they pulled up the road to Camp, she looked down at her hands. “I never told you…”
Megan glanced at the girl as she trailed off, half desiring to pull the car over to give Krista her full attention, but somehow knowing that it was easier for Krista to talk without her watching. “I’m listening.”
“Uncle Tyler, he told me…all those years ago…he told me he’d make sure I was safe, and that he would come back for me when he could.” Krista’s lips trembled as she turned toward Megan, her eyes shining brightly with tears. “Do you think he’s actually coming back for me? For good? To take me home?”
Megan’s hands clutched the steering wheel as she felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs. She pulled over then, putting the car in park, and turned fully toward the girl.
“Is that what you want?” Megan felt her eyes stinging, her emotions flying in all directions as she read the girl’s eyes, seeing the hint of green that resembled her uncle’s.
Krista sucked in her cheeks and nodded, her lips trembling as tears finally spilled forth. “I want to go home.” She threw her arms around Megan, who clutched her as if her own heart were filling with so much hope that it scared the living daylights out of her.
“Oh, sweetie,” she murmured as she smoothed the girl’s hair back and soothed her as best she could.
After a moment, Krista sat back, wiping her eyes, black makeup streaming down her cheeks. Megan pulled up her purse and took out two tissues, handing one to Krista and using the other to dab at her own makeup, sure to be smeared under her eyes.
Once Krista had cleaned up the black streaks, she glanced back at Megan with a shy, embarrassed look. “I’m scared, too. You can tell him that.”
Megan smiled and patted the girl’s leg. “I think I just might, sweetie. You both were very brave today. It was a great first step.”
Krista nodded, taking in a deep, grounding breath.
Megan did the same, then shifted back into low gear. As her eyes scanned the road for oncoming traffic, she noticed where they had pulled over and a bubbly laugh escaped her as she pulled out onto the road.
“What?” Krista asked, the look on her childish face horrified, as if she had just committed a horrific social faux-pas.
Megan hadn’t planned on telling her, but seeing that look, knew she couldn’t not tell her. “That place we were just pulled over?”
Krista glanced back at it, then to her again with a nod.
“It must call to me because I had a flat tire there the other night. No cell service and I found out I had no clue how much muscle it took to change out a tire.”
“Was it dark?”
“Just coming onto dark, and I heard a crashing in the woods.”
“Bear?”
“That was my thought. Luckily, a very nice man came up the road and changed out my tire for me…and pointed out the animal was merely a deer.” Megan glanced at her with a sheepish grin.
“Wow. That’s quite the story. Was the man handsome?”
Megan coughed, sputtering as she caught her breath.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Krista grinned. “Did he ask you out? Are you going to see him again?”
“Well, I did see him again…and it seems like I might be seeing a lot more of him this summer.” Megan flashed her eyes at Krista as she pulled into her parking space, watching the girl formulate her own conclusions.
“My uncle…” Krista whispered as Megan opened her door.
“Come on. You’re late for lunch.” Megan motioned her to hurry and followed the girl into the Meeting Hall, wondering if she had just made a huge mistake by telling the girl and obviously not hiding her attraction for the girl’s uncle very well at all.
The rest of the day sped by with Megan doing her best to stay in the present moment with whichever kid she was working with. ?Yet in between, her mind kept replaying the happiness in Krista’s eyes, the tears, and her opening up to Megan…and Tyler.
She gulped, letting out an exasperated sigh as the door to her office opened.
“That good, huh?” Josie asked as she waltzed in and landed in a heap on her couch. “What a day.”
“Sounds like you have something to unload?” Megan said, pushing away her own turmoil.
“I was gifted two more horses for the camp,” Josie muttered.
“That sounds good, but why the funny sounding gifted ?”
“Well, let’s just say they’re greenbroke.” Josie cocked her head as Megan furrowed her brows. “They’re not kid-friendly.”
“Oh,” Megan said, sitting back. “What are you going to do with them?”
“They seem good stock and friendly, just untrained.”
“So, you hire a trainer?”
“Cody’s leaving soon for his rodeo, then it’s the adoptive parents and camp gets a bit crazy, and after camp, Cody has his rodeo season.” Josie leaned forward with a glint in her eye. “I was thinking Krista.”
“Krista? But she’s only a kid.”
“A kid that has more horse skills than most adults.”
“I can talk with her.” Megan thought through the skills Krista had taught her and then leaned forward herself as she remembered the girl and Tyler talking about training horses. “I might just know someone that could help her.”
Megan took the next several minutes to tell Josie all about Krista and Tyler’s meeting. Josie’s excitement grew by the moment until she almost bounced in her seat. “Done. Have him fill out the liability papers just to be on the safe side, but I think this is what I call Divine Timing.”
“I would have to agree,” Megan said, rising to stretch.
Josie stood as well, her pocket crinkling as she did. “Oh, I almost forgot. You got another letter.” Josie handed her the piece of mail.
Megan’s heart hammered as she reached for the letter. The blood drained from her face the moment she saw that scratched printing of her name and no return address.
Josie wrapped her fingers around Megan’s arm in an iron grip. “Geez, you okay? Sit. You look like you’re going to pass out.”
Megan let Josie lead her to the couch where she slumped in a heap, not unlike Josie had moments before. She took the water that Josie offered but didn’t make a move to drink it.
“You okay?” Josie asked, sitting beside her.
Megan tore her eyes away from the envelope. “Yeah.” She blinked and briefly met Josie’s eyes before flicking them away. “Yeah. Just tired. It was quite the day.”
Josie narrowed her eyes, glancing at the letter and back to Megan. “You sure?”
“Of course,” Megan said, setting the envelope down and taking a long drink. “I…I better get going. I’m going to need to rest up if Krista wants to take on the project of training these horses.”
Josie gave her one more searching look, then rose. “If not, I know Cody can do it after his rodeo season. I just thought it might be a fun project for the girl. You’re doing great work with her.”
“Thanks,” Megan said, pushing to the edge of the couch.
“You really think this uncle and her have a chance?”
“I do. Wait until you see them together.”
Josie nodded. “I look forward to it. Drive home safely.”
“Will do. Good night.”
“Night,” Josie said with a wave, leaving Megan with too many thoughts to put together straight.
Instead of trying to sort them out, she threw her paperwork and the unopened letter with it into her desk and made her way home. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
Ever since seeing his niece, Tyler had an odd queasiness within him. He didn’t quite know what to call it: anxiety that he would mess up her life or excitement at having someone in his life again?
Shaking his head, he ran a hand down his face before draining his cup of coffee. Morning had come too quickly, and he couldn’t quite shake the groggy feeling.
“Try actually sleeping next time, chump,” Tyler grumbled, his voice echoing in the empty room. He sighed. It would be nice to have someone here so he didn’t continue to talk to himself like a crazy person.
His lips twitched in memory as he washed out his cup. Jordan had told him he needed a dog and even gave him a pamphlet from the place he adopted his dog.
“After Caitlin left, I had to get a dog. It beats feeling like you’ve gone crazy talking to yourself,” Jordan had said, reaching down to scruff up his dog’s fur. “Isn’t that right, Buster? You’re a great listener. You should try it.”
Maybe he should.
Maybe taking care of a dog would be the first step in deciding if he could take on the responsibility of his niece. The thought eased the queasiness enough that he actually hopped off the steps toward the truck. Pain shot through his leg, bringing the grimace back to his face.
“Okay, not ready for that yet,” he mumbled as he hobbled to his truck.
The thought of getting a dog preoccupied him on the way to Camp Hope, enough that once he parked, he sat in his seat almost forgetting why he was here. The sun had just peeked over the ridge line, shining in a beautiful ray right on the stables.
Tyler drew in a deep breath as he stepped out of the truck, his eyes on the rays as if they were a guidance system. He stepped toward them, knowing that was where Krista waited for him, pondering if the rays meant anything or if he placed attributes onto something that meant nothing.
A soft murmuring of female voices carried on the slight breeze, an oddly soothing greeting as he limped toward the stables. Curiosity had him straining to hear the conversation as he approached.
“I can’t believe she trusts me to do this.” Krista’s voice met him, small and weak, instantly enlivening his protectiveness.
“Why wouldn’t she? You’ve already shown that you are an excellent horsewoman. I mean, come on, you taught me how to ride. That’s no easy feat.” Megan’s laugh almost stopped him in his tracks, but he continued on at a slower pace.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Krista said with a hint of attitude. “You’re a natural. I just gave you pointers.”
“Well, your pointers are valuable.” Megan had lowered her voice in what Tyler had already come to see as her this-is-important tone.
That thought did stop him, his feet rooting firmly on the dusty ground. Since when did he presume to know a woman he had barely met, and why did he feel a warmth at that knowing?
“Why are you so kind to me?” Krista asked, her tone hardening in a way that pulled Tyler right out of his own dilemma.
“You deserve kindness, Krista.” Megan softened her words. “You’re an incredible young lady.”
Krista scoffed, and a horse answered?. “My uncle won’t want me. I’ll just ride out the system for another three years. Then I’m gone.”
The queasiness in Tyler increased until he thought he’d be sick.
“That’s fear talking, Krista.” Megan had that tone again. “I understand. Everyone you have ever loved has disappeared one way or another. It’s hard to trust again.”
Tyler blinked rapidly, clutching a hand to his stomach, knowing he shouldn’t be hearing this, but unable to move.
“He said nothing about…about taking me in,” Krista said.
“Give him time.” Megan sighed, but a sigh of longing rather than exasperation. “He’s been through a lot, too, you know?”
“Yeah…but what if he doesn’t?”
“There are other options beyond riding out the system for another three years.” Megan’s tone changed, giving Tyler the space to breath a little deeper and release his stomach to step closer.
“Like what…forever parents like Josie promises? That’s just for little kids.” The resentment in Krista’s voice surprised him, though he guessed it shouldn’t. “No one wants a moody teenage girl.”
“That’s not true.” Megan’s voice wrapped around him like silk as he realized her intentions in them.
He sucked in a breath, feeling even more like an intruder than before. He remembered Chasity’s words about her friend not being able to make it because of a little girl she was getting close to. No wonder Megan had been so protective of Krista. He could see it now, read it in her responses, see it in her protective gaze while they met at the lake. Megan had thought about adopting his niece.
In the silence of Krista’s response, or lack of one, Tyler wondered if she understood Megan’s intent, if he hadn’t read it wrong…and he was good at reading people. Were they measuring each other right now, reading the truth in each other’s eyes?
Tyler spun on his good leg and made a beeline for his truck. He shouldn’t have heard that conversation. He wished he hadn’t heard it. How could he take away his niece from the potential of having someone amazing like Megan as an adoptive mom?
He hadn’t made it to his truck yet when he heard his name being called.
“Tyler!” Megan called again.
He drew in a deep breath before turning, seeing the soft blush in Megan’s cheeks, knowing that she worried he had overheard their conversation.
“Hey,” he said as casually as he could muster.
“Are you leaving?” Megan asked, closing the distance between them.
“No, I, uh, I just forgot,” he reached into his truck and pulled out the first thing he saw, “this.”
“A dog adoption pamphlet?” Megan crossed her arms and raised her brows.
“Yeah, uh.” Think, Tyler, think. “I thought maybe I would ask Krista to help me pick out a dog.”
Megan’s eyebrows raised higher. “A dog?”
“It’s a start, right, doc?”
“Doc, huh?”
Tyler shrugged. “I’ve got to start somewhere. Besides, talking to the walls makes me feel like I’m crazy.”
Megan laughed, and he silently thanked Jordan for the idea.
“Well, I understand that.” Megan dropped her eyebrows and her arms, waiting for him to step alongside her, and they walked toward the stables. “I hadn’t thought of a dog though. Maybe a cat…”
“Ahh, you’re a cat lady,” Tyler said, his lips twitching even before he saw her stiffen.
“I should have known. Hot, city therapist, single, works too much. Definitely a cat person.”
“You’re profiling me now?” Megan turned toward him, eyes narrowed but holding a glint of humor.
“Old habits die hard.” He shrugged.
She watched him a moment more, then her eyes shifted. “Did you say hot?”
Tyler’s neck heated as he cleared his throat. “My niece already in there?”
“Yes, she has a new project that you might help her with.” Megan’s tone lost her flirtatiousness, and his heart resumed his normal rhythm.
“Me?”
“Yeah, I can support her, be present with her, but I do not know how to help.”
Tyler stopped and met her eyes, his curiosity overcoming all the questions of his worthiness.
“Josie acquired a couple young horses that aren’t quite ready to be ridden by children…what did she call them…greenbroke.” Megan nodded toward the stables, before dropping her eyes down to his boots and bringing them over him before meeting his eyes with a slight blush to her cheeks. “Thought you’d know more about that than me.”
If Tyler hadn’t gone through the horrifying last several years, if he wasn’t damaged, he would have taken that woman in his arms right then and there. As her lips parted and her breathing sped up, he knew she knew it, too.
He spun away from her. “I haven’t ridden in years.”
It took a moment for Megan to reach his side again, and when she did, her voice sounded feathery and tenuous. “Well, isn’t it like riding a bike?”
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, his mouth opening to speak as Krista stepped out of the stables and into the corral they stood beside, leading a spirited but beautiful gelding.
“Uncle Tyler!” she said as she led the prancing horse to the fence between them.
“Good morning, Krista.” He reached out a hand to the curious horse. “Who is this?”
“This is Storm. He’s new here, and for some reason, Josie thinks I can calm him.”
Tyler read the misgivings in Krista’s eyes. “You’ve always had a knack for horses,” he swallowed, “just like your mother.”
“She did, didn’t she?” Krista said, blinking rapidly. “Well, maybe she’ll help me.”
“Who?” Tyler dropped his hand from the horse.
“My mom,” Krista said in a shrug. “She’s still around.” She looked up at the sky. “Don’t you think so?”
Tyler’s throat cinched closed, but he managed a brief nod as he looked up, wondering. Are you up there, Tabby? Tell me what to do.
Nothing appeared in front of him. No thunder crashed or lightning split the sky. No words echoed within him. Yet, a wash of peace flooded him as he dropped his eyes and met his niece’s hazel greens, a mixture of his and her mom’s.
“Tell me your plans?” Tyler leaned against the railing while Krista gave him the rundown of what she thought she should do. When she finished, he nodded. “I like it. You have thought about how to calm them, get them used to people and to children. What about the riding?”
“I’ll spend as much time riding them as I can and get them on the trail once they’re ready. What else am I missing?” Krista cocked her head, and he saw that she really wanted to know what he thought.
“Your mom and I trained horses when we were young, like you.” Tyler ducked under the rails, spooking the horse. “Easy.” He grabbed the lead rope and allowed the horse to settle, placing a gentle hand on his neck. “You’re okay. That’s right, Storm. We’re all friends.”
Krista watched him intently. “You’ll help?”
“I’ll teach all I know,” he said, meeting her eyes over the horse’s back.
She answered him with a smile.
“Well,” Megan said, her voice causing him to turn toward her. He hadn’t forgotten her. How could he? She made him feel afire anytime she was around. “I guess you two have it. I’ll let you…continue.”
“You’re not staying?” Krista’s voice shook before she cleared her throat. “I mean, I thought we were doing this together?”
“I’m the one intruding,” Tyler said, dropping his hand from the horse.
“You’re not backing out now, buddy.” Megan folded her arms. “Your niece is counting on you to keep your word.”
Tyler froze, his gaze going from Megan’s narrowed eye stare to Krista’s half-open mouth and wide eyes. His niece looked as wily as the gelding beside him. “I didn’t say I was going to leave, just that you shouldn’t.”
“So, we’ll all do this together?” Krista looked at him with such hope that he almost choked on the feelings rising within him.
Tyler pulled his gaze away from her and landed them on Megan. “If that’s okay with the doc?”
Megan rolled her eyes, but when she met Krista’s hopeful gaze, her eyes softened. “You got it, girl.”
Tyler’s heart lurched at the thought of what he just got himself into, but when he saw the wide smile spread across Krista’s lips, reminding him even more of her mother, it made it all worth it.