Chapter 13 #2
“That’s a shame.” Brax shook his head. The news clearly affected him.
“We’re waiting on word from the sheriff to figure out the next moves,” Adam informed. “But she’ll be here for the time being.”
“Good of you both to step in like this,” Brax said. “I’ll cover for you on the ranch. Take all the time you need.”
“I appreciate it,” Adam said. Their affection for each other sent warmth spiraling through her.
It wasn’t the first time she’d gotten all warm and fuzzy while witnessing a family moment.
The rare time she went to the park and saw a father teaching his son or daughter how to ride a bike or watched siblings holding hands practically gutted her.
She’d teared up at a commercial more than once.
Don’t even get her started on movies. She carefully curated those to avoid touching family moments. Why torture herself?
Time made it easier and she truly was grateful to have an aunt and uncle willing to step in. She might not have been close with them, but that didn’t stop her appreciation for what they’d done.
Brax excused himself and took off down the hallway toward the front door.
“Mind if I get some fresh air?” Prudence asked, nodding toward the back.
“Go right ahead,” Adam said, as he bit back a yawn.
“Are there any dogs I need to worry about back there?” she asked.
“Nothing to worry about. Most of the animals prefer to stick around the barns this time of year. If you walk that far, you might run into a dog or two. All are used to folks and friendly,” he said. “But you probably won’t see any.”
She must’ve frowned because he asked, “Can I ask why you don’t have a pet? It’s obvious you care about them.”
“Too much commitment,” she said before heading toward the back door.
She glanced back at the house and more of those Normal Rockwall images crept in. A fireplace lit on a cold night. Christmas decorations everywhere during the holidays. People laughing and the hum of chatter drifting outside.
Was a life like that possible for her?
She’d never once allowed herself to imagine it. Why was that? Could she call her aunt and uncle and ask them what was broken inside her? Why she didn’t grow up dreaming of having a family of her own or cut out pictures of her future wedding dress?
Why couldn’t she see herself with a husband and kids?
A little voice in the back of her mind added, until Adam.
But she quieted it down before it could get going.
Of course, she would feel a certain pull toward the man who’d rescued her in the trees out on ranch property.
Of course, she would fall for his daughter.
Angel was more description than name. The little girl had wormed her way in Prudence’s heart from the minute she could remember looking down at her.
Prudence could feel the spark between her and Adam. She’d have to be crazy not to. But it didn’t mean anything. Besides, she had a feeling his life was about to be turned upside-down when the paternity news came in.
He might not be ready to admit it yet, but the likelihood he was Angel’s father was high.
Right now, she would set all those thoughts aside and let the warm breeze tickle her face.
This place had a magic of its own. The lawn was something out of a magazine with a large oak tree complete with tire swing off to one side.
There was a dotting of trees to shade the house, no doubt planted a hundred years ago when the home was built.
It had clearly been updated since then. The trees had stretched toward the sky before reaching toward each other to create a shield over the magnificent two-story.
Stretching her legs felt good after being in the truck for a more than two hours round trip. She’d never been one for long car rides. She extended her arms out to her sides, then clasped her fingers and brought her hands up over her head.
Holding the baby for hours on end might be satisfying, but it was hard on the body. She dropped her arms to her sides and then shook out her hands, needing to get the blood flowing again.
After a couple of laps around the house, she entered the house through the same door she used earlier.
“She just walked inside.” Adam stood at the island with his cell phone on speaker as he locked gazes with her.
Alarm bells sounded in her mind and an ominous feeling settled over her. She recognized the tone.
“What?” she mouthed to him.
He motioned for her to stand next to him. She walked to the opposite side of the island and planted herself by placing her palms down, arms spread out.
“I’m here,” she said.
“Good. I’d like for both of you to hear this together.” The voice was easily recognizable as Lawler’s. There was a buzz in the background. His radio squawked and she heard something that sounded like road noise.
Her chest squeezed.
“We’re listening,” Adam said with a weary look that said he didn’t want to hear more bad news any more than she did. They’d had enough for one day, more like a lifetime when she really thought about it.
“Deputy Smithfield stopped by to talk to your clients a few minutes ago.” Lawler paused just like he’d done the last time he’d delivered bad news.
“What did they say? Were they understanding?” Prudence hated letting her clients down, and yet there wasn’t much that could be done.
“They’re deceased,” Lawler said with a reverence normally reserved for church service on Sunday.
Prudence’s stomach roiled.