Embattled Home (14 page)

Mercy giggled and chewed away.

Chad had left for a moment, heading down the hallway, but he returned within just a few seconds. Lora felt him enter the room behind her and didn’t need to turn her head. She gathered a fresh plate and a stack of pancakes and handed it to him.

He stood in front of her, but he didn’t take the plate until her eyes connected with his. “You don’t have to cook for this group. We’re used to takeout and gas station food. We can make do anywhere they put us.” His eyes squinted as he smiled. “But the occasional home-cooked meal won’t go uneaten.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as he finally accepted the plate. “You need to eat better. You’re too skinny.”

Something dark flittered through his expression before he turned toward the table.

She snapped her mouth shut and turned back to the griddle, shocked that she’d made such a personal observation. What business was it of hers that he didn’t eat right?

Flynn was on watch, but as soon as Chad finished his breakfast he went outside to relieve him so that he could eat. Lora thought she had made enough, but by the time Flynn was done, she had to wonder. Rachel was sleeping and Harper was the last to grab a plate. He drowned his cakes in syrup and went to stand by the window to eat.

Lora grabbed the last few and wrapped them up for Rachel to have later.

Flynn went back outside and within a few minutes, Chad was back.

“Can I go see Taco again?”

Lora looked at her daughter in surprise, then Chad. He nodded. “Of course you can, sweet cheeks. Clean up and I’ll take you out.”

Mercy jumped up from the table so fast she was a blur. Lora swiped the last of her mess away.

“Are you sure you have time to do this?”

His brows shot up. “Of course. The other three are on surveillance rotating through. I’ll be with the two of you for the most part. Doesn’t matter what we do as long as I stick with you.”

Lora’s heartbeat accelerated as she realized he would be with them exclusively. Brushing her hands down her jeans, she gave him a tight smile. “Okay then.”

Mercy bolted out from the hallway and they trooped outside. The morning was cool, but not uncomfortable, and when they entered the barn the horses nickered.

“What are they doing?” Mercy asked, giggling.

“They’re talking to each other,” Chad told her. “And telling us hello.”

He crossed to the stall at the very end, where a nose peeked over the weathered barn door. Taco shook his head and squealed when Chad stepped in, and seemed very happy to see people. Chad fastened a green halter on him and led him out, tying him to a ring set into the wall. The pony looked at Lora and Mercy from under a shaggy mane as if waiting.

Chad handed Mercy a Smarties from his pocket. “Think you can share those with Taco?”

Mercy nodded and bent her blond head to unwrap the cellophane. She popped one in her mouth, then held a second out to the pony. Taco lipped the sweet carefully from her hand making Mercy giggle again.

Chad held a bristle brush out to her. “You need to take care of any horse you have and I know for a fact Taco loves to be brushed. You’ll put him to sleep.”

Lora’s throat tightened with emotion as she watched Chad instruct her daughter in the proper care for a horse. And he was true to his word. Within just a few minutes, the pony’s head had drooped and his eyelids were flickering.

Chad suddenly looked up at Lora and motioned to her to step inside one of the empty stalls. “Do you mind if she rides?” he whispered.

Lora lost her thoughts as the scent of his sweet breath hit her. “N-no. As long as you’re with her.”

The man in front of her gave her a serious look, as if he knew his nearness affected her. “I’ll take care of her, I promise.”

And she knew he would.

Turning, he stepped out of the stall. “Would you like to try to ride him?”

Mercy looked up at him thoughtfully, her brow furrowed. “Yes, I think I would.” She didn’t mention yesterday.

Tears came to Lora’s eyes at how grown up her daughter sounded. As Chad brought a small saddle from the tack room and showed her how to put it on, she realized how much her daughter had grown in the past year. Picking her up had become a chorenot that she’d change anything about her at all. But it was becoming more difficult. It seemed like every time she turned around they were having to shop for new, better fitting clothes.

As Chad showed Mercy how to tighten buckles and straps while moving carefully around the horse, Lora thought about how fast the time had flown. It seemed like just yesterday she’d been cradling her belly, counting down the days before her child came into the world. Then, once she had, she’d been counting the days till she could get out of the house.

It seemed like she went from one calamity to another, doggy paddling to keep her head above water and the sharks away.

Shoving all that aside, she watched her daughter be lifted to the saddle of the old pony. She now wore a little red helmet with Velcro straps beneath her chin. Mercy’s eyes gleamed with excitement, but she stayed quiet as Chad told her to do. Lora wished she had a camera to capture the delighted look in her daughter’s eyes, but Chad had made her leave her phone at the LNF office.

Chad untied the lead rope from the ring and walked the pony out of the barn. Lora walked beside Mercy to make sure she stayed steady, but her daughter didn’t seem to need her. Walking her in a circle in the sprouting grass, Chad watched her constantly to make sure she was secure.

After they’d done half a dozen circles, Lora stepped out of the way and let them continue alone. Mercy held her back straight but flexible, as she’d been told, and clutched the saddle horn in her little hands.

Lora’s attention shifted to Chad as he walked backwards to watch Mercy. Didn’t he worry about tripping over something doing that? In all fairness, she’d never seen him trip, but it could happen.

Chad pulled the pony to a stop as Flynn jogged around the side of the house. “We’ve got a truck coming up the road.”

The easy atmosphere immediately charged. Chad turned for the barn, lifting Mercy down as he did. Lora reached for her daughter as he tugged the pony inside the barn.

“Why don’t you just stay here for a minute,” he told her. “I’m sure it’s a friendly, but we’ll just make sure.”

She nodded quickly and guided her daughter into the empty stall, watching his back as he left the dimness of the barn. Straight and tall, he walked toward the possible threat with no hesitation.

Lora ducked inside the stall and waited. Once the truck pulled into the turn-around and quieted, she heard the rumble of voices, but she controlled her curiosity. Only when Chad called out her name did she walk out with her daughter.

Chad’s father was in the truck and he tipped his hat to her when she drew near. “Ma’am.”

“Mr. Lowell.”

He shook his head, his face creasing in an easy smile. “Garrett is fine. No fuss here.”

Lora smiled as much as she could and nodded. Mercy clutched her hand and kind of hid behind her. “I think we’re going to go get cleaned up a little bit, Chad.”

He gave her a wave and watched as she walked away.

“She’s got some cute under those bruises,” his father murmured.

Lifting his brows, he turned back to his father. “Yes, she does.”

Garrett rubbed a hand over his lean jaw. “Could be there’s a little more to this job, huh?”

Chad shook his head and leaned against the side of the truck. “Nah. She’s not interested in anything like that and I don’t know if I am either.”

“Boy, it’d be a hard man that could deny that baby, though.”

Grinning, Chad looked after the retreating pair. His father had always loved the little ones. “I know. We just put Taco away. She wasn’t wild about him at first, but this morning she hopped on him and rode like she’s been doing it for years.”

Garrett grinned. “No kid I know has been able to deny Taco’s charm.”

He reached for the two bags sitting beside him. “Your mama was a little put out you didn’t come back for these yesterday. There’s kids clothes and some she found of your sister’s for Lora. She said she didn’t expect them back. And here’s a couple pairs of boots.”

Chad took the plastic shopping bags and boots in one hand. “Okay. Tell her I’m sorry and thank you. I did forget to go back to the house.” He shrugged.

“Well, now that you’re feeling guilty, I’m supposed to invite you to dinner. Tomorrow night. Cheyenne’s coming with her crew.”

Wincing at the thought of the noise level in the house, he pursed his lips. “I’ll see what Lora says but don’t be surprised if it’s a no.”

Garrett nodded. “I told her the same thing but I can only get so much through to your mama, you know that. Think about it and let me know.”

Turning the ignition, his dad shifted the truck into gear and rattled down the drive.

Chad stared after the retreating vehicle until Flynn stepped beside him. “You look just like your dad.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot. If you get a chance to meet my brother, we look even more alike.”

Flynn snorted and walked away. Chad stared after him for a minute, wondering what Flynn’s point had been.

He walked the bags into the house. Lora stood at the sink, washing dishes. The ace bandage that had been wrapped around her arm was in a pile on the table.

“I don’t know if you should be using that arm yet. We can do the dishes.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “The hot water actually feels good on it.”

“Are you a steaming hot bath kind of person?”

Chad could have happily bitten his tongue off right then, but the words were out. Lora narrowed her eyes at him before giving a single nod. “I am. I love to soak in a hot bath after Mercy goes to sleep. It’s my treat after a long day.”

Chad filed that away. She would love the bathhouse then. He held the bags up. “My mom gathered some clothes up for Mercy. Just jeans and stuff that she can play and get dirty in. I think there might be some stuff in there for you, too. And boots.”

She dried her hands on a dishtowel hanging from the cupboard and turned for the bags. “She didn’t have to do that. I’ll give them back when we leave.”

“I don’t think she’s worried about it. My nieces and nephews are mostly bigger than Mercy so they’re not really needed.”

She struggled with the knot at the top of the bags and he could tell her sprain was bothering her. “Why don’t you let me rewrap that wrist? It’s only been a couple days since you hurt it.”

“Since Derek hurt it, you mean.”

He frowned at the bitterness he heard in her voice. “Yes.”

She settled into the chair, sighing. “Sorry I growled.”

He grabbed the pile of bandage and located the end, letting the rest hang and unravel. “You’re fine. I’d growl too if I were in your position. I’m glad you realize it’s not your fault. A lot of women that go through the abuse you did would believe it was their responsibility.”

She shook her head, sending her blond hair swaying. “No, I knew it wasn’t my fault pretty early. Although Rosalind has done her best to bury me under guilt. None of this was Derek’s fault, she said. It all came down on my head.”

Chad positioned another chair in front of her and motioned for her hand. “Well, I understand a mother supporting her child but that goes beyond normal. I wonder if she was brought up in the same kind of environment, or if Derek’s father did the same thing to her.”

Lora sighed. “I think she was. Just by some of the things they’ve said, I don’t think Derek’s father was much of a peach either. He died years ago, before I came on the scene. And that makes me feel sorry for her. But as soon as I hint at understanding, she swoops in for the kill.”

“That’s how predators are.”

Chad wrapped her wrist and fastened it with the Velcro end. He wanted to hold her soft hand for a few more seconds, but that would probably make her uncomfortable.

“Thanks, Chad.”

He forced a grin. “No problem.” He held out a piece of candy. “For being such a good patient.”

She looked at him askance, as if she didn’t know what to think. But she eventually smiled and took the piece. “Only because it’s a Starlight spearmint.”

Chuckling, he unwrapped his own piece.

“Is that a bottomless pocket or what?”

He wiggled his brows at her and leaned forward. “Maybe. Would you like to feel?”

She cocked her head as if considering. “I better not. My daughter is pretty quiet. I should see what she’s into.”

Gathering up the bags, she started down the hallway.

“Hey.”

She turned back to him.

“My mother wants us to come down for dinner tomorrow night. No answer right now, but maybe you can think about it? My sister Cheyenne will be there and her critters. Might be fun for Mercy.”

She nodded and slipped away.

Chad dried the dishes and put them back in the cupboards.

Rachel came into the kitchen, hair pulled back into her usual ponytail. “Did I hear a truck?”

“My dad stopped in for a minute. Hey, you up for a trek into town?”

Rachel nodded. “Of course.”

“Cool.” He grabbed the list Lora had made from the counter. “I need you to go to the grocery store.”

Her golden brown eyes widened and she looked a little worried. “Uh, okay. I can do that. Yes, sir.”

Chad almost grinned at her bewildered expression. He pulled a credit card from his wallet and handed it to her. “If you have problems using it have them call me.”

She nodded and folded the card and list, slipping it into her jeans pocket. “Can do.”

“Also, check out that drug store. Maybe you can pick up a few things Mercy can play with.”

Rachel nodded. “Of course. Anything else?”

Chad thought for a moment, but nothing occurred to him just then. “Keep your phone handy and try not to talk to a lot of people.” He crossed the room to the hook beside the front door and retrieved his keys. “No craziness.”

Grinning, Rachel took the keys. “I’ll be good, boss. No worries.”

And she was. Within a few hours she had returned, laden with groceries to fill the cupboards and fridge and enough toys that three six-year-olds would have a tough time playing with them all.