A Cowboy's Touch (14 page)

Where did I lose my way, God? We used to be close
.

She’d gone to church with Aunt Lucy but, Abigail admitted, she’d been present in body only. Maybe it was time to find her way back to God—if she could even figure out how.

14

W
ade set the merchandise on the counter and pulled out his billfold.

“Hiya, Wade.” Marla Jenkins flashed him a wide smile from behind the counter.

“Marla.” Spotting the candy rack, Wade grabbed a pack of Twizzlers and set them on the counter.

“Getting ready for the week?” Marla asked as she rang up his purchases.

“Yep.”

“Oh, these are really good.” She held up the package of beef jerky. “My dad loves this brand.”

Wade wondered what he’d do after stowing his supplies. His errands hadn’t taken as long as he’d made them sound, and Abigail had gone to visit her aunt.

“I’m so ready to get off work. My feet are killing me.” Marla tucked her brown hair behind her ear.

Wade gave a polite smile.

“Big plans tonight?”

“Not really.”

“My brother’s band’s playing at the Chuckwagon. Maybe I’ll see you there.”

The bell over the door jingled. “Hey, Wade.” Dylan’s familiar voice was a welcome distraction.

Wade nodded in Dylan’s direction as Marla gave a total. He pulled the cash from his wallet and handed it over.

“The Silver Spurs go on around nine. Hope to see you there.”

Dylan accompanied him from the store and nudged him in the ribs once they were out the door. “First you and the nanny, now Marla Jenkins. Dude, you da man.”

“There is no ‘me and the nanny.’”

“You were looking awful cozy riding through town twenty minutes ago.”

“She needed a lift.” They crossed the street, then Wade tossed his bags through the pickup’s window and leaned against the door as another truck roared past. “What are you doing in town?”

“Changing the subject?”

“No subject to change.”

“If you say so. It’s Saturday, and I don’t have a date yet.”

“Marla was trolling for one.”

“She was trolling for a date with
you
. Hey, I wonder if her sister’s free. Or Shay. She’s a looker. We could make it a double.”

“First, Shay’s a single mom—can’t mess with a single mom. Second, I’m not interested in Marla.”

“Well, your nanny then. Maybe Marla will be my date. Come on, a night out on the town—such as it is.” He gestured up Main Street. “You like the Silver Spurs.”

“I’m not going out with Abigail. She works for me.”

“Fine. You ask Marla, I’ll find someone else. Marla’s cute, and she’s a good Christian girl.”

Wade glanced around the town, its old brick buildings and wooden boardwalks lining Main Street, as he searched for an excuse.

“Not interested in Marla.”

“How about Shay?”

“Think I’ll stay home and keep Maddy company tonight.”

Wade scanned the sidewalks for Abigail but didn’t see her. She must still be at her aunt’s shop. He put on his best poker face.

Dylan had been his friend too long not to see through it. He folded his arms. “Come on, Wade, shoot straight with me. When are you going to move on with your life?”

“I moved a thousand miles.”

“Not what I mean. Lizzie’s been gone five years, man.”

Wade clenched his teeth. He didn’t want to talk about Lizzie, didn’t even want to think about her. Hard enough to see her in Maddy every day. In her smile, in the way she pushed her hair off her face. To be reminded every day—

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Never said it was.”

“You don’t have to. It’s there in your eyes every time I say her name.”

Wade turned and pulled the handle on the truck door. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Dylan held the door closed. “I’ve known you since we were eight. I know a thing or two about—”

“Don’t know a thing about this.”

“You’ve got some guilt thing going, and you’re denying yourself anything that might actually make you happy.”

Wade humphed, shook his head, tried the handle again. Dylan blocked his way. Wade rolled his eyes. Stuffed his anger down, laughed it off.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Dylan repeated.

“I don’t date because I’ve got a ranch to run and a daughter to raise. I’m not a footloose single guy with nothing but my own needs to satisfy. Maddy needs me.”

“Maddy needs a mom. But you’re too busy punishing yourself to find her one.”

Something in Wade shook loose. He shoved Dylan, knocking his friend away from the door. “That’s too far.”

Dylan’s shoulders tensed. He could give Wade a run for his money, and they both knew it. But they hadn’t gone at it since they were scrappy twelve-year-olds itching for a fight.

Dylan pulled himself straight. “You mean I’ve stated the truth, and you don’t like the sound of it.”

Wade breathed a wry laugh. He’d had enough of Dylan for one day. He got in the truck without a glance at his friend.

When Dylan turned and crossed the street, Wade breathed a sigh of relief. He was stuck here until Abigail returned or until he fetched her, but he was in no mood to do that now.

Dylan’s words rang in his ears. Even now, his muscles were taut, his nerves clanging. His friend rarely brought up Lizzie’s name. It was a silent understanding between them. But he’d broken the agreement today and done it with style.

And he’d struck too close to the truth for Wade’s comfort. Dylan couldn’t understand what he’d been through with Lizzie. She’d been a spirited, happy soul when he’d met her, and he hadn’t been able to stop her slow spiral downhill. Shouldn’t a man be able to save his own wife?

How could he bring another woman into his life, knowing he’d failed one already? It was bad enough Maddy had him for a father. It might be true she could use a mother, but he didn’t trust himself enough to put another woman at risk.

“Abigail!” Aunt Lucy looked up from the Western doll in her hands. “I didn’t expect you today.”

“Hitched a ride into town with Wade.” Abigail hugged her aunt.

Aunt Lucy settled back into her rocker and picked up her needle and thread. “Where’s Maddy?”

“She’s at Olivia’s house.”

“Ah, Shay’s girl,” Aunt Lucy said. “That child looks so much like her mom at that age. Shay lived with me awhile, you know, when she was eighteen.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Felt bad for her, what with her upbringing. Then when that McCoy boy broke her heart . . .” She
tsk
ed. “Her parents turned her out for a few months.”

“That was kind of you, to take her in.”

“Poor thing. So brokenhearted. I don’t think she ever did get over that boy, even after she married.”

“She seems pretty strong now.” Abigail noticed the layer of dust coating the display cases. She was sure they hadn’t been dusted since she’d done it two weeks earlier. She found the duster and went to work.

“You don’t have to do that, dear.”

“Might as well make myself useful.”

“How are you and Maddy getting on?”

“I love that girl. And I feel for her, having lost her mom so young.”

“She’s precious.”

“We’re starting a vegetable garden, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m teaching her to cook some simple dishes, and yesterday I helped her make something for her dad for Father’s Day tomorrow.”

“That’s very thoughtful. I’m so glad Maddy has you for the summer.”

“You don’t feel neglected? I’ve been feeling guilty leaving you all alone.”

“I’m not alone!” She gestured to her polyester-stuffed family. “I have all my girls to keep me company.”

“Uh . . . yeah, that’s true.” Abigail swept the duster across the doll shelf, careful to avoid hitting “the girls.”

“I just hope you’re getting enough rest. Your mother won’t be happy with me if you’re more worn to a frazzle when you go home. What’s that on your forehead?”

Abigail touched the spot, which was still a little tender. “I had a fall a few days ago—it’s nothing.”

“A fall from where? Is that a scuff on your cheek?”

“From a horse.” Abigail gave a sardonic grin. “Leave it to me.”

“You
are
doing too much!”

“No, no, I’m really not. Exercise is good for me—I just need to learn how to stay
on
the horse. I think I’ve got the hang of it now.”

Aunt Lucy narrowed her eyes behind the thick glasses. “Well, I don’t like it, and I don’t think your mom would either.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine.” A change of subject was in order. “I hope you’ll pick me up for church tomorrow. I promised Maddy I’d help her fix a picnic for her dad after church, but I can come over later in the afternoon.”

“That sounds wonderful, dear.”

“Do you need help around the house? I could mow or clean or whatever you need done.”

“That’s sweet, dear, but I keep up the cleaning, and a high school boy mows for me. I’ve got it covered.”

Maybe her aunt was as capable as she’d always been. But there was the matter of her forgetfulness and, okay, her habits of talking to inanimate objects and planting plastic flowers.

“How’s business?” Abigail asked.

“We’re pretty slow here, aren’t we, girls? But I’m sure it’ll be just fine.”

Aunt Lucy always looked so serene. Even in the face of what had to be a financial difficulty. “Maybe we can do something to help drive business.”

“Everyone in town knows I’m here, and there’s not much I can do to bring tourists someplace they don’t know exists. Don’t worry, child. God will provide. All I can do is remain in Him and keep making my dolls.”

Remain in Him . . .

“John 15:5.” Abigail pulled her ring from her finger. “That’s the Scripture on the ring Dad gave me when I was baptized.”

Aunt Lucy took the ring and traced her nubby fingertip over the engraved vines. “It’s a nice reminder. Your daddy was a wise man.”

“Yes, he was.” Abigail slipped the ring back into place and resumed dusting. She hadn’t thought about the words of that verse for years, but she still remembered them.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing
.

Had she remained in Him? If she was honest, she knew the answer, and it wasn’t one that would’ve pleased her dad. Was Aunt Lucy’s peace the result of remaining in Him?

Abigail finished dusting and gave the register a good cleaning while she and Aunt Lucy caught up on the happenings in town. By the time Abigail checked the clock, she realized almost an hour had passed. She was probably holding up Wade.

15

A
bigail wrapped the chicken salad sandwiches and placed them in the tote bag with the tub of warm beans, watermelon slices, cans of soda, and place settings.

She handed Maddy the bag. “Okay, all set. I put extras in there in case your dad is especially hungry.”

Wade glanced up from where he was putting on his boots. “And I am. It smells great.”

“Maddy, don’t forget the you-know-what.” She winked. “You two have a great time.”

Maddy’s face fell. “You’re not coming?”

Abigail looked between Wade and Maddy. “I thought you’d want to spend the afternoon with your dad.”

“I do, but I want you to go too.” Her sad eyes pulled at Abigail.

“Maddy,” Wade said. “It’s Abigail’s only day off.”

The last thing she wanted was Maddy thinking Abigail only saw her as a paycheck. Plus, it would give her a chance to talk to Wade. “I’m happy to go if you want me along. That is, if your dad doesn’t mind.”

His lips pressed together, and Abigail was sure he did mind. He shrugged anyway. “Suit yourself.”

“Yay!” Maddy said. “I’ll be right back.” She ran to retrieve her dad’s gift.

Abigail pulled an extra soda from the fridge, torn. She wanted to please Maddy, but Wade seemed unhappy about the change in plans.