No Direction Home (Sweet Home Colorado) (15 page)

***

A week later, the sound of sawing and hammering filled the air while Grace stirred a large pitcher of lemonade. With Nana supervising, Seth and the boys were putting the finishing touches on the wheelchair ramp going out the back door for Joey. They had already completed the one connected to the front porch. To think, they could’ve been preparing it for her. A chill passed over her heart.  

Later today, Joey would be coming home from the hospital
. She realized once again just how far she had come and how lucky she had been.

She and Nana had been taking turns visiting and reading to him
. She liked to think they had made some headway. He wasn’t quite so prickly and seemed to perk up when Seth and Jamie visited. He especially liked Jamie.   

“Where are those drinks?
” Nana called from the back doorway. “The boys are parched out here.”

“I’m coming.
”  Grace grabbed a stack of paper cups and carried the pitcher out the back door. Fortunately, the weather had worked in their favor and they had a mild mid-winter day to do the job. With his shirt slung over the porch rail, Seth's muscles gleamed in the warm sunshine as he put the finishing touches on the ramp. Mesmerized, she watched, enjoying the view.

Nana smiled and took the cups and pitcher and poured drinks for the other hands standing around
. “Take a break. We’re almost done.”  She handed Seth a cup of lemonade.

“Sure.
”  He took a swallow and grinned at Nana. “Now, that’s fine lemonade.”  He winked at Grace, causing an eruption of flutters in her stomach. “What time do we pick up the boy?”

Nana leaned against the rail sipping lemonade
. “Ida said for us to be there at four. Doctor Evans is in surgery until then and wants to take one last look at him before he leaves the hospital.”

“I see.
”  He glanced at the sun. “We have plenty of time to finish this. Do you need help with anything else?”

Nana looked up and down the ramp
. “No, I don’t think so. Grace and I have the downstairs bedroom and bath ready for him.”  She sighed. “Right now, I can’t think of another thing that needs to be done.”

“I know he's had a hard time of it.
”  He sighed heavily, his voice filled with concern. “What are the doctors saying about his recovery?” Seth asked.

Grace shrugged
. “With physical therapy and counseling, they think he’ll eventually be able to walk again.”  She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, worried about the boy. “That’s where Nana and I can really help him. He can rant and rave at us all he wants and we won’t give up on him.”  From past experience, she knew healing wasn't always pretty and it didn’t happen overnight. The knowledge twisted and turned inside her. She knew it took time and understanding. Something, she could give the young man.

Seth glanced at his daughter playing in the yard
. “I’d like to help, too. Sometimes a boy needs a man to sound off to about his problems.”

Nana watched the ranch hands pick up the last pieces of lumber and carry them to the back of the barn
. “Good. He needs a man in his life.”  She glanced over at Grace with a gleam in her wise old eyes. “You could help us with the pool therapy. It’s going to take two people at all times. You and Grace could do it.”

“Sure, if Grace doesn’t mind.
”  He smiled at her expecting her to say something. With reproachful eyes, she noted the tinge of sarcasm in his voice, making her feel guilty.

She was suddenly overwhelmed by the torment of the past few weeks
. Since the kiss in the kitchen, she had stayed away from him, trying to figure out her feelings about the man. Since she had kept busy with work on her book he must think she was afraid to be alone with him. “Fine, but no dunking me in the pool,” she teased. It wasn’t that she was afraid...well all right...maybe she was a bit gun-shy. She didn’t relish the idea of him seeing her in a bathing suit, but she didn't want him to lose interest in her either.

He tipped his hat to her
. “Sure thing, ma’am.”  A gleam of mischief twinkled in his eyes.

A natural
friendship was developing between them and the man was incorrigible. Her emotions whirled and skidded when she realized her heart was hammering foolishly. She made a quick involuntary appraisal of him. She hadn’t imagined it. He was hard to resist.

***

“Joey, where are you?”  Grace went through the house searching for him. He knew he was supposed to wait in the living room for her. He had really been a pistol lately, fighting them on every turn lashing out at the least little thing. Doc Kruger had told them all Joey wanted was to love and be loved but he felt like he was betraying the memory of his parents and that was why he was being so obstinate. He had been through so much in his short life. Her heart went out to him. Sometimes she probably wasn’t as tough as she should be with him. She sighed.  

It was time to leave for the trail ride and picnic with the family
. Jamie had been looking forward to it for weeks. Joey had been acting funny all day. She wondered what was bothering him? “Joey?”

“I’m in here,
” an angry voice came from out of the back bedroom—Joey’s room. “I’m not going.”

“Joey, that’s crazy
. Come on now, everyone is waiting on you.”  She walked toward him trying to figure out why he was so angry.

“I don’t care,
” he shouted. “You can’t make me go.”

She got behind his wheelchair and started to push him out of the room
. This was nonsense. She knew he would have a wonderful time once he got out in the fresh mountain air.

“I said, I’m not going,
” he yelled and grabbed the side of the desk causing his books to tumble on the floor.

“Listen, you stupid woman, I said, I’m not going.
”

“That’s about enough young man.
”  Seth stood in the open doorway watching them. “Grace, won’t you excuse us, Mr. Henderson and I need to have a word together.”    

Grace glanced between them glaring at each other and decided that would be a good thing
. “Sure, I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

“Joey
. We can do this the hard way or the easy way.”  Seth bent over and picked up the Harry Potter books from the floor and put them back on the desk. Joey sat there in his wheelchair all red faced and pouting not saying a word. “This isn’t good for you or the girls.” 

Joey’s
defiant face threw hateful looks Seth’s way.

“The bottom line is you’re a
part of this family and you’re

going
with us. The girls have worked hard on putting together this little outing and you’re not going to spoil it for them.”

“You can’t make me go.
”  Tears rolled down his cheeks. “You’re all crazy? I can’t ride no stinking horse.”  He sniffled. “Just send me on my way to the next house.”

Seth got down on his knees in front of the wheelchair, meeting Joey at eye level
. “Son, that’s not going to happen. These women would skin me alive if I even considered that option. You better face it you’re stuck here, so you’d better make the best of it.”  He sighed and shook his head. “In case you haven’t noticed, Nana, Grace, Jamie and I care about you.”

“Nobody cares about me
. I’m just an invalid in a wheelchair, a nuisance, always getting in the way cause I can’t do stuff.”  He frowned, daring Seth to say it wasn’t so.

“That’s not true
. Maybe that’s how it was at the other places you stayed but I’m here to tell you things are different at the Cactus Rose Ranch.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s what you say.
”  He sniffed and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. “They make me work like a dog at physical therapy. They never let me get away with anything. If physical therapy isn’t bad enough then it’s homework, always finish your homework.”

“Here, blow your nose.
”  Seth handed him a couple of Kleenex, realizing how scared the boy was about being sent away. “You need to stop and think why they work so hard at making you do those things. If they didn’t care about you they would let you slide. They want you to get a good education so you can make something of yourself.”  He brushed Joey’s hair back away from his face. “They help you with your physical therapy so that leg will heal the way it’s supposed to—so you can walk again.”

He looked down at his lap
. “I’ll never be able to walk again,” he mumbled under his breath and sighed deeply.

“With that attitude you won’t
. You’ve already given up.”  Seth stood and pulled his thoughts together. “But if you work hard, do what the doctor and the girls say, then you have a chance to change things and possibly make it happen.”  He pointed his finger at Joey. “It’s all up to you. As much as they’d want to, the girls can’t do it for you. I can’t do it for you. Sure, we’re here to help you do the therapy the correct way but it all comes down to how bad you want it.”           

“I want it
. I want to walk again,” he shouted.

“If you really mean that then change your attitude
. Stop treating the people who are here to help you so dreadful. You’re not a little kid anymore. You’re a young man. Start acting like it. You should be ashamed of yourself for talking to Grace that way.”

He hung his head
. “I’m sorry for calling Grace stupid. I was upset.”  Joey looked as if he was about to start crying again. “I can’t ride a horse. I’d fall off and look like a moron.

Seth laughed
. “Is that what you’re worried about? I’ve got that all taken care of. Silly, we wouldn’t let you hurt yourself.”  He moved behind Joey’s chair and started pushing him out of the bedroom.

“Come on, Joey, let’s go ride that horse
. You can do it. I’ll make sure of it. You can trust me.”

“Okay, I
gu..guess, if you’re going to make me, but I’m scared. I’ve never ridden a horse.”

“Let me tell you about your horse, Clara
. She’s the most gentle creature in the stable. You’re going to love her. Give her an apple or a sugar cube and she’s your friend for life.”

“Really, can I feed her?
”

Grace watched Seth bring the boy into the living room glad to see they had made peace.

“Grace, Joey here is ready to go. He wants to give Clara an apple to make friends before we head out. Could you please bring us an apple from the kitchen?”

“First, Grace, I’m sorry for being such a brat,
” Joey said and smiled at her.

“Okay, I accept your apology
. It takes a big person to admit when they’re wrong. I’ll get that apple for you.”  She was amazed at how easily Seth had calmed him down. He was a complicated person, never ceasing to surprise her.

Chapter
Fourteen

A few weeks later, Nana called Seth into her office
. He went, wondering what was on her mind. He had been giving Grace her space, giving her time to heal from all that had happened to her so it couldn’t be that. He sat in the leather chair across from Nana’s desk waiting to hear what she had to say.

Nana stopped writing and laid down her pen
. “Times are changing for Colorado ranchers. How do you think we stand up to the other ranches in the area and what is your honest opinion of the future of the Cactus Rose?”

“This ranch is one of the best in the region
. Why it’s one of the best in the country.”  He raised his eyebrows, concentrating on the wording of his answer. Something told him this was important to her. “You have water and grass for the cattle, trees to protect them from the wind and snow. And with the trail rides bringing in extra cash in the summer, I think the Cactus Rose should continue to be prosperous. Why do you ask?” 

“This place has been home all of my life and three generations before me
. I’ll never take away from the working ranch, but I want to give something back.”  She took off her glasses and held them in her hand.

He sat back listening to her
. She never summoned him to her office. He knew she hadn’t been feeling well lately and he wondered if that was the cause of this conversation.

“Over the weeks since Joey has been here I’ve seen the need for a place for injured children to recuperate
. He’s thrived with us. The mountain air has been good for him. Being able to go on the trail rides has given him confidence and new hope that he'll be able to do things for himself.”

Seth grinned, remembering the first trail ride Joey had gone on
. He, Jamie and Grace had tied Joey’s legs to the stirrups. He had fought them all the way, until he had those reins in his hands. One with the horse, he had found a piece of his lost independence, and since that day he had changed his attitude.

“What did you have in mind?
”  Seth suspected he knew what was coming.

“I haven’t talked to Grace about it yet, but I’m sure she’ll like the idea
. I’m thinking about remodeling a portion of the bunkhouse for disabled children to come out for weekend trail rides this summer.”  She pushed her glasses up on her nose and glanced at him. “What do you think?”

“It's a wonderful idea
. We could have a trail ride with a big bonfire at the end of the day and a cookout. The kids would love it.”  He laughed. “The ranch hands could sing the songs they sing when they round up the cattle.”

“Do you think the ranch hands would mind helping with something of this nature
? With disabled children we would need lots of help. I think I could get some of the nurses from the hospital to volunteer to be around in case of an emergency.”

“I’ll talk to them, but I'm sure they’ll go for it
. They'll like the idea of cowboys helping kids. And I know they wouldn’t mind being around pretty nurses.”

“Good
. I’ll need you to get some estimates for building a ramp and enlarging the bathroom in the bunkhouse for the kids. Or maybe we should just build on to it. Check it out both ways and get back to me with the bids.”

“Sure
, not a problem,” he hesitated. “There’s something else I need to speak to you about.”

“Spit it out
. I’ve known since you returned home from Texas that there’s been something on your mind.”  A sigh escaped her lips. “I hope you’re not moving back to Texas.” 

“I won’t lie to you; my parents want us to move home
. I’m considering several things.”  He ran his fingers through his hair, wanting to be completely honest with Nana. “The thing is, I love Colorado, and want to make Cedar Falls my permanent home. You’ve been like a real grandmother to Jamie and a good friend to me. This is the only home she's ever known and I don’t want to take that away from her.”

“Well, I’m glad you realize this is her home and yours
. If you’d leave here, we’d sure miss you. All of us.”  Being able to read the double meaning in her words, he knew she’d love to see him and Grace together. And he had to admit, he’d like it, too.

“In a few months
, I’d like to bring my parents for a visit to get to know Jamie. She needs to know them. They can stay at the hotel in town and come out and visit her.”

“I won’t hear of it.
”  Nana pushed away from the desk. “This is your home and I’d like to meet them. They’re more than welcome to come and stay right here at the ranch with you and Jamie. There’s plenty of room.”

“You're kind, but I don’t want to put you out.
”  The lady had been wonderful to them, but he didn’t want to take advantage of her generosity.

“You won't.
”  She paced around the desk, getting his undivided attention. “You were there when I really needed someone, and I’d like to do this for you. You know this is your home for as long as you want it. Besides, it will be easier on Jamie if they're here in her home.”

“Thanks."  He could almost see the wheels turning in her mind while he watched her pace the room.

“Okay, when are they coming? We’ll need to prepare the extra rooms for company. It’ll be fun.”

“Hold on
. Not for a few months. I haven’t even asked them yet. It’s just since we solved our differences my mom is anxious to see her granddaughter.” 
And he wanted her to meet Grace.

“Of course she is
. Invite them soon.”  She sat back down at the desk with a twinkle in her eyes. “I’d love to have them come to be here with Jamie. They’re her grandparents and she needs them, too. The child has a lot of love to give.”

“You’re right, but there’s something else I need to speak to you about.
”  He had her attention and tried not to appear nervous—this would change his future.

“You know you can talk to me about anything.
”  Concern washed across her face.

He could feel the waves of tension rolling off of
himself. This was important. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but when my grandfather passed away I came into a considerable amount of money. Enough to buy my own ranch.”

“Oh,
Seth, that’s wonderful news.”  Relief shone in her eyes. “If anybody deserves it, you do.”  She was happy for him. Then a crestfallen expression crossed her face. “Oh, I see. You’ll no longer be working for me.”  Her smile ran away from her face for a few seconds, then it returned, tremulous now.

“Yes, as I said, I want to make our home here, in Cedar Falls, but I want to buy a ranch of my own
. I’d never leave you short-handed. Besides, it’ll be a while before we make the move.”  He breathed a sigh of relief at telling her. “I haven’t found anything yet, but I wanted you to know I’m going to start looking. And when I do go, I think Travis would make a great foreman to take my place.”

"So you want a ranch of your own?"  Nana had a gleam in her eye which made him wonder what she was up to
. Here he thought she would be upset and she seemed happy about it. Would she be glad to get rid of him? Maybe he’d misjudged her opinion of him.

Her eyes glittered with excitement
. “I happen to know of a ranch for sale. A good one, right near here.” 

“Which one?
”  He was confused. “I haven’t heard of anything for sale.”      

“It’s not on the market yet, but it will be
. Mrs. Davis owns the neighboring ranch to the south of us. Her husband passed away last year and her boys don’t want it. She wants to move back east where her family lives. She called me the other day to see if I was interested in adding on to the Cactus Rose.”  She grinned. “I told her I’d think about it and get back to her.”

“The Davis ranch
. Wow.”  He whistled. “That’s a nice spread.”

“Yeah, but don’t kid yourself
. The land is good, but the house is in bad shape and it needs work. Not much has been done to it since Sam died. I think you could get it for a good price.”

The Davis ranch was a great piece of property, the kind he was looking for
. And it was close to the Cactus Rose so he could see Grace. “I don’t care about the house. I’d like to build my own. A log home similar to this one.”   He paused. “But what about you?”  Not wanting to get in the way of her buying the property, he uncrossed his legs and leaned forward in the chair, being sincere with Nana. “Do you want to add on to the Cactus Rose?”

“Not really
. This ranch has more than enough land and if I can’t have you as my foreman, at least consider being my neighbor. I think of you as the son I never had. I’d like to have you next door.”   

Knowing the Davis ranch well, he was getting excited
. A warmth entered his chest at the thought Nana would help him like this. And the fact it bordered on the land where he and Grace had gone to gaze at the stars made it even sweeter. “When can we take a look at it?” 

“Why not tomorrow
? I’ll give Mrs. Davis a call and see when we can set up a time.”  She smiled and walked around the desk.

“Thanks Nana
. You’re the best.”  He grinned and gave her a hug.

“I’m going to miss you.
”  Moisture glistened in the corners of her eyes.

“Hey, stop it
. I’m just daydreaming here.”  He squeezed her shoulder. “I don't have the ranch yet.”

“You will
. I have a good feeling about it.”  She turned to stare at Seth. “Hey, I have an idea.”

“What?
”  Now what did she have up her sleeve?

She grabbed Seth’s hands
. “How about I sell you a few acres on the south border? I know you and Jamie daydreamed about building a home there. She told me it was the prettiest place on earth. If you build there, it won’t bother Jamie as much about moving.” 

He was in awe
. What a lady. “You would do that for us?”

“Sure
. You’re family.”  They stood there hugging each other.

“I say yes, if you’re serious
. But let’s figure out if I can buy the ranch first.”  He grinned. His dreams were coming true. Now, if he could convince Grace she needed him, his life would be perfect.

***

Later that day, Seth stood in the open doorway of the pool area, watching the interaction between Grace and the children. So intent were they with their swimming, they hadn’t heard him come into the room. It gave Seth a chance to watch his daughter a moment and as always, the sight of the youngster made his heart swell with love. Through the hard times, dealing with her endless questions and simple needs had given him a reason to get up every morning. He realized she was the best parts of him and his ex-wife.

Grace was loving and patient with the kids
. She'd make a great mom. There’s no way he could ever repay her or thank her enough for all she’d done for Jamie.

In the indoor swimming pool, Grace watched Jamie and Joey splashing and swimming
. It looked like therapy had already been completed for the day and it was time for some fun.

“Hey, you’re turning into a fish."  Grace called out to Joey
. "I swear. I see fins.”  The young boy worked his way across the pool, cautiously using his damaged leg while Jamie swam beside him. The therapy was working. Thank goodness—his healing was coming along just fine.

Joey grinned at her
. The floats on his arms and legs were keeping him high in the water, but Seth was sure the boy felt as if he were swimming by himself.

“Watch me. I made it across the pool.
”  Triumph gleamed in his eyes. He’d been working to accomplish that feat for weeks.

Grace was jumping up and down in the water, clapping her hands, happy for Joey
. Seth could tell from Joey’s expression he cared about Grace and Jamie. Things had been different for him here. Grace wouldn’t let him get away with anything. Joey had told Seth at the other places, if he didn’t feel like therapy, they’d let him off. Since he’d moved into this home, he’d done his exercise therapy every day, no matter how much he complained. At first, the kid had complained a lot. But now things had changed. Jamie's presence helped.

When Jamie wasn't at school, she was at his side
. It was obvious Joey loved her. Joey had told them she was a lot like the sister he had lost. And speaking of school, Nana made sure he did all the homework they assigned him over the Internet home schooling program. It looked like the kid would pass this year after all. The fight and anger had gone out of him. He wanted to get better and was working hard at it.  

Seth walked into the pool area
. “Way to go, Joey. I knew you could do it. I’m proud of you, kid.”  He sat on the lounge chair and pretended to watch the kids, but his attention was on Grace.

She slipped down into the water
. Even though she’d been working with him and Joey doing therapy for the past few weeks, he realized she was still uncomfortable being in a bathing suit in front of him. She flushed when he gazed steadily at her. She was absolutely beautiful and had nothing to be ashamed of.