A Baby for the Rancher Page 8

  After Mamie left, his son’s small hand reached up and grabbed the brim of Ben’s cowboy hat, then yanked on it. The Stetson tumbled off his head with a little encouragement from him. It hit the floor between Ben and Lucy.

  He put Cody down by the black hat. “Watch this,” he said and stepped back by Lucy.

  Cody sat up next to it and dragged the Stetson to him. He lifted it but couldn’t get his head under it. Finally Ben plopped it on his son’s head and tilted it back so Cody could see out the front.

  “I’m definitely getting you a hat, little man, and then cowboy boots when you start walking.” He ruffled his son’s dark hair and took his Stetson to hang on the peg in the hallway.

  Lucy knelt near Cody, seeing his face screwing up for a protest. She swept him into her arms and stood. “Look at all the toys you have.” She moved to a few scattered ones on the floor in front of the coffee table. “I haven’t stacked rings in a long time. Can you show me how?” She handed him the red doughnut-shaped toy.

  It went into Cody’s mouth, and he gnawed on it.

  Ben squatted next to Lucy. “He’s teething and loves to chew on anything he can get into his mouth. I used to let him have my hat longer until he began trying to eat the brim.”

  While Ben interacted with his son, Lucy sat cross-legged next to them and enjoyed the scene. Ben was good with Cody, as if he instinctively knew what to do. He hadn’t been involved in his child’s life for long, but a person wouldn’t know it. He was born to be a father, in spite of the strained relationship with his own dad.

  When Ben lay on the floor and Cody crawled onto his chest, Lucy marveled at the sight. Ben had told her he was a changed man. Maybe he was after all.

  Chapter Six

  The sound of cries penetrated Ben’s sleep, yanking him awake. He sat up straight, his heartbeat kicking up a notch. Cody was awake.

  Ben slipped out of bed, glancing at the clock on the bedside table. Four in the morning. The cries increased, and he hurried his pace to Cody’s bedroom down the hall. When he came into his room, his son stood up in his crib, his face beet red as he worked himself into a rage.

  Ben shut the door and rushed to pick up Cody. “Shh. I’m here. You’ll be okay.”

  He sat in the rocking chair and started going back and forth. His son’s screams blasted his ears. Ben checked to see if Cody was wet. No. He shouldn’t be hungry yet. It must be his teeth. After he applied the numbing gel in the area where a tooth was coming in, he rocked his son, humming a lullaby Grandma Mamie used sometimes.

  In the dim glow of the night-light, Cody’s eyes began to slide close, only to snap open, then do it all over again. “Shh. Don’t fight it, son,” Ben said in a singsong voice.

  As his child fell asleep, Ben leaned back and closed his eyes, relishing the soft bundle in his arms. Love and a fierce protective instinct assailed him. If he’d known this was what being a father felt like, he would have seriously considered settling down years ago. Looking back over his life, he realized his behavior had started because his own father had criticized everything he did. His rebellion had become a contest between them. He didn’t want that for Cody and him.

  Lord, I know I haven’t been the best son to You or my father. Show me what I need to do to make this right. I want to have the kind of relationship Lucy has with her dad.

  He could remember seeing Lucy as a deputy sheriff working for her father. They had been a team. He couldn’t recall his dad and him ever having been like that.

  When Cody was sound asleep, Ben slowly rose and placed him gently in the crib. He kissed the tips of two fingers and lightly touched his son’s cheek. His heart swelled at the sight of Cody at peace and content. He wished he was. His life was unsettled—had been for years, if he was truthful with himself.

  After leaving his son’s room, Ben headed downstairs. It was after five. No sense trying to go back to sleep. He was usually up by six or six thirty anyway. In the kitchen, he made a pot of coffee that could tide him over until his grandmother got up. His brew wasn’t nearly as good as hers.

  As it perked, he lounged against the counter, his legs crossed and arms folded. He stared at the tile floor. A lot had happened in town but also here at the ranch. He still wanted to go forward with a summer camp for kids—for Cody. If he started small this summer, he could expand in the years to follow if it worked.

  “What great world affairs are you contemplating?” Grady asked from the doorway.

  Ben glanced at him. “A summer camp. We have that old barn we could use with some renovations.”

  “For who?”

  “Kids.”

  Grady laughed. “I kinda figured that one out.”

  Ben pushed off the counter and crossed to the coffeepot. “Want some?”

  “Sure.”

  While Ben filled two mugs, he said, “I’m still trying to figure it all out. I started last fall in hopes of having something for this summer. Since my accident delayed that, I thought about having one week this year, maybe in conjunction with the church. If it went well, then I would expand it for the following year.”

  “That’s a mighty tall order.”

  “When I first got home from the hospital, I kept thinking I could pull it off for this summer. Have the camp in June and July.” Ben cocked a grin. “Since then common sense has taken hold. I can’t do it all in that short amount of time, especially the way I want it to be, but one week is doable and a good start to see how it would go.”

  “One week would still be a lot of extra work.”

  “I can do it, especially if you’re back to stay. It would allow me more time to devote to planning the summer camp.”

  Grady sat at the table, his eyebrows slashing down. “I never figured you for something like this.”

  “Why, because I was a woman-chasing man?”

  “Frankly, yes.” Grady took a drink of his coffee.

  “That’s not me anymore. I have Cody to think of. If you’re not staying, I’ll do it anyway. It will start on a small scale. The children can learn everything about the ranch. The intern program through the school would be a great place to hire counselors. Our place is doing well, and I want to give back some.”

  “Is this a free camp?”

  Grady had always been the practical one growing up, and Ben had learned that necessity as he ran the ranch, but he still liked to dream. “Not exactly, but there would be a sliding scale depending on the parents’ ability to pay. So, yes, there would be some that would attend free.” As he talked about his vision to help the community, excitement built in him. His accident might have delayed the project, but it didn’t mean he had to abandon it.

  “Who else knows about this?”

  “Grandma, Lucy and Carson. I actually got the idea from one of the interns in the high school program. The teen grew up in town and hadn’t been exposed to a lot of ranch life earlier. Carson said he would be interested in the Lone Star Cowboy League being a part of it.” Ben sipped his coffee, studying his brother’s expression. He should know him better, but for years he’d served in the army and been gone. Grady’s experience in the war zone had affected him, even changed him, but Ben realized one incident could do that. They had that in common.

  A slow grin spread across his twin’s face. “I like it.”

  Ben relaxed back against the chair. “Good. I’m going to talk with Pastor Mathers and see if we can hold the Vacation Bible School here this summer as a start. After that, I’ll know how to proceed forward, but I’m glad I have your backing.”

  “And help.”

  Those two words meant a lot to Ben. He hoped that he and his brother could mend their relationship. This could be a start.

  * * *

  On Sunday before and during the service at Little Horn Community Christian Church, Lucy had scanned the young w
omen, trying to come up with another candidate for Ben either as a nanny or a possible wife. Her gaze fell on Abigail Bardera, who worked at Maggie’s Coffee Shop as a waitress. She was friendly, polite even to demanding customers like Byron; she was also attractive and not dating anyone.

  As the crowd filed out of the pews, Lucy stood and made her way toward the exit. Now all she had to figure out was how to casually bring up Abigail to Ben, at least better than when she did Paula.

  “Your problem can’t be that bad,” Ben whispered behind her.

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Where did you come from?”

  “From the front pew where Mamie wanted to sit.”

  “Oh, I thought you had already left.”

  “I had, but Mamie had left her Bible in the pew and I came back to pick it up.” He stepped beside her, holding up the black book.

  As they shuffled forward in the line waiting to shake hands with Pastor Mathers, Lucy asked, “Where’s Cody?”

  “In the nursery. How would you like to have a picnic with Cody and me? I wanted to start showing my son the ranch.”

  “I don’t know. I...” She couldn’t think of a reason not to, and it would be nice to take some time off from thinking about the Robin Hoods.

  “Are you working today?”

  “No—well, sort of. I have laundry to do and some chores around the house.”

  “Surely you’d rather go riding with Cody and me.”

  She fastened her gaze onto his dimples. When he turned them on her, it was hard to resist him. “Actually, anything would be better than housework.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not sure if that was an insult or not.”

  She grinned. “It wasn’t meant to be. When are you going?”

  “When I get home. I can have Martha Rose make us something for lunch. We can have a picnic. The weather is great. We should be outside on a day like this. You’ve been working too hard. You need to play some, too.”

  “I thought you said you were changing.”

  “I am, but I’ll always relax and take time to enjoy life. Even the Lord took a day of rest. You’re much too serious.”

  “And you aren’t,” she said without thinking. She wanted to take those words back because she had seen a change in Ben. But would it last?

  “I have my moments,” Ben whispered into her ear.

  She slowly moved forward, thinking way too much about Ben’s breath tickling her neck. When it was her turn to talk to Pastor Mathers, for a few seconds her mind went blank.

  The pastor shook her hand, yanking her out of her fixation on Ben beside her. “I enjoyed your sermon today on forgiveness.”

  “I just hope some members of the congregation were listening with all that has been going on these past six months.”

  “Emotions have been running high. When we find the Robin Hoods, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. Good day.” Lucy moved forward and paused to wait for Ben.

  “I need to see you this week about Vacation Bible School this summer. I have a proposition for you,” Ben said after greeting the pastor.

  “Why don’t we talk before or after the meeting with the Easter-egg hunt committee?” Pastor Mathers looked at Lucy. “We are still meeting Tuesday night at the church, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, most of the planning has been done, but we still have a few items to discuss.”

  “Good. Ben, I’ll talk to you then. The meeting is at six. Is five thirty okay?”

  “That’s fine with me. I can’t believe Easter is only weeks away.” Ben nodded his head at the pastor, then joined Lucy.

  “I need to go home and change. I’ll meet you at the ranch in half an hour. Is that okay?”

  “I’ll be at the barn.” He headed for the nursery.

  As Lucy started for her car, she nearly collided with Byron. She glanced away to see where his sons and wife were. They weren’t around. “Excuse me.”

  Byron moved into her path. “How’s the investigation going?”

  “We’re following some promising leads. You’ll be one of the first to know when we catch the robbers.”

  “How come your friend, Ben, hasn’t been hit? Have you ever asked yourself that? Maybe it’s one of his hired hands or...” Snapping his mouth closed, Byron peered beyond Lucy.

  “I couldn’t help but overhear your question to the sheriff.” Ben held his son in his arms. “You’ll have to ask the Robin Hoods when they’re found.” He handed Cody to Lucy, then crowded into Byron’s personal space. “Don’t you start accusing anyone connected with the Stillwater Ranch. I won’t take it like others have.”

  The bluster in Byron faded, but his face reddened as he looked around at the people nearby. “It’s a question we need to ask of anyone who hasn’t been hit by the robbers.”

  “A better question is why were you hit a number of times. I believe from what I’ve heard since I woke up from my coma, you’ve been a victim of the Robin Hoods more than anyone else. Why? What makes you so special?”

  Byron glared at Ben, opened his mouth but only ended up snorting before he stepped around Ben and hurried toward the meeting hall.

  Lucy panned the faces of the congregation around them. Smiles graced the people’s expressions.

  Tom Horton came forward and clapped Ben on the shoulder. “Welcome back. We’ve missed your candor.”

  To the side and behind Ben stood the twins, Winston and Gareth, gaping at the scene. Lucy peered over her shoulder to see if Byron was around. He wasn’t.

  She started for the teenage boys but behind her, Byron called, “Winston. Gareth. Your mother is wondering where you are.”

  The twins plodded toward their father in the doorway into the meeting hall.

  She sighed.

  Ben appeared in front of her. “Sorry about that. I couldn’t let him start in on you at church or on anyone working at my ranch.”

  “I can take care of myself, but thanks for thinking of me. I’ll see you in half an hour.”

  As Lucy drove home to change into jeans and a T-shirt, her hands gripped the steering wheel so tight they ached. In her driveway, she released her tight grasp and wiggled her fingers. Byron was like a burr under a saddle blanket. When she approached him about interviewing his two sons, she had to have enough evidence to make a case against them or he would make her life miserable until time for reelection. It would be a long year for her.

  It took ten minutes to change her clothes and jump into her Mustang to head to the Stillwater Ranch. She arrived a few moments ahead of schedule and decided to park at the house until she glimpsed Ben exiting the barn with Cody in his arms. When Ben waved, Lucy put her Mustang in Reverse and headed to the barn.

  He opened the door to her vehicle with a big grin on his face. “That’s what I love about you, Lucy Benson. You don’t keep a man waiting. You’re always on time—or before.”

  She climbed from her car, saw Cody’s smile directed at her and held her arms out for the baby. “Cody, I wouldn’t dare be late to meet you. Now, your daddy, on the other hand, is a whole different story.”

  “Waiting for you isn’t a big chore,” Ben said, then winked and walked toward the barn.

  She trailed behind him. “That’s because you don’t have to. Remember what you said.”

  At the entrance, he swept around and plucked Cody from her arms. “I’ll let you saddle your horse first, then you can hold him while I take care of Thunder.”

  “What! You aren’t going to do both?”

  The dimples in his cheeks deepened. “Nope. I need to see if you learned anything from what Maddy showed you the other day.”

  She narrowed her eyes and proceeded to where he had Daisy Mae tied. Without a word she did everything correctly, even adjusting her stirrups to where they should be for her. Then she whirled a
bout with her hand on her waist. “I’m not a total novice. I used to ride when I was younger. Remember? Here at your ranch?”

  “Ah, yes. How could I forget those races you lost to me?”

  She pursed her lips and marched to him, took Cody and kept going toward the rear exit. The baby played with her hair. When he stuck some strands in his mouth, she laughed and gently tugged them free.

  “I’m glad my son can make you laugh. I need to take lessons from him.”

  “I won’t be laughing if you put my hair in your mouth.”

  * * *

  Forty-five minutes later, Ben laid Cody on the blanket, spread out under a large pine tree that blocked the sun. “I loved hearing his giggles as he rode with me. He’s going to be a natural rider.”

  “Thunder was great letting him pat him over and over. I can’t believe Cody fell asleep.” Lucy settled next to the baby on one side while Ben did on the other.

  “It’s kinda like a rocking chair. He usually doesn’t sleep for another hour, but he was up some last night because of his tooth coming in. I’ll be glad when it’s in.”

  “Then it’ll start over with the next tooth.”

  “Please don’t remind me.” Ben lounged back, propping himself on his elbows.

  “You’ll do fine. From what I’ve seen, you’ve jumped in with both feet into this daddy gig.”

  “When I do something, that’s the way I am. Why do it halfway?”

  “All or nothing. Interesting.”

  Ben wasn’t sure what she meant by that comment. Interesting how? But he held back asking Lucy. Since he’d woken up from his coma and left the hospital, his relationship with Lucy had shifted. He wasn’t sure quite what was going on, but like riding a bronco, he was holding on tight and seeing where it was going. “Grady and I talked this morning. I told him about my summer camp I wanted to do, and he actually supported the idea. I think that is a first, at least in a long time.”

  “He was mighty worried about you while you were in the hospital. Just be careful. You’ve got a lot on your plate. Don’t overload it.”