Redemption Ranch

Chapter Three

It had been the longest ten days of Beth’s life. She used to love to travel for work, seeing different cities, flying off at the drop of a hat, but this last trip to London, then to Dallas, had been more than tedious. Her heart had stayed at Second Chance Ranch with a silent man, his dog and a troubled boy. In the quiet of morning when she had her coffee and read her Bible, she found herself praying for Tyler and Riley and longing to see how things were progressing with them.

It occurred to Beth that this was the first time since her disastrous relationship with her high school boyfriend ended that she found herself overwhelmed by attraction. She tried to chalk her feelings up to compassion for a hurt child and an emotionally wounded soldier. Would she be that intense with each new military rider? She ignored the uncomfortable question.

What had happened in Tyler’s life that caused him to be put into foster care? That question rumbled around her brain the entire time she was on her business trip and she planned to see if Zach knew about Tyler’s past.

Parking in the ranch’s lot, she planned her strategy—corner Zach and put the screws on. When she reached the ranch office, she found no one there. After changing, Beth walked to the stables. Two riders were out in the two rings. Sophie supervised one rider and Tyler was in the second ring, walking beside a new boy who looked terrified. Observing from his regular perch by the door sat Riley.

Beth stopped by Riley’s side. “How’s it going?”

The boy shrugged.

Hadn’t they got past this? “Where’s Dogger?”

Another shrug.

“Do you know the boy Tyler’s helping?”

“No.”

What had happened to put Riley back to square one? She walked into the stables, hoping to find Zach. Two other volunteers were inside working on different horses. She waved to them, and then spotted Ollie coming out of the tack room. He’d just about finished his chemo, and he was looking good and starting to gain back some weight.

“Ollie, have you seen Zach?”

“He’s out back with Ethan, checking out the new horse the ranch got.”

“That’s good news. Where did we get it?”

“Ask your brother.”

“Which one, Zach or Ethan?”

“Zach.”

What she needed to do was to talk to Sophie to know what was really going on at the ranch instead of wasting time trying to get info from Zach. “You’re looking good.”

“I’ll say I don’t feel like dirt no more, so that’s an improvement.”

“Quit charming me with your words.”

“Get out of here.” Affection laced his words.

Stepping out the side doors of the stables, she saw Zach on a new horse, riding the gelding around the corral. The bay had a black mane and tail and black stockings on all four feet. Ethan stood at the fence, watching.

“Where’d you get that handsome horse?” Beth called out.

Ethan turned and smiled at Beth. “Hey, girl. Good to see you home.” He opened his arms, and she walked into them.

“I’m glad to be home. What are you doing here? Is this your day to volunteer?”

He shook his head. “Zach called and wanted me to see our newest mount. To evaluate him.”

“So, where’d the horse come from?”

Ethan turned back to watch Zach. “You want to tell her, Zach, since the guy talked to you?”

Zach brought the horse up to the gate. “A rancher in the west of the state read about our new program for veterans, and since he’s a Vietnam vet, he wanted to help. He thought Dusty here would be perfect. He dropped him off yesterday.”

“He’s a good-looking horse. Perfect for the soldiers.”

Zach dismounted easily. If you didn’t know the man, you would never guess his right leg was artificial. “You’re right.”

Beth watched him for a minute, then asked, “What’s with Riley?”

Zach threw his brother a look, opened the corral gate and walked the horse out.

She knew Zach had ignored her question about Riley. “Why’s Riley sitting outside on the bench pouting again? Did something happen?”

Rubbing the horse’s nose, Zach glanced at her. “Nothing that I know about.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Sis, he’s a thirteen-year-old boy,” Ethan answered. “He doesn’t need a reason to glare and have a bad attitude. You should know, having grown up with brothers.”

Beth looked from one brother to the other. “True enough, but I thought we got over that hump.”

Ethan grinned. “I think that’s my cue to leave. I wanted to tell you all that the doctor got a bad kick from one of the horses he was examining on our last horse rescue. He’s limping badly. Pray for him.”

Doctor Adams had been the vet for her parents’ ranch for the past twenty years. He was the only vet for the ranches around that part of the state. He also came out to Second Chance to care for the horses. “I’m sorry to hear that. Has Doc thought about getting a new associate? I mean Doc doesn’t move as fast as he did twenty years ago and can’t dodge the kicks from the stock as quickly as he once could.”

The brothers exchanged an unvoiced message.

“It’s the truth,” Beth defended herself.

Ethan kissed her cheek. “I’m out of here.” He walked toward his truck.

Beth knew a strategic retreat when she saw one.

Zach didn’t comment, but walked the new horse into the stables. Sophie trailed him inside and helped unsaddle the horse.

“You said his name was Dusty.” She nodded toward the horse.

“That’s right.” Zach pulled the saddle off the gelding’s broad back. Beth got the saddle blanket and put it on the stand beside the saddle.

“What do you want?”

Beth wanted to grind her teeth. Her strategy wasn’t working. “What makes you think I want something?”

Her brother stared at her over the horse’s back. “The last time you helped me unsaddle a horse, you were eleven and wanted to pump me for information about what Mom and Dad knew about your adventure in the barn when you dropped the paint from the loft.”

Sometimes it didn’t pay to have a smart brother. “What do you know about Tyler’s background?”

“Why do you want to know?” He grabbed a curry brush and started to work on the horse’s back.

“He mentioned going from foster home to foster home.” She picked up the other brush and started on Dusty’s other side.

“Butt out, Sis. Tyler doesn’t need you to understand him. He’s doing a great job, and he’ll handle Riley.”

Zach had that look that told her she wasn’t going to get any more answers out of him. “Okay.” She put the brush back on the shelf and started to walk out of the grooming area.

Zach’s hand shot out, stopping her. “That’s it? You’re giving up?”

She rubbed Dusty’s forehead and smiled at her brother. “What do you think?”

He shook his head and turned back to the horse. “You’re not going to listen to me.”

“Remember who dragged you here.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” he mumbled as he continued brushing the horse.

* * *

After Beth finished working with her first rider, she knew she couldn’t let Riley pout the rest of the afternoon. It went against her grain. She remembered what her mother said to her father the day after her brothers had a major fight. She didn’t worry about their attitude. Just keep them busy, and the attitude would fix itself. Well, if it worked with her two stubborn brothers, it couldn’t hurt trying it with Riley. Of course, her brother would accuse her of meddling, but her heart wouldn’t allow her to ignore a child in pain, no matter how her brothers would interpret it.

Walking to the bench, she said, “Hey, Riley, I need some help.”

“Huh?”

Boys were so articulate. “C’mon, I need you to help me.”

He straightened. Dogger, who rested at his feet, sat on his haunches. “I don’t know nothin’ about horses.”

“We can change that.”

He looked around, seeing if anyone was watching.

“Just imagine all the things you can tell the kids at school. You can impress them. Brag and be the expert. And girls adore horses and the men who know about them.”

She watched him think about it, then he nodded, stood and walked into the stables.

“Okay, let’s get Brownie’s tack.”

“What?”

“Her bridle, reins and saddle blanket. We’re going to get her ready for the next rider.”

Beth explained to the boy what was needed and showed him where the little horse’s equipment was stored. She took her time to explain everything to him. Riley, in spite of himself, showed interest. When he found himself being eager, he fixed the scowl on his face.

He put the bridle on the horse, then settled the blanket on the horse’s back.

“Okay, since our rider, Chelsea is her name, is going to be riding Brownie, let’s attach each stirrup to the blanket. Remember, she’s not a tall girl.”

The boy buckled the stirrup to the blanket.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” Tyler stood behind Riley.

Beth stabbed Tyler with her gaze. “We’re getting Brownie ready for her rider. I asked Riley for his help. He’s done a great job.”

Riley tried to appear bored, but his eyes twinkled.

Beth didn’t let Tyler’s questioning look stop her, and pulled Brownie’s lead reins. “C’mon, Riley, let me show you how we use side walkers to help the riders who need it.”

“I don’t know—”

She waved off the rest of the comment. “I know a little girl who’d like a young man like you to help her.”

Riley glanced over his shoulder. Tyler shrugged. Turning back to Beth, he said, “I guess I can try.”

Swallowing the grin that fought to erupt, Beth led Riley and Brownie to the mounting steps, but she could feel Tyler’s gaze burning into her back.

* * *

Tyler watched as Riley followed Beth like a puppy. He couldn’t quite believe how she charmed the kid again. The other day she got a smile out of him and now she had him out helping with one of the riders. The woman had a touch, and not only with Riley. He felt himself opening up to her, looking forward to seeing her again.

Following them to the mounting steps, he watched Beth instruct Riley. There was another adult standing ready by the steps, but she showed Riley how to help guide the girl’s shoe into the stirrup. It was too short, so Beth had Riley readjust the stirrup. The boy’s chest puffed out.

How’d the woman do it? She’d certainly captivated Dogger. Since that day, he found himself thinking about her. What was it about the woman that drew hi—Dogger. His dog didn’t offer his friendship to just anyone. He recalled the guys in his unit. Dogger accepted them all and allowed them to pet him, but the guys who were a little out of control, the dog stayed away from. And, of course, Dogger loved Paul. Dogger grieved for Paul, too.

Not only had Tyler been thinking about Beth, but he had been thinking of God, too, and his relationship with Him. Tyler had seen the Bible in the bookcase and pulled it out. He hadn’t opened it, but he’d left it on the coffee table.

Watching Riley now, Tyler saw reflections of Paul. Riley’s expression of concentration mirrored Paul’s. How often had they disarmed bombs or worked an explosion, trying to analyze how the bomb, car or pipe, was constructed.

He closed his eyes, wanting to shut out the pain. If Paul had only waited a few more seconds for him to get the right pliers…but he was sure he knew how to disarm it. In the end, it wouldn’t have mattered, since the timer was a decoy. The bomber had been in the restaurant and waited until he knew the Americans were there before he hit the remote trigger, detonating it.

The sorrow and regret slammed into Tyler, robbing him of breath. Turning, he walked through the stables and out the side door. Maybe he could outrun the pain. He’d tried to drink away the memories, but they never went away. After his last round with the drink where he landed in the hospital, the VA doctors told him if he didn’t stop, he wouldn’t have a liver. They recommended counseling to deal with the survivor’s guilt.

That afternoon he wandered into the VFW post in Denver. One of the older guys fed him and gave him milk to drink. He hadn’t had milk in years, but it reminded Tyler of his mom and dad and the farm they owned before the tornado destroyed it, killing both of them.

What would his mother think of her son if she saw him a homeless drunk? Or his grandmother who took him in after his parents’ death?

Then the veteran did the most amazing thing. He prayed with Tyler. He didn’t know how he felt about that. He’d been saved when he was in his teens, but after Paul’s death, he couldn’t pray. How could a merciful God allow his entire family to die, one by one, and then his best friend? The last thing the old guy said was, until Tyler settled his anger with God, nothing would be right, and he invited him to chapel that night. Tyler wasn’t ready to hear from God and didn’t go. That day, he quit drinking, but his spirit remained unsettled.

A bark broke into Tyler’s thoughts. Glancing down, he found Dogger at his feet.

“What?”

The dog settled his chin on Tyler’s foot. Tyler squatted and ran his hand over the dog’s head. “Are you telling me to snap out of it?”

The dog’s eyes met his master’s.

“Okay. I need to think about what I can do to help Riley.” He scratched the dog’s head. “But it still hurts, friend.”

“What hurts?”

Tyler looked up at Sophie.

“Did you strain something? Or are you feeling sick?”

Tamping down his embarrassment, Tyler slowly stood. “No, I’m not sick, but you did catch me talking to my dog, which could make you wonder about my sanity.”

She waved the comment away. “Then I’d have to wonder about Zach and myself. I spent more time talking to Charming than anyone when Zach started coming here. Charming helped me a lot of nights.”

Tyler breathed a sigh of relief. Sophie didn’t think he needed a shrink.

“The reason I’m here is Riley’s mom is on the phone.”

“Is anything wrong?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t seem too panicked.”

Tyler’s heart slowed down and followed Sophie to the phone by the entrance to the stables.

“She’s on line two.”

He picked up the hand set and pushed line two. “Tyler here.”

“I’m so glad I got you, Tyler. I have a favor to ask. My business meeting is running late, and I’m not going to make it over there before about eight. Could Riley stay with you until I’m finished?”

He didn’t know how he felt, but he couldn’t refuse. “Sure.”

“Thank you. This meeting got delayed and there’s no way I can leave.”

“It’s okay, Susan. We’ll get something to eat.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

He laughed. “Susan, he’s a thirteen-year-old boy. Yes, I do.”

“You’ve got a point. He’s eating everything in the kitchen, even fruit.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”

“Thank you, Tyler.” Her voiced vibrated with emotions.

“I’m happy to do it.”

“I’ll give you a call when I’m on the way to pick Riley up.”

“You’re covered.” He hung up. Well, it didn’t matter if he or Riley were prepared to do this. They were about to bond.

* * *

When he knew he wasn’t being watched, excitement shone in Riley’s eyes. Beth wanted to laugh with delight, but knew the move would shut the boy down.

But the excitement she felt nearly overwhelmed her. Riley stood taller as he walked beside the rider. He tried to act cool, but his excitement and pride bubbled up.

Chelsea carefully made her way down the steps. Once on the ground, she smiled. “Did you see that?” she crowed. “I did it myself.”

Riley’s shoulders went back.

“I did see that,” Beth replied. “What an improvement.”

She walked into her mother’s arms. “I did it, Momma.”

Mother and daughter hugged, thanked them and left.

“Okay, Riley, let me show you how to care for Brownie now. You’re Brownie’s caretaker and need to be responsible to unsaddle her, rub her down and make sure she has feed.”

He nodded and followed Beth.

They were settling Brownie in her stall when Tyler found them.

“How’d the afternoon go?”

Riley shrugged.

“He was great.” Beth volunteered the praise. The boy deserved it. “I think he’s going to be a natural.”

Riley rolled his eyes, but Beth could tell the words pleased him when the corner of his mouth curved up.

Tyler glanced at her and they shared a moment of pride. “Riley, I just got a call from your mother. She has a meeting that is running late and told me it might be eight before she gets here.”

“What?” Riley’s eyes grew large and he glanced around. “I’ve got to get home and—” His stomach growled and a red stain crept up his neck. “And I’m hungry. What does she think I’m going to do for food?”

Signs of his panic screamed at Beth and she wanted to head off disaster. “I’m hungry, too.”

Riley’s mouth hung open and he stared at her.

“How about you, Tyler? You hungry, too?” Beth prayed he understood her effort to divert the boy.

“I am.”

Stepping toward Riley, she asked, “How about we go to the burger place down the road? That little place has the best burgers within fifty miles. When I want to treat myself, I go there.”

Riley looked from Beth to Tyler. The alarm drained out of his expression. “Yeah, okay, that sounds good.”

She slipped her arm around Riley’s skinny shoulders. “Thank you for agreeing to go. I can’t tell you how much I needed an excuse to stop there.” Grinning, she whispered, “None of the trendy people go there. It’s got big, greasy burgers in giant buns and the fries are to die for—” she closed her eyes and moved her head from side to side “—and my friends are all health nuts, wanting me to eat alfalfa sprouts and wheatgrass and all the things my cows eat. I can simply tell them I’m helping feed a young man who worked hard.”

Riley’s chin came up. “Sure.”

Beth smiled at Tyler. The man simply shook his head.

“Then let’s finish with this horse, get the truck and go get burgers.”

“Okay.” Riley went to put up Brownie’s bridle.

Tyler stood staring at the boy.

“You’re welcome,” Beth whispered in his ear.

He jerked back. “What?”

“I was simply responding to your thank-you.”

“But I didn’t say anything,” he protested.

She gave him a look that said “I know” and walked off, chuckling to herself.

Chapter Four

Tyler watched in awe as Riley inhaled the last onion ring. The boy hadn’t been shy about downing the burger and large fries he’d ordered. Beth had offered Riley some of her onion rings and he’d eagerly accepted them and devoured the remaining ones.

Tyler tried to hold back his smile, but when his eyes met Beth’s and saw the amusement dancing there, his smile emerged.

Riley sat back and sighed.

“Are you full?” Beth asked.

“It was good, and I won’t rat you out to your friends.”

Beth’s mouth trembled as she tried to suppress her giggle. “I appreciate that.”

Riley, sensing the light mood, grinned. “I know my mom sometimes gets on a kick to make me eat healthylike. She wants me to eat lettuce, tomatoes and other green junk.”

“Junk?” Beth asked, looking at Tyler, then Riley.

“Yeah, that other green stuff—broccoli, cabbage and other things like that.”

Beth nodded, trying to be stern, but the humor in the air took the sting out of her comment. “Your mom’s right. Vegetables are important, but an occasional burger—”

“With fries.”

“—is okay. But the vegetables are important.”

He shrugged. “Whatever.”

Tyler chuckled, welcoming the joy and mirth of the evening. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed.

“If we’re going to splurge, those fried pies look good.” Riley nodded toward the display of desserts on the order counter. He looked from Tyler to Beth with a hangdog expression. The boy knew how to work a crowd.