Page 20 of Operation: Unify

“Connor, I think if you search through your history, you’ll find that it’s not that kind of trust that made her go. She needed time because you divorced her for something she never did. It was preemptive. You and I both know that. You thought she’d be like your mom. I think we both know deep down she’s not. I wouldn’t have made the rule I did if I didn’t believe that.”

The rule that Lacy was more welcome to stay at Wayside than Connor. “And why wouldn’t I believe that? What other guide did I have? She said she loved me, and she turned her back on me. What kind of woman does that to her son?” He hadn’t even meant to talk about this with anyone but having Lacy gone and potentially in danger had forced him to think about everything in his life, including his mistakes.

“The kind that isn’t like Lacy,” Dad said quietly. “Look, I loved your mother when we first married. I still cared about her when I made the wrong choice with Gloria. Even if she had mentally left our relationship by then, I had no right to do what I did. I blame myself for the fact that you had to finish growing up without a mother. But at the end of the day,she’sthe one who chose to stay away. She never let me apologize and never let you in after you stayed with me. I never kept you from her and I darned sure never told her she couldn’t see you.”

“I know. Even though you both didn’t do much together, I always felt that family was important.”

Dad squeezed his knee, then let it go. Clearly, the weather was bothering him. “Family was and is important, which is another reason why I think you should go. You know as well as I do that a signed piece of paper doesn’t make you a family any more than a signed paper makes younotfamily anymore. Maybe it does legally but to the heart, it means nothing.”

Lacy had felt like family even when she had no designation. Their friendship went far deeper than a qualification. “I want to go but something is telling me that I need to wait until she asks me. If I jump in headfirst and stick my nose into this business, she’ll be mad. I don’t know how I know. I just do.”

“If the Holy Spirit is telling you to wait, then you’d better wait. I’ll be here whenever you need me to do your job. I’m not as good as you and I don’t have near the energy you do, but I can keep these people safe. Nadine is good at what she does, too. We can handle this for a few days.”

“What about Christmas?” That, too, had been a thorn in his side. Every time he thought about leaving, he’d remember that he’d invited his brothers for Christmas Day. If he wasn’t around for that, they may never come back. They might see his invitation as a slap in the face, just another taunt.

“If push comes to shove, I’ll handle that too. They may hate the idea, but it’s important that they meet Ferd. She’s a good kid and deserves to know her family.”

“She’s not a kid, Dad.” Connor laughed.

“I never got to know her as a child. To me, you’re all kids.” He stood and hobbled toward the door. “I need to go do some of my therapy. This weather is getting to me. Might be the last winter I spend up here. Arizona is looking mighty nice the longer I put up with this.”

He hadn’t told his father yet about his plan to bring cattle back to Wayside Ranch. Especially now that they’d have more pastureland. “Would you still want to leave if you could look out your window and see cattle grazing?”

“I’m too old for that.” Dad scratched his forehead. “But I have to admit, it would be nice. Nothing more calming than watching cattle forage as the sun comes up. Might even be good for some of the people living here.”

He’d thought about that, too. “Means I’ll have to hire a few more people. My men have enough work without adding cattle to the mix.”

Dad nodded and scrunched his lips, furrowing his chin. “I’d be around to help you hire the right people. Might be good for me. One last way to give back.”

Connor didn’t like the fact that his dad was now sounding like he was planning the end of his life. He hadn’t ever talked like that before getting shot. “You have your trust set up. You’re set. Don’t worry about death’s door until you’re standing in front of it.”

“If you don’t think about it, you’ll miss important things, thinking you can always do them tomorrow. At some point, you’ll run out of tomorrows.” Teddy plopped his cowboy hat back on his head. “Keep me posted on your plans. I don’t want to find out by surprise like I did when Lacy left.”

“You got it.” Meaning he’d have to make a decision soon.

As soon as his dad left, he picked up his phone and typed out a text instead of calling the hotel number. He’d wanted to go that route in case they weren’t in the room. If he called during the middle of something, he might interrupt her at an important time. But if the front desk didn’t pick up, then he couldn’t even get transferred to her room.

Hey, I was trying to reach you at your hotel. I think you picked a dud. They aren’t answering.

Hopefully, framing his question in humor wouldn’t make her think he was stalking her. A reply popped up quickly.

We ended up having to leave the hotel early this morning, just a few hours after I talked to you. Melinda’s husband came to the hotel and threatened us. We’re fine. We’re staying at a private house, and he doesn’t know where we are.

Connor swallowed back the urge to rush to his truck, jump in, and drive as fast as he could to come get her. Instead, he tried to think clearly and type out a coherent response.

This is getting a little out of hand. Do you need me?

He hated having to ask that question. No woman he’d ever met was as independent as Lacy. She’d had to be. She loved him and he could be cold and belligerent, but she usually gave back just what he gave to her. They’d always been good that way.

No. I can handle it. We’re safely moved now and I’m trying to talk Melinda into taking a hot bath and resting. She is so stressed out after this morning.

He wanted to call. This was a conversation he wanted to have with her not with a phone, but if she wanted to talk to him, she’d call. She’d wanted a little time and space. He had to honor that.

Sounds like you have it handled. I just worry about you.

He set his phone down and bent his head.Lord, You know where Lacy is and what she’s facing. Much better than I do.Instead of rushing in and doing what I think is right, I’m praying that You step in and do what You think is right. Not my will. I love her, Lord, You know that. Please, bring her back to me.

His phone buzzed with another message.

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