Page 157 of True North

Louisa stands at the counter, kneading dough for biscuits, a chopping board loaded with prepped veggies by her side. I recognize the routine; it’s the start of my favorite stew. Even now, she can still lure me in with her damn cookin’.

The back door slams as Hudson and the new vet, Dr. Howard, leave for the expecting mares. The instant the sound snaps down the hallway, Louisa’s eyes find me. Those beautiful green eyes that held mine the first day we met still have a stranglehold over me to this day.

“What?” I ask, feigning innocence as I eliminate the space between me and her, only the kitchen counter separating us.

I know what she’s thinkin’.

I felt it, too.

The way our son’s face changed when he took Dr. Howard,Addy, in for the first time.

“She seems nice,” is all Louisa says, but her eyes are lit up. I can tell she’s tamping down a smile. Seein’ her boys happy makes her heart swell. “Pity about that son of yours, chip off the old block.”

Her words don’t match the excited expression animating her face.

“I’ll have you know, Louisa May Rawlins, this block is made of some hearty stuff.”

She chuckles. “I’m aware.”

“Besides, the boy needs to get there. It’s been years.”

Now, her smile fades. “He does.”

I swipe the weekly paper from the counter and make my way to the kitchen table, dropping into the captain’s seat at the head. The old chair groans, as it always does, but never folds. I shake the paper out, hunting for the business section, as small as it is in map-dot Lewistown. “A little help never hurt a man in the romance department.”

The knife drops to the chopping board.

I peer over the paper to my wife’s singular raised eyebrow.

“Just how are you plannin’ onhelpin’Hudson?”

“Easy. Find a way to shove them together.” I put the paper down. “Thentell him he can’t have her.”

She pulls a mock warning face and plucks up the knife, pointing it at me. “If this goes to hell in a handbasket, you’re picking up the pieces.”

“Don’t I always?”

A chunk of carrot flies in my direction.

“Here we go again,” she says with a sigh.

“Well, it took you two goes to get it right. Second time’s the charm for Huddy, hey?”

I rarely use her nickname for our son, but after his last relationship, my heart goes out to the boy.

Her face softens, and she offers up a smile full of emotion. Because that’s how my wife is wired. My Louisa May is the salt-of-the-earth kind of good, with a heart as big as this ranch.

What would have become of me without her?

A man is nothing without his captain. Sure, he might make some good choices, have success in its own right. But without someone to share it with, what was the point?

After all, you need something to fight for.

I want our boys to have the love and the life I found.

Sometimes, a little meddling is all it takes.

Hey, Ma.

As if she’s listenin’, as if she’s proud of all Lou and I have built, the trees move with the breeze outside. It changes course and whips through the window behind me, ruffling the pages of the paper in my hands.

Ma would have been proud of Hudson.

Of all our sons.

Hell, I know I am.

And I have a good feelin’ about this girl.

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