Page 12 of When the Smoke Clears

Last night, I made a brief call to my dad to let him know why I wouldn’t be out at first light this morning. He may not be keeping tabs, and Mama is first on my presets, but she would panic and ask me a hundred questions. I shared as little as I could, but in typical form, Mama wants answers now.

“Oh no. Where is she? Should I make her some breakfast?”

“No. Her friends are helping her pick up meds and a new phone in town. They’ll bring her out here after.”

Mama pats my chest, her tense frame relaxing. “I know I don’t have to tell you to take good care of her.”

“No, you don’t.” I pour a glass of juice and lean my back against the counter, mulling over the last eighteen hours.

“What is it?” Mama stares at me.

“Nothing. Just…something’s off with Maci.”

“Well, of course something’s off, honey. She was attacked.”

“That’s not it.” What if she pulls back from me now? What if I can’t help her through this? She’s acting similarly to usual, but that’s just it. It feels like an act. Fuck. I’m in way over my head and Ineedto make this better. “She’s trying to be her stubborn, independent self like nothing happened.”

“Maybe it’s a safety mechanism.” She gives me a faint smile. “She’ll come around, honey. You just keep being there for her. Even if she hasn’t said it, she needs it and she appreciates it.”

She continues after a beat. “This may not be easy, son. Not by a long shot. In fact, it’s probably going to be really damn hard, but everything worth having is worth fighting for.”

I twitch at her use of “damn.” She’s cussed on occasion, though it doesn’t fill her vocabulary like many. It’s reserved for the most enthusiastic responses. She’s right, though.

There’s nothing else I can say right now. I kiss Mama on top of the head and take a fresh muffin with me on my way to the truck.

I park in front of the open stable door, which gives me a clear view of Jason and Cody saddling the horses inside. Kelly is checking supplies in the back of the Defender, parked at the corner of the building.

“Hey, man.” Kelly looks me over. “Heard through the grapevine that you were in the ER last night. Everything okay?”

I’ve worked with our current three ranch hands for about three years, and we get along fine, but it occurs to me now that although I’ve been courteous with them, I haven’t been especially open. Doing so feels foreign. “Yeah, thanks. It’s a bit of a story. I was there with Maci.”

Cody’s eyes widen and he turns from the horse. “Is she ok?”

I nod. “Yeah. She’s resting. I may be a little more in and out for a bit while she heals.”

“No worries, boss.” Kelly claps me on the shoulder. “Family first.”

I clench my jaw and swallow. Either they know more than I’ve let on, or I’ve let on more than I realize.

“Let us know if we can help.” Jason leads Dusty, my dad’s horse, out of the stables.

“Yep.” My eyes linger on the items Kelly gathers up. “What are you three getting into this morning?”

“Checking calves.” Kelly shows me a folder of paperwork in the front seat. Cattle are extremely intelligent, contrary to what some may think. Unfortunately, that means they get into some precarious situations. They’re also prone to certain illnesses, especially after birthing, so we monitor the herd daily. Even a little gash on a leg if they run into something or get too rough with each other can turn into a big issue quickly.

“I’ll come with.”

“Johnny’s in the pasture.” Cody motions behind the building. The stables are complete with matching front and rear doors that slide open. On the backside is access to a fenced-in area, which leads to a pasture if we open a gate inside. “We weren’t sure if you’d be out.”

“Thanks for putting him out. You guys go ahead; I’ll catch up.”

I wait for Jason and Cody to mount Dusty and Boots, and the three of them to head out with Kelly in the rear. Life on the ranch can be hard and unforgiving, and I don’t expect this team to stick around forever, but having them here is reassuring in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Maci’s time in town is shorter than expected, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. Before lunch, Izzy’s car heads up the drive. After they park in front of The Big House, I open the back door, where Maci peers through the window. She extends a hand, expecting me to help ease her out. Instead, I scoop her into my arms.

“I can walk,” she grumbles.

“Just let me do this, Firecracker.” I press my lips to her temple. “Thank you,” I say through the backseat to Leah and Izzy, who wave our way before I knock the door closed with my hip.

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