He hugs his mom and takes off for the truck. “Thank you,” I tell her.
She shrugs off my thanks and wipes at a lone tear on her cheek. “I think it’s me that should be thanking you. I’ll see you later.”
She walks away before I can get a word out, which is probably a good thing. The urge to put my arms around her and comfort her is overwhelming.
When she’s back in the diner, I walk toward the truck and get in. Elijah, or Eli, as he asked me to call him, talks the whole way out to the ranch. When we pull in, I ask him if he remembers Alan, and when he says yeah, I tell him to go in the barn and have Alan get him started.
As we’re walking toward the barn, my brothers are all standing there, surprised at seeing me with the boy. When Eli’s out of earshot, I tell them, “We have eleven day campers now. And make sure everyone knows Eli is only allowed to leave with his mother. No one else.”
Chance is the first to speak up. “What’s up with that? It doesn’t sound good.”
I look inside the barn and see Eli already at work mucking the stalls. “I don’t know what’s up with it, but I’m going to find out.”
Chapter 7
Natalie
I worried all day yesterday while Eli was out at the ranch. Not only because I feared he’d be hurt, but there’s always a fear of Brad finding us and trying to take him from me. But I discovered when I picked up Eli yesterday that it definitely wouldn’t happen on the Bryant Ranch. When I pulled in to pick Eli up, one of the ranch hands demanded that I show him a driver’s license before he’d let Eli go with me.
I hadn’t hesitated and thanked him profusely for being safe. He shrugged his shoulders at that. “I’m just doing my job, ma’am. King made us all aware that the boy is only allowed to leave with his mother.”
All evening, Eli told me stories of what happened his first day at camp. He was happy and carefree, and I hated to think that I had almost taken this opportunity away from him.
And of course I’d thought about King. How could I not? He really is big, arrogant, and demanding, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to him than I first saw. The community obviously loves him, Olivia can’t say enough good things about him, and he does sponsor children that are less fortunate to be able to go to the camp. But that’s as far as I let my thoughts stray. There’s no use trying to figure out King Bryant. After this week, we won’t see him again.
I keep driving back toward the ranch. It’s way too early, but I have to be at work at six, and I have no choice but to bring Eli to the ranch before going in.
I look over at Eli, expecting to find him asleep, but instead he’s gazing out the front windshield. “I figured you’d be sleeping.”
“I can’t sleep when I’m excited.”
I laugh. “I know, buddy. I’m glad you liked your first day.”
“I loved it,” he corrects me.
I cringe as I pull down the long driveway to the Double B Ranch. The sun is about to rise, but I’m sure it’s too early for visitors. Maybe I should have told someone we’d be here this early. I’d hate to be staring down the barrel of a shotgun this early in the morning.
I pull up close to the barn, and King comes out of the barn doors. I look over at Eli. “Have a good day. Work hard. I love you.”
He nods and opens the door. “I love you too, Mom.”
I lean over to hug him quickly. I’ve realized lately that my son is growing up, and public displays of affection are sometimes not welcome. I let out a sigh. “I guess I better go explain what you’re doing here so early.”
He nods and gets out, walking quietly next to me up to the ranch owner.
“Hi, Mr. Bryant. I probably should have said something yesterday. I have to be at work at six most mornings. I know the camp doesn’t start until eight, but would it be okay if Eli stayed until then? He’ll stay out of the way.”
King is so much taller than me I have to tilt my head backward to look up at him. He has his hat pulled down low on his forehead, and it’s hard to figure out what he’s thinking. He looks at Eli, and his face seems to soften a little. “Sure, it’s fine. Is it okay if I put him to work, though?”
I look at Eli, and it’s obvious he loves the idea. I breathe a sigh of relief. There’s no way I can be late every day this week. “That would be great. Thank you, Mr. Bryant.”