By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition (3 page)

“Buckle up.” Chris tried to sound nonchalant as he clicked his seat belt. He’d had to put his bumper in the back of Troy’s cruiser as there wasn’t enough room in Mary Ann for it and that gal’s suitcase. Two more gigantic pieces of luggage remained in the back of her Suburban. The same two pieces he had offered to pick up and take to the ranch after he dropped off the young woman.

Is this some kind of test, Lord?
His frustration with Abby had not even minimally subsided when this lady slammed into his car. Now he was chauffeuring the Mary Ann Mangler and a third of her belongings to the Wards’ ranch. It didn’t help matters that they were a good half hour away. He turned onto the one-lane road that could be named the longest driveway in the history of driveways.
I don’t have the patience of Job
.

A glob of bird dropping hit his windshield.
Perfect. The day can’t get much better
. He pulled Mary Ann to the side, opened the door, yanked his handkerchief from his back pocket, and wiped off the mess. Folding the remains into the center of the handkerchief, he carefully shoved it back into his pocket. He slid into the driver’s seat and looked at his passenger peering over the suitcase resting in her lap. Her jaw had dropped and her eyebrows had risen. Chris shrugged. “Just habit. I’ve been cleaning and shining this girl for eight long years.” He patted the freshly oiled dashboard.

“You’ve fixed this car up for eight years?”

“Yep. She was a high school graduation present from my pa. It took me awhile to buy all the parts she needed.”

“How long have you had it fixed?”

“Couple months.”

She gasped. He peeked at her. She had lowered her head. “I’m truly so sorry.”

Chris felt as though his heart would split in two. He knew she hadn’t purposely caused the accident, and she had been so worked up about not having her license and insurance. Not that he blamed her.

He had to admit she was quite a cutie. Long, dark brown curls were pulled back in a ponytail even though a few pieces had escaped and touched her cheek. Her profile showed the sweetest, little button nose he had ever seen. She was probably a few years younger than he, and he had to admit under different circumstances he might have taken a second look her way. “It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not. I’ll—I’ll pay you back. Promise.”

“We’ll work it out.” He started his car. In all honesty though, he wondered what would happen if she didn’t have insurance. His insurance would pay for the repairs if he wanted, but then his rates would probably go up to more than he could afford. Unless she had money.

He glanced at her again. She did seem to wear rather spiffy clothes. She smelled awfully good, too. If his memory served him right, Sondra’s deceased husband had at one time been fairly wealthy. It seemed like his parents had disinherited him when he married Sondra. If that were true, then this lady probably did have some avenues with which to pay him back.
Then why wouldn’t she have insurance?

Of course she’d have insurance. Lots of people couldn’t find the proof when they needed it. Chris shook his head. He sneaked another peek. Her head was down, her eyes closed. She seemed to be praying. Something inside him stirred, compelling him to make her feel better. “Don’t worry about that citation of yours.”

She looked at him; fearful innocence wrapped her face. “I’ve never even seen a judge.”

“Henry’s soft as a new puppy. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Show him your license and insurance, and he’ll thank you and send you on your way.”

“With a fine?”

Chris shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably.”

“That’s what I thought.”

She wasn’t going to have insurance or cash flow. Chris could feel it. Eight years. After eight long years of fixing up Mary Ann, he’d have to stick her back in the shop and work on her a little at a time. He didn’t want to think about it. Didn’t need to think about it. More than anything, he just wanted to get home, eat some supper, take a hot shower, and go to bed. The sooner this day ended the better.

Victoria smiled as the trees cleared and Sondra’s ranch came into full view. The country home screamed of serenity and coziness. “I’m so excited to meet my nephew.” She twisted her purse handle around.

“You haven’t met Peewee?”

“Mother and Daddy wouldn’t have any … Well, it’s a long story.”

The front door burst open. A small boy toddled out followed by Sondra holding a baby girl on her hip. Matt clapped his hands and danced around the porch. Before Chris had time to turn off the car, Victoria hopped out and ran for her nephew. She scooped him in her arms and twirled around. He squealed in delight.

“He’s not afraid of me!” Victoria exclaimed as she nestled him closer to her chest.

“Peewee isn’t afraid of anyone”—Sondra laughed—“but he’s been waiting for you to come. I’ve been showing him your picture on the refrigerator.”

Happiness filled Victoria’s spirit, and she hugged Sondra with her free arm. “Thank you.” She turned back to her nephew and tickled his belly. “It’s so good to see you”—she gazed at Sondra, willing her to fully forgive her for the years of silence—“all of you.”

“You stay as long as you like. I’m glad you’ve come.”

“Aunt Vic.” Matt poked Victoria’s shoulder.

“He knows my name?”

“Oh yes.” Sondra tickled Matt’s belly. “Peewee’s a smart boy, aren’t you, Peewee?”

“Boy.” Matt pointed at himself.

“Yes, you are.” Victoria ran her fingers through his small locks of brown hair. “You look just like your daddy.”

“Daddy.” Matt squealed and leaned away from Victoria. She turned and saw a tall cowboy walking onto the porch.

“There’s my little man.” The cowboy took Matt from Victoria’s embrace.

“Victoria, this is Dylan.” Sondra pointed to the man Matt had called Daddy. A twinge of pain pricked Victoria’s heart. Kenny was Matt’s daddy, not this man. She tried to push the thought aside. Kenny would want Matt to be raised by a man who would love him. According to Sondra, Dylan was a wonderful Christian man.

“Here’s your bag.”

Victoria turned to find Chris standing on the front lawn holding her suitcase. “I’m sorry, Chris. I’ll get it.”

“No, I’ll take it.” Dylan grabbed the bag before she could. “Swap.” He handed Matt to her. Victoria hopped back onto the porch before her nephew had time to protest.

Sondra chuckled. “Come on everyone, let’s have a glass of iced tea.”

“I can’t stay.” Chris jingled his keys and nodded toward Victoria. “I’m going to get her other two bags and bring ’em to the ranch. Then I oughta get back to Abby.”

“No need to,” said Dylan. “I’m going to put this suitcase in Victoria’s room and then head right into town and pick up the others.”

Victoria held Matt a little tighter as heat rushed up her spine. “I’m sorry for all this inconvenience.”

Sondra shook her head. “Don’t you worry. I needed Dylan to run to the store anyway.” She turned to Chris. “Tell Abby I said to be good.”

Chris grunted then nodded. “I sure will.”

Victoria wondered at the odd tightness in her chest when Sondra mentioned the woman’s name. She watched as Chris walked back to his car, slid inside, and then drove away. “Abby’s Chris’s wife?”

Dylan’s boots clanked against the porch, and the door slammed as he went into the house with her suitcase. Victoria felt Sondra staring at her. Her question had come out a little more inquisitive than she had meant it to sound, so she adjusted Matt’s shirt and avoided Sondra’s gaze. She didn’t care if Chris was married. Why would she?

“No, Abby’s Chris’s seventeen-year-old sister. He takes care of her.”

Victoria gawked at Sondra. “Really?”

“Yeah. The girl’s a little rough around the edges. Not a bad kid, really, but she gives Chris fits most of the time.”

Victoria laughed. “I bet being raised by him gives Abby fits, as well.”

Sondra seemed to ponder the notion. “I guess you’re right. She probably needs a woman’s influence.” Sondra winked and walked through the front door.

Victoria didn’t know if Sondra tried to imply anything, and she didn’t want to think about it either. The last thing she needed was to worry about a rough-around-the-edges teenage girl.

Snuggling Matt closer, she kissed his cheek and walked into the house. It looked nothing like Victoria had imagined. Rustic femininity. Aside from the sippy cup and toy horses on the floor, Victoria felt as if she’d walked into a
Country Living
magazine. It felt so nostalgic, so homey.

“Not a four-story mansion, huh?”

Victoria jumped at Sondra’s voice. “No. It’s wonderful.”

Cocking her head, Sondra seemed to study her. Finally, she smiled. “Would you like a glass of iced tea, or do you want to unpack first?”

“I think I’d like to go ahead and unpack.”

“Sure thing.” Sondra pointed down the hall. “Your room is the first one on the left. Dylan’s already put your luggage in there.”

“Thanks.” Victoria put her precious nephew on the floor next to his horses. “I’ll be back to play with you in just a minute.” She caressed his chin.
I wish I had seen him as a newborn, held him, kissed him, spoiled him
. She sighed and then stood. “Thank you, Sondra, for letting me come. I wish …” Victoria’s voice cracked, and she knew at any moment she’d have to allow herself a good, long cry.

“Get yourself on to your room. I’ll get the tea; plus I just made up a batch of cookies. Unpack a bit, and then we’ll talk.”

Victoria nodded and headed down the hall.
Sondra is a wonderful person. Mother and Daddy were wrong. So wrong
.

“Tell me that you did not burn lunch.” The stench of burnt eggs filled the room. Chris waved his hand through the layer of smoke above the stove. He peered into the living area connected to their kitchen and saw Abby lounging in the recliner with her back to one of its arms and her legs draped over the other. She wore her fluffy house shoes that were caked with mud from tromping back and forth to the garden. Instead of stomping the mess off outside or even in the mudroom, clumps of earth had fallen on the floor beneath her feet.

“Hang on a sec.” Abby covered the phone with her hand. “I didn’t aim to, Chris. The phone rang, and well, I’ve been cleaning it up.”

Chris glared at the partly scraped skillet sitting in the sink. Abby hadn’t even put soapy water in it. She’d just left it there. He supposed she thought animated farm animals came in and cleaned up irresponsible teenager’s messes. “Get off that phone.”

“But …”

“Now.” The fact that she had the audacity to be talking on the phone after driving the truck without asking, smashing the mailbox, and burning lunch made Chris’s blood boil.

“I gotta go. My brother’s about to flip out on me.”

Chris gritted his teeth. He had every right to be angry with her, yet she continued to be openly disrespectful, and she didn’t seem to care a bit.

“One year, and I’m gone.” Abby clicked off the phone and folded her arms in front of her chest. “Go ahead. Lay it on,
big brother
. It ain’t like I meant to burn the eggs.”

That was it. He’d had it. “Abby, you are grounded for a month. No TV. No phone. No friends. Nothing.”

“But, brudder …”

“No buts.”

“You’re going to ground me the summer before my senior year?” Her voice resonated calm, controlled. Chris had learned this tone, the let’s-talk-reasonably one that somehow always seemed to land Abby with whatever she wanted.

“Yes, I am.”

“Now, brother, let’s be reasonable.” She spoke softly as she turned on the kitchen faucet. “I will clean this up a bit, and then we’ll talk.”

Chris did not miss the sarcasm that dripped from her lips.

She intended to manipulate the situation in such a way that he became the bad guy. He pressed his car key against his lips, allowing its coolness to keep his temper in check. “You will clean this up, but you are still grounded.”

“Now, Chris …”

He shook his head. “I’m not changing my mind, Abby.”

She huffed and her lips formed a straight line. He could see she was about to lose her composure when she smacked the countertop. “You’re just … just an overgrown meanie.”

“And you’re still grounded.” He walked out of the house and slammed the door. He wasn’t even hungry anymore. Stalking to the garage, he pulled a paper and pen from his coveralls. He’d just assess the damage to Mary Ann. If he never saw another female in his life, that would be too soon.