Chapter One
Alma
I stared at the email longer than necessary. I had read it at least a dozen times. It would be simple for me to reply and remind the coordinator I was still on vacation and I didn’t want to take the job. It didn’t matter if I was the only one in the area.
“Alma.”
I jerked my head up and glanced at my date. “What?”
“I asked if the food was okay. You’ve not touched it.”
I looked down and saw he was correct. I wasn’t hungry anyway. Papa had been shoving food in my mouth since I got out of the car when I arrived at his house. He kept telling me how thin I was and needed to gain some weight.
“Sorry but work is wanting me.”
“Your father said you were on vacation.”
I studied the man whose name I can’t really remember. He looked like the man Papa would pick. He was Mexican with deep tan skin, dark hair and eyes, with a thick accent and choppy English.
“I am, but my job needs me.” I removed the cloth napkin from my lap and set it on the table. “This has been fun… um… well, thanks.” I quickly rushed away without another word.
“Where are you going?” Papa stopped me as I reached the porch.
I was certain he wanted my date to be at his house so he could eavesdrop the entire time. “I’m going to work. I’ll be home later.”
He was upset with me. I shut the car door because once he was yelling at me in Spanish, I knew it was going to get worse. I drove away, not needing my GPS to get where I was going. I knew the ranch like the back of my hand. I grew up, fell in love, and left there in tears.
It was where I wanted to call home.
I punched in the code to open the gate. It was the same code as when I was a child. The gates opened, and I drove down the dirt and gravel driveway I had been on so many times before when I rode my bike, chased chickens that were out of the coop, and raced… him.
As I got out of my car, in front of the main house, the porch light shone brightly and there he was, standing on the top step. It has been six years since we’ve been face to face. A lot has happened, but inside, I was still Alma Villanueva, sixteen and in love with Austin Chambers, twenty-three. We had a secret relationship for a whole year before…
“Hello, Alma.” His red hair and matching beard shined under the light. He was just as tall and just as built as the man I fell in love with.
“Hi,” I managed to say to him. “You requested me.” It wasn’t a question. My coordinator told me I was requested by the family.
“I heard Jose tell some of the workers you were coming home this week.” He confessed. “I wanted the best for Dad.”
“And you think I am?”
“I know it.”
Half of me wanted to run into the arms of the man I loved and the adult rational half of me remembered I have a job to do. “I’m sorry to hear about your father’s stroke. He was a good man.”
“He still is.” He corrected me.
“You’re right. Forgive me.”
“He’s this way.” He held out his arm toward the front screen door.
“Thank you.” I walked into the house.
It still smelled of deep breach wood tobacco. Mr. Chambers always smoked a pipe while watching the evening news. It looked the same. The bright white walls with minimal pictures and wall hangings. The furniture was a bit more worn than I remembered but was still black leather.
“I moved everything to the den. I didn’t want him to hurt himself around the stairs.” Austin explained as he headed down the hall.
“His chart said he still has his speech, but his walking is what’s bringing him difficulties.”
“Correct. His speech is slowed, but luckily everyone understands him. He doesn’t have any memory loss or anything like that. But walking, keep balance, and such is where we need you. It’s where I need you.”
I need you.
Those three words touched my soul many times when they came from his lips. It happened many times in our relationship.
“I’ll go in alone. Thanks.” I told Austin.
“I will be in the kitchen then.” He should leave me now, but instead, he stared at me. “It’s good to have you home.”
I nodded. “I’ll say goodbye before I leave.” I walked around him and into the den.
Years ago, there was a large screen TV, VCR, and an old Nintendo game system Austin and I would play on rainy days. Now, it was a larger, thinner TV, not a VCR in sight and not one gaming system either.
“Well as I live and breathe.”
I turned to see a large hospital bed tucked in the corner with Mr. Chambers laying on it. He appeared the same. He had been bald and gray as far back as I could remember. He was always husky, with a small round belly. All of which was the same still.
“The beautiful Alma has come home.”
Mr. Chambers was a good man. He was probably the only one who supported Austin and me being together. My father has been his head ranch man since I was a baby. Mr. Chambers was the best boss, which was why Papa still worked for him. He was paid well and given benefits, which many ranch hands and workers never received. Mr. Chambers even paid for my tuition to a private high school two towns over and my college tuition too. Even considering everything that happened, he still took care of us.
“I’ve missed your smile, Alma. This ranch needs a bright, real smile every day.”
I giggled. “Still the charmer.” I walked over and sat on the side of his bed.
“Can’t blame a man who misses his little girl.” He always treated me like a daughter.
“I missed you as well.”
“Are you home for Austin?” There was hope in his eyes, but it faded when I shook my head.
“No. I’m here for you. You need to get well and keep this ranch in shape.”
“He loves you.”
I pushed my tears away. “My focus is on you and getting you up and walking.”
He took my hands in his. “I would only want you to help me with this small challenge.”
“It’s a minute challenge.” I gave him the brightest smile. “Now, what have you done so far?”
Mr. Chambers went on to tell me about the rehabilitation hospital he was at but didn’t like being away from the ranch. He wanted to come home and get well. He knew being here would be better than anywhere else. He has a nurse who helps in the daytime but no therapist.
That was where I came in. It was my job. Being a traveling therapist wasn’t my original dream career, but when the position opened, I took it and fell in love with it. I traveled all over Texas and Oklahoma. It paid extremely well and kept me away from my never-ending nagging Papa, who wanted me to be married with a houseful of kids. I loved Papa more than anything, but his nagging was driving me up the wall.
“I’m here now. I promise to stay until I think you’re well enough to get around on a walker.” I vowed.
“I’m a stubborn man.”
This time I laughed loudly. “Well, I’m just as hardheaded.”
He squeezed my hand. “I will do whatever you tell me to and try my best not to argue. Too much.”
“I promise the same.” I kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Alma.” He gave me a crooked smile since the right side of his face drooped. “It’s good to have you home.”
“See you tomorrow.” I got up and walked out to the kitchen.
Austin was sitting at the table with a cup in front of him. I knew it was coffee because it was all he practically drank. He was mesmerized by the liquid as I watched him for a moment. There was worry on his face. He and his father were closer than any son and father I’d ever seen. They always had been.
“He’s the same.”
He glanced up at me. “He missed you.”
I nodded. “He told me. I’ll be back in the morning to start working with him.”
“Alma.” He stood up quickly. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
“What?”
“Nothing. Um… I’ll see you tomorrow.”