Page 24 of Rancher's Heart

“I like you too,” I said through fits of laughter.

“Do you need a ride?” Nora asked as I turned to walk to my truck.

“No, I’m good, thank you. I only had one beer, and that was hours ago now. Thank you though. Good night.” I waved as I kept walking.

When I drove into the yard, the porch light was on, and the warm yellow light glowed through the windows. How had this place so quickly felt like home? Pulling up beside Griff’s truck I grabbed my bag and headed for the house.

As I opened the door, the sound of laughter floated into the entryway, and I stood for a moment and listened. Parker’s laugh wasn’t forced or nervous. “No, look Griff, watch,” Parker said through his giggles. Quietly, I closed the door and moved to peek around the corner. They were watching the cowboy blooper videos that Parker loved, and I had to say Griff looked like he was enjoying them just as much.

Troy never made time to do this with Parker; he was always working. Parker always enjoyed his time with his dad and never complained about it. But seeing him now in the simplicity of being just a ten-year-old boy stole my breath.

Moving around the couch, I sat beside my son and reached for the popcorn on the table. Griff tilted his head back, and I could feel him looking at me. He moved his arm to rest on the back of the sofa and grazed my shoulder. Turning, I looked at him and smiled before he turned back to the television that was hanging on the wall above the large fieldstone fireplace.

“Hey bud, time to get ready for bed,” I said as I patted Parker’s leg.

He grumbled as he stood and headed to his room. Griff shifted, so he was looking at me. “How was your evening?”

“It was really good. I was nervous when I got there and was about to bail, but I’m glad I stayed. How was your night?” Grabbing another handful of popcorn and listened to Griff.

“Amazing. Do you have any idea how great of a kid Parker is?”

“I do.” I nodded as warmth filled my body, and I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face.

“He and Cooper are inseparable, and I hardly saw him all night. The guys have been looking up some websites to learn ASL, and Parker got a kick out of them trying to spell their names for him. Parker kept telling them they didn’t have to keep trying, but they were all determined to get it right.” Griff’s eyes were shining, and he looked so proud of his friends.

I couldn’t fight the overwhelming feeling of tears filling my eyes. The tip of my nose tingled, and I blinked faster. “Hey, what’s all this about?” Griff shifted, closer and wiped a tear from my cheek.

“The only thing I’ve ever wanted for him was to be accepted. Without me having to fight tooth and nail for it.”

“You don’t have to fight for anything here. You’re both a part of us now.” Griff cupped my cheek, and I nodded. “We’ll continue this when he’s in bed.” Griff pulled away as Parker came back into the living room.

“Night Griff. Thanks for a great night.” Parker grinned and hugged Griff without hesitation.

“Any time, kid.” Griff patted him on the back.

“Come on, let’s get you tucked in.” I put my arm around my son’s shoulders, and we walked down the hallway.

“You really had a good time?” I asked as I pulled his blankets up right under his chin.

“Yeah, I did. Everyone was so nice, and the guys even tried to sign. It was hilarious, but they kept at it until they figured it out. I can tell Griff’s been practicing. He’s doing good.” The smile on his face was infectious, and I leaned down, hugged him, and kissed his cheek.

“Good. Ready to zone out?” I asked as I reached for the case for his implant.

“Yes,” he sighed and reached up to unplug. I zipped the case shut and changed to sign language.

Have a good sleep. Love you lots.

Night, Mom, love you too.

I got off the bed and flicked the lights twice, and he smiled at me. It was one last signal at night to tell him I loved him. Pulling the door closed, I leaned against the wall taking a deep breath in the moment, and counted today aa a win. We’d had so many losses in the last few weeks, we deserved a day like today.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I reached for it.

Unknown: I want to make you scream nursey

My stomach lurched, and I deleted the text. Nothing was going to ruin this perfectly wonderful evening. Not even the asshole that I used to rent from.

CHAPTER 15

---