Page 16 of The Road Back to Us

“I still can’t believe you guys did this,” Cole said, shaking his head as he eyed the pen that would be the new home of our goats.

“You know your mom is a sucker when it comes to those kids.” Dean shrugged, then looked up at the dark clouds moving in. “We’d better get a move on securing this before that storm hits.”

My heart fluttered as I heard the love in his voice when he spoke of how much his wife loved the kids. I knew they had been a constant source of support for Cole since Clay died, but I also knew they were the kind of people who had been involved long before then. I would be willing to bet money that they had been there from the very start with all three kids, loving them the way only grandparents could.

“We’ve got this if you want to head inside and finish working before the kids get home,” Cole said, tilting his head as he studied my face. “Sorry for interrupting your day with all of this.”

“It’s okay,” I replied, shaking my head to keep from gazing at him any longer than I already had been. “Today was just getting things set up so I can make sure I’m ready to go before my meeting on Wednesday. Thankfully, everything has been smooth sailing for the most part.”

Until baby goats showed up and derailed everything. Just when I thought I was getting things figured out with working from home, another obstacle had been dropped in my lap.

“That’s great. I’m happy to hear it.”

I smiled and took a deep breath in, trying to focus on the soft scent of rain teasing the air rather than the scent of his cologne that wafted up around me. I hated how so many things were comforting with him because I found myself leaning more and more into the familiarity of what had once been. Neither of us could afford to go down that road again, but somehow I couldn’t find the strength to stop myself.

“Okay,” I said, clearing my throat. “I’m going to head inside, but let me know if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

I turned and walked away before I could say or do something stupid.

When it came to Cole, it felt like I was on a slippery slope, constantly fighting to stay above water so I didn’t drown in the love I once held for him.

Sixteen

Cole

“You named a girl goat Rufus?” Ben asked with an arched eyebrow as he listened to Chloe tell them about her day while we ate dinner.

Chloe grinned and nodded as she lifted a spoonful of macaroni and cheese to her lips and blew on it.

“Why Rufus?” Kara asked, her grin lighting up the room.

The kids had been more than surprised when they got home from school and found the baby goats in the pen my dad and I had spent the day building. There was a frame already in place from back when Clay had convinced Melanie to get a baby pig. At the time, they didn’t have any room at their house, so he talked to his parents, and they agreed to let them keep the pig there. Eventually, the pig got too big for the pen, so they turned it over to Mr. Grayson, who had a lot of land and had a petting zoo that the kids loved visiting.

“I dunno,” Chloe answered around her bite, chewing as she grinned at her sister. “She just looked like a Rufus.”

She shrugged and went on eating while everyone laughed.

“I can’t believe we have goats,” Kara commented with a shake of her head and a soft laugh. “That’s so wild.”

“Me neither,” Lyric added, but her words were followed by a sigh as she leaned back against her chair and stared at the table.

She hadn’t eaten much, but I didn’t comment on it because I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable or draw attention to it. But I knew Lyric well enough to know that she had a hard time eating when she was really stressed, which left me concerned that she was reaching a point where things were going to spiral for her. Not that I could blame her because stepping in to take over raising someone else’s kids was hard enough, let alone the added pressure of caring for pets you didn’t ask for.

“I think it’ll be fun,” I said cautiously, watching Lyric out of the corner of my eye as her head lifted in my direction. “We’ll all help out with taking care of them and make it a family thing.”

Lyric’s chest rose and fell, almost as if in relief.

“Absolutely,” Kara replied quickly, looking at Lyric as she smiled. “I think it’s important that we all pitch in and help take care of them. The nice thing is we won’t have to worry about pulling weeds or mowing the lawn anymore.”

“Thank God,” Ben muttered with a grin. “I was so not looking forward to a summer of mowing lawns again. I can deal with ornery goats if that means I don’t have to fight with that old, rickety lawn mower.”

“I think the goats will take care of that for us. If anything, they’ll probably get bored because there won’t be enough for them to eat. We’ll have to look at things to keep them occupied so they don’t get bored.” I lifted my drink and took a sip, my heart swelling when I saw Lyric eating her food.

“Like toys?” Chloe asked, her eyes widening as she sat up taller in her chair.

“Ummm...” I replied hesitantly because I had no idea whether goats liked toys. I was more worried that they would eat and destroy anything we gave them, which posed the risk of breaking her heart if they ate the toys she gave them.