Brenda Minton - The Rancher's First Love

When they got to Parker’s room, they found it filled with staff and family. Parker sat in his wheelchair with a big grin on his face and a new cowboy hat on his head. His grin grew even wider, if possible, when he saw that he had more guests for his going-home party. Every child who left the hospital got a party as a farewell and a celebration.

“Nurse Sam, look—I got a hat! And new boots. And I’ll have a new room at Uncle Gus’s.”

“I heard, Parker. I’m so excited for you.” She moved through the crowd, smiling at Gus and at Parker’s grandmother. Then her heart stuttered a bit when she made eye contact with Remington. He stood to the side, casually leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

At that moment, she considered telling Dr. Jackson why it was impossible for her to take this job. But what would she say? That she’d been fifteen and crazy in love with a cowboy that her brothers didn’t approve of? That she’d been sent away from home and the cowboy had been sent packing, back to his parents in Austin?

It sounded like a romance novel. Young love. A broken heart. No big deal. To anyone but her. So she shoved it all aside because she wasn’t going to let it determine her future or the future of a boy who needed every opportunity to succeed.

She stepped in front of Parker, lowering herself to his level, accepting his big hug. Face-to-face with the child, her objections gave up their last stand of resistance. For Parker, for the other children, she would do whatever was necessary.

“You take care of yourself. And no stunts,” she warned.

“Ah, Nurse Sam, you know I’m not going to be good.”

She laughed at his honesty. “At least be safe.”

“I can do that.”

“And I’m going to stop by and check on you in a few days so you don’t miss us too much.”

“That’s great,” he said. “I can show you the ranch. And someday I can see the ranch where you live. And I’ll go to school there in a few months.”

“Super. I have a niece who goes to school in Martin’s Crossing. She’s a few years older than you, but I’m sure she’ll show you around.”

“Does she ride horses? Remington said everyone in Martin’s Crossing rides. I’m sure I could learn to ride.”

“Let’s take one thing at a time, Parker.” His grandmother moved to his side, her look a little unsure, Sam thought. But of course she was. She was going to raise this little guy. It had been only a few months since the accident that took his parents. Just a few months of healing and learning a new way of living.

“Oh, Granny, I know that. It’ll be okay.”

Big words from a little boy. He reached for his grandmother’s hand and held it tight.

“We should go,” his grandmother said. She moved behind his wheelchair. “We have a lot to do when we get home.”

“Like have burgers on the grill,” Parker said. “Rem and Uncle Gus are cooking tonight. You should come over, Nurse Sam.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay. You’ll have a lot to do, getting settled. I’ll be by soon enough.”

“You’re more than welcome to join us tonight,” his grandmother offered. “I know Parker thinks the world of you. We’re all so glad you’re going to continue to be involved in his care.”

“I’m glad, too.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Remington push away from the wall. He moved around the room, grabbing the suitcase and a box that held Parker’s prized possessions. “Okay, Parker, time for you to say your final goodbyes and head home.”

Parker looked around the room that had been his for several very long weeks, his expression suddenly showing the case of nerves he’d been hiding. He bit down on his bottom lip and nodded. “I’m ready.”

“You’ll do great, tiger.” Dr. Jackson placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll walk you out.”

As they exited the room, the real party started. The children and nurses were lined up and down the hall with balloons, noisemakers and hats. Parker laughed, waving at his friends. He stopped a few times for extra hugs from staff who had taken care of him through the long months of recovery and rehab.

Sam walked along behind the group. On her way out the door Dr. Jackson had asked her to escort the family to their car and get them all settled. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the man was plotting against her.

Remington walked alongside her.

“I had no idea going home would be like this,” he said.

“We try to make it a special occasion.”

“Thank you for taking us on. I know it means the world to Parker, to know that you’ll still be in his life.”

She kept walking, following the slow procession of Parker, his grandmother, Gus and Dr. Jackson as they made their way down the hall toward the double doors, the lobby and then to the front exit. She took the bag that Remington carried, lightening his load.

“The invitation stands, if you’d like to join us for burgers on the grill,” he continued.

She glanced up, into gray eyes that she knew so well. “I don’t think so.”

“We’re going to have to get used to being around one another. You might find—” he grinned as he said it “—that you want to spend more time with me.”

“I doubt that.” She bit back the smile he probably expected. “I’m not interested in going back and revisiting my fifteen-year-old self. She was a mess.”

“I remember liking her a lot but I understand not wanting to revisit those days. But it won’t hurt for us to be friends right now.”

“No, it won’t hurt.” But she worried it might.

There was so much more between them. More than he realized.

* * *

Remington glanced at the woman walking next to him. He’d give anything to know why her expression seemed so troubled and why something as simple as friendship set her on edge. Yes, they shared a past. It wasn’t as if they were enemy states trying to find a way to sign a peace treaty.

He knew one thing: pushing wasn’t going to get him anywhere with Samantha Martin. He guessed she’d been pushed enough. Pushed away from him, from her home, away from everything safe and familiar.

He’d just gone home to Austin and his family.

Gus said she’d never been the same. She’d come home from time to time. Every now and then she’d ridden in a local rodeo or eaten dinner at her brother’s diner, but she hadn’t been the girl he’d known in Martin’s Crossing.

Gus said she was angry and bitter.

Remington saw it as pain. Deep down pain. He saw a woman who was willing to help animals and children but wasn’t as willing to let people into her life.

He watched as she helped Aunt Lee put Parker in the car, something Lee had been learning to do in rehab. For the past month his aunt had worked with the staff because there would be things she’d have to do for Parker. He and Gus would help her. They’d given their word they wouldn’t let her do this alone. But they all knew that most of it would fall on Parker’s grandmother.

Which is why it made sense for him to give up his job in Austin and settle here on his granddad’s ranch, the Rocking J. To help Gus, Aunt Lee and Parker.

After Parker was settled in the backseat, Sam leaned to kiss his cheek, then she took a step back, letting his grandmother say something to him. Dr. Jackson moved in to share a few words. And then they called Remington forward.

“Will you pray?” Dr. Jackson asked. “I’d like to send you all home with the best support system available.”

Rem agreed. They could all use a guiding hand in this situation. “Of course I’ll pray.”

His gaze strayed in Samantha’s direction. She looked away. But he saw the flicker of doubt, the anger. He hadn’t expected that.