As if reading her mind, Nana said, “We usually eat in the Chow Hall, but tonight is special, we’re having a guest. So it may be a tight squeeze.”
Laughter and banter filled the room as Rowdy ushered the boys into the den. His brother Morgan and his wife, Jolie, arrived and Rowdy introduced them. Not that she’d needed the introduction—their resemblance was too similar. Morgan, like Rowdy, had Nana’s direct navy eyes.
“Morgan and my dad run the business side of the foster program and the ranch. Jolie has been our schoolteacher since the beginning of the year.”
“I can’t wait to see some of your work.” Jolie’s wide smile reminded Lucy instantly of Julia Roberts, especially with her auburn hair and her expressive eyes. “I envy an artist their abilities. I’m a klutz with a brush in my hand.”
“I won’t believe that until I see it.” Lucy had the distinct impression that this lady could do anything she set her mind to. And quickly she learned it was true when Morgan told her Jolie was a champion kayaker. It was easy to see his pride in her accomplishments. Tim had always seemed threatened by her success. His greatest wish had been for her to give up her work.
Lucy was so thankful that she hadn’t done that.
Looking at Morgan and Jolie, she had to admit that she envied the bond between them. Their mutual respect spoke volumes.
They all talked about her work some—that it was in galleries and that she also sold prints. She wasn’t Thomas Kinkaid or Norman Rockwell, but she was blessed to have some recognition, giving her the ability to paint full-time.
It wasn’t long before they were all helping carry the large platters of food to the huge table in the dining area. There were so many of them that card tables had been set up to help accommodate them all.
While they were setting the table, Rowdy’s brother Tucker showed up. Introductions were made and she knew before they told her that he had been in the Special Forces. There was just something about the way he carried himself. He still wore a very close-cropped haircut she could see when he removed his Stetson and hung it on the hat rack. Rowdy’s hair was more touchable, run-your-fingers-through-it type. Where both Morgan and Tucker had serious edges to their expressions, Rowdy’s was more open, and—she searched for the right word—light was all that came to mind. Rowdy’s eyes twinkled as he wrestled on the couch with B.J. and Sammy. His infectious laughter had Lucy wanting to join in.
She brought her thoughts up short, realizing that she was comparing Rowdy’s attributes with his brothers’. She had no reason to do that.
No reason and no want to.
Frustrated by her thoughts, Lucy marched back to the kitchen in search of a plate of food to carry. She needed something constructive to do. What was wrong with her, anyway?
Chapter Five
Dinner was a loud affair. But with that many boys crammed beneath one roof, it was to be expected. Rowdy enjoyed watching Lucy’s reactions to the wild bunch. She handled herself pretty well for a newcomer. Then again, how he was handling himself was the question, as he found himself sitting next to her.
He could tell Nana had her eagle eyes trained on them and wondered if she sensed the undercurrent.
He tried to hide his acute interest in Lucy. After all, he’d sworn off women for a while. And she was sorely putting that commitment to the test. What was that verse that kept popping into his mind—“Test me, oh Lord, and try me.” The Lord was doing a bang-up good job of it, and that was for certain. When he got home he was going to find out what the rest of the verse was so he could figure out a nice way to tell the Lord He could lay off. Lucy sitting next to him, at a crowded table, their elbows practically rubbing together, and smelling of something fresh and sweet— Refusing temptation had never been his strong point. He had always gotten low marks.
His dad said the blessing, having come in just before the meal was ready, and Rowdy talked to the Lord and expressed his concerns. When he opened his eyes and glanced to his left, Lucy was looking at him—and for a second he got the feeling she’d been talking to the Lord just as fervently as he had about being forced to sit with him.
* * *
“You’re an artist,” Randolph said, after he finished blessing the food. It was more a statement than a question. “And you’re tearing out and making a studio. How’s that going?”
Rowdy had the feeling she’d been trying hard not to look at him up to this point.
“I’m getting all the ripping out done first before I start the rebuilding, though.”
“Hopefully she’s gonna leave some walls, but it sure is fun knocking them out,” Wes called from his seat at the card table with Joseph and Tony.
“I’m leaving the major walls,” she chuckled, and the sound had him fighting not to lean in closer to her.
“What do you paint?” Caleb asked, his big blue eyes full of curiosity.
“Well, I paint whatever catches my eye—people, flowers, whatever. But I’m known for roads and landscapes.”
“You paint those yellow lines on the roads?” B.J. asked excitedly, and Rowdy was pretty certain the little kid thought that would be the greatest job in the world. Eight-year-olds saw the world in their own way.
“Not exactly. You see, I paint a road in a landscape.” When it was clear he didn’t understand, she added, “You know the gravel road that cuts through the pasture at the entrance of the ranch? Well, I’d paint something like that, when the bluebonnets are in bloom. Or the doves lined up on the telephone lines.”
His brows crinkled up and Rowdy had to hide a chuckle.
“Why would you want to paint a road like that?”
She smiled, making Rowdy want to smile, too, because he was enjoying listening to her.
“Because I’m infatuated with them. I love roads and love pictures of roads that make people want to know where the road leads.”
“But we know the one in the pasture leads here to the ranch,” Sammy interjected, sitting up in his chair.
“But the first time you came here, did you know what was just over the hill? I mean, you could see the roof of this house, but didn’t you wonder what the rest was going to look like? Weren’t you curious what you would see once the car reached the top of the hill? Wasn’t there a sense of wonder?”
“Yeah,” Wes said, his voice trailing low. “I was hoping there would be a horse and, sure enough, there was one tied to the arena saddled and ready when the social worker stopped the car. It was awesome.”
Lucy placed her elbows on the table and leaned closer. “Yes. That’s what I love about a picture of a road—it lets the person viewing it dream their own story. Everyone who looks at a picture of a road sees and feels something different.”
Rowdy got it, and his curiosity was ramped up to view her paintings. He liked the way her mind worked.
“I was hoping I’d find a place where I wouldn’t be sent away.” Tony’s words rang through the silent room.
“And you found that, didn’t you?”
His expression eased. “I found my family.”
“And we are so glad you did.” Nana said what everyone else was thinking.
“I think it would be neat to paint a picture,” Sammy said. “Can we see some of yours sometime?”
“Sure. I’d love to show you when I get some unpacked. I don’t really have much, though. What I’ve painted recently is at the galleries. But I’ve got to get busy because they are waiting on me to turn new work in. There’s an important show coming up and I need something in it.”
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