“He was ten years older than Betty, but the way he told the story,” Mom said with a smile, “he fell head over heels in love the moment he saw her. He asked her out, and the rest is history.”
“So did she stay in town to help her mother with the store?” Vivianne asked.
David nodded. “She did. Her mom begged her to go, but Lisa wouldn’t even hear of it. She still helps her mother run the store. We write, and I call her now and then. She seems happy. Says she doesn’t have any regrets.”
Vivianne sniffled, and for a second, I thought she might cry. “What a wonderful and selfless thing to do for her mother.”
David gave her a soft smile. “Yeah, she’s a terrific girl.”
“Young lady,” my mother stated. “She’s not a girl any longer.”
“Better get the toast going, Ladd. Everything is about done,” Dad said as he put the jar of jam, along with butter and honey, on the table.
“Can I at least help with setting the table?” Vivianne asked.
Dad grinned. “Come on, kid, you can help me do it.”
Vivianne
Breakfast was filled with laughter and stories about the boys. Nellie and Gus did their best to embarrass their kids, but all they did was laugh and reminisce about when they were younger. The trouble the four of them got into was insane, and I couldn’t help but wonder how Nellie didn’t have a full head of gray hair.
After eating, I was able to convince Nellie to let me help her clean and do the dishes while the guys helped their father with some things on the ranch. She was such a wonderful mother, and she was treating me as if I were a member of her family. My emotions got the best of me when she hugged me, kissed my cheek, and thanked me for helping. I was fighting back tears, so I excused myself to get ready for the upcoming ride.
Now I was standing at the window in my bedroom, looking down at David, Ladd, and Gus as they walked toward the barn. They were laughing, and Gus pulled Ladd to him and pretended to sock him in the stomach as Ladd pushed his father away.
Hugging my arms around my body, I closed my eyes. I had no concept of what it might be like to have parents wholoved you and wanted to spend time with you. Parents who didn’t judge you for mistakes you’ve made…or disown you for them.
As I opened my eyes, I felt the tears fall. But when a light knock came at the door, I quickly wiped them away and said, “Come in!”
I turned to see Nellie opening the door and peeking in. “Vivianne, sweetheart…is everything okay?”
Forcing myself to smile, I replied, “Yep! I was mentally preparing myself for the ride.”
Nellie was dressed in riding pants and a sweater. She held what looked like a pair of riding gloves in her hands. Or I was guessing that’s what they were.
“Ladd said you’d need some riding gloves.”
I nodded and made my way across the room. “I don’t have riding pants, so I hope my jeans are okay.”
She gave me a once-over and grinned. “They’re just fine. Do you have a lightweight winter coat?”
I pointed to the coat on the bed.
“That’s perfect.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time.”
She reached for my hand and gently squeezed it. “Somehow, I don’t think those tears are because you’re nervous about going riding.”
Pressing my lips together tightly, I shook my head, fighting back more tears.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said, pulling me to her and wrapping me up in a hug that felt so gentle and loving, I lost the fight and the dam broke.
It wasn’t a soft cry; it was a full-on blubbering sob.
“Goodness, Vivianne. What has you so upset, sweetheart?”
I drew back and stepped away, trying to get my emotions under control. “I’m so sorry,” I said between sniffles. “I didn’t mean to break down like that.”
