“How’s the cane practice coming along?” he asked, helping her inside.
“Half the time, I forget about it. In some places, it works great. Since the fire, it’s not comfortable to hold it, Ice, and everything else.”
Ty stopped, took her backpack, folded up the cane, and gently placed her hand on his arm. “Please allow me to act as your guide today.”
“Thanks,” she said, smiling up at him.
He helped her into his truck, placed Icein the back seat, and then got inside. “I hope you’re hungry. Lunch won’t take long to fix. I marinated the meat and prepped the veggies.”
“What did you make? Specifically, what did you conjure up for dessert?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise. Do you like horses? After lunch, we can go for a ride,” he suggested, glancing over at her. The new haircut fit her, and the gloss on her lips reminded him of the glaze he added to the top of his desserts, and he desperately wanted to lick it off.
“I’ve only ridden one horse before, and he went round and around on a metal thingy. I don’t know if it constitutes riding one,” she confessed.
“Uh, no. I’m taking you on a real horse, and we’ll see the ranch together.”
“Ty?” she said tentatively. “I hate to break it to you now, but I’m blind. I can’t see anything.”
“Do you remember your colors?”
“Yeahhh,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Then we’re golden. I’ll be your eyes today. Let’s start with my ranch. We’re about to turn on a long road. The trees create a canopy leading to my home. It’s a one-story house, white with a black metal roof. I like the sound of the rain. Windows surround it, offering a spectacular view of the mountains. My mom came over and planted window boxes on my front porch. I know my herbs, but not flowers. They’re red, yellow, and white. In her words, ‘They add a pop of color.’”
Scarlett laughed as he mimicked his mother’s voice. “Wow. Do you not like them?”
“They’re perfectly fine. She doesn’t understand by the time I do chores, get to the restaurant, prepare the desserts, and make the menus, I don’t have time to water plants. She’ll come for a visit, shake her head at me, and give me the disappointed mom smirk. Before she leaves, the boxes will becleared of the dead, whatever plants, and a new set will take their place.”
“Awww, she sounds sweet,” Scarlett said. “My mom worries about everything. Every month, while I served, she sent me boxes. She read somewhere a list of things military people wish they received. In every one, she sent a package of underwear, ten pairs of socks. Ten tubes of toothpaste because she’s sure they don’t carry it in the desert. At one point, I had enough beef jerky to last me six months.”
“She sounds wonderful,” he said, turning down the long drive.
“Yes, she is. Since the accident, she’s taken it to a whole new level. I’m not allowed to go anywhere in the house. I feel like the cows. By the time I get home, she’ll have a bell around my neck,” Scarlett said. “I don’t have the heart to hurt her.”
“It sounds like she got scared and wanted to put a bubble around her little girl.” Ty took her hand. “I grew up in a multifamily household until I turned fourteen. My grandparents and aunt lived with us. She was blind due to a birth defect. They refused to allow her anywhere near the kitchen. My father built an addition on the house for them to live in, and my aunt stayed on our side. In the evenings, he taught her how to cook, sort her laundry, and live on her own. Dad firmly believed in independence.”
“What did your grandparents say when they found out?”
“My grandfather passed away. After losing him, my grandmother never seemed the same. She seemed surprised, but at seeing my aunt happy, I think she figured life was too short,” he said, pulling into his garage.
“I’ll be back. I have a cat. He’s used to the dogs on the ranch, but they sleep outside to watch the herd,” he told her, before going into the house.
He returned a minute later. Opening thedoor, he released Ice, who waited for Scarlett. She slid from her seat and right into his arms. His hands slid down her back, thinking she belonged there, before he stepped back, handing her Ice’s leash.
“Welcome to my home, Scarlett,” he murmured. “We’re in the garage. You’ll find the entrance to my house to the left and forward.”
She followed his directions until she found the knob and turned the handle. An incredible scent drifted from the kitchen. “I’m starving. Whatever you made smells delicious,” she gushed.
“To the left, you’ll find my living room. To the right, you’ll find my kitchen. As you can imagine, I love dabbling at home. It’s my favorite part of the house.” He led her to a stool at the island. Ice sat at her feet. Ty opened the fridge and poured something into a glass.
“I didn’t know if you drank alcohol or not. I made you a mocktail.” Placing it in her hand. “The counter’s directly in front of you. Do you like bruschetta?”
“Yes. I’m not a picky eater. I love trying new foods,” she said, sipping her drink.
“If you don’t like anything, don’t eat or drink it. It’ll hurt my feelings more if you eat something you don’t like,” he said, adding olive oil, salt, and some garlic to the slices of bread and placing them onto the grill on his stove.
She held her hand up in the air. “I solemnly swear always to give you my honest opinion about your food. By the way, this drink tastes refreshing.”
