“Pop, this is Selena.”
“Pleasure to meet ya, darlin’, Frank Martin.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Martin.”
“Please, call me Frank or Pop.”
“All right, Frank.” I don’t feel quite comfortable yet calling him Pop.
He smiles, taking the backpack from my hands that Justin bought for me this morning to put what I own inside. Which isn’t much. I’d taken nothing from my father’s home when I left except for the only photo I had of my mother that had been safely tucked between the pages of a Bible I read daily.
I tried to leave the memories of that horrible place behind too but it seems they were intent to follow me into my dreams. I woke up twice last night, shaking and sweating, thinking it was all a dream and I was back in that awful place again. Thankfully, Justin had been in a deep sleep due to the pain medication they were giving him so I didn’t disturb him. I’d lain awake and watched him sleep for hours, mesmerized by the peaceful look on his face. The way his long lashes fanned his cheeks. The rise and fall of his chest.
Even in slumber, he makes me feel safe.
In addition to my photo and Bible, one of the nurses at the hospital, Ginger, had been kind enough to bring me a change of clothes, along with a new toothbrush, small hairbrush, deodorant, and a pair of new underwear. I was beyond grateful for those simple items. Everything I own is right there in that tiny backpack, and though it saddens me greatly, it also gives me hope.
“Let’s get the hell outta here, boy, airports make me nervous,” Pop says as he collects Justin’s duffle bag, throwing it over his shoulder and walking out of the exit.
Justin reaches for my hand, curling his fingers safely around mine as we follow Pop to the parking lot.
Bluebonnet Ranch is located only a few miles outside of the city of Dallas but it’s like stepping into another world. A world I am familiar with. The sprawling home and acreage are breathtaking. It reminds me of Iowa, green grass, tall trees, and fresh country air. The sun is just beginning to set as we pull up, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the southern sky.
“Home sweet home,” Pop says as he kills the engine then turns to face us in the backseat. “I need to go do my nightly chores. Catch up with you two later.” Then his kind eyes focus solely on me. “Make yourself at home, Selena. What’s ours is yours.” A nod and wink and he’s out of the truck, hopping onto an ATV, kicking up dust in his wake.
Those few words settle around my heart like a warm fire. Justin opens the door and helps me from the back, retrieving my backpack and handing it to me.
As we walk inside from the garage, the smell of cedar and apples infiltrates my nose along with the sound of claws clicking across the hardwood. A black and tan dog rushes us, lifting on his hind legs to greet Justin. He releases my hand to scratch the beast’s head right under his ears.
“Hey, boy, miss me?” Justin chuckles as the dog licks his chin. “This is Rosco. Our prize coonhound and the only one we keep inside. He looks big and scary, and he can be if there is a threat, but other than that he’s nothing more than a big ole baby.”
“He’s very large.”
“You should see his papa.”
Rosco falls back down to all fours and moves toward me, I take a tentative step back.
“It’s okay,” Justin says quietly, “he won’t hurt you, I promise.”
He reaches for my hand that I now have clutched tight to my chest. I resist at first but his gentle touch eases my fear a little as he lowers it right in front of Rosco’s wet nose. Rosco sniffs then licks my clenched fist. I relax my hand and Justin places it on top of the large animal’s head. Rosco sits while I smooth my palm over his soft, slick fur.
“See?” Rosco’s tail wags back and forth against the wood floor. “He likes you.”
I smile, the tension in my muscles easing a little.
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house then your room. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
As soon as the words leave his mouth, I feel the weight of the last few days crash down around me. The lack of sleep last night didn’t help either.
Walking farther into the home, I can tell right away there is a lot of love here. The kitchen and living area are massive and open. Tons of framed photos adorn the walls and every flat surface available. The home is decorated with a masculine feel, deer heads and ducks mounted high on the walls, but there are feminine touches throughout as well, floral drapes and throw pillows, and a large comfy afghan lining the back of the couch. One wall is covered in bookcases holding tons of books with worn spines and little trinkets scattered along the shelves.
“Does your grandmother live here as well?”
“No, she passed away a long time ago. Soon after Pop had his heart attack and I came to stay with him until he recovered, but once he did, I didn’t want to leave.”
“I wouldn’t want to leave either. This is a beautiful home, Justin.”
“It’s your home now, too.”
