Reuniting with the Rancher (Silver Creek Ranch)

8. No Promises

8

NO PROMISES

GREYSON

He went to see about Caleb and give Lily some space.

If he was being honest, he needed space, too. He needed to get out of this house and put some sweat therapy in and it arrived as a moving truck trundling up the lane toward Lily’s cottage. He finished up the quick meal he’d helped Caleb finish making and made a plate for Lily.

Greyson panicked when he saw she’d left the office, but instinct led him to Ivy’s room where he found a sleeping Lily curled up in Ivy’s bed clutching one of her stuffies, her face still wet. He was dumbstruck as he took in the scene in front of him. She looked so much like Ivy, it almost brought him to his knees. She’d lost so much. There was no way they could navigate this on their own.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, he texted the therapist from Silver Creek and arranged for him to stop by later in the week. Then he took a moment to set the plate on the nightstand and covered her with a blanket, kissing her on the shoulder. Stunned at his own actions, he almost ran out of the room trying to put distance between them.

Draven and Rayne, buddies from his time recovering at Silver Creek Ranch, were putting the final touches on the beds while their women, Cashea and Billie, sorted out bedding.

Raina and her granddaughter went to work in the kitchen, making moves around him and Caleb as they got to the bottom of the slow drains in the kitchen and bathrooms.

“It’s no use Boogie. I think we’ve got to dig up the pipe out back. I bet it’s gonna need to be replaced. Ever operate a backhoe before?”

The kid’s eyes were wide with excitement, and despite everything going on, Grey couldn’t help but smile back.

“Well, whatever you’re going to do, do it quick,” Raina fussed. “I can’t believe you forgot to have this cottage cleaned and aired out. Some way to welcome someone you’re paying peanuts of their worth.”

“Lily’s not pampered princess,” he said with a laugh. “She once shoved her purse in front of Caleb so he could throw up in it.”

“Eww, really?” Caleb looked horrified.

“Yep, right in the middle of the Dollar Store. She was buying Christmas presents, and that’s when we discovered you were allergic to fruit punch.”

“It’s the dyes,” Caleb muttered, scratching the back of his head as he snuck a glance over at Raina’s granddaughter.

“Well, her luxurious sheets say otherwise,” Cashea said, as she came out of the bedroom. “That’s a bed fit for a queen. Makes me want to pull a Goldilocks.”

The reminder of the difference in her life now slid the smile right off his face. “Yeah, we should… we should get to it.”

LILY

For the first time in months, she had a restful sleep. It was like her brain shut off and she just drifted in darkness for… checking her watch…SIX HOURS?! She sat up so quick she forgot where she was for a moment.

Ivy.

She looked around again at the turquoise and lime room with a wide grin. It was preteen perfection, with its bed full of stuffies and bookcases full of books and awards. Ivy was a smart cookie who loved animals. Lily wouldn’t be surprised if she became a veterinarian.

Thoughts of Caleb were the only thing that got to leave the room. The still house and setting sun that greeted her made her nervous, and she set out to find her Boogie.

“Your chariot awaits, Dr. Belmont,” Raina said as she looked up from the book she was reading and waved her over to the very nice golf cart she sat in. “I’m supposed to take you back to your cottage if you’re ready.”

Lily grinned as she limped over, grateful for the ride. She’d overdone it the last few days and, being without a reliable physical therapist, she felt like she was going backwards on her progress.

“Want to drive? Get used to using it?” Raina offered.

“Oh, I’ve driven these before on tour–tour of wineries n’ such,” Lily corrected as she slid onto the driver's seat and Raina scooted over.

“What are you reading?” she asked to further distract Raina from her slip up.

“Rereading Michelle Midnight’s series again. She hasn’t released new books now in forever. They are my comfort reads.”

“I haven’t been able to read for pleasure in years. I’ll add them to my list.”

As she came around the bend, the cottage came into view and she smiled big. The porch was now a cozy oasis with the chairs and all weather rugs she’d selected. Pretty plants in colorful planters offered cheery pops of colors.

“The boss wanted to help you all get settled, especially after you had to spend yesterday cleaning. It was supposed to be ready when you arrived.”

“Oh gosh, thank you,” she said quietly. She quickly parked the cart and moved inside with Raina pointing out the additions Greyson and his friends had made to the home. Seeing her artwork carefully set against the longest wall, she smiled.

“You gotta feel the vibe first,” she whispered to herself.

“We ran into one problem,” Raina said, as she rushed ahead of her to the kitchen. “The slow drains are because of tree roots in the drainpipe. Caleb has been quite the helper to Grey. That’s one good kid.”

“He’s the best,” Lily agreed as she looked out the window over the sink. “He’s not old enough to operate a tractor!”

“That’s a backhoe,” Raina called out as Lily moved to the backdoor ready to tear Greyson a new one. She was Caleb’s guardian. He should have asked her permission. Caleb was a child…He was…

“…handling that backhoe like he’s been doing it all of his life.”

She watched the last twenty minutes of his work, with Grey patiently sitting beside him, every so often pointing things out, but for the most part, he let Caleb work. And her nephew, whose fingers played Chopin and Hendrix with artistry, applied the same depth and focus to John Deere.

By the time they finished, the moon was rising and Raina had brought out the sweetest, freshest lemonade and some simple but delicious sandwiches. They sat together eating, chatting, and waiting for the guys to finish.

Soon enough, Caleb and Greyson were climbing down and turning off the industrial lights that illuminated the area. Caleb, eyes alight, grinned from ear to ear.

“Did you see that Auntie? We had to dig to check out the pipe, which was filled with old paint and tree roots. Then we cut it out, replaced it, and Grey let me fill in by myself!”

“I saw Boog. You looked legit out there.”

“Ooh, food!”

“Wash up first.”

“Wash up first.”

Lily and Greyson met eyes after they spoke in unison, stopping Caleb in mid reach.

“But I’m hungry…”

“Then you better hurry, man,” Greyson said good-naturedly.

“Here, have a sip,” Lily said, holding up her lemonade and straw. Caleb took two long drags, emptying it and cracking his aunt up.

“Oh, that’s goood,” he said with a smile before galloping off into the house.

“Well, I’m going to get going,” Raina said as she slapped her hands against her thighs and stood. “These are yours Doc.”

Lily caught the keys to the golf cart. “But–”

“The ranch is a big place. You need to get around safely while you continue to heal,” Greyson interrupted her.

“This is as good as it’s going to get unless I lose a hundred pounds, according to the last two physical therapists I worked with,” Lily said with a shrug.

“What?!” Grey growled.

“Well, that sounds like bullshit,” Raina offered, disgruntled. “Grey, I’m going to call the PT over at Silver Creek and have him come on out. Those guys are Grey’s size and bigger, and he’s done phenomenal work. I’ll text you and let you know when he can come.”

And before Lily could say anything else, Raina had taken off up the path around the cottage. She and Grey stared at each other awkwardly.

“Would you like a sandwich? I didn’t make them, but it’s the least I can do for everything you’ve done today… Everything.”

“I–I should go Lily, let you and Caleb get some rest. I’ll be back with some of the guys to finish up. Is nine okay?”

Lily swallowed a surprising amount of disappointment and nodded.

Grey looked like he was going to say something else, but turned his focus to her phone. “Put in my number in case you need anything.”

“Grey, I quit.”

“Lily, Ivy comes home in a month. I figured this is the best place to be to prepare for that. Plus, I didn’t accept your resignation and your contract requires you to work to the end of the term except in case of dire injury.”

She had no intentions of leaving, not when Ivy would be a hop and skip away. Shoot, she’d move herself and Caleb in her baby’s room if she didn’t think it would be creepy for the kid. But still…

“You don’t like me deciding for you,” he said, reading her mind.

“My contract also states unfavorable working relationships and this…”

“Is workable,” he stated flatly. “We are both adults, with a child together. Finish your contract and that frees us both up to focus on the kids and our students.”

She noticed he said kids, and she appreciated him thinking of Caleb.

Grrr…

Her phone buzzed in her hand, and Ivy’s face popped up, making a duck face. Her heart stopped. Six more photos came in rapid succession as Greyson walked into the night.

“This discussion is not over,” she whispered to his back.

The next day, the late afternoon sun was dipping behind the hills, casting a beautiful glow over the ranch. Dust swirled around Lily and Greyson as they stared at the half-assembled swinging bench before them. A late arrival, the bench was the perfect addition among the flowers off the back porch and she couldn’t wait to see it set up. She could see students gathering there, bonding over music.

The men from Silver Creek had already left. They were nice and hardworking. Cashea was hilarious, and she’d truly enjoyed their company. Cashea made her promise to come out to the local bar - the Hen House on Fridays for a good time.

Going out always carried a risk of being recognized, but she figured the chances were small. It was times like this she was happy her alter ego, LaLa Fair, was such a different person and personality than Lily. And with her voice trashed…LaLa was fading further from her real life. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

“Okay,” Lily said, planting her hands on her hips. “We lift on three. I’ll balance it with my good leg, and you... well, you just don’t drop it.”

Greyson rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

They both bent down to lift the large wooden beam. Lily gritted her teeth against the pain in her leg while Greyson struggled with the stiffness in his left arm. As they tried to maneuver the heavy piece into place, his grip faltered.

The bench slipped from his hands and landed in the dirt with a loud thud. Before either of them could react, the weight of the beam shifted, tipping sideways and sending a wave of muddy water from a nearby puddle splashing all over both of them.

For a moment, they stood there in stunned silence, mud dripping down their faces and clothes.

Then Lily snorted.

She tried to hold it in, but what was the point? She shook with giggles.

“You’re laughing?” Greyson asked, wiping mud off his face with an annoyed swipe of his hand.

Lily doubled over, gasping for breath between laughs. “I’m sorry... but that? That was funny!”

Greyson’s mouth twitched, and despite himself, he let out a small chuckle.

She shook her head, still grinning. “I think the bench wins. I give up.”

As her laughter died down, she noticed the hard set of Greyson’s jaw. He rubbed at his left arm, his frustration evident. “It’s my fault,” he muttered. “I still feel like half the man?—”

“Stop.” Lily cut him off, her voice soft but firm. “You’re not half of anything. This ranch is a lot of work for anyone, that bench is heavy as hell, and we’re both a little, well, a lot banged up. That doesn’t make you any less.”

Greyson glanced away, jaw tight. “You don’t know what it’s like. Every day it’s a reminder that I’ll never be the man I used to be.”

Lily’s smile faded, replaced by a quiet empathy. She gently touched his arm and led him to the back porch steps. He held her hand as she lowered herself onto the step, then he sat down roughly. “I do know. So, IED?” she asked gently.

For a moment, he said nothing, staring out at the horizon as the memories washed over him. “The explosion took out half the convoy, and the rest of us... were trapped. There was fuel everywhere and the whole thing just went up in flames.”

He paused, his dark brown eyes growing distant as he relived the nightmare. “We managed to pull a few guys out... Not everyone could be saved… The fire spread so fast, and I got caught in it. Burns covered half my body by the time they got me out.”

Lily’s heart ached at the pain in his voice. She reached out, hesitating for just a moment before placing her hand lightly on his good arm. “I’m so sorry, Greyson.”

He studied her. “I’ve been through therapy; done everything I’m supposed to. But it doesn’t change the fact that this,”—he gestured to the burns on his arm and chest and down to his unseen legs—“is who I am now. And no amount of ranch work or pretending otherwise is going to change that.”

Lily sat quietly beside him, the mud drying on them as she absorbed his words. “You’re not defined by your scars,” she said softly. “You’re still here. Still fighting. And that counts for something.”

Greyson huffed a short, humorless laugh. “You sound like my therapist.”

“You can’t afford me,” she teased lightly, giving him a small smile. “You’re already getting a deal for the students… Listen, we’ve all got scars, Grey. Life is an ass kicker, the scars, the changes shows we’re still in this.”

He considered her for a moment, then his gaze flickered to her leg, and the limp she couldn’t hide, especially the last two days. His expression softened. “What about you?” he asked quietly. “The accident left you... with more than meets the eye, huh?”

Lily’s smile faltered as her eyes found purchase on the ground. “I—” she started, but the words seemed to catch in her throat.

Greyson’s brows furrowed in concern. “Lily?—”

“I’m not ready to talk about it,” she cut him off, her voice tight. She swallowed hard, blinking away the all too familiar sting in her eyes. “Not yet. You know I used to have a beautiful body. Thick and smooth like silk. Now…well parts of me look more like crushed velvet. No more mini skirts.” She shrugged.

Greyson nodded slowly. “Okay. Whenever you’re ready.”

Lily gave him a small, grateful nod. Silence stretched between them again, but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as before. They sat side by side, both broken in their own ways, both quietly understanding that their wounds, all of them, would take time.

Finally, Greyson stood, attempting to brush the dirt and mud from his pants. “We should get this bench finished before midnight.”

“You’re not taking my resignation on that either, huh?” Lily shook her head and took his outstretched hand, wincing slightly as she rose to her feet. “Ok…let’s cool it on the mud baths this time. My face is already flawless.”

He smirked, the tension between them softening. “No promises.”