Buy a Cowboy (23 page)
He settled behind his coffee cup, focusing on the saucer. Humor touched him as Gil continued reminiscing. “I didn't know you were kin to Carl. He never mentioned you.”
“He was my wife's grandfather.”
“Wow, I'm glad you survived. God must have had something planned for you.”
Lifting his concentration from his coffee cup, Baya focused his full attention on Gil. “Do you think God really cares what happens to us?”
Gil shifted uneasily, nodding his head. “Seems kind of crazy talking to someone like you. But yeah.”
“Like me?”
“I'd never be able to climb on a bull and ride it. You're practically a legend.”
“A legend?”
“No one has ever survived an attack like that. Then, they say, you unplugged yourself from life support and walked out of the hospital.”
Baya snorted again. “That's just not true. I was never hooked up to life support.”
“The papers say you checked yourself out,” Gil insisted.
“Rodeo riders can't get insurance to pay for hospital stays,” he confessed, hunched over his cup. “I won't ever ride againânot bulls, anyway. But, I kind of like being a rancher.” He paused, trying to organize his swirling thoughts. “Bonnie truly thinks God is interested in people. Pastor George mentioned it a time or two also. It's an intriguing thought.”
“You're alive.” Gil slurped some coffee and popped a piece of brownie in his mouth. “And you shouldn't be. I saw that attack. And you own the prettiest valley ranch around. I'd say God has been working overtime.”
Baya glanced across the table and caught Bonnie watching him. Suddenly, he was playing with another coffee cup in a Florida diner. It permeated him, the smell of fries and flash cooked meats, the nervous tension in his gut as he observed Dick sitting across the table in the restaurant, the warmth and strength he first recognized when Bonnie came through the door.
I love her.
The thought filled him, settling welcomed warmth through his chest. He tried to force himself to pay attention to his visitor, but he simply couldn't think of ranching while he was bursting to talk to his wife. Not even talk, he just wanted to sit beside her and be.
Gil's smile grew at the looks that skittered between Baya and Bonnie. He bounced Brad on his knee once more before standing. “It's time to leave, Carol. Tomorrow's a school day.”
His wife agreed and moved with Bonnie outside. They rang the big dinner bell while making plans to meet again.
The kids ran to gather on the porch, though Daniel and Dave paired off and reappeared with handfuls of brownies for everyone.
Bonnie waved as the big truck pulled away, then she chased the kids inside to begin their homework before returning
“Is something wrong?”
He shook his head.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking at you.”
“Why?”
“Now there's a question.” He pulled her gently to sit on the swing. “You're beautiful.”
She gave a halfhearted chuckle.
“You're a marvelous mother.”
She watched him warily.
“An incomparable cook.”
“What do you want?”
“Nothing. I have everything I ever wanted.” He stared contentedly into the gathering dusk. “Gil said something that made me take a careful look at my life. He told me: âYou're alive, and you shouldn't be. God's working overtime.' And, I reckon he is.”
Dusk shimmered to a deeper hue as they nestled silently on the porch. Time wrapped them in shadows and peace.
“Cowboy?”
Startled from his contemplation, Baya bent over her. “Yeah?”
“Are you sorry we bought you?” The teasing tone she strove for came out tense. “I mean⦔ Her voice petered out.
“No, I'm not sorry, Bonnie. I have never been as happy as I am today. Remember when you said you could love me, that day on the stairs?”
She nodded.
“That really threw me for a loop, and I got scared. Then Ed pulled his little stunt in Florida, and I realized love and responsibility are entwined. It's a task I was unsure of shouldering. Yet, when it happened, there was no hesitating. I knew, without regret or fear, what to do. I love you, Bonnie. I love the kids. This is my home, and I owe having this home to you. If you want to say you bought me, you can. But, I think God brought you to me.”
Tears filled her eyes. “And Dick,” she teased.
“Don't push it, darlin',” he drawled and kissed her gently. He rubbed his face against her. “I love you.”
She kissed him back. “I love you, too.”
“Mom, do I have to bathe tonight? Faith said I did.” Daniel's face was pressed against the screen door as his crushed features tried to peer into the settling dusk.
She pulled back from Baya's embrace. “Yes, Daniel, you have to bathe.”
“Told you.” Faith's voice drifted out of the dining room.
“Just because you're older doesn't mean you know everything.”
“You stink,” Hope shouted after him as she moved past the open door.
“Aw, you're just a baby.”
“Am not.”
“Goodnight, Mom. âNight, Baya.” Faith's hair fanned around her as she paused in the doorway before twirling silently to follow the other two up the stairs.
Bonnie continued to lean her head against Baya's neck.
“It will be this way for the next ten or twelve years. Noisy and child-filled.”
“I wouldn't feel so content if it weren't.”
They were silent for long moments as the stars began making pinpoint debuts in the purple depths of the sky.
Standing, Bonnie took his hand. “I have to clean the kitchen first.”
“And tuck in the kids,” he supplied.
She smiled shyly. “Then we can turn in for the night.”
He pulled her into the warmth of his arms, absorbing the essence of his wife. “I'll come help.”
She slipped her hand in his, leading him inside.
Little did she know--or maybe she did--he didn't mind being bought, lock, stock and barrel.
He grinned as his gaze swept over the barn for the last time this evening. He looked up at the stars.
Home. Thank God, I'm home.
Thank You
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