Page 55 of Someone to Hold

Luke sniffs, and it feels like my heart is shattering into a million pieces. “But if I was more like Laurel or liked soccer…”

Tears stream down my cheeks. I swipe them away, blinkinghard because I can’t let him see me like this. Then I hear Chase’s steady voice again. It feels like a lifeline, and not just for my son.

“You’re doing fine just the way you are, Luke. You’re a good kid with a big heart. Heck, even Princess likes you, and she doesn’t like anyone but me.”

That earns a smile. “She scratched Laurel the other day,” Luke says, then shifts his weight like he’s guilty of something. “We went into the trailer when you were gone, but we didn’t mess up anything. We just wanted to pet the cat.”

“You’re welcome to visit Princess anytime.” Chase doesn’t sound mad, and my already gooey heart melts a little more. “She’s got a soft spot for you.” There’s a pause before he adds, “For the record, there are a lot of things you can do in life besides soccer.”

“I hate soccer,” Luke blurts. “What’s the point of playing a game with a ball if you can’t touch it with your hands?”

“I’m with you on that one,” Chase agrees, and they both laugh.

“Hey there, kiddo,” I say gently as I step inside the barn. “Your sister’s working hard on her homework. You got yours done?”

He turns, squinting at me in the afternoon light spilling into the barn. “Mommy, when are you gonna let me ride Fancy?”

I blink. “I didn’t know you wanted to ride Fancy. I thought that was your sister’s thing.”

He shrugs. “I could try.”

“I thought you were scared.” The words come out before I can stop them, and I instantly regret it.

He glances at Chase, then back at me. “I’m kind of scared. But I still want to try.”

My chest tightens as the bravery of my seven-year-old son levels me.

Chase steps in smoothly. “When your mom says it’s okay, you and your sister can start lessons.”

Luke’s face lights up, a soft, hopeful glow I don’t often see in his gaze. It’s enough to make my heart catch.

“Ridinglessons?” Luke repeats, putting extra emphasis on the last word. “The boys in class asked if I was taking lessons from you.”

Chase winks. “I’m not the one you’ve got to convince, kid.”

My son spins and bolts toward me.

“Please, Mommy. I’ll do all my homework and help you in the greenhouse without complaining. And clean my room.”

“You already keep your room clean,” I remind him.

“I’ll keep it cleaner.”

I tip his chin up, and his big eyes lock on mine. “If Chase is willing, riding lessons sound like a great idea.”

“Thank you, thank you.” He throws his arms around me, my crutches clattering to the ground as he hugs me tight. “I gotta tell Laurel.”

He pulls back, his eyes shining, then glances toward Chase. “I’ll clean the stalls, too.”

Chase smiles. “That’s a solid offer. A lot of cowboys started out mucking stalls.”

“Cowboy,” Luke whispers, like it’s the most magical word in the world. “I’m gonna be a cowboy.”

And just like that, he takes off, footsteps echoing as he disappears out of the barn.

“I think seven’s a little early to lock in a career path,” I say as I bend to retrieve the crutches.

“Don’t worry,” he tells me. “He’ll grow out of it.” He’s absentmindedly stroking Fancy’s neck, the horse leaning into his touch like she was made for it. How pathetic am I that a little part of me is jealous of a horse?