Her Hometown Hero (10 page)

“Like in the nursery rhyme when Jill tumbled down the hill after Jack?”

“Yep. We need to go slow and easy like we did coming up.”

She chuckled. “I love that you’re including you in the ‘we.’”

“Personally I ought to leave Howard to get everything started. He’s the one who roped me into doing this. He’s the one who invited everyone back today.”

“Probably because he’s starting to panic. We have a lot to do to get the barn ready for the hoedown.” Kit started to descend.

“Wait. This time I’ll go ahead of you, and I hope you mentioning Jack and Jill doesn’t mean anything.”

Thirty minutes later, Nate gave Kit a leg up onto Cinnamon, and then he mounted Dynamite.

“Let’s walk the horses back to the barn and give my brother time to have everything organized. I’ll need to stop by the cabin and get Lexie. I promised her she could go if she behaves.”

“In a short time you’ve wrapped that dog around your little finger.”

“No, it’s the other way around. Thank you again for thinking of getting me a dog.”

“You’re welcome, Kit.”

Side by side they rode together across the pasture, toward the newer black barn in the distance. A thoughtful expression descended on her face. At times like this he wished he knew what she was thinking. The morning had gone well, so why the pensive look?

That question nagged him all the way back, and while Kit went to her cabin to get Lexie, he strolled toward the old barn, realizing he was ten minutes late and everyone had arrived except Steven. As Nate dove into the work that needed to be done, he glimpsed Steven getting out of an SUV, slamming the door hard and storming toward the barn. Daniel Case parked the car and climbed from it, glaring at his son.

Nate walked toward Steven’s dad. “Are you going to be able to stay and help?”

The man evened out his angry expression and peered at Nate. “I was going to, but...” He sought his son out in the group of teens inside the large double doors to the barn. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

“Is there a problem? Maybe I can help. Steven’s been a big help. He’s volunteered to paint the stage backdrop. What I’ve seen so far is great.”

Daniel Case snorted. “That’s the problem.”

“Doing the backdrop?”

“He told me on the way over here that he’s taking art next year. He’ll have an extra hour because he quit football and his mother signed his class schedule right before school was out, okaying the change.” A nerve in his jaw jerked. “He prefers drawing over football. What has gotten into him? I know he talks to you. I know you used to play ball. Why haven’t you talked some sense into him? I can’t, and my wife supports Steven.”

“I understand Steven doesn’t like playing football. In high school I had a friend like him. When his heart wasn’t in the game, he got careless and was injured. He ended up out the whole season with a torn rotator cuff. Sad that his father tried to get the doctor to let him play with it that way,” Nate couldn’t resist adding.

The glare directed at Steven drilled into Nate. “Have you been filling my son with this nonsense? Is this why he feels that way? Football is good for him. It teaches him sportsmanship and how to be part of a team.”

Nate waved his arm toward the barn and the kids Steven was working with. “It seems to me he’s learning that right now. In fact, he’s in charge of the scenery and displaying good leadership qualities.”

Daniel’s face turned red. He opened and closed his mouth. “Tell Steven I’ll come back and pick him up in three hours.”

“I hope you’ll reconsider staying.”

The man swung around and tramped back to his SUV. While he pulled out, gravel went flying, his tires screeching.

Chapter Ten

A
s Kathleen stepped out of the cabin with Lexie trotting next to her, she couldn’t get the morning out of her mind. No, she hadn’t reached the top of the ridge, but so much had happened. She had gone farther than any other time all by herself without falling to the ground. Was it because Nate was behind her as a safety net? She was getting so used to him being around. She was becoming dependent on him. Thinking about him first thing in the morning and the last at night.

Then when he said her name—Kit, the one she grew up with—it felt right. She wasn’t Kathleen Somers anymore. That name was associated with her ballet career and New York.

The noise of a car speeding from the old barn area warned her right before it barreled around the bend in the road, heading toward her and Lexie. Afraid her dog would run out in front of it rather than move to the side with her, Kathleen—no, Kit—quickly bent over and scooped Lexie up into her arms, but the sudden action caused her to lose her balance. She fell, rolling into the small ditch nearby.

Stunned, she checked Lexie for injuries. The poodle barked and licked her. Reassured, she struggled to sit up, hugging Lexie against her as she tried to get her bearings. The driver of the SUV slammed on his brakes, coming to a stop a few yards down the road. While she closed her eyes and composed herself, the sound of a door closing came to her. She wished the man would leave. With her nerves jiggling, she didn’t want to deal with him.

“Are you okay?”

Go away. Please.
Her left side took most of the impact when she hit the ground. Now it was beginning to throb.

“Ma’am, should I get you some help?”

She opened her eyes and stared up at the middle-aged man wearing a look of concern as he squatted near her.

Lexie growled.

“Shh, girl. It’s all right,” Kit finally said, rubbing her cheek against her dog, then lifting her gaze to the stranger, probably a parent of one of the teens helping with the shindig. “This is a working ranch with children. No one drives over twenty miles an hour on this road.” To his credit, the man looked properly abashed. She put Lexie on the ground next to her. “Stay.”

Her dog sat, waiting.

“Here, let me help you up.” The man stood and held his hand out.

Not sure what to do, Kit just stared at him. She didn’t want to struggle to get up with a stranger, especially since she didn’t know if she’d hurt her left leg. What if it didn’t work right?

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She started to reply when she heard Nate say, “Kit, what happened?” as he raced toward her.

“I fell, but I’m fine.”

When Nate stopped next to her, he turned his attention to the driver. “Did something happen? The way you drove away from the barn was reckless. Are you the reason she fell?” Nate’s hands curled and uncurled by his side.

The man dropped his head. “I was angry and...”

“And what? Not thinking?” Nate kept his tone and expression even, the only sign of his state of mind was his fists at his sides.

“I wasn’t.” The man shifted his gaze to Kit. “I’m sorry. Please let me help you up.”

She exchanged a look with Nate, hoping he picked up on her need to do it herself or at the least without a stranger looking.

“I’ll take care of Kit. I think you should leave, but don’t forget to pick up Steven. Football isn’t worth this anger between the two of you. No game is.”

Steven’s dad mumbled his apology again and trudged toward his SUV. When he drove away, he kept his car at an appropriate speed.

Nate knelt and waited until the SUV disappeared from view before saying, “May I help you up?”

Kit felt her prosthesis through the jean material. “I think my leg is okay.” She rolled over on her hands and knees, then used Nate to help pull herself to a standing position with her good leg taking most of her weight. Then she tested her left one and took a couple of steps, relieved that nothing worse than some scrapes and aches protested the movement. “I’ll be okay. The more I move around the better I’ll be. Falling easily, especially at first, isn’t uncommon.”

“How did it happen? Did you have to jump out of the way of the car?” A hard edge sharpened Nate’s voice.

“Not exactly. I wanted to step off the road because he was driving hazardously for the ranch, but when I grabbed Lexie to get her out of the road, it threw my balance off and I went down.”

He pressed her against him. “I’m just glad you’re all right, but if you have problems, please see the doctor. I know how you are about going to a doctor, but—”

“I will. I’m better about that than I used to be. For a while those were the only people I saw.”

“Do you want to go back to the cabin? The kids will understand.”

“Nope. I told Steven I would work with him on the scenery with what I had in mind for the show.” She glanced toward the road. “I’m assuming that was Steven’s dad. Why was he so mad?”

“Steven is quitting football and his mother supports him. She agreed for Steven to take art instead of football next year. I think Daniel just found out, and he and Steven had words on the trip to the ranch.”

“Steven does good work. I’m impressed with the barn mural he’s doing for the backdrop. He has talent.”

“Tell that to his dad. On second thought, don’t. It would probably get him all riled up again. We don’t want any more accidents.”

“My body totally agrees with you. I’ve always been used to moving quickly, and I can’t do exactly what I used to do. I have to accommodate for my leg.”

Thank You for sending Nate to assist my less-than-graceful rise from the ground.

While Lexie walked beside Kit, Nate clasped her hand and started for the old barn. As she neared the teens, she tried not to limp more than she usually did, but she couldn’t help favoring her left leg. The kids knew she had been in an accident, but she’d never told them she’d lost her leg. She’d never found a way to make that announcement or fit it into a conversation.

Inside the barn, she slipped her hand from Nate’s but almost immediately wanted to snatch his back. Suddenly she felt as though she was going in front of an audience for the first time. Her stomach churned and beads of sweat popped out on her forehead.

That’s ridiculous. No one saw what happened.
And yet she couldn’t rid herself of the butterflies fluttering through her nervous system, threatening to take over.

Lexie stood on her hind legs, her front paws pressing into Kit in a gentle reminder that her dog was there for her. Bending over to pick up Lexie, she moved too quickly, making her head spin. She swayed but managed to lift her poodle into her arms while Nate stepped closer.

Anna approached her. “Are you okay?”

Kit imagined the war of nerves visually battling on her face, especially as the adrenaline caused by the near collision with the SUV had subsided, leaving her shaking and freezing in the seventy-five-degree temperature. Kit clung to Lexie. No words of reply came to mind.

Nate slid his arm around Kit’s shoulders. “She fell. Just shaken up a bit.”

As one dancer to another, Anna let her gaze skim down Kit’s length. “Is that why you’re limping more? Maybe you should see a doctor in case you injured your leg. Is it your ankle?” Anna pointed toward Kit’s left one.

Kit’s eyes grew round, and she backed away. “No!” The one word came out more forceful than intended.

Anna’s mouth formed a big O, and tears instantly sprang into the girl’s eyes from the harsh tone. “I didn’t mean...”

In that instant Kit realized she couldn’t keep the extent of her accident quiet. She couldn’t hide behind long pants and act like everything was the same. It wasn’t. Anna would be in her class at the Summer Dance Academy as well as rehearsing for the fund-raiser at the ranch. She should be aware of Kit’s situation.

She stepped away from the shelter Nate offered, raised her chin and squared her shoulders while still holding Lexie for support. If she told Anna, then the rest of the teens would know quickly. “My left ankle isn’t hurt, because I lost that leg from the knee down when a truck hit me in January. I’ve been dealing with getting used to a prosthetic leg for the past three months. My fall just now brought all that back as well as the fact I landed on that side when I went down.”

As Kit spoke, Anna’s gaze dropped to Kit’s leg then back up. The girl started to speak but no words came out. More tears welled into her eyes as she finally said, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

The kids nearby stopped what they were doing and listened to their conversation, but Kit didn’t care who knew anymore. Hiding it didn’t make it any less real. And right now, Anna was upset. Kit didn’t want that.

She moved to the girl and pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay. I’m dealing with it.”

“But you’re never gonna dance again. You’re never gonna be on...”

“The one thing I learned over the years is to never say ‘never.’ All things are possible through the Lord.”

“But not that.” Anna pulled back, wet streaks running down her face. “I’ve wanted to be like you ever since I started at Madame Zoe’s.”

Those words were bittersweet to Kit, but she would never let Anna know. “I’m honored and you can still strive for what I did. One day I’d love to be in the audience watching you dance your first principal role.”

Anna smiled through her tears. “I’d love that.”

Kit looked around and leaned close to Anna. “I think we have an audience.”

Sniffling, the teen wiped her hands across her eyes. “My first role will be dedicated to you.”

“With that kind of thinking, you’ll make it.” Kit had seen Anna dance and knew she had the ability to become a lead ballerina. “Because talent is only part of what makes a star. Drive and determination are very important.”

Kit’s heart expanded as she looked at Anna and remembered how she had been at that age. Eager, hopeful, willing to do the work necessary. Had it been worth it? Yes, but her life was different now, and not accepting that fact would only make her journey forward more difficult.

“Are you going to work on the scenery with Steven and me?” Kit asked Anna, aware no one in the barn was doing anything but watching them.

“Yes. I’d been sent to find you. Steven needs your advice about how to do the last scene with the song ‘Oklahoma.’”

“Tell him I’ll be right there.”

As Anna moved away and everyone set to work again, Kit turned toward Nate. “I’ve learned you can’t hide from the truth. It always comes out, usually when you don’t plan for it. This wasn’t what I envisioned for today.”

“Are you okay?”

When she looked into his eyes, the lump in her throat melted. “Yes. I actually feel like a weight has been lifted and now is the time to move forward. For that, I thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You did more than you realize. You didn’t give up when all I wanted to do was wallow in self-pity. Neither did my family. That’s probably why I came here. In my heart, I knew they wouldn’t give up on me and that was what I needed. Now the big questions is what do I do with the rest of my life.”

“You don’t have to decide everything in one day. You have time.”

Kit spied Steven coming out from behind the backdrop and moving toward her. “No, but I’d better help Steven. Something must be wrong. He’s frowning.”

Kit parted from Nate and walked to Steven. “Anna said you needed me to help you with the scenery.”

“Did my dad have anything to do with your accident earlier?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“Because I saw him tear out of here and then you show up shortly after that, limping from a fall. Anna told me what you said.”

“Yes, but everything is fine now. The more I walk the better it is. Once I take off my prosthetic leg and adjust it, I should be okay.” Although the group now knew of her prosthesis, she didn’t want to make an adjustment in full view of everyone. “Let’s go back behind the stage, and while I’m fixing my leg, you can tell me about your problem with the scenery.”

For a few seconds Steven stayed still, staring out the entrance. Finally he joined her. “I don’t understand my dad. Why is football so important to him? I can’t believe what he did today.”

“Did you ever ask him why?” Kit took a seat on a step to the stage. “Did he ever play?”

“Yeah, in high school, but he never talks much about it.”

“Ask him.” Kit rolled up her wide-legged jeans. “Now, what do you have in mind for the final scene?”

* * *

As the sun beat down on Nate later that afternoon, he removed his cowboy hat and used it to fan his hot face. “At least we got the painting finished. Now, let’s hope the rain holds off until it dries.”

Howard came down from the ladder leaning against the old barn and stepped back to take in the newly painted exterior. “Beth wanted us to make it red. I had to put my foot down and insisted on black. She thought red would add character to the place and my sister agreed with her.”

“I can see Kit wanting red over black. That was always her favorite color.”

“You see what I’m up against,” Howard said in mock horror while his eyes gleamed. “Two women. Three if you count Carrie.”

Nate chuckled. “And you love every minute of it.”

A grin lifted one corner of Howard’s mouth. “I’m glad Kit came home. She’s been here not quite a month and I see the old Kit peeking out.” He tapped his finger against his jaw. “I wonder if a certain vet had anything to do with that.”

“Don’t go there. I’ve seen your little maneuvers to get us alone. We’re friends. Our relationship now is different than when we were teens.”

Howard’s thick eyebrows rose. “I would hope so. I want this one to last.”

Nate huffed. “I’m leaving before you have us married in that delusional mind of yours.” He caught sight of Daniel parking his SUV and walking toward the entrance. “I’ve got someone I need to speak with.”

Howard grasped his arm. “I’m coming with you. I have a few choice words to say to that man for what he did earlier.”

“Let me handle it.”

Kit’s brother stared at him for a long moment, then nodded.

Nate headed inside, hoping to stop Daniel before he talked with Steven, but he was too late. Steven met his dad halfway, anger hardening his features. Steven planted himself in front of his father. The teen’s body stiffened as his eyes narrowed on Daniel.