That Kind of Cowboy

Chapter Four: Lucas

“What was that about?” Grayson asked, as I headed towards Home.

“I am not sure. She went from smiling to worried in a matter of seconds. I wonder what her ex wanted?” My thoughts swirling around with questions I do not have answers to.

“I will see if Bella will tell me anything. I can tell you are worried.” Grayson replied, always being there for all of us.

“I am worried. All my thoughts go to her and her family. I have never felt this way before. I know it is stupid to feel this strong about someone you have just met.” I can tell Grayson anything without judgments from him.

“It is not stupid. There is no time limit. Every person deals in unusual ways. I know you, Lucas. No matter what you will do the right thing, and if it is meant to be, it will happen. Have some faith.”

“When did you get so smart about this?” I asked, knowing that he has a thing for his best friend.

“Believe me, I know what I am saying.”

“Thanks, Grayson.”

The rest of the drive back to Jackson’s house was done in silence. My thoughts were going to the girl with red hair, no make-up and the glasses that make her look adorable.

Adorable? Really, since when do I think words like that? Have I gone sappy? What does this mean?

She is not like most girls. She does not seem like the type that cares about looks. The few times I have seen her it is without make-up, in jeans and a T-shirt. I bet she would feel comfortable at the ranch.

I would love for her and the kids to see the place. I wonder if they have been riding before? Have they lived out in the country before? I have so many questions to ask her. I want to know everything about that woman.

There I go again, thinking sappy things. I cannot help but let it wander there. I get lost in those deep, expressive eyes. Her laugh was like music to my ears. Reality hit me hard, like a smack to the side of your head. I want to be a part of that family. I want that and I am going to go for it.

************

“What took y’all so long?” Ryan shouted as soon as the door opened.

“We have been out of beer for a while now.” Nate added.

“I am sure you will live.” I boomed back, strolling into the living room.

“Seriously, what took you so long?” Nate asked, I do not miss those days one bit. Drinking was a lot more fun when I was younger.

“I bet there was a pretty lady there.” Ryan added

“Don’t you mean two pretty ladies?” Nate laughed.

“Why do you always have to start stuff, Nate?” Grayson asked, sitting the beer down on the coffee table.

“Hey, it was Ryan too. Why do I always get the blame.” Nate brought up.

“Yeah, just because Grayson and Lucas are interested in someone does not mean you should make fun of them.” Adian said ignoring Nate’s comment.

“Yeah, just leave them alone. We are here to relax, not to start a fight.” Jackson added.

“Is there still no fighting in your house?” Nate asked.

“Yep, and you better stick to it, or you can go home.” Jackson replied, as I took a seat in the chair beside the couch.

“Okay, I get it. No fun allowed in this house.” Nate mocked back.

I am not in the mood for company, I thought I was but that was before I saw Maddie earlier. The look on her face, I wanted to stay there with her. I wanted to protect her. I do not know from what, but I want to be the one helping her. The one to save her.

“I think I am going to head home.” I told my brothers, standing up to leave.

“Why are you leaving? You just got here.” Adain asked.

“I have a lot on my mind right now. I am going to call it a night and head to bed.”

“I bet it is that mysterious girl, who just moved to town.” Nate mumbled under his breath.

“Why do you even attempt to open your mouth?” I heard Grayson scold Nate, as I shut the door behind me.

************

Laying back onto my couch, staring up at the ceiling. My thoughts roamed. My three-bedroom house mocked me with its silence. I have never felt this alone before. I did not want the company of my brothers, I was jumpy, and snapping at them for no reason, really. The only company I want is Maddie.

I cannot put into words how my heart longs for the missing piece of my life. I am ready for the next step. I am ready to settle down, I am no spring chicken anymore.

I hope Madison will be all right. I am so worried about this woman. I want her to be safe. I need her to be safe. I want more time with the sweet but shy mystery girl, who captured all my attention.

My attention should be on the ranch. I have responsibilities here. I have a huge, lonely house that needs deep cleaning. Noticing a cobweb up in the right corner of the ceiling and wall. My lids grew heavy the more I stared at it.

************

*BANG, BANG, BANG*

What was that? I thought as I sat up looking around my dark living room. I must have dozed off. What time is it?

*BANG, BANG, BANG*

The same sound came from the front door. I got up to see who could be here. I was not expecting anyone.

“It’s Grayson, open up.” He yelled through the door. I quickened my pace to the door.

“What can I do for you?” I asked, pulling the door open for him to enter. Hoping it is not unwelcome news.

“We need to talk; Bella told me something. I thought you would like to know what she had to say.” Grayson replied, as he made his way to my couch. My stomach twisted in knots at the way he said it.

“What happened?” I asked, taking a seat in my recliner by the three windows, looking out over my front yard.

“Nothing has happened. Maddie is okay, she just needs some help.”

“What kind of help?”

“She has a restraining order against her ex-husband. She got an unknown call and two text messages from the same number. Maddie does not recognize it, but she believes it was from her ex.”

“Why does she believe that?” I asked, leaning forward in the chair, placing my elbows on my denim covered legs.

“He does not get the fact that he cannot be around them. Last time he found them, right before they moved here. He put Maddie in the hospital and hit Emma. Maddie is trying to be strong, but Bella said she is having a tough time.”

He hit them, Madison, and Emma. A woman and a child. What kind of man does that?

“What did the text messages say?" I asked, my voice laced with anger at the man who sent them.

“That he will find her and that he will always find her.” Grayson replied, lowering his head.

“Do you think he will find her?” Hoping that he tells me no, but I have a gut feeling that it is wrong. Balling my hands into fits.

“Yes, I do. Maddie told Bella that he had her on the run. She is scared and has had no one to help her. It has always been her, alone. Trying to protect herself and her children. Bella is the only person she has told the whole story to.” Grayson replied, lifting his head to meet my eyes. “Could you imagine going through something like that all by yourself?”

“I cannot. It must be difficult for Maddie. Always looking over her shoulder. And those kids, they should not have to be going through this.” I cannot believe that she has been going through all of that on her own. She is the bravest woman I know, the strongest.

“What can we do to help? I have never helped with this before.”

“I do not know. What can we do? I do not want to stand by when she is in danger.” I answered, wanting to do anything I can to protect that little family.

“They get off at eleven tonight, we will have to find an excuse to go back. Then we offer to make sure Maddie gets home safely. We cannot let her know that we know. Bella said that she must be the one to give details.”

“I understand, I bet she has been through a lot.”

“She has, that is all Bella would tell me. How do you feel about getting a midnight snack?” Grayson asked, standing from the couch.

“Sounds like a clever idea. You get to drive; I have not been getting much sleep.” I told him, as I locked up.

************

“Did y’all run out of beer already?” Bella teased, as we came through the door.

“We did not have any. We dropped it off at Jackson’s and left. Nate was being a pain, again.” Grayson huffed out, picking a Coke from the cooler while I picked Dr. Pepper.

“What did he do this time?”

“Just running his mouth like normal. He has no filter when it comes to words.” I added in. I glanced over at Maddie; she was standing out of the way. She looks as if she is lost in her thoughts. Oblivious to the world around her. Her third day at a new job in a new town, and now she has to deal with this. Yes, I have been counting.

“Hey Maddie, are you good over there?” I asked trying to sound normal, but I cannot help but be worried about her.

“Yeah, just lost in my thoughts.” She replied quietly, with her head still down. I do not like seeing her this way. I miss her smile, her real one. The one that brightens the whole room up.

“She is just a little shook up at the moment.” Bella said, coming to stand beside her friend.

“Yeah, just shook up.” Maddie repeated, shaking her head. When she raised her head up, her eyes met with mine. Seeing the fright in them broke my heart.

“Are you sure? Can you drive home?” I asked her, noticing her shaking hands.

“I must be able to, I must get home to the kids.” She mumbled.

“But are you able to drive? If not, I can drive your car home, while Grayson follows us.”

“I am fine. I do not want to bother y’all.”

“No, not at all.” Grayson replied.

“I want to make sure you get home safely. You look too shaken up to drive.” I added.

“If y’all are sure I won't be a bother.” Madison replied in a small voice.

“I promise, you are not Maddie. We want to help.”

“It is okay, Maddie. Let them help you, you can trust them.” Bella reassured her.

“Okay, thank you.” Maddie replied with a small smile. A real smile, the one that I love. The one that causes a smile of my own to show.

“You two can wait outside, as we lock up.” Bella said, pushing us towards the door.

“Okay woman, we are leaving.” Grayson laughed as Bella opened the door for them.

“I am surprised she has not back handed you yet.” I laughed, leaning against the building's wall.

“You just wait.” That is all that Grayson said, as we waited for the girls to finish closing.

Maddie came out to the front gathering her things before walking to the door. She stepped out, putting a key into the lock.

“Ready!” Maddie called out. Bella came running to the door a few seconds later.

“I did not know that you could run?” Grayson teased Bella.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny, Grayson.” Bella drawled out.

“Bye, Bella.” he replied, climbing into the driver's side of his red Ford F250.

“Bye.” Bella called over her shoulder, as we made our way around to the back of the store.

“Be careful on your way home.” I told Bella as she climbed into her Jeep.

I stopped in front of Maddie’s car, as she turned towards me. She held out her keys. I noticed the Scooby-Doo lanyard that the keys hung to. File that away, she is a Scooby-Doo fan. Bringing memories of my childhood to the surface of watching that show with my brothers.

“I see you like cartoons.” I told her, as I started up the old car. It has a lot of miles on it. I bet it has seen better days.

“I do, I love the classics. I cannot stand the new cartoons that are out. I love the older stuff.” She replied with a smile. My smile.

“I have not seen the new cartoons, but I will take your word for it.” I laughed out.

“I try to get the kids to watch the stuff I grew up on.” There is that smile again. When she is passionate about something, there is a little twinkle in her eyes. I would love to see it every day.

“What’s your address?” I asked before we left the parking lot. She gave it to me, knowing where she lives. I headed in that direction.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, driving slower than normal.

“About what?”

“What is wrong. What happened to get you like this? Shaking and scared. What are you afraid of Maddie?” I placed my hand on her knee, the electric sparked. I need to put that spark away for the moment. I need to focus on Maddie’s words.

Maddie swallowed a few times, moving her hands in her lap. She is nervous, is she nervous because of me?

“I am afraid that my ex-husband will find me.” She whispered out. Her leg picked up speed, as it shook.

“Hey, it is okay. Relax, I will not let anything happen to you.” I told her, as I squeezed her leg, to try to stop the shaking. “If you want, I can take you to and from work. I want you to feel safe.”

“Thank you. I cannot ask that of you. He has not found me yet and I am off work for the next two days. I will also be starting morning shifts and that will be making it easier for me, I will feel better when I get back.” she rushed out, like she has rambled. I hated hearing that word yet.

“But will it make you feel safe?” I asked, I want her to feel safe. No, I need her to feel safe.

“Yeah, I think I will. If not, I will let you know.” That made me smile, a smile that resembles a fool. I will take what I can get. I do not ever want her to feel like she cannot trust me. I never want her to be afraid of me either.

“We are here.” I told her, as I pulled into her driveway.

“Thank you, Lucas. It means a lot to me.” Maddie said, placing her hand on my arm. She touched me on her own, that is a step. A big step and the spot where her hand is, is on fire. The chemistry between us is strong.

“If you ever need me, I will be here for you. I will get your number from Bella. I want you to call me if you do not feel safe.” I told her, placing my hand on top of hers.

“I will.” Maddie replied, moving her other hand to pick up her bag.

“Let me walk you to your door.” I regretfully removed my hand from hers. I am already missing the feeling of her hand in mine. Like that is where it is supposed to be.

“Okay.” She whispered, as we exited the car. Locking it up and waiting for Maddie to get close enough to me. As she came up next to me, I took her hand into mine. Holding her hand as we made our way to her front door.

Her house was not big, I do not think it is three-bedrooms. Where does everyone sleep? Taking in the small front yard, where do the kids run at? They need more space.

“Thank you again.” Maddie said, taking me away from my thoughts.

I leaned into her, our faces inches apart. I whispered into her ear, then placed a kiss on her check. I squeezed her hand in mine, as I turned to walk away. I wanted to kiss her lips; I want to know what they taste like. But I need to be a gentleman with her and take it slow. I do not want her to run from me.

All my thoughts were on Madison, and the worry I have for her and her family. I did not hear a word Grayson said, my mind was too far gone. Wondering when I could hold her hand or kiss her. I am head over heels for that woman. She has me wrapped around her finger. I would go to the end of the world for her.