Page 43 of Lost and Found Cowboy
Lorna wrapped her arms around her stomach. She’d spent so many years keeping this secret to herself, and Lyle had her terrified of ever involving the police intheirfamily matters. Telling Knox about Lyle picking Max up from school didn’t mean that much unless he knew the whole story and about the cycle of abuse.
She’d spent so much time hiding from this. But she’d told Mack, and the sky hadn’t fallen. Although, talking to Mack wasn’t the same thing as filing an official police report and telling a sheriff’s deputy about the abuse.
Lyle would be furious if he found out. And who knows what he would do in retaliation.
Damn it.She was so tired of walking on eggshells and doing everything to avoid making Lyle Williams mad. She was done trying to manage herex-husband’s temper.
She looked at Mack. He hadn’t spoken up with advice or told her what to do. He’d just offered his steadfast support. And also threatened to kill Lyle—but let’s stay focused on the positive. Or maybe that was the positive.
Knox stood patiently waiting for her answer.
Duke was right. Knox was a good man. She’d known him for years, and he was engaged to her hairdresser, Carley Chapman, who only ever spoke with the highest praise of all the good work he did for the community of Creedence.
She pulled in a deep breath. “Okay. Yes, let’s talk.”
Duke offered her a nod of encouragement then gestured toward the hallway. “You can use the office. No one will bother you.”
Chapter Nineteen
Talking to Knox had been easier than Lorna had thought it would be. He was a good listener, asking occasional questions as he took notes, but he mainly just let her speak. It felt a little easier after having just admitted it all to Mack. After she was done, he left her with a card and a promise to be in touch.
Duke sent him off with two smoked brisket sandwiches, and she felt lighter after he was gone. Not just like a weight had been lifted, but like it had been washed away. Like that feeling of a hot shower after three days of camping—fresh and cleansed of all the dirt and grime that had been collecting but was now scrubbed off with soap and shampoo and rinsed down the drain.
The whole atmosphere of the room had changed as the family sat down to eat, passing plates and swapping good-natured jabs and stories of the day.
Duke had baked russet potatoes and simmered green beans with slabs of bacon to go with the thick brisket sandwiches then ladled au jus into individual ramekins for each plate and offered caramelized onions and a homemade horseradish dip as condiments. The table held sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and more shredded brisket as toppingsfor the baked potatoes, and a small tray of celery, carrots, and radishes.
Talk turned to the work Ford and Elizabeth were doing on their farmhouse, and the latest issues they were having with putting in a new woodburning stove.
“You’ll figure it out. You always do,” Duke said, then turned to Lorna. “With these boys, when there’s a problem, Dodge reads a book or studies up on how to do it, Ford is the one who digs in and builds it, and Chevy usually turns it into a party, inviting a bunch of people over to help complete the task.”
“So, now I guess you have to figure out how Mack fits into that project,” she said, then wished she’d kept her big mouth shut as Mack stared down at his plate.
His expression was pensive when he looked up. “I do like to read, but I’m not a scholar like Dodge, and I’m not as skilled with tools and construction as Ford, and I’ve never started a party in my life. I guess I’m like one of the guys who Chevy calls in to help, because I’m always willing to show up and lend a hand.”
“Good to know,” Ford said. “I can’t promise a party, but I’ll be calling you when it’s time to install this stove.”
“I’ll be glad to help,” Mack answered, and Lorna caught the small, pleased smile he wore as he reached for another helping of brisket.
“Why do have a baby monitor by your plate?” Max asked Dodge before popping a green bean into his mouth. He pointed to his little sister, who was propped up in a highchair between Lorna and Mack. “We can see the baby right there.”
Dodge chuckled. “That isn’t a baby monitor. It’s more like a ‘moo’ monitor. I’ve got several mama cows ready to give birth, so I’m keeping an eye on them in the barn by watching them on this camera.” He pointed to his phone sitting next to his plate. “I’ve also got an app that tells me when they’re going into labor.”
“How does it do that?” Lorna asked.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s a non-invasive sensor that attaches to the mama cow’s tail, and it measures her tail’s movement patterns which are triggered by the labor contractions. It collects a bunch of data, then when the cow reaches a certain level of intensity, it sends me a text. Then it’s usually within an hour or so that she gives birth.”
Ford chuckled. “He’s even got his text programmed to sound like a loud moo when it comes in.”
“It sure saves us from having to spend all night sleeping in the barn,” Mack added. “Not that I wouldn’t do it. I love those dang cows.”
“We’ve got one that seems real close,” Dodge said. “Her name’s Junebug, and I imagine it’ll be sometime tonight.”
“Cool,” Max said, eyeing the camera. “Can I come out to the barn with you when Junebug’s gonna have her baby?”
Dodge shrugged as he looked over at Lorna. “It’s okay with me, bud, but it might be in the middle of the night, so it’s up to your mom.”
“Pleasssse, Mommy,” Max begged. “Can I go?”
