Down on the Ranch

Chapter 3

Jace's P.O.V.

I am absolutely uncomfortable showing Gage around the ranch. Not because he is behaving horribly toward me, but because I am nervous on being around someone who is close to my own age. As we walk along, I explain in detail about everything about the animals, the garden, and how things are done here. He is polite, and listens intently, and asks questions when he needs, too. As we head back toward the house to his vehicle to grab his stuff to take to the bunk house, I notice there is another red Chevy S-10 parked next to mine.

I excitedly ask Gage, pointing to the second S-10; "Is that your truck?"

Gage nods with a smile; "Yup. Who owns the twin to my truck?"

My smile broadens at him; "That is my truck! That is so cool that we have the same truck!"

Gage's smile brightens at me with a small nod; "I definitely agree with you on that!"

We grab his four bags that he says holds his clothing, and a few personal items, and we take these to the bunk house, and I show him where to place his clothing, and other items. Once this is completed, we head back to the house which is next door to the bunk house since nana and Claire have made lunch today.

Entering the house, the smell of hamburgers, and homemade fries surrounds us, and we inhale deeply as I give Gage an excited smile; "Let's go wash our hands, so we can eat!"

Once we have taken turns washing our hands in the bathroom sink on the main floor of the house, we join everyone in the kitchen. Shyly handing Gage a plate, we make our plates, and sit at the table where everyone else has just sat down at.

"So, what do you think so far, Gage?" nana asks as we start eating.

"I think I am gonna like it here, ma'am," he answers after swallowing a bite. "The food is delicious by the way, and thank you for the food."

"We are excited to hear that," pop-op states as nana thanks him for his compliment on the cooking.

The conversation turns to the others asking Gage where he is from, if he liked school, and what his family is like.

"I, uh, I hope this won't be a problem, but my parents are not 'traditional,'" Gage nervously says. "I have two dads, my papa is Jameson, and my dad is Connor. They adopted me when I was seven after I had been in the foster care system for three years. My biological parents were murdered by a robbery gone wrong while I was sleeping. They, uh, would like to visit me in a month if that is okay?"

"We have no problem with your parents visiting, or their sexuality," pop-op honesty answers with a warm smile. "We are sorry for the horrific way your birth parents died."

"I am gay, so that is why no one here has a problem with your parents sexuality," I murmur with red cheeks as I peak at him from across the table.

"Well, that is good to know, and thank you for letting them visit," Gage replies with a smile.

The conversation turns to what Gage will be doing today after lunch with Tory while I remain silent, and ponder a couple of questions about Gage.

"Is Kent picking you up tonight, and bringing you home?" nana quietly asks, trying not to startle me even though she sitting next to me on my right.

"Yeah, he said he will be here at 6:45 p.m., if that is okay?" I whisper, and I feel as if someone is watching me; scanning the table through my eyelashes, I find Gage watching me with what I think is a curious expression.

"That is fine, Jacey," nana answers as my cell phone rings with a video call.

Quickly grabbing it out from my front left pocket, I see it is mum calling. I do not excuse myself, I just let out a soft squeal as I rush off to the living room so I can answer the call.

"Hi mummy!" I cheerfully greet, but instantly frown when she isn't the one on the other end of the call, but a man instead.

"Are you Jace Edwards, Rayna Edwards son?" the man seriously asks.

"Yes, I am, sir," I reply, the smile is instantly replaced with fear and worry for my mum. "May I ask who you are sir?"

"I am the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and her commanding officer," he answers. "Are you grandparents there, too, as I need to speak to the three of you together?"

"Yes, they are sir, just a moment," I reply, and when he nods, I mute the call, so I can call out for my grandparents frantically.

They rush into the room with worried expressions, and I quickly explain what I know before unmuting the the call, and hold the phone out far enough for the man to see the three of us.

"I am contacting you personally to inform you that Rayna was injured in the line of duty two days ago. We were traveling in a convoy to a new location when the truck we were riding in hit an IED," he sadly states. "She had to have emergency surgery to repair her fractured left wrist, fractured left cheekbone and eye socket. She also has two fractured right ribs. We waited to inform you of this until we were sure she would survive surgery, and her injuries. She will be honorably discharged, and sent home to finish her recovery when she is well enough to travel there."

I bite my lower lip to keep myself from sobbing, and pop-op had to take the phone from my shaking hand to speak; "Do you have any idea when she will be coming home, or when we can speak with her before she travels home, sir?"

"She should be able to call in a couple of days, and by then she will have an idea of when she will be arriving there," he answers seriously.

They speak for another couple of minutes before ending the call, and when pop-op turns to look at nana and I, that is when I start sobbing. The fear on his face is what makes mine bubble to the surface, and I cannot stop myself from letting my worry for mum spill out of me through the tears. I know that if he is scared and worried, then my fear and worry is justified.