Let me love you

2

Mary had felt relieved as the ranch got back into the swing of things after Lee's death. She was proud of herself for taking charge like she did, but she was also happy being able to sit back and let John lead. She sat on the front porch drinking a cup of coffee when John came up and sat down beside her. "That stallion sure is something," she commented. John let out a chuckle. "Yeah Kayce knew what he was doing leaving me that thing." Mary glanced over at John. "Have you heard anymore from Kayce?" She inquired. John let out a sigh and a shake of his head. "No." Mary worried about Kayce, thought he seemed guilty of something, but of what she had no idea. The silence between them is broken when Jamie comes out of the house. "Dad, we need to talk." John looks up at his son. "What is it?" He asks. Jamie glances at Mary then back at John. "It's about Lee..." he trailed off unsure if he should talk about this in front of Mary or not. John understood Jamie's hesitation but nodded. "Go on, Jamie." Mary felt the awkwardness in the air and thought about excusing herself but before she could, John had told Jamie to continue, signaling she was apart of this discussion. Jamie nodded and stood in front of them both. "I talked to Governor Perry. I was told that Lee's autopsy revealed he was instantly paralyzed when he got shot. There was a third shooter, dad. Not to mention, Robert was killed execution styled. It's going to open up inquiries from outside agencies. And on top of that, two livestock commission agents saw Kayce come back to the ranch with Lee's body, discrediting what I said. They offered to hold the information off as long as they can so I can come up with a solution." John rubbed his top lip as he took in everything his son said. Mary looked over at John. She understood why Kayce had a guilty look in his eyes. He was the third shooter. "Which agents?" John asked and stood up. "Reynolds. The other is a more religious, by-the-book kinda guy. You can get Reynolds to shut his mouth but I don't know about the other. Knowing what is in the medical report, that is our biggest issue. It can cause investigators to dig up Lee's body. We should turn Kayce in." Mary's eyes widened. "Hold on," she interrupted and stood up. She felt a surge of protectiveness over Kayce and she wasn't sure why, but she knew he needed someone looking out for him. She understood what it was like to have to do something terrible in order to live. Both men looked at her. "Before you do anything, Jamie, let your father go talk to Kayce. Kayce may be ready to talk and tell John what happened." Jamie looked over at his father, unsure about it. John nodded. "I'll go now and see what he says." John looked at Mary and felt thankful for her. Jamie was persistent when he got a solution in mind and more times than not, John didn't support it. John was glad Mary saw it from his point of view, a parent's point of view. John got in his truck and drove off toward the reservation. Jamie looked at Mary. "I know you want to do what is best for the family and the best legal route to do it, but this is your little brother. We have no idea what happened that night. We have to be patient, which I know is hard in the situation that you are now put in, but I know that it will get figured out." Mary gave Jamie a soft smile before bending over to grab her coffee mug and go inside. "Thank you," Jamie blurted out. Mary turned to look at him confused. "Thank you for helping our family. You are like the voice of reason. Our family needs that more than you know. We fight and aren't always on the same side, but somehow you remind us to be on the same side and bring the peace." Mary pulled Jamie into her arms. She pulled back and smiled at him again. "Thank you. You're a good son, Jamie." Mary then walked into the house and to the office. Jamie had felt a connection towards the woman ever since he had met her. He couldn't understand it, but she felt familiar to him. She always brought comfort to him when she was around. One day he would understand just how important she was to him.
***
Mary jumped, frightened, when Jamie practically came running into the office. "I have another option!" Jamie sat down across from Mary who looked at him interested in what he had to say. "Go on," she told him and leaned back in the office chair. "The medical examiner already gave the to tribal police. But, I found out that the guy was fired from his previous position for smoking embalming fluid. We can use that to discredit his reports!" Mary smiled at how smart Jamie was. "Send Rip to pay this medical examiner a visit, but not for a negotiation." Both their heads turned to see John standing in the doorway, having heard Jamie's new solution and liking it much better. Jamie quickly nodded and went to find Rip. John looked over at Mary. "He's smart. Just like his mother." Mary looked down at her lap, a small smile gracing her face. John then cleared his throat, making Mary look up at him. "I won't be home for dinner. Gonna head to the rodeo to talk to the father of one of the agents that saw Kayce." Mary nodded. "Alright," she said. She always felt disappointed when he wasn't there for dinner, but she was quick to remind herself that they were not together and he was a busy man. He hardly had time for his children. What made her think he would have time for her?