Second Chance Cowboy

EPILOGUE

It felt good to be home again, TJ thought as he turned down the long driveway toward the big house. His folks had no idea he was coming today. He parked the borrowed jeep out front and smiled as he let himself in. The door was never locked. His pa always said there wasn't anyone around here he wanted to keep out anyway.

The house seemed quiet. A quick glance at his watch told him Ma would probably be in the kitchen. He was surprised the kitchen was empty, but the smell of a roast told him supper was soon. He thought of his Ma's face when she saw him and quickened his steps to the den. He heard a crash that sent him running and a string of curses that made him stop in his tracks in the doorway.

Lizzie? He blinked. It was his mother (not his big sister) that was picking up something from the floor. TJ watched her set a photo on the mantel above the fireplace and realized it was the photo of Lizzie and her husband, Richard. It was taken a few weeks before they were killed in a wild fire. Both firemen, they volunteered sometimes to fight wildfires.

In the photo, Ma had taken Bethie to see them at the firehouse. They were wearing their turnout trousers and boots. They held three-year-old Bethie between them. Bethie's pony tails and bright smile monopolized the photo. Her bubblegum-pink dress contrasted starkly against the white t-shirts her parents were wearing. She was giggling and tipped her head back to see out from under her daddy's fire helmet.

TJ smiled, he loved that picture. Ma's shoulders slumped and he thought he heard a sniffle.

"Ma!" She jumped and he wished for a moment he had knocked.

"TJ!" She hurried toward him and wrapped him in a bear hug. "It's so good to see you!"

She stepped back and held him at arm's length while she searched his face.

"I really am glad you're here, son, but tell me nothing is wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Ma." He chuckled. "Where's Adam?"

"Good." She linked her arm through his elbow and turned him toward the door again. "Your little brother is in the barn with your Pa and Bethie. There's a new foal. .."

He patted her hand as they walked, glad for the wide hallways of their ranch house and looked over his shoulder at the picture on the mantle.

"Lizzie once told me she got bit by the fire-bug and the love-bug in the same summer." He remembered fondly. With a sigh he added: "They were happy."

"They were heroes." Lanie whispered sadly, "It's been more than a year now, but I still miss them."

"I miss them too, Ma." TJ whispered.

When they'd stepped outside, Lanie looked around and took a deep breath. A smile lit up her face, but failed to reach her eyes. TJ knew it was for his benefit.

"Let's take my jeep." TJ smiled brightly, following his mother's lead.

"That's Andy's jeep. You told Andy you were coming and not your own mother?" She smiled again, and this time, TJ saw the twinkle in her eye.

"Go easy on him, Ma. I told him I wanted to surprise you." He teased as they climbed in.

"Well, considering that boy's been here for supper every Sunday since you met him in elementary school, I suppose I could let it go this time..."

He winked at her and they laughed as he turned the jeep toward the rest of his family.

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Two days later TJ closed the picnic basket up and ruffled the hair of his pretty little helper. The four year old with chocolate colored pony tails looked at him and grinned. Her big green eyes twinkled and she wrinkled her nose in a giggle.