Page 83 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

Along with all her family, Blake helped cook burgers. By two, soccer, badminton and baseball were in progress.

Mid-afternoon found her and Blake helping with scorekeeping and coaching kids playing baseball. Between innings, Blake paused beside her. “There’s a kid sitting over there who doesn’t play. He’s one who hasn’t played anything so far, and he doesn’t engage with the others. Is there a physical reason, or something else? He’s sitting on the bench with the kids, but he doesn’t talk to them, and they leave him alone, too.”

“That’s William. Maybe you can relate a little, although he’s on a different financial level. His dad abandoned them at birth, and his mom was killed in a car wreck when he was five. He’s eight now, and he lives in the shelter because he doesn’t have relatives.”

“What do you do with a kid like that?”

“Just be friends with him. I’m not a social worker, though there is one who works at the shelter. William doesn’t make friends like some kids do.”

She patted Blake’s wrist. “See, this is where some of your donation will help. We may be able to get more resources for these kids.”

“I think he needs more than what money can buy.”

“I won’t argue that one,” she said, surprised Blake would acknowledge that truth.

“One item your money bought is the automatic batting machine the kids are enjoying today. It sends the ball straight to them, and they have a better chance of getting a hit because when little kids pitch, the ball is all over the place. You see their smiles? We have lots to thank you for.”

“Sure,” he said, gazing solemnly at her before shifting his attention back to the boy who sat on the bench, scuffing his toe in the dirt. “I hope the money helps get more than a batting machine,” Blake said.

He walked away, and when she looked again she was surprised to see him sitting beside William. Blake had a bat in his hands and seemed to be talking to William about playing ball.

She was busy with kids and watching third base, cheering for each child who could get a hit or run in for a score. By the end of the inning, she looked around and saw Blake showing William how to hold the bat.

The next inning, William stepped up to home plate. She asked someone to take her place and walked over to Blake.

“I see William is going to play. That was fast work.”

“He hasn’t said a dozen words to me, but he listened and he agreed to give this a try. I told him that people get better when they try and when they practice.”

“Whatever you told him, you got through to him. That’s pretty good, Blake. I’m impressed.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes. I want to move closer where I can coach a little,” he said.

“I thought you said Blake had never been around kids,” her mother said, stopping beside Sierra.

“He hasn’t until today—that’s what he told me.”

“Well, then I’m glad you invited him. If he just helps one child, it’ll be really good. Did you tell him that some of his donation went for the batting machine and some of the sports equipment?”

“Yes, I did. If he helps William, that’ll be a small miracle, but in some ways, Blake can relate to William and vice versa.”

“It’s a stretch, but both of them having no dad is a common bond,” her mother said as they watched William swing and miss. Blake talked to him. When William swung again, the ball glanced off the bat and was a foul. On the third swing, the bat connected and the ball bounced away while she heard Blake yell for William to run. The boy on third scooped up the ball and threw it wide, and William touched first base. He turned to Blake and grinned while kids and adults clapped.

“Maybe two lives were changed a little this afternoon,” her mother said. “Blake’s a nice guy, and I’m glad you took the job with him. He’s going to help so many people here. Dad is already making plans about what he can do with the money you’ve given him.”

“I’m glad.”

“Here comes Justin with a skinned knee. I don’t see his mother, so I’ll go help him.” Her mother moved away to take care of one of her three-year-old grandsons.

In minutes Sierra was busy clearing tables, and she didn’t talk to Blake the rest of the afternoon. She saw him with her brothers as they joined a bunch of kids of all ages in a tug-of-war over a narrow part of the winding creek.

They had a cookout for dinner, wanting to send everyone home with a hearty meal. It was eleven when quiet settled at home, and she finally stood at her bedroom door to tell Blake good-night.

“Thanks for all your help today.”

“It was interesting. I’m sure you wanted me to see what you’re involved in, and you wanted to stir my sympathy. Well, you succeeded.”

“Some of those kids have a tough deal.”