Page 60 of Together Is Where We Belong

Carolina's body was tense as she stared off to the woods that were in front of us. Every so often, the tractor would hit a bump, and her body would brush against mine. Each time it happened, I looked over at her and her chest stopped rising for a bit before she started breathing again.

We rounded the bend to head back to the field, and Luke groaned, not wanting the ride to end. I loved how much he loved the land that I grew up on. I couldn’t wait to take him on trail rides with him sitting right in front of me as we rode Bullseye around the property.

“Don’t be upset, bud. We can ride the tractor anytime. Don’t forget we’re goin’ to the bounce house next,” I said to cheer him up.

“That’s right. I almost forgot,” he said as he went to stand, but I pulled him back to me to keep him from possibly falling over the edge.

Just as he settled into me, the tractor came to a stop where it’d picked us up. Carolina stood and waited for the person beside us to walk and go down the grate of the back of the trailer. I picked Luke up and put him back on my shoulders, and we followed Carolina to get off the trailer.

“Bounce,” Luke screamed as he pointed in that direction.

I put him down after we got to the one he wanted to go on, and I pulled off the tickets as we waited in line.

Carolina looked nervous, and she gripped the silver chain dangling around her neck. The end of the necklace disappeared into her shirt. I thought she’d pull it out and grip the end, but she didn’t, which led me to believe there was possibly something at the end of the necklace she didn’t want anyone to see.

Luke took his shoes off as we got to the front of the line and handed them over to Carolina. She removed her hold on the necklace and held each of his shoes in one hand.

“Be good, buddy,” she said with a shaky voice.

“I will, Mom,” Luke said as he ran over to the bounce house and climbed inside.

“He’s goin’ to be fine,” I assured her. She nodded without ever taking her eyes off Luke. She watched every move he made. Her body was completely tense without him by her side.

“Did somethin’ happen as to why you’re so nervous?” I asked, scared to know the answer, but needing to because if something happened to him before coming here I needed to know.

“What do you mean?” she asked, her body coiled tighter as she wrapped her arms around her middle. She did that years ago too when she tried to hide something.

“You can’t take your eyes off him. Like your scared someone is goin’ to take him,” I explained.

I held my breath until she gave her answer.

“Nothing happened. It’s just a fear of mine,” she responded, and I wanted her to elaborate, but with how nervous she seemed I didn’t want to push the issue.

I hadn’t known I was a parent for long, but her fear seemed rational. But I knew this ranch was safe. No one would harm him here.

“Did you see the back flip I did, Dad?” Luke yelled as he ran over to us.

“I did, buddy. Great job,” I told him as I ruffled his hair.

“You want to go over to the barn and see Bullseye?” I suggested. I wanted them to have a good day here, and Carolina had seemed frightened since they’d arrived.

“We don’t have to leave,” she whispered as she turned toward me.

“It’s okay, Mom. Let’s go see Bullseye. Can I feed him a carrot?” Luke asked as he jumped up and down, as excitement exuded off him.

“Let’s head that way then. But, buddy, don’t run too far in front of us, okay? There could be snakes you don’t see,” I warned as we set off in the direction of the main property. Carolina may have said it was okay to stay, but the way her shoulders relaxed as we walked away from the crowd, I knew I’d been right to suggest leaving.

“What other animals do you have at the ranch?” Luke asked as he ran slightly ahead of us.

“We have miniature cows, chickens, a few ducks, and horses,” I told him proudly.

“Can I come here with you one day so we can see them all?” Luke stopped and turned around to ask. His little face looked up at me, and his eyes held so much hope as he waited for me to answer.

“Absolutely,” I said as I walked up to him and picked him up and spun him around. His laughter echoed in the air as I spun him one last time and put him back down, his steps faltered for a bit from dizziness, and I held onto his shoulders until he was okay to walk on his own.

I looked over at Carolina who smiled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. I wanted to ask why, but I didn’t feel like I had a right to know the reason.

We made it over to the white picket fence, and Luke got down on his knees and crawled underneath. Carolina and I climbed over and followed behind him.