Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series by Natalie Bright (macos ebook reader .txt) 📕

Chapter Thirty-Eight

The light streaming in through the slits of the blinds made Carli blink. She stretched and yawned. For a second she thought about what to wear to the Olsen’s. Maybe she should find something dressier than jeans and chided herself for not asking Nathan. But maybe he wouldn't know the dress code. Guys usually said, "Wear whatever you want. It'll be fine."

She went to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, found her slippers, and wandered to the front porch rocker. Closing her eyes, she pushed anxiety from her mind and enjoyed the morning. The birds were usually at their noisiest first thing but were strangely quiet now. She wondered what time everyone would be leaving for the Olsen’s. Maybe she could hitch a ride with Buck and Lola. The drive would be the perfect opportunity to clear up the baby rumor and thinking about it made her frown.

Draining the last drop from her mug first, she then ambled back inside to get dressed. She took her time, trying on several outfits and decided on dress slacks with a bright purple western shirt and concho belt. Grabbing her purse, she strolled towards the cookhouse and was surprised to find Lola’s SUV gone. It was then she thought about looking at the time on her phone. It was late afternoon! How had she slept so long? The stress of the last few days must've caught up with her body.

Carli never wore a watch and the alarm clocks left behind by her grandparents were so ancient, she never made the effort to reset them. Time didn’t seem to be an issue here on the ranch. She woke when the sun came up, went to bed when she got tired. And the days soon passed into weeks. She really needed to get a modern, workable alarm clock. And even more strange, why hadn’t Nathan called?

She jogged back across the compound towards her pickup truck, purse bumping against her side, hopped in, and hurried to the Olsen’s ranch. She could drive faster but it would take longer if she went the roundabout way by pavement. Instead opting for the dirt road, she’d have to stop and unlock a wire gate. Passing through Crazy Vera’s place whom she shared a fence line with and then the next ranch over was the Rafter O pasture, land that had been in the Olsen family for at least five generations.

Lots of cars and trucks were parked in unorderly fashion surrounding the sprawling ranch house. Apparently, this was more than a family lunch. Not only was it his mother's birthday, it was also Mother’s Day weekend, another excuse for Nathan’s mom to entertain. She loved cooking and feeding a big crowd. They found more reasons to celebrate than any other family Carli had ever known. It suddenly dawned on her, was this to be a brunch or a dinner? So much had happened over the last few days, she couldn't remember. Either she had missed it or she was right on time.

Busting through the door, all heads turned when she entered the abruptly silent room. It was obvious that conversation had just stopped. A crowd was quietly milling around the family room. Nathan had an arm resting on the fireplace mantel. He smiled and walked her way. She heard Lola’s laughter from the kitchen. Buck turned and looked at her, a strange expression of sympathy on his face. Nathan’s sister Angie nodded, but didn’t leave the tall, dark-headed man she was standing with.

It was at that time Nathan’s mother emerged from the dining room. “Carli. Honey. Come sit down. Can I get you a glass of iced tea? A pillow for your back?” She gripped Carli’s arm and led her over to an easy chair where she gave her a little nudge. Were those tears in her eyes?

Carli sank back into the soft, leather chair. “Sorry I’m late.”

“We’re putting it on the table just now. Your timing is perfect, but you can rest for a few minutes if you need to.”

Nathan stood by her side, strangely silent. After several more moments, Mrs. Olsen announced, “Come on everybody. Let's eat.”

She stood, Nathan grabbed Carli's hand and led her to the far end of the long dining table, set of course to perfection. Smells of yeast rolls drifted from the kitchen. Deer antlers surrounded mason jars filled with sunflowers and extended down the middle. Blue Willow china, an abundance of silverware at each place setting as well as a bread plate, dessert plate, and water and tea glasses. A wagon wheel chandelier shed bright light over the entire scene. Nathan pulled out a cowhide-covered chair for Carli at his right and he took a seat next to the end, where his dad sat. Buck and Lola, the Olsen family, and a few couples Carli had seen around town but wasn't sure of their names, were all in attendance. About eighteen people gathered round.

“Let us bless the food,” said Skip Olsen, Nathan’s dad. Just before he began, the front door banged shut, spurs jangled in the entry hall, and Lank appeared from around the corner. He took a seat at the far end, opposite Nathan and Carli. The blessing was brief but moving.

“Lunch is served.” Lola balanced two casserole dishes followed by Nathan’s mom who carried a huge pot of beans. They arranged more dishes and food on the sideboard, and then Mrs. Olsen nodded to Nathan. “Let’s start at this end.”

Nathan allowed Carli to go first, and she gratefully filled her plate with tender brisket, coleslaw, pinto beans, along with a few other sides she didn’t recognize but looked too delicious not to try. Lola came up behind her and gave her a squeeze. “Glad you’re here. Everything’s going to be all right.”

Carli glanced at her for a moment, wondering what she meant but dismissed it after she sat down and started eating. The dishes