Page 11 of Rangers Mountain Rescue
“You stay where I can see you, okay?”
He nods.
Doesn’t argue.
He never does anymore.
And somehow…
That hurts more than if he did.
“Mom?”
I straightened quickly, wiping my eyes before he could see anything.
“Yeah, honey.”
“Buddy wants to run.”
Of course he did.
Buddy jumped out of the truck the second Dylan unclipped the leash, racing across the yard like the entire world belonged to him.
Dylan laughed.
The sound filled the quiet space around the house.
For a moment, everything felt lighter.
I climbed out of the truck and stretched, my back protesting from the long morning.
“Alright,” I said. “Let’s get chores done before dinner.”
Dylan nodded seriously.
He always nodded like that now.
Like he was older than eleven.
Like he understood things kids shouldn’t have to understand.
That part broke my heart more than anything.
While Dylan headed for the chicken coop, I walked toward the barn with the feed bucket.
The scent of hay and dirt wrapped around me.
It reminded me of summers growing up.
It reminded me of simpler days.
Desi and Lucy were already waiting by the fence, their big brown eyes watching me like they were judging my lateness.
“Yes, yes,” I muttered. “I know.”
I poured grain into the trough and leaned against the fence for a moment while the cows happily started eating.
I glance toward the porch.
