The Rancher's First Love by Brenda Minton

Mavis’s church. But in this church she couldn’t tune out the message. She couldn’t pretend she didn’t need hope.
    Everyone needed hope. But some felt less deserving.
    If it hadn’t been for Parker, she would have slipped quietly away. She stayed.
    Parker was counting on her. She felt his hand on her arm, and she gave him a look that she hoped was reassuring. He blinked quickly because he was nine and he wasn’t going to cry like a baby. He’d told her that once in the hospital, and she’d told him she was twenty-five and if she were him, she would cry. He hadn’t given in. He’d shaken his head and told her no, he wouldn’t cry.
    â€œYou okay?” she whispered.
    Parker nodded but didn’t speak. She guessed if he spoke he might lose the tight control he had on his emotions.
    â€œThey’re watching from heaven,” she said, guessing where his thoughts were headed. “And they’re proud.”
    â€œPeople don’t watch from heaven,” he choked out. “Didn’t you hear the song? Everybody will be happy over there. They can’t be happy if they look down.”
    â€œOh, buddy.” She closed her eyes and drew in a breath. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t cry,” he warned. His voice was small and quiet. “Don’t cry.” More to himself than to her.
    Then Remington stood in front of them, a smile on his too-handsome face and eyes that showed understanding and warmth. “Ready?”
    Parker nodded. “Can Sam go with me?”
    â€œShe can if she wants.”
    How could she say no? She would share this moment with him. She would walk next to Remington and with his aunt Lee. They made their way to the baptismal with a little boy who wanted his faith to be made public. It was a ceremony as old as time. Not a dry eye remained in the church as Remington baptized his cousin.
    The pianist suddenly sat straight up, raised her hands and began to beat out a worthy tempo on that poor old upright piano. She grinned broadly, her glasses sliding to the end of her nose. She paused to push them back up, and then she went back to playing.
    Remington stepped close to Samantha, Parker in his arms. “And that’s how we have church in the country.”
    â€œWill you join us for lunch?” Parker’s grandmother asked as they left the church a short time later.
    â€œI’d love to but I have to go to work. Another time?”
    â€œWhen are you scheduled to come to the house again?” Parker asked.
    She’d thought about it, that someone else should take over his case. But she couldn’t walk away from Parker. As much as it hurt to be around Remington. As much as she had hurt him, they couldn’t avoid each other. Parker came first.
    * * *
    Remington took his family to Duke’s No Bar and Grill for lunch that Sunday. Why not poke the bear? The bear being Duke Martin.
    Duke didn’t seem too upset to see him. The middle Martin brother, Duke was the tallest and probably the most dangerous of the bunch. As Remington and his small family took their seats, Duke left the table where he’d been having lunch with the Martin clan. And they were quite a big group these days.
    â€œRemington, good to have you all with us. Might as well join the Martins. We have a big table at the back.” Duke pointed in the direction of three tables pushed together. “Marty had the day off. She’s busy dating and it looks like we might lose her to a worthy adversary, Oregon’s dad, Joe.”
    â€œWell, I’ll be,” Gus said. “I watched television.”
    At that non sequitur, Remington glanced at his granddad. “Gus, you okay?”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t I be? I’m happy for Marty and Joe. Both good people.”
    â€œYou said you watch television.” Remington glanced at Aunt Lee. She glanced from Remington to Gus and shook her head.
    â€œWell, I don’t