Page 6 of Savage Heart

“I wondered if you’ve thought any more about me going to the camp at Harrington Ranch.”

My fork pauses, and I blink at him. “We already talked about it, remember? I don’t think we can swing that this year. I’m sorry, bud.”

He swallows and looks down at his plate. “I just thought . . . maybe something had changed since then.”

I put my hand on top of his. “Camp is a lot of money, and it’s only two weeks. If you did that, you’d miss out on all the fun activities at the Ironwood Community Center.”

I feel bad for even bringing up ICC. There’s no comparison between what they do at the ranch versus Wally’s activities at ICC. Linc won the raffle for the camp at last year’s holiday bazaar, so everything was paid for, and the year before that, Otis paid for him to go. I can’t ask him to do that again.

It breaks my heart that I can’t make it happen, because he loves going there so much.

“Maybe if I didn’t eat all the meals. I could bring food. That would cut down a lot right there,” he says hopefully.

I look at him, at a loss. It kills me, not being able to make this work, and I hate that he knows the financial strain we’re under. He ducks his head when I don’t say anything and kind of nods.

“I’ll call today and see if there are any options,” I tell him.

I don’t want to give him false hope. And the chances that anyone will make an exception for us at Harrington Ranch are slim to none, but I have to try.

It’s hard to believe that I used to spend practically every waking moment there. Lincoln, Maverick, and me. We were always together.

“Mom? Are you okay?” Linc asks, waving his hand in front of my face.

He’s standing up and holding his backpack.

“Hmm? Oh. Yes.” I glance at the clock and jump up. “Oh no. Did you brush your teeth?”

“Did it. You were staring into space,” he teases.

“Spaced right out,” I say, grinning. “I’ll be ready in two minutes.”

I rush to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and we’re in the car within four minutes, driving out of Little Lark Trailer Park. The name is a lot better than the place, mostly run down with the exception of a few trailers. Otis and I have the two most well-maintained yards and trailers, and mine is only that way thanks to Otis. My mom brought me here from the hospital when I was born, and Otis lived next door. He’s like a grandpa to both Linc and me.

On the way to school, I drive down the street that changed my life. We pass the huge fountain and the hospital. Harrington Ranch looms on the other end of town, the gateway with its defining logo within view of the restaurant where I work. In a town like Ironwood, there’s no way to avoid the landmarks.

A daily reminder of the pain.

I pull up to the school and see Millie Claire. Her eyes blaze fire as she walks past my car. She’s a teacher at Ironwood Middle School now, but even if I didn’t have a son who attended her school, I’d still see her occasionally at Sweetgrass Market or Prairie Rose Soda Fountain, where I work.

I tried really hard to get out of this town, but raising a son alone on a waitress’s income hasn’t done the trick. And then there’s the fact that this is the only home I’ve known. I love Ironwood. It’s the people that I struggle with.

“Love you, bud. Don’t forget you’re taking the bus home. Have a great day, okay?” I squeeze Linc’s hand, and he squeezes back.

“Love you, Mom.”

“You’re the best boy there is,” I tell him as he gets out of the car.

“You say that every day.”

“It’s true every day.”

He’s grinning as he shuts the door.

I have to keep moving, but as I do the circle, I watch him walk inside. My gas light comes on, and I curse under my breath, glancing at the clock. There’s enough time to stop before I get to work, but it means I’ll have to push my daily visit to see my mom until this afternoon. Vera covers for me a couple mornings a week, and the rest of the week Linc takes the bus. I pull into the gas station and hop out. I’ve got the pump in the tank when I feel eyes on me and look up.

My insides drop to the ground.

Maverick Harrington.