Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) by Sherri Wilson Johnson Page A

straightened out. He’s got to stop running. Believe me, I’ve been there. I know.”
    “He hasn’t been to church since Patricia died. It really pains us to see him living as he does. His life is so empty right now,” R.L. added.
    “Church isn’t always the answer though, R.L. Before Rex can hear the Word, he’s got to start listening. And he’s nowhere near ready to do that.”
    “You’re right, Cora. His life is in shambles. He hasn’t even been home in over ten months. Right after Patricia died, he moved himself and Susie back to the ranch,” Pearl continued.
    “Home? He has a house?” That’s right. Veronica had asked Rex to take her to his cabin.
    “Yes, of course. He built a house when he started dating Patricia. When they got married, he moved her in there. When she died, he came home. He’s only been back to get things he needed. Most of the time, he sends one of us to get necessities,” Pearl answered.
    “I had no idea he’d lived away. Where is his house?” Cora sat on the loveseat.
    “You have to go behind the stables and over the hill. He put the cabin back in the woods. He loved that place so much,” R.L. said, sadness brewing in his eyes.
    So he hadn’t lived off the ranch. “I’m so sorry. At least I had a year without Clark before finding out he was dead. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain Rex has suffered.” Cora buried her face in her hands. “I have wounded him so badly.”
    “Please, consider staying with us. It would do you some good to be with Susie. We love you so much already. We would hate it if you left,” Pearl pleaded.
    “I’ll stay a little longer. I just don’t know what to do about Rex, but I’ll try to think of something. I’m going to bed. Susie will be up before I know it.” Cora walked out of the room, straightening her shoulders. Tomorrow would have to be a better day.
    The foyer was dark, but she found her way to the stairs by the small lamp on the round table at the foot of the stairs. As she went up the steps, Rex came down the upstairs hall. Maybe he’d pass her by.
    She ascended; Rex descended. They met in the middle. She looked at him and him at her.
    “Hi.” Rex stopped.
    “Hi.” Cora nervously halted in front of the O’Reilly family portrait.
    “Cora, I wanted to say...”
    “Please, don’t.” Cora held her hand up in protest.
    Gently taking her hand in his, Rex continued, “Thanks for what you said today.”
    “Thanks?”
    “Yes. Thanks.”
    “Don’t thank me. I want to apologize to you.”
    “No. Don’t. You struck a nerve. I didn’t realize I’d been avoiding Susie.”
    “Oh,” Cora meekly replied.
    Then he shuffled his boots on the hardwood stair and continued. “I’ve been thinking. How ’bout you and me take Susie to Calloway Gardens tomorrow? It’s so nice this time of year.” Rex still held her hand.
    “Us? Just the three of us?” Cora looked at their hands.
    “Sorry.” Rex released her hand.
    “No, it’s okay.” Feeling awkward about their contact, she leaned against the wall. “I think it’d be fun. I’ve heard about it and passed the road signs before on the highway, but haven’t ever been.”
    “Great, let’s go after breakfast. I can get some men to cover for me tomorrow.”
    “Fine. We’ll be ready after breakfast.”
    Rex tipped his hat and headed down the stairs.
    “Rex?”
    He turned around. “Yeah?”
    “Thanks.” She smiled, then headed to her room.

 
* * *
    “Susie, today we’re going to Calloway Gardens.” Cora buttered Susie’s toast.
    “Yay!” The girl threw her arms up in the air in a cheer, lost her balance, and almost slipped out of the kitchen chair.
    “Be careful. So I take it you’ve gone there before?” Cora tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
    “Yeah. There’s lots of butterflies there.” Susie took a big bite of her eggs.
    “Butterflies, huh?” Cora pulled the waist of her jeans up. Over the past year, with all of the stress over Clark, her