Always Have, Always Will

CHAPTER 1

Pushing her way through the crowd, Andie finally made it to her apartment building. God, she was tired. Tired of this city. Tired of the same day-to-day bullshit of her internship. Tired of not being where she wanted to be. Six years was long enough. She’d received her bachelor’s degree and was in her second year of interning. So, what the hell was she still doing in New York? Working at a damn place that meant nothing to her?

You know why. Shaking off the melancholy, she dropped her bag on the table and poured herself a glass of wine before flouncing down on the couch. Because Gramps wants the best for his granddaughter.

She grabbed the picture of her grandparents off the coffee table. Julie and Robert Miller. They were in their late fifties, yet acted like teenagers. The photo showed them standing in front of the house on The Triple L, the horse ranch her grandfather owned in Plano, Texas. The two-story, columned house had steps leading to the entrance, and the half-fenced, bordered porch was as wide as the house itself.

“My granddaughter will have the best education! Whatever it takes. I will not have her struggle as I have.” Andie smiled at the memory of him laying down the law. With that memory came one of them holding back tears the day she left for college.

Thomas Ford was Gramp’s right-hand man at the ranch. Thomas’s children, Cage and Mandy, were at The Triple L often, and even more during the summer months. They went to the same school together; Andie and Cage were in the same grade, while Mandy was a year behind them. Cage, at a younger age, had always been a pain in her ass, but their childhood love for one another began on her fifteenth birthday.

That love abruptly ended her first year at college when he had slept with someone else. Probably married the bitch, too. The story was still shady, she hadn’t bothered with the details. What Andie knew was that Cage had slept with Barbara Ann Sims, the town slut. The result: Barbara became pregnant.

It was a small town, where everyone knew everyone’s business. So the whole town knew Cage Ford had cheated on his girlfriend while she was away at college.

So there was the answer. Six years away from home, because she didn’t want the betrayal and rumors staring her in the face every time she walked through town. Oh, and that whole sorted story of her mother that everyone knew. Andie shook her head at that thought.

Now? She knew in her heart it was time to go home. Damn all the rest.

Her phone vibrated on the table, and Andie retrieved it, lips turning up into a full smile as she answered, “Hello, Grams, I was just thinking about you.”

“Sweetpea, how are you?”         

“Missing you. How’s Shadow and Gramps?”

“Shadow is fine. Listen…”

“What is it, Grams? Something happened—I can hear it in your voice.”

Her grandmother’s hesitation spiked Andie’s attention further. “It’s Gramps. He’s in the hospital, I’m sure it’s—”

“I’m on the next flight out.” Andie was already moving through the apartment, phone to her ear, pulling a backpack out from her closet.

“Andie, I’m sure he is going to be fine; I didn’t want you to…”

“I’m coming, Grams.” She pulled shirts and other necessities out from the drawers, and shoved them in the backpack. “I’ll let Thomas know when I’m arriving.”

“Alright, I’ll let him know to expect your call.”

“Okay, I love you, Grams. I’ll see you soon. He’s going to be alright.” Andie heard her grandmother’s sigh, the tightness in her voice, and knew she was on the verge of tears.

“Yes. Yes, he will. I love you too, Sweetpea.”

Andie shoved what she could in a backpack and a small carry-on bag, called a taxi, and locked up.  Quickly, she was on her way to the airport, her phone was still to her ear as she was talking with the airlines. Luckily, she was able to catch a flight within a few hours. By the time she arrived and pushed through security, she made it to the gate with twenty minutes to spare before boarding. Giving her just enough time to let the worry set in.

Her grandfather could hire a hundred men, but he’d still work from sunup to sundown. Robert Miller and Thomas Ford were the fathers she’d never had. Grams and Thomas’s wife, Betsy, were the mother she needed. Andie’s mother? Andrea Miller, the absent mother, was a subject that Andie refused to discuss.

Andie wasn’t sure how she’d fallen asleep, but the announcement for landing pulled her from the slumber. Filing off the plane, she had no patience and pushed her way through the crowd quickly, rushing to the pickup area. And there he was, Thomas Ford.

He was tall, wore a ball cap, and dressed in a western-cut shirt, worn jeans, and boots. All the years he’d worked at the ranch showed in his slim, yet muscular, form for a man of his age.  Like her grandfather, he always seemed larger than life to her. She found him leaning against the truck with his arms crossed over his chest. His grin widened when he spotted her.  

“Little-bit.” He opened his arms as Andie rushed into his embrace, tears burning her eyes. “Shhh, come on now, you know he’s going to be just fine.”

“What happened?” After giving her a quick, firm hug, Thomas opened the truck door, and Andie took her seat as he walked around and got in.

“Everyone had already called it a night, and George was the last one to make sure all the horses were secured.” Thomas started the truck and pulled into the traffic. “He found your grandfather passed out in the stables. A few shakes, and Robert came around. A little confused, but George helped him back to the house and let your Grams know what happened. Robert bellowed he was fine, just a little tired.” Thomas shook his head. “Well, your Grams was not about to argue with him. She called an ambulance.” He gave a whistle that gave the impression of a bomb falling through the air. “World War II broke out, from what I hear.”

“I’m sure Grams let him have it.” Andie knew her grandmother wouldn’t take Gramp’s bullshit. Never had. “So, what are the doctors saying?”

Thomas shrugged his shoulders. “They’re running tests, and no results were back before I left. We both know how he is, and he thinks he’s still a spring chicken.  He’s ready to get the hell out of there.”

“Well, he’s not young anymore and the stubborn fool…” She chuckled at the term. “That’s Grams' word for him, by the way, Gramps has too many capable hands working for him to run himself into the ground.”

“No arguments here. He’ll be fine. Robert’s too hard-headed to be anything else.”  Thomas removed his hat to run his hand through his hair.

Andie turned to study him. He was a handsome man in his fifties. A firm father with Mandy and Cage when needed. Hell, with her when it was called for. Yet full of love for them and his wife. She could see where Cage had gotten his looks and demeanor. She smiled as she touched his hair above his ear, where the gray was thickening. “Speaking of spring chickens.”

“What? I’m in the prime of my life.” His lips curved, and he winked. “Besides, Betsy says it’s sexy.”

 Andie covered the laugh before it bubbled out. When Thomas faced her with a wicked smile and pumped his eyebrows, there was no holding back, and her laughter flowed like a river.

“Good to have you home, Little-bit.”

“Good to be home,” Andie replied. The ride from the airport to the hospital took nearly forty minutes. She inquired about the ranch. “Other than Gramps passing out, have things been running pretty smoothly?”

“Couple of new hands.”

“So, Gramps doesn’t have anything to stress about.”

“No, he just thinks he’s the only one who can do anything.” Thomas chuckled.

“He’s always been that way. Grams says his father was, too.”

“That he was, from what I can remember.” It was Andie’s turn to chuckle. “Wow, you are old!”

“Watch it, kiddo.”

“How’s Mandy? It’s been a while since I’ve heard from her.” Mandy, Thomas’ daughter, left their little town two years ago with a man she claimed was her soul mate. The few times Andie had spoken to her, she seemed happy, but Thomas’s demeanor changed quickly, confusing her.

“That balking peacock shed his feathers. My baby girl is coming back home.”

“Oh no, I’m sorry for her. Dammit, she sounded so happy.”

“One, his ‘great job’ was a floor salesman at a home improvement store. Not the owner of the store! Two, he flashed money and talked a good game until she discovered that bills weren’t being paid. She came home from her job to find an eviction notice on the door, and all hell broke loose. One by one, those feathers fell right out, and now he is a bald turd. Like I tried to explain to her, to begin with.”

“Oh shit! You’re not going to do the ‘I told you so’ are you?” Andie scowled in anticipation of his answer.

 “Now, Little-bit, would I do that?” He turned and gave her a shit-eating grin.

“In a heartbeat!” They both laughed as they finally pulled into the hospital parking lot.

As Thomas led Andie through the halls, she noticed the antiseptic smells. Stringent clean it made her nose twitch. So white she wanted to grab crayons and add color. A few turns and they arrived at a waiting area where some designer had incorporated a little more style with the walls and chairs. Her grandmother was engaged in conversation with George. Andie noticed her turning her watch on her wrist; a sign that Grams was worried.

Andie would never get over how young her grandmother looked. She had stayed in great shape through the years, and here she stood, her slightly greying hair pulled back into a short ponytail, a cotton t-shirt, and worn jeans with her favorite tennis shoes. Gram’s eyes lit with love when she saw her. It was always like that, every look, every gesture, whether with Andie or Gramps, so full of love, it made your heart just want to burst.

Grams met her halfway, and they engulfed each other in a hug. “Sweetpea. How I have missed you!”

“How is he?”

“He’s exhausted; the old man needs to back off,” she informed Andie and Thomas as she sat down.

“Dammit, I try, Julie,” Thomas pleaded.

“I know you do, and I’m not blaming you…but when I get him home, I’m laying down the law and I need you both to back me up.”

Andie squeezed her grandmother’s hand, giving her a wink. “Consider your back covered, Grams. He can’t beat all three of us.”

 “That’s what I’m counting on.”

Andie rubbed her grandmother’s arm. “Can I see him?”

“The doctor wanted a few minutes with him. When he is done, we can go in.” Julie touched Andie’s cheek. “It’s good to have you home.”

“It’s good to be home.”  

The doctor soon joined them and explained that Robert’s blood work came back off the charts, due to stress and exhaustion. He agreed with Grams that his daily routine was too rigorous.  “I’d like to keep him overnight and administer some medication, but your husband is not being cooperative.”

Grams folded her arms across her chest. “Let me see that old fool. I’ll hogtie him to the bed if I have to.”

Andie watched as her grandmother marched away next to the doctor. Thomas took the seat Julie vacated. “Think WW3 is about to start.”

“My money’s on Grams.”

“Mine too,” Thomas stated as he tilted his head back and closed his eyes with another shit-eating grin on his face.

Grams returned, cussing up a storm. “The stubborn mule! Andie, go talk some sense into him.”

Andie stood. “Did you mention I was here?”

“Hell no! He’s already going to throw a fit because I called you.” Julie took the seat next to Thomas. “Go work your magic. You have always had a way of getting what you want from him. Down the hall on the right. Three-oh-two.”

As Andie rushed off, Julie watched as her granddaughter disappeared down the hall, then turned to Thomas, who was still resting his eyes. “Think she can do it?”

“My money is on Little-bit,” Thomas answered without looking at her.

“Mine too.” Julie agreed, mimicking Thomas, and closed her eyes.

“You do know, now that she’s home, whatever the reason, she’ll be staying,” Thomas added, staying in the same position.

Julie reached over and patted his hand. “It’s what I’m counting on, Thomas. I miss my girl. It’s time she came home.”

“Robert’s going to…”

“Robert can bellow school all he wants, and Andie needs to be here. Lots of things need to be resolved, Thomas. That can’t happen with her sixteen hundred miles away. They will both have to adjust.”

“Gonna be a lot of adjusting going on.”

Julie could hear the laughter in his tone. “I can tell you’re smirking, and I don’t even have to look at you.”

Now Thomas patted her hand. “I think a little adjusting and smirking is called for. Things are going to get interesting.”

“I hate to repeat myself, but it’s what I’m counting on.”

As Julie and Thomas had their laugh, Andie pushed the door open to her grandfather’s room. He turned to say something not so pleasant until he saw her. That firm, no-nonsense look he pulled off so well changed in an instant. Softening, showing not only surprise but love. “Sweetpea? What in the hell are you doing here?”  He tried to sound callous but failed.

“Hello, Gramps.” She walked to his bed, giving him a cheeky grin. “Why do you think I’m here?” Andie sat on the edge of the bed and playfully poked him in the chest. “You’ve been working too hard.”

Here was the man in her life who mattered. Nearly six feet in height, salt, and pepper hair. Skin caressed by the sun for years. A face chiseled from stone. Handsome and strong-willed when it came to the ones he loved.

“I should have known your grandmother would call you. There was no sense in it. I am fine. You should be at school. If that damn quack would release me, I could be back at the ranch doing what I do best.”

“You know he’s not a quack, and you need to listen to him. You need to rest.” Andie crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a scowl.

“There are just too many things to see to at the ranch, Sweetpea. I can’t…”

“Gramps, you listen to me. I love you. Grams loves you. Everyone at the ranch loves and respects you.” His features softened as Andie took his face in her hands. “You have built a beautiful ranch and a successful business.”

“But…” Robert grumbled.

“No buts. What is the point if you will not enjoy yourself occasionally? You and Grams need a vacation.”

“Vacation? What the hell?” He moved her hands from his face. “What are you up to? Did your grandmother put you up to this?”

“No, you never go anywhere. Have you forgotten what The Triple L stands for? Live, Laugh, and Love, Gramps. You need to do all of those things a little more. Between Thomas, me, and the other hand, that ranch will run fine for a few days while you and Grams go on vacation.”

“You? I will not go gallivanting with your Grams and have you working as a ranch hand. School is more important…” Robert watched as Andie pushed out that lower lip and batted her lashes a few times. The look that always got her what she wanted. He was defeated, and Andie knew it. “You know all I want is for you not to have to work as hard as we’ve had to, Sweetpea.”

 “I know, Gramps, and I love you for it. So, let’s make a deal.” She hoped one little white lie wouldn’t send her to hell. “If you promise to take Grams on a vacation and get yourself some rest, I’ll head back to school as soon as you get back. Besides, I want to spend time with Shadow.” Andie gave him a mischievous smile. Her grandfather could be hard and stubborn, but she knew he was not impossible to compromise with.

Robert chuckled. “So that is what this is about, Shadow. I’ve always known you love that damn horse more than me.”

“Do we have a deal, Gramps?” Andie stuck out her hand, ready for the handshake.

“All right, it’s a deal.” He took her hand and gave it a quick shake. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with school. But I’m not going off to some damn beach where young kids act crazy.”

“Leave it to Grams. She’ll find a nice, quiet place for you to rest and enjoy yourselves.” She kissed his cheek and headed for the door. “Oh, and Gramps…you know I love you as much as I love Shadow.” She winked and stepped out of the room to return to her grandmother.

Julie stood when Andie returned. “Well, has the old geezer calmed down any? Were you able to talk any sense into him?”

“I got him to agree to a small vacation for the two of you.”

“Hmmm, you don’t say. Always know I can count on you,” Grams stated as she rose along with Thomas as he straightened his cap.

“He will if he wants me to go back to school.” Andie wrapped her arm through her grandmother’s as they headed back to Gramp’s room.

Grams gave her a suspicious look. “Ah, you blackmailed your grandfather. Smart girl.”

“Grams! Not blackmail, let’s call it a compromise between two strong-willed individuals.” Andie confirmed as they all went back to Robert’s room.

Gramps gave Thomas instructions for the following day, then turned to Grams. “It’s late. You should get home.”

“I can stay with you, Robert.” Grams sat next to him, holding his hand.

“No, I want you to go home and take this blackmailing granddaughter with you. They are going to give me something to help me sleep, so there is no sense in you being uncomfortable too. Go home, love. I’ll be home tomorrow.”

Julie turned to Andie and Thomas. “Please give me a minute alone with this stubborn old man?”

“Sure thing, Julie. Good night, Robert.”

Andie kissed his cheek. “Good night, Gramps. Rest and we will see you in the morning. I love you.”

“I love you too, Sweetpea. Make sure this old woman gets some rest.”

“Will do, Gramps.”  Andie and Thomas left them alone.

When Julie was alone with her husband, she gave him a firm look.  “Who are you calling old?”

Robert touched her face. “I’m sorry about earlier, love. I just hate being away from the ranch.”

“I know, Robert, but you have to take time off or slow down. You terrified me. I couldn’t live without you.”

“I’m too mean to die.” Robert chuckled.

“Don’t even joke, Robert, it’s not funny.”

Robert touched her cheek with his fingertips. “I’m sorry. I think you’re right. This even scared me, but if you tell that granddaughter I said that, I’ll say you’re a liar.”  Julie let out a short laugh. “Plan what you want, we will go away for a few days. Just us, I promise.”  He pulled her lips to his and gave her a lingering kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you. I’ll see you in the morning.” Julie left him and met up with Thomas and Andie in the waiting room.

“Grams, you’re looking a little flushed there,” Andie stated.

“Oh, hush, girl. We may be old, but we are not dead. Let’s go home.” Julie walked past her, grinning widely.

Twenty minutes later, Andie smiled as Thomas made his way through the gates of The Triple L and up the winding driveway to the house. A bare wood fence surrounded the entire place, including the corrals, barns, tractors, and trucks, and the lovely two-story home that sat at the entrance of the ranch. Thomas parked in front of the house, and they all proceeded up the stairs inside.

“Thomas, thank you for picking up Andie. Tell Betsy I’m sorry for pulling you from your plans tonight,” Julie said as they entered the house.

Thomas hugged her. “I’m sure she’ll come by tomorrow.”

Julie nodded as she turned and climbed the half horseshoe staircase to the second floor. “Sweetpea, after you see Shadow, I’ll be in my room.”

Andie placed her bag at the bottom of the stairs and looked around the foyer. “I’d say she knows you pretty well, Little-bit.” Thomas turned to leave the house.

“Better than most.” She took his arm and followed him out to the stables.

“What’s it been, two years since your last visit?” Thomas asked.

“At least that. I have been away for way too long.” Andie took a deep breath. The fresh air filling her lungs. The crispness gave her goosebumps. “Way too long.”

“You never had to stay away.” Thomas stopped walking, turning to face her.

“Yes, I did, and you know why,” Andie said, turning away from his intense glare.

Thomas shook his head. “You’re as stubborn as your grandfather. There is still so much you don’t know…”

Andie raised a hand. “Not now. One thing at a time. Let’s get Gramps home. Get them out of here on that vacation, and the rest will fall in place.”

“So, you’ve decided to come home for good?”

“Gramps wanted the best education for me, and I’ve done that. The last few years I stayed in school just…so I wouldn’t have to face…” She shook her head, took his arm, and started toward the stables again. “Well, let us not get into that. I’m home and I’m staying.”

Thomas removed his cap and scratched his head. “You know, Robert is going to fight you, right?”

“I love a challenge.”

Thomas’s grin widened. “Well, there isn’t anything you don’t know about this place. I’ll pick you both up in the morning, take you to pick up Robert.”

“I can handle that.” They stopped at the horse pen.

“Deciding already. I can see things are going to get interesting around here. Good night, Little-bit.”

Andie waved her goodbye as she walked into the stables and straight to Shadow’s stall. He shook his head and whinnied when he saw her. She stepped in, rubbing his nose. “Hello boy.”  

Picking up a brush, she ran it over his black shiny coat as he shoved his nose into her chest. “Miss me, did ya?” Shadow nodded his head. Andie laughed and kissed his nose. “I missed you, too.”

After Andie brushed Shadow, as she’d done since he was a colt, whether he needed it or not, she snuck in some extra oats and returned to the house. Grabbing her bag off the stairs, she headed up to her grandparents’ room to find her grandmother asleep, still clothed, with Gramps’ pillow, snuggled close to her chest. Smiling, she placed a quilt over her.

Downstairs, she went into her grandfather’s office and sat in his high-back leather chair. She took a deep breath and inhaled the lingering smell of his cologne and cigar. There were three frames on his desk. One of him and Grams, one of Andie’s mother, Andrea, when she was younger, and one of Andie on the back of Shadow.

Andrea Miller had never been a mother as far as Andie could remember. Grams and Betsy had been a mom to Andie for many years; she didn’t know the difference anymore. Her mother was a beautiful girl who had taken a wrong turn somewhere in life. Andie wondered how that could have happened with as much love as her grandparents had to give.

Memories of those years so long ago clouded her mind. “Please, not now.” She closed her eyes and counted. Once she had the shit part of her life pushed back, she left the office and went upstairs to her old room and was pleased to see that everything was the same. Grams had said she wouldn’t touch it until Andie came home for good. Looks like it was about time for that change. One wall had several school mums. The giant corsages were made of ribbons, all in a variety of sizes. She smiled at the largest one for senior year. Cage had gone a little crazy, and she remembered trying to keep the corsage attached and eventually had to carry it. The corsages were placed strategically around a collage of pictures. She placed her backpack on the bed and moved to that wall.

There were Jamie and Chuck Thompson, brothers, and the comedians of the group.  Their parents owned the local feed and hardware store. Joann and Josh Tucker, brother and sister, whose family owned the local clothing store.  Many of Cage and Mandy with her on the ranch. On horses, or at events held at school. She touched them all, letting the memories take hold.

She pulled her and Cage’s prom picture off the board and lay down on the bed. He had looked so handsome in his tux. They had planned that night for months. The night they first made love. They were young, it was a little silly and awkward, but special all the same. He had made it special with candles and roses. It was sweet, and it made her love him even more. That night, as she had lain in his arms and told him she loved him. He simply said, “Always have, always will.” It stuck. It was still stuck in her heart. She still loved him.

Andie pulled the picture close to her heart. “Always have, always will.” A single tear fell down her cheek as sleep took over.