Perfect Bastard (Mason Creek)

When he reached me, he linked his free hand again with mine.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

We rounded the house, and he nodded toward a building out back and to the side. Though I’d never been in one, knowing this had once been an active ranch, I guessed: “The bunkhouse?”

“It’s in the middle of renovation, and I want to test some things out.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Really, now?”

His smile was full of teeth, but he said nothing. He only let go of my hand when we reached the door, and he opened it for me.

“Okay,” I said, walking in. Newly formed walls had been constructed, but yet to be painted, as the white sealing tape or spackle wasn’t hidden. The room was long and rectangle boxes were cut out of the wall, evenly spaced down both sides.

I stopped about halfway, glancing up. He stood beside me and spoke. “These will be the bunks.” He was speaking about the holes. “The beds will each have storage drawers underneath. The cubbies themselves will also have cut-out shelves and individual lights. The outside will have some type of blackout curtain for privacy.” Then he pointed down. “There will be bathrooms with showers and dressing rooms on either side. The back end will be a kitchen.” He pointed up. “There will be a bedroom or office, or maybe both, up there in the loft. And right where we are standing will be a long table for eating and hanging out. I’m on the fence about adding a sofa with a TV toward the front.”

“Why?” I didn’t have a clue where he was going with this.

“Let’s eat and I’ll tell you.”

He put the box down and went to the bunk on the left, nearest what would become the kitchen. He brought a blanket and spread it out. I brought out the containers.

“I have turkey and the fixings for sandwiches along with potato salad. I hope that’s okay. You said you were easy.”

“I am, and it sounds fantastic.”

“I also brought beer.”

“Even better,” he said.

As we ate, he told me his plans for the place. “I think I want to open a summer camp for kids. Teach them how to be good little cowboys and girls. I’m aiming for disadvantaged kids, but there will be weeks for paying kids too, as I don’t want to exclude anyone.”

“Will this not be a working ranch, then?”

“No. There are enough of those, and I want to give back. You asked me about what I’d do if I wasn’t playing baseball. I didn’t get to answer then. I’m good at two things. Baseball and being a cowboy.”

“Why not a baseball camp?”

“I considered that. I won’t be playing forever. And for now, I wouldn’t be around in the summer. My dad’s great with kids and being a cowboy is what he is. With help, I think this will give him something to do that he loves without the heavy responsibility of ranch life. We would have some animals, but not a lot.”

“What does he think?”

“I haven’t talked to him about it yet. You’re the first person I’ve told.”

More, I thought. What was growing between us was more. He shared something so personal and inspiring to me and only me. He was a lot more, too. Not just a glorified sports player, but a man with a plan for his future that including helping others.

I flashed Nate a smile. “And here I thought you’d say you would be a singer.”

“Me? No,” he said with a shake of his head. “My mom had grand plans of becoming a country singing sensation. In fact, before she met my dad, she’d been planning a move to Nashville. She taught my brother and I how to play the guitar and other instruments. And we did a lot of singing at home. Me more than my brother. He’s got more head for business, law and numbers than me.”

“Wow. My mom used to sing with me. She grew up singing at church. She would sing me to sleep when I was a kid.”

“I wonder if they knew each other.”

I nearly choked but covered it up. “I’ll have to ask Mom. You can ask yours.”

“I would, but my mom died a few years back.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t know. It’s still hard sometimes, but she gave us the best life.”

“Moms are great. My mom is pretty great too. She stayed with Dad when she should have left long before.”

He stopped mid bite. “Are they still together?”

“No.” I sighed. “She waited to leave him until I got out of high school.”

“Does it bother you?”

“Not one bit. I’m not one of those kids who wants their divorced parents together. It was for the best and Mom’s happy now with my soon-to-be stepdad.”

“Sounds like things worked out.”

“Yeah, you can say that.”

When we finished our meal, I asked, “You mentioned wanting to test something out?”