“I’m sorry,” Angus said as he focused his gaze on where Brick tossed another log on the fire. A shower of sparks rose up in a flurry of bright red to disappear into the sky overhead.
“This ranch has been in my family for only two generations,” she said. “Around here that doesn’t mean anything. Most of these people are at least fifth generation ranchers.”
“That doesn’t mean you aren’t wedded to the life and the land. It’s hard to let go of something you love. Or someone,” he added, remembering what his brother had said.
She smiled over at him. “I let go of T.D. months ago. Unfortunately, getting rid of him isn’t as easy as I’d hoped. I filed for divorce but he’s contested it, determined to force me to sell and settle with him.” Jinx shook her head. “We’ve only been together less than two years and yet that’s enough, according to my lawyer, that T.D. can force me into a settlement. I can’t believe what a fool I was.”
Angus chuckled. “We’ve all been there, trust me.” Only the crackle of the fire and the occasional burst of laughter or curse broke the stillness around them. He wasn’t surprised that in a few minutes, Jinx changed the subject.
“I can’t believe my good luck, getting three good hands from Cardwell Ranch,” she said, lightening the mood. “Your cousin Ella is just as good as she says she is.”
He smiled. “Yep, she can ride circles around me and Brick.”
Jinx glanced over at him, the firelight dancing in her eyes. “The two of you let her.”
Angus grinned. “Maybe a little, but don’t underestimate my cousin. She’s special, that one.”
“I love how close you three are. Do you have other siblings?”
“An older sister, Mary, and older brother, Hank. And lots more cousins.”
“I always wanted a large family.”
He studied her in the firelight. “Maybe you’ll have one of your own someday.” She looked skeptical. “Just because you climbed onto a rank horse once, doesn’t mean you quit riding.”
She laughed at his analogy. “Rank horse covers T.D. well. I know there are good horses out there as well as men. I’ll be much more discerning next time. If there is a next time.”
“There will be,” he said and met her gaze. He held it, wishing he could take away the hurt he saw in those eyes.
“Your father is a marshal, right?” He nodded. “Your family must miss you.”
He smiled, thinking of his mother. “If my mother had her way, we’d all live in the main house and would park our boots under her dining room table every night for dinner.”
Jinx nodded. “I’ve heard about Dana Cardwell Savage. Our mothers were friends, both involved in the cattlewomen’s organizations, but I’m sure you already know that. What about Ella’s parents?”
“Just her mom, Stacy. She’s always taken care of all of us and helped Mom running the house rather than the ranch. She lives on the ranch in one of the cabins up on the side of the mountain.” He could feel Jinx’s curious gaze on him.
“I’m sure your mother can’t wait to have your boots back under her table.”
“There’s no hurry,” he said, chuckling at the truth in her words. “My family, especially my mother and uncle Jordan, have everything under control. My sister takes care of the books for the ranch. They don’t need me yet.”
“But when they do?”
“I reckon I’ll head on home.”
Jinx stared up at the swaying pines overhead for a moment. “When my father got sick, I promised myself that I would keep the ranch or die trying.”
“Is that what he wanted you to do?”
She seemed surprised by the question. “No, actually, on his deathbed, he made me promise two things. Get rid of T.D. and then the ranch. He thought it would be too much for me and that I would kill myself trying to hang on to it. I guess it’s no wonder so many ranchers are selling out to those large companies that move cattle with helicopters and are owned by even larger corporations.”
“Ranching isn’t an easy way to make a living, that’s for sure,” Angus agreed. “So your father gave you good advice.”
She chuckled. “You mean by kicking T.D. out?” She shook her head, looking rueful. “I’d kicked him out of my bed a long time before that. I should have kicked him off the ranch sooner. But I think I just hated to admit what a mistake I’d made.”
“What about selling the ranch?”
Jinx stared again at the campfire for so long, he didn’t think she was going to reply. “That’s the hard part. I’m not sure I can do it.” She let out a bitter bark of a laugh. “But I’m not sure I can keep it, either. T.D. is forcing my hand. I think I’m going to have to sell it just to settle up with him.”
“I’m sorry it’s come to that.”
“My own fault. And maybe my father was right and it’s for the best. Just doesn’t feel that way right now. Admittedly, T.D.’s got me digging in my heels just out of orneriness.” She sighed and seemed glad to see the poker game break up. Angus noted that neither Cash nor Royce looked happy as they headed off to bed. Brick, however, was grinning and joking with Ella, which told him that she’d kept the game honest. That was his cousin. Now his brother had the two men’s money in his pocket and had probably made enemies in the process.
“It’s going to be another early morning tomorrow,” Jinx said but didn’t move. “I heard that a male grizzly was seen in this area recently.
