Outside a crow cawed and Nathan stomped into his boots. He had work to do. Work that let his mind worry over the issue that was holding him back. Stepping through the door and into a misty morning, Nathan stretched, easing tight muscles into play as he strode toward the barn. He would feel better after the Morning Prayer Meeting. Perhaps he would even find wisdom in making his first step.
“Where you been?” Red fell into step with Nathan as they headed for the barn. “I’ve been out and about for half an hour already.”
“You’ve been in the kitchen you mean,” Nathan grinned. “You can’t resist Mrs. Wade’s baked oatmeal and two or three good strong coffees.”
Red chuckled. “It saves Nan from fixin’ me breakfast,” the older man teased. “She works hard enough at the diner in town and with Florence expecting, she’s trying to keep up with more of the work, so Flo won’t have to.”
Nathan felt a shiver run down his spine at Red’s comment. He had met Florence and her husband Hunter on the ranch a few times, along with their little girl Elsie. He was all too glad not to be on the receiving end of some of Florence’s sass.
“How long have Hunter and Florence been together?” Nate scratched under his hat trying to put things together. “The way everyone talks this is Florence’s first child.”
“Yep,” Red turned, looking at Nathan. “Hunter had a child with a girlfriend when he was still a wild teen. She died, and he got Elsie. When that tragedy happened it changed that young man’s life.”
“He’s a good dad.” Nathan felt his stomach gurgle with guilt. He didn’t even know if he was a father, not for sure.
“Hunter still wears that braided wrist band his little girl gave him even now. A big tough cowboy like that with a heart to match.” Red chuckled giving a shake of his head.
“Is that what that is?” I wondered why Hunter wore a string around his arm.”
“Elsie made it for him, and he never takes it off. He’s a softy like that. Good horse trainer too.”
Together the two men made their way to an empty stall at the end of the barn where voices drifted out into the aisle.
“Things are heating up around here,” Chase said as the men who joined the group each day congregated. “I want everyone to be extra careful as the guests seem to struggle to keep focused. We don’t need any accidents this year.”
The group knew he was referring to an incident not long ago where one of the wranglers was injured, and the guest, that he subsequently married had been forced to race to the ranch for help.
“Does anyone have any requests today?” Chase asked, his blue eyes darting around the group.
A few cowboys called out specific needs, and then Red raised a hand. “Nate here has an unspoken request,” he said boldly. “God knows his needs.”
The other men turned, looking toward Nathan, who felt his ears go red, but the eyes of his fellow wranglers were full of understanding, hope, and care. “Thanks,” Nathan mumbled feeling a sense of acceptance wash over him.
Kade walked into the stall, a big grin on his face, and slapped Nate on the back, nearly bowling him over. “Morning,” he bellowed, stripping his hat and bowing his head.
***
A misty morning turned to a warm afternoon, and Nathan found himself shoveling hay from the loft into the corrals below. With so many horses in constant rotation for riders, they fed hay as extra sustenance throughout the year.
Below, in the newly built corral, a group of ponies marched in line as children laughed and squealed in delight at their first ride. It had been a good move buying the ponies for the smaller guests, and Nathan knew that Chase was also thinking of the youngsters who called the Broken J home. In the slower months, the ranch children could ride about on their own, at least near the ranch.
Forking the last flake of hay into the manger below, Nate turned and headed for the stairs. It was time for lunch, and he was ready for it. Breakfast had been a long time ago, and though he had been physically active in college with various sports, the work on a ranch required a lot of energy.
“Nate, can you saddle two extra horses?” Red called as Nathan marched down the stairs. I’ve two last-minute additions to the ride.”
“Sure,” Nathan moved to the last two occupied stalls and led fresh mounts toward the hitching post. In a matter of minutes, both animals were tacked up and waiting for the guests to arrive. “If that’s all, I’m headed inside for some grub,” he called out to Red who was busy checking his work.
“See you later,” the old man called, “just don’t eat all of the cookies,” the old man added.
Nathan chuckled as he trotted toward the house. He would grab two cookies just to spite his boss and he hurried into the house and down the long hallway to the big cookie jars that stood full and waiting for the guest’s enjoyment.
“Hey there little fella,” Nate smiled as a little boy in a slightly too large cowboy hat tried to pry the lid off of a cookie jar. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, p’ease.” The boy’s dark eyes sparkled as Nate reached in and pulled out a large chocolate chip cookie. “Does your mother know you’re getting a cookie?” Nate squatted as the boy grinned.
“Mommy is going to ride the horsies, I have to stay with my Mimi and Poppa.”
“Have you ridden the ponies yet?” Nate asked as the boy took a bite of his cookies.
“Uhm hmm!” the boy nodded enthusiastically, as he chewed his treat.
“Lucas, leave that man alone,” a woman’s voice called. “Come and eat your lunch.”
“Bye,” the little boy yelled, turning on his heel and racing away
