“What’s Red got you doing today?” Jackson Auburn, Chase’s chief horse breeder took a seat beside Nate. “If you’re free, I could use a hand with a few foals. It’s vaccination time.”
“Sure,” Nathan grinned. He didn’t know Jackson well but he had heard that the man had been crippled in a bull-riding accident, but you couldn’t tell now.
“Josie’s going to help as well,” Jackson’s smile brightened as his pretty wife walked up and took the seat across from him. “She’ll be moving the mares and younger stock toward the pens on the other side of the rise and the two of us will push them into the runs where the vet will check them over.”
“Sounds like a recipe for getting my toes stomped on, but I’ll do it,” Nathan agreed with a grin.
Jackson laughed. “We’ll do our best not to get stampeded,” he grinned looking back at his wife. “We’ve had enough of that, haven’t we darlin’?”
“More than enough.” Josie’s smile was bright as she swung a long blonde braid over her shoulder. “How’s it going, Nate?”
“Alright, I seem to have enough to keep me busy anyway.”
“Then Red’s doing his job.” Jackson slapped Nathan on the back. “Eat up, you’ll need it.”
***
Three hours later Nathan wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a hearty meal. He had been stepped on, nibbled and head-butted by the young stock in the pens, but the job was done and the mares and foals reunited in the quiet of the large pasture once more.
The ranch prided itself in providing their own mounts and if all he had heard from the other wranglers was true, Chase had a good business going selling saddle and racing stock to market as well.
As he made his weary way toward the bunkhouse, Nate smiled, waving at the guests as they returned from their afternoon ride. It was kind of fun seeing the excitement of the guests coming in from a ride. Turning back toward the bunkhouse, he dropped his gaze and shuffled toward the shower he longed for as the high, bright titter of women laughing filled the air.
As the sound washed over him, Nate looked back along the yard toward the barn where riders were being helped from the saddle. He could remember a time when he was able to make a very special woman laugh like that. Sorrow, guilt, and shame filled his soul as he opened the bunkhouse door and headed for the showers. Sooner or later he would have to confront his past. He needed to start thinking about contacting the Smythes. It was time to find out where Rainy was and how to live up to the mistakes and selfish pride of his younger days.
A child’s squeal of delight and a woman’s bright laugh ushered him into the bunkhouse where he closed the door on all of the images the sounds provoked. He had believed that he had moved forward with his life. Keeping the past from holding him back from his own best destiny, but the pain in his heart told him that he had left the best part of himself behind.
***
“And what have you been up to all day?” Rainy asked scooping her son into her arms as he hugged her neck. “You weren’t eating cookies were you?”
“Poppa said so,” Lucas grinned, his chocolate smeared face telling the tale.
“Poppa spoils you,” Rainy grinned meeting her father’s laughing eyes.
“Na huh?” Lucas shook his head, his cowboy hat flopping on his head.
“Did you ruin your dinner,” Rainy asked still looking at her father, “or are you hungry?”
“I’m hungry, but Mimi is tired and went to lie down.”
“Well, I’m sure she’ll join us for dinner. Were you a good boy while Mommy was gone.”
“Yes,” Lucas grinned again, his chocolaty smile melting her heart.
“I think we’d better all get washed up,” Owen said, looking at his daughter’s dusty clothing and Lucas’s face. “I didn’t realize he had so much chocolate on his face.”
“I’m for that,” Anne waved hurrying into the house and racing up the stairs to her room. “Hot water to wash all this horse off,” she shouted back over her shoulder.
“Did you take a nap for Mimi today?” Rainy looked between her son and her father as they walked into the ranch.
“No, but Mimi did,” the boy said seriously. “I wanted to go see the ponies and feed them carrots like Kadence. His mom took me and Poppa. Their whiskers tickle,” the boy added showing the palm of his hand.
Rainy shook her head but smiled. The boy was having a real adventure, and even as young as he was, she was sure he would remember this trip for the rest of his life.
Chapter 8
“Mommy are you awake?” Lucas crawled up into his mother’s bed patting her face with gentle hands.
“I’m awake,” Rainy grinned. “What do you want?”
“I’m hungry,” Lucas settled back on her stomach, making the breath whoosh from her lungs.
Rainy looked toward the window where the darkness of night was fading to pale gray. With Lucas waking her up so early each day, she almost wished she had taken the room across the hall that faced east. She could at least enjoy the bright awakening of a new day.
“Get dressed,” she smiled shifting her son off of her. “We’ll go downstairs, and see what we can find to eat.”
“Cookies!” Lucas squealed hurrying to get his clothes.
“No, not cookies.” Rainy’s laugh filled the room. “I’m sure there will be something ready for breakfast,” she grinned. “After all this is a working ranch, and people are up early.”
To confirm her thoughts, she peered out the window noting the golden light spilling from the old barn.
In only minutes, Rainy and Lucas had made their way, silently down the stairs. Creeping around the bottom step and down the hall lined with old photos, Rainy couldn’t help but grin wondering if any of the girls who had been raised in this very house had ever snuck down those same
