Since Jacob's death, she hasn't been able to write. Recognizing the pull of a new story drawing her in, she begins to write.
A historic ranch built on special land with unexplained accidents happening to the family living there. She sketches out a rough outline, promising herself to research the property and the history of this family. A visit to the restaurant tonight with Chase could be exactly the thing she needs for research. Grinning, she pulls her thermos out and pours a black cup of coffee. Sipping on it, she drags out the computer and puts away the notebook. Book three of “The Covenant Series,” not named as of yet. She traces the words on the screen and sighs.
Instead of writing, she reads, the last few chapters on her computer and she is hooked. Drawn into the story, she edits and begins writing. “Don't overthink it Delta, just write,” she reminds herself. Soon she is typing furiously, fingers flying over the keypad as the sun rises higher in the sky. Three hours later she is so caught up in her world, she doesn't hear them until they are almost upon her.
Sasha leaps to her feet with a bark. Her hackles go up on her back, and Delta responds. Instantly she saves her document and shuts the computer down before shoving it into her backpack. In the bright midday sun, it's difficult to see. She can only make out the shape of two figures on horseback as they ride towards her.
“Sasha, come,” she orders, standing up, the dog instantly obeys placing her body in front of Delta.
“Hi, Delta!” Abby calls out and jumps from her pony, followed by Daniel. He takes the reins of both horses and leads them to the shade to tie them off.
“Well, this is a surprise!” She hugs Abby and steps back to stare at Daniel.
“Grandpa told us you would be here, we brought a picnic.” Pleasure rushes through her.
“That’s sweet of you. I told him I would be fine, but I see he ratted me out.” She turns away from Daniel to Sasha. “You really didn’t have to do that. Sasha, cease.” Sasha runs between Abby and Daniel for some attention and is rewarded with a rub from his strong, rough hands. Delta frowns, she shouldn’t be thinking about his hands. Abby grabs a ball and runs towards the pond calling for Sasha.
“Did I hear you give her commands in German yesterday?” He asks, moving a step closer. Her scent surrounds him, teasing him, tempting him. It has been a long time since a woman has interested him the way Delta does.
“Yes, Sasha is trained to be a therapy dog. My boys got her for me as a puppy. I’ve had her for six years now.”
“Your boys?” He asks fascinated by the way her eyes change color when he steps closer.
“I have two sons, Allen is twenty-one and my youngest, Aiden just finished basic training for the Air Force Academy.” Her smile is full of pride as she talks about them.
“You’re awfully young to have boys that age. What about their father?” Daniel asks. Her eyes become pained as she speaks, and he realizes his mistake too late.
“Jacob died two years ago.” Delta turns away and begins to clean up her stuff. Daniel grabs her arm gently and stills her.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Delta.” She looks up at him at the sincerity she hears in his voice.
“Thank you. Jacob had cancer for six years. My family sent me here to get out of the house.” Glancing at the snow-capped mountains in the distance and the rolling green hills around her, she inhales, “I'm glad they did.”
“Montana can heal the soul if you let it,” he states with pride.
She nods, glancing up at him he reminds her of the landscape, rugged, raw and beautiful. Clearing her throat, she gently pulls her arm away and steps back from him.
“What about you? Is Abby your only child?”
“Yes,” he glances away to check on Abby, “Her mother couldn’t handle ranch life. So, she traded up for a Rodeo star and ran off. We’ve been divorced for six years now. I have full custody.”
Delta is stunned silent. To leave a two-year-old child behind! She can’t even imagine.
“I'm so sorry, Daniel. I guess we all have our crosses to bear.”
“I'm not sorry, Abigail, is the best thing in my life. Her Mom and I share custody. She will be spending a week with her over spring break and then two weeks with her this summer. Once the hurt and anger subsided, I realized it was for the best. Her misery made all of us unhappy. We are friends now, and she is content. Abigail doesn't know any different, she's growing so fast it blows my mind.”
“They do that,” she smiles thinking of her boys.
Abby runs back, “Okay Delta don’t look while we set up the picnic.”
Delta laughs as she walks down to the pond. After ten minutes they call her back, and she is shocked by all the food. They have a beautiful picnic set up with lemonade, fruit, cheese, and mini sandwiches.
“This is amazing! To think, I was just going to eat a granola bar and coffee, but I insist you share my fudge. I found the greatest sweet shop in Butte.” The rest of the afternoon is spent talking, laughing and playing with the dog.
“Dad tells me you’re a writer. What do you write?” He asks and Abby perks up.
“I… freelance for some magazines, and I have a blog. Though I haven't done much writing the last few years. It's one of the reasons I came here.” She dares to look at him and, wow, the view just gets better and
