A Place Where I Belong

by Mary Tribbey

  Chapter 4

  When Mandy woke up, she heard the distant sound of Buddy and Robert talking outside the barn. She snuggled back into the pillow and sighed happily. She sat up and stretched. Mandy looked around the darkened room and noticed it was nearly 4 o’clock. She eased out of bed and opened her suitcase. She took out a pair of beige slacks and a soft turquoise blue sweater. It draped softly around her body and accented her figure. She dressed quickly, walked into the bathroom. After washing her hands and face, brushing her teeth, and combing her hair, she walked slowly down the stairs to the dining room.

  Madge smiled when she saw Mandy walk into the kitchen. “You look like you’re feeling much better now. How are you doing?”

  “Even though I slept all day, I’m still a little tired, but no more fever or nausea. I think I am well again,” Mandy announced happily. She walked over and watched Paul drawing a picture at the table. “I like your drawing, but I love the pretty red rose that you gave me. I think that rose may have had special magic in it. When I saw it on my breakfast tray and smelled it, I began to feel a lot better. Thanks for picking it for me. I still have it next to my bed.”

  Paul smiled shyly and said, “When I saw it, I thought it was pretty-like you.” Mandy bent down and kissed his cheek. Paul looked up and smiled happily at her.

  Buddy hurried over from his house and arrived just as they were ready to sit down to eat. Mandy looked around when she heard his voice. She noticed his hair was still damp from his shower. When he saw her standing beside the table, he smiled and the tiredness she noticed earlier seemed to melt away. Buddy walked over and pulled out the chair for her to sit down. He quickly sat down next to her.

  “I’m so relieved to see you here. You look beautiful. You must be feeling much better. You were so sick. I was really worried about you last night,” he said quietly.

  “Me, too. I haven’t been sick like that in years. I am feeling so much better. I give all the credit for my quick recovery to a ‘magic red rose’ and some excellent nursing care!” she exclaimed happily with a wink at Paul and Buddy.

  “Mom is a great nurse. She had lots of practice taking care of all of us,” Melanie said.

  “Mom really is wonderful,” Buddy said looking down at his plate.

  Mandy noticed a blush creeping up his neck and coloring his cheek. She quietly slipped her hand under the table and rested her hand on his thigh. His eyes opened wider. When he glanced at her, the blush increased.

  “I will definitely give the nursing staff a big thank you when I figure out how to show my appreciation,” she said giving Buddy’s thigh a quick squeeze before moving her hand back into her lap.

  Madge kept glancing from Buddy to Mandy and back again. Her mouth twitched, and she struggled to keep from laughing as she watched Buddy blush. No one else appeared to notice the exchange between them, but Madge had seen Mandy put her hand on Buddy’s leg under the table.

  Robert carried the big roaster into the dining room and put it on trivets on the table. Using a large carving knife, he expertly carved the bird and passed slices of the chicken onto the waiting plates. Madge passed around the potatoes, salad, and vegetables. Soon everyone was happily devouring the delicious meal. When Mandy thought no one was watching, she slipped her hand over and touched Buddy under the table just to see how he would react. He never said a word, but a red glow tinged his cheek. Mandy looked at him and smiled. When he looked in her direction, she winked playfully.

  Mandy listened to the easy conversation after dinner. She learned they had finished locating the strays. Robert announced, “Starting tomorrow, our next project will be to locate and bring in all the newborn calves and any cows nearly ready to give birth into the pasture near the barn. Apparently some of the calves born last year didn’t survive. When we were checking on the strays, there weren’t nearly as many calves as in past years. I think we need to bring all that we can find in closer to the house so we can be sure they get taken care of. We can’t afford to lose any of our cattle, if we can help it.”

  At the news that they would be going out to locate and bring in the new born calves and their mothers to the pasture near the barn, Melanie sighed unhappily. “I was hoping we could wait until next week when my kids are back in day care and school,” she said sadly.

  “Why is that?” Mandy asked.

  “That’s my favorite time on the ranch-- bringing the tiny calves in and working with them. I just love taking care of them. If it was later in the month, my kids would be back in school or day care, and I could help with them,” Melanie answered.

  “Well, why not let me watch the kids, if it’s okay with them, so you can help out there today. I love kids and that would be a perfect way to get to know them better. I feel much better today, but not up to all the riding outside. I’d enjoy spending time with them. Is Madge going to help outside today, too?” Mandy asked.

  “No, she’ll be here, but this is one of her busiest times on the ranch. She is in the middle of canning. We always count on her delicious jams and canned vegetables all year long,” Melanie explained.

  “If it’s all right with you, I’d be glad to take care of them.” Mandy repeated.

  Everyone agreed it sounded like a good plan. After the dinner dishes had been cleared off the table, Melanie gathered up her kids and headed to her house.

  While Madge and Robert lingered at the table talking and reading the local newspaper, Buddy walked over and asked, “Do you feel up to walking over to give Thunder and Buck a treat? If you are tired or don’t feel well enough, I can take them treats on my way home.” Buddy said quietly.

  “Some fresh air sounds very good to me. I don’t feel like running a mile tonight, but I’d like to go see the horses,” Mandy answered with a smile.

  “I’ll go get treats for them,” Buddy said. “I should bring some extra ones, because I forgot to take them any last night,” he said sheepishly.

  “I’ll come with you. I heard you were too busy last night,” Mandy said and walked into the kitchen behind Buddy. Together they cut the apples and carrots and headed toward the corral. Buddy held her elbow as he guided her down the steps and crossed the yard to the corral.

  When they reached to corral’s fence, Buddy whistled and Mandy watched Buck and Thunder come trotting over to the railing. They began feeding the snacks to the horses. Mandy giggled when Thunder’s nose tickled her hand. Silently they fed the treats to the two hungry horses. When the food was gone, the horses sniffed at their pockets. Finding them empty, they turned and trotted back towards the barn.

  Mandy reached over and lightly touched Buddy’s arm. He turned and looked down at her. Mandy looked up and returned his smile.

  “Thank you, Buddy. I don’t know how to thank you enough for taking such good care of me last night when I was so sick. I will never forget how caring and wonderful you were to me. No one has ever taken care of me that well, since my mom died when I was a little girl. I am amazed and overwhelmed by you,” she whispered with tears sparkling in her eyes. She reached up and lightly touched his face. Her hand slowly moved and she gently tilted his face down towards hers. She stood on tiptoe and gently placed her lips against his. Tenderly she kissed him. For a long moment, Buddy stood frozen in time and space while Mandy’s kiss lingered on his lips. Finally, like a giant awakening from a spell, his arms gently surrounded her, and he pulled her gently against his body.

  Mandy, drawn willingly into the warmth of his embrace, her lips parted and the kiss changed. When her tongue darted out and touched his lips, he pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes, and then he covered her lips with his again. Tentatively he opened his mouth and kissed her again. He pulled her against his body and felt the sweet perfection of his first passionate kiss. Buddy had heard about this kind of kiss, but he had never been serious enough about any girl before to have experienced it personally. The sensation of their tongues touching was
thrilling, and he explored her mouth slowly and felt the sweet warmth of her kiss. Mandy clung to him as her body awoke in his embrace and kiss.

  Slowly Buddy released her, and Mandy staggered back a step. Buddy held her arms and steadied her. “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

  “That was so much more than ‘all right’! I’ve never been so beautifully or tenderly kissed before. Buddy, you amaze me and take my breath away,” Mandy sighed.

  “I’ve never felt a kiss like that before, either,” Buddy admitted, “but I sure hope I feel that kind again. As much as I want to stay here longer, I’d better take you home so you don’t have a relapse.” Buddy put his arm around Mandy’s shoulder and led her back to the main house.

  “Thank you, Buddy. Please go get some extra sleep. I know you stayed up with me nearly all night. I know it was you, not your mother, who took such tender care of me last night. I will never forget what you did for me, and someday I will find a way to show you how much you mean to me,” Mandy promised.

  At the foot of the stairs, Buddy hugged her and kissed her forehead. He said, “Sleep well, Mandy. Get plenty of rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Mandy whispered back, “Thanks again! Sweet dreams, Buddy.” She turned and began walking up the stairs. At the top, she looked back and saw Buddy was still there watching her. Mandy blew him a kiss and silently entered her bedroom and closed the door. Mandy leaned against the door and fought the desire to run back down the stairs to the warm, comforting feel of Buddy’s embrace and kiss. Mandy shivered, acutely aware of the desire his kiss and touch had awakened in her. She walked across the room and peeked out the window. She sighed as she watched him walk across the yard and enter his house. Mandy’s hands trembled as she realized the depth of longing his kiss had aroused in her. The wall she had built up to protect herself from the horror of Jerry’s abusive, controlling ‘painful’ love’ had been shattered, but not by violence or force. Buddy’s tender, loving care had deeply touched her, and she had freely opened the door to her heart. That knowledge aroused both terror and hope in her.

  Long after she was snuggled into the warmth of her bed, Mandy drifted off to sleep remembering the magic of that amazing kiss. Mandy blushed, realizing she had felt such a sense of loneliness and desire, that she wanted to run back to his arms. Alone in her bed, Mandy knew if Buddy had followed her to her room, she would not have pushed him away. She would have opened her heart and all that she was as a woman and given herself to him. This was such a foreign thought that she blushed again. Jerry had been the only man she had ever been intimate with, and that was only after they were married. “Too soon,” she shivered. “Too soon, but I think I could fall in love with Buddy. Please God, guide me. Show me what your plan for my life is. Thank you for letting me meet Buddy. Protect him, dear Lord, and keep him safe, but keep me safe, too,” Mandy prayed.

  Buddy walked up the steps of his house. He turned and looked back at his parent’s house. He sighed and bowed his head. “Dear God, thank you for bringing Mandy into my life. You know me and how much I want to get married and have a family. I really care about her. If she is the woman you created to be my wife, please open the door to her heart, You know all my life I have been waiting for a woman to love and marry. From what I have seen of her, I believe she is the one that would make my life complete. Please guide me and help me to win her love, if it is your perfect will for my life. Show me clearly and help me to be wise in making this decision. Amen,” Buddy concluded. He walked into his house and hurried up the stairs to his bedroom. Tired from lack of sleep, but still tingling with excitement from the taste of Mandy’s kiss and the feel of her body hugged close to his, Buddy climbed under the covers. When he closed his eyes, he returned to the memory of Mandy’s warm kiss. His heart beat faster when he remembered the sweet excitement that her kiss and closeness had awakened in him. He was still snuggled in the warm memory when he drifted off to sleep.

  In the morning when the alarm jarred him awake, he opened his eyes and looked around. His dream had been so real, he sank back disappointed as he realized she was not there with him. A guilty blush colored his neck and face as he admitted the depth of his desire for her.

  In spite of the coolness of the house, Buddy jumped into a quick cold shower and hurried to get dressed. While walking over to the main house, Buddy noticed a patch of wildflowers had started blooming. He turned and picked a handful of the prettiest bunch, he hurried to the main house. None of the others were in the dining room so he walked upstairs and timidly knocked on Mandy’s door. “Are you awake?” he asked quietly?”

  “Come in. I’m awake and dressed,” he heard Mandy say.

  Buddy quietly opened the door and walked inside. Mandy was standing in front of the dresser’s mirror brushing her hair. When she saw Buddy’s reflection in the mirror, she smiled and turned to face him.

  “I’m glad to see you are feeling better today,” Buddy stammered nervously. “I was afraid you might have overdone it last night,” he mumbled suddenly shy.

  Mandy recognized his nervousness and discomfort. She smiled and walked over to him. “I feel fine today. I think the night air last night helped me a lot.” Mandy quickly looked down when she realized how he could interpret her words. She had nearly admitted how much his kiss had affected and changed her.

  Buddy smiled nervously. “I thought these flowers would look pretty in here, especially if you didn’t feel like going outside today,” he said holding the flowers out towards her.

  Mandy reached out and took them from his hand. When their fingers touched, she felt a tingling on her skin. “These are really pretty, Buddy. Thanks,” she repeated. Instantly she remembered how she had said ‘thanks’ to him in the moonlight. Buddy fell silent as he remembered their kiss by the corral.

  Mandy said, “I’m looking forward to spending time with Paul, Lisa, and Chris. I’m sure I am well enough to entertain Melanie’s kids. How hard can that be?” she said.

  “They can be a handful, but generally they are good kids. Thanks for volunteering last night. I know being able to help gather the newborn calves means a lot to Melanie. She is so loving and gentle with them,” Buddy said.

  “I think kindness and gentleness must run in your family. I know from experience that you are great at TLC,” Mandy said.

  “What do you mean?” Buddy asked.

  “It means you are great giving tender, loving care when someone needs it, like the way you took care of me last night,” Mandy explained.

  “Are you ready to go down for breakfast?” he asked quickly changing the topic.

  “Lead the way, Buddy. I’m ready to go to work.”

  When they walked in the room, Madge was putting stacks of hotcakes, piles of eggs, and strips of crispy bacon on the table.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Mandy said.

  “How do you feel this morning?” Madge asked.

  “I feel fine—lots of rest yesterday, good cooking, great nursing care, and lots of pampering. I’m a little tired, but I feel so much better. I am looking forward to having a great time with Paul, Lisa, and Chris. If I felt any better, I’d think I was in Heaven,” Mandy answered with a bright smile.

  Buddy seated Mandy, then he settled into the chair beside her. Soon grace had been said and everyone was eating. ”Mom, this is almost my favorite breakfast, but there’s only one thing wrong with it,” he said winking at Mandy. “You are an amazing cook. Just think everything on this table, except the maple syrup, was raised or grown on this ranch. I am surprised that you haven’t planted a maple tree and started making the syrup from maple sap, too,” he added with a teasing glance at his mother.

  Madge laughed. “Well, Buddy, I really did think about planting a maple tree, but Tommy in the garden department said the growing season and soil here aren’t right for maples. Until I can figure out how to change the climate, I guess I’ll have to keep buying those l
ittle Log Cabin Syrup containers.”

  Mandy and Buddy looked at each other and burst out laughing. “I told you she’d have a good comeback for that,” Buddy chuckled.

  “I guess we can settle for store bought syrup, as long as buying food from the grocery store doesn’t become a habit. I’ve heard some families buy food from grocery stores all the time. Can you believe that tall tale?” Melanie added.

  Robert said, “Stop it. Mandy will think we are strange, like most people nowadays. I heard some teacher in a school in Boston asked her students, ‘Where does milk come from?’ and her students all answered “From the grocery store.”

  Everyone laughed at his imitation of the teacher’s voice and manners. Robert continued, “Seriously, I am really proud that we mainly live off the land. No matter what happens, we will have plenty to eat and be able to take care of our own needs.”

  “Ranching is hard work, but it is a rewarding and a wonderful life,” Mandy agreed.

  After breakfast, Robert said, “As I mentioned last night, I am concerned that we lost so many newborn calves last year. There aren’t nearly as many this year as we had in previous years. Several cows are nearly ready to give birth. A few calves have already been born. I think we should gather both groups up and bring them closer to the barn. Then we can feed and care for them so they will grow to become strong, healthy steers. We can’t afford to lose cows. Times are hard enough financially, and every steer is important to us. Are you ready to get started?” he asked.

  “Sounds like a great plan to me,” Buddy said. Robert, Melanie, and Buddy gathered what they might need and headed outside to do their assigned chores. A few minutes later, Mandy saw them mount their horses and head out onto the range land to gather the calves and bring them back to the barn.

  While the kids finished their breakfasts, Mandy cleared the breakfast dishes off the table and helped Madge wash and dry them. The children came into the kitchen and waited anxiously for Mandy to finish.

  “Do the kids usually play at their house or at your place, Madge? Do you have any special routines or instruction for me to follow?” Mandy asked.

  “They play at either house or outside. Just keep them safe, amused, and out of too much mischief,” Madge answered with a laugh. “They are full of energy. They can be a handful, but they are all great kids.”

  Mandy gathered them up and headed outside for a walk. “Let’s go on a treasure hunt,” Mandy suggested. “You’ll have to show me around since I haven’t explored here before.”

  “What kind of treasure are we looking for?” Paul asked.

  “Anything can be a treasure—a rock, a bug, a leaf, a flower—anything that you think is interesting. Almost everything can be someone’s treasure.” The kids scattered and located small buckets to hold what they found. Soon all of them brought their buckets to Mandy so they could compare their finds. Mandy handled them carefully, examining them one by one. She helped sort them by color, shape, or use. She told them facts or stories about each one. They sat on the ground around her while Mandy told them interesting facts about their treasures.. She asked them to choose two or three that they liked the best to keep in their treasure boxes. The kids said, “We don’t have any treasure boxes.”

  Mandy said, “Let’s make some.” Mandy found three old shoe boxes in the trunk of her car. She emptied them and brought them over to the children to hold their treasures.

  Inside the house, she found markers, colored scraps of paper, scissors, and glue so they could decorate the boxes. Soon everyone was busily creating a masterpiece of a treasure box to hold their collections. They carefully stowed their treasures into their boxes so they could show Melanie when she came home.

  After that, they walked down the long driveway to get the mail from the mailbox. Part way there, Chris got tired, so Mandy lifted him onto her shoulders and gave him a ride. She jumped and skipped and gave him an exciting ‘horseback’ ride. After a few minutes, he was rested and ready to go again. She put him down, and he raced the others to the ranch house.

  Madge was at the kitchen sink, peeling and preparing another batch of fruit to be canned. She chuckled when she saw Mandy trotting along the driveway with little Chris laughing and holding on to his own personal ‘pony.’ They scrambled up the steps and raced into the kitchen with Mandy right behind them. After handing Grandma the stack of mail, they each got a glass of milk and some cookies to munch on. “Gathering treasures and mail builds up an appetite,” Mandy laughed gaily. Madge listened to the children laughing and talking. She smiled to herself thinking how good Mandy was with children.

  Paul asked Mandy, “Do you have any kids?”

  Mandy’s smile faded momentarily, then she answered, “No. Paul, I have never had children of my own, but I spent several years taking care of two kids named James and Jenny, just a few years older than you. We used to take walks and collect rocks, shells or anything else we liked to look at. They also liked to sing, dance, and play games. Do you like to do that, too?”

  “We sometimes listen to music, but we don’t know how to sing or dance. Do you sing and dance?” Lisa asked shyly.

  “Anyone can sing or dance if they just relax and try. It’s easy! It isn’t important how good it sounds or looks to others. As long as it makes you feel happy when you do it, that’s what’s important.” Mandy answered.

  “Will you show us how to do it?” Lisa asked. “We want to have fun like you.”

  ”Do you know if anyone has a guitar here at the house?” Mandy asked.

  Paul ran into the kitchen and asked Grandma Madge. She retrieved an old guitar from the hall closet and sent it in to Mandy. “It was Uncle Buddy’s when he was little,” Paul said seriously, “so we have to take good care of it.”

  Mandy smiled, “I promise to keep it safe. I’m out of practice. I haven’t played much lately. First, let me tune it up,” Mandy said. She adjusted the strings, strumming it until it sounded all right.

  “Remember, it’s how it makes you feel inside. That’s the most important thing,” Paul said seriously.

  “That’s right, Paul. You remembered that very well! Do you have any favorite songs?” They nodded no. “This is one my dad used to sing with me when I was a little girl like Lisa. Let me sing the first part, then I’ll start over and you can sing with me. Just repeat the words I sing.”

  Mandy began strumming the strings, “There’s a hole in the bottom of the sea, there’s a hole in the bottom of the sea, there’s a hole, there’s a hole, there’s a hole in the bottom of the sea.” After she finished the first part, she began again. The kids joined in shyly at first, them a little louder.. Mandy’s rich alto voice rang out sweet and clear.

  By the second time through, the kids knew the tune and followed along as Mandy added extra words and the story grew longer and funnier. As it grew longer, it became harder to remember all the things. By the time they reached the end of the verses, the kids were clapping along and laughing at the silly story. Other songs followed, and the rest of the morning flew by.

  After eating lunch, Mandy noticed Chris was looking sleepy, but when she mentioned a ‘nap’, he frowned and said grumpily, “Naps are for babies, I’m a big boy,” he said solemnly.

  “I can see that, Chris, but I feel a little tired. Would you mind if I just sit in the rocker and tell you a story while I rest?” Mandy lifted him up onto her lap and began rocking gently back and forth. She started telling them a story about three children who lived a long, long time ago. Just by chance, their names were Prince Paul, Princess Lisa, and Prince Chris. Paul and Lisa stretched out on the couch and listened to the story. Soon Chris’s eyes drooped, then closed as he fell asleep in her lap. Mandy kept rocking and telling about the children’s adventure looking for dragon eggs. Mandy’s voice continued until all three of her little charges were sound asleep.

  Very carefully, she stood up and laid Chris in the middle of her
big bed upstairs. Tears filled her eyes when she looked down at him. Memories of James and Jenny, the other two children she had loved and cared for, drifted in her thoughts. Silently she walked down the stairs, tiptoed through the living room, and entered the kitchen. “The kids are asleep. Do you need any help?” she whispered.

  Madge glanced at her and asked, “Are you Okay? You seem a little sad?”

  “Yes, I am a little sad, but they are really great kids. They just reminded me of the children I used to take care of,” Mandy answered.

  “Where are they now?” Madge asked.

  “They’re in heaven now. They died last year, and I still miss them a lot,” she answered softly.

  Madge came over to Mandy. She put her arms around Mandy and held her close. “I’m so sorry. I knew you were carrying a load of sadness and pain when you first came here. This explains part of it. Losing someone you love is the worst part of living. I lost a baby girl at birth. That was the lowest, saddest time of my life. I thank God for giving me my other children, but I still mourn the loss of my precious little Candy. Were they your children?”

  “My step children, but I had loved them and taken care of them for nearly eight years. I loved them like they were my own,” Mandy said with tears in her eyes.

  “What happened?” Madge asked sympathetically.

  “It’s a long sad story. They were all killed in an auto accident about a year ago. Their father was drunk and speeding; he lost control, flipped the car, and they were all killed.” Mandy’s voice trailed off and she began silently weeping. Madge hugged her close and comforted her.

  “I’m sorry to be such a crybaby. I try to keep everything inside, but I’ve done more crying the last few weeks than all the months since they died,” Mandy apologized.

  “Don’t ever apologize for showing your feelings. Crying is a necessary part of healing. It will get better with time, Mandy. Just keep on praying and trusting the Lord. God will see you through. I know He carried me through when my baby died. He will take care of you, if you will only ask Him and then follow His leading,” Madge advised.

  Before the kids woke up, Mandy and Madge had dinner on the stove. When they woke up and joined them in the kitchen, Mandy put them to work setting the table and cleaning vegetables for a salad. By the time the others started arriving back at the house, dinner was ready to be served. The others wandered off to get cleaned up while Madge and Mandy finished making the salad and fixing cold drinks for everyone.

  Talk around the table was happy and excited. It was filled with news of the successful roundup of the eight newborn calves. Melanie’s face glowed as she told how healthy and cute they were. The kids finished eating and rushed off to retrieve their new ‘treasure’ boxes. They brought their boxes of special treasures in and showed them off proudly to the grownups. Very seriously, they told what they had learned about the rocks and objects they had found.

  When they told that Mandy had taught them how to sing, the adults coaxed them into showing what they had learned. Mandy blushed at their praise. With Mandy’s playing the old guitar and her rich alto voice leading the song, the kids joined in. Everyone laughed and clapped and by the end of the song everyone was singing and laughing happily.

  Paul, usually a little shy, solemnly explained, “It isn’t important how good it sounds; the most important thing is if it makes you feel happy.”

  “It sounds like everyone had a great day. I got to hold the new calves, and my kids made a great new friend. Thanks so much, Mandy. You were such a help to me today. I love you, girl,” she added with a grin. She gathered up the treasure boxes and their proud owners and headed off to her house to get them cleaned up and ready for bed.

  Mandy got up to clear off the table. Buddy rose and began helping her. Madge said, “You don’t have to do that. I can get it done in the morning.”

  Mandy and Buddy took everything into the kitchen and put them to soak in the sink. Madge and Robert headed to their bedroom. Buddy looked at Mandy and said with a chuckle, “It sounds like you made three new ‘best friends’ today, judging by the hugs and kisses the kids gave you before they left.”

  Mandy laughed happily, “They are so bright and fun to be with. Melanie has done a great job raising them. Of course, I think all of you have surrounded them and raised them with lots of love and discipline.”

  Buddy cut up some apples and carrots and led Mandy out to the corral for their nightly visit with Buck and Thunder. Each horse eagerly ate the apples and carrots, neighing their approval. It was a very still and quiet night, and the stars seemed to burn more brightly than usual. Mandy sighed happily when she felt Buddy’s arms slip around her from behind. She leaned her body back against him feeling the strength of his body supporting her.

  “It feels so good being out here. I love the night time on a ranch. It’s so quiet, and the stars look like tiny jewels sparkling against a black velvet cloth. I have really enjoyed my time here at the Turner Ranch Bed and Breakfast Inn,” Mandy giggled.

  “The feeling is mutual. We love having you here. You already seem to be part of this family. Everyone loves you, Mandy. Little Paul brings you flowers. Lisa copies everything you do and is your little shadow. Chris hugs and kisses you even more than he does me. Maybe I should feel jealous, but it just makes me feel happy watching you and them together. They want to lock you up, throw away the key, and never let you leave. I agree with them. I love having you here. I haven’t ever felt so happy in my life,” Buddy admitted.

  “I’ve loved being here, too, Buddy. I am so grateful to you and your family for welcoming me. That means so much to me,” Mandy sighed.

  At the sound of an owl calling from the old oak tree behind the barn, Mandy sighed. “It is getting late, Buddy, and you have to be up early tomorrow. I feel so good now; will you let me go with you tomorrow to work the fence line?”

  “Are you sure you’re well enough? I don’t want to take any chances that you’ll have a relapse,” Buddy answered.

  “I’m sure I am well. I know I’d like to go with you; that’s what I really want to do. May I help you tomorrow, if I promise to take it easy?” Mandy asked.

  “I’d love to have you riding with me. There are so many places on the ranch that I’d love to show you,” Buddy answered.