The Cowgirl's Sacrifice

by Tina Radcliffe

  “Don’t tell Olive that.”

  “No pressure, Jess. I have to get this right or crush a little girl’s heart? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “No, this is bigger than that.” He peeked out the door to the living room where Olive and Bella both watched a squirrel out the window. “She wants to learn to ride, and she’s working up the courage to ask you.”

  “Why don’t you take her?”

  “She idolizes you. Olive is a reader and a horse lover. She’s already checked out all the horse novels from the library, so Nicole has had to start ordering them online. I mentioned your rodeo background to Olive, and that was it. I’ve become the second string. Benched for the duration. You’re her hero.”

  Jess started to say more and clamped his jaw shut. How could he explain how vulnerable Olive was without offending Kate again? He could only pray she understood how much responsibility lay in being a hero in the eyes of a shy little girl who’d been abandoned by someone she loved.

  Instead of her usual witty response, Kate was silent as she seemed to consider his words. Finally, she picked up the slow cooker’s instruction book and turned to the table of contents. “I don’t know about this. I’m concerned it’s another opportunity for me to feel bad about my lack of skill in this particular area and disappoint a ten-year-old at the same time.”

  “I’m telling you, Kate—” he patted the glass cover on the stainless steel pot “—this baby is foolproof.”

  “You keep saying that, Jess, but I beg to differ. When it comes to me and cooking, failure is the only option.”

  “No. I mean it. There are three steps. Put the food in. Set the timer to the desired time. Eat.”

  Kate dropped her head and sighed. “You missed one. Turn off the smoke detector.”

  “Nope, won’t happen. If you set it for, say, eight hours, it goes to warm mode when it hits eight hours. You really cannot mess this up.”

  “Promises, promises.” She chuckled. “I should show you my last attempt at becoming a culinary queen.”

  “Your last attempt?”

  She pulled the toaster from the pantry. “My toaster is...toast. Pun intended.”

  Jess assessed the black scorch marks on the top of the appliance and shook his head. “Slow cookers trump toasters. Not even in the same league.” He stepped to the doorway. “Olive, we’re ready to start. Ask Bella if she wants to wash the mushrooms.”

  “Uncle Jess,” his niece groaned.

  “Oops, I keep forgetting. No opposable thumbs. You’ll have to help her.”

  Twenty minutes later, Kate wiped down the counter while constantly shooting glances at the slow cooker. “Who knew it was this easy? You’re sure we don’t have to peel those potatoes?”

  “Wash and quarter. That’s it.” Jess gave a thumbs-up.

  “I’m amazed. Amazed.”

  “How about if we put the hammock together?” he asked.

  “Sure. You go ahead. I want to show Olive something.”

  “Okay, I can do that.” Jess stepped outside through the patio door and picked up the instruction booklet from the lawn. He took two steps toward the front yard and his truck and stopped. He’d left his toolbox in the stables earlier in the day. Surely, Kate had a screwdriver.

  When he walked back into the house, Kate and Olive were in the living room examining Kate’s spun-glass horse collection, their dark heads together.

  “Where did you get these?” his niece asked. Reverence laced her voice.

  “I’ve collected them from different cities where I’ve visited rodeo events.” Kate picked up the amber glass stallion with a blue mane and held it up to the light. “This was my very first one. My father gave it to me.”

  When Olive was silent for a beat, Jess struggled not to interrupt the moment. He regretted eavesdropping yet was unable to move.

  “My daddy left,” Olive whispered. “It’s my fault.”

  Even across the room, Jess could feel the pain in his niece’s voice, and a heavy weight slammed into him.

  Kate stooped down until she was eye level with Olive. “No. Don’t ever say that. Ever. It’s not your fault.”

  Olive shook her head. “It is, Miss Kate. I got in trouble, and the next day, he was gone.”

  “It doesn’t have anything to do with you, Olive. Your daddy loves you, even if he can’t show you.”

  “Then why did he go away?”

  “My daddy left too. I know that it’s hard to understand, but we have to remember that their leaving doesn’t mean they don’t love us.”

  Jess swallowed as Kate continued.

  “Maybe you and I will never know why they left, but it still doesn’t mean they don’t love us. Leaving is all about them. Only them. Do you understand?”

  Olive gave a slow nod.

  When Kate picked up the horse her father had given her and offered it to Olive, Jess caught his breath.

  “I want you to have this. Put it someplace safe where you can see it and remember that God loves you so much that He counts the hairs on your head.” She touched Olive’s dark tresses and offered a small smile. “Imagine that. You are loved so much by your heavenly Father, that He knows the number of hairs on your head. And His love for you never changes.”

  Jess’s heart nearly exploded at the exchange, his own emotions threatening to take over. He tried to slip back out the door undetected, but Kate’s gaze met his, and he froze.

  “I, um, I need a screwdriver.”

  “Oh, is that all? Here I thought you were going to tell me you couldn’t read Klingon after all.” She stood and led the way to the kitchen.

  “Am I imagining things, or can I smell that stew already?” Kate asked, her voice unnaturally bright, though she wouldn’t look him in the eye.

  “You are definitely not imagining things,” he said.

  When she handed him the screwdriver, he put his hand over hers. “Thank you.”

  She lowered her eyes. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Yeah, you did.”

  When she finally looked up at him, her blue eyes were moist and raw with pain. She licked her lips and released a breath. “No little girl should ever go through her life believing that sort of lie, Jess.”

  Without thinking, Jess tucked her to his side and held her close. The scent of mango and regret filled his senses. He sighed and released a breath. “I know, Kate. I know.”

  * * *

  Kate checked the slow cooker. She couldn’t believe how one ceramic pot had revolutionized her life. Beef stew Sunday thanks to Olive, and today, she had chicken and rice cooking. If all went well, she might very well invite Olive and Jess back for dinner.

  After filling Bella’s water fountain and giving her breakfast, she walked up the road past the admin building and to the stables. The first influx of official summer guests had checked in, and though Kate wasn’t supposed to actually touch the horses, Jess had eased his restrictions as long as she didn’t ride. They’d compromised, which was another step forward. In return, Kate utilized the two college-aged girls she’d hired. Hired herself, without the assistance of Jess or her brothers and trained them both to be able to discern the greenhorns from the skilled riders. They knew the safety protocols and were ready to begin teaching.

  As she approached the stable entrance, she saw Reece coming around the corner, tugging leather gloves from his hands. A smile lit up his face when he saw her. “Hey, little sister. How’s everything going?”

  “Really good.”

  “That’s what we want to hear.” Reece looked at her, a question on his face. “Mitch suggested that you might be avoiding us, but I didn’t believe that for one minute.”

  “I saw you at the Monday staff meeting.”

  “But you skipped Sunday dinner last week, so he thinks you’ve got something on your mind you aren’t sharing.�
��

  Leave it to Mitch to figure out when she was spending a lot of time in her head. Thinking and praying about the realities of donating a kidney had occupied most of her thoughts of late. But she wasn’t ready to share with her family until the doctor gave her the okay, and she was firm about her decision.

  “I’m fine, Reece. Really.”

  “That Mitch is a troublemaker.” Reece grinned. “Refresh my memory. The cast is coming off soon, right?”

  “Correct. After Memorial Day.”

  “Hey! Good news. Congratulations.” He offered a high five.

  “Thanks. I’ll be gone for an hour to the clinic for the removal ceremony.”

  “No problem. As I recall, you took a day off this past week for medical tests. Everything okay?”

  Kate eyed him. Had someone told him about the appointment for testing as a potential kidney donor? “How did you know that?” she asked.

  “I’m the boss. I sign off on everything.”

  “Right. I had some lab work. Nothing to do with the arm.”

  “If you say so. Just so you’re healthy.”

  “Very healthy.” Another doctor appointment, and she hoped to be past the first hurdle toward becoming a donor candidate.

  “Once you have a medical release, turn it in to Violet,” Reece said. “Oh, and the new ranch T-shirts came in. Violet has them at her desk. We like the staff to be easily identified.”

  “Staff.” She savored the word. “I’m so excited to be an official staff member.”

  “Are you messing with me?” he asked. “Because I never thought I’d see the day you’d be excited about a T-shirt or Rebel Ranch.”

  “I’m becoming a part of all this, and I like it.” Even as she said the words, it sank in how very true they were. Something had changed when she wasn’t looking.

  “You do? In truth, I wasn’t even sure you’d last this long.”

  Kate jerked back at the admission. “So little confidence in your sister?”

  “Total confidence. But I understand the call of the circuit.”

  Kate cocked her head and stared at her brother. To be fair, both Reece and Mitch had given her a wide berth since she’d arrived, allowing her to make her own decision about the future. “You expected me to leave?”

  “I said I understand the pull of the rodeo. Your presence here is a gift for however long you’re able to stay.”

  “Thank you, Reece.”

  “I’ll see you at the hoedown next Friday?”

  “Absolutely,” Kate said.

  “And you’re going to the family get-together at Tucker’s house on Saturday?”

  “Saturday?”

  “Yeah, you know. Memorial Day weekend?”

  “Um, no. I mean, we’ve had family time nearly every weekend since I arrived. I made other plans.”

  “Plans. Okay. Plans are great. Good for you.” He looked her over. “You’re sure everything is okay, Kate?”

  “It is. Don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine.”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly when I do worry about you.” He met her gaze with his usual Reece-furrowed brow. “You know where to find me if you need anything.”

  “I do. Now, go be the boss.”

  She left her brother and walked up to the pen where Giddy and Gabby, the docile new paint horses from Plume, stood patiently as the training staff demonstrated equine etiquette to guests. Kate itched to ride the pair. As soon as she was cleared, she planned to ride Einstein and then every single horse in the guest stable one by one.

  “Everything okay?”

  Kate whirled around at Jess’s voice.

  “Yes. Do I look sick or something? You’re the second person to ask me that.”

  Jess raised his palms. “Easy there. You were staring out into space. It was merely a question. Not an accusation.”

  “I was daydreaming about the time I’ll be able to ride again.”

  “Ah. Makes perfect sense.” He nodded. “How’s your balance therapy going?”

  “One more session.”

  “You’re feeling good? No further episodes?”

  “Not a one. I have a follow-up appointment with Uncle Bobby coming up. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but...” She paused and then grinned. “Who am I kidding? I’m miles ahead of myself, and I fully expect to be cleared.”

  “That’s great, Kate.”

  “It’s progress. Toward what, I’m not sure. But it’s progress.”

  “How’s everything going at the guest stable? Need any help?”

  “No. We’re set. Joy is training the adults, and Cindy is handling the youth. Every ride slot from now through the Memorial Day holiday is filled.”

  “That’s great.” He paused. “Did Nicole call to schedule Olive?”

  Kate nodded. “Yes. We decided to start next Saturday. So she could be here to watch.”

  “Thanks for doing that.”

  “My pleasure.” She grinned and glanced around, excitement bubbling. “This is fun, isn’t it? Being part of launching a new season.”

  “Yeah. It is. I really like being part of the big picture.”

  “Yes. That’s what it is. This is the first time I’ve felt like I’m contributing, and it’s gratifying.” It was gratifying and gave her a glimpse of what it would be like to stay here long-term. Was she ready to put down roots, or was Franny’s job offer enough to lure her back on the road? She wasn’t sure.

  “I’ll tell you something you’re going to like even more,” Jess said. “Being part of this means you get to eat in the mess hall. Did you see the menu Chef Luna has posted for the kick-off? It starts right after the hoedown.”

  “No, I didn’t. I’ve been pretty focused on my slow cooker. I haven’t eaten in the mess hall since before Olive’s cooking lesson.”

  “Is that right?” Jess chuckled. “Well, this menu will make you put the slow cooker away, at least for now. Check it out. It’s on the corkboard in the admin building near the coffee machine.”

  “Couldn’t you just tell me?” she asked.

  “Nope. But I plan to eat at the ranch mess hall every single night that week.”

  Kate stared at him. Was that an invitation? No. She was surely reading too much into the statement. The cooking lesson with his niece had marked a change in their relationship. They were getting along. She was willing to overlook his defection to her brothers for now, and perhaps he was beginning to trust her motives. Tentative friends. That was a good place to be.

  His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “I better run. There’s a photography session going on at the gazebo. I’m headed there to assist the photographer and ensure the ranch remains intact.”

  “Intact?”

  “The couple have requested cattle in the picture.”

  “What? How are you going to do that? The liability alone is an issue.”

  “Not if Willard brings Baby up there. I figure I better be on hand in case she decides to be difficult.”

  “Baby’s a dairy cow. How are you substituting a dairy cow for cattle?”

  “The bride and groom are social media celebrities from Los Angeles. They won’t know the difference. As long as they can get some pictures for social media, they’ll be happy. They’ve already scheduled a blow-out wedding reception at the ranch event building at the end of the summer. Big bucks.”

  “I’ve never quite understood all the fuss and the money people spend on weddings.”

  His gaze met hers, and she saw a flash of something in his eyes. Kate knew what he was thinking. Ten years ago, she could have been getting married. To him. She quickly clamped her mouth shut.

  Jess cleared his throat and nodded toward the UTV. “I guess that means I can’t tempt you to come along to check out the photo shoot?”

  “I regret that I
must decline. Though it sounds like fun.” She rolled her eyes. “Not.”

  When he smiled, she was relieved they had moved past the awkward moment.

  “We’re still on for the rodeo?” Jess asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  She nodded as he got into the UTV. Oddly, she was looking forward to attending the Decker rodeo with Jess, as well. This would be the first time he would have a glimpse of her in her world. Sure, he’d come to her competitions when she was in college. This was different.

  Why it mattered, she didn’t know.

  Kate sensed Jess had begun to understand her in a new way. That worried her. She feared she might easily give him a piece of her heart again. Another thing to add to her thinking time. Thinking time was the long hours spent on the back porch glider and in her hammock contemplating kidney donations, Rebel Ranch, family...and Jess.

  Chapter Eight

  “Looks like a good-sized crowd.” Jess glanced around. “Great weather for an outdoor-arena rodeo.”

  Overhead, a brilliant blue sky provided a bright backdrop for the event. The ride to Decker had been pleasant, and he was glad he’d accepted Kate’s invitation. Now he followed her up to the ticket box, decorated with star-spangled bunting. The young girls selling tickets wore red, white and blue Western shirts and white cowboy hats.

  “I guess I should have worn a flag or something,” he said.

  Kate laughed. “Rodeo folk love red, white and blue holidays.”

  “I forgot about the enthusiasm level in Oklahoma.”

  She grinned and handed him a twenty-dollar bill. “Here you go.”

  “Put your money away,” Jess said. “Gents don’t let ladies pay.”

  “If you pay for my ticket, this might be construed as a date.”

  “Yeah, we wouldn’t want that, would we?” Jess found himself momentarily annoyed. Was he letting himself get caught up in their history? He brushed the emotion off, passed a bill to the girl in the booth and held up two fingers. Today, he was determined to enjoy the friendship he and Kate had sowed and not delve too deeply into anything else.