“You bet we were remarkable!” Chase grinned.
“The very best!” Logan nodded.
“No finer in the west!” Chase agreed as he pulled the wagon up to the front porch of the dove gray ranch with gingerbread trim.
“What do you say we drop off the luggage on the porch and leave the girls to talk shop while we go pay Old Butch a visit?” Chase suggested.
It took the men less than five minutes to help the ladies down from the wagon, unload the luggage, and climb back in to drive to the barns. The girls headed inside the house as Chase snapped the reins.
“So you’re hopin’ for a throw-back stud colt from Old Butch…” Chase began when they reached Old Butch’s stall. “How many mares would you want to have inseminated?”
“Well, Ginger’s retired now, but there’s Queen, of course. Ruby, Mia, and Virginia makes four. I’d say at least those four… and pray one of them has a colt. We seem to be continuously blessed with fillies, but I have a feeling this time will be different.”
Old Butch shook his mane and neighed gently as he stepped up to the gate to nuzzle his nostrils in Chase’s hand, looking for the apple slices Chase sometimes brought him. “Easy ol’ boy!”
“I think he likes the idea,” Logan chuckled.
“You understand the plan, Old Butch?” Chase asked the horse as he reached in his jean pocket and drew out the apple slices.
Old Butch snapped his tail and blinked, eagerly eating up the sweet treats from Chase’s hand. Logan laughed. “I’m pretty sure he just winked at us.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right, Cousin!” Chase chuckled as he patted Old Butch on the head between his ears. “Whaddya say I have the vet in Tipton come to Lander after Christmas... say in January? Let’s see, that’s about eleven weeks and eleven days of pregnancy… You could have four beautiful colts by April of next year in time for the foals to grow strong enough to make it through winter.”
“I like that number an awful lot!” Logan grinned, patting Old Butch. “You’ll sire yet another legacy real soon, ol’ boy and make Grandpa Haven right proud!” Old Butch’s tail swished again as he shook out his mane and leaned his neck and head toward Logan.
“C’mon in and make yourself at home,” Phil said as she helped Jill with one of her two bags and led her into the main house and up the staircase.
Jill spotted the cat sitting on one of the steps and paused to greet him. “Hello there, kitty!”
“Oh that’s Fred! He loves attention,” Philomena said with a grin and patted the cat on the head before moving on. “Now I want you to promise you’ll tell us if you need anything to help your stay be more comfortable.” She led Jill to a guest room and private bath, pointing out Logan’s room would be directly across the hall. “You’re not allergic to cats, are you? Some of our clients can’t be around them…”
“We’ve got three cats!” Jill chuckled. “No allergies here… Boots, Belle, and Tibby are their names.”
“Chase said you’re a writer too, so I thought you might enjoy the view at the writing desk in this particular room.” Phil unlocked an upstairs bedroom and handed her the key.
“This is perfect! I’m sure I will be very comfortable. Thank you so much for having us here for the weekend. I think I’m really going to enjoy The Broken J and having this time getting to know you all.”
“I’m sure we’ll be like family before the weekend is over judging from the fun we’ve already seen out of our boys,” Phil agreed. “When you’re unpacked and have a chance to freshen up, we’d be delighted to take you on a tour after lunch. Will you join us in the kitchen in about half an hour? Our cook, Mrs. Wade, makes the best egg salad sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life. The boys should return by then.”
“Sounds great!” Jill nodded, admiring the antique headboard in the beautifully, vintage decorated en suite. Philomena disappeared down the hall, her violet eyes sparkling like a newlywed’s eyes should.
A little while later, she and Logan sat across from Phil and Chase in the kitchen around an oval china plate stacked high with choices of chicken salad or egg salad croissant sandwiches; bowls of delicious, homemade, chicken noodle soup; and a platter of grapes with cheese cubes. There were slices of glazed, pumpkin bread for dessert and a pitcher of sweet tea.
Jill was impressed with the lunch menu. She wasn’t sure if the menu was because they were celebrating being with family, or if the menu was the normal result of The Broken J’s cook, Mrs. Wade. Thinking how hard the ranch hands probably worked every single day, as well as the importance of presentation for the guests, she suspected the menu was Mrs. Wade’s normal lunch provisions. In any case, Jill enjoyed the food and the company. Chase and Philomena were a delight to be around. They were fun loving, completely in love, and adorable with each other. At least half of the time, Chase and Logan continued to interact on a very humorous level. They ribbed, heckled, and teased each other good-naturedly. Before long, they were all roaring with laughter as if the four of them had always been good friends.
“Say, before we show you around The Broken J, let’s see those sketches of The Sweetwater you promised to show me!” Chase elbowed Logan as he reached for another sandwich.
“Oh yes!” Logan’s eyes lit up as he swallowed the last of a chicken salad croissant. He retrieved the cylinder from the island counter, opened it, and spread out a sketch of the ranch layout on the other end of the kitchen table.
“Holy cow, Batman!” Chase whistled and slapped Logan on the back. “This is really something! I like the air strip and church on the north side of the property.”
Logan grinned, “Thanks! We’ve already got a few reservations from corporations flying in small groups of employees as a rewards vacation and one of our clients is using the place to hold a team building retreat for thirty employees.”
“Nice! That’s exactly what you want to happen,” Philomena chimed in, pleased with Logan’s ranch designs.
“I like how the cabins are zig-zagged,” Chase commented.
“I really like the covered bridge,” Jill added.
“That’s a real nice touch,” Chase agreed.
“The barn house must be enormous,” Philomena observed.
“Yeah,” Chase glanced up at Phil, “I remember playing in that barn when we were kids! Well, you were there a few times when I was, Jill. I know you remember being right next door and all.”
“Sure do!” Jill nodded. “The transformation is amazing …”
“So are you going to have to put an air traffic tower up there?” Chase bit into his third sandwich.
“Naw, we aren’t required to bein’ private property, but we do have a huge observation deck and window off part of the hangar closest to the air strip. We registered with the Federal Aviation Authority as a private airport like a lot of other farmers do who dust their own crops. We also worked to be in compliance with local and state officials. Planning to start doin’ our own crop dustin’ on the back forty, too.”
“You thinkin’ of a Cessna?” Chase asked.
“Been thinkin’ ‘bout it,” Logan replied.
“Sadie Lane and Bridge Haven Road… bet Aunt Sadie and Uncle Jack are right proud of havin’ a few roads named after them,” Chase remarked.
“They sure are!” Logan nodded, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I like it, Logan. Ya think you could help us get an air strip built and registered at The Broken J?” Chase glanced at Philomena. She nodded approvingly, her violet eyes bright with marketing ideas at the prospect.
“Just lemme know when you’re ready,” Logan nodded and placed a hand on Chase’s shoulder. “Enough about The Sweetwater. Show us around some more at The Broken J, Cousin Chase, so we can learn from each other. I know these girls are anxious to sit down and talk marketing.”
After a more thorough tour of The Broken J and meeting more of the staff and even a few of the guests, Philomena showed Jill their website and a number of marketing strategies working well for attr
acting a steady stream of new clients and guests. Jill took notes and asked questions, writing down everything she could, including Phil’s direct cell phone number in case she thought of something else to ask later.
“Here,” Phil said, handing her a printed list. “These are all of the sites we use to market The Broken J. I went ahead and typed this list for you so you wouldn’t have to write all of the links down.”
“You’re a lifesaver!” Jill graciously accepted the list, thankful for her help.
Then the conversation turned to the activities schedule. Phil handed her sample copies of previous weekly schedules with all sorts of wonderful event and activity ideas. Jill began to relax, realizing she was more on track than she had previously thought. She was beginning to feel as though she had a handle on what needed to be done and the priorities to organize herself in her new position.
“May I ask you two more questions?” Jill inquired gingerly. Philomena had already done so much to put her on the path toward rapid success.
“Sure! Ask away… that’s what I’m here for. I want you to be as successful as possible. We might even be able to refer clients to each other,” Philomena replied.
“Awesome! May I ask for a few sample copies of menus in case our cooks are in need of some fresh ideas? And do you have a sort of grand opening checklist and a list of ideas for such an event?”
“Oh yes, I thought you might ask for grand opening ideas, so I prepared something for you with some of the things we did for ours.” Phil searched through some files organized neatly in the file desk drawer to her left. Pulling out a stack of monthly menus and a list of ideas, she handed Jill copies of everything they’d used. “There you go! These are copies of our menus and this is what I like to call the ‘Grand Opening Brainstorm List.’”
“Thanks so much! These are both going to be helpful. I really like the idea of having a rodeo and a concert on opening day to get the support of the local townsfolk.” Jill glanced at the menus. “Our cooks, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, have a lot of experience but might enjoy some of these ideas from time to time. I really enjoyed your lunch menu today.”
“Thank you,” Philomena replied. “I’ll be sure to pass the complement along to Mrs. Wade for encouragement.”
“I can tell Logan really likes you,” Phil commented when they were finished discussing business and headed for cups of hot tea and a plate of Mrs. Wade’s freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies waiting for them in the kitchen. The September weather had started to cool as fall made her grand entrance with colorful leaves dotting the Wyoming landscape. Hot tea seemed [R1]like the perfect refreshment to accompany the change in seasons.
Jill smiled as she settled into a chair across from Philomena, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. “Yes, well, I suppose I am beginning to see that...” Jill paused and sipped some of the tea before continuing. “We were childhood friends and neighbors until we drifted apart in high school. Coming home to Wyoming with my three children after the death of my husband in Afghanistan has been a welcome and rejuvenating change in our lives.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I can’t imagine what I’d do if anything happened to Chase. It must also be hard on the children,” Phil commented with genuine concern and compassion in her violet eyes.
“Thank you! It has been really hard,” she acknowledged as she stared out the window at autumn’s palette of golden yellows, fire oranges, nutmeg browns, and crimson red leaves and foliage. “I’m pretty sure I’m still healing, even though it’s been almost three years since becoming a widow. Being with my mom again and spending time with Logan has really helped us take our minds off of our sorrow. It’s been the best thing ever for my kids so far. They’re learning about horses and living in the countryside for the first time in their lives.”
“That’s so exciting and healthy for them! I’m glad,” Phil replied. “Logan mentioned at lunch you worked in New York as a travel critic. Too bad we both worked in Manhattan offices all those years and never ran into each other.”
“True!” Jill steered the conversation toward her connection to Madison and Randal.
Philomena had nothing but kind words for the couple. “We really enjoyed having a group of writers here at The Broken J. I’m happy for Randal to find someone as wonderful as Madison; just sad we’ve had to find a replacement for one of our best wranglers.”
Meanwhile, Chase and Logan took time to catch up at the fence to one of the corrals while they observed some of the goings on about the ranch. In the not too distant meadow, a few mares grazed beside their foals. The delicious aroma of a Wyoming barbeque wafted into the air from a few hundred yards away. Most of the guests, drawn by the delicious smells of the cook’s creations, were beginning to gather around the chuck wagon and campfire meal. The meal consisted of roasted slabs of barbecued ribs; large portions of potato salad; kettle baked beans with brown sugar and maple flavored bacon; and thick slices of cornbread offered with real salted butter.
“Married life suits you, Cousin Chase!” Logan slapped his cousin on the back like old times.
“Thanks!” Chase grinned. “You should try it! Looks like you’ve found the perfect girl, too.”
“How’d you know?” Logan asked as they watched Kade lift a child onto a pony for a ride on a lead inside the corral while the child’s mother looked on approvingly, capturing photos on her cell phone.
“Jill seems different than other women, like my Philomena; more mature, dependable, steady, confident, talented… beautiful in every way.” Chase summed it up perfectly.
“You’re right about all of that,” Logan agreed wholeheartedly as his blue eyes rested with a look of contentment to be visiting his cousin. Few things meant more in life to Logan than spending time with God and family. He knew Chase felt exactly the same way. It was a strong, brotherly bond they’d formed over the years—not from just being family, but from knowing they were both part of God’s eternal Kingdom family; a realization they came to know through being in Cowboys of the Cross together. These bonds weren’t going to disappear because of Logan’s accident or the fact Chase had also gotten out of the rodeo circuit.
“I can tell there’s something between you and Jill by the way you both look at each other,” Chase added, happy for his cousin.
“Well, we’re takin’ it real slow,” Logan admitted. “She only just returned to Wyoming in July. She’s gone from ‘the-girl-next-door’ to my ‘leading lady’ in a short amount of time; but she still has a few things to work through, so I’m giving her plenty o’ space an’ enjoying getting to know her all over again. Hopefully I’m not pushin’ her away by comin’ on too strong, too fast.”
Chase nodded. “Yeah, I guess she’s had a lot to process losing a husband and tryin’ to raise three kiddos, like you said. I remember her from our annual visits up to your homestead in the summertime when we were just kids ourselves, hangin’ out down by the creek and ridin’ the trails all day long,” Chase reflected. “I remember Jill as one of the best girl horseback riders I’d ever seen back then.”
“You know it!” Logan nodded.
“I’m real sorry about Cassie and Matt…” Chase gripped the top rail. “It tears me up every time I think about it. Drunk drivers ought tuh be jailed for life!”
“Thanks Chase! I appreciate it!” Logan stared straight ahead at Kade helping the little girl down from the pony so her baby brother could have a turn in the saddle. It could still put his whole heart in a tangle when he thought about losing his sister. Her life had been cut short far too early. He had managed to give it to God, knowing Cassie was now in the best care possible being with the Lord. Still, it ached deep in his heart, frequently. It especially hurt seeing the way it affected his parents, not to mention the impact on Cassie’s children. Grace and Micah still woke up in the middle of the night crying sometimes.
“We’re really going to miss our Cassie. I didn’t get to know Matt very well, but I still choke when I think about it,” Ch
ase admitted. “I just want you to know, if there’s anything Phil and I can do, we’re here for you. We’ve been praying for Grace and Micah during our morning devotional time.”
“Man, that’s beautiful. Keep doin’ that, if you don’t mind,” Logan said. “Gracie and Micah really need your prayers. If you don’t mind, would ya add Jill’s three to the prayer list: Jackie, Zach, and Savannah?”
“We’re on it! Got you covered!” Chase agreed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say God is up to something, Logan. Five children and two adults who’ve experienced great loss… the Lord must have a mighty big plan for you all. I think you’re all going to experience a whole lotta joy directly up ahead because the good Lord doesn’t do anything hard like that unless there’s a really big blessing going to come out of it.”
“You know it!” Logan grinned, laughing as he heckled his cousin. “Preach it cousin! Lay them blessings on me!”
Chase laughed and then added, “Say, speakin’ of blessings, why don’t we take our girls horseback riding and have a picnic at the old mill by the creek tomorrow.”
“Sounds great!” Logan agreed.
“Looks like it’s just about dinner time,” Chase said, noticing the sun beginning to sink in the blue, orange, and purple horizon spreading like a blanket of God’s love over The Broken J. “I think Phil and Mrs. Wade planned a steak dinner with candlelight and lanterns for the four of us on the front porch.”
“We best head back to the house afore you’re sleepin’ on the couch fer bein’ late then,” Logan heckled as Chase hailed down the pioneer wagon making rounds to guests for rides, ever cautious of Logan’s limp since the injury. They waved to Kade as the driver pulled the team of mules to a stop near the corral and climbed aboard with a few other guests.
Logan grinned at his cousin as more ideas for the future began to take shape in his mind. “This wagon thing you have going on to pick up guests and transport them around the ranch is exactly what we need at The Sweetwater…”
Dreams of Sweetwater River (Whispers In Wyoming Book 3) Page 8
