by Danni Roan
She’s mighty special, Father, he offered from his heart. Help me know how to learn to love her.
Chapter 3
The honeymoon flew by, a handful of golden days spent exploring the national park and tentatively learning about each other. All too soon, the newlyweds were packing to head to the ranch.
Michelle hummed with excitement when Kade helped her back into the truck, feeling invigorated and tired all at the same time. The man she had married seemed to be a good man, kind, affectionate.
She liked the way he made her feel, but she was determined not to let anyone else control her life ever again.
“How long is it to the ranch?” she asked, buckling her seat belt.
“About four hours,” Kade said, turning the key and looking at her. She was looking good in a plain white T and jeans; he was a lucky man. Now if she would only let him into her heart.
“Michelle,” Kade called softly. She’d drifted off again. The woman didn’t seem to have any sense of routine, waking up at all hours of the night, napping at irregular times. “Honey, we’re almost home.”
“Home.” Michelle smiled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Something fluttered in Kade’s heart when she said that one simple word. Everything in him hoped she’d find a true home here at the Broken J, and that together they could turn his place into a home full of love and faith.
The old ranch, newly restored and renovated to accommodate guests for an Old West feel vacation spot, looked as neat as a pin.
“That’s the original house,” Kade said, pointing to the sprawling two story house, its galvanized roof glowing in the afternoon sun. “You stayed there for the wedding, I think.”
“Isn’t that where Phil lives?” her tone was interested.
“It was, but she and Chase moved to the Allen house now. It’s in the horse pasture behind the barn.” He pointed to a small dark house with a porch on three sides. “But Phil’s in the office at the main house most of the day.”
Michelle turned, looking at the big old barn, its dark brown wood, aged by time, standing like a monument inside the fence line.
“I don’t think I realized this place was so big. Phil’s wedding was such a whirlwind. The wind mill is very picturesque.” She gazed up at the old structure through her window.
“Will you take pictures of the ranch?”
“So many,” she teased. “Where do you live?” she asked, noting the long red building at the back of the property and a strange little house with grass on the roof much closer. “What are those places behind the big house?”
“Those are the cabins. They were originally family homes built by the James girls in the late 1800’s. Our place is down by the stream.” She certainly was full of questions.
“There’s a stream?” Michelle turned toward him grinning. “Can we go skinny-dipping?” she asked, her mischievous eyes twinkling.
Kade’s whole face flushed as Michelle knew it would, and she laughed. This new start was fun. She felt strong, confident, and capable.
The big truck bumped over the dirt track, past horses and riders moving on toward fall-faded fields. Ranch guests, smiling and laughing, bundled up in jackets against the nip in the air.
“Home sweet home,” Kade offered, parking at the back of a simple, two story house.
Craning her neck, Michelle looked out the front window at the pale blue structure. “This whole place is yours?”
“Yep.” Kade opened his door and moved around to her side, carefully helping her out of the jacked-up truck.
His hands full of suitcases, Kade led Michelle around a gravel path to the front of the house and up onto the front porch.
“You have a beautiful view,” Michelle said, taking in the babbling stream and big trees along its banks, and the quiet cows grazing in fields across the stream.
Placing the bags on the porch, Kade took a key from his pocket and opened the door, then bent to pick up the luggage again.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Michelle asked, cocking her head to one side and reaching up to him. “Something about brides and thresholds.”
Kade swept the cheeky woman into his arms with a laugh, lifting her easily and carrying her into his family home.
“That’s better,” Michelle said, kissing his stubbled jaw. “Now it’s official.”
“It is?” Kade asked, still holding her.
“Yes, you must really want me if you carried me away.”
“I don’t know about carried away, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” Michelle said, kissing him softly once more. She was starting to feel she’d made the best decision of her life the day she’d picked up the phone and changed her life. “Now put me down so I can look around.”
Setting her down on the polished wood floor, Kade leaned in, his forehead almost touching hers. “Welcome home,” he offered, kissing her before turning to retrieve their bags.
***
Michelle wrapped her arms around her middle against the chill as she stood on the front porch, listening to the wind rustle the tall grass. It was so quiet, so peaceful.
At 2:00 A.M, the ranch was silent. She’d decided to spend her first night as a resident of the Broken J at home with Kade. Throughout the afternoon and evening, she found her way around the house, putting things away, sending for her smaller boxes and just settling in. Now she stood all alone, breathing deeply of the night air.
She had nearly suggested to her husband, of a whole week, that they go see her friend, but then she had seen something in the depths of Kade’s eyes had made her say she wanted to stay in with him instead.
Kade had been sweet, showing her around the house, making her feel at ease. He’d grown especially shy when he’d escorted her to the big bedroom off the stairs. It was a spacious room with an oversized, hand-carved bed.
Now standing on the front porch, listening to the brook, Michelle breathed deeply of the night air, shivering in the brisk chill. Her week in Yellowstone had helped her adjust to the idea of wide-open spaces and growing things. In the distance, a night bird called and the yip of a coyote made her heart pound.
“I wondered where you’d gotten off to,” Kade purred from behind her, laying his hands on her arms and rubbing them gently. Michelle turned into him, snuggling close. She hadn’t even heard him come outside.
“It’s so quiet out here,” she said. “Yellowstone was lovely, exciting even, but this is peaceful.”
Kade wrapped her in his arms, breathing in the sweet fruity sent of her shampoo. “I’ve always liked the quiet,” he said, twirling one of her long curls in his fingers.
“I think I’m going to like it here,” Michelle admitted, leaning back and looking up into his face.
“I think I’m going to like having you here.” Kade’s smile was bright. “Are you ready to go back to bed?” he asked, after letting a handful of seconds tick by.
“Um huh,” Michelle agreed. “Tomorrow is the first day of our new life.”
Chapter 4
The first hints of gold were just touching the eastern horizon when Kade slipped from his warm bed and padded silently to the bathroom to prepare for his day.
It was good to be home, back to the routine of his normal life, but the thought of leaving the woman still curled among the blankets was less than welcome.
Carrying his boots in his hand so as not to make any noise, Kade crept from the room and out into the chill of the dawn.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Chase Haven jibed as his old friend entered the dining room of the Broken J Dude Ranch.
“Chase,” Kade greeted, blushing lightly. He knew that Phil would have told her husband all about the wedding. There were no secrets between the two.
“Kade!” a woman’s excited voice called across the spacious dining area as the owner of the ranch made her way around the large family-style tables full of happily noshing guests.
“Phil,” Kade huffed as his cousin threw h
erself at him, hugging him tight. “Where’s Michelle?” she whispered releasing him.
“Still in bed,” he replied, blushing brighter. “I think she’ll be over later for a visit.”
“How did this all happen? Have you two been Skype dating since our wedding? What made Michelle agree to move out here?” Phil’s rapid fire questions had the two men looking like a couple of startled calves.
“No, no. Don’t tell me,” Philomena Haven said, waving her hands. “Michi will want to tell me everything.”
Kade smiled. He and Phil had hit it off at their very first meeting when she’d inherited the Broken J practically out from under him. He supposed he should have resented that she’d taken over his home, but God had a plan that was working for their good.
“Better grab your breakfast and get to the barn,” Chase urged, pulling his wife to his side and leaning his head against hers, his short blonde hair pale next to her mahogany locks. “You have a nice visit with your friend,” he offered, kissing her on the cheek. “We’ll keep the guests busy.”
“Breakfast to go.” An older woman made her way to the trio. Guests were starting to stare and Mrs. Wade handed off a tightly wrapped container. “Welcome home, dear,” the ranch’s chief cook and house manager said. “We have a whole troop of Boy Scouts this week and I need the space, so you boys clear off.” She smiled, softening her words even as she pushed them toward the door.
Taking the bag and the opportunity to escape, Kade thanked Mrs. Wade and headed for the door.
***
“So you’re telling me, that you called this woman and asked her to find you a husband?” Philomena’s voice was incredulous.
“It wasn’t quite that simple,” Michelle replied, taking a sip of her coffee as she sat on one of Phil’s high stools in the office of the Broken J’s main house.
“But that’s what you did.”
“Yes, but I had extensive phone interviews and meetings. It was like having my whole brain sifted.”
“You never met her?” Phil’s looked horrified.
“I was in a hurry,” Michelle admitted dropping her eyes, “It was a little irregular. Still what do you have to complain about? We get to live in the same place again.”
“You could have told me you know, especially since it was Kade.” Phil narrowed her lips with disapproval.
“I didn’t know it was Kade,” Michelle reiterated. “I didn’t know who it was.”
“I’m just glad it wasn’t Charles.” Phil scowled her violet eyes growing hard. “You should have dumped that jerk years ago.”
Michelle studiously sipped her coffee but made no comment.
“So, how is it?” Phil asked excitedly. “Do you like being married? How’s Kade? What do you think of the ranch?”
“Whoa, slow down.” Michelle said, reaching down and picking up the yellow and white cat that was rubbing against her ankles. “Hello, Fred,” she spoke, cuddling the cat close.
“You can’t blame me for being curious,” Phil said, still pressing.
“You’re still a newlywed yourself.” Michelle said. “Your wedding helped me realize I was doing the right thing.”
“Change. I think that word could sum up my whole life right now,” Phil agreed. “I had no idea what I was in for when I inherited this place.” She raised her hand, gesturing wide to include the large two story house and surrounding prairie. “I know I never expected someone like Chase to love me,” she added with a smile.
“It’s beautiful here.” Michelle placed Fred back on the floor and turned toward the window. “I’m glad you took this on.”
Leaning on her hands at the tall desk, she gazed out the window, taking in the big barn and small out buildings across the yard. Small groups of guests meandered about, heading to various activities.
“What’s Kade doing out there?” she asked, watching her new husband backing a team of huge mules to a wagon.
“He’s getting Jack and Scott hitched so that the Boy Scout troop can go exploring in the hills.”
“Why not just take them all out in his truck or something?”
“This is a dude ranch, you know,” Phil said, her tone droll.
“Will he be back for lunch?”
“No, they’ll take a packed lunch with them and he’ll bring them back before supper. Didn’t he tell you before he went to the barn this morning?”
“I was a sleep,” Michelle admitted, wrinkling her nose. “You know I don’t like mornings.”
Phil tossed back her head, her mane of rose tinted dark hair rippling down her back, “You may have to make some adjustments living out here.”
Fred, the cat, leaping onto the desk drew Michelle’s eyes away from the window. “I take it you’re on her side,” the young woman chimed, giving the cat’s ears a scratch and making him purr.
“What should I do with myself if he’s gone all day?” Michelle finally asked, watching the tall red freight wagon with the dusky red mules begin to roll away, her husband perched on the tall, spring set seat.
“You could work,” Phil indicated. “If you don’t have any jobs, I’m sure I can find you something to do.” Her violet eyes twinkled, knowing just how unsuited for ranch work her friend was.
“I do have a few projects I’m working on,” Michelle admitted. “Book covers mostly. I could work on those. Sometimes digging for images is fun, other times it’s tedious. It just depends on what the author is looking for.”
“Maybe you can put a handsome blonde rodeo rider on a cover some time.” Phil teased. “I know I like looking at him.”
Michelle turned, a little smile tugging at her lips, “Seems a little puny to me.” Her words made Phil laugh. She could tell that Philomena was completely smitten with Chase.
“It’s nice to see you smile,” Michelle’s old friend said. “Even before I moved to Wyoming, those were becoming too rare.”
“Kadence makes me smile.” Michelle said. “He seems like a good guy.”
“Kadence? Did you just call him Kadence?” Phil’s violet eyes were wide.
“Yes, that’s his name after all,” Michelle scowled. “Isn’t it?”
“Uhm, no.” Phil replied, “he’s Kade, plain and simple.”
“I was sure the preacher called him Kadence,” Michelle insisted.
“Have you been calling him Kadence all this time?” Phil’s tone was incredulous.
“He doesn’t seem to mind. Besides, he’s a grown man, he’ll tell me if I’m wrong.” Michelle was starting to get defensive, so Phil backed off.
“I guess in the end all that matters is that you’re happy.” Her eyes softened as she laid a hand on her petite friend’s arm.
“I’m relaxed,” Michelle corrected. “You do look happy though,” she added, turning the attention away from her new situation.
“I really am,” Phil said, her voice soft and full of love. “I’m as busy as ever, but have so much to be thankful for.”
“And I’m glad that I’m here with you. It won’t be easy to settle into this new life, in this new place, with this new man. Having you makes everything so much easier.”
“Well go start getting settled,” Phil said. “I’ll see you soon.”
“I think I will,” Michelle said, turning. “Maybe I’ll even wander around a little and check the place out.”
“Here,” Phil turned to her desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a small card. “If anyone asks, just let them know your one of us,” she offered. “This is an employee pass and will allow you anywhere on the ranch.”
“Thanks.” Michelle took the pass, then reached out and hugged her friend. “I’ll get some work done and then maybe we’ll come and have dinner in the dining room tonight.”
“See you later,” Michelle called, happily leaving her friend and heading out onto the ranch property.
The smell of earth and fresh air assailed her nostrils, mingling with the heady scent of horse and fresh cut fields as Michelle stepped back outside.
&n
bsp; Michelle had barely left the confines of her three-mile block of New York City since she’d graduated college. The thought of a sojourn in the wilds of Wyoming had never been something to even make her bucket list, let alone be high on it.
Yet here she was, the cool fall breeze burnishing her cheeks pink, as she gazed at a property that seemed to still be circa 1880s.
There was the big barn, some little shacks, cows and horses, even chickens in a large-screened enclosure.
A group of laughing guests rode by on horses that plodded steadily toward the barn, in an even line behind a cowboy in a gray hat.
Chase seemed comfortable in the role of mother-duck, tipping his hat with a grin as he passed, stopping at the hitching rails and swinging down, offering her a little wave.
Wiggling her fingers in reply she watched as two older men made their way out of the barn, helping tittering women and exuberant youths from their saddles, then leading the horses off a few a time.
Turning away from the gaggle of guests, Michelle headed toward one of the small out buildings, a stout, wooden shack with a heavy door hung on well-oiled iron rails. Laying her hand against the darkened wood frame, Michelle pushed the door smoothly aside and stepped into the chilly building.
As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she could make out a cold forge and rusting iron implements. “A black-smith’s shop.” Michelle looked about in wonder. “Phil should get this up and running. She could sell trinkets or something.”
Pulling her phone from her pocket, she snapped several pictures, new ideas rippling through her brain. She wasn’t used to being inactive. She’d taken hundreds of pictures since her wedding, she was sure she would be adding more.
“Fuel for the fire,” she spoke again. Verbalizing her inner dialogue had become a habit over the years. Often on her own, she would think out loud; it helped get her creativity going.
Turning and sliding the door closed behind her, she passed the chicken coop, scanning fields and nearby hills. The greens were muted, the golds vibrant, and shimmering white of snow caps sparkled on distant peaks.
