House On Windridge

by Tracie Peterson

  She let her gaze pan across the western horizon, while the waning sun touched her face with the slightest hint of warmth. She knew Aunt Harriet would have been appalled to find her in such a state, but to Jessica, it felt wonderful! She cherished the moment, just as she had when she’d been twelve.

  “Thank You, Father,” she whispered, raising her hands heavenward as if to stretch out and touch her fingertips to God.

  “You make a mighty fetching picture up here like that,” Devon said.

  Jessica turned, surprised to see the overworked foreman making his way up the ridge. “I thought maybe you’d hightailed it back to civilization,” she teased to ease her own embarrassment. “I’ve scarcely seen you in two weeks.”

  “There’s been too much to do,” Devon told her. “But you already know that. Kate told me you’ve been pretty busy yourself.”

  “Yes. We’ve finished up some quilts, and then Buck dug us up a garden patch.”

  “I saw that. Can’t say this is good farm ground, but Kate’s gardens generally survive. It’s all that tender loving care she gives them.” Devon took off his hat and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. “Feels good up here.”

  “Yes,” Jessica agreed. Her hair whipped wildly in the breeze, and she felt a bit embarrassed to be found in such a state. It was one thing to know they could see her from down below the hilltop, but for Devon to be here with her made Jessica self-conscious.

  She reached up and began trying to pull her hair back into order, but Devon came forward and stilled her efforts. “Don’t do that. It looks so nice down.”

  Jessica laughed nervously and stepped away. “It’s just something I do sometimes. Kind of silly, but it reminds me of when I was a little girl.”

  “Nothing silly about that.”

  “Maybe not,” Jessica said, forcing herself to look away from Devon’s attractive face to the start of a beautiful sunset. “The prairie used to make me lonely. I used to feel so small and insignificant in the middle of it all. The hills just go on and on forever. It reminds me of how I’m just one tiny speck in a very big world.”

  “What happened to change how you felt? I mean, you told me you wanted to stay here and never leave. Surely you wouldn’t feel that way about a place that made you feel lonely and insignificant.”

  Devon had come to stand beside her again, but Jessica refused to look at him. “I never had many chances to visit here before getting married, but after the second visit, I had already decided that the prairie was growing on me. I went home to New York City and felt swallowed up whole. The lifestyle, the parties, the activities that never seemed to end—it all made me feel so forgotten.”

  “How so?” Devon questioned softly.

  Jessica stopped toying with her hair and let it go free once again. “No one really ever talks to anyone there. You speak about the city, about the affairs of other people. You talk about the newest rages and the fashionable way to dress. You go to parties and dinners and present yourself to be seen with all the correct people, but you never, ever tell anyone how you feel about anything personal. It fit well with my upbringing, but I came to want more.”

  She finally looked at him. “I feel alive out here. I feel like I can breathe and stretch and let my hair blow in the wind and no one will rebuke me for it. I feel like I can talk to you and Buck and Kate, and you not only talk back, but you really listen.”

  “I can’t imagine being any other way,” Devon said. “But, as for the coldness of the big city, I do understand. I go to Kansas City once, sometimes twice a year for supplies and to sell off the cattle. I hate it there. No one seems to care if you live or die.”

  “I know,” Jessica replied, admiring the way the sky had taken on a blend of orange, yellow, and pink. “And you certainly never get sunsets like these.”

  Devon laughed. “Nope.”

  “I know God brought me here for a reason. I know He has a purpose for my life, and I feel strongly that my purpose involves helping other people. That may sound silly to you, but I know God has a plan for me.”

  “It doesn’t sound silly at all. I believe God has a plan for each of us.”

  “What kind of plan does He have for you, Devon?” she asked seriously, concentrating on his expression.

  Devon shoved his hands into his pockets and stared to the west. “I don’t guess I know in full.”

  “So tell me in part,” she urged.

  “I know God brought me to this ranch. It was a healing for me, so when you speak of it being a healing for other people, I guess I understand. I was once engaged to be married, but it didn’t work out. Windridge saw me through some bad times. Now, however, I feel God has shown me the reason for that situation and the result.”

  “What reason?” Jessica questioned, truly wondering how Devon could speak so casually about losing the woman he apparently loved.

  “I know God has someone else for me to marry. He’s already picked her out.”

  “Oh,” she replied, her answer sounding flat. She’d only recently allowed herself to think about Devon as something more than a ranch foreman. She’d actually given herself permission to consider what it might be like to fall in love and marry a man like Devon Carter. His words came as a shock and stung her effectively into silence.

  “I don’t like being alone. I see myself with a family of my own. Six or seven—boys, girls, it doesn’t matter—and a fine spread to work. Ranches can be excellent places to bring up children.”

  He looked at her as if expecting her to comment, but Jessica had no idea what to say. His words only told her that one day he would go his way and leave her alone. Not only that but leave Ryan alone as well. A dull ache caused her to abruptly change the subject.

  “I see Windridge surviving and becoming stronger. I think we have a lot to offer folks here. Have you had a chance to look over those articles I left with you?”

  “I’ve looked them over. I have to say I’m not nearly as against the idea as I once was. It seems the ranch would mostly be open to the public during summer months, is that right?”

  Jessica perked up at his positive attitude. “Yes. Yes, that’s right. Late spring to early autumn might be the biggest stretch of time, but basically it would be summer.”

  “Ranches can be mighty busy during the summer,” he commented.

  “Yes, but that’s part of the attraction. Folks from back East will come to see the workings of the ranch. You and your men would be able to go about your business, and the visitors would be able to observe you in action.”

  “They’d also want to ride and maybe even try their hand at what we do, at least that’s what one of your clippings said,” Devon countered.

  “But only if we wanted it to be that way,” Jessica replied. “It can be arranged however we see fit. No one makes the rules but us.”

  “I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad if the rest of the year allowed us to get back to normal. The location does seem right for something like that. I suppose we could even fix one of the larger ponds with a deck and a place for fishing.”

  “What a good idea,” Jessica replied. “Maybe swimming too.”

  Devon nodded. “Hmmm, maybe. Might be a bit cold. Remember, those aren’t hot springs.” He appeared to be genuinely considering the matter. “And you see this as a ministry?”

  Jessica felt herself grow slightly defensive. “I do. I see a great many things we can share with people. Kindness and love, mercy, tolerance—you name it. I know it would be a resort, and people would pay to come here and rest, but how we handled their stay would be evidence of Christ working in our lives. They would see how we dealt with problems and handled our daily lives.”

  “One of the articles talked about taking folks out camping under the stars to give them a taste of what the pioneers experienced when they went west in covered wagons. You thinking a
bout doing that?” Devon asked.

  Jessica considered the matter for a moment. “I think at first it would be to our benefit to just keep small. We could advertise it very nearly like a boarding home for vacationers. We could offer quiet summers. Maybe fishing, like you suggested, and horseback riding. We could build some nice chairs for the porch, and Kate and I could make cushions; folks could go through my father’s library and pick out something to read and just relax on the porch. I just want to make a difference in people’s lives.”

  Devon stepped closer. “You’ve made a difference in mine. You and Ryan both.”

  She looked into his warm brown eyes and saw a reflection of something she didn’t understand. His words sounded important, yet he’d made it clear that God had someone already in mind for him to marry.

  “I need to get back.” She turned to leave, but Devon reached out to touch her arm. “I meant it, Jess. And I’m starting to think that maybe a resort wouldn’t be a bad way to get the ranch back up and running. Hopefully, this small herd we’ve taken on from the Rocking W will make us a tidy profit and allow us to get a bigger herd next year. You keep praying about it, and so will I.”

  Jessica nodded and hurried down the hill to the three-story stone house. She didn’t know how to take Devon or his words. He always treated her kindly and always offered her honesty, but today only served to confuse her.

  Quietly, she entered the house through the back door, hoping that she’d not have to deal with Kate. Kate would want to know how Jessica had spent her day. Kate would want to know what she and Devon had talked about. And there was little doubt in Jessica’s mind that Kate would know they had talked. She’d probably observed them up on the ridge. Everyone would have seen them there. Buck. The ranch hands.

  Jessica felt her face grow hot. She had very much enjoyed being with Devon, and she enjoyed their talks. But Devon had another woman in mind to marry, and Jessica knew the heartache of losing a man to another woman. She’d not interfere in Devon’s relationships. She’d not ruin his chances at happiness with the woman of his dreams. The woman God had sent to him.

  With a heavy heart, Jessica admitted to herself that she was gradually coming to care about Devon. She liked the way he moved, the way he talked. She loved how he played with Ryan and how Ryan’s face lit up whenever Devon came into the room. Reluctantly, Jessica began to put her hair back up in a bun. “I’m being so childish and ridiculous,” she muttered.

  “Oh, so there you are. Guess who just woke up?” Kate asked, coming down the back stairs with Ryan in her arms.

  Jessica had just secured the last hairpin in place. “How’s Mama’s boy?” Jessica asked, holding her arms out to Ryan.

  “Mamamama,” Ryan chattered. “Eat.” He pulled at Jessica’s collar, and she knew he wanted to nurse. She’d only managed to wean him a couple weeks earlier, but he nevertheless tried to coerce her into nursing him.

  “Mama will take you to the kitchen and get you a big boy’s cup,” Jessica told him, gently tousling his nearly hairless head. “Do you suppose this child will ever grow hair?” she asked Kate.

  “I’ve heard it said you were the same way,” Kate said chuckling. “I think you finally achieved those glossy brown curls when you were nearly two.”

  “I hope he doesn’t take too long,” Jessica replied as she retraced her steps to the kitchen. She thought for a moment she was off the hook until Kate, pouring fresh cold milk into a cup for Ryan, asked, “So, what did you and Devon have to talk about while you enjoyed that beautiful sunset?”

  Jessica tried not to act in the leastwise concerned about the question. “We discussed the ranch. It consumes most of our talks. Devon is finally coming around to my way of thinking. He’s not nearly so negative about turning this place into a resort ranch.”

  “I never thought you’d convince him, but he talked to Buck about it just yesterday. Buck said he actually had some good ideas about what they could do to make this place ready by next year.”

  “Next year? But Devon said nothing to me about next year. I figured I’d have to spend most of this one just convincing him to let me do it.”

  Ryan drank from the cup, finished the milk, then tried to pound the empty cup against the wall behind his mother. Jessica finally put him down on the floor and turned her attention back to Kate.

  “Did he really say next summer?”

  Kate smiled and pushed up her glasses. “He did. I take it that surprises you?”

  “Indeed it does. He said only that he was starting to see some merit in the idea. I had no idea he was actually working toward a date.”

  “Well, he’s found some extra capital to sink into the ranch. Then too we have the quilts to sell, and we can always busy ourselves to make more. Besides, Devon doesn’t own this ranch—you do. If you want to turn it into a resort, you certainly don’t need anyone’s permission.”

  “Yes, but I want you all to be happy.”

  “Devon too?” Kate grinned.

  “Of course. You told me I needed to consider his thoughts on the matter, and I have. I respect Devon’s opinion. I know all of you understand the ranch better than I do, but nevertheless, I want to learn, and I want to keep everyone’s best interests at heart. I’ve been praying hard about this, Kate. I’m not going to just jump in without thinking.”

  Kate reached out and gave Jessica a hug. “I knew you wouldn’t. We want you happy though, and if turning this place upside down would do the trick, I have a feeling Devon would start working on plans to figure a way.”

  Jessica said nothing but turned instead to see Ryan heading for the stove. “No, Ryan! Hot!” she exclaimed and went quickly to move the boy to another part of the kitchen.

  “Why don’t you and Ryan go out on the porch and spend some time together?” Kate suggested. “I’ve already got supper well underway, and there’s no need to have you both in here underfoot.”

  Jessica laughed. “Just when I started thinking I had become needed and useful.”

  Kate laughed. “Oh, you’re needed and useful, all right. Maybe more than you realize.”

  Jessica picked up the boy and made her way to the front door and out onto the porch. The sky had turned deep lavender with hints of even darker blues to the east. Night was still another hour or so away, but already shadows fell across the hills and valleys. Jessica liked the effect and wished fervently she could draw or paint. It seemed a shame that something so lovely should go by unseen. This thought provoked another. She could always advertise the ranch to artists. Mention the beautiful scenery and lighting. Of course, many people would consider the scenery boring and anything but beautiful. Perhaps that wouldn’t be a very productive thing to do. What if someone went home to complain about the falsehood of her advertisement?

  As Ryan played happily with Katie’s flowerpots, Jessica allowed her thoughts to go back to Devon. She couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to care about him, at least not in the sense of falling in love and sharing a life with him. She didn’t like to think of the rejection that could come in caring for someone, only to have them not care in return.

  Still, if she couldn’t have him in that capacity, then it was enough to have him here on the ranch full time. He made a good foreman, and she prayed he’d stay on for as long as she kept the ranch. A gray cloud descended over her thoughts. What if he married and brought his wife here to Windridge? Jessica shuddered. She’d not like that at all. And then with Ryan already so attached to Devon, it might create even greater problems. What if Ryan wanted to be with Devon instead of Jessica? What if Devon’s new wife attracted Ryan’s attention as well?

  Jessica shook off the thoughts and tried to remain positive. “I can’t be given over to thoughts of what if. There’s plenty of other things to worry myself with.”

  Ryan babbled on and on about the flowerpots. Some words came out in clarity, and
others were purely baby talk. Jessica found herself amazed to see how much the child had grown over the last few weeks. It seemed he’d almost aged overnight. She didn’t like to think of him growing up and not needing her anymore. She didn’t like to think about him becoming an adult and moving away. What would she do when he was gone? Who would love her, and whom would she love?

  Devon’s image came to mind, but Jessica shook her head sadly. “That’s not going to happen,” she told herself again. “He has other plans, and they don’t include me.”

  Ryan perked up at this and toddled back to Jessica. He pounded the flats of his hands on her knees. “Me. Me. Me go. Me go.”

  Jessica looked down at him, feeling tears form in her eyes. “I know you will,” she told him sadly. “One day, you will go.”

  Chapter 6

  If we convert those two sitting rooms at the back of the house,” Kate said one evening after dinner, “we could have additional bedrooms for guests.”

  “True,” Buck replied, looking to Jessica and Devon for their reactions.

  “It might even work better if Ryan and I took those two rooms and let our rooms upstairs be used for guests,” Jessica replied. “I mean, that way the entire second floor would be devoted to guests, and the third floor would still belong to you and Buck.”

  “Maybe it would be better to give the third floor to you and Ryan,” Devon said thoughtfully. “After all, Kate needs to be close to the kitchen to get things started up in the morning, and Buck needs to be close to the barn and bunkhouse.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Kate replied. “Those two rooms would be more than enough for Buck and me. In fact, one room would be enough.”

  “No, now I wouldn’t feel right about it if you and Buck didn’t have your own sitting room for privacy,” Jessica said firmly. “Having a house full of strangers will be cause enough to need our own places of refuge.”

  “I could give you back the cottage,” Devon offered. “If you and Buck think you’d be more comfortable there, I could move into the bunkhouse.”