All My Tomorrows

by Karen D. Badger

  Jordan jumped. "Jesus! You scared me. How long have you been standing there?"

  Maggie leaned against the post with her arms crossed in front of her. She grinned sheepishly. "Oh, for about five minutes," she replied. "You really do a nice job with the animals, Jordan. You have a knack for it."

  Jordan took her hat off and dusted it as she spoke. "Well, like I said before, I had horses while growing up. Mustangs, in fact. They're beautiful animals."

  "Yes, they are. You've been in the north pasture all day, right?"

  "Yeah, mending fences. And now I need to shower. I'm kind of filthy and smelly."

  Maggie's gaze roamed up and down Jordan's tall frame. Jordan was wearing a plaid button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled back to her elbows and the tails tucked into soiled blue jeans. She had on a brown leather vest, a bandanna around her neck, and a well-worn pair of cowboy boots. Tucked in her back pocket were the leather work gloves she'd used to handle the barbed wire fencing. Her shoulder-length brown hair was damp with sweat. She'd tucked the wayward locks behind her ears.

  "I see your luggage arrived," Maggie said.

  "Yes it did." A few moments passed in silence until Jordan broke it. "I really should shower. I'm a mess."

  Maggie grinned. "I happen to think you look fine. I like a woman who isn't afraid to get dirty doing a hard day's work."

  Jordan smiled. "Looking fine and smelling fine are two different things." Jordan walked past Maggie into the main part of the barn.

  "Jordan?" Maggie called out. Jordan stopped and turned around. "Would you care to join us for dinner? At the risk of sounding full of myself, I'm a pretty good cook."

  As if on cue, Jordan's stomach replied for her, loud enough for Maggie to hear. Jordan turned red with embarrassment.

  Maggie laughed. "I'll take that as a yes. Dinner is at six o'clock sharp."

  * * *

  At precisely six, Jordan knocked on the front door of the farmhouse.

  "Hey, Jordan, come in. Wow. You clean up real good," Maggie exclaimed. She noted with approval the freshly showered shine in Jordan's hair and the clean, well-tailored slacks and shirt she was wearing.

  Jordan stepped across the threshold and handed a bouquet of wildflowers to Maggie. "I saw these out in the north pasture this morning while I was mending fences. I ran out and picked a few. I hope you like them," she said.

  Maggie accepted the flowers, inhaling their aroma. "They're beautiful. Thank you." She closed the door behind Jordan. "Jan is pouring wine in the living room. Go on and join her while I put these in water."

  Jordan pushed open the door between the kitchen and living room and passed through.

  Jan was standing by the fireplace looking pensively at the flames while she sipped a glass of wine. She looked up when Jordan entered the room. She smiled and extended her hand. "Jordan. It's so nice you could join us."

  Jordan was taken aback by Jan's polite and friendly manner but offered her hand anyway. Jan's handshake was firm.

  "How do you like the job so far?" Jan asked.

  "I like it just fine. I appreciate Maggie giving me a chance."

  "Good. Maggie and I have great plans for this farm. We have been thinking about opening a riding school for handicapped children. Maggie just loves kids. In fact, we've considered having one of our own or maybe adopting one or two in the near future."

  "I'm sure Maggie would make a great mother," Jordan replied.

  Maggie entered the room carrying the bouquet of flowers Jordan had given her. "Jan, look at the beautiful flowers Jordan picked." She placed the vase on the fireplace mantel then turned to face them. "So, is anyone hungry?"

  "Famished," Jan replied. She directed Jordan into the dining room.

  Jordan held Maggie's chair for her then sat in the seat to Maggie's left. The table was nicely set for three and a crisp garden salad waited in the center of each plate. An array of salad dressings was clustered in the center of the table.

  Maggie gestured toward them. "Help yourself."

  When they'd eaten the salad, Maggie excused herself, returning a few moments later with platters of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. "I hope you like chicken," she said to Jordan as she placed the platter on the table.

  "I love chicken. It all looks so delicious," Jordan said as she filled her plate.

  As soon as they had served themselves, Jan reached into the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out a folded envelope. "Oh, Maggie, I forgot to tell you that this letter arrived by registered mail today. It's from your father's lawyer."

  Maggie's eyes narrowed as she reached for the letter, and her eyebrows arched high on her forehead as she realized the letter had been opened. "You opened it?" she asked.

  Jordan's gaze moved from Maggie to Jan.

  Jan behaved as if opening Maggie's mail was something she did on a regular basis. "Yeah, I thought it was important enough to read right away. You were gone to town, so I opened it. It's actually good news," she explained.

  Maggie lowered her chin to her chest and rubbed her forehead with her right hand. "I really wish you hadn't opened it."

  "What's the big deal?" Jan asked. "You would have read it to me anyway. After all, it concerns me as well."

  Maggie put both hands down on the table hard. "I fail to see how this letter concerns you," she said firmly.

  Jan shrugged. "Well, we have talked about getting married, Maggie. I think the fact that your father has signed the deed of the farm over to you definitely concerns me."

  Maggie took the napkin off her lap and put it on the table beside her plate. She rose to her feet. "Jan, could I please see you in the kitchen?"

  "Sure," Jan said brightly as she followed Maggie.

  "What the hell was that all about?" Maggie asked in a high-pitched voice.

  "I don't know what part of it you don't understand, Mags. Your father transferred the deed of the farm to you. It's all yours now."

  "And what does that have to do with you?" Maggie asked.

  "Maggie, you and I have talked about getting married some day. When that happens, we'll want to add my name to the deed. That way, the farm is protected in the event something happens to either one of us."

  "Look, Jan. We have company. This is not the time to have this conversation. I am going back into the dining room, and I am going to enjoy dinner with Jordan. You are welcome to join us if you want, but I don't want to hear another word from you about this deed. Is that understood?"

  "I actually thought you would be glad to hear the news. Forgive me for living."

  "Jan, that doesn't even warrant a response. Now, I'm going to finish my dinner. You can come with me or not. Your choice."

  * * *

  Maggie reentered the dining room alone.

  "Jan sends her apologies. She's decided to have dinner later."

  "Oh, that's too bad. Is she feeling okay?" Jordan asked.

  Maggie sat down and spread her napkin in her lap. "She's fine. Let's just enjoy our dinner, okay?"

  * * *

  After dinner, Jordan excused herself and stood to leave.

  "Do you have to go so early?" Maggie asked wistfully.

  "I promised John I would help him unload the hay crop in the morning. We're meeting at seven, so I really should get settled in for the night."

  "But you haven't had dessert yet."

  "That's okay. Dinner was so good, I ate too much anyway. Maybe I'll take a rain check on dessert?"

  "Deal," Maggie replied. "Let me walk you to the bunkhouse."

  "You don't have to do that, Maggie," Jordan objected.

  Maggie put her hands on her hips and grinned. "I know I don't."

  Jordan offered her arm to Maggie, who slipped her hand into the crook of Jordan's elbow.

  A few minutes later, they stopped in front of the bunkhouse door and Maggie released Jordan's arm.

  Jordan shoved her hands into her pockets. "Maggie, I want to thank you for dinner. It was the best fried chicken I've h
ad in a long time. I appreciate the invitation."

  Maggie looked into Jordan's eyes and smiled. "You are welcome. I enjoyed having you. However, I must apologize for Jan's behavior." Maggie crossed her arms in front of her and hugged herself close. "Brrr. I can't believe it's getting cool at night already," she complained.

  "Are you cold? Sheesh, how inconsiderate can I be? Let me get you a jacket. Wait right here," Jordan said as she slipped into the bunkhouse, emerging seconds later carrying a jean jacket. "Here, put this on."

  Jordan helped Maggie into the jacket and then rubbed the redhead's upper arms to warm her up. "Is that better?" she asked.

  "Much. Thank you."

  Maggie took a step closer and looked into Jordan's face.

  "I need to kiss you," Jordan whispered as she lowered her mouth to Maggie's.

  Maggie parted her lips and felt Jordan's tongue explore the moist cavern within. A wave of liquid desire coursed through her as the kiss deepened. It was a full minute later that Jordan finally broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against Maggie's so they could both catch their breath.

  "Oh, my God," Maggie whispered hoarsely.

  Jordan took a step back. "I'm sorry, Maggie. I shouldn't have done that."

  "You didn't do that… we did," Maggie said. "I'm the one who should apologize."

  "No, I take full responsibility. You have a partner, and I should know better than to interfere with your relationship. Jan doesn't deserve that," Jordan insisted.

  Maggie placed her index finger on Jordan's lips. "You're right. She doesn't, but I'm sure you can see that things are not perfect with her. In fact, things have been a little shaky for some time. Maybe you were right earlier… she is assuming."

  Maggie wrapped her arms around herself and walked a few feet away. "I don't know, Jordan. I need time to think about Jan. I need to process what I am feeling for you. I'm sorry if I am sending confusing signals. Please forgive me."

  Jordan inhaled deeply and nodded.

  Maggie smiled and stood on tiptoe to place a gentle, chaste kiss on Jordan's lips. "You need to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night," she said.

  CHAPTER 4

  Early the next morning, Jordan directed pallets of hay bales into the loft as John lifted them with the hoist and pulley. She had a perfect view of Maggie as she sauntered into the barn wearing Jordan's jacket.

  Maggie greeted John brightly. "Good Morning."

  John tipped his hat with one hand while maintaining a firm grip on the pulley rope with the other. "'Mornin', Maggie."

  "Nice jacket," Jordan called down from the loft.

  Maggie looked up quickly. Her face lit up happily as she grabbed the sides of the jacket, spreading them out while turning around in a circle as though modeling a coat. "Thank you. Do you like it?"

  "It's great. You have good taste," Jordan responded.

  Maggie smiled. She drove her hands deep into her pockets and shrugged her shoulders. "Are you almost finished? I was hoping you'd be free to ride with me to the north end of the property. I'm meeting my carpenter up there to go over plans for a new barn."

  Jordan looked down at John. "How many more do we have, John?"

  "Lookin' like two more. Why don't you go ahead with Maggie, and I'll finish up here."

  "No, a promise is a promise. We're going to finish this before I leave," Jordan responded. She looked again at Maggie. "Give me about twenty minutes, and I'll be with you. Okay?"

  "Sounds good. I'll go straighten up the tack room while I wait." Maggie grinned.

  Jordan stepped into the hook of the winch and rode it down to barn level to help John secure the next pallet.

  John watched Maggie nearly skip away before he looked at Jordan with raised eyebrows.

  "What's that look for?" Jordan asked curiously.

  "I'm surprised she didn't blow a cork," John replied.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, Maggie sometimes isn't very patient when she wants something."

  Jordan put her hands on her hips. "Really? Has she ever lost patience with you?"

  "Nope, not me, but Jan's been on the receivin' end a few times. Let me tell ya, what they say about redheads and tempers is true in her case."

  "I know what you mean. She seems to lose her temper quite easily. I can't imagine it would have taken much for her to blow up at Jan."

  John ran the winch straps under the pallet and looped them over the hook then eyed her conspiratorially over the pallet of feed. "Well, to tell ya the truth, if it was me, I'd have been mad too."

  Jordan grabbed the hook and stepped onto the edge of the pallet. "Take her up, John."

  John winched Jordan and the load of feed to the level of the loft where she stepped onto the platform and pulled the pallet over far enough to settle lightly on the deck as John slowly released the tension on the rope.

  "Okay, John. That's enough." Jordan unhooked the straps from the pallet and once more slipped her foot into the hook. When John had her lowered to the floor, she handed the straps back to him. She waited for him to thread the straps through the final pallet. "So, exactly what did she do to make Maggie so angry?"

  "Well, Maggie was away for a couple of days about a month ago, showin' some of the mustangs at a horse show in the next town. One of Maggie's favorite mares took sick while she was gone. Jan was supposed to be keepin' an eye on the place but instead of taking care of chores, she pretty much lorded over the farm like she owned it. Anyway, when Maggie came home and saw the shape her mare was in, all hell broke loose."

  "Wow. Maggie must have really been upset."

  "I was in the barn here, cleaning stalls when she returned. I could hear her yellin' at Jan from here, not that I blame her none. Jan really should'a been taking care of things while she was gone instead of playing queen of the castle."

  Jordan pulled the straps through the bottom of the pallet and looped them over the hook. "That must have put a strain on their relationship."

  "Climb on. She's going up," John instructed as he pulled the slack out of the winch rope.

  Jordan stood on top of the pallet while John winched it into the loft. Once the pallet was safely settled in the loft, she unthreaded the straps from the pallet and hung them back on the hook. "Winch it up, John."

  John pulled the winch rope until the metal hook made contact with the pulley high above them in the rafters then he tied the rope off on the railing of the staircase leading to the loft. By the time he had taken care of the winch, Jordan had descended the stairs of the loft and met him at the bottom.

  "So why does Maggie keep her around?" she asked.

  John looked at Jordan. "Well, I reckon she loves her," he replied.

  Jordan's brow furrowed into a deep frown.

  John put his hands on his hips and shook his head back and forth. "I thought as much," he said, almost sadly.

  "What?" Jordan prompted.

  "You're in love with her," he stated rather than asked. "I've seen how you light up when she walks into the barn."

  Jordan looked everywhere but at John. "Ah, I don't even know her yet."

  "Don't matter how long you've known her," John replied. A few moments of silence fell between them before John spoke again. "You know Jan won't be happy about this."

  Jordan's attention was suddenly drawn away from her conversation with John. She turned to see Maggie standing nearby with her arms crossed impatiently in front of her. She immediately wondered how long Maggie had been standing there.

  "So, how long are you going to keep me waiting?" she asked.

  Jordan grinned. "Patience woman," she exclaimed teasingly. "Some of us have work to do around here."

  Maggie swatted Jordan's behind with the leather gloves she was holding. "Mind who you're talking to, Missy. You're liable to get yourself fired again."

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Jordan replied dryly. "Whatever."

  John's eyebrows rose on his forehead as he watched the playful interaction.

  Jordan looked at him a
nd winked. "So, John, did you say you needed some help with the feed bags next?"

  "Oh, no you don't," Maggie quickly interjected as she locked her arm with Jordan's. "You're coming with me to the north pasture, remember?"

  Jordan slapped her palm on her thigh. "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. You know, Maggie, I think I'll be needing that raise now, considering how valuable I am around here."

  "I'll give you a raise you little shit, right at the end of my foot if you don't shape up," Maggie laughed.

  Jordan looked at John and shook her head. "Women," she exclaimed, which earned her a quick kick in the pants by Maggie.

  * * *

  Jordan rode beside Maggie on the way out to the north pasture. "This is a beautiful farm," Jordan said. "I've always thought so."

  Maggie looked at Jordan and frowned. "Have you seen the farm before?"

  "Huh?" Jordan asked. "What do you mean?"

  "You just said you've always thought the farm was beautiful. That sounds like you've seen it before."

  "I meant, I always thought Vermont was a beautiful state. It goes without saying the farmland is the best part of it."

  "I couldn't agree more," Maggie replied.

  Jordan chastised herself for being so careless with her words.

  They rode on in silence for the next minute or two before Maggie posed another question.

  "Have you lived in Vermont long?"

  "Yes I have, all my life in fact. I've traveled a lot, but my heart is right here. This is where I want to spend the rest of my life."

  "So, what did you do before you came to me looking for work?"

  "I was affiliated with the University of Vermont. I worked in the lab there."

  Maggie looked at the field ahead of her as she spoke. "Doing what?"

  "Well, I did some work with injured animals."