Their Ranch Reunion

by Mindy Obenhaus

  “Why isn’t he in bed?” Andrew practically barked out the words as Carly returned to the kitchen.

  Carly’s blue eyes narrowed. “Because he refused. If he’s more comfortable in his chair, then let him be in his chair.” She glanced at the empty glass in her hand. “I need to get him some more juice.”

  “I’ll get it.” Andrew took the cup from her and headed to the fridge for some apple juice. His hands were shaking as he tipped the carton. He bumped the glass, spilling the juice all over the linoleum floor.

  He let out a frustrated growl.

  Next thing he knew, Carly was at his side. She laid a hand on his arm and smiled up at him, as if understanding more than just his frustration over the juice. “I’ve got this.” Taking hold of the glass, she turned to her daughter. “Megan, why don’t you take Andrew out to feed the foals? I think he could use some fresh air.”

  He hated to leave. Still, he knew Carly was right. He’d thought things were on the upswing. Now he needed to come to terms with this latest turn of events. Apparently Carly knew him better than he thought. Not that that was anything new.

  While he and Megan fed the foals, he raked a hand through his hair and stared at the holes in the ancient roof. Dad was only sixty-five. Too young to die. He should have been enjoying retirement, not spending all his time worrying about this stupid ranch.

  God, why is this happening? First Mama then Grandma... Are You ready to take Dad, too?

  Lowering his gaze, he shook his head from side to side. Who was he to be questioning God?

  Nobody, that’s who. He had no power. He didn’t cause the sun to rise and set. He didn’t tell the rain and snow to fall from their storehouses.

  No, he was a mere man. One who often failed to recognize that he wasn’t in charge. That he didn’t always get his way. Life was always changing. And not always according to his plan, amplifying the conviction that his job was simply to have faith. Even when he didn’t understand.

  When the doctor arrived a short time later, Andrew, Megan and Noah joined everyone inside. The doctor gave Dad a shot of antibiotics, along with instructions for Carly to call tomorrow with an update on his progress.

  Andrew walked him out. “Thank you for coming out, Dr. Lockridge.”

  “No thanks necessary. I pass right by here on my way home.” He reached for the door of his truck. “And call me Trent.”

  Andrew nodded. “Thanks, Trent.”

  Between the doctor’s visit and a dinner of homemade chicken noodle soup, Andrew’s mood was much improved. Then again, that was the kind of meal that was therapeutic on so many different levels. Throw in a few snickerdoodles and he happily agreed to take care of the dishes while Carly gave his father another breathing treatment.

  The fact that she’d stayed so late said a lot about her concern for his father. It was a school night, after all, and Megan would need to get to bed soon.

  When Andrew and Noah finally convinced her that they’d take turns monitoring their father, Carly donned her coat, telling Megan to go say good-night to the foals.

  The cold night air fell around them as Andrew walked her to her SUV. He eyed the starry sky. “They’re saying we might be in for a snowstorm.”

  “Not surprising. It is only March, you know.” Stopping beside the vehicle, she shoved her hands in the pockets of her fleece jacket and looked up at him. “How are you doing?”

  “Better, thanks to you.”

  “I didn’t do so much. It’s Trent who saved the day.”

  He couldn’t argue that. Just knowing he was willing to stop by after hours meant a lot. Thanks to him, Dad was resting comfortably and, Lord willing, the shot would have him feeling better tomorrow.

  He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I sure hope so.”

  As he lowered his hand, she took hold of it. “I know you’re scared.”

  His eyes searched hers, a weight settling in the pit of his stomach. She knew him too well. But did she have any idea just how scared he was? Did she understand why? Did she know that he’d ignored Noah’s repeated pleas for him to come and allowed himself to become so busy that he wasn’t even there when his mother died?

  Then, as if reading his thoughts, she dropped his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re a good man, Andrew. And a good son.” She kissed his cheek before letting go. “Megan, come on, sweetie. Time to go.”

  A flurry of emotions swirled through him as he watched her drive away. He was grateful God had brought her back into his life. Because with Carly around, he suddenly didn’t feel so alone.

  Chapter Eleven

  Talk about a dilemma.

  Carly awoke the next morning, eager to get to the ranch to check on Clint. Yet not quite as eager to see Andrew. Why on earth had she hugged him last night? That made twice in recent weeks she’d allowed herself to get caught up in her emotions. This time she’d even kissed him. On the cheek, but still... When he’d had the opportunity to kiss her that night at Livie’s after she’d dropped the plate, he hadn’t taken the chance.

  To make matters worse, when she did arrive at the ranch shortly after dropping Megan off at school, he’d barely said goodbye before he was out the door. As if he couldn’t bear to face her.

  Fine by her. She was feeling a little sheepish herself. Obviously Andrew’s only interest in her was as a friend, client and caretaker for his father. As it should be. So why did it bother her so much?

  At least she could take heart in the fact that Clint was doing better. She’d prayed all night that he would show some sign of improvement by this morning, and from what she could tell, he was. He had more color and seemed to be more alert. Best of all, his fever was down.

  Now it was up to her to make sure it stayed that way. Forward progress was good. Going backward wasn’t. She couldn’t let her guard down with either Clint or Andrew.

  As for Clint, she’d have to monitor his temperature, bump up the number of breathing treatments, and make sure he got the fluids and rest he needed. Whatever it took to keep him out of the hospital.

  “It’s downright freezing out there today.” Eyeing Clint, she added two more split logs to the wood-burning stove that kept the common areas of the house nice and toasty. “And from the looks of those clouds—” she nodded toward the picture window “—we might be in for a little snow, too.”

  “Glad I don’t have to worry about going out there, then.” Clint burrowed deeper into his recliner, adjusting the blanket over his legs. A hint, perhaps, that he still had a long road to recovery.

  “No, you do not.” She closed the glass doors on the stove, smiling, then slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans as she straightened. “The only thing you have to worry about is getting well. So you just relax and take it easy.”

  She retrieved the remote from the arm of the couch and punched in the numbers for Clint’s favorite channel. The one that played all the old Westerns.

  Seeing the cowboy-hat-clad hero that appeared on the screen, she couldn’t help noticing how similar his attire was to Clint’s when he was working the ranch. Then it dawned on her. These were the shows Clint would have watched as a kid growing up in Ouray. No wonder he’d wanted to become a rancher. She could only imagine the childhood dreams he’d fulfilled since he and Mona bought the land that was Abundant Blessings Ranch all those years ago. They’d been partners in every sense of the word. Something Carly admired.

  Her parents had been the same way about Granger House Inn. So when they passed it on to her, she’d envisioned Dennis and her fulfilling the same role. But his interest in the B and B was limited to income. Everything else seemed to fall on her.

  Not much of a partnership.

  Now, as she finished cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast, Clint was asleep, so she took the opportunity to head into Mona’s craft
room to start working on the scrapbooks. Every time she so much as thought about them, she got excited.

  Talk about an awesome responsibility. Thankfully, Mona had all of the details written out. Even so far as to state how the pictures were to be arranged.

  Standing at the long counter with the first blank scrapbook open, she took a deep breath and lifted the lid on Noah’s box of photos. Such a cute baby. Though, truthfully, the Stephens boys all kind of looked the same. Dark hair, dark eyes...until you got to Daniel. Blond, blue-eyed...a complete departure from the rest of them. That boy definitely favored his mama.

  Once she had removed all of the photos from the box, she noticed the colorful papers and cutouts used for scrapbooking tucked in the bottom. She picked up a small envelope and found that it was unsealed. More instructions, perhaps?

  She pulled out the note card adorned with Colorado columbines, opened it and read.

  My dearest Noah...

  Carly covered her mouth with her hand, a lump forming in her throat. Mona had even written them letters...when she knew she was dying.

  The first time I held you in my arms, I knew I was created to be a mother. You were my sunshine on cloudy days, always quick with a smile. But that smile faded when Jaycee died—

  Carly blinked away tears. Noah had lost his wife when she developed an infection after miscarrying their first child. And a grieving Noah returned to the rodeo circuit, as though daring God to take him, too.

  Closing the card, she tucked it back into its envelope. It wasn’t hers to read. Though she was more determined than ever to complete this task.

  Lord, thank You for allowing me to find these boxes. Please guide me and help me bring Mona’s vision to life for her boys—

  Uh-oh. Voices echoed from the main part of the house. Andrew. Noah.

  Drat. She must have lost track of time. Was it lunchtime already?

  She scrambled to put everything back into the box, praying neither of the brothers would find her and spoil this magnificent surprise.

  Shoving the box alongside the others, she hurried down the hall, pausing to take a deep breath before rounding into the family room. Sure was a lot of commotion going on. Didn’t they realize they were going to wake Clint?

  When she continued into the family room, she saw Noah adding more wood to the already more-than-sufficient stack along one wall and Andrew hauling in multiple bags of groceries. Surely this wasn’t the end of the world.

  “Looks like you guys are preparing for the worst.” She crossed to the kitchen, where Andrew had begun unloading everything from pantry staples to milk, eggs, meats and cheeses. “It’s just a little snow.”

  They looked at each other before Noah addressed her. Something that was really starting to bug her. If they had something to say—“Storm’s moving in quicker than expected.”

  Andrew pulled two boxes of cereal from one bag. “And a Pacific disturbance is giving it lots of fuel.”

  Okay, even she knew that wasn’t good. After all, she’d lived her entire life in Ouray.

  Arms empty, Noah moved toward her. “We’re under a blizzard warning from this evening until tomorrow or the next day.”

  “I had no idea.” She should have paid closer attention to the weather this morning. Because if this came to fruition, keeping both Clint and the foals safe would be a challenge. Particularly if the electricity went out. She just hoped the guys were up to the challenge. “I guess I’d better plan to leave early today so I can pick up Megan. We’ll have to hunker down at Livie’s.”

  “Actually...” Andrew came alongside her then. So close she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. Though that was nothing compared to the warmth she saw in his coffee-colored eyes. “I’d feel better if the two of you stayed here.”

  Did he really think her that helpless? Or did he simply want her here to take care of Clint? Well, he was a big boy and she’d been taking care of herself and Megan for a long time, so she didn’t need—

  “I need to know that you and Megan are safe.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, rendering her virtually speechless.

  There wasn’t a thing she could do except swallow the lump in her throat, look up at him and manage to say, “Okay.”

  * * *

  By the time Carly served up a hearty dinner of beef stew and homemade bread, the wind had really kicked up and snow had begun to fall, right along with the temperature. Now, as Andrew burrowed deeper under the quilt his grandmother had made, the winds howled, rattling the bedroom windows.

  Staring at the blue numbers on the alarm clock, he was surprised that the electricity had stayed on past midnight. Typically they would have been plunged into darkness by now. At least until someone fired up the generator.

  He breathed a sigh of relief that Carly and Megan were here, safely down the hall in Jude’s room. Since his policeman brother was needed in town, he’d opted to stay at Matt’s. Even if he hadn’t, though, Andrew would have gladly given up his room—well, Daniel’s room—and slept on the couch. Whatever it took to make sure that Carly and Megan were comfortable and taken care of.

  A loud crack sounded from outside, sending Andrew bolting from his bed. More cracking, followed by a crash.

  Confused, he lifted the blinds on the window and looked outside, but the snow was coming down too heavy to see anything else.

  A million scenarios ran through his mind as he rushed from the room.

  Noah was already in the mudroom, coat in hand.

  “What was that?” Andrew asked his brother.

  “I have no idea, but I intend to find out.”

  Andrew grabbed his own coat, put that over the Henley and sweatpants he’d worn to bed and shoved his feet into his boots, the actions reminding him of when they were kids. Always wanting to keep up with his big brother. “I’m coming with you.”

  Outside, the snow was coming down sideways, propelled by the force of the wind. Even with the floodlights, it was nearly impossible to see.

  Noah looked left, then right. “We’d better check the barn.” He had to yell to be heard over the wind.

  Andrew followed him through the snow. “What’s that noise?” There was something else besides the wind. Something...alive.

  Noah stopped in front of him. Turned his head. “I hear it, too.”

  Andrew squinted, trying hard to see past all of the white.

  Suddenly his eyes widened. “The barn!” Or rather, what was left of it.

  “The foals!” Noah darted ahead.

  Andrew was on his heels. Drawing closer, he could see that the entire section where the foals were had caved in. But they were still alive. That was the sound he heard.

  Together, he and his big brother examined the collapse, trying to determine where the horses were and how to get to them.

  “I’ll be right back.” Andrew sprinted to his truck for some flashlights. Once he returned, it didn’t take long to find the animals. Unfortunately, they were wedged between the wall that still stood and a large amount of debris. And they were too spooked to come out on their own.

  Noah ducked under the wreckage in an effort to reach them.

  “Andrew!”

  He turned at the sound of Carly’s voice. “What are you doing out here? Get back—”

  She put one booted foot in front of the other, her eyes widening. “The foals? Are they—?”

  “No.” Noah emerged from the rubble then. “But they’re trapped.”

  “Where?” Beside Andrew now, she stooped to look.

  Both men shone their flashlights, the snow pelting their faces.

  “That timber—” Noah motioned with his light “—is holding things up.” Lowering the beam, he looked at Carly. “It’s also preventing me from getting to them. I can’t get past it. I’m too big.”
r />   “I’m not.”

  Andrew recognized the expression of determination on her pretty face.

  He looked at his brother, his heart constricting. With this kind of wind, it was only a matter of time before that timber went down, too. And when it did, the foals would likely be crushed. So the thought of sending Carly in there didn’t settle well.

  Noah stared at him as if waiting for Andrew’s approval.

  Carly clutched his arm. “We can’t let them die.”

  He knew that. Didn’t mean he had to like it, though.

  He met her gaze now. “You’d better be careful. Things could topple at any second.”

  “I will.” A hint of trepidation puckered her brow. “I promise.”

  Andrew and Noah kept their flashlights aimed on the foals, providing as much light as possible for Carly as she made her way into the barn.

  Andrew’s heart wrenched, his breath hanging in his throat. God, please keep her safe—

  Before his prayer was finished, she had shimmied under the timber, all the while talking to the foals. Coaxing them. How she managed to keep a soothing tone to her voice amid this chaos was beyond him.

  One horse tentatively moved toward her, then the other.

  “Come on, babies.” Beside him, his brother cheered them on, though not loudly enough to scare them.

  A few seconds later, Carly managed to slip behind the foals and urge them to safety.

  “Better get ready to grab one.” Noah positioned himself in front of the opening.

  Elsa came out first, and Noah scooped her into his arms.

  Andrew moved into place and duplicated his brother’s move with Anna.

  Suddenly, a loud crack ripped through the air.

  “Carly!”

  The timber had given way.

  She was just about out when boards and shingles began raining down on her. She covered her head with her hands and arms. Then she went down.

  He started to put the horse down, but she saw him.

  “No!” Lying on her stomach, she struggled to break free. “I’m okay.” A grimace belied her words. She grunted. “I’m just stuck.”