The Soldier's Redemption

by Lee Tobin McClain

  He ducked his head to sneak a sideways glance at the candidate.

  AJ Rowe gestured a hand. “I’ve been working ranches since I could sit in a saddle.” Her voice held a trace of sadness. “My father was the foreman for two of the biggest ranches in Oklahoma in his time and I worked by his side growing up.”

  “You’ve got an impressive and lengthy work history,” Lucy commented. “I can’t help but notice that you’ve transitioned employers several times over the years.”

  “That’s a nice way to address job-hopping.” AJ smiled tightly. “The reality is that most ranches hire in favor of male candidates. Code of the West.” She shrugged. “If I am hired, it’s short-term until they’re able to replace me with a man.”

  Though Travis turned his head back to the window, the finger of guilt continued to poke at his conscience.

  Awkwardness settled in the conference room. Finally, Lucy shifted the paperwork in front of her and looked to Emma for assistance.

  “Tell us about your equestrian experience,” Emma prompted.

  “I’ve done quite a bit of professional barrel racing.”

  Travis glanced at the paperwork. “You didn’t mention that in your résumé.”

  “An omission,” she murmured.

  Omission? Barrel racing was a female-dominated sport. Travis had no doubt that she’d left it off her résumé for that reason. That, along with the gender-neutral name AJ, would ensure she got an interview at very least.

  So why did that annoy him so much? Because he didn’t believe for a heartbeat that he had a bias and he didn’t like being treated as though he did.

  Another gap in conversation had Emma once again breaching the silence.

  “I used to barrel race, too,” his sister gushed. “Of course, I was never a professional, but I did compete locally. Are you still competing?”

  “Mostly I train. I enjoy working with young girls and teaching them to appreciate the sport. Healthy competition builds self-esteem, and the fact that they’re focused on something other than boys is even better.”

  Both Lucy and Emma smiled. Mention children and his sisters were on board. After all, Big Heart Ranch existed solely for the children.

  “That’s wonderful,” Lucy said, confirming his thoughts. “Interaction with our kids is a large part of the job. The children of Big Heart Ranch have backgrounds of abuse, abandonment and neglect, and they are, of course, our number one priority.”

  AJ offered a sympathetic nod.

  “I’m sure Travis has some questions for you,” Lucy said as the toe of her boot made contact with his shin under the table.

  He offered a weak smile. “What are your thoughts on cattle management, Ms. Rowe?”

  “Bison.” Her full lips curved into an excited smile. “Have you considered bison?”

  Travis frowned and blinked with stunned surprise. “Bison? Ah, no. Cattle is the best choice for Big Heart Ranch,” he said firmly.

  “And yet bison have many advantages, including efficient feed utilization, low-fat and high-protein meat with an ever-increasing consumer demand. Lower vet bills. They’re hardy and disease-resistant and calve without assistance.”

  Why was the woman still smiling?

  “You’ve read the recent studies on grazing?” she continued.

  “I have.” He met her gaze head-on.

  “Wonderful. Perhaps we could discuss other sustainability ideas I have. I mean, at your convenience.”

  “I, uh... Yeah. Sure.” He faltered and turned to his sisters. “Was there anything else?”

  Lucy closed the folder in front of her and stood. “I believe that covers everything. We’re done here and, needless to say, we’re very impressed.”

  AJ stood, as well. “Thank you, Ms. Maxwell.”

  “Call me Lucy.”

  The moment his sister clasped AJ’s hand with both of hers, Travis knew he was in trouble.

  “We’re family at Big Heart Ranch,” Emma chimed in as she, too, stood.

  Travis grimaced and slowly got to his feet. He offered a nod of acknowledgment without meeting AJ’s gaze.

  “We’ll be in touch by the end of the week,” Lucy said.

  Travis shoved his hands in his pockets and paced across the conference room as the tap-tap-tap of heels on the vinyl floor echoed down the hall, followed by the whoosh of the big glass doors as they closed behind AJ Rowe.

  “I like her,” Emma said. “She’ll fit right in. The woman has great ideas, too. We could use a little shake-up around here.”

  “Lucy marrying Jack Harris last year wasn’t enough of a shake-up for you?” Travis asked.

  “Look where that got us.” Emma wrapped an arm around Lucy’s shoulders. “Jack has provided the impetus for the new retreat center and both Lucy and I have our very own personal assistants.”

  Lucy narrowed her eyes at Travis. “I can’t see any downside to hiring AJ.”

  “Maybe we should vote,” Emma suggested.

  “No voting required,” Travis said. “I’m the guy who has to work with the candidate we hire. I get to make the decision.”

  “Clearly you have forgotten that all three of us own Big Heart Ranch,” Lucy said.

  “She omitted information from her résumé,” Travis said.

  “Information that would have only made her an even more impressive candidate for the job,” Lucy returned.

  “Come on, Travis,” Emma said. “She omitted the information to offset bias. I get that.”

  “I don’t need an assistant who can’t do the job.”

  “You don’t know she can’t do the job,” Lucy said. “Even you have to admit that her résumé is better than Zeb Turner’s.”

  Emma nodded. “The woman can ride. She was raised on ranches and has the education, plus the experience, for the position.”

  “But can she handle the ranch hands?” he asked.

  “I think AJ Rowe can probably do anything she sets her mind to,” Emma murmured.

  Travis stared his youngest sister down. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Lucy sat back down and moved the folders on the table into a neat stack. “It means we want to hire AJ.”

  “I don’t think you two understand what’s on the line here. I’ve got a little less than ninety days to launch the cattle management program and submit evidence of a successfully implemented plan to the Oklahoma Ranchers and Farmers Grant Program. I can’t afford to hire the wrong person.”

  “Travis, that grant is offered every year. There’s no pressing deadline. Sure, we’d like to launch the program, but everything is God’s timing.”

  “Are you kidding? I’m not going to let it go now. You don’t understand how much this project means to me.”

  “Oh, we understand.” Lucy’s gaze moved from Emma and then back to him.

  “This isn’t like you, Trav,” Emma said. “Are you sure this is just about the grant? Or do you have another issue?”

  “I don’t have any issues.”

  “Terrific,” Lucy said with a nod. “Then it’s settled. You know, I think AJ Rowe is going to be a game changer around here.”

  Yeah, that’s exactly what he was worried about. He liked things the way they were. He’d moved past the uncertainty of his childhood and the shattered promise of what he thought was forever love, to life at Big Heart Ranch. With the upcoming launch of the cattle program, proving himself to his sisters and everyone at the ranch was well within his reach.

  The last thing he needed was a game changer who wanted to put bison on his cattle ranch.

  Travis shrugged and raised his palms in surrender. “Fine. We hire her. But let the record state that Travis Maxwell, ranch foreman, is conceding under duress.” He slapped his Stetson on his head, turned on his boot heel and headed back to his steers.

  A man coul
d trust cattle.

  * * *

  Coffee. The aroma of good, strong coffee permeated the bunkhouse. AJ kicked the front door shut with the toe of her boot and dropped her saddle and duffel bag on the first empty twin-size bunk.

  She glanced around. Giddy anticipation sparred with a still small voice issuing a warning not to get her hopes up.

  There was a total of four beds. Two bunks were empty, wearing only blue-tick mattresses. The third bed was neatly made with crisp, military-looking hospital corners. A thick quilt had been folded on the end of the bed. Diamond Patch. That was the name of the pattern of rich pinks and corals. She recognized it from the many her mother used to hand stitch. An open Bible lay on top of the quilt.

  The bureau next to the bed held an assortment of the owner’s personal items and a braided rug covered the nearby floor.

  Home sweet home. Except it wasn’t. Not for AJ. And she needed to remember that. Home was long gone and there was nothing left for her in Timber, Oklahoma, since her mother died. Big Heart Ranch was simply another job, another city.

  When her temporary wrangler position outside Bartlesville had ended, she’d packed up her few belongings, gotten in her pickup and started driving. However her Chevy’d had a mind of its own and, just like her rodeo days, the truck had found its way back to Timber.

  AJ opened her duffel and pulled out her own well-worn leather Bible and a photo of her mother, in a plain silver frame. She gently rubbed a bit of dust off the glass with her thumb and placed the photo on the oak bureau next to the bed. She’d left the rest of her personal things boxed up and sitting in the passenger seat of the truck, along with her interview suit.

  No need to bring everything in because, if Travis Maxwell had his way, she’d be gone tomorrow. The man’s expressive face during her interview had told her plenty. Travis was no different from any other ranch foreman she’d encountered, except the man was younger and easier on the eyes.

  The mirror above the bureau captured her reflection and she stared for a moment. Her face was devoid of makeup, her skin covered only with a layer of sunscreen. She’d do whatever was necessary to fade into the background so Travis Maxwell would see her as a capable employee and not judge her based on her appearance. Gathering her hair into a severe low ponytail, she fastened a tortoiseshell clip at her nape.

  With another quick look around the room, AJ tucked her denim shirt into her Wranglers, picked up her saddle and hat, and pushed open the back door of the bunkhouse.

  A middle-aged woman with gray curls sat on the small porch outside with a cup of coffee in her hand. When AJ’s boot hit the ground, she looked up and offered a warm smile. “You must be the new assistant foreman.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m AJ.”

  The woman glanced at her watch. “You’re early. That’s a novelty Travis will appreciate.”

  Confused, AJ opened her mouth and then closed it again. Apparently a response was not required. The woman kept talking.

  “I’m your roommate. Rue Butterfield.”

  “You’re a ranch hand?”

  “I’m a physician and a retired army general. I handle the health clinic on the ranch and medical issues with the children. Immunizations and such.”

  “Big Heart Ranch has a full-time staff physician living here?” AJ asked.

  “Not exactly. I’m actually a volunteer and I have my own place in town.” Rue shrugged. “Often it’s easier to stay in the bunkhouse. Like last night. I was monitoring an asthmatic child over at the girls’ ranch.”

  “I see.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m tidy and mind my own business.” Rue winked. “Heavy emphasis on mind my own business.”

  AJ couldn’t help but return the smile. “Good to know.”

  “Delighted to have another woman around.”

  “Thanks. Um, is this a permanent women’s bunkhouse?”

  “Sure is. Why, Lucy Maxwell used to stay here all the time when things got busy. That is before she married Jack Harris and adopted triplets.”

  “Triplets!” AJ blinked, attempting to wrap her head around the information.

  Rue nodded. “Emma and her twins have been known to spend the night when the roads are icy between here and town.”

  “And I suppose you’re going to tell me Travis has a dozen kids, too.”

  Rue laughed. “Not hardly. Although our Travis does loves children, he’s highly allergic to relationships.”

  AJ didn’t know what to say to that. She glanced at the road that led to the bunkhouse. “Can you point me to the stables?”

  “You haven’t had the official orientation? Met with human resources and all?”

  “That’s scheduled for Monday. Travis wanted me to start immediately.”

  “That’s our Travis. Workaholic and then some. Even on a Saturday.”

  “Not a problem. I like to stay busy. Especially on a Saturday.”

  “You two will get along nicely then,” the older woman said.

  Thoughts whirled at the irony of the comment but AJ held her tongue.

  “Where did you park?” Rue asked.

  “In front.”

  Rue pointed to the black utility vehicle that was parked on the gravel. “Take the Ute. Keys are in the ignition. The main equestrian center is a quarter mile down the road, on the right. We have a smaller stable on the girls’ ranch.”

  “Are you sure you want me to take the vehicle?”

  “You’re staff now, and the Ute is easier to manage on some of the dirt and gravel roads on the ranch.”

  “Thank you.” She looked at Rue. “I have to admit, I’m not used to such hospitality.”

  “No? Well, you’re going to find that things are different at Big Heart,” Rue returned. “Love and the good Lord reign here. You’ll see.”

  AJ couldn’t help but ponder Rue Butterfield’s words as she drove the Ute around the bend in the road. Was Big Heart Ranch different? The looming question was would things be different for her?

  Ahead, a road sign indicated the equestrian center was to the right. She pulled the Ute into the gravel parking area and tucked the keys in her pocket.

  In a small corral outside the stable doors, a group of young boys ranging from six to sixteen were being instructed by a young cowboy wearing a long-sleeved black T-shirt with the words Big Heart Ranch Staff on the back. Each youth took turns mounting a sorrel mare in the middle of the corral.

  AJ tossed her saddle on the top rung of the roughly hewn fence and stood to watch for a moment. The scene lifted her spirits and brought a smile to her lips. She well remembered her first official riding lessons though it was the unofficial lessons with her father that were the most heart-tugging. Those were special times that she’d never forget.

  “You found us.”

  Travis Maxwell. She turned around. He wore creased black jeans and a plaid Western shirt. The Stetson on his head matched his black hair. As usual, there was a no-nonsense expression on his beard-shadowed face.

  “Yes, sir,” she said, avoiding direct eye contact.

  “Sir?” Travis shook his head. “Ouch.”

  “Mr. Maxwell?”

  “Travis is fine.” He looked around. “Got your saddle, I see. Are you boarding a horse with us?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  What would be the point of hauling Gus all the way here? She had zero expectation that this job would last long enough to get her horse settled in. So as much as it pained her, she’d left Gus with her stepfather where daily boarding fees continued to accrue.

  Thankfully, Travis didn’t probe further and started walking in the direction of the stable entrance.

  She followed, with her saddle slung over her shoulder.

  “Let’s see what’s available,” he said. “Most of the animals are on the schedule for lessons. Our equestri
an manager, Tripp Walker, will assign you a ranch horse later today.”

  “Thank you.”

  He picked up a clipboard from outside the building and flipped through the papers. “Looks like Ace is all yours this morning.”

  “Ace?”

  “She’s a fine animal.” Their boots echoed on the plank floors as they headed in. Despite the hour, the center was already busy. Horses whinnied and their hooves clomped on the stable floor as they were led outside. The soft crooning voices of riders grooming animals provided a white noise around them.

  AJ peeked in past the gates of each stall, savoring the scent of animal and straw, pleased at the cleanliness of the premises. She inhaled deeply. Happiness did indeed have an aroma. This was it. The hay, the horses, the leather.

  Travis stopped halfway down the center aisle. A chalkboard on the outside of the stall indicated this was Ace, a palomino mare with low white stockings on her forelegs. The animal’s dark velvet eyes assessed AJ with interest.

  “Good morning, Ace,” she murmured.

  The names Joey and Tim were also written on Ace’s chalkboard.

  “What does this mean?” she asked, pointing to the names.

  “All the kids have chores. Joey and Tim are Ace’s team. They do everything. Feed, groom, stall mucking and turnout. We pair up a younger child with an older one.”

  He pointed to an office, whose door was shut, lights off. The sign on the door read Tripp Walker, Manager.

  “Tripp’s the top of the food chain for anything to do with the horses. I’ll introduce you when he gets in. He was on call last night.”

  “On call?”

  “Yeah, and now that you’re here, you can be in the rotation. We take turns being the point of contact for livestock problems after hours and weekends.” Travis nodded to the right. “Here we go. Tack room.”

  Once they’d tacked up their horses, AJ followed Travis back outside and into the April sunshine. His black Mustang stallion nickered and playfully bumped his muzzle into Travis’s shoulder.

  “Midnight is spoiled rotten,” he murmured. Pulling a carrot from his pocket Travis fed the treat to the stallion.