Harold didn’t have the best of land even in a good year. But with the lack of rain in recent months, the land wasn’t enough to feed the herd. The cattle needed hay, and it was obvious they hadn’t been getting any. Bone thin and so close to starvation, if there was a disease running rampant through the herd, they would easily fall prey in their weakened state.
John didn’t need long to examine the cattle. “Are you sure you want to take this herd on? Harold never used my services, so I don’t know their history, but I can tell you already that they are going to need a lot more TLC than a normal herd.”
Shane nodded. “I was afraid you were going to say that. But I don’t know that I have much of a choice.” He’d already explained to John about the sisters and their determination to raise the cows.
“I don’t know why you’re so set on helping. You say you’re doing it for Helen, but even Helen thought you can’t fix stupid. Maybe this is something they need to learn on their own.”
Shane let out a long sigh. He’d made a lot of mistakes in his early years of ranching, and no one had been there to save him. But he’d learned from the experiences, and he’d like to think that’s why he was doing so well now. An inexperienced rancher getting these cows wasn’t just one mistake. There could be mistakes that would be devastating to everyone. “I know. But those two boys of hers...”
John nodded. “You always had a soft spot for children. I just hope your heart doesn’t get broken this time.”
The trouble with living in a small town and being involved in the men’s group, sharing prayer requests, sharing your life, is that sometimes people knew too much about your business for comfort. Everyone here knew about Gina.
Was he once again making a fool of himself over a woman with kids?
“I don’t know what else to do,” he said, looking over at his friend. “And it isn’t just about the boys. It’s about the fact that these women don’t know what they’re doing, and they know nothing about biosecurity. How do we keep them from infecting every other herd in the area?”
John nodded. “I didn’t think of that.” He looked around at Harold’s ranch. “We’re fortunate that none of the cows are dead yet. I think that might have been his plan, just letting them die out here.”
Then John spat on the ground. “Makes me sick. No animal should die like that. I suppose you’re right. I wouldn’t want an inexperienced rancher taking them on. At least you have the know-how. I know you haven’t asked, but I’ll give you a break on my fees. It’s the least I can do, because you’re right. A herd in this state presents a very real threat to our community.”
For a moment, Shane’s chest felt heavy. He hadn’t asked, but to save money on vet fees would indeed be a blessing. With buying the cows and paying Leah, it was taking everything he had. In the long run, he knew it was the right decision, but in the short run, things were going to be tight.
He just prayed that Leah would find it in her heart to understand.
* * *
After a long week working with Shane, Leah’s sisters had insisted that she take all of Saturday off and spend the day doing something fun with the boys. Erin had even pressed a twenty into Leah’s hand and told her not to come home until it was gone.
Frankly, Leah had been too exhausted to argue.
Which was how she’d ended up at B.J.’s, a little place shaped like an ice cream cone on the edge of town. According to Shane, it was the place to go on a hot summer’s day, and it seemed, as she arrived, he’d taken his own advice.
Shane was already there, enjoying a cone like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Before she could decide about whether or not to approach him, Dylan ran toward him. “Mister Shane!”
The poor guy probably needed a day off just as much as she did, and here they were, bothering him.
But Shane smiled as her son barreled into him, knocking the ice cream right out of his hands.
Dylan jerked away and started to cry. “It was an accident. I didn’t mean to. Please don’t be mad. Please don’t hurt me.”
“I’m not going to hurt you. I’ve never hurt anyone in my life. It’s just ice cream. Come here.”
Shane took the little boy into his arms and gave him a big hug. “It was an accident. Accidents happen. Did I hurt you when you broke my mug?”
Maybe that was a bad example, considering Dylan had accused him of doing so, but Dylan shook his head. Then Dylan burrowed closer to him. “My dad used to hurt me sometimes.”
Leah’s heart dipped at her son’s words. It had taken months of therapy for Dylan to make that admission previously. Clearly, her son trusted Shane more deeply than she’d thought.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, giving the boy a hard, tight squeeze. “But I’m not like your dad, and I will never hurt you.”
Dylan burrowed himself in closer, squeezing him tighter. “Maybe now that he’s gone, you could be my dad instead.”
A lump formed in Leah’s throat, and she wasn’t sure how to respond.
Shane gave him another squeeze. “It’s not that simple. But I’ll always be here for you as your friend.”
Some of the tension she’d been holding relaxed, and Leah smiled. “And we’re very grateful for your friendship. How about I get us all some ice cream, including one to replace what fell on the ground?”
Dylan untangled himself from Shane’s arms and looked at her. “It was an accident, and Mister Shane told me that he wasn’t mad. He even gave me a hug, like you do.”
Some of the heaviness in her heart peeled away. She often wondered how much her son blamed her for everything that had happened and whether or not he held anything against her. But it was clear that he saw her as a loving influence, and, selfishly, she was glad Shane was there to witness it. With all the judgment she’d faced in the past, she sometimes wondered if he, too, thought she was a bad mother.
“Good. See? You don’t have to be scared of everything. You’re surrounded by people who love you.”
She got ice cream for everyone, and sitting on Main Street, eating ice cream, Leah felt almost safe. She had a job, which would give her the skills she needed to run her business. And as soon as Harold returned her calls, she would have her cows. Which meant she could finally begin building the life she’d hoped for. This was the happiest she’d felt in a long time.
As they all chatted, mostly about trivial things, Leah once again felt appreciation for the way Shane included her boys. Even Ryan, a squirrely two-year-old, got in the occasional comment.
As they finished their cones, Shane looked over at her. “I was wondering if we can go to the p-a-r-k,” he said.
It was sweet of him to try to ask in a way that the boys wouldn’t understand. But as soon as the words were out of his mouth, Dylan said, “I know how to spell park.”
“Park?” Ryan dropped the rest of his cone into the bowl she’d gotten in case he couldn’t handle the cone. “Swing!”
Shane looked apologetic, but Leah smiled at him. “It’s all right. You tried. Fortunately, I was planning on going to the park. You’re right about it being a nice day, and as my sisters have both been telling me a lot lately that I need to learn to have a little fun now and again.”
The look he gave her made her feel all tingly inside. Not in some weird teenage way, but something more. Like he saw her as more.
“They’re right,” he said. “You do work hard. I’ve had a lot of hired help on my ranch. None of them have been so willing as you. And I see all the things you’ve done at Helen’s. Plus, with raising your boys, you do need a break sometimes. Give yourself a little credit.”
As much as she hated to admit it, her sisters had been right. She hadn’t realized how desperately she’d needed a day off. Sitting in the sun, watching Shane play horse with her sons, was a nice break. If she’d been at home, she would have been worrying about c
ompleting all the things that needed to be done. It was always something. Helen’s house, while solid, had definitely been neglected over the years. All the repairs were minor and things she could do on her own. But her sisters said she’d been working too hard, pushing too much. She’d go to Shane’s to work during the day, then come home in the evening and work some more. Leah sighed as she closed her eyes and leaned back against the bench. She was tired.
But just as quickly as she’d taken a moment of rest, Dylan came running up to her. “Mom. Mister Shane wants to know if we can go to his house.”
She shaded her eyes and looked up at Shane. “Don’t we spend enough time at your house? I was thinking you would want to be rid of us for a while.”
He smiled at her and joined her on the bench. “Go play with your brother,” Shane said to Dylan. “I’m counting on you to look after him while I talk to your mom for a few minutes.”
Dylan ran off without complaint. Usually, he took offense at having to watch his brother, and she was pleased to see the change in him.
Shane turned to her. “I know I should’ve asked you before I mentioned coming to my house to Dylan. It slipped out. But watching them play, I remembered that I have a swing set in my garage that we could put up. It’s nothing as fancy as the park, but I thought it would be something fun for them for while we’re working on the barn.”
She didn’t know what to say. She’d never had an employer take so much interest in her or her children. Sometimes she’d admit that the looks Shane gave her were... She shook her head. It wouldn’t do for her to dwell on such thoughts. Dating was the last thing she needed to think about, and Shane had never been inappropriate toward her. All of this was in her head. Where it belonged.
“The spot I’m thinking of putting it, you can see the play area from the barn. But you can be the judge,” Shane said, looking at her like he was trying to convince her.
“That’s really nice of you. I’m sure the boys would love it.”
He glanced over at the boys, then looked at her. “There’s also another thing I wanted to ask you. I’ve noticed that Dylan’s behavior has improved over the past few days. With your permission, I’d like to reward him with a ride on my horse.”
Dylan had been begging for the opportunity. She liked that Shane was including her on the decision. And asking her privately. It was like he understood her need to control the boys’ expectations, to make sure that they were all in a good place. He seemed to be thoughtful in how he approached her. He showed her a level of respect that she’d forgotten could exist between a man and a woman.
Even though she knew his involvement in their lives was because of a promise he made to Helen, he didn’t treat her like an obligation. He treated her like a human being he respected.
“That would be great. Dylan asks me every day. I know that it’s important to you to maintain control over your animals. So, thank you for this. I know it will mean the world to him.”
They gathered up the boys and drove to Shane’s ranch. The place was becoming more like home to her, more familiar. There was a sense of pride in driving past the fence she’d repaired. Especially because she’d gone home and done the same to her fences.
Based on the work she’d done at Shane’s, she knew she still had a lot of work to do on her ranch to be ready for the cattle. She’d tried explaining that to her sisters, but they hadn’t listened. It was a conversation she would have to revisit. But for now, she’d enjoy being at Shane’s ranch just for fun.
When they got to the garage, Shane led her to the back, where there was a very nice playset, still in the box, never opened.
“Wow, Mister Shane. That’s like the one we had at our old house,” Dylan said. “Why do you have a kid swing set?”
Shane cleared his throat, then said, “I used to know a little girl who would’ve loved it. I saw it on sale, so I bought it, but she never got the chance to use it.”
There was a sadness in his voice as he spoke, and Leah wanted to ask what put it there. But she wasn’t sure she was ready to hear personal things about Shane’s life. She’d already shared way too much about her own than was appropriate. It would be too easy to rely on him, to care about him and to let these weird feelings she was trying to hold back take over. She’d let herself do that once. And while she didn’t regret the fact that the two loves of her life had been the result of that union, she wasn’t sure she had the strength to do it again. Loving someone during the “for better” was easy, but the “for worse” had nearly killed her.
The swing set was easy enough to build, and it didn’t take much time at all. Even with the boys involved, they made quick work of the activity. When they were finished, as promised, Shane took the boys out to the barn.
Ryan was starting to get cranky, and once again she knew that they’d come upon the dreaded naptime.
“You know,” Shane said, “I think we should all take a little rest. I’ve been working hard, and I’m sleepy.” He gave an exaggerated yawn.
Leah looked down at the little boy in her arms, who was alternating between struggling to stay awake and trying to remain interested in the activities around him. It was well past naptime, but keeping the boys occupied had staved off some of Ryan’s crankiness. Dylan looked like he wanted to argue. Shane, however, held out his hand.
“Come take a rest with me, but then, I promise we’ll ride the horse.”
Dylan looked at him suspiciously. “Grown-ups don’t take naps.”
Shane shrugged. “Who said anything about a nap? I just said rest. We’ll all go in to the house and close our eyes for thirty minutes. If one of us falls asleep, we’ll wait until they wake up.”
She had to give him credit. It was a trick she’d often tried. And it only worked sometimes. Still, thirty minutes of rest often did a lot to improve everyone’s disposition.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Leah said. “I know your brother sure could use it.”
A scowl filled Dylan’s face. “We always have to do what’s good for my brother. Why does he have to be such a baby?”
This again. He’d been so good, but they had been asking a lot of him. She really tried to balance making the boys have time together and giving Dylan a break from his brother.
Shane kneeled in front of Dylan. “It’s a lot of responsibility,” he said. “But that’s the cowboy way. If you want to be a real cowboy, you have to remember to look out for people like your brother, younger than you, smaller than you or maybe just needing a little bit of caring. You have what it takes. That’s why we count on you.”
Dylan puffed up his chest slightly and stood a little taller. “I am taking cowboy lessons.”
Shane nodded. “And you’re doing great. That’s why I’m ready to let you ride my horse. You think we could wait a little bit longer so that the rest of us could take a break?”
Dylan nodded enthusiastically. Shane had something Leah didn’t when it came to influencing her son. He had the right bribe. And she couldn’t help but once again appreciate the tenderness with which he talked to her son.
They walked into the house, past the kitchen, in to the family room. “See that chair?” Shane pointed to a worn leather recliner. “That’s the best seat in the house.”
Dylan looked up at him. “But where will you take your rest?”
Shane pointed to the couch. “I’ll sit over there with your mom and brother. The polite thing to do is always to give the best in the house to your guests. I’m offering it to you.”
Dylan looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he turned to her. “Mister Shane says that the cowboy way is to take care of women and children. That’s what you and Ryan are. So you and Ryan get the comfy chair. I’ll stay on the couch with Mister Shane.”
Tears tickled the backs of her eyes. She’d been working with her son on being more unselfish, doing more to care for others and putting others be
fore himself. How could she repay Shane for his amazing cowboy lessons that were helping her son learn to be the kind of person she hoped to raise him to be?
Shane opened the lid of the nearby trunk and pulled out blankets. “Take one. We have plenty.”
Leah took the blanket he offered and settled into the chair, tucking it around Ryan in her arms. Almost as soon as she was settled, she could feel Ryan’s steady breathing turn to sleep. Dylan climbed onto the couch and settled himself in a spot.
He let out a big yawn. “You take the rest you need, and I’ll be right here.”
Within a minute, her son was asleep. When Leah stole a glance at Shane, he appeared to be sleeping, as well. It was nice to see everyone resting so peacefully. Leah smiled, then let out a long, contented sigh. It was nice to have this moment of breathing room. And judging from the soft snore coming from Shane, he’d needed a break, too. Part of her felt guilty for imposing on his time. But he seemed to have genuinely enjoyed their day so far.
She hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep until Shane was gently shaking her. “I hate to wake you, but I want to give the boys a chance to ride before dark. I’d like to keep my word to them, but I wanted to let you sleep.”
She stretched, yawned and opened her eyes. “It’s all right. How long was I sleep?”
“Nearly two hours.”
Two hours? “I’m so sorry. I usually don’t sleep like this.”
“Obviously you needed it. And it was no trouble. The boys and I had a snack. I cut up some apples and spread them with peanut butter the way Dylan said you often do for them. We went out for a swing. I didn’t go too far, in case you woke up. You would have been proud of the boys. They behaved themselves, and Dylan even helped me change Ryan’s diaper.”
She’d never been able to let her guard down like this. Never been able to trust anyone other than her sisters to take care of her boys for a stolen moment of rest. And she always felt so guilty for imposing on them. They had their own lives, their own things they wanted to accomplish. It wasn’t fair of her to continually rely on them to do what she should be doing for her sons.
Her Cowboy Inheritance Page 11
