by Rose Verde
The storm had passed, he needed to go and see how things were.
Soft footfalls sounded down the stairs. Sam? Had she really slept through the storm? He'd never seen her sleep earlier than twelve a.m.
He eased Amy out of his arm and then picked her up. Another day some weeks ago came to mind. She’d been embarrassed and blushed furiously when she saw him the next day.
Amy was an enigma, her face very expressive of everything she felt. Sam stepped out of his way as he took her upstairs. Power came back on as he returned downstairs.
“She's always scared of storms,” Sam said when he walked back into the kitchen.
“She told me.”
He caught Sam's gaze and looked away, whatever was on her mind she'd say. He scouted the refrigerator for something to eat and settled on leftover pasta which he put into the microwave, and set the timer. Did Amy eat?
“I'm glad you two are getting along better.”
The microwave timer went off. Nevada grabbed his meal. He'd just eat then head out. He realized he was afraid to see what damage there would be. “Me, too.” He took the stool and sat opposite Sam and wolfed down his meal.
“Give her time, all right?”
He nodded, looking at Sam and then remembered he’d intended to check on her. “Are you okay? You slept through the storm.”
“I'm fine and I wasn't really sleeping. I'm just tired and feeling aches in my body.”
He dropped his spoon, frowning. Sam shrugged. “How long?”
“Two days, but really it's nothing.”
“You need to see the doctor in the morning,” When she started to protest, he shook his head, “Sam, please. We’ll just make sure you’re fine, is all. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
He took another plate, scooped some food onto it and placed it before her. What was it with these women? They didn't ever complain.
If Sam had to stay in bed then it was more than she was making out. “Eat as much as you can.” He stood beside her until she started to eat then he went back to his seat.
“You know you can really be a bully.”
Nevada chuckled. “When I have to. I guess I’ll never understand you women.”
It was Sam’s turn to chuckle and then she fell silent for a moment. “You love Amy.”
It was a statement but he sensed she required an answer. If he said no, he couldn’t fool Sam or himself. “Uh, yeah.”
“What do you plan to do about it?”
“Nothing.” Finishing up his meal, he filled his cup with water from the tap and drank. He couldn't put this off forever. Taking his plate to the sink, he washed it. “I'm going out for a bit.”
“Okay, don't be long.”
Nevada walked into the night and detoured to the pen where the new calves were. The shelter had survived the thrashing of the storm.
“It was a mean storm, boss,” Angel said as he came out of the pen, Diaz at his heel. “Thank God the shelter held. The side fence we spent weeks fixing is flat on the ground, I haven't been to check the other side since it's still too dark to see far.”
“How about the other cattle?” he asked running his hand through his hair. They couldn't afford another expense.
Chapter Twenty-three
THE SUN WAS UP AND so bright no one would’ve thought there'd been a storm save the destruction it had left in its wake—downed fence as far as the eyes could see, sheets taken from the barn roof allowed rain to soak through the hay left from winter.
The first major rain they had and then this.
Nevada inspected the stretch of fence noting in a small book the supplies they'd need to fix the expanse. It could've been worse, though. But, even at that, the new expenses would set the ranch back financially.
The trail ride was days away, and against what he’d have wished for, he'd have to use part of the money to buy the things they needed. But then, how would he pay the loan? Was he just being pig-headed in refusing Amy’s help? This was her father’s ranch for crying out loud. Was he willing to gamble it on the chance that he’d get the money?
He’d need to talk to her later. In the light of the new expenses, did she have enough?
I'm learning to trust You for our needs. Lord, help us out of this. And Lord I'm grateful for all You've helped me through. This is but a light thing for You.
Nevada turned in the direction where the other ranch hands dug holes for posts. They had much laid out to do and he was thankful that the fatigue of the calving season was tapering off.
“Angel, I'm heading off to town to pick up a few things. I've ordered new posts and they should arrive soon.”
“Okay, we'll go on here.”
AMY WATCHED FROM WHERE she stood at her window upstairs. She'd been thinking of how she'd get around to helping Nevada. The deadline she gave him ended in a few days and they both knew it.
In the last couple of days, she found it wasn't only his will to keep the ranch anymore. The devastation from the storm would have set him back more.
He turned from Angel and took long strides toward the truck. The moment he drove away, Amy went to the dresser and picked up a comb. She worked it swiftly through her hair, wincing as it snagged knots. Then, she changed into jeans, a blouse, and threw on a jacket. The cold front had returned since the storm.
Not sure how long Nevada would be away, she had to act fast. The new development meant she needed to take action.
Starting from today, she was getting involved in the ranch. She went into the kitchen, prepared some of Sam's coffee, grabbed some snacks from the ones Sam had been making for the trail ride and headed out. “Good morning, Angel. I brought you some refreshments.”
He straightened from what he was doing and favored her with a big smile. Amy smiled back, glad that he didn't affect her the same way Nevada did.
“Thank you, my lady. It’s a fine morning.” He looked around, the smile not leaving his face. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took the small tray from her hand.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” Amy was beginning to question the reason for her doing this. Pushing the thought away, she waited.
“Nothing you can do, my lady.”
“It's Amy. And I don't want any more “lady” here,” she said laughing.
“Okay, my....”
“Not one more,” she wagged her finger at him trying to act stern. He laughed and she joined in. Then he became serious.
“We could’ve done without the storm for now with the bank breathing down our necks.”
“I’m thinking of going into town to see the bank manager tomorrow.”
Angel popped a cookie in his mouth and sipped the coffee, skepticism apparent in his brown eyes that seemed to see through her. “Is it about the loan?”
“Yes. I know Nevada's been trying to raise some money but I'm sure he'll be using that to get supplies to fix the damage from the storm.” Her hand swept the expanse of destruction for emphasis. “I just don't want him to owe more in order to save the ranch. Plus, he has to deal with the repairs and plan for the trail ride. Guests are due to arrive in the next couple of days.”
Angel took the cup to the stump that sat beside the fence. Amy wondered if he was considering whether to say anything about his friend or not.
“Why not mention it to him? It's better that way.” He returned back to the holes he'd been digging.
“I have, but he said I should hold off for now.”
Angel finished his digging and dragged a pole into it. He secured the pole and then turned to her. “Why are you helping now when you've been all for selling?”
“I don't know exactly. My memories of this place are bad and I haven't forgotten them.” She licked suddenly dry lips. “I've seen Nevada's love for the land and I'm beginning to love it too.”
There was a brief silence. Two other ranch hands who worked a distance away cast occasional glances at them.
“Nevada used up his savings.”
Amy frown
ed. “Are you serious?”
“Yup.”
It would be cruel of her to sell the land he'd given his all for. It also changed her opinion about him. He was one to go all the way out. Saving the ranch was both theirs to pursue even if they didn't agree on how best to do it.
She’d been rash in issuing a deadline. She would rectify that tomorrow. She stepped in beside Angel and grabbed a hammer and some nails.
A heavy sigh escaped her as memories of her with her dad so long ago flashed in her mind. Missing her mark, she hit her hand. Amy swallowed a whimper and went on with the work.
She'd feel the pain at the end of the day but her dad would be proud. If only he could see her now. It more than made up for her throbbing thumb.
“I'm sorry dad,” she whispered.
WAS THAT AMY? NEVADA turned into the driveway and cut the engine. It was her all right. The sun caught on her red hair pulled back in a ponytail.
What was she doing? Working, dummy, a small voice said.
Without gloves? How long had she been doing this?
Angel said something to her and her laughter carried on the wind across the field to reach him. His heart took a tumble. He needed to talk to her about the loan because the purchase he made for repairs had made a dent in the money he was putting together.
He felt like a failure.
Nevada climbed down from the truck grabbing the nails and wires for the fence from the truck bed. His phone rang, he checked the caller. Angel’s dad. Pulse racing wildly, he accepted the call. This was his last shot.
“Hello, sir.”
“Son, I’m sorry, my friend disappointed me at the last minute.”
“I understand.”
“I’m still waiting on one, though. But I've been feeling in my spirit that you're having so many struggles. I'm praying for you, son. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.”
“Thanks for reminding me, sir, I needed that.” When the call ended, he slipped the phone away. What to do now?
He walked the rest of the way to reach Amy and his friend. “Amy you shouldn't be working without gloves.”
“Why?” She glanced down the line of ranch hands. “They’re all working without protection.”
Her eyes glowed, her face flushed. Was she enjoying it? “Most of us have worked on ranches all our lives, our hands don't even feel anything, but you haven't done this.”
She looked at her hands and grimaced.
“Let me see.” She held them behind her and he guessed they wouldn't be good to look at. He didn’t want her getting injured. He dropped the supplies on the ground. “Amy, I'll look at them one way or another and I'm sure you won't want to feed the gossip of your employees.”
She bit her lip, considering, and his heart stirred. She'd been so hard at work one would think that she'd done it all her life. She held out her hands and he walked closer to take a look.
He was aware that Angel watched them. “Whoa, what's this?”
She snatched one hand back and he held fast to the other. Blisters covered the base of her left thumb and there was a moderate swelling. “You hit yourself?”
She nodded, “It's no big deal.”
“It is, and I think you've done enough for one day.” He rubbed gently on her palm. “Trust me, Amy. You'll feel every bit of these blisters later.”
“I just want to help.”
She looked like a child, eager to please. Nevada was glad they had company. Though Angel pretended to ignore them completely, his friend heard them.
He let go of her hand. “Pass the things we need, is that okay?”
“Okay then, let me get you coffee. I'll be back.”
He knew Amy. The fact that she capitulated easily meant one thing, she was feeling the presence of the blisters even though she wasn't letting on. When she was gone far enough not to hear, he picked up a post and dragged it into a hole. “Why did you allow her to do this? It's not a woman’s job.”
He ignored Angel's knowing smile.
“I couldn't dissuade her.”
“You could have.”
“You'd best hold your opinion because I'm sure she won't appreciate you treating her like a child.”
“This isn't about treating her like a child, you of all people know better...” he said heatedly.
“Nevada, you wear your feelings on your sleeve where Amy’s concerned.”
Yet, she didn't know, he wanted to say.
He would have said more, but the moment he opened his mouth, Angel coughed.
Feigning seriousness, Nevada went back to his work.
“Here you are.”
Nevada took the mug and plate of cookies. “Thank you.”
“Enjoy. I need to get something for the others.”
She switched the thermos she slung over her shoulder and headed towards the others along the fence.
Watching her walk away, Nevada sighed. There was no going back now. She’d fully and completely captured his heart. He’d underestimated her with every turn of event. If she was any other person she'd be whining about her hand, rather she was serving others.
“Get back to work, friend,” Angel said laughing. Caught red handed, Nevada laughed too.
Could he convince her to give them a chance?
Chapter Twenty-four
AMY TOOK NOTE OF THE surprise on the faces of the ranch hands as she poured them coffee. There was always a first time, right?
She smiled at one then another and then headed back. Her phone rang. Her boss's name came on the screen. Pursing her lips, she cast a quick glance at Nevada and stepped away. She didn’t want him to know she quit her job. Not yet.
She was tempted to ignore the call but that wouldn’t solve anything. Suppose there was something she forgot to hand over?
Swiping the screen, she put the phone to her ear. “Good afternoon, sir.”
“Amy, we’re having a bit of a crisis here,” he said without preamble. “I’m wondering if you will consider coming back.”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“Cut the sir thing. I need your help. Even if all you do is come in once every two weeks, for some time.”
She sighed. Was he playing a dirty trick on her? “I’ll have to think about it.”
“Give me a call later, okay?”
“Sure.” She dropped the phone in her pocket and looked up. Her eyes met Nevada's. How much had he overhead? “It's my boss.” She picked up the mugs and set them on the tray.
“Are you having trouble with him?”
“Not really. He wants me back at work.”
She saw something cross his face and was gone instantly. Was it regret? Or was he glad she was leaving? Not in the mood to work anymore, she grabbed the tray and headed toward the house.
LATER THAT DAY, AS Amy sat at the table her phone vibrated. Eric. She should return his call but what would she tell him? For someone who wouldn’t give her time off, understandably, she’d taken her only option. Amy turned the phone upside down.
“How’s your hand?”
She spread out her palms and looked at them. “Fine I guess.”
Nevada nodded and started to eat. Sam joined them at the table and they ate in silence. “I may have to go back to work by the weekend and come back again.”
“Is your boss giving you a hard time?” Sam asked.
“No.”
“I think it's high time you quit that job and come back. You can’t possibly keep going back and forth,” Sam said.
Nevada looked at Amy. If she told them she officially quit, what would they think? Suppose at the end of three months, she decided she really wanted her old life? Her boss was offering her an olive branch.
“I can imagine your struggle. Five years you’ve lived in the city and enjoyed all the good things that go along with that kind of life. Here, you'd have nothing but cattle and manure to deal with. I wouldn't blame you if you chose to ret
urn.”
Did he have to be so understanding? Her father’s request was something nobody talked about.
“What day would you leave?” he asked.
“Maybe Saturday if I can book a flight, so I’ll be there on Monday.”
“I was hoping you'd go with us for the trail ride.”
“I wish I could, but I need to go back. Thanks for asking.”
She gave him what she hoped was a genuine smile. He returned it and her heart stuttered. He reached out and squeezed her hand.
“Decide what you want and don't let the man toss you around,” Sam said matter-of-factly.
Amy stood, took her dish and Sam’s, and put them in the sink. She sliced some apple pie and put them on three plates.
“Here, let me help you,” Nevada said taking two plates from her.
They ate and talked about her work and a number of other things. Between him and Amy, they did the dishes.
“Would you like some juice?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I'll meet you on the porch.”
“You want some, Sam?”
“No, I'm getting these old bones to bed. Make sure you lock up.”
Amy gave her a hug. “Sleep tight.”
Sam hugged Nevada and went upstairs.
They sat on the glider and allowed it to rock back and forth.
“I'm a bit worried about Sam. She's been sleeping a lot lately. The doctor gave her some medications and has asked her to take it easy for a while.”
“She told me. How would you get everything ready for the trail ride? I know she's baked quite a lot but she was supposed to go with you, I guess?”
“Yes,” he sipped his juice, his eyes taking in the inky black of the night sky. “The ranch cook would have to do. I only hope the guests won't be disappointed. It wouldn't hurt to tell them early what they'd be getting but we'll find a way around that.” Nevada drained his juice and stood. “I have a few things to do before I turn in. See you in the morning.”
Amy stood too and picked up her cup. “I'll keep yours.”
