Saddle Up(63)

*

Miranda awoke with a strange feeling of anticipation. She threw back the handmade quilt and snatched her robe from the bedpost, shivering as her feet hit the icy floorboards. She then peered out the frost-etched window. As forecasted, a light dusting of snow had fallen during the night, just enough to give everything a magical glow in the early morning light. It was a breathtaking scene that filled her with dismay. Winter was right around the corner, and they were miles of fence from ready.

After dressing and swigging down her coffee, Miranda snatched a second muffin from the basket and stomped into the pair of rubber muck boots sitting beside the kitchen door. Mug in hand, she nearly skipped toward the workshop-cum-stable. She’d finally begun to adapt to her new schedule since she’d insisted on taking over the morning ranch chores. Although she hated rising with the sun, she loved the warm nickers from Jesse and Doc when she appeared every morning with their feed buckets.

After the horses finished their breakfast, she led them out to pasture, and then turned her hand to mucking out the manure from their stalls. It was messy, smelly work, but she loved the earthiness of it. In truth, there was nothing on the ranch that she’d ever really minded doing. She wondered if that would change in time.

Returning after her morning chores, she found a missed call from Keith. She’d almost given up on ever hearing from him again. Although they’d spoken on the phone a couple of times, they hadn’t seen each other since their fateful trip to Gunnison. Her pulse raced as she played his terse voice mail. She didn’t know what had brought about his change of heart, but it didn’t matter. Even with their differences, there was still no one else she’d rather hire. Her heart clogged her throat as she hit redial. Three rings, and he answered. “Hello? Keith? It’s Miranda.”

“I know your voice, Ai—Miranda.”

The sound of his sent a warm ripple down her spine until she realized he’d reverted back to her real name. Had he done it intentionally to create more distance? The idea stung.

“I just got your message,” she said. “You’ve changed your mind?”

“If the offer is still open,” he said.

“It is. We’ve been approved to take two hundred horses and have been looking for someone to help us. I’m certain Jo-Jo will agree that you’re the best person. We can pay you a salary based on a percentage of the per diem we receive, plus room and board. There’s a cabin you can have all to yourself. And you can even bring your horse with you. It’s not a lot, but at least you won’t have to live on the road anymore.”

“The offer is more than generous,” he said, “But I won’t accept your money.”

“What do you mean you won’t accept it?”

“I don’t need your money. I’ll come because you need the help.”

“I don’t understand you at all, Keith, but I’m not about to refuse. There’s a lot to be done before winter sets in. Thankfully, we don’t need to do all the fencing right away, just enough to accommodate the first two hundred horses. How soon can you come?”

“I’ll drive up tomorrow.” A long silence followed. “I need to make something clear up front, Miranda. My feelings about all of this haven’t changed. I’ll help you with your fences and getting everything ready, but I won’t be staying on once the horses are settled.”

Her stomach dropped with disappointment. “Oh. I see.”

“Knowing I’ll stay only a few weeks, do you still want me to come?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied softly. “I still want you to come.”

“All right then. I’ll be there by noon.”

When Keith hung up, Miranda felt more confused than ever. She was disappointed at his lack of enthusiasm, but refused to allow it to mar her happiness. Although his feelings about her pet project hadn’t changed, his actions told her that he still cared for her. There was no other explanation for his call, and that alone gave her reason to hope it wasn’t over between them.

After showering and changing, she went back downstairs to find Jo-Jo sitting in her grandfather’s old La-Z-Boy with a big tangle of yarn in her lap. “What are you doing?” Miranda asked.

Jo-Jo scowled over the reading glasses perched on her nose. “Taking your advice and trying to knit, but making a huge muddle of it. To hell with this! You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” She tossed the tangle to Miranda. “Maybe you can figure it out and show me.”

Miranda caught the yarn with a laugh. “I’ll have to check and see if there’s an app for knitting.”

“You think a computer is going to teach you to knit?” Jo-Jo asked.

“Why not?” Miranda replied. “There’s an app for almost everything these days. I came down to tell you there’s no need to make that phone call to Wade.”

“Why’s that?” Jo-Jo asked.

“Because I just heard from Keith. He’s coming to help.” She couldn’t hide her giddy grin. “He said he’ll be here around noon tomorrow.”

“Well, that’s quite a turnaround,” Jo-Jo remarked dryly.

“Maybe not,” Miranda said, her smile fading. “He’s not planning to stay after we bring the horses in.”

“How do you feel about that? Do you still think he’s the right one?”