put the cookie sheet full of treats on the counter. “Lynnie, close that up for Mama, please.”
The little girl closed the fridge and turned toward Willa. “I want juice.”
“I already have your juice in your bag,” Willa said, removing her hands from the oven mitts. She leaned against the counter, her stomach aching behind everything she did. She felt too hot for the temperature in the house, and she told herself it was because she’d been boiling water for pasta and then baking cookies in a hot oven.
“Go get your jellies,” Willa said to the little girl. “Daddy’s going to be here in a few minutes.” Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang. Cactus’s name sat there, and Willa picked up the phone with relief. “Hey,” she said.
“Heya, Willie,” he said, his usual cheerfulness evident. Then he sighed. “I can’t get away from the branding to come get y’all. Can you come over to the picnic with Lynn and Chaz?”
He’d taken their older boys over to the big weekend branding extravaganza the ranch was sponsoring today and tomorrow. They’d left before dawn to get cattle moved into the right pens and equipment out and cleaned.
Willa had signed up on the family sheet to bring some of the food, as the ranch wives would feed everyone who’d come to help with the spring branding. The Rhineharts came up from their ranch; Libby’s father and brothers would come; all of the Walkers had signed up to come help; even Squire Ackerman and Pete Marshall would make the long drive from Three Rivers Ranch.
Sammy had coordinated all of the food between all of the men and women from the five ranches, and Willa didn’t even think her potato salad or oatmeal raisin cookies would be needed.
“Willa?” Cactus asked.
She jerked back to attention, wondering where her brain had gotten to. “Yes,” she said. “I’ll find a ride.”
“The car should be done soon,” he said. “Then you won’t be stranded out there.”
“I’m sure Sammy or June can come get me,” she said, though she wasn’t going to ask either one of them. Sammy had probably been over at the branding pens for hours already, setting up tables and making sure the cowboys and cowgirls involved had plenty of water and punch to keep them hydrated.
June had just had a baby only ten days ago, and Willa hadn’t been a functioning adult ten days after having her baby. She still barely felt like a functioning adult, in all honesty. She loved June, especially after they’d gone over to Montana’s together. The three of them had been spending more time together with planned walks in the mornings—at least until June had gone into labor three weeks early. They hadn’t gotten back to those walking dates yet, but Willa was sure they would.
The next closest person to the Edge Cabin was Dot or Ward, and Willa thought they’d both be out branding. Ward would be, as he was one of the foremen of the ranch. Dot liked to strap their baby girl to her body and do everything with her husband. Willa had marveled at her drive and energy since having Glory only four and a half months ago. She still went down to the landscaping company she owned every day too, and either she or Ward kept their little girl with them.
At the homestead, she could ask Oakley or Etta, and Willa said goodbye to her husband and immediately called Etta.
“You’re on speaker,” the woman said. “Mister and Libby are in the kitchen with me, just so you know.”
As if Willa was going to say anything inflammatory. She still appreciated knowing, and she said, “Cactus took the truck over to the branding,” she said. “My van is in the shop. Is there any way someone could come get me and the two littles I’ve got with me? I have a bunch of cookies and a huge vat of potato salad that need a ride too.”
“I’m sure there’s someone,” Etta said.
“I can go,” Libby said.
“I’m finishing up with these pizza pockets,” Etta said. “Libby and I will come. Mister needs to get back outside anyway.”
“It’s hot, Willa,” Mister said, plenty of joviality in his voice. “Just so you know.”
Willa smiled, and said, “Noted, Mister. Thanks for cluing us all in.” They all laughed, and a sharp tug inside Willa’s stomach told her she was hungry. If it was hot outside, she should eat before the luncheon.
That made no sense. Besides, Willa had only eaten breakfast an hour