When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,20
and dry. They couldn’t pay us nothin’, but most of the hands stayed on. A few left.
The fed us and housed us. Beyond that, we didn’t have a dime between us. Those were hard times. There was laughter, too, and singin’ ‘round the fire pit. We did that most nights.”
“Why didn’t you leave after the first year? That’s long enough to try when things are going from bad to worse.”
“You don’t leave the people you love. You stand side-by-side and become stronger together. I’m sure you feel that way about your family.”
Jacob was silent.
“Touch a nerve?”
“Ain’t got nothin’ to say.”
Bart headed down the path toward them. “One hundred and nine, just like there should be. I told you there weren’t none missin’.”
“What’s your name?” Red asked.
“Jacob.”
“Jacob, this here’s Bart. I’m Red.”
“Good to meet you.”
“I think Jacob was the man I saw near the paddock.”
“Was you down there?” Bart asked.
Jacob nodded his head.
“Next time you go gallivantin’ all across creation, stay away from the paddocks. I got better things to do than spend half my night countin’ cows. I’m headed back to my quarters to count sheep. That, I don’t mind doin’.”
Red chuckled.
Bart smiled as he headed back up the path. He’d gotten to use his joke after all.
“C’mon, I’ll walk you back to the ranch hand quarters,” Red said.
“I know my way.”
Red looked dubious, but said no more. As he watched Jacob following in Bart’s footsteps, he realized the height was all wrong for the man he saw. It wasn’t Jacob he saw by the cow paddock. So who was it? And why?
Chapter Thirteen
It was four a.m. when Red came to wake the city slickers. He never told anyone he enjoyed ringing the traditional triangular dinner bell, especially when he knew how much they’d come to hate the sound.
He didn’t begrudge them their little vacation, but working the ranch for a couple weeks wasn’t the same as living it day in and day out. When it was time to leave, they’d boast that they knew what it was like to do a hard day’s work. They had no way of knowing what they experienced was just one easy slice of country life.
“Daylight’s burnin’. You got ten minutes to get down to the fire pit.” Red rang the bell for another minute, then went to wake Jacob. Word traveled fast about his rogue decision to stay in the old barracks. He gained favor in his eyes from that decision, not that he’d ever let him see that.
“Make him stop ringing that thing!” Courtney held her hands over her ears as she opened her eyes. It’s still night time. The rooster isn’t even up yet.”
“Complain while you’re getting dressed, we don’t have much time,” Brad said, placing his feet on the floor and shaking his head to help clear the sleep from his brain.
Diego jumped down from the end of the bed, ready to go for a walk.
“Not now, D. I promise we’ll go for a walk when I get back.”
The look of disappointment he received was palpable.
Court and Brad met up with Alex, Purity and Bobby in the hallway.
“Where’s Meg?” Purity asked. “I’m firing her as our vacation planner.”
“It’s only the first day. In a week, you’ll be waking up before the bell ever rings,” Alex said, placing an arm around her shoulders.
“This was your idea, of course you’re excited. I need sleep.”
“You can go back to bed, if you need to.”
“Oh no she can’t,” Courtney said. “All for one and one for all. Nobody gets special treatment.”
“But she’s pregnant,” Bobby said.
“There should be a limited number of times that excuse can be used.”
“And what number should that be?” Alex asked.
“For this vacation, I’d say once a day, maybe twice.”
“Very generous of you,” Purity said. “When you’re pregnant, I’ll remind you of this conversation.”
“Is everyone ready?” Meg asked as she and Jeremy joined the group.
“Why are you so chipper?” Court asked.
“It’s a beautiful day, we’re on vacation and we’re about to have an adventure!”
“How can you tell it’s a beautiful day? The sun isn’t even up yet.”
“Come on, Eeyore, we’re wastin’ daylight.”
“I think it’s burnin’ daylight and you didn’t answer my question.”
“Should we go see if Jacob is ready?” Bobby asked.
“Let’s head for the fire pit. If he’s not there, we can come back up and get him,” Meg said.
They all made their way down the path toward the fire pit in silence, taking deep breaths of air into their lungs and trying to focus on the experience rather than how