he didn’t resist it. “I could call Leon.” He waited for a moment, and when Bishop didn’t object, he continued. “He’s great with this kind of stuff, and he could probably use the work.”
“As long as I don’t have to work with him,” Bishop said. “He insulted Montana the last time she called him, and she vowed not to use him again.”
“I know.” Ward sighed. “Who are you guys using once Montana goes on maternity leave?” She’d been insistent that she wouldn’t quit around the ranch entirely. Zona and Duke’s house wouldn’t be done before the baby came, and surely they had a plan for keeping the construction moving despite the arrival of their baby.
“She’s meeting with the Lowensteins today,” Bishop said. “We’ve been talking to Lira and Barney. They’re nice, their portfolio is impressive, and they have great references.”
“They’re also out of Pampa,” Ward said, because he knew the Lowensteins. He’d worked with them on projects around the ranch before Bishop and Montana had started doing the construction full-time. “That’s a long drive.”
“They’d come set up a trailer,” Bishop said, and the wind rushing across his phone ceased. “They don’t have kids, and they work the way Montana and I do. We told them we have RV hookups and they’re welcome on the ranch. Duke said they can stay at his ranch too, and we’ve even got hookups at Kinder now.”
“That should work then,” Ward said, marveling at how much Bishop and Montana could achieve. He thought they got along together so well, and not just professionally. A lump of jealousy formed in his throat, and he was glad when Bishop simply kept talking about the negotiations they were in with the Lowensteins.
“I finally told Montana to give them what they want.” Bishop chuckled. “It’s not like we can’t afford it.”
“Right?” Ward laughed with him, finally reaching the safety of one of the oldest buildings on the property. He ducked inside the stable, and he wasn’t surprised to see all the horses safely in their stalls.
Three Rivers had experienced quite the wind storms this winter, and Ward was already ready for spring to arrive. He kept a religious eye on the weather, and he knew it was going to snow overnight from Christmas Eve to Christmas.
“Talk to you later,” Bishop said, and Ward ended the call.
The child inside him couldn’t wait for a white Christmas, and the man inside him would work like a dog for the rest of today and tomorrow so he could have Christmas Eve and Chrsitmas Day off.
Not totally off, as animals had to be fed no matter what day of the year it was. But off enough that he could go next door to the homestead and enjoy the family party on Christmas Eve. This year, Holly Ann and Ace were hosting Christmas dinner at their house, which they’d moved into just last week.
The only thing that seemed to be constant around Shiloh Ridge these days was how often things changed.
Ward checked all the horses, his mind moving through what they needed without a checklist. When he’d first learned how to take care of a horse properly, his daddy hadn’t allowed him to do anything without a checklist.
Straw, food, water, hooves, flesh, teeth, eyes. Ward made sure everyone in all the stables had what they needed, and he fed and watered any horses that required it.
Back home, he cleaned the kitchen, saw a note from Mister that said he’d be up at Duke’s until late, and Ward started making dinner for just himself. For a while there, he’d thought he’d like to live alone, because he was never really alone. This ranch housed dozens of people, from married couples, to families, to single cowboys in over a dozen residences.
But cooking for himself? That was akin to torture, and he should’ve pulled out a bowl and a box of cereal instead of spending thirty minutes opening cans and browning beef to make taco soup. With it bubbling away on the stove, he left it to go into the office on the other side of the main floor.
The gift for Judge sat there, and Ward picked it up. The man adored gardening and photography, and Ward had bought him a book about taking pictures of landscapes. He’d also contacted Whitney Wilde and asked her if she’d be willing to consult with Judge and teach him a thing or two about his camera.
His cousin had bought the camera a couple of years ago, but every time Ward