The Delivery of Decor (Shiloh Ridge Ranch in Three Rivers #7) - Liz Isaacson Page 0,53

too many of their chickens, and he had no idea where all of their free range animals would be.

Ward had sheep, chickens, turkeys, meat birds, and goats that grazed with their cattle, and no one had had any time to round up everyone. Of course, most of their animals were in pens or stables during the winter, but Ace knew they’d be down some animals.

His phone rang, and Ace wasn’t surprised to see Ward’s name on the screen. “I’m on my porch,” Ace said as Holly Ann said, “It’s cold, baby. I’m closing the door.”

He lifted his hand to acknowledge her as Ward said, “Meet me in the main stable? I’m rounding up my crews so we can see what the past couple of days did to the ranch.”

“I’ll get dressed,” Ace said.

“Great.” Ward was all business, and the call ended as abruptly as it had started.

“He could’ve just sent a text, the way he did for his crew cowboys,” Ace grumbled as he turned back to the house. The cold finally got to him, and he shivered as he hurried back inside.

He went straight into the bedroom and got dressed in his long underwear and his regular ranch attire. He took the toast Holly Ann gave him on the way through the kitchen, kissed her cheek, and promised he’d keep in touch with her.

“I’m going to text about Christmas dinner,” she said.

“All right.” Ace went into the garage and started up his truck. He backed out and went around the circular driveway he and Holly Ann had chosen, and by the looks of things he was one of the last to arrive in the main barn.

About fifteen men loitered about, and Ace shoved the last bite of peanut butter toast in his mouth. Holly Ann scrambled eggs and made a sandwich out of the toast sometimes, but today, she’d just layered on apple slices and called it good.

“All right, all right,” Ward called, holding a clipboard in one hand and raising the other one. “Settle down.”

The cowboys and cowgirls did what he said, Bishop one of the last ones to stop talking to Cactus.

“I’ve split you up into teams of two,” he said. A dose of anxiety immediately shot through Ace, though he knew everyone standing in the barn. He could get along with anyone, and he already knew what he’d be doing.

“Check everything,” Ward said, and Ace could’ve said it. “Every inch of every animal. Bring the dead ones out so we can number them. If you need first aid, Cactus and Phil are going to be making the rounds.” He surveyed the group, a sense of real seriousness on his face.

Ace wanted to tell him to lighten up. It was just a ranch. They were just cows. He said nothing as Ward told the group to note buildings that needed repairs, take pictures with their phones, and he wanted everyone back by noon. “Even if you’re not finished, okay?”

Noon? Ace thought, glancing around. There were easily nine or ten partnerships here, and it wasn’t even seven a.m.

Ward started reading off names, and relief hit Ace when his was matched up with Bishop’s. He could handle Bishop today, because the man had a lot of the same concerns Ace did. They’d spoken several times about their nerves to be fathers, though they both wanted the babies their wives were carrying.

Ace just didn’t know how a child would factor into his already packed schedule. Holly Ann had played Santa Claus again this year, and she hadn’t needed the extra padding in the bodysuit.

“Phones on, ladies and gents. If Preach or I need to get a hold of you, we don’t want it to be hard.”

“Yes, sir,” a few men chorused, and Ace grinned at Bishop, who stood across the space.

Bishop reached up and tipped his hat, his way of acknowledging Ward’s authority too. The meeting broke up then, and Ace waited for Bishop to make his way over to him.

“Let’s go see how many turkeys we can round up.” Bishop lifted the paper. “Ward said we should have twenty-seven.”

“Can we take horses?” Ace asked.

“Ward said only if we check them from head to hoof first.” Bishop held up the sheet. “Let’s get this done. It’s not warm just because the wind settled down.”

“No, it is not.” Ace followed Bishop out of the barn, and they made the short walk over to the family stables where they kept their personal horses. Ace checked his from head to hoof, saddled him,

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