little wider. “Thatta girl.”
We finally got to the portion of the ranch with the main buildings, and Sawyer and Colt directed us to lead the cattle to the section set aside for them during cooler weather. The fenced-off area gave them a protected space where the men could look over them and make sure they were staying healthy. It also had a warm shelter within the enclosure where they could enjoy snuggling up for a little bit to take the edge off the cold.
As the men got the cattle into place, they directed us to ride to the barn where we first got on the horses. We brought them inside and climbed off. The animals looked at their stalls, freshly cleaned and filled with hay. They looked almost relieved, like they couldn’t wait to settle into their own little spaces for the night and know they were going to be comfortable, warm, and well fed.
One thing I had learned about the horses, though, was that they loved the work they did. They loved being active and a part of what went on at the ranch. That meant that while they seemed happy to be back inside the barn and like they looked forward to a break, it wouldn’t be long before they were filled with energy and looking forward to getting out and doing something.
All of us went to work unloading everything the horses had been carrying for us. It felt strange knowing we were just going to put our things in the bunkhouse and load them back up the next morning. Instead, we were preparing to load up the car.
We walked out of the barn and headed to where my father and Uncle Lucien parked their Trucks nearly a week before when we first arrived for the experience. I stood back and watched as my father, uncle, sister, and cousin shoved everything into the trucks. Cecilia looked like she could kiss my father’s truck.
When they finished getting everything into the trucks, they walked around to the doors to climb inside. Dad looked at me as he as he was getting inside and gave me a questioning look.
“I’m going to stay,” I said.
Dad immediately got out of the car and looked at me with widened eyes. “You’re going to stay?”
“Just for dinner. Sawyer invited me.”
I braced myself for him to be rude and combative, the way he had been. But that didn’t happen. Instead, he walked toward me and rested his hands on my shoulders. I glanced at them, wondering if they would look any different. They did.
What had been smooth hands softened by years away from Montana were now rougher and dotted with the evidence of many small, insignificant injuries during the week.
“Jane, I’m sorry,” he said.
“For what?” I asked.
“For being so overbearing. I have wanted to control your life, and that’s not right. It isn’t mine to control. It’s yours. I know you’re growing up right in front of me. I have to admit, I didn’t do right by you, and I feel terrible for it.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“After your mother died, I thought it was my responsibility to keep you happy and excited. I thought things were far too hard on you already, and never wanted to put more on you. I wish I hadn’t done that. I didn’t do you any favors catering to your every whim as a child. And as a teenager. And as a young adult. And the day we came here.”
I laughed. “Thank you, Daddy. For all of that and for bringing me here.”
His face lit up. “I knew this place would be good for you. I just didn’t realize how good, or how well it would fit.”
I smiled at him. “‘I have had the best week. It’s been amazing. I’m just sorry Rubin ruined your birthday.”
Dad chuckled. “Rubin ruins everything.”
I laughed. “True. He’s a bit of a dumbass.”
Dad glanced over at me like he was going to admonish me for my language, but after a brief moment of evaluating me to gauge my mood, he nodded. “I’ll see you tonight. Or perhaps… tomorrow morning.”
That should have been an incredibly awkward and uncomfortable comment, and yet, it wasn’t. I had my father’s blessing and could finally just relax and enjoy myself with Sawyer.
That got me thinking. I wondered how realistic it would be to stay on the ranch for a while longer.
Chapter 35
Sawyer
Stepping up onto the front porch, I stretched and unclipped the suspenders that I wore on most drives.