by Kim Smart
“Honestly, no. I’m a good shot. I won’t hesitate to take the head off a snake, even if it means I shoot a hole in my bedroll.” They laughed.
“Really, I was thinking what if your horse went lame or threw you and you got hurt?”
“I got some great instruction from Jed about which rides are okay to solo and which ones to always take a hand with me. I’ll have the satellite phone as a backup.”
“Not sure how much good that will do if a bobcat crosses your path but I admire your strength.” Brandon understood the need to follow your dream. He was doing it. He knew from an early age that he had a journey to take away from the ranch, only to return to that way of life again one day. Once living on the range gets in your blood, it’s hard to do anything else.
They finished their day with lunch from the kitchen refrigerator. Stella made sandwiches and tossed Brandon a bag of chips. They grabbed sodas and sat outside on the patio to eat. Clara and Martin had gone to church and to do their weekly shopping. Only two hands were around.
“I will miss this place a little.” Stella spoke to the open space of the yard. “This has been a great place for me to grow up.”
Brandon looked at her and tried to read her eyes. She was deep in thought. He gave her the space to just be. Her life was changing in a big way and, he hoped, for the better. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
Stella turned to Brandon. “Thanks for coming out today. It was nice of you to indulge my need to be in my space for the day.”
“It was my pleasure, Stella. Thanks for showing me around and…” He raised his soda. “Making my lunch.”
Stella laughed. “Oh, now that was my pleasure.”
10
Moving to Watson took on a life of its own. It shocked Stella to learn all the steps it took to buy a house and move in. Coordinating all the inspections on the property, choosing a garage design and managing the required paperwork, on top of the work at Winding Slough Ranch and preparing for the transition to Rabbit Creek Ranch, took all her time and attention.
Brandon understood the demands on Stella, but was eager to move their budding relationship forward. He understood why there were no responses to his messages. He waited until Saturday evening, three weeks after their riding date, to call her. Stella answered, but was in no mood to talk.
“Hey, Brandon. So sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you. Life has been so hectic for me. In fact, at this moment I’m loading up some supplies to take to the ranch up north and it’s not a good time to talk.”
The interruption irritated Stella and she let it show in her voice. It felt selfish of her to be dodging him; she wasn’t sure this was the right time to fit a relationship in, yet she didn’t walk away from what they had started. Her fears were consuming her. Fears of failure and being abandoned, the need to do everything perfectly and have all the answers, were interfering with the ability to read her own heart.
“Okay. I’m getting the feeling that it might be awhile until the right time comes. Tell you what Stella. I don’t mean to be a pest and I really don’t want to tarnish what I think has been a wonderful start to a relationship, so I will give you all the space and time you need to get settled and hope that when that happens you’ll call me. Meanwhile, you know where to find me and if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. You take care now.”
Brandon wouldn’t hang on the phone and negotiate for Stella’s time and attention. He meant his words. He wanted to see her succeed, and right now that meant she had to fully commit to her transition. His heart was sad. He liked Stella a lot, but it wouldn’t help her, or him, to get in her way right now.
Stella shoved the rest of the supplies into the back of her pickup and loaded the horses in the trailer. Today was the day to take possession of her new home, and tomorrow she would be the new foreman of Rabbit Creek Ranch. She felt anger rise from deep in her belly as she worked. “Of course, he would abandon me. That’s what men do.” It was distorted thinking and she knew it, but now was not the time to talk herself down. She had to say her goodbyes and hit the road.
It was Sunday. The crew onsite, Clara, and Martin, gathered around her pickup and trailer. They shared hugs and well wishes. Clara dabbed the corners of her eyes. Martin swaddled Stella in a big, long bear hug. She would miss them all, but mostly Martin. He was her mentor.
Stella ran through her mental checklist several times during the two-hour drive to her new home. Clara had gathered together some basic supplies to get her started. She could clean and would have food for a few days before she would need to go to the store and stock up. For today, she planned to stop at Maxine’s Diner, chat with Edna if she was working, and order some food to go.
“Well, if it isn’t my friend Stella. Everyone!” she called out. “Please meet Watson’s newest resident, Stella!” Edna was working and hadn’t forgotten her new friend. The after-church crowd was just dissipating. Stella smiled and waved to the diners.
“Hello, Edna. Thanks for the introduction. How did you know I was moving in today?”
“Oh, honey. You have a lot to learn about Watson. First, I look outside and see that pickup of yours heaped to the brim with supplies and two horses tied to the trailer eating my grass.”
“Your grass? Is this your place?”
Edna laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. Yes, this is my place.”
“Well then, who is Maxine?”
“That’s a story for another time. We’ll add it to the list. Here, let’s get you a place to rest your weary self. You’ve been working really hard now, haven’t you?”
“That’s an understatement, and I just realized how hungry I am.”
“Well, let Edna just fix you right up. Strawberry or chocolate?”
“What?”
“Do you prefer strawberry or chocolate?”
“Strawberry, I guess.”
“Me too. I’ll be back shortly. Drink this nice glass of ice water and close your eyes for a few minutes. I’ll be back in a few.”
Stella looked around the restaurant. Guests were greeting one another, and some stopped by her table to introduce themselves and inquire about her.
“Well hello, neighbor. I’m Sam Barton and this is my wife Deanna. We live out east a bit. Jed and his wife are friends of ours. We all grew up together around these parts. He gave us a heads-up to watch out for you. Said you’re a talented cowboy moving up here to run the herd he’s been managing. Sad thing about his wife, but hey, we’re happy to meet you.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, too. Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself. It’ll be awhile before I remember everyone’s names, I’m afraid.”
“Here hun.” Deanna smiled and handed Stella a napkin with names and cell phone numbers scribbled on it. “This should help, at least for now.”
“This is perfect! I hope to see you around.”
“You will. It’s a small place and we all cross paths regularly here.” Sam tipped his hat and put his arm around Deanna. “We’re heading out now to play with the grandkids. Seriously, call us if you need anything. I hear you’re moving into the old Porch place. That’s about five miles from us. If you need help to load or move boxes, we can be there in no time.”
“Thank you very much. I just might take you up on that offer. I’m not losing this napkin, for sure.” Stella patted the napkin and smiled. She gave them a gentle wave as they walked away. Mom will be so happy to hear I’ve already met some people. Seems like a nice place to be.
“Here’s that lunch I promised you.” Edna set down a plate heaping with food - a huge grilled burger with the works and French fries. She handed Stella a large strawberry shake in a real glass and held out a matching shake as she slid into the booth. “Cheers to new beginnings.”
Stella smiled. “You do not understand just how much is changing.”
“Is that right? You leave a man behind on top of changing jobs and getting a new house?”
Stella looked at Edna and laugh
ed. “Are you psychic, or what? You seem to know everything.”
“Just about everything. That was just a lucky guess on my part.”
“Well, it’s not like I really had a man to leave but…” Stella shared the experience of her two dates with Brandon and his parting words from earlier in the day.
“Honestly babe, he sounds like a real gentleman. He’s just giving you space, he’s not running away, no matter what your brain says. I get it, I really do. I’ve been around and had just about every kind of failed relationship you can have. None of my guys would have been so considerate. They would push for what they wanted, not what was best for me. Don’t write him off yet.”
Stella held up her half-eaten burger. “This is the best doggone burger I’ve had in a long time. Grilled to perfection!”
“So, you will get set up in your new house today and let those horses loose in the pasture?”
“I had the prior owners and the realtor walk the fence and make sure it was safe to let the horses out. They assured me it was. As for setting up the house, not really. I should have a mattress delivered there today but other than that, I have made no decisions on furniture or paint, dishes or anything.”
“That’s fine. It will all come together. I’ve got some extra lawn chairs and a folding table you can use for now. I’m happy to bring them over later. We close early on Sundays. I’ll grab a bottle of wine and two glasses, throw those things in the truck and head over. Got to give you the Watson welcome.”
“Edna, you’re so kind. Let’s do it. I’m hoping the sellers cleaned the house up like they promised and I won’t need to do a lot of that just to sleep and eat there for now.”
“I’m sure it’s fine. You enjoy your lunch. This is your one and only meal that’s on the house. Consider it my welcome gift to you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Of course it’s not. It’s a gift. Just say thanks, Stella.”
“Thank you, Edna. I appreciate it a bunch.”
“Good. Now, I’ve got to get these tables bussed and help get the kitchen cleaned up and prepped for tomorrow’s breakfast. I’ll be by about five and don’t worry about something to eat. I’ve got a mess of ribs at my house that I need some help eating. I’ll bring them out.”
“You’re the best! Thanks, Edna. See you later and again, thank you.”
Edna waved her off as she rushed to clear the tables.
Stella left a twenty-dollar tip - plenty to cover the food and thank Edna. She loaded the horses into the trailer and drove the twenty minutes home. It may have been longer, for she took her time, making a mental note of landmarks on the way. Driving out of town, the water tower stood tall on the right with its white face and bold green letters spelling out the name of the town. Three miles further, on the left, was the cemetery.
It surprised Stella to see vehicles in the yard when she arrived. Before she could get out of the pickup, the contractor building the garage was standing at the door to greet her.
“Well, you must be Stella.” The tall, good-looking, muscular man in his late fifties held out a giant hand to shake. “I’m Jeff Kline, here to build your garage.”
He nodded to Stella’s right where the garage was being built.
“Nice to meet you in person. Thank you for all the phone calls, emails and texts over the past few weeks. Looks like you are buttoning it up. It looks great! Just what I wanted.”
“That’s right, ma’am. Got the boys out here just touching up the paint and hanging the cabinets inside. It’s been a real pleasure working with you. You knew what you wanted, and that helped a bunch.”
“Mind if I look inside? It’s a little hard to envision from afar.”
“Come on over, take a look and meet the guys.”
Jeff toured her around the new building and introduced her to his two sons who were helping him. Stella complimented Jeff on the perfect match in paint color and roof pitch as the house. The shop and tack areas in the garage had built-in cabinets and closets and were well organized for Stella’s use.
“Perfect. It’s all just perfect.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I hope you don’t mind, but I did a walk-through of the house with my niece and her husband. There were a few little things I tightened up. Would you mind if we took a walk over there and I can show you?”
Stella nodded. As they walked to the house, she noticed that someone had cleaned up the landscape and swept the front porch. Jeff pulled a key from his pocket and opened the front door. He handed her the key and held the door open for her to enter.
“It looks so fresh and clean in here. I didn’t realize the paint was so fresh. When you see a house only once you don’t catch all the details.”
“Well, actually ma’am, we came over and helped the kids freshen up the place. After they pulled their pictures and things off the walls, we patched ‘em up and gave them a little paint. I sure hope you like it.”
They walked through the house. Jeff pointed out where he had tightened cabinet knobs, replaced some cracked electrical outlet covers and made the place move-in ready for Stella.
“You really have an attention to detail, don’t you? It looks fantastic and I’m so grateful to have such a clean place to move into.” As she said this, a box truck drove up to the house. “That must be my new mattress. Excuse me while I get this delivery.”
Stella met the driver at the front door. He offered to bring the large box into the house and Jeff was eager to help. They put the mattress in the master bedroom.
“Thank you, gentlemen! I appreciate your help.” Stella would usually be offended that the men assumed she couldn’t wrangle a large heavy box a few dozen feet, but not today. Today she was happy to have all the help she could get. She was tired, disoriented, and had a lot to do before she could rest for the night.
Jeff and his boys wrapped up their work. They helped Stella unload the pickup and trailer. She pastured the horses, who stayed close to the house. Jeff was talking with Stella on the front porch when Edna drove up.
“Well, if it isn’t Edna Holt!” Jeff tipped his baseball cap to Edna as she got out and walked to the back of her truck.
“Jeff Kline, as I live and breathe! How are you doing?” Edna could look at Jeff all day. He was perfect - a hot body, handsome, successful, and an all-around good guy.
Jeff walked around to the back of Edna’s truck. “Can I help you with something?”
“You sure can.” Edna looked at Stella and winked. “I have a table and two chairs for this little lady here. We can’t have her eating off the floor, clean as it might be.”
“Here, here, let me take those things in.” Jeff grabbed the table and chairs like they had no weight or bulk at all. Edna reached into the cab of the truck and pulled out two reusable grocery bags. Stella reached out to take one of them.
“Here’s a little dinner. How are you doing?”
“Great. What’s up with you and Jeff?”
“Unrequited love I’m afraid.”
“Are you sure? I saw the way he rushed up to help you. Is he single?”
“Yes, he’s a widower. I have flirted until I was blue in the face with that man and he’s never let on that he was sweet on me. Guess he knows my reputation for wanting only the bad boys.”
11
Stella launched right into her new job. Jed spent the first two days with her before releasing her to manage the herd. He invited four hired hands that he trusted. He introduced them to Stella, who shared some of her background. She felt comfortable with each of them and was happy to have tried-and-true hands to choose from for the first drive to rotate pastures coming up in three weeks. Until then she would repair the fence, set minerals and salt in the pasture, and do a host of other activities that keep the ranch running.
At the end of the first week, Stella packed her bedroll and a modest supply of rations. She and Ranger headed to the lower canyon near the new pasture. This was a trial run, a test, a chance to harden herself to sleeping under
the stars with the scorpions and snakes. She tried not to dwell on the creatures she shared the wilds with, but sent a general prayer for protection out into the world as she drank in the beauty of the area.
On the first evening, she straddled a small boulder eating instant noodles heated with water from a thermos. She inhaled the fresh scent of the pines and watched as the pale blue sky transformed into a colorful masterpiece with strokes of peach, violet, vibrant orange, burning yellow and red. Stella had seen the sunset a thousand times, but it was never as brilliant as it was tonight. She was prepared to lie under the stars, listen to the coyotes in the distance and embrace this new life, with fewer walls.
Two evenings later, Stella returned to her new home with a renewed joy for life. She was not unhappy before, but she did not know she could be this thrilled. The sky was bluer, the trees greener, and her satisfaction with life greater. Her home was bare but she didn’t notice. She saw the closet where her clothes could now hang out of sight, a full-sized refrigerator she could fill with as many pitchers of water and tea as she wanted for those hot days under the Arizona sun when it seemed impossible to quench her thirst.
For days, and then weeks, Stella thought of nothing other than her new herd, Watson and setting up house. The weekend after her maiden voyage on the trail, she awakened to a country tune playing on her telephone. It was five in the morning on a Sunday, a day she had intended to take for leisure.
“Good morning, Mom. What’s up?”
“What do you mean, what’s up? I haven’t heard from you for two weeks. I was just worried about you, that’s all.”
Stella sat up in bed, brushed her hair away from her face and wiped her eyes. “Oh Mom, I’m sorry. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m wonderful!”
“You can’t blame a mom for worrying. You know, I worry about you being alone up there, in the wilds.”