by Kate Pearce
“Morning, Danny! I brought you some breakfast!” The slight gasp that followed Rae’s greeting was followed by a chuckle. “Oh, my.”
“Hey, Rae,” Danny spoke up as Faith pretended to still be asleep. “Didn’t I ask you to stay behind the gate because of the risk of infection?”
“I’ve got my boots on.” Rae pointed down at her feet. “Jeff says I’ll be fine.”
She busied herself setting a tablecloth over one of the stacked bales. “I’ve brought enough for two, so don’t you worry, Faith, dear.”
“Faith? What the hell?” Dave’s voice carried even farther than Rae’s, turning Faith’s morning rapidly into soap opera territory. “Why are you in bed with Danny Miller?”
Despite her desire to hide under the covers until everyone went away Danny gently set her aside and sat up. “There’s no need to lose your shit, Dave. We’re fully clothed.”
“So what?”
“And we’ve been up to tend the calves every two hours, which hardly left us any time for hanging-from-the-rooftops monkey sex.”
Rae chuckled. “Dave, for goodness’ sake leave them be. They must be exhausted.”
“I bet they are,” Dave muttered under his breath and he glared at Faith like some old maiden aunt. His gaze strayed to the food Rae was putting out on the table. “Hey, you made waffles?”
Faith finally sat up. “They’re not for you, Dave. How about you go and check out the calves while Danny and I eat something?”
With one last wistful glance back at the food, Dave went out into the paddock leaving relative peace behind him. Rae smiled at Faith.
“Come and sit down, dear. You must be starving.”
Faith didn’t dare look at Danny as he joined her.
“This is very kind of you, Rae. I was just about to go home and get something to eat.”
“No need for that,” Rae said. “How are the calves doing?”
“Better than they were twenty-four hours ago. We only lost two last night, which was less than I expected.” Faith bit into a waffle slathered in strawberries, maple syrup, and cream and almost moaned. “This is really good.”
“You’re welcome. I make the preserves myself,” Rae said. “Eat up, Danny dear, before it gets cold. Your mother wanted to come and see you, but Jeff said the less of us coming out here the better, and for once I agree with him. She was hoping you’d be able to take a break today and meet her in town. She wants to talk to you about something.”
“I’ll check in with her after we’ve seen the state of play up here today, okay?” Danny was devouring waffles at a speed Faith could only envy. “I think I’ll be able to get away. I need to talk to Fred down at the feedstore and see how bad the Brysons’ bills are.”
“Dave and Jenna are handling most of the veterinary business today so I can stay here for as long as you need,” Faith said, speaking directly to Danny for the first time.
His slow smile made her want to reach across and lick the strawberry preserves from his lips, which she definitely couldn’t do while his aunt was watching. The answering gleam in his eyes as he watched her made it hard to concentrate.
“I just had an idea!” Rae said brightly. “Why don’t you and Faith go and do what you need to do while Dave and I keep an eye on the calves?” She held up a finger as Danny went to speak. “I did live on a ranch for fifteen years, dear. I know how to hydrate a calf.”
Danny looked over at Faith. “I could drop you home to get a change of clothes and pick you up after I’ve been to town?”
“Sounds good to me,” Faith said as she regretfully eyed the remaining six waffles. “If we bribe Dave with this amazing food, he’ll probably go for it if I’m back within two hours.”
Danny stood, kissed his auntie Rae, and held out his hand to Faith. “I was thinking we’d just get going before he notices.”
* * *
Danny looked over at Faith as they drove up to the front of the McDonalds’ house. Despite the interesting start to their morning she was smiling and relaxed, which made him feel good about everything that had happened between them. While she drove, he’d texted his mom and checked in with Ben about whether his and Silver’s charity foundation could help out with the rising costs at the Brysons’. Ben had sent a thumbs-up and his mom said she’d meet him in Yvonne’s for breakfast.
“What time do you want me to pick you up again?” Danny asked.
Faith gave him an amused glance. “Seeing as you’re driving my truck, I think you’re the one who’ll be waiting on me.” She paused. “I thought that while Dave’s out of the house we could both have a shower and change our clothes. I can quick wash and dry most of your stuff and you can borrow a pair of Dad’s old work jeans.”
Danny slowly smiled. “I like that idea a lot.”
Of course, because the shower was big enough for two, they spent way too much time in it making out and had to rush to get dressed and back out the door to go down to Morgantown.
“So, what’s this foundation Ben’s started?” Faith asked as she negotiated the sharp turn out onto the county road.
“It was Silver’s idea, actually. She wanted to find a practical way to help out her new home. It soon became obvious that the ranchers in this valley, particularly the legacy ranchers, were under threat from developers. They’ve recently been helping the Garcia Ranch with refencing and renovating their place and they employ local people to do the work.”
“That’s awesome,” Faith said. “And, Ben said they can help the Brysons?”
“They can certainly straighten out their current finances and help them start with a clean slate if that’s what it takes to keep the ranch alive and kicking.” Danny put on his sunglasses against the glare of the sun. “It might help Doug make a better decision about coming back as well.”
“I hope so.” Faith sighed. “Neither of them like me, but I don’t want to see them fail.”
“You’re a good person.” He pointed toward the parking lot behind the feedstore and lumberyard. “I need to talk to both these guys about the Brysons’ accounts.”
“Cool, because I need some supplies from Fred.” Faith backed into a space in front of the feedstore. “I’ll see you back here when you’re done.”
It didn’t take Danny long to get the information he needed and send it off to Ben. The amount of debt the Brysons had accumulated predated the scours outbreak but was indicative in Danny’s mind of why they’d ended up where they had anyway. Bad land management, impulsive financial decisions, and an unforgiving and changeable climate made successful ranching almost impossible. For the first time in a while Danny paused to consider how well his father had done to navigate his ranch through the last three decades. As far as he knew the ranch carried very little debt and Adam would be inheriting a thriving and forward-looking place.
Of course, his dad had the advantage of all that free labor in his own kids....
“What are you smiling about?” Faith asked. She was sitting on the lowered tailgate of her truck, legs swinging like she didn’t have a care in the world waiting for him.
“My dad.”
“That makes a change.”
“I was just thinking about how hard it is to keep a ranch going.”
She sighed. “Tell me about it. Getting you guys to pay your bills in a timely manner is an uphill struggle.”
“I bet.” He set his purchases down beside hers. “I’m supposed to be meeting my mom at Yvonne’s. Would you like to come with me, or do you have other stuff to do?”
“You’re okay with me coming?” Faith asked.
“Didn’t I make that clear earlier in the shower?”
She actually blushed as she poked him in the ribs. “You know what I mean.”
“If we’re both going to continue to live and work here, people had better start getting used to seeing us together.” He searched her face. “My mom’s thinking of coming back for good.”
“I didn’t know that.” Faith hesitated. “Is it because of wh
at happened to your dad?”
“I think that’s part of it, but she wants to come back for herself. She grew up here. Her dad was a farrier. He had a shop right here.” He pointed at the corner of the lumberyard. “It’s been incorporated into their store now. I think she’d like to be friends with you, Faith, regardless, because she knows what it’s like to try and come home again.”
Faith reached for his hand. “Then let’s go and see her. I could probably manage a second breakfast right about now, and I haven’t heard anything from Dave.”
Danny kept hold of her hand as they strolled along the raised walkway toward Yvonne’s, tipping his hat to his neighbors, and trying not to smile at their various reactions to seeing him with Faith.
He opened the door into the coffee shop and saw his mom sitting right in the middle with Ellie at her side. She waved at him and he ushered Faith ahead of him.
“Hey, Mom. I hope you don’t mind me bringing Faith with me. We’ve both escaped from the Bryson place for a couple of hours and she’s my ride back.”
“Of course not.” Leanne smiled. “It’s lovely to see you again, Faith. Did you enjoy the wedding?”
“It was wonderful.” Faith sat down and Danny took the seat next to her, winking at his half sister, who was busy eating a pile of croissants. “Jackson’s a good guy.”
“He certainly understands Daisy.” His mom looked inquiringly at Danny. “Do you want to get yourself some coffee before we start?”
“That bad is it?” Danny joked, and turned to Faith. “Can I get any of you beautiful ladies anything to eat or drink?”
“I’d like some coffee, please,” Faith said.
“Ellie?”
“I’m good.” His half sister spoke around half a croissant stuck in her mouth. “This stuff is awesome!”
When he returned, his mom and Faith were chatting away like they’d known each other for years while Ellie alternated between eating and staring at her phone.
“So, what’s up?” Danny asked as he handed Faith her coffee.
Leanne took a breath. “I’ve decided to buy the top apartment in the old movie theater Kaiden’s been renovating just down the street.”
“That’s a great idea,” Danny said. “It’s got two bedrooms, right? Ellie can hang out there when she’s not at college.”
“That’s the plan.” Leanne fiddled with her coffee mug. “If everyone’s okay with it.”
“Why wouldn’t they be?” Danny asked, genuinely puzzled. “It’s a great location, it’s newly renovated by your awesome son so you won’t get any nasty surprises, and you’re less than fifteen minutes away from the ranch.”
“Your father thinks I should move in back there. He says that since half his family have moved out there’s plenty of space.”
Danny frowned. “The only person who’s left is Ben and he’s only a mile up the road. Kaiden and Adam might not be there all the time, but they still call it home as does Evan.”
“That’s exactly what I told him. And I don’t want to live up there anymore. It’s not convenient and I don’t want to end up getting roped into working full time for your father.”
“He’d definitely get you doing all the unpaid labor he could.” Danny fought a grin. “You know what he’s like.”
“He’s also trying to persuade me not to lend you any money to build your own place, but I told him straight out to knock it off or I’d buy you a nice condo in New York and he’d only get to see you once a year.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She nodded and he marveled at the changes in her anew. When she’d left Morgan Valley, she’d been quiet and shy, but adversity had strengthened her in ways he couldn’t even imagine and now she was full of confidence. He knew how tough it had been for her to move to a city and survive while constantly being rebuffed by her soon-to-be ex-husband and denied access to her children. Eventually, she’d met a man who valued her enormously, remarried, and ended up wealthy in her own right after his death.
Even if Jeff objected to everything Leanne wanted to do, he couldn’t actually stop her. That gave Danny a lot of quiet satisfaction.
“I spoke to May, the architect for the movie theater conversion, last night and asked her if she’d be interested in working with you on your new house,” Leanne carried on speaking. “She’d love to meet you and talk things through.”
“Kaiden spoke very highly of her, when he was working on the project,” Danny said. “I’d definitely be interested.”
“Great!” Leanne held up her phone. “I’ll give you her number. She’s staying in town for the next few weeks to finalize some details on the top-floor apartment for me and make sure the rest of the building is ready for sale.”
“Four new low-cost apartments to rent or get help buying.” Danny turned to Faith. “Four more people who can stay and work in Morgan Valley.”
“That’s awesome. I’m thinking of starting a small animal clinic here in town, so that might help me get some staff,” Faith said.
“I think that’s a great idea, Faith,” Leanne said enthusiastically. “If you need a business partner in that venture, do let me know.”
Danny grinned at her. “If you’re not careful, Mom, you’ll soon own the whole town and Dad will get super salty.”
“More fool him,” Leanne said briskly. “If he’s going to make such a fuss he can stay up on his ranch and sulk all by himself. I love this town; I was born here and the idea of investing in it to make sure it survives another hundred years greatly appeals to me.”
“Go, Mom!” Ellie piped up, and clinked her mug against Leanne’s. “But I doubt Jeff will really get mad, he’s way too sweet and cuddly to do that.”
When everyone else at the table stared at her, her brow creased. “What?”
* * *
Faith drank her coffee and enjoyed the banter between Danny, his mom, and his sister. She’d managed to check her cell phone while Danny was getting the coffee and there were no further e-mails from Brandon or Callie and nothing from Dave. For the first time in a long while she felt like her feet were firmly on the ground and that everything was going to be all right. Aware that Dave’s patience wasn’t endless, and that he had surgery to do at the clinic, she surreptitiously checked the time.
Danny leaned in close and lowered his voice. “Do we need to go?”
“Soon. We can’t leave Rae stuck with Dave for too long. That’s not fair on anyone.”
He chuckled and checked his phone. “No cries for help yet, but you’re right, we should be heading back.” He turned to his mom. “We need to get back to the Brysons. Are you two going up to see Dad or hanging out at the hotel?”
“We’re going to the ranch. Evan’s taking Ellie out with him.”
“Evan is?” Danny paused.
Leanne patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. He’s promised to be on his best behavior.”
“I know how to ride,” Ellie said. “And I’ve got a really good sense of direction if he gets lost.”
“Just keep him in sight at all times and tell him I’ll kill him if he plays any pranks on you,” Danny instructed her.
“Will do.” She grinned. “How’s it going at the Brysons’?”
“We’re getting there.” Danny glanced over at Faith, who was talking quietly to his mom. “Faith and Dave are great veterinarians. I’m just helping out.”
“She’s really nice,” Ellie whispered. “And she’s really into you. Maybe you should ask her out.”
Danny concealed a smile. “I’ll think about it.”
Leanne turned back to him. “I was just asking Faith if she could come to dinner with us at the ranch at the weekend before Ellie goes. Do you think you’d both be able to make it?”
“It depends on the calves,” Danny said diplomatically. “We’re going to ride out and see if we’ve missed any today so that might change things up.”
“I understand.” Leanne nodded. “But if you both can make it, it would mean a lot to me to have the whole
family around before Ellie has to go back to school.”
* * *
Much later, after they’d checked over the calves, made sure they were all well hydrated and comfortable, Faith found herself riding out over the undulating fields with Danny at her side. He looked totally at home on a horse, his body swaying, his commands so unobtrusive that she only knew he’d done something when his mount completed the move. He wore a white straw hat, his favorite fleece-lined denim jacket, and boots that looked somewhere between completely comfortable and worn out.
“Do you think we’ll find any more calves?” Faith asked eventually, unwilling to break the companionable silence.
“I’ve got no idea. Neither Bryson wants to talk to me so I’m doing this blind same as you.” He shifted his weight backward in the saddle as they went down the slope. “I hope they had the sense to leave some of them out because if that’s all that’s left”—he jerked his head back toward the ranch—“I guess Doug’s lost three fourths of his herd.”
“That’s awful,” Faith said. “I mean, how can he recover from that?”
“I don’t know.” Danny grimaced. “I’m kind of seeing why he doesn’t want to come back.”
“Is there anything else Silver and Ben’s foundation can do for them?” Faith asked as her horse picked its way through the boulders littering the slope.
“It depends whether Doug and Sue Ellen ask them for help. I suggested it to Dr. Tio, but from what he’s said, they’re really not interested. I’m guessing they might sell up.”
Faith glanced over at him as they reached level ground and stared out over the field looking for any elusive cattle. “Any chance you could buy this place?”
He grinned. “I wish, but my savings and ranch wages at my dad’s place aren’t going to hack it.”
“I’m still separating my finances out from the Humboldt clinic, so I don’t have any money either,” Faith mused.