by Ava Catori
“I like him, and I’m grateful for his help.”
“Me too,” she said.
Maggie left Allie’s room and headed to her own, which she shared with Sarah. Sarah was out with their mother, which gave Maggie privacy, which she cherished more than anything. Sharing her room was fine, but if she could have a space all her own to get lost in her daydreams and books, it would be like heaven.
She had another year of local college to wrap up, and then she’d move on to bigger things. If she was a stronger student she could have earned scholarships, but she froze up with anxiety when it came time to take tests the last few years. Only this year did she truly come into her own. She had her eye on a scholarship for grad school, but she’d really have to push to get it. Time would tell.
They didn’t have the money for a bigger college or for her to go away, and at this point she couldn’t burden her family with debt. She’d finish locally, and then find a way to continue her schooling. She was too old to be living at home, and at twenty, too old to be sharing a room with her fourteen year old sister.
All of the girls still lived at home. Each had their own reason, but it was time to spread their wings and fly. Mom didn’t need the burden of four girls living with her. She swore she wouldn’t have it any other way and loved having her family with her, but it was time. Well, except for Sarah, she needed to finish school first.
Gretta and Hannah settled into the living room, as much alike as different. When they got along, they were inseparable, and yet when they clashed, it got ugly.
“I really wish you’d be nicer to Mr. Callahan.”
“Bryce sweeps in here like some hero, and we’re supposed to take him at his word that he doesn’t want anything in return?”
“Bryce?” She paused. “You mean Mr. Callahan. Show respect.”
“He asked me to call him Bryce.” Hannah grew defensive.
“When was this?”
Hannah hesitated. She never mentioned to her mother she went to see him. Swallowing, she admitted she went to seek help. “That’s when he asked me to call him Bryce.”
“You went to him? Hannah, we could have done this on our own.”
“We tried. I really tried, Mom. I was afraid of losing our home. He offered to help, and then I told him I’d changed my mind.”
“Things make a little more sense now,” she said, clucking her tongue. “Oh Hannah, I wish you would have told me. I feel foolish now. I didn’t know. We don’t need handouts.”
“We did,” she sighed. “Mom, we need to bring in more money to keep things going. I can’t run this place like Daddy could.”
Gretta chimed in, “I haven’t been much help. I’m sorry. I should have stood up and done more.”
“You were reeling after losing Daddy.”
“It’s no excuse. I have a family to feed.”
“We can do this together,” she said, looking her mother squarely in the eyes.
Her lips were tight. “Thank you.” This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Tucker was supposed to be here; he was taken too soon. She had children to feed, and so what if they were adults, they were her kids. She’d figure this out. Sarah was still in school, and each of the girls could pull their weight around the farm. Gretta could take another job. As long as Maggie kept working towards a degree, Gretta would be happy. She’d be the first to graduate with a degree. Allie started and then stopped. Hannah… well, Hannah was too stubborn to do things the school’s way, but Maggie loved books and learning. She’d get there.
Hannah helped around the farm along with Allie, though Allie could be found daydreaming half the time, or off with some guy, getting into trouble yet again. She should have moved on by now, gotten a solid job, finished school, and maybe met a nice guy. Instead she lingered, and at twenty-four, it was time for her to make some life choices.
For some reason, she couldn’t see Hannah leaving her side. It was silly really, but maybe because she was the most like her-- stubborn to a fault, but wild and free. She reminded Gretta of her earlier days, back when she was young and falling in love with Tuc. Either way, she’d need to figure out what she was going to do. Gretta couldn’t keep them by her side forever. She loved having her girls around, but it was time for them to find their own way in life.
As her mother settled in with some cross stitching, Hannah’s mind drifted back to Bryce. She should apologize. He did come through for them, and she wasn’t exactly friendly to him tonight. Apologizing was the right thing to do. He went above and beyond, and what did Hannah do? She got snarky and short with the man. She knew it wasn’t his fault; it was her own doing. She thought she could save the farm, save the family, and she failed. A neighbor saved the day, not me. The salt in her wound still stung, though she was grateful the pressure was off for now.
She thought about the way he stood, shoulders squared, strong and broad, and how he always looked her in the eye when he spoke. He wore his hair short and buzzed, and was clean shaven. She wished she didn’t notice those details, or that his hands spoke of weather and hard work. Even working outside all day, his nails were clean, though his skin was calloused. Hannah flushed, realizing she took in more details about him than she thought.
Why wasn’t he married, somebody handsome like that? I mean, what was wrong with him, besides his obvious chauvinistic attitude? Most women could live with that. Hannah certainly couldn’t, but still he was an attractive enough guy. Shouldn’t he have a family by now? He should be taking care of his own kids, not buying up neighbor’s houses and being a local hero.
Okay, well, hero was a little strong. That’s not what she meant. Sure, he had some extra cash and threw it their way; he was being neighborly. People in a small town help each other, right? It’s how it’s been all her life, families helping families. You have to if you want to survive. Wyoming can be a cruel mistress at times.
Hannah never saw a future outside of Wyoming, as harsh as it could be. This is where her family was, and her dreams were never to be wealthy and famous, but to be close to those that she loved. She couldn’t fathom leaving her mother now. With her father gone, who would look after her?
With the winter months to get through, Hannah made plans for spring. They’d jarred and scrapped and saved to pull through, but the farm didn’t offer enough to keep them through the year. Farm was even expanding what their home truly was – a house with a bit of acreage, some big gardens and a few sheep, chickens, and goats. They weren’t a working farm that bred cattle or sold meat. They weren’t a thoroughbred ranch, and they weren’t selling their wares at the market. They did enough to take care of their family, to self-sustain, but extras were hard to come by, and it was time to work outside the home as well.
Daddy and Mom did most of the work, the girls pitching in as time went by, mostly for chores and to learn responsibility, but it was time for them to come together as a group of women, strong women, and make a better future. Hannah could find work outside of the home, Sarah could pitch in more with chores, and Allie could find steady work, too. Maggie was going to school, so as long as she kept to her studies that would be fine. Hannah felt like she’d switched roles with her mother over the last few months, she becoming the adult, her mother the child. In some weird way, she became the head of the household and the one that tackled the issues as they arose. She stepped into the role naturally, and with her mother sunken in a depression, she let her fill those shoes.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow she’d go apologize for her behavior. It was the right thing to do.
When the morning came, Hannah had second thoughts. They’d said their thank you last night. There was no need to go on and on about it. Okay, so maybe next time she saw him, she’d mention she was a bit harsh. There was no point in dredging it up again today.
Chapter 3
It was a blustery day, the winds whipping about, and there was snow in the forecast yet again. Hannah was hoping for an early spring, but that was a laugh. In a good year, winter lasted until almost May it s
eemed, in a bad year until June. She never quite got used to the cold, but she tolerated it.
Wyoming summers, on the other hand, were things that dreams were made of. They ranged from a nice mix of sixties to eighties with the sun shining. The wind wasn’t as fierce in the warmer months; she just wished the warmer months stuck around a little longer. Unfortunately, the jet stream always found its way back out of Canada and pushed the cold air to them just a little too soon. Summer was the best of it though, with warm days to enjoy and crisp nights. Last year brought well over fifty inches of snow, and it looked like this year was looking to match it.
Hannah wasn’t sure why she turned her truck onto his driveway, but before she could make excuses, Hannah found herself on Bryce Callahan’s property.
Pulling up, she turned off the ignition and climbed out of her truck. The wind was strong enough to feel through the denim of her jeans. She should have layered, but hadn’t expected to be outside much today. Her boots crunched in the packed bits of snow that remained on the path.
Hannah could see him in the barn, his face nuzzled close to his horse. He was whispering niceties, and stroking her neck gently. It was such a sweet, tender scene, a man and his horse. He turned just in time to see Hannah enter.
“Hey,” she said, not even sure why she was there.
“Hey.”
It caught her off guard seeing him like that. She wasn’t even sure why she was here, but now she was glad she’d made the effort.
“How have you been?” His voice spoke softly, yet his tone was deep and masculine.
“Okay.” Hannah shoved her hands in her pockets, more out of nervousness. What drew her here?
“Are you okay? Do you need something?”
“I’m fine, and no. I guess I just came by to thank you again.”
“No need.”
“That’s a lie,” she said flatly. “I don’t know why I’m here.”
He was glad to see her. There was something about this one that pulled him in. She had a fire in her belly, dreams in her eyes, and her long, blonde hair framed her face in a way that made her blue eyes shine just a little brighter. He almost felt ashamed; she was so much younger than he was. He didn’t want to see her that way, and yet, he was a man with needs.
This was Tuc Hawthorne’s girl. It was wrong. He was easily ten to fifteen years her senior. He’d lost track of all of their ages, but every single one of Tuc’s girls was younger than a man his age should be dating. It’s not like he dated much these days anyway. He was better off alone. Besides, he had his sister’s trouble to deal with, and that alone kept him busy half the time.
She was a wild one, and a boozer at that. Her demons haunted her, and until she faced them she only got worse. Beverly continued to spiral downward and be a menace wherever she went. She rented out a small room over one of the stores in town, and every so often he’d get the call he grew to recognize. Come get her before we have to arrest her again.
She was hostile, would prance around naked, would start fights, would shoplift, all petty things, but the list got longer and longer, and one of these times she’d end up with enough to send her off to prison. That’s where Bryce stepped in. He was friends with the sheriff, and he’d give him a head’s up. If he could get there in time to break things up, he let him pull her away before getting arrested yet again.
Bryce watched as Hannah kicked the straw below her feet, scuffing her boot across the ground. He wanted to get lost in her eyes, but pulled himself out those feelings before he got himself in trouble.
“This is Ruby,” he said, introducing her to his horse.
“Hey Rubes,” Hannah said, letting the horse sniff at her. Rubbing the horse’s face gently, she moved in closer. Her hand reached back, and stroked the horse’s neck.
“She’s my girl.”
“They’re calling for more snow.” Duh, he knew that. What a stupid thing to say, and why were her feet glued in place?
“I saw that.”
“I should probably get going.”
“Why don’t you stay for a bit? You can help me brush out Ruby.”
Hannah nodded. She wanted to be there, be next to him, and couldn’t find the words. She was drawn to the man.
There was a look between them; it hung in the air. Bryce cleared his throat, trying to make small talk, but couldn’t find anything to say. Hannah breathed slowly, deeply, understanding what her body was telling her, but knowing she couldn’t do this.
“I should go,” she finally blurted out. She turned toward her truck.
Bryce didn’t stop her, and knew why she left. He felt it, too. Closing his eyes, he pictured her face and his fingers running through her silky hair. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he got back to the task of brushing his horse. This girl was off limits, and no matter that he was drawn to her, it wasn’t going to happen.
Hannah drove back home, lost in thought. A stray cat shot across the road, and with a quick swerve of her wheel, she was able to avoid him. Her mind was on Bryce Callahan, her father’s old friend.
There was something electric between them. She felt it, he sensed it, but nothing made sense. Why did she even go there? It’s not like he invited her. She had no real reason to go, and yet she couldn’t stop thinking about him. They weren’t even romantic thoughts, but he kept crossing her mind. She just wanted to see him, to look at him, to know why she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Standing next to him, she knew.
Hannah climbed out of her truck and went inside. She found her mother in the kitchen.
“What’s gotten into you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Her mother teased, but saw her daughter was lost in thought.
“Not a ghost, but maybe my future.”
Gretta arched an eye brow. “Oh?”
“It’s not important. Why don’t you go sit for a while? I can start on dinner.”
“Hannah?”
“I’m not ready to talk about it, Mom.”
Her mother nodded, accepting her daughter’s words, and left the kitchen.
Maggie was buried in a book, and Sarah was doing homework in her room. Allie had found a part-time job cashiering at one of the markets in town. She mentioned something about a date after work, so she wasn’t sure she’d be here for dinner. She should let Hannah know.
“Hannah,” she called out, “Allie won’t be home for dinner. She has a date.”
Hannah showed up at the doorway, leaning against it. “A date?”
“So she says.”
“Anyone I know?”
“I’m not sure, some Richard something or other. She says he works at one of the car shops down the way.”
“Nice.”
It was good for Allie to get out. It seemed like her life had stalled, and she was unsure what she wanted to do. At least she was able to pick up a job, which was a help. She could pitch in a few dollars and keep them afloat. Hannah needed to do the same. Gretta was going to help in the doctor’s office a few days each week, while Sarah was in school. Sarah was old enough to be left alone, but she treated her like a baby at times, her being the youngest.
For now, they decided Hannah would tend to the farm with Gretta. Maggie and Sarah pitched in on the weekends, but the bulk of it fell to Hannah. With winter here, there wasn’t as much to do as in the warmer months, but there was always something that needed tending to.
Pulling open the potato bin, Hannah picked up a handful of root vegetables and dropped them into the sink for a washing. She’d peel and slice them, sprinkling them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, bake them, and let them turn a nice crisp, golden brown. Mom had already started a roast in the crock pot, but the side dishes needed to be put together. The smell of roast beef filled the kitchen with visions of comfort food.
Sorting through the vegetable crisper, she decided she’d glaze some carrots in a honey butter drizzle. With winter, there wasn’t a lot to do, so she liked to get creative with food. It’s not that she was some great cook; it’s just that it p
assed the time to do things differently. Potatoes were a staple in their lives, but after a while even mashed potatoes grow old if you have them every night for dinner.
They seemed to eat earlier the colder it was. Dinner was more around the six o’clock hour in the summer, but in winter, they found themselves eating closer to four or five. It’s funny how that happened every year, almost naturally, in a cycle.
While peeling the carrots, the peeler slipped, and with a cuss under her breath, Hannah slipped her hand under running water. Tiny trails of blood mixed with water washed down the drain. Grabbing a paper towel, Hannah dabbed at her small wound. She wasn’t a bandage kind of girl, but didn’t want it to mess up dinner. Pulling a small adhesive from the box of bandages, she slapped it on and got back to peeling. Her mind was elsewhere, in a fog, drifting around a certain someone that lived down the lane.
She barely knew the man. This was crazy, and totally out of character. Hannah wasn’t the kind of girl to fawn over some man, and yet today she showed up practically at his doorstep. What was she thinking? She wasn’t thinking, that’s the problem. She let her intuition pull her to where she wanted to be. She wanted to get to know him better and yet felt like it was a mistake. She was torn between a desire that was slowly unfurling inside of her, and knowing she was just a foolish girl with a small crush. No! It couldn’t be a crush, could it? She thought he was overbearing, all chauvinistic, after that night… and yet weeks had passed, and he was still on her mind.
“Who is he?” Her mother leaned against the counter. Hannah hadn’t even heard her come in. She shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs from her brain.
“What are you talking about?”
“The boy. Who’s the guy that’s got you lost in thought?”
“There’s no boy,” she said flustered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know my girls, and I know that look. Somebody has your interest.”
“You’re wrong,” she said, cutting her short.
“Am I?”
Hannah looked at her mother. “I don’t want to talk about it.”