by Diane Darcy
Rounding the ranch house, Melissa set the cake down on the nearest table, next to some cobbler and oatmeal cookies. Jessica was right, Melissa was the last to arrive. The widow and Hannah, all the families and the single men stood around eating, chatting, playing games and having a good time. Even the reverend and his wife were there.
Richard came over and slid his arm around her. “This is great, isn’t it?”
Melissa smiled. “It’s very nice of them to throw us a party.”
Sudden tears burned behind her eyes, which she found ridiculous. It wasn’t as if she’d never had a going-away party before. Every time she’d changed jobs she’d received a cake. And one she hadn’t had to bake herself. She blinked back the unwanted tears and looked around. Perhaps the difference was she knew she’d never see these people again. She straightened her spine, struggling to hold it together.
Sully, Jed and Henry showed up on horses, dismounted, tied the reins to the corral fence and hurried over.
Melissa was glad for the distraction.
Sully grinned. “Did ya all think you were havin’ a party without us?”
Melissa smiled.
Richard shook his head. “We could only hope.”
Jed hit Richard in the shoulder. “We’re here to talk to your wife, not you.”
Richard rubbed his shoulder. “Fine. I know when I’m not wanted.” Sliding her a smile, he shrugged and left.
The three men grinned at her.
“Got somethin’ for ya,” said Henry. He swallowed, his prominent Adam’s-apple bobbing, and thrust a stick at her.
Gingerly, Melissa took it, looked at Henry, who was staring at the stick, then turned it over. The stick, about twice the length of her index finger had one side cut flat, and the words The MacPherson Ranch, 1887 carved into it, the lettering perfectly spaced, even and skilled.
“Henry whittled it, but it’s from all three of us,” said Jed.
Melissa felt a tickling in her nose and pressure behind her eyes. She put a hand to her chest and looked up at Henry. “Thank you. This is so sweet.”
Henry ducked his head and kicked at the dirt. “It was Sully’s idea. He thought you’d like it.”
Jed put a thumb to his chest. “And I found the stick.”
Melissa’s chin wobbled and she tried to hold the tears in, but they came anyway. She averted her gaze. “I’ll treasure it, because it’s from the three of you.”
Henry swallowed audibly. “Well, I’d better get me somethin’ to drink. I’m real thirsty all of a sudden.”
“Me too,” said Jed, as he took off.
“Well, don’t be leavin’ me here with no cryin’ female. Wait up,” called Sully.
Obviously panicked, the three men hurried off.
Melissa giggled and wiped at her eyes. Trying to get herself under control, she watched horseshoes fly though the air for a moment, then scanned the crowd.
Richard was talking to the widow, and she studied him with soft eyes. Melissa chuckled. The old bat had never looked at Melissa that way.
Cowboys were teasing Jeremy and pushing him around. Jeremy tackled one around the stomach and they wrestled. The bigger man turned Jeremy upside down and he struggled, his grin huge and his laughter loud.
Jessica and her friend were flirting with a young cowboy who was treating them kindly.
Sarah, Emma, Hannah and Amanda dished up dessert to some cowhands. Sully, Jed and Henry joined the line.
Tears started up again.
Richard came over. “Are you okay?”
Melissa made another attempt to control her emotions, and showed him the stick.
He admired it. “They’re good guys.”
Melissa nodded and slid the stick into her pocket. “I guess I am a little upset about leaving my--” she waved a hand in the air “--friends.”
She looked over to where Hannah was now talking with Jed. Hannah was half-turned away, still shy. “It’s too bad things didn’t work out between Jed and Hannah. I was hoping for a wedding announcement.”
Richard raised his brows. “Didn’t I tell you?”
“Tell me what?” asked Melissa.
“They do get married. And they have kids.”
Eyes wide, she looked up at Richard. “What?”
He grinned at her surprise. “Yes, it’s all in the genealogy. One of Sully’s grandsons marries Jed and Hannah’s daughter.”
Melissa shut her mouth. “I’m stunned.” She smiled and shook her head. “Absolutely stunned! That is so great! I can’t--” Her mouth dropped open, as suddenly appalled, she looked at Jed. “Jed is one of your ancestors?”
Melissa and Richard shared a look, then both started to laugh.
“Yes, but so is Hannah,” said Richard. “That should make you happy.”
Melissa nodded. She was very happy that Hannah had married and had children. It was a bonus that she was also related to their family. “So, let me ask you. If we weren’t here, would they have married?”
Richard grinned. “Makes you think, doesn’t it?”
The cowboy talking to the young girls jumped up on a stump and raised both hands. “Listen up, everyone. These two beautiful girls--”
Jessica and her friend giggled.
“--have reminded me that I have something to say, and I might as well get it over with now. It’s been a pleasure gettin’ to know the Kendals, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we’ll all be very sorry that you’re gone.” He grinned down at Jessica. “And I’m still sorry your daughter wasn’t a mite older.”
Everyone laughed.
“As I was saying, you haven’t been here too long, but we’re going to miss you, and we’re sorry you have to go.”
A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd, and many turned toward Richard and Melissa as if expecting a response.
Eyes blurred with tears, Melissa looked around. She couldn’t believe how emotional this was making her. She was going to miss everyone, and was touched that they would miss their family, would miss her.
“I just want to thank you all for--” Melissa’s throat closed. She waved a hand around to indicate the party.
Richard put an arm around her and pulled her close. “We’ve enjoyed being here. We’ve enjoyed getting to know you all, and we’ll treasure the friendships we’ve made.”
Melissa nodded. She felt like an idiot. What was the matter with her? She wanted to go home, didn’t she? Of course she did. That wasn’t the issue.
She was really going to miss these people. For the first time in her life she felt like she had some real friends; people who would miss her when she was gone. She’d never had that before.
She wiped at her eyes, and determined to stop blubbering. She would enjoy the party and enjoy being with her friends one last time.
Chapter Thirty
Later that night, party over and chores done, Richard walked back to the cabin with Jeremy. He rolled his shoulders, enjoying the pleasant, tired ache that had been part of him since his second week on the ranch. It was a good kind of fatigue. Working outside for the last few months had been great and his body appreciated it. Stronger, harder and tougher, he had enjoyed every minute of the exercise. And now that the evening chores were done, he was ready for bed.
But he doubted he’d sleep. This was their last night on the ranch, and a kind of nostalgic ache unsettled him. He carefully studied the area, trying to commit everything to memory: the orchard, the barn, the empty garden plot, the sounds of their boots hitting hard-packed dirt and their cabin with the windows lit up.
A horse whinnied, and he could hear cattle bawling in the distance.
He pulled in a deep breath and the smells of manure, alfalfa, hay and dirt fill his lungs. Permeated him. He was going to miss this place, but didn’t doubt that it was time to go home. They didn’t belong here.
He looked up at the nearly full moon and a chill ran through him. Clouds half-covered the sky, skittered in front of the bright orb, then drifted away again.
It hadn’t rained all month, and Richard hoped it wasn’t planning to start now. “You’d better do your job,” he said to the moon.
“What?” asked Jeremy.
Richard shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just kind of cold tonight.”
He didn’t want to worry Jeremy, but now that the time had come to go home, there was a big part of him that wondered if it was going to happen. What if it didn’t work? What would they do then? What would Melissa do?
“Yeah, it is kind of cold,” said Jeremy.
“Doesn’t it seem strange that this is our last night? Strange that we won’t be doing this anymore?” Richard gestured a hand to indicate the ranch.
Jeremy rubbed his hip. “Fine with me. Norrie won’t be able to kick me again for putting her in her stall.”
Richard reached out and rubbed Jeremy’s hair. “It’s a love tap. Anyway, admit it, you’re going to miss Norrie. You’re going to miss milking her.”
Jeremy threw him an astonished glare. “As if. The fat fiend would murder me if she could catch me.”
Richard laughed. “You want to know something?”
“What?”
“I have loved working with you.”
Jeremy’s mouth quirked up on one side. “Yeah, it’s been cool.”
Richard put a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder and they mounted the steps together.
Jeremy threw open the cabin door. “We’re back!” he announced.
Melissa and Jessica stood at the table, Melissa washing dishes, and Jessica drying. The lantern glowed bright on the top shelf, casting their shadows all the way up to the loft.
Melissa threw them a smile. “About time.”
Richard rubbed his hands together and blew into them. “It’s starting to get a little chilly at night.”
Melissa looked over her shoulder. “All finished with your chores?”
Jeremy nodded. “Yes, but I got kicked by Norrie again.”
Melissa’s eyes widened and she half turned. “Are you okay?”
Jeremy tugged off a boot. “Yeah, but next time I’ll just let the dumb cow run away and get eaten by coyotes before I put her in the stall for the night.”
“There won’t be a next time,” said Jessica softly.
Everyone went quiet.
Melissa threw Richard a quick look, then glanced down to fold the dish towel and lay it over the edge of the table to dry. “It’s time to get ready for bed, kids.”
No one moved.
Richard felt a tightness in his chest. This really was it. Their last night.
Melissa wrung out the damp cloth. “We need to be well rested for tomorrow; for tomorrow night. We don’t know how long we’ll be up. How long it will take.”
Jessica’s blonde head bent over and she started to cry. “I’m going to miss my friends.”
Feeling a little useless, Richard took a step forward, afraid to comfort her in case he lost it too.
Melissa dried her hands and pulled Jessica into a hug. “Jess, it’ll be okay.” Melissa’s voice cracked, her own emotions obviously running high.
Forcing himself forward, forcing the burn behind his eyes to subside, Richard hugged them both close.
Melissa tilted her head to meet his gaze.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Melissa’s face crumpled and she pressed her face into his shoulder. “I’m fine.”
Richard grinned, relieved that he could, and the pressure eased in his chest. “Is that what fine looks like?”
Melissa nodded, hitched in a breath, and looked around. Her gaze landed on the stove. “But I’m going to miss my stove!” She started to sob.
Incredulous, Richard glanced at the black contraption. She hated that stove, but now wasn’t the time to contradict her. “What about the one we have at home? It’s a top-of-the-line Aga. Remember all the fancy gadgets? The stainless steel design?”
Melissa sniffed, then wiped her eyes. “We have an Aga?” She looked around and her face crumpled again. “But I’m going to miss my table and chairs!”
Richard met Jeremy’s dubious gaze. They both looked at the rough table and chair set. “Think of your oak pedestal table.” Richard rubbed her back. “Think of your washer and dryer. No more scrubbing on a washboard.”
“No more laundry with my friends?” She met Jessica’s gaze, reached out and grasped Jessica’s hand. They both started sobbing in earnest.
Richard sighed. He’d never understand women.
Melissa blotted her eyes with her collar. “And what about my shelves with my little pink curtains? What about my windows? No one can clean the soot off as well as I can. What about my lantern? What about our family? Richard, this place has changed our family!”
He had to agree with her there.
“Come here, Jeremy,” she wailed, holding out an arm.
Jeremy shook his head, and rolled his eyes, but he dropped his boot and came forward.
Pulling him close, Melissa clung tightly to them all. “At least I’ll still have the three of you. And I love you all so much.”
And, of course, that said it all. His vision clouded as he lowered his head, his cheek against the top of Melissa’s head, his arms encircling his family. His heart thudded hard in his chest as he allowed the wonder of the moment to seep in.
That they had come so far, in so short a time, was amazing to him. And it was also what mattered. Maybe they would stay, maybe they wouldn’t, but as long as they were all together everything would be fine.
After a moment, Jeremy squirmed away.
Jessica hiccoughed, started to calm and drew away. “Think about our clothes at home,” she whispered.
Melissa brows drew together. “Yes, but...but what about...about...” her face erupted in joy. “I can’t wait to get home!”
Richard gripped Melissa tight and laughed.
Jessica grinned and twirled in a circle. “Baths where we don’t have to heat water!”
“Showers!” added Richard.
“Toilet paper,” Melissa said reverently.
“The trampoline!” said Jeremy.
“The refrigerator. Someone to cook and clean!” Melissa grinned. “I’m giving Claudia a raise when we get home!”
“Our jobs!” said Richard.
“Our cars!” said Melissa.
Jeremy grinned. “School. Mom, I should get an awesome grade on my science presentation, don’t you think?”
They all laughed.
Sudden fear showed in Melissa’s face. “Richard! We have to get home tomorrow!”
“I know. Don’t worry.” Coldness gripped his guts once more as he tried to keep his expression steady. “We will.”
They had to.
Chapter Thirty-One
So, this was it. They were actually going home.
Suddenly cold, Melissa wrapped her new shawl tightly around her shoulders, a gift from her women friends, and scanned the cabin to make sure she had everything. Their possessions, for lack of a better description, had been stuffed into gunny sacks and lay on the floor near the door. There wasn’t much.
Richard bounded up the stairs and into the cabin. “Well, I got paid.” He tossed one of the coins in his hand and the weak afternoon sunlight flashed gold before he caught it.
Melissa held in a sigh and refrained from shaking her head. It was too little, too late. Since they weren’t headed to town, they wouldn’t even have a chance to spend the money. “What are you going to do with it?”
His hand fisted over the coins. “Keep it. I’m going to frame the coins and hang them in the family room.” He glanced around the cabin and picked up the gunny sacks. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” Melissa joined him and, at the door, paused and took one last look around. The bed was made, the children’s bedding neatly folded on their cots. The curtains were closed on the shelves, but opened at the windows. The kerosene lantern buffed and on the center of the table. Everything was neat and tidy. The cabin had been cleaned until it sparkled and the next occup
ants would have no cause to complain.
Her throat tightened at the thought of anyone but their family living there. This cabin had been good to them. The cramped quarters had brought their family closer than Melissa could have ever thought possible. “I can’t believe we’re really leaving. Our former life feels like it was all a dream and this feels like the reality now.”
Richard laid a hand on her shoulder, his fingers flexing lightly. “Still want to go home?” he teased.
Melissa grinned, and thankfully, the feelings so close to the surface eased. She gave him a light shove. “What are you waiting for? Let’s get out of here.” After one last look around, Melissa followed him outside.
All their friends were there to see them off: Hannah, the widow, the Cowboy Wives, quite a few ranch hands, and of course, Sully.
Her throat tightened again, and her chest as well. She took a breath, determined not to cry.
Sully’s dog went crazy when he saw her, yipping and wagging his tail so hard his butt danced as he worked his way toward her. Melissa pressed her wobbling lips together and leaned over to pet the dumb animal, glad to have something with which to occupy herself as she reined in her wayward emotions.
After a moment, composure restored, she looked into the smiling faces of her friends. She wasn’t sure how it had happened, but she’d really grown to love these people and this place. She swallowed, unable to believe how hard it was to leave everyone. So much for her restored composure.
Eyes burning, she glanced down at Zeke again and dug her fingers into his black coat, causing him to whimper in ecstasy. She wouldn’t cry; she refused to cry.
Sully spoke up. “Well, you going to stand there all day, or are we leavin’? You’ve got a train to catch.”
Melissa laughed, straightened, and gratefully felt her self-control return. Sully was supposedly taking them to the train station two towns away, since they’d let everyone believe they were going back east.
Amanda stepped forward to give her a hug. “Promise you’ll write.”
Melissa nodded. “Of course,” she choked out the words, along with a silent apology because she knew she wouldn’t be able to contact any of them again. But what else could she say?