“Thanks for your help today, Lena,” Di said as we drove up the ranch’s driveway. “It was nice to have another set of eyes.”
“Um, sure,” I replied.
It wasn’t lost on me that Flint didn’t voice his agreement.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
That evening Flint retreated to his cabin even though Jet and Jasper joined us for a movie in ours. It was another thing I’d noticed over the past four days. Flint rarely joined the group when we hung out in the evenings.
The next morning, Di, Jacinda, Mica and I all walked up to the main house for breakfast. Our feet shuffled quietly on the gravel as a morning dove crooned in the distance.
“What a beautiful morning,” Jacinda murmured.
“Hmm,” was all Di replied.
Normally, Di joined Flint first thing, but since he wasn’t waiting on his porch for her, she’d continued on with us. I couldn’t help but think the reason for Flint’s absence was because of me. Maybe he didn’t want me joining them again today. Maybe, he’d whisk Di away when I wasn’t looking. I bit my lip as the main house came into view.
When we entered the dining room, soft country music floated in the air. The thought of a big breakfast had my spirits rising. I still felt perpetually hungry, even though I’d probably gained a few pounds. All thoughts of food vanished, though, when I caught a glimpse of Val.
I immediately knew something was wrong.
Pete’s wife stood in the kitchen wringing her hands in between frantic movements to the stove, oven and dining room. The room was also suspiciously empty. Not a guest to be seen.
“Where is everyone?” Mica asked.
Jacinda put her hands on her hips. “Good question.”
Since nobody was in the dining room, I wondered if we were early. The clock on the wall read just after eight. We weren’t that early.
“Oh!” Val stood in the entryway to the kitchen, her eyes wide. “You’re here!”
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes!” Val turned and hurried back to the counter. She picked up a bowl and beat something furiously. “Everything’s fine, nothing to worry about! Just give me a little more time!”
“No, everything’s not fine,” Pete said. I almost jumped when he appeared behind us.
Di’s gaze narrowed. “Why? What happened?”
Pete sighed. “It seems Sheena and Mary Beth ran off with two of the cowboys.”
“Sheena and Mary Beth?” I said.
“The two girls that helped Val in the kitchen,” Pete explained. I vaguely recalled the plump blonde and skinny brunette that often frequented the dining hall.
Di crossed her arms. “They didn’t give you any notice?”
Pete shook his head. “No. They took off in the middle of the night. Val found a note from the girls. One of our guys, Tyler, found a note from the cowboys. They’ve all cleaned out, gone to Vegas. Something about getting married.” Pete shook his head. “I doubt they’ll be back.”
“That sucks,” Mica commented. “Does that mean no breakfast today?”
Before Pete could respond, Jacinda said, “Is there anything we can do to help?”
Val stopped her frantic beating. Her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes glowed with fatigue. “Don’t be silly. You’re our guests here.”
“It’ll go much faster if you let us help,” I said.
“Yeah,” Jacinda added. “We’re not busy.”
A shrewd expression covered Di’s face. After a moment, she said, “We’d be happy to help.”
Her admission surprised me. I figured she and Flint would disappear regardless of what the rest of us did.
“Oh, you couldn’t possibly want to spend your time doing this!” Val cried.
Pete walked to Val and put a hand on her shoulder. “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” He said it so quietly, I almost didn’t hear him.
Val’s gaze softened. Her shoulders relaxed. “Okay, thank you.” She nodded toward a mountain of fruit. “You can help cut that up.”
After getting situated, we formed a line along the counter. I had the oranges, Mica had the pineapple, Di, the strawberries, and Jacinda, the melons. I glanced at Di curiously as we cut up the fruit. Her movements were quick and methodical. She seemed to be thinking about something from the concentrated expression on her face.
A few minutes later, she wiped her hands on a towel. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To talk to the guys. If two cowboys also quit, Pete may need their help.” She was about to turn when I grabbed her arm. Her muscles tensed and her gaze drifted to my hand. I hastily let go.
“You’re going to ask the guys to help too?”
Di’s gaze subtlety shifted to Val before she turned back to me. In a quiet voice, she said, “If they’ve had workers quit, they may need to hire more help. The new girl’s not coming for at least another week, possibly two or even three. We need to stay in this area until then and the more we conserve the pile, the better. An income would help.”
“You mean you’re hoping they’ll hire us?”
“Keep your voice down!” she hissed. Mica glanced over her shoulder but went back to cutting the pineapple. Jacinda meanwhile, pretended like she hadn’t heard a thing even though it was impossible she hadn’t.
“Maybe,” Di said. “I need to run it by Flint to see if he agrees.”
She strode out the kitchen’s screen door before I could ask anything else. It banged loudly behind her.
With Di gone, Jacinda and I took over the strawberries since Mica seemed to have her hands full with the pineapple. Mica winced when one of the thorns pricked her finger.
“Damn fruit.” She cut into another piece, again with too much force, and grimaced when another thorn stuck her.
“You want to trade?” I asked.
“Thought you’d never ask.” She dumped the remaining fruit in front of me.
As I cut carefully through the rough skin, my thoughts drifted to what Di said. She was going to try to wheedle us into jobs on the ranch if Flint agreed. Flint’s image popped into my head. Those dark eyes, his tanned face and perfect lips. I almost dropped my knife. Perfect lips? Really, Lena? The guy’s got a girlfriend!
“It’s crazy that Val’s workers quit,” Mica stated.
“What?” My knife almost slipped.
“I’d never give up a job on this ranch,” Mica sighed. “Well, if I worked with the horses. I’m not much for cooking, but working outside would be great.” Mica’s chatter soon helped distract me. She talked about rounding up cattle, taking the guests on trail rides and lassoing calves. I smiled at some of her ramblings.
Di returned a while later, stating the guys went in search of Pete to offer what help they could. She didn’t fill me in on what she and Flint decided, and I didn’t ask. It was becoming obvious that putting distance between myself, Di and Flint was probably best. Even though I wanted answers at any cost, my heart still ached knowing that Flint was taken. Perhaps a little distance would cool my feelings.
Mica, however, grumbled enviously. “Couldn’t I join them instead of doing this?”
“If Val needs help here, than that’s where we’ll help,” Di said sternly.
Mica rolled her eyes.
About an hour later, the kitchen returned to normal. With Val’s direction, we finished preparing the food and arranged the buffet table. With all of us working, we soon had a mountain of food prepared.
“We did it!” Val said, as she topped off the coffee.
“Of course, we did it.” Mica put her hands on her hips. “Now, we just need people to eat it.”
“When are the guests coming up?” I asked.
Val wrung her hands in her apron. “I don’t know. Pete went to their cabins first thing this morning to tell them breakfast was delayed. He must have forgotten about all of you.” She gave us an apologetic smile. “I was so flustered. I told him to have them stay put until I finished. I guess they
’re still waiting in their cabins.”
“They must be hungry,” Jacinda commented.
Val nodded. “I’m sure they’re all ravenous. Not to mention, the activities have been held up because of this.”
“They can all come up now, right?” I said. “We could get them for you, couldn’t we?”
“Sure!” Mica replied. “We’ll get ‘em.” She tromped out the door before Val could respond. Dirt flaked off her boots, and the door banged loudly behind her.
“Oh…” Val paused. She eyed the dirt and reached for the broom in the corner. “If you don’t mind. I’ve got a bad knee and walking up and down the gravel drive flares it up.”
“We don’t mind,” Jacinda replied.
“Be back before you know it,” I added.
Val gripped the broom tighter. “Well, I still need someone to carry a few things out.”
“I’ll stay,” Di said. “Just tell me what to do.”
Val let out a sigh. “Bless your souls.”
Outside, Jacinda and I caught up with Mica. The three of us walked to the cabins. In the daylight, the ranch stretched as far as I could see. Pastures and fields traveled for miles. The main house sat at the highest point and overlooked the valley that dipped down in front of it, although a barn off to the west sat a little bit higher.
Twenty minutes later, we had all of the guests in the dining hall. To say that Val was over the moon would be an understatement. She also practically kissed us when we offered to refill the buffet as things ran out. Di of course had been the one to insist we help. Val seemed completely oblivious to every calculating move Di made.
When the guests finished, Val dished us all large plates of food. The four of us sat in the empty dining room while Val washed a mountain of pots in the kitchen. Banging from the pots echoed into the hall. Jacinda nibbled a piece of fruit. Di merely watched Val, taking bites of toast every now and then. That gleam was back in Di’s eyes.
Turning toward us, Di set her toast down. “New plan. We’re going to try to get jobs on this ranch.”
Jacinda set her fruit down and wiped her hands. “Jobs doing what?”
“This.” Di held up her plate of food. “If Val and Pete are willing to hire us, it’ll not only give us a steady income so we don’t have to use the pile, but it’ll also give us an excuse to stay in this area while we wait for the new girl.”
“Does that mean we’ll be cooking every day?” Mica complained.
“If they hire us, yes,” Di said.
Mica groaned dramatically. Jacinda patted her on the back.
Di stood and approached Val. They fell into conversation. I watched through the open area into the kitchen. From Val’s shaking head and fluttering hands, I guessed she was saying no, but then Di said something else, and after a few more exchanges, Val smiled again and seemed contrite.
Di sauntered back. “Get your cleaning gloves ready ladies. Looks like we’ll be cabin cleaning all morning.”
“Cleaning?” Mica stated. “Seriously? Can’t I go with the guys?”
Di crossed her arms. “That’d be up to Val. I told her we could all help until they find new staff.”
Mica’s eyes brightened. She raced to the older woman. After a few quick exchanges, Mica squealed in delight and disappeared out the screen door.
I cocked my head. “Until they find new staff? But I thought we were trying to get their jobs?”
A glint shone in Di’s eyes. “All in good time.”
I had no idea what that meant, but I did know one thing, Di had a plan and the only person who knew about it was Flint.
CHAPTER TWELVE
We spent the morning cleaning. Apparently, the normal staff routine consisted of breakfast prep, followed by cabin cleaning and then lunch prep and serving. Following that, it was lunch cleanup and supper prep. After Val wrapped the pans of lasagna we’d made for the supper meal, she put them in the fridge.
Her cheeks were still rosy but the frantic movements were gone. “I can’t thank you all enough. Now, you girls go enjoy your afternoon. There’s archery down by the pond this afternoon. Perhaps you’d like to try that?”
“What time should we be back?” Di asked.
Val wiped down the last counter. “Oh no, you’ve done enough.”
Di crossed her arms. “I thought we talked about this. We’re happy to help until you find more staff.”
Val wrung the washcloth out a bit longer than necessary. “But I hate to ask that of you. This is your vacation.”
Di smiled. The expression looked entirely out of place on her face, but my guess was that Di found the description of this being our vacation as amusing as I did. Since when was trying to find your identity and forgotten memories a vacation? Of course, Val didn’t know about that.
“We’re really just aimlessly traveling right now. No plans. Just tell us when to be back,” Di said.
“Well, if you don’t mind, are you able to come back at six?” Val folded the washcloth neatly on the counter. “I really hate to ask it of you, but if you’re willing…” She wrung her hands again.
“We’ll be back then,” Di said.
Val nodded contritely. “Bless you, girls.”
The three of us left and ambled back to the cabin. I glanced at Di’s watch on her swinging wrist. Two in the afternoon so four whole hours to kill.
“Won’t us getting jobs cut into your and Flint’s research time?” I asked. The sun shone down as our feet crunched into the gravel.
Di eyed me coolly. “Yes and no. If you hadn’t noticed, only four of their staff quit, yet there are seven of us. That means we won’t be working full time.”
I bit my lip as I realized she’d already worked out all of the details. “In other words, you’ll still have time to search for answers even if four of us are on the clock every day.”
“Exactly.”
“Is that what you’re going to do now?” I asked as our porch came into view. “Are you going back into town for the afternoon?”
Di shook her head. “Not today. I’m going to try to see her again.”
With that, she climbed the steps to the cabin and retreated inside. My guess was to her bedroom. If Di’s visions were always like what I’d witnessed yesterday, I wouldn’t be surprised if she preferred having them in private.
“What about you?” I asked Jacinda. “What are you going to do?”
The panicked expression that coated her face, the expression that always seemed to appear when our situation was mentioned, slowly disappeared.
“How about a manicure?” She picked up my hand. The panicked look was replaced with a horrified one when she got a look at my nails.
I glanced at the upper barn. It was one of the few places I hadn’t explored. I pulled my hand back. “I was thinking about going up there.” I nodded toward it.
“Why?” The horrified expression remained.
I shrugged. “Want to join me?”
“No thanks.”
“Okay, see you later.”
I took off toward the upper barn before Jacinda could insist my nails came first. Ever since noticing the barn, I’d been curious what lay behind it.
I struggled up the large hill, cursing the thin air. I still wasn’t used to the altitude. Huffing, I reached the top.
The view around the main house had not prepared me for what resided beyond the ranch. Distant mountains gleaming with snow shone on the horizon. Rolling, forested hills stretched for miles. An abundance of wildflowers littered the perimeters of the surrounding pastures. It was like something off a postcard.
“It’s Lena, isn’t it?”
His voice startled me. One of the cowboys stood at the entrance to the barn. He dusted his hands off on a leather apron that covered dirty jeans. Sunlight gleamed off his faded cowboy hat.
I cocked my head. “Do I know you?”
He shook his head, smiling. “No. Mica told us your names when she started helping this morning. She said the redhead was Lena. I’m
guessing that’s you?”
“Oh, right.” I realized I’d seen him before in the dining hall. He’d never helped in the group activities, though.
“You lookin’ for someone?” he asked when I didn’t say anything.
“No. Just looking around.”
“I hear your helpin’ Val in the kitchen?”
“Yeah, until she can find more help. I don’t have to be back till six so thought I’d take a walk.”
The cowboy stepped closer, and I was able to see him in more detail. He had hazel eyes. Dark blond hair peeked out from under his cowboy hat. His face was angular but had soft contours. I guessed he was young, probably in his early twenties and those soft lines would harden with age. He grinned and held out his hand.
“I’m Dean Stewart. It’s nice to meet you.”
I returned the smile and shook his hand. Something about Dean pulled at me. He seemed so genuine and friendly. I switched my vision. When a white cloud appeared, I wasn’t surprised.
“So what are you doing in there?” I snapped my sight back to normal.
“Just shoddin’ one of the mares. You can watch if you want. Pete has me do all the horses.”
We walked into the barn. Scents of hay and horse hung in the air. I blinked at the light adjustment. A mare in cross ties peeked over her shoulder when she heard our voices. She was a pale golden color and nickered when Dean got closer.
“Hey, Giselda.” He bent down and lifted a front hoof. Alongside the mare were a number of metal tools.
“Is this your horse?” I asked.
“No.” Dean smiled again. “My horse is in the pasture out back. The big gray gelding with the black mane. I’ve had ‘im since I was a teenager. He’s a great cattle horse.”
Every time Dean spoke, his voice became more animated. I was beginning to understand why he’d been so welcoming to my company. He seemed to enjoy meeting new people as much as I did.
I smiled back. “What’s his name?”
“Coal.”
“Can I meet him later?”
His eyes lit up. “Yeah, I’ll get Giselda done and then we can go out back. You can even ride ‘im if you want.”
Forgotten (The Lost Children Trilogy Book 1) Page 9