by Lilah Rivers
“Very well, I look forward to seeing you both,” the reverend said.
Tobias gave him a smile in lieu of a goodbye, but the reverend then paused and turned to them again.
“Oh, and Mrs. Stubbs, I wanted to congratulate you on your news. I am sure that you are very happy to know that your property is undisputedly yours now,” he said.
Tobias watched the interchange with great curiosity. As Mary took in a deep, satisfied breath, it was clear that she was more than just happy.
“Thank you, Reverend Walker. I am looking forward to forging ahead, even after everything that we have been through at the ranch,” she said.
“The session will be praying for you,” he said, taking his leave from them.
“Well, it sounds like news really has gotten around,” Tobias said.
“You mean that the ranch is mine, officially?” she asked.
“Yes, about that. You must be happy,” he said.
“I am,” she replied.
“Like I said, I have been a rancher for many years. You know, I really mean it when I say that I would love to help you out. I can assist you in just about anything, any tasks that you might need help with,” he said, allowing his eagerness to show.
“I am grateful for your offer, but I am really not worried. I think I have proven my competence,” she said.
“Oh, certainly, for a year. I mean, one year being in charge of a ranch is impressive, but you should also know that there are never two years the same. You may have one year go great, but the next? It’s possible that everything will fall apart. You could have floods or droughts. You just never know what’s going to happen when you are a rancher,” Tobias said.
“Oh, really? Wow, I never thought of that,” she said, looking worried.
Tobias was thrilled. She was starting to doubt herself. She was starting to see that maybe she wasn’t cut out for this, after all.
“It’s true. You know, you really have to be prepared for any and every possible circumstance. If not, you might find yourself in a real predicament,” he said.
“I can’t imagine how difficult that would be. You mean even next year might not go as well as this year did?” she asked.
“It is possible. Always unpredictable,” he said.
“So, I should probably try to figure out what I would do in those types of situations. I really don’t want to find myself stuck in the middle of a tough situation for me and for my ranch hands. They’re good guys. I have to consider how all of this would affect them,” Mary said.
Her shoulders had begun to droop and Tobias felt bad. He hadn’t wanted her to be so discouraged, but he needed her to realize that the ranch should be run by someone like him, someone with experience. And since it was only a matter of time before she would decide to sell, he needed to show her fast.
“I mean, what do you think I should do?” Mary asked.
“Well, like I said, I am always happy to help. I know all that there is to know about ranching,” he said.
“Thank you. You’re too kind. I really felt confident with everything that I had learned over the past year,” she said.
“Well, now you are prepared for the things that might be different. But you know, a year just isn’t long enough to know everything. And if it doesn’t go as well from here on out, you can always make it easier on both of us,” he said.
“How so?” she asked with a shining hope in her eyes.
“You could let me buy your ranch,” Tobias said.
Mary smiled at him and then started to give a beautiful laugh. But the tone of the laugh changed into something rather more…sarcastic.
Like the flick of a horse tail, she went from her merriment to a face as blank and flat as anything he’d ever seen before.
“No,” Mary said.
And with that, she turned from him and walked away.
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