Page 48 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“Because this land is part of our family history. It’s in our blood. Could you imagine growing up anywhere else but here?”

He shook his head.

“It wasn’t just about you kids. It was about us a bit, too.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who am I without the ranch? Who is your dad? The idea of leaving the land sent him into a depression.” She laughed and pulled her hand away, leaving Leo’s feeling cold and abandoned. “Could you see the two of us working for someone else? Their terms, their schedule. Or even just see us sitting at a desk all day?”

He shook his head wryly. At one point early in his rodeo career he’d agreed to a short contract to help a saddle company with some marketing. He hadn’t realized how much time he’d be sitting behind a computer, learning spreadsheets. He’d lasted four days.

“So here you are.”

“Here we are.” She opened her hands.

He leaned forward. “I hope your names are on the deed as well, because the amount I sent doesn’t cover even half the value.”

“We learned to celebrate what we have. See the abundance amid scarcity. The idea of losing all this reminded me and your father why we’re here. What made us good together. We had to find a way to re-appreciate it all. Including each other. Youknow your dad and I were high school sweethearts?”

Leo knew they’d started dating in high school, but the wordsweethearthad never been used to describe their relationship. It had been more a story of how they’d both had the same plans for ranch life, family and kids.

“We could see how our life was going to unfold after graduation. And I knew I’d have my best friend at my side. It was wonderful. It helped us through so many tough times.”

Leo thought of all the things his parents had gone through, the looks they used to share at the end of the day, that unspoken language they had. Was that their friendship speaking?

“Did you hear we’re going to spend three weeks in the Caribbean?”

“The Caribbean? Do you even own bathing suits?”

She laughed. “We’ve always wanted to go, so we rented a little beach hut along the water. We’re going to sit there and enjoy each other’s company.”

“For three weeks?” No cattle to check on or feed. Just sit and talk. He couldn’t see it.

“For three weeks.” Jenny-Lee grinned. “It’s time me and my love had some time just for ourselves.”

Me and my love?

Where were the parents he knew?

And he had shares in this ranch?

He wasn’t sure how all of this new knowledge changed his world, but he was fairly confident that it would.

“Don’t give me that look,” his mom said with a laugh.

“What look?”

“You know your dad and I love each other very much. Marriage isn’t some platonic business deal. We would have never made it through the hard times without some pretty deep love for each other.”

“But…” Leo closed his eyes, trying to summon all his thoughts into one question. “How did you manage to stay together for all these years if you weren’t doing those little things that tell each other you love them?”

“Maybe we were, and it wasn’t for you to see.” She gave him a look that suggested he mind his own business, then got up, taking the cookie jar, and laughed at his baffled expression. Leaning forward, she whispered, “Bridge night.”

“What about it?”

“Neither of us knows how to play.”

CHAPTER 7

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