Page 7 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas

At the sound of the approaching wagon, the men looked up. Dax and Luke lifted their hands in greeting, rushing over to help their wives to the ground.

“Afternoon, ladies,” Dax said, grinning at Rachel as he lifted her by the waist. “Have a nice lunch in town?”

“We did,” Rachel replied. “And we’ve brought back a visitor. Eliza’s going to stay with us for a few days.”

“Wonderful.” Dax introduced her to Luke and Spencer.

Spencer stepped forward, offering to help Eliza down. “Allow me, ma’am.”

Eliza hesitated before giving a curt nod. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Doctor Gladstone.”

She turned away, following Rachel and Ginny into the house. Behind her, she heard Spencer heft her satchel and fall in step several paces behind them.

Stepping into the warmth of the ranch house’s front parlor, she glanced around at the homey décor. A fire crackled in the massive stone fireplace, radiating heat. Rachel and Ginny removed their coats and hats, motioning for Eliza to do the same.

“Make yourself at home, Eliza,” Rachel said. “I want to check the guest room.”

Setting down her satchel, Spencer touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll leave you ladies be. Good day, Doctor Gladstone.”

Eliza inclined her head. “Mr. Haglund.”

As he left, Rachel returned from down the hallway. “Come, let’s get you settled in.” She picked up Eliza’s satchel, motioning for her to follow her.

As Eliza got settled, she noticed the sky had darkened, indicating the approach of another storm. Releasing a deep sigh, she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, ready to join the women in the parlor.

The next morning dawned bright and cold, the sun glinting off the frosted meadows surrounding the ranch. After breakfast, Rachel bundled up, leading Eliza outside for a tour.

“The main bunkhouse is over there,” she explained, pointing out the long, low building. “The wranglers and ranch hands live there, except the married ones. They live in the cabins behind the bunkhouse.”

She gestured toward a larger cabin not far from the main house. “Bull Mason, one of our foremen, lives there with his family. Our other foreman lives at the ranch house several miles east of here. He oversees operations in the eastern section of the ranch.”

Rachel pointed to another cabin. “The cabin over there is where Billy Zales and his wife, Shining Star, live with their son. They’re expecting another baby soon.”

Eliza peered with interest at the cozy cabin, smoke wisping up from the chimney. “How wonderful for them.”

“I’ll introduce you to them at supper tonight.”

Rachel next showed Eliza the largest of the three barns. As they approached, Eliza heard horses neighing inside.

“This one serves as our main stable.”

Eliza stepped into the dim interior, the smell of hay and horses enveloping her. Her eyes adjusted to the light and widened at the sight of the beautiful horses in their stalls.

“Magnificent, aren’t they?” Rachel said. She walked Eliza along the stalls, introducing some of the ranch’s prized stock. “We breed horses, as well as raising cattle.”

Eliza reached out a hand to stroke the velvety nose of a chestnut mare. The horse nuzzled her palm.

“She’s one of our brood mares. We’ve had her for years,” Rachel said.

“She seems very gentle. You obviously take good care of her,” Eliza remarked.

“We do our best,” Rachel replied. “They’re the heart and soul of this ranch.”

Eliza nodded, feeling a newfound respect for these hardworking ranchers. She could see beneath their rough exterior lay a deep love for the land and animals in their care.

As they left the barn, Rachel looked at Eliza. “I hope this gives you a sense of how we do things around here. We may seem backwoods to some, but we do know our business.”

---