Page 58 of The Journey That Never Ends

She shook her head. “He’s a rescue. I don’t know if he was formally trained. But I’ve seen him herd a cow.”

The cowboy tipped his hat. “My name is Lane Cooper.”

She smiled. “Elana Taylor.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Are you related to Cecilia Taylor?”

She blinked. “I’m her granddaughter. When did you meet Cecilia?”

A slow grin blossomed across his handsome face. “Mr. Ronald brought her over to meet us earlier.”

She smirked. “And what kind of impression did she make on the cowboys?”

He laughed. “She’ll keep Mr. Ronald on his toes.”

A sudden wave of sadness washed over her. “I guess she’ll be staying here, then.”

Lane shrugged. “Seems that way. She said she is from South Carolina. Is that where you’re from?”

She nodded.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Doesn’t sound like you want to go back.”

Elana sighed. “I have a job that I have to get back to.”

He laughed. “Doesn’t sound like you like your job very much.”

She thought for a second. “I guess I don’t. Maybe taking this road trip made me realize that.”

He nodded. “So, get a job you like.”

She cocked her head at him. “It’s not that easy.”

He rested an elbow on his saddle. “Isn’t it? Life is too short to stay at a job you hate.”

She studied him. “What did you do before you became a cowboy?”

He grinned. “I was an accountant. But I took a trip to Montana for a month and realized I was a lot happier out here. So I quit my job and started working for Mr. Ronald. Now I make half of what I used to, but I’m twice as happy.”

Elana pressed her lips together. “Was it scary? Starting over again?”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “Like you wouldn’t believe. But it was also freeing.”

The cowboys across the arena yelled at Lane to get his attention.

“I have to get back to work. It was nice meeting you, Elana.” Lane tipped his hat to her before riding away.

“Start over,” she murmured and glanced down at Jack. “Think I’m too old, Jack?”

Jack looked up at her and let out a bark.

She laughed. “I don’t know if that was a yes or no. I guess I’m going to have to figure it out.”

CHAPTER37

After getting her emotions under control, Elana walked back toward the house.

Her father was standing on the porch glaring as she approached.

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