Page 45 of Christmas with the Cowgirl
Jackson had told him how so many ranches ran on a shoestring, and that it was only the combination of Nic’s reputation as a trainer and her father’s skill at breeding Angus cattle that had enabled them to keep going.Others weren’t doing so well, and every day was a battle.
As the truck slowed, he looked around.Wondered what it cost to keep a place this size going, and how Riley and her dad managed it alone.Or if they did.More likely they were one of the ones Jackson had been talking about, the ones who were struggling.
“This is the longest border between us and the Baylors,” she said as she parked the truck.“We have a deal, that we split the cost of repairs, and alternate who puts in the time and work.”
“Sounds…neighborly.”
“They’re the best kind of neighbors.”
It took them a couple of hours, but by the time the fence was solid again he felt good.There was something about seeing the result of your labor right there in front of you, and right after you’d finished, that was immensely satisfying.And he’d done more on this one than just hand over tools.He’d dug, settled, tightened, and so felt truly a part of it.
“Thanks,” Riley said.“That went a lot quicker than if I’d had to do it alone.”
He wondered how she would have managed that, but didn’t ask.It didn’t seem like a wise thing, to question her capabilities.By now he knew better than to ever underestimate this woman.
When they were done loading the truck back up and had climbed into the cab, Riley gave him a rather tentative look.
“What?”he asked.
She hesitated, then said, “When I’m out this far, I usually head on to the overlook.”
“The overlook?”he asked, then it hit him where she must be talking about.
“Then let’s go.I’d love to see it again.”
And again.And again.
The light was beginning to change as they got out of the truck at the base of the rise.There were enough clouds today to keep the temperature at around sixty, average for a Texas December, and it was comfortable making their way up to the bench, as Riley called it.
“Nic said something about storms coming in the next few days?”he said as they sat down.
She nodded.“Could be some nasty weather.That’s why I wanted to get the fence done now.”
He should have known.She always seemed to be thinking ahead.Preparing now, to avoid trouble later.Just like Jackson’s character, Austin Holt, did.So at least he hadn’t been far off on that.
“I should thank you,” he said as he stared out over the rolling hills, so beautifully rendered in that painting on his wall at home.
“For what?”
“Letting Kyle Rafferty paint this.And often enough that he could still do it from his mind’s eye when he was far away.”
“So it could inspire you from a thousand miles away?”
“Yes.”He gave her a sideways look.“And a million miles in outlook.”
She smiled at that.They lapsed into silence.Oddly, sitting here with her quietly didn’t bother him.He didn’t feel the need to fill that silence with jabber, or think up something, anything to talk about.It was fine—better than fine—just being here, looking out over the vista Kyle Rafferty had captured so well in that painting at home.
He wondered if she’d charged the artist for access to this vista he’d captured so well.Somehow he doubted it, even if it would have helped them financially.But that she’d given him permission made that idea dart into his mind once more, tugging at him.And only the fact that he was enjoying this quiet peace so much kept him from broaching the subject right here and now.But he could already tell that eventually he would, because this wasn’t the flit in and out kind of idea that occurred once and then was gone forever.And if indeed the Garretts were struggling, it could be good for everyone concerned.
In the end, it was his stomach that broke the silence, with an embarrassingly audible growl.
“Uh-oh,” Riley said, her tone clearly teasing.“Somebody’s hungry.”
“Somebody’s not used to the kind of work you do here,” he admitted.
“But you kept up.”
“Barely,” he admitted with a wry smile.
