Page 59 of The Wedding Ranch
“That was a lisa,” he said.
“You name the butterflies out here?” She looked at him like he was crazy.
“No. That would be a big job. Have you seen how many butterflies there are out here? Lisa is the type of butterfly. Very common.Eurema lisameans ‘little lisa’ or ‘little sulphur.’”
“I like lisa better.”
“Me too.”
Her quiet laughter was as soft as morning fog. She walked over to where Thunder and Dottie were tied. “Can I pet the horses?”
“Sure. Like I tell the kids, they have teeth, so theycanbite. But they are both very friendly.”
She placed a flat hand above Dottie’s nose. “You are so beautiful.”
The horse raised her chin, her mane shifting in soft strands across her neck.
“I think she likes me,” Lorri said.
“She likes everyone. I’ve had Dottie since she was a baby. My sister named her, because of the polka dots.”
“That’s cute. How old is she now?”
“Dottie is twenty-eight.”
“I didn’t know horses lived that long.”
He laughed. It was fun watching her delight in the things he’d taken for granted for so long. “Yeah, they do. My horse is Thunder. He’s a cutting horse.”
“What’s that mean?”
“He helps me work cattle. He’s a good horse. They both are.”
“Hmmph.”
He wasn’t sure what that littlehmmphwas for, but he figured it would become clear soon enough.
Ryder retrieved their lunch from the truck. “Think it’s too hot to eat outside?”
“No. It’s a perfect day. What can I do to help?”
“Not a thing. Follow me.” He led her over to the chairs he’d set up under the awning. “Have a seat.” He placed the cooler between them, then divvied up the food. “My buddy owns Pastrami Joe’s. His sandwiches are the best. We’ve got a Tuscan Turkey or the Hammer.” He took both sandwiches out of the bag. “Your choice. Figured since you ate barbecue at the fair I didn’t have to worry you might be a vegetarian.”
“Heck no. My favorite food is hamburgers.”
“Oh, you haven’t had a hamburger until I’ve cooked one for you on the grill. I’m kind of known for them.”
“I can’t wait,” she said without hesitation. That made him happy.
He handed her a sandwich and put his to the side, then pulled out the container of pasta salad. Handing her a cold bottle of water, he smiled as his hand grazed hers, then pulled off his ball cap and bowed his head, blessing the food with a quick prayer.
When he lifted his eyes, she was smiling sweetly. “Amen,” she said.
“Dig in.”
“This is a great lunch. I’ve eaten there often. It’s always good, but I think eating outside makes the food taste even better. I could get used to dining outdoors like this.”
“Best view in town, and it’s always changing.”
