Page 14 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

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The next morning, Sam carried a small box of vegetables to his truck. He’d started early at Bed of Greens Truck Farm, knowing he had a full morning of work to complete before driving to the ranch this afternoon.

He’d have lunch at home, after cleaning up and finalizing his timesheet and paperwork for his boss. Invoicing would be his job if he started his own farm mechanic business. There were pros and cons. It was easier to work for someone else, but once he moved to Colorado, he’d need more flexibility in his schedule to do ranch work and farm mechanic work. Flexibility would be easier if he was his own boss.

If Sam was quick, he might have time to get everything done and follow Cindy and Becky to Colorado. Cindy was a stickler for time and wouldn’t delay her journey unless it was an emergency.

Connor waved and joined Sam at the truck.

“Thought you’d left earlier,” Connor said.

“That was the plan.”

“What happened?”

“Radiator hose in the old green tractor sprung a leak.” He’d finished the scheduled maintenance tasks early and waited around for the tractor engine to cool. Thankfully, he’d found a replacement hose in his spare parts supplies.

“Not good.” Connor checked out the box contents and chuckled. “Vegetables. Why do you need green stuff?”

He grinned. “My aunt. She asked me to pick up a few things.”

“Doesn’t she live on a ranch?”

“Yup. I’m following instructions.” Who knew why she needed beets and squash? Uncle Joe had asked him to help the ranch hands tomorrow while his cousins were out of town for the weekend.

“Maybe she’s putting you on a vegan diet.”

“Not gonna happen. I know where to find steaks in the freezer.”

Connor shook his head. “Good luck.”

“Should be wishing you good luck. I heard your audition went well.”

“I’ll find out next week.”

“You’ll pick up a role.” Most people who auditioned for the passion play landed a part.

“Hope so.” Connor took a step back. “See you round.”

“Don’t eat too many greens for lunch.”

“No way.” Connor laughed and strode toward the shed.

Sam opened his truck rear door. He wedged the vegetable box on the floor behind the front passenger seat. The Groenings, who owned Bed of Greens, were good people, and they wanted Connor to participate in the passion play. It was on Sam’s list to send his employer the rehearsal schedule and make the necessary adjustments to his work hours to accommodate the play.

Mrs. Alleghany had made her presence known in Heavenly Brew this morning. She’d talked non-stop about the auditions to whoever would listen. According to Mrs. Alleghany, Connor had competition for the Judas role. Sam had heard that tidbit of interesting information while waiting for Letty to make his coffee. If Sam was an actor, Judas would be the last role he’d want to perform in the play.

Sam fired up his truck, hit the road, and checked the time. He’d arrive home around the same time as Cindy and Becky would be leaving town. No chance of catching them or meeting at their favorite diner along the way. The rate he was going, with all the delays, he’d be stopping at the diner for an early fried chicken dinner instead of an afternoon snack. Cindy liked the diner’s salad selection. Too much green for him.

He turned up the radio volume, switching between the contemporary Christian and country music stations. He’d need to check the weather before leaving Gilead. Today was mild for January, but snow showers were a possibility at this time of year.

His blind date last night with Becky had turned out better than he’d anticipated. His nerves had settled after he’d recognized her from the elevator, and he talked more when he wasn’t stressed. Becky was cute, and she seemed like a nice girl. Very different to Miley. And she hadn’t given him an outright no to his plus-one wedding guest proposal. He’d need to thank Cindy for arranging the date.

Interestingly, he hadn’t heard from Cindy today. A good sign that he hadn’t scared Becky off, and that Becky was taking his wedding dilemma seriously. Cindy, and most of his family, didn’t have good things to say about Miley. When Miley had gone public with her relationship with Matt, Sam’s family hadn’t held back on sharing their thoughts.

One day, Gilead and the Miley situation would be a distant memory in his rearview mirror. Uncle Joe had allocated time this weekend to go over the ranch finances and share his plans for future investments in stock and ranch infrastructure. Sam hoped that conversation included an opportunity to discuss a location for Sam’s dream home. The homestead was large and, like his cousins, he wanted to build his own place. Then Dad might visit the ranch more often than a short annual Christmas trip, and Mom would be happier.

He’d talk to Cindy about keeping his friendship with Becky under wraps. The last thing he wanted was their moms talking about Becky, and his mom hatching wedding and grandbaby plans. It was a temporary arrangement. Nothing more. It helped that Becky was a beautiful woman with a to-die-for accent. Their mutual attraction would make a potential romantic relationship more believable. If Mrs. Alleghany had been at Heavenly Brew last night, the whole town would have him married off to Becky by dinnertime.

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