Page 51 of Moonlight Over Montana

“That’ll be fun. What’s the story with Daphne? Is she going to live at the big house forever?”

Maggie glanced at Susie. “I don’t know and it’s none of my business. What I do know is you need to get in the shower so we’ll be ready to go on time.”

She got off the couch. “Fine, but I’m not peeling potatoes.” Grinning, she picked up her mug of cocoa. “This hit the spot. Thanks, Mom.”

“Save me some hot water.” Maggie sighed. Today was starting off at a nice and easy pace. Why was it that she had begun to think every time she was relaxed, another bomb might go off? It had been this way since the fire. Even though mostly good things had followed, it still had her reeling.

Susie’s cell was vibrating on the coffee table and Maggie picked it up. She didn’t recognize the number. Her finger hesitated over the answer button but instead, she changed her mind and put it back down. It must be a wrong number and she waited to see if the phone pinged with an incoming message, but it didn’t. Satisfied it was a mistake, she picked up the tray and went to tidy the efficiency kitchen. One thing she wouldn’t miss when they were able to move back to town was the apartment-size stove and refrigerator. But the downside was, Jed wouldn’t be next door.

Maggie and Susie came out of their cabin and Jed came out of his at the same time.

Susie looked from one to the other. “Did you guys plan this?”

Maggie slung her arm over Susie’s shoulders. “Of course we did.”

Jed jogged down the steps and took Maggie’s hand as they walked in the direction of the dining hall.

Susie fell in step next to Jed. “You know I’ve been wondering about something.”

Jed looked at her. “And what might that be?”

“How come no one here ever drives to a meal? We see people just walking like zombies following the smell of food.”

He chuckled. “You’ve eaten Quinn’s food. It sticks to your ribs and the ranch hands don’t want to have to buy new clothes every six months so they indulge and then walk some of the extra calories off.”

“Good point.” She pointed to a truck kicking up dust on the road in. “Hey, that looks like Clint and Polly.”

Maggie turned her head. “How do you know everyone’s vehicles?”

“I spend time at the barn, remember, and people are always coming and going. Mom, you need to get out of the kitchen more and experience all that ranch life has to offer.”

She clutched her chest in mock surprise. “Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”

“It’s no biggie. I realized I’m pretty lucky to be able to stay on this ranch, learn to ride, and meet so many nice people.” She beamed at Jed. “Especially you.”

He tapped the rim of his cowboy hat. “Thank you kindly.” He added a deep drawl which made Susie laugh.

The trio climbed the wide steps to the dining hall and despite the cold, there were several windows cracked and the smells coming from inside caused Maggie’s mouth to water. “Is it always like this for a holiday meal?”

“Christmas is even better. Just wait and see for yourself.”

She liked how that sounded. He held the door for her and Susie. once they were inside and got their coats hung on a couple of free hooks, Susie made a beeline for Mary who was sitting on a leather sofa overlooking the entire ranch. As Maggie watched, she had a twist of sadness that her parents were in Arizona for the holiday, but the cold bothered her dad’s arthritis and they were nervous about snowstorms and driving. Dad never developed a fondness for air travel. It seemed that Mary was a surrogate grandmother today and by the look on hers and Susie’s faces, it was a perfect match.

“Hey, pretty lady, are you ready to dive into kitchen duty?” Jed bent low to her ear. “And you are very pretty today in the burgundy sweater.”

She let her gaze take in all of Jed’s cowboy-ness from his boots to his just tight enough Wranglers and a heavy flannel shirt. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Annie interrupted the mutual assessment of the other with a quick hug for each of them. “Come on into the kitchen. Quinn is waiting on both of you.”

Jed’s gray eyes twinkled. “Ma’am, we’ll follow you.”

Annie winked at Maggie. “Darn tootin’ he will.”

As Jed had mentioned, Daphne rearranged the tables in one large square in the middle of the room. Someone had started a fire in the large field stone fireplace that dominated one wall. As everyone gathered around the table, people were in high spirits, laughing and joking. Maggie wasn’t surprised to see that Jed had been right; it was like a large family. Complete with the kindly uncle types and jokesters, one of the ranch hands talking with Susie had her laughing. She had grown comfortable with the ranch and it wasn’t just for show from what she had said earlier today.

Annie and Linc took their seats in the middle of one side. Mary sat to the right of Annie and Daphne was on Linc’s left. It was easy to see they were the nucleus to all that surrounded them. Without Annie’s strong but gentle hand in running the ranch, it would have folded after her grandfather passed and with Linc by her side, they made an unbeatable team.

She clinked her water glass with her knife as she stood. The din in the room quieted down and all eyes were riveted to her. Jed had taken Maggie’s hand under the table, and Susie was grinning at them from the other side.

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