Page 244 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“I thought maybe I could do something to help single mothers.”

“That sounds like a brilliant idea. What would you do?”

“Well, I’ve worked on a ranch all my life, and I have a lot of skills that correlate to ranch life, but also could correlate to the real world. I have carpentry skills. I mean, I’m not a carpenter but I know how to build a thing or two. And I know how to work on a farm and take care of daily tasks, and I thought maybe I could teach at a non-profit and give women skills that they might not have so that they can find jobs that usually go to men. We always have so many ranch hands that are men, and we hardly ever have any who are women. But why shouldn’t women have the same opportunity, you know?”

“I think it’s brilliant, Sadie,” Arya grinned at me. “And you see? I feel special.”

“You do? How?”

“Because if I hadn’t come with Eloise, then maybe you wouldn’t have gotten that idea, right?”

“That’s true.”

“So, my presence sparked something in you that made you want to go on to help others?”

“Yeah, it did.”

“And your presence in someone else’s life could spark that in them and lead to even bigger things for someone else they know.”

“You’re right … So, you think I should go ahead with it?”

“I do. Do you know how you would start to teach these classes?”

“I figured I could call around some nonprofits and see?” I shrugged. “I don’t really know.”

“Well, I’d be willing to help you, if you want. I can make some calls and help you figure it out.”

“Oh, would you, Arya? That would be absolutely amazing?”

“Of course,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. And actually…”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I might want to take your class as well. I’d love to learn some new skills.”

“Oh my gosh, you don’t have to take a class. I can teach you—”

“No, I want to take it in the class in a formal setting,” she insisted. “I think it will be fun. And I’ll get to meet other women who are in a similar situation to me, and it will be a real bonding experience.”

“Yeah. Wow, you got me excited, Arya! I’m really, really excited about this. I wish I could make the calls now, but it’s night.”

“I know. What does Wyatt think about it?”

“Oh,” I said, wrinkling my nose, “I kind of didn’t tell him.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“Well, he’s got so much on his mind, and I didn’t want to be a burden to him. Plus, since the kiss, we haven’t really spoken.”

“Oh, no. It’s not awkward, is it?”

“Well, he’s called and texted me a couple of times, but I haven’t answered because I just don’t know what to say.”

“Oh, Sadie, you can’t do that! You have to speak to him if there’s something on your mind.”

“I know, I know,” I interrupted her, “but I don’t want to think about it right now. Can we just drink our fears away for now?”

She laughed. “Sure.”

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