Page 17 of Redemption

The first step was to go back to my ranch and complete my morning duties. Afterward, I’d come back and hammer this gate down if need be. Next time, Anna wouldn’t be able to keep me out of Harrington Ranch.

5

Anna

“ToldMaxyou’reindisposed,”Jake said.

I stood beside the ranch house with Beth and Ethan

“Good,” I said in a low tone.

Recalling how annoying Max could be sometimes, I turned back to Jake.

“And what did he do?”

Jake’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Well, he’s still lingering at the gate. Probably wondering what ‘indisposed’ means in this context.”

I didn’t think so, but left Jake to amuse himself with the thought.

“Thank you, Jake,” I said.

He waved the thanks off and took the horse back to the stable.

I looked around, taking in the ranch—the sprawling fields, the old wooden fence, the creaking of the wind turbine, and the distant mooing of cattle.

Today, I had an important task that didn’t need distractions like Max. The only way to take care of Grandpa’s ranch was to inspect it first. I wanted to assess its current state and decide on the best course of action to breathe life back into it.

I exchanged a glance with Beth. She gave me an encouraging smile, nodding.

Ethan leaned against the fence. His weathered face reflected years of hard work under the sun. I’d found out in the past few days that he was a dependable pillar of strength for the ranch, too.

Our first destination was the ranch house. The structure had endured years of neglect. I meticulously examined each room. When I got to the study, I took in the peeling wallpaper and dust-covered furniture.

“I remember thinking that this is the most beautiful room in the house,” I murmured to Beth.

She nodded, her eyes filled with sorrow.

Next was the pantry. The once-stocked pantry now had empty shelves and a dwindling supply of food.

“The food supply has run low over the years,” Beth said. “Your grandpa did his best to shield you from the ranch’s troubles.”

Guilt gnawed at me for not being there when Grandpa needed me the most.

“I wish I could have been here to help him,” I replied.

Afterward, we walked across the ranch to the barn.

The ranch no longer had numerous cattle, sheep, and goats that roamed the fields. Instead, they’d been reduced to a mere fraction of their former number.

Ethan shared the reason for this drastic decline.

“We faced harsh droughts. The rising costs of feed and veterinary care took their toll as well. Your grandfather struggled to keep it all together.”

We continued our inspection, moving from the barn to the cowshed and the silo. All of them bore the scars of neglect. The structures that had once stood proudly were in dire need of repair.

My heart grew heavier, and I turned to Ethan.

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