Stranded with the Rancher. Tina Radcliffe

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      “She’s on her way to New York,” he said flatly.

      “Oh, I know.” His mother’s tone was musing and Dan shivered.

      Silence stretched.

      “It’s been six years and you haven’t even been on a date,” Elsie observed.

      Dan sighed. Okay, well at least now they were on familiar ground. The same old story he heard week in and week out. “I have a daughter to think about.”

      “Oh, pooh, Amy isn’t the issue here.”

      “What is the issue here?” he returned.

      “You.”

      Dan said nothing for a long moment. He didn’t think he was gun-shy. Sure, he’d made a mistake six years ago, but he’d learned plenty since then. He’d like nothing more than to settle down in Paradise with someone special. That someone special just hadn’t come along yet.

      His mother meant well, but he didn’t have the energy or desire for a debate. “I’m thinking that if you want to fix someone you should take care of Joe. He’s got a chip on his shoulder bigger than the valley.”

      His mother paused and tilted her head, eyes narrowing. “True. One project at a time.”

      Dan bent down for a final check of the supplies, and then stood and dusted off his hands.

      “What’s next?” Elsie asked.

      “I’ve already looked in on the cattle and brought a few pregnant heifers into the barn.”

      “Problems?”

      “I don’t know, but they were acting strange, so I want to keep a closer eye on them. I’ll check them again during the night.”

      “What’s the feed situation?”

      “I’m about to put out the hay and feed cakes.”

      “I can help.”

      “You’ve covered for me all morning. Take a break, Mom.”

      “I merely fed the chickens and the herd dogs. Even Amy can handle that.”

      “That’s one less thing for me to do.”

      “I’ll help with the cattle,” she said.

      Dan exhaled and faced his mother. “You don’t trust me to do Joe’s job?”

      “Of course I do. All I’m saying is that ranch work is safer in pairs. Everyone knows that. Look at your brother. If he’d only waited for you...” His mother’s lips thinned, and for a brief moment her shoulders sagged with grief for her eldest son.

      Dan couldn’t deny her logic there. If Joe had waited for him to help with that tractor repair he might not have lost his arm. But Dan wasn’t going there. Not today. He’d just end up feeling guilty over something that wasn’t his fault. Joe was stubborn and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

      He moved to his mother’s side and gave her a long hug. “Look, I promise to call the house when I need help.”

      “Thank you,” she whispered.

      The landline began to ring and Dan reached for the receiver, grateful for the interruption.

      “Hey, Ben. Okay, got the situation covered. Yeah, no problem. I’ll keep you in the loop and we’ll be praying.”

      His mother raised her brows, concern on her face.

      “Ben’s at the Paradise Hospital. Deke Andrews’s dad fell on the ice and broke a hip.”

      “Oh, no. What’s the situation?”

      “On his way into surgery. Maybe you better call the Paradise Ladies Auxiliary and tell them to start the prayer chain.”

      “Yes. Yes. I’ll do that.” She frowned. “So does that mean you’re on call again?”

      “Deke was covering for me. Now call duty is mine again. You can add the ranch to your prayer list, as well, because if those cows start calving early and I get called out on a medical emergency you might find yourself helping out with more than you signed on for.”

      Elsie merely grinned, excited as a kid. “Just like the old days. I used to help your father when calving season began.”

      “I’m glad you’re happy, because I keep thinking about all the potentials for disaster. Every cow counts, as Joe always says, and he’s not going to understand if I leave the ranch to tend to a mere human when his precious cows are calving.”

      “You can only do your best.”

      “I hope my best is good enough. Joe’s been through enough. I don’t want to let him down now.”

      “I’m proud of you, Dan, and I know Joe will be, as well. Just remember you aren’t in this alone. The Lord is on your side, and so am I.”

      Dan shook his head as his mother’s words sank in. “You’re right, Mom. I’m not alone.” He smiled. “How’d you get to be so smart?”

      Elsie merely grinned.

       Chapter Four

      The house was quiet as Dan tucked his flannel shirt into his jeans and crossed the living room toward the kitchen. Barely 6:00 a.m. The sun wouldn’t rise for another hour, but there was way too much to do and he was restless.

      He started the coffee, and as the brewer gurgled and then hissed, he pulled two muffins out of the fridge and began a mental list of the day’s chores. His gaze drifted to the big picture window. Snow continued to fall; now forming drifts that hugged the barn and the garage. The moonlight illuminated the sky, and he could make out the dark humps that were actually cattle huddled together in the feeding pen.

      “Coffee.” The whispered word was as earnest as a prayer.

      Dan turned to see Beth in the doorway. She barely acknowledged him as she sank into a kitchen chair.

      “Addiction problem?” he murmured.

      “Yes. My only vice.”

      “Only one vice?”

      The corner of her mouth quirked, but her eyelids remained at half-mast. “That I will readily admit to.”

      “Ah.” He nodded. “Don’t like it fancy, I hope.”

      “No. Just strong.”

      “That I can do.” Dan pulled two stoneware mugs from the cupboard and set them on the counter.

      “What about you?” she asked.

      He СКАЧАТЬ