Chapter Thirty-Nine
In honour of Joaquin, Daisy and Mama Clara, we planted three new cherry trees.
Cash’s parents came up and helped plant them.
Cash and his dad wrote down the words of the Spanish lullaby Joaquin used to sing and tucked it in with the soil.
Cash is learning to play the charango, and he strummed along as we sung the lullaby together.
Cash’s parents also said a little prayer.
It was a beautiful moment I will never forget.
During this winter, with not much work to do on the ranch, I’m shocking Dad by taking up his offer of college.
Agriculture and business classes to start, so that when I’m set up again on the ranch I’ll be able to sell my produce bigger and better than ever.
He came to see how the grass has grown. I’m going to do “my ranch thing” as he calls it, and he’s not going to convince me otherwise.
He’s trying. I hear it each time we talk.
Even if he was shocked at the time, I think me standing up for myself when I was pushed to the brink made an impression on him.
I notice when he stops himself from being controlling, and I’ve set clearer boundaries, which I’m going to stick to.
Cash won the amateur bronc-riding competition at the finals in Pueblo. We all went out there to watch, even Lani – who I’m going to Maui with over Christmas. I even bought my own ticket. Cash had the ride of a lifetime. He successfully obtained his pro permit and will now ride in PRCA events.
Kaylee is taking a year away from school.
She wants to help her dad with their ranch.
She knows Rhett likes Mom, and Mom likes him.
We found out they’d been talking since that day when Rhett and Kaylee brought their cattle over and I gave Mom’s number to Rhett.
We’ve joked about being stepsisters some day.
Emery left for college yesterday. She took the truck, but said she’ll give it to me after her car is fixed, as long as Dad’s OK with it.
When she came up to say goodbye, I invited her to the barn and gave her one of the pearl necklaces I found in the desk.
I showed her the desk, the saddle and the bronze horse I continue to keep in my pocket, and told her about the two sisters who used to live here.
“Emery, why did you tell Dad about the debt when I asked you not to?” I asked her.
She sat in the desk chair and rolled the strand of pearls in her hand. “I never meant to hurt you.”
“I didn’t think you did, but that’s not what I asked.”
“I felt so bad about the fire, Dahlia. As your older sister, I’ve always felt responsible for you. I thought it was my duty to fix things, and I figured Dad would help. Will you forgive me?”
I took her necklace and put it over her head. “Yes. As long as you promise me we’ll have movie nights each time you come home from college and never stop talking about guys together.”
She smiled. “I promise.”
“And … I never want you to feel like the ranch isn’t yours too. If you want, we can learn about this place together.”
She stood up and put the other pearl necklace over my head. “I’m proud of you.”
“Really? How come?” I asked as she picked up the photo of Daisy on the desk.
“For being my scrappy little sister who wouldn’t let bad odds deter her from chasing her dream.”
I grinned. “Thanks, Emery.”
She held Daisy’s photo next to my face and said, “You kinda look alike.”
I chuckled. “You think? Funny. I think you look like Dottie.”
*
Now I’m at the top of a picking ladder, sneaking a peek at the colony of bees that swarmed. They decided to settle in a cherry tree, black and hollowed out. They’re happy in their new residence and will raise a new queen.
I watch for a long while as a bee does her waggle dance. As I make my way down the ladder, I get to the second step and slip. A jolt of panic seizes me until I feel warm arms wrap round my chest.
“I’ve got you,” Cash says, a smile emanating from his eyes. “You aren’t supposed to be working with the bees.”
“I know. Just checking on them.” I’m about to turn in his arms when to my surprise he lifts me and sets me on top of a horse. It takes me a moment to get my bearings, and I latch on to the horse’s black mane. Cash holds the horse still and grins up at me.
I pull off my veil and ask, “What’s going on?”
Cash leads me away from the tree with the bees. I take off my gloves and look down at the young colt’s soft black-and-white coat. He’s a paint horse, almost identical to Daisy’s horse, Bandit. “I should get down. He’s still only a baby.”
“Mi flor, you’re not big enough to hurt him just sitting there. This little guy is eight months old.” Cash turns the horse’s head so I can see his eyes. “Look. Two blue eyes.”
“He’s stunning!”
“Got a good head on him too, comes from good stock.”
“OK, but are you going to tell me why he’s here?”
“He’s yours now. Thought you could use having a youngster around here. Not to replace Blue, just give him a break. Maybe even start something with this guy.”
“Really? Like what?”
“Anything. Use him as a ranch horse, start a breeding facility, take visitors on trail rides…” He snaps his fingers.
“Ride him through the orchard and pick cherries, if they come back. Or don’t do anything but love on him and feed him treats.
Whatever you decide, I have a feeling it’ll be legendary. ”
“Legendary, huh?” I smile, leaning down and hugging the colt’s neck.
His hair is still fluffy and baby soft. I slide off and grab Cash’s shirt, tugging him towards me.
“Thank you.” I gaze at him and run my thumb across the birthmark on his neck.
We kiss and the world and time and space stand still.
This feels like heaven on earth, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.