Chapter 16 #2
He chuckled and nodded to JJ. They went around the table, each of them saying who they were, what ranch or farm they ran, and anything else they wanted the group to know.
When it landed on Dawson, he cleared his throat, threw his brother a look, and kept his head low so Finn couldn’t see his eyes. “I’m Dawson Rhinehart. I run my family ranch with my older half-brother, Duke. We’d like to ask for prayers for my daddy.”
He cleared his throat, his voice already deathly quiet. “He’s not doing well. The doctors say it’s just a matter of time now.” He swallowed hard. “We’ve talked a lot about it, and I think we’re past the point of healing. Daddy’s eighty-eight years old.”
He looked over to Brandon, who nodded.
“We’re asking for prayers of peace for our Momma,” Brandon said. “And for him to pass quickly and peacefully, and that he won’t be in much pain.” He too swallowed and cleared his throat. “She’s much younger than him, and we’re going to have to figure out what she needs once he’s gone.”
Dawson nodded, and both he and Brandon looked at Finn. The room stayed silent, the weight of Dawson’s words settling over Finn and reminding him of how good these men and women were, of how good God was.
“Of course,” Finn whispered. “We’ll keep them in our prayers, Dawson; Brandon. Thank you for sharing that with us.”
Several others murmured their agreement, and Finn watched as Henry slung his arm around Dawson’s shoulders, and Link patted Brandon’s hand.
“Ty, you’re up,” Finn said after another moment or two.
He first nodded down to Dawson. “I’ll pray for your momma and daddy.” He drew a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking.” His voice changed on the last word, that familiar gruff edge reappearing.
“I finally moved out of my parents’ house, and I’m doing great. I think the next step is for me to get my own place—like a hobby farm, or even just a piece of land where I can have horses and a big garden.”
He shifted in his seat and looked around the room without letting his eyes land on any one thing or person.
“Nothing huge, obviously. I can barely walk. Just like…somewhere I can keep my horse and maybe have some space to work with animals. I’ve got money saved from my rodeo days, but I don’t really know where to start looking. ”
Finn looked around the room. “Light ‘im up, boys. What do we know that’s out there on the market?” He had a great real estate agent, and he could text the information to Ty later.
“You said you looked at the Hensen place?” JJ asked.
“Yeah, and it’s a joke,” Ty said. “Winnie and I just drove by.”
“Well, it used to be a petting zoo,” Conrad said. “I can’t imagine it’s in good condition.”
“Ruby and Trap are there today anyway,” JJ said. “I think someone may have bought it.”
“Good luck to them,” Ty said darkly.
“There’s a property out west,” Link said. “It kind of butts up against the northern edge of Shiloh Ridge.” He leaned forward. “Wild? Who owns that?”
“The Knightlys,” Wilder said without missing a beat. “Though, I’ll be honest, there are massive drainage problems in that area.” He pointed to himself. “Ask me how I know.”
“How do you know?” Paul asked, kicking a grin toward Wilder.
“Because I’m building my house in the same area, and it’s a swampety-swamp-swamp.” Wilder did not look pleased, but Finn couldn’t help the laugh that came flying out of his mouth.
“Swamp is a swear word,” Link said, grinning at Wilder. “In case you’re wondering.”
“We’re talking about swamps?” Rock asked, and Finn looked over to the doorway, where he and Gun stood. “Oh, sweet. We didn’t miss the burritos.”
They both entered, took a couple of burritos each, and squeezed in at the table around Link and Mitch.
“What about talking to a realtor?” Tate suggested. “Someone who specializes in small properties?”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Ty said.
“I know a guy,” Finn said. “I’ll text you his name and number.”
“There’s the Lucky-H Lodge,” Alex said.
Ty looked over to him. “I haven’t heard of that.”
“It’s out on the western side too,” Alex said. “His brother knows Nikki’s brother…or something like that. I heard he was looking to sell.”
Finn had never heard of it, but he didn’t know every operation in the Panhandle.
“It’s maybe ten acres,” Libby said, peering at her phone. “Ty, I’ll forward you this listing.”
Ty’s expression brightened slightly. “Yeah, thanks, Libs.”
When the conversation seemed to end there, Finn looked at Jake. “You’re next, my friend,” he said with what he hoped was a warm smile.
The veterinarian cleared his throat. “I’m Jake Ahlstrom,” he said, his voice steady despite the attention of upwards of twenty people now riveted on him.
“I’m the new vet at Three Rivers Ranch. My daddy, Garth, was the foreman there for years before he retired.
I graduated and worked at Buffalo Ranch for the past few years, down in the Hill Country, but I’m back in Three Rivers now. ”
“Jake’s been a huge asset to us,” Libby said from her seat. “We’re lucky to have him.”
“His parents are getting older too,” Finn said with a nod. “And we grew up together.”
“You’re way older than me,” Jake said with a grin. “But I loved to follow you around like we were friends.”
“I’m only six or seven years older than you,” Finn said. “Plus, everyone at Three Rivers was like family to me.” He looked around at everyone crammed around this table, that familiar, wonderful warmth spreading through his chest.
This sense of community, of brotherhood, of shared experience, was exactly why he’d started these meetings.
“We might need to find a bigger place to meet,” he said.
“Well, if you’d stop inviting everyone you know,” JJ teased.
“I want Smiles here when he comes back too,” Finn said without missing a beat. “And we’re missing Trap and Angel today.” He surveyed the group again. “This has been a great place, but I’ll look into somewhere that can handle our size.”
“We could even move it around,” Tate said. “We have big rooms above the grocery floor at Wilde and Organic.”
“Let’s talk afterward,” Finn said, ready to get down to business. “Okay, so I thought we’d talk about what’s on everyone’s mind as we move deeper into winter. We made it through this first big storm, but the forecast isn’t looking great for the next few weeks. What are you all doing to prepare?”
“We’re rotating animals into barns,” Link said, raising his hand halfway at the same time. “Making sure everyone has shelter and that our water systems don’t freeze.”
“Same here,” Henry said. “We’ve been wrapping pipes and checking heaters in every building, rotating horses, and cleaning more regularly. Wet hay is bad business for horse’s hooves.”
“What about feed?” Finn asked. “Everyone stocked up?”
“I’m good through March for my few horses,” Colt said. “But I’m worried about the orchards. If we get another hard freeze, it could damage the trees.”
“Have you been covering them?” Alex asked.
“As much as we can,” Colt said. “But there’s only so much you can do when you’ve got hundreds of acres.”
“Maybe you need more seasonal help if the weather stays nasty,” Tate said. “We’ve brought on a few extra people at the produce farm.”
Colt nodded and typed something into his phone.
“Birthing season’s in full swing too,” Dawson said. “We’re expecting about fifty calves between now and April. I’m already losing sleep over it.”
“If you need help, call me,” Conrad said. “I’ve got experience with difficult births, and my neighbor used to work on a sheep farm in Montana. He knows how to get babies through bad weather.”
“Anyone can call me anytime,” Link said. “We have cowhands at Shiloh Ridge I can dispatch.”
“Yeah, and we have hundreds of calves being born too,” Gun said. “But Wilder has been great with scheduling, and he’s been teaching me, so if you need help managing that, I know we’d sit down with you and go over it.”
“I’m good with horse care,” Rock said. “And happy to help anyone if something comes up.”
“I can help with any veterinary questions,” Jake said. “Sometimes a quick video call is all it takes.”
Finn beamed at him, thrilled he’d volunteered himself as a resource. The conversation continued to flow, with some of their more vocal members—Henry and Conrad and Link—speaking the most. But plenty of others piped in when necessary, and he saw more than one person taking notes.
This was what he loved most—the willingness to show up for one another, no matter what. He closed his eyes and let the words dull into a distant roar in his ears as he prayed.
Lord, thank You for bringing us together today.
I ask for Your protection over our ranches, our families, and our animals as we face the challenges of this season.
I pray for Dawson’s daddy and his momma, that You’d grant them peace and comfort.
I ask for safety as we work, wisdom as we make decisions, and strength to keep going when things get hard.
And I thank You for this community—for friends who show up, who help, and who remind us we’re never alone.
Finn opened his eyes, the reality of the men and women around the conference room table rushing back at him. Lacy’s hands moved like lightning, and when Mitch wanted to say something, she called out, asked his questions or said his piece, and the conversation continued.
Finn’s heart had never felt so full. He caught Ty’s eye, who gave him a lopsided smile, and then looked at Jake. He wore bright hope in his expression, and Finn knew that despite Ty’s protests about being here, or Jake’s reluctance to come, they belonged.
They all did.
Pure gratitude filled him for the third Thursday of the month, for this band of brothers and sisters, and for the small town goodness that made Three Rivers feel like a little slice of heaven on Earth.