9. Fevered
NINE
Fevered
WILLOW
“I think I have cabin fever,” I announced with a sigh to Ro over our lunch of bologna sandwiches on Tuesday.
“A fever? I hope I don’t catch it. I’m supposed to start school tomorrow.” Ro’s worried face got to me, despite how excited she was about school.
I chuckled, wanting to share this cute moment with Ash. Although we hadn’t seen Ash since Sunday night as he had some meetings in Lewistown for ranch business.
My ankle was healing, less swollen, and about the only other thing I did was make a few phone calls to get Ro registered for school. As lovely as this cabin was, I needed fresh air and sunshine before I went out of my mind .
“Cabin fever is simply a saying, honey. It means I’ve been cooped up inside too long.”
“Oh. Whew. Eli says the playground at school has a huge fake bull kids can climb on at recess. I can’t wait.”
I could hardly believe her change in attitude, when all summer long in California, she’d dreaded having to face the mean girls again at her old school.
In my heart, I believed that coming to Montana had been the right decision for us. No matter what happened between me and Ash. No matter what the future looked like.
A knock came at the door and Ro bounced off her seat to answer it. She peeked out the window and then opened the door. “It’s Daisy. Hi.”
“Hey, Ro. I just stopped by to tell you that Colt saddled Marshmallow if you’re ready to ride after lunch.”
“Can I, Mom?” Ro would practically live on Marshmallow now if she could.
“Of course. I’ll hobble over to watch you and get some sunshine. I need a break from this cabin.”
“Why? Is something wrong with Ash’s cabin?” Daisy stepped inside and took a look around. “Oh, wow. He did such nice work. Look at this place.”
“Ash?” I limped closer, brow furrowed .
“Well, he built it, didn’t he? For months he complained about how he couldn’t wait to get out of that crowded bunkhouse and into a private place all his own.”
We’re staying in his cabin? I about swallowed my tongue at this news. Why didn’t he say something?
“Oh, here, Ro. A gift from me and my sisters.” Daisy held a shoe box out to her.
“For me?” She ripped the top off and gasped at the little pair of light blue cowgirl boots. Tucked inside each one were a variety of school supplies.
“We guessed at the size. Ivy carries boots of all kinds at her shop in town if you need to exchange them. We wanted you to have a good pair to wear on your first day of school. And, well, you can never have enough glue, pencils, and markers.” Daisy winked at her.
“That was so nice of you. What do you say, Ro?” I was truly touched by their gift.
“Thank you!” She plunked to the floor to inspect it all and then whipped off her shoes. She tugged the boots on and asked, “Can I wear them now while riding?”
“Sure.” I nodded, and off she ran to the barn. “Daisy, can you walk beside me? I’m still a little unsteady on this ankle.” In a haze about Ash’s cabin, I followed Daisy out.
“This is a gorgeous ranch.” I filled my lungs with fresh air, so different than city life in California.
“It used to be my family’s ranch. We live just on the other side, that way.
” She pointed in a general direction that I thought might be northeast. “Our parents were older, and passed away too soon. I tried to keep the ranch running and take care of my sisters. But between the work and our debt and back taxes, it became too big of a mountain to climb.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea what you’d been through.”
“We’re fine now. Chris Magnus bought the land and turned it into this rescue ranch.
At least he was kind enough to parcel out about twenty acres around our home for us to keep, most of it the apple orchard my mother had started years ago.
Sage and Poppy keep that growing. It’s harvest time right now, so they’re busy picking.
Anyway, I’ll be forever grateful to Chris for getting us out of a tight spot. ”
“Seems like a man with a good heart.” I kept an eye on Ro up ahead, who had slowed and become more interested in gathering wildflowers along the way.
“That was why there weren’t any buildings here.
Ash oversaw the barns and bunkhouse being built, and various other buildings for the animals.
I remember the day Ash got his plans approved for his own cabin.
A smile finally appeared on his grumpy face.
Just like Sunday night, all smiles having you two at church. ” She side-eyed me.
My cheeks pinked. “Well, you and your sisters are certainly surrounded by a whole lot of testosterone out here. Ever get tired of all the guys?”
“You mean the endless parade of flirty and sarcastic ranch hands who see a female and like to tease them without shame? Honestly, it’s kind of refreshing after living with my moody sisters.
Out here, most of the time, these guys are clowns, letting off steam, looking for a laugh.
But just like the horses, some of them are here needing a rescue themselves. ”
“Sounds like Ash. I’ve been hoping to get through to him—although I suppose you’ve known him long enough to know all about his past?” I tried to sound casual instead of fishing for intel.
Daisy snorted. “Ash? No, he keeps whatever ails him close to his chest. He can be a pretty intense guy by day running things around here, but I’ll bet he’s a sweetheart underneath if a woman dug deep enough.
Seems like too much work for me. I’ve already got a full plate working and keeping my sisters in line and a roof over our heads.
I don’t have time for complicated relationships. ”
I held a newfound respect for Daisy. Both of us single women, caring for the people in our lives. In that space, we somehow shared a sisterhood.
Suddenly, a few four-wheelers approached and parked up at the barn door. We watched a few of the ranch hands dismount through a cloud of dust.
“Hey Daisy,” Knox shouted from the group. She waved him off as if she didn’t care.
“So, you’re not interested in Ash then?” I confirmed, just to be sure.
“Nope. Besides, I have a feeling there’s only one person he might care about. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you Sunday night, from what I could tell.” She cocked her head in my direction.
“We have a complicated history.”
“Well, don’t let that stop you, and don’t give up on him,” she winked with a teasing tone in her voice as if she knew exactly what was going on.
We stopped by the arena, where Ro handed us two fistfuls of flowers. Daisy started telling her what kinds they were, when from inside the paddock, a horse neighed loudly and often.
“Sounds like Juniper. I'd better go see what’s going on.” Daisy jogged off, but didn’t get more than five feet away when the horse came running into the arena, with Colt not too far behind.
“Juniper!” Ro shouted. The mare halted beside us, sticking her head through the bars of the fence. It nickered and sighed and strained to reach beyond Ro to—me. I didn’t know what to do, and stepped back.
“Wait, Willow. Very carefully and slowly, reach out your hand to Juniper and let her sniff you,” Daisy instructed, just a couple of feet away. Close enough to get between us if the situation became dangerous, I hoped.
“Like this?” I did what I was told. Juniper sniffed and sighed into the palm of my hand. I’d never spent time around horses, but believed them to be the most beautiful, curious creatures.
Juniper nudged my hand. “What is she doing?” I whispered.
“I believe she wants you to pet her. Lift your hand up to her muzzle and give it a gentle pat.”
Once again, I followed Daisy’s lead. Only this time I looked the mare in the eyes, her darling chocolate orbs that reminded me of Ash’s. Juniper and I shared a moment, and a bond formed I couldn’t explain.
“They say horses choose us. I think Juniper has chosen you, Willow.” Daisy shook her head as if she couldn’t believe it .
“What about me? I fed her peppermint. She chose me too,” Ro insisted.
“Don’t worry, Ro. I feel sort of left out too,” Colt quipped, holding the halter.
Knox joined us then. “Daisy, have you had Dusty examine her yet? Because I think she could be pregnant. She’s irritable, a little round in the belly?—”
“Why didn’t I think of that? I’ve been so wrapped up in getting her to calm down. I’ll call him straightaway. Is that your issue, girl? Just trying to protect your foal?”
I gave Juniper one more pat and assured her, “We've got you, mama. We’ll take good care of you.”
Daisy chuckled and brought out two peppermint candies from her pocket for Ro and me to feed the horse. “Now, if you two wouldn’t mind walking along the arena to the barn, baiting her with these mints, we’ll see if Juniper follows so that we can get her squared away.”
It worked, and Juniper followed beside us, sighing along the way, calming down like I somehow brought her peace. There was someone else I hoped to bring peace to as well—Ash. Could I have the same effect on him?