Chapter Eleven
Jensen
The sun rose steadily over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sprawling fields of the ranch.
I stood by the barn, after having breakfast with the men, and contemplating the day's tasks we’d spoken about.
Briggs and Tru were taking care of the repairing of fences, Sunny and Max would check on the livestock and move some of the herd from one paddock to another while Virginia and I would ensure the watering systems were functioning correctly.
The rhythm of ranch work was comforting in its predictability.
But more and more, my thoughts were distracted, constantly drifting towards Harlyn.
Her presence had brought a new energy to my life, one that was both invigorating and unsettling.
I couldn't help but think of the moments we had shared—the glances and touches that spoke volumes, the passion that radiated between us when we made love.
I wondered if she felt the same pull, the same undeniable connection.
The decision she faced about her future weighed heavily on me, I couldn’t bear to think of her leaving.
I knew I had to open my heart to the possibility of a life with Harlyn, to let go of the past that had kept me bound for so long.
Harlyn was not Clara, she would never lead me to believe she was in love and then walk away.
As I checked Jackie’s saddle, prepared to start the day, I was filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The chores would be my anchor, keeping me grounded even as my thoughts wandered to the possibilities that lay ahead—to the possibility of a long life with Harlyn.
Virginia approached on her mare, Cinnamon, the hooves sending up small puffs of dust as she neared. "Are you ready, Jensen?" she asked, her eyes scanning the horizon behind me.
I nodded, pushing thoughts of Harlyn aside for the moment. "Let's get to it," I replied, mounting Jackie with practiced ease.
Together we rode out to begin checking the water troughs. The ride was quiet, the only sounds coming from the rhythmic clopping of hooves and the occasional bird call. As we approached the first trough, I noticed it was nearly empty and my eyebrows pinched together in a frown.
"There must be a hole or blockage of some sort for the trough to be so empty. We need to fix this," he said, dismounting and inspecting the trough.
Virginia’s hands worked deftly in an attempt to uncover any damage or a blockage in the pipe.
"Got it…twisted hose pipe," she said triumphantly, the water beginning to flow again.
I smiled at her efficiency. Virginia was young but she was proving to be invaluable to the ranch. My gut instincts about her being a dedicated worker when I’d hired her were constantly proving to be right.
We continued our rounds, ensuring each trough was functioning properly. When the sun was high overhead, and it was hot enough to melt the hinges on the gates of Hell, we turned toward the bunkhouse for a cold drink and something to eat.
We took care of our horses and turned them out into a shady paddock where they headed straight for the water trough and drank thirstily. I knew how they felt.
Virginia fussed in the kitchen, making sandwiches from thick slices of ham and cheese while I popped the tops on two bottles of soda and flipped on the coffee maker. Once done, we sat at the old, somewhat rickety table.
I took a bite of my sandwich and washed it down with a mouthful of blessedly cold cola.
“I like Harlyn, do you think she’ll stay?” Virginia asked around a mouthful of sandwich.
“That’s the million dollar question that I wish I had an answer to, Ginny.” I became thoughtful as I ate.
“You really like her.”
It was a statement not a question but I answered her anyway. “I do.” I wasn’t about to admit loving Harlyn to Virginia before I told the lady herself.
“She likes you a whole lot too, and from the way she spoke the other day, I think she loves it here enough to stay.” Virginia took a large pull of her drink. “You two are meant to be together, Jensen. I can see how much you care for one another in every look you share.”
“I guess time will tell. What about you? I know you’re very young but has any man caught your eye?”
Virginia’s cheeks pinked and she lowered her eyes…a dead giveaway I’d hit a nerve.
“Ginny?”
“I’ve been out twice with Gary Bedlow from over at Circle J, but…”
I inclined my head, waiting for her to say more.
“He’s eighteen years older than me and I’m not sure he’s interested in anything serious with someone my age.”
“Age is bullshit. If you like each other and there’s a chance you’ll develop deep feelings down the track, go for it. But if you feel it’s too high a barrier to cross, or he might only be using you for the obvious, there are plenty more men out there. What do your parents have to say?”
Virginia blushed.
“You haven’t told them.”
“No, please don’t say anything to Dad when you give your weekly update.”
“How?” I waved a hand in the air. “Never mind.”
“You honestly didn’t believe Mom wouldn’t tell me about the chats you have with Dad? He’s hoping I fail and crawl back to Austin to work with them.”
“Yeah, I get the feeling he’s not happy about me giving such glowing updates.
Look, I’m going to tell him on Sunday night that I won’t be taking his calls any more.
If he’s digging for information to make you go back, he won’t get it from me.
I don’t understand why any father wouldn’t want their daughter happy. ”
“Oh, Boss…The last thing my father wants is for me to be happy. He doesn’t want me anywhere other than under his thumb so he can dictate what I can and can’t do.
If you decided tomorrow I was no longer needed, I’d look for a job on another ranch.
Frankly, I’d see Dad in Hell before I worked for him. ”
Virginia was becoming heated and her eyes shone with unshed tears. I reached out and put my hand on hers.
“First of all, I have no intention of letting you go. Secondly, I totally agree with you…your father has no right to interfere in your life now you’re an adult.” I squeezed her arm. “As for Gary, can I give you some advice?”
“Please.”
“Take it slow. Gary is a damn good man and I don’t believe he has any ulterior motives such as only wanting to get a young, beautiful girl into his bed, but…”
“I need to be sure there actually is something.”
“Yes.” I stood and gathered our dishes, depositing them into the dishwasher. “Back to it.”
Virginia joined me as we made our way back outside and headed to the pasture for our horses. Jackie, looked up from where she’d been munching on grass. I whistled and she trotted over, standing calmly while I hoisted the saddle onto her back.
The day lasted forever, the relentless Texas sun beating down and making every task feel like a Herculean effort.
Even when the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the heat still clung to the air like a stubborn blanket.
I felt every grain of dust and sweat on my skin as I walked Jackie back to the stables after giving her a swim in the cool creek.
Virginia and the men walked alongside me with their mounts. Man and beast…We were all exhausted.
“It’s fucking September, when are we going to get a break from this heat?” Max complained.
My other hands all joined him in grumbling but it wasn’t all about the heat, their concerns extended to the ongoing drought and the fact our stock needed to be driven to the railhead in two weeks—a distance of ten miles.
If the heat continued, with no moisture to soften the ground, the stock would lose too much condition and the price we made at auction would be lower than we wanted.
“Isn’t there some way of seeding clouds?” Sunny asked seriously.
Briggs pointed to the sky. “Which clouds do you plan on seeding?”
We all looked up…There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Sunny, not one to be phased by facts, shrugged. “We could fire a rocket into the clouds up near space.”
We all exchanged a glance and erupted in laughter before Virginia asked, “Do you have a rocket we’re not aware of Sunny?”
Sunny huffed and as we’d reached the stables, the subject was dropped while we worked silently to bed our horses down for the night. Virginia ensured all the doors were pinned open to allow airflow, the place would have been like a sauna otherwise.
I said goodnight to everyone and made my way back to the ranch house, longing for a refreshing shower. In the cool privacy of my bathroom, I let the cool water wash away the grime and fatigue of the day.
After drying off, I dressed in a clean shirt and jeans and ran a hand through my damp hair while thinking about Harlyn. Despite the long day, I felt a sense of anticipation building within me. I couldn’t wait to spend time with my beautiful lady.
Whistling Sheba, I waited for her to join me and we climbed into my truck.
I drove with the windows down, preferring fresh air, even though warm.
Sheba sat with her head hanging out the passenger side window, her tongue flapping in the breeze.
The fall night was alive with the music of crickets and the distant call of night birds.
The road stretched out before me like a ribbon, leading to the one place I wanted to be.
As I pulled into the drive, the sight of Harlyn’s ranch brought a soft smile to my lips. Under the vast Texas sky was where I felt an undeniable connection with Harlyn blossoming.
Sheba padded alongside me, waiting while I tapped lightly on Harlyn’s door, the wooden frame cool beneath my knuckles. It wasn’t long before she appeared, her face lighting up with a smile that made my heart skip a beat.
“Hey, Jensen,” she greeted warmly, stepping aside and inviting me in, patting Sheba on the head as she passed. The familiar scent of her home enveloped me, a mixture of spices and something uniquely Harlyn.