Chapter 7
Afew kilometres later, after passing the massive sign leading to Jeff’s home in the foothills, they crested a hill overlooking a valley. Below, a large yellow house and various red outbuildings huddled at the end of the curving lane that followed the side of the gorge until reaching the far end.
“That’s it!” Gabrielle cried in excitement. She reached out to clutch Annette’s hand. “We’re almost there. Isn’t it pretty?”
It was indeed pretty. Annette shaded her eyes, wishing she’d brought her sunglasses. They motored down the hill and turned to the right. Huge trees, tall, silent sentinels lined the road, their lofty branches bowing low and creating an arbour overhead. Immediately, Annette thought of the countryside in France where enormous plane trees had been planted beside ancient roads.
When she was a child, her father had told her that in the 19th century, Napoleon had ordered plane trees to be planted on both sides of the road in order to keep his marching armies in the shade, rather than in the blistering sun. She wasn’t at all sure if the story was true, but she’d always remembered it.
“This is lovely,” she whispered, squeezing her sister’s hand in response. Far below them, on the right, was a stony creek bed where a trickle of water still ran. She imagined the great snows of winter in this land, and how such places must rush with icy water in the spring. They climbed a knoll and at last saw the ranch spreading out before them.
An old white farmhouse peeked out from behind a bank of maple trees that appeared to have been planted around the entire property. Beyond the house, an enormous hip-roofed barn stood solidly, a testament to the fine craftsmanship of a bygone era. Surrounding the barn, as though it were the hub of a wheel, smaller sheds and corrals extended out like the spokes. In winter, it would be a warm place to shelter the animals. Facing this, but set well apart, was a long silver building covered in tin.
Several vehicles and a huge truck with equipment on the back and a sticker on the door reading, ‘Water Well Digging and Servicing,’ were parked in front of the house. Jeff pulled up and stopped, but no one could be seen. In a flash, Gabrielle was gone. She ran across the yard to leap across flower beds and hurtle over a low picket fence that separated the lawn from the driveway. In a single bound she had thrown herself onto the long white veranda and was banging on the front door.
Annette stepped to the ground, watching her sister, and aware that Jeff had come to stand beside her. It was picturesque. The home, actually the whole yard, looked like a glossy picture taken straight from a high-class architecture magazine. However, no one answered Gabrielle’s knock, and she returned to them looking dejected.
“Sophie has to be ‘ere somewhere, doesn’t she? You said she texted you?” Without waiting for an answer, Gabrielle set off toward the barn and Jeff strode after her. Annette lagged behind, almost afraid to hear the reason Sophie had asked Jeff to come over. Had something else happened? Not another tragedy?
A long metal gate creaked open on Annette’s left and a group of people marched into view, every one of them wearing rubber boots. It was a good thing too, because they were caked in mud up to their ankles.
She spotted Rosa first, since the woman gave a little screech of happiness and rushed to Jeff. She leaned against his arm to whisper something in his ear. Annette sniffed. The woman was more than obvious about her intentions, but she wondered what Jeff thought of it all. She peered at him as Rosa tucked her arm into his with a big grin on her face. Only she couldn’t detect anything, but slight embarrassment on the man’s part. He listened intently to what she had to say, and nodded, but then stepped forward to shake hands with the three men who accompanied Sophie.
Gabrielle hurried to greet her mother-in-law. By the time Annette reached them, Sophie was assuring everyone that things were fine, and the three cows were improving. She wished the men a good day and thanked them for their time.
“We’ll be back Tuesday,” one of the men said as he climbed into the larger vehicle.
“I appreciate it,” Sophie called. He slammed the door shut. With a wave, the two heavy vehicles turned around and pulled out of the yard.
Sophie took Gabrielle’s hands and smiled into her face. “I am so glad you are ‘ere, at last. I am so sorry for this mess that ‘as ruined your visit.”
“Not at all,” soothed Gabrielle. “Jeff ‘as been so kind to us. I went for a ride this morning, he gave Annette her first lesson, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch, and then we went with him while he treated two calves with foot rot.”
“Yes,” inserted Annette. “It’s been most educational.” She didn’t miss Rosa’s narrowed eyes as she spoke, or the way Jeff flashed her a questioning look. Hastening to explain, she said, “I wasn’t being sarcastic. It’s truly been a very interesting day.”
A smile of relief washed over Sophie’s face. “Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m so grateful to have such good people to ‘elp me.” She raised a weary hand to her forehead and rubbed at the frown lines embedded there. “It will cost several thousand dollars to have the well cleaned out and then the water must be analysed before it can be trusted.” She sighed, then made a visible effort to smile at the tall man beside her. “Somehow I will repay you for your kindness, my dear.” Reaching up, she laid a hand on Jeff’s cheek. “You ‘ave been like a son to me.”
Annette was amazed to see Jeff turn red and stumble over his next words. “You know I’m happy to help you, Sophie. You were always there for Mom and me after the accident.”
“That’s what family is for,” she murmured. Clapping her hands together, she became brisk. “So now we come to the next order of business. I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you here.”
“Excuse me for interrupting,” Rosa interjected, “but I have some work to attend to in the house. I’ll see you later.” She spoke to the group, yet looked only at Jeff. He smiled at her—was it lovingly? Annette couldn’t tell, but either way it didn’t matter to her.
“Of course, my dear,” Sophie said, patting the other woman on the arm. “I’ll be in later.” And with that, Rosa sashayed to the house.
Annette had never actually thought about anyone strutting in a provocative way before, but it certainly fit the way in which Rosa swivelled her hips as she crossed the driveway and climbed up the steps of the house. Then, as she reached the veranda, she cast a look over her shoulder, again to Jeff. A very coquettish glance, full of meaning. Annette quickly looked at him. He was indeed watching the attractive young woman, but was there the merest suggestion of unease on his face? Again, Annette couldn’t tell. Perhaps they were secret lovers and this evocative behavior discomfited him. It intrigued her, purely from an interested bystander point of view.
Sophie tucked her arm through Jeff’s, and they began walking toward a low building next to the house. “It’s my old truck,” she said. “It wouldn’t start this afternoon when I tried to take it out to check on the cattle next to Dead Horse Creek. Malcom was the mechanic, not me.” She sighed. “Could you look at it please? I asked Marcus, one of the new people I hired, but he was lost. Mechanics aren’t his thing, apparently.”
“Of course,” Jeff assured her. “Also, Sandra made you all some sandwiches and coffee. They’re in my truck.” He took off his hat and dragged an arm across his forehead. “If you’ll forgive me for saying so, basic mechanics is a necessary skill when working on a ranch.”
“I know,” she sighed. “He wasn’t entirely honest with me about that when I hired him. But he seems good with the animals, so that’s something. Anyway, I hate to bother you with it since I know you’re busy with your own work, but…”
“Say no more,” Jeff patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “I’ll see what I can do. Why don’t you take the girls and sit for a few minutes? Are the keys in it?”
She nodded. “Thank you, Jeff.” He broke away and strode the rest of the distance to the garage where he disappeared inside through a side door. After a moment, the large overhead access slid open. Sophie ran a hand through her hair that was already standing on end.
“It’s been quite a few days,” she said quietly, as though only she could hear. Then, rousing herself, she turned and tucked an arm through each of the girls’ arms before leading the way to the porch steps. She reverted back to her native French now that they were alone. “We haven’t had time for a proper visit,” she said. “Tell me about your graduation Annette. And Gabrielle, how is Andrew doing with the wine shop?”
“We will tell all. But I must be honest, because I love you...” There was a note of reproval in Gabrielle’s tone. “I think you need to tell your sons what is happening here.”
The smile faded from Sophie’s face, but Gabrielle continued. “They love you and will be very upset when they find out you didn’t share your troubles with them.”
“They have their own lives, and you are part of Andrew’s…” Sophie faltered. “I don’t want to put any of you in a position where you must take care of me—or the ranch.”
They mounted the steps, three abreast, and Sophie pointed to a cushioned patio swing and chairs all done in blue and white stripes. Multi-coloured flowers overflowed from huge ceramic pots and hung from wicker baskets overhead. Just looking at the space was relaxing. They sank into the chairs and resumed the conversation, although Sophie looked pained to do so. With head bowed, she wrung her hands together in silence.
“It’s not about obligation,” Gabrielle said softly, “It’s about love. We care about the ranch, but we love you. Can you imagine how they’d feel if something happened to you? And if knowing what you were going through means that they decide to come here and help, then that’s what they should do.” She leaned forward, her braid swinging over her shoulder, and placed a hand over Sophie’s clasped ones. Her eyes were pleading. “Also, I happen to know Jayke used to love tinkering with engines.” A smile lifted the corners of her generous mouth. “What’s he doing in Vancouver, anyway?”
Sophie looked up, but avoided her daughter-in-law’s eyes. Instead, she gazed over the whitewashed railings of the veranda with a sheepish look on her face. “He’s a mechanic…”
Annette laughed aloud. “You’re kidding!” Then she subsided with a cough when she saw that Sophie was dead serious. “Sorry. It just seems a little ironic when...” She fell silent and began fingering the flowers next to her chair, studying the velvety, purple pansies with great interest. This was a family situation, and she should stay out of it.
“Annette is right,” Gabrielle said emphatically. “Has Jayke told you he isn’t interested in taking over the ranch one day?”
It was a long minute before Sophie answered, and then it was with obvious reluctance. “Not exactly. But I don’t want him to feel obligated either.”
“Have you ever asked him? Or talked about it?” She flipped her braid out of the way and sat back.
“Not that I can remember,” Sophie said in a low voice. “I suppose, if anything, I encouraged him to leave. To seek his happiness wherever he might wish.” She shrugged. “Perhaps that was wrong, I don’t know. I just wanted him to have choices.”
“It’s not wrong.” Gabrielle joined Sophie in staring out across the landscape toward the rough edges of the Rocky Mountains, hazy in the distance. “You are a wonderful mother and I know you have the best interests of your sons at heart—it’s just—you’re not looking at this from all sides. I’m not telling you what to do. I’m just encouraging you to talk with them candidly. It’s not my place to do so, and you have my word that I won’t. But you need to tell them.”
“Malcom didn’t have that choice,” Sophie blurted suddenly. She looked at Gabrielle with beseeching eyes. “I’ve never told this to anyone, and I beg you not to tell the boys. Their father wanted to be an architect. He had no desire to run the farm once he was grown, but—but he wasn’t given that opportunity. It was expected that he take over the ranch and keep it in the family,” she lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “Above all, Malcom wanted to please his father. So, he did what was expected of him.” She blinked rapidly, but a tear escaped and ran down her cheek.
“We had a good life here, Malcom and I, but he should have been allowed to follow his dreams. It was wrong of his family to force a life decision on him, and I won’t allow that to happen to my boys,” she said fiercely. “Malcom agreed with me. That’s why neither of us talked to them about the ranch, or asked them if they wanted to stay here and take over. Then,” she drew a deep breath and flicked away another tear, “Malcom died. Jayke was already making plans to live in Vancouver. Meanwhile, you and Andrew were starting a new life in Paris. I couldn’t lay my burdens on you.”
Sophie got to her feet and stepped to the railing. Leaning on it she sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. “You’re right, though,” she said unsteadily. “I do need to tell them what’s been going on. Thank you my dear.” Turning slowly, she moved to Gabrielle who jumped to her feet. The two women embraced for a long moment punctuated by deep sobbing breaths on both sides.
Discretely, Annette got to her feet and tiptoed to the other side of the veranda. She leaned over the rails and took a deep cleansing breath. They hadn’t even been here for two full days and already so much had happened. She heard the rumble of an engine and looked up to see the bumper of a truck nose its way out of the garage where they’d left Jeff. Beyond it, peering around the corner of the riding arena, a tall figure stood in the shade, watching them. Odd. Annette squinted, wishing she had her old glasses at hand, but the figure melted into the shadows and vanished. It must have been one of the new ranch hands.
A cloud of blue smoke accompanied the roar and so did the cab of a bright yellow truck. It wasn’t new, but it certainly made a statement. Annette loved statements and she was impressed. Sophie travelled in style.
She watched in fascination as Jeff stopped and hopped out to ensure that the garage doors were closed before he drove the large vehicle up the driveway. As he passed, he tipped his hat to her and grinned. She found herself grinning back, her heart suddenly happy.
Maybe, just maybe she was glad she’d come to Canada.