7

 

Ma was simply too wise. Kelly had listened to her and not discounted the sparkles.

Singing some Reba as she pulled lunch fixin’s from her wagon, Kelley positioned herself so she could enjoy the eye candy of Jason putting up the portable tables. Quick, easy, he looked like he’d done so a million times. Well, maybe he had. She chuckled. She had no idea exactly what fixtures composed a commune. Beneath his khaki long-sleeved shirt and snug Wranglers, his muscles moved lusciously, and her blood surged at the sight.

A commune, huh? She dumped ingredients in a massive wooden bowl and considered. What had his life been like, on the run, no firm foundation? No crazy, annoying, fabulous, indispensible siblings? No parents who had committed for better or worse?

Just like Ma with Pa, Kelley had discovered deep down that Hearts Crossing Ranch was just what Jason needed. Not just for now, but forever. Roots and hard work, in-laws and outlaws, supper together and Wednesday devotions, the faith in Jesus that made you whole. All things goofy, nutty and wonderful that made up a family. And as she sprinkled homegrown dried blueberries across the vegetables, she knew Ma’s reminder about leaning on God had been just what she’d needed to hear.

A vision of Jason old and gray at her side had begun to grow since four twenty-eight this morning. Once again, Ma had been right. Not only about the sparkles, but also that God’s Word never returns void. He does provide, and surely that meant providing the bread of life to Jason. Kelley’s own faith might have taken a beating of late, but since yesterday, the love and faith, those foundations of Hearts Crossing, had taken hold of her again. She’d suspected she’d feel better, coming home, and she’d been right.

She tossed her specialty dressing in everyday mayonnaise jars. Truth was, God had never let down anybody. He might say no, He might reply not now, even not ever. He might allow sorrow and tribulation—and He had, but for one reason only, to teach that He alone had the power to sustain you in the troublesome day to day, to provide you with all you needed, in the here and now—and most importantly, forever in Heaven.

There hadn’t ever yet been a child of God who didn’t roil on the seas of earthly storms. Today, here under the same sun that blessed Hearts Crossing Ranch for more than a century, Kelley realized she weathered such a storm. If Vegeterra wasn’t deigned to be long for this world, God would lead her down another path.

And just maybe He had led her home. For the past few years, she’d been busy as a sous chef in Denver or working her fingers off in Sunset Hills. Maybe this time, she was to stay put. Start the next chapter. She knew in her heart if God said no to Vegeterra, He wasn’t saying not ever. Just not now, not there. The year’s experience as a businesswoman as well as chef had certainly taught Kelley an abundance of new lessons in finance and recipes. She knew she hadn’t wasted her time.

Thank you, Heavenly Father.

“Looks good.” Jason said at her side, his chore completed. Her heart all but exploded.

“Thanks.” She had made the artfully arranged salad a hundred times, but Jason’s compliment, as he helped lay out the platters of cheese, sliced chicken breast and baskets of bread and cookies suddenly meant the most of all. “Tonight we’ll have a hot meal. I’ll probably need some strong shoulders to keep the home fires burning under my Dutch ovens.” She looked sideways through her eyelashes in an age-old flirtation.

“Once again, at your service…”

“…milady.” Kelley laughed, Jason did, too, and how well the sounds meshed together. Around them, the tourists explored snake holes and wildflowers, some even eager to try horseback riding from here to their overnight stop in view of Elk Grove. Hoop directed the lunch line, and already hungry ooh’s and aah’s rang through the camp. Kelley’s own tummy rumbled, but she reckoned some of it was Jason.

Before her brothers and other wranglers did the serving buffet-style, Hooper spoke up.

“One of our traditions at Hearts Crossing is saying grace before our meals. Now, I want you to know no one needs to participate if y’all are uncomfortable. But it seems most folks like to join in.”

“Hear, hear,” somebody called out, and Kelley nodded. Their tours weren’t faith-based as a whole, but because of their brand, most folks expected something spiritual, and Hooper always complied, making prayers optional of course, as well as fireside devotions before bedtime.

Everybody in sight, down to the smallest six-year old, David, bowed heads and folded hands. Jason included. Over the wind, her oldest brother spoke clear. “From Psalm thirty-four, verse eight. ‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are all who trust in Him!’ Lord, we thank You for the beauty of Your world, for the animals who help us, for the pleasure of each other’s company, and for the gift of this food. In Your name…”

Hoop hesitated for a second so all could join in. “Amen.” And Jason’s voice was the loudest.

“Come on, you get a load off,” Hoop ordered her. As wagon master and host, he tended to eat on the run so he could mingle with the guests while they dined. And well, Kelley needed her energy and a good night’s sleep. She’d be up before dawn loading up Dutch ovens with bacon, gravy, and biscuits. And grilling French toast for the vegetarians. “Jason, get her rested and fed. And fill your belly, too. The Wild West bug has infected the group. About twenty of them want to ride the next four miles to camp. I’ll need you to help guide.”

Hungry and pumped—nothing in her world compared to the wagon trains—Kelley nonetheless felt Jason’s upcoming absence like a pain. When he took her hand and plunked her down on a big boulder, his touch ignited her nerve endings. “You sit. I’ll get plates.”

The sun-warmed rock eased her muscles, and she stretched her legs even though his two-minute absence now lasted ten years. Jason practically trotted back to her, amazing her when he didn’t drop their lunches. At the dollop of raspberry butter hunkered at the corner of his mouth, she fought off a raging desire to lick it from his lips.

“Good grub,” Jason remarked inelegantly through a mouthful. “Your own recipe?”

“This one, yes. And it’s on the menu at the restaurant, in smaller doses of course. For hot meals, I have my ‘bible’ of course, and another good book on Dutch oven cooking. And take a look at my jeans. They’re blue now, but they’ll be wearing the sooty effects of campfire cooking before long.”

“Hmmmm.” He looked her over and his flirty gaze warmed her through.

“Tonight, we’ve got The Commoner’s Stew, Cheesy potatoes, and Very Berry Pie. Biscuits and more raspberry butter, too.” She tried her best cowgirl drawl. “There’s enough meatless stuff to please anybody, and we don’t worry about carbs here at Hearts Crossing. We reckon everybody needs an extra energy boost.”

Jason chuckled. “I reckon that’ll be true, if we’ve got twenty greenhorns spending a couple hours on horseback.”

With a half-lidded smile, Kelley peeked up from her brim.

“And the womenfolk get their pie first. Matter of fact, it’s a tradition. You men get to serve us.”

“Awesome, milady.” He grinned, his eyes so bright she saw herself in them. It might be time to let him on what she’d learned about herself, about him. She reckoned she didn’t have anything to lose. He might be gone soon, anyway. But like Ma, Kelley had a lot to win.

If he stayed.

She laid her fork in her dish and took a deep breath. “I….Jason, I think you belong at Hearts Crossing.”

Whether it was faked or not, he acted surprised. “I am at Hearts Crossing.”

“I mean, in the long run. Maybe you need to get Moldova or Uzbekistan and all that out of your system, but in the long run…” She hesitated. Ma had raised her girls to speak their mind and go after their dream, but this was the first time Kelley was about to do so to a man. “I think we could have something good between us.”

“I think you’re right there. But I’m just a temp. Remember?”

“I know that. But something seems right about you. About you being here.” She looked down at her toes, recalling Ma’s words. “Somehow God does provide.”

He stayed silent, chewing for a while. Maybe his brain was chewing on her words.

And she had to apologize. “Jason, I’m sorry. About over-reacting yesterday at Bible study. You heard the Word of God and…and He led you. I had no right to come down on you. To be so insensitive.”

He nodded. “I honestly did feel led to say and feel those things. And the prayer just now. About trusting God, well. I’ve been doing a lot of my own thinking. I’ve always relied on Something beyond myself, you know, to guide my life. Being at Hearts Crossing these months has finally let me put a name on it. On Him. And I don’t deny how I feel more and more at home around you all.”

“We’re a crazy bunch.” Her heart lightened. He hadn’t stomped away, scared and offended. Instead, he reached out and took her hand.

“I think I take the first prize trophy for crazy.” First Jason raised her hand to his lips, and fire flooded her blood at the simple touch. But nothing like him taking off her hat and leaning to her lips a second later. Sparks and thunderbolts, honey and wildflowers all melted against her mouth, breath hammering her lungs. Heart trilling like a symphony, she took in his rainwater scent and kissed him back, plain and simple.

All the sunshine in all the world wrapped around them.

 

****

 

Jason’s fingers wound in Kelley’s braids, and he desperately wanted to unleash her hair. How could God have touched him so profoundly? How could a woman he’d known just a couple of days be everything he wanted? How could a vagabond like him ache to promise to be at her side no matter what, no matter where? How could he want kids simply by watching Rhys and David romp in the meadow? His heart pounded with a million new longings and the urge to kiss her a hundred times a day for the next hundred years.

Her lips were sweet and firm, and he hated to break away, but folks were finishing lunch and milling forward to dispose of their trash.

“Wow.” Kelley’s face had a warm blush, but her eyes were anything but shy. He collected his wayward breath. “Good one, cowboy. Better than a butterfly.”

“I got more just like it if you want.” He winked as she got up to tend the guests.

“I do. Later.” Then Kelley’s body tensed as she looked over the crowd.

“What is it?” He rose close to her side.

“Pike’s truck.”

He saw the approaching Dodge Ram tossing up dust along the road to the west. “So?”

“There’s no cell service out here. We have a radio tower for emergencies, but if he’s on his way, well, that’s never good. It means something he has to say face to face. To somebody. Us…or one of them.” She glanced over the crowd.

Worry clouded her blush, and even Jason felt a twinge. While it could be anybody, maybe Mallie’s cancer had taken a turn. Hooper’s little Ella. Kids had accidents all the time. Nick? Jason’s heart pumped hard again but in a different uneasy way. After the truck parked by the wagons, Pike Martin and his wife Daisy ran out, straight to Kelley, with Hooper and Scott practically stuck to their heels.

“Kelley…” Daisy’s face clearly showed grave concern as she touched Kelley’s arm.

“What’s wrong?” Panic flooded Kelley’s eyes. “What is it? Daisy, tell me!”

“It’s Ned, Kel.” The tiny, dark-haired woman finally caught her breath. “He was gored during a bull ride at the Fairmont Founders Day Rodeo. He’s in a bad way.”

“What? What on earth?” Kelley, clearly shocked, grabbed her throat. When she leaned into Jason, purely on instinct he knew, his arm snaked around her waist to hold her up. “But Jer…Jeremy Ives died getting gored…”

Daisy nodded soberly. “The blood bank called for you, Kelley. I’ll take over the chuck wagon, and Pike can get you to Fairmont quick.”

For a second, Kelley’s hands flapped almost helplessly, then she slapped her thighs. “OK. OK. I’ll get going.” She climbed out of her apron. As if remembering he was there, she looked at him, and him alone. “I’ve got to go.” Then she took both of his hands and squeezed hard but in a distracted way.

Enough folks had gathered around for Hoop to need to explain the drama. “A family friend has had a serious accident. Kelley must go to Fairmont to help him out. This is my sister-in-law, Daisy, another terrific chuck cook. Before Kelley takes off, anybody who wants to gather in prayer, please join hands.”

Kelley still held Jason’s hand as if needing something to hold on to. The gesture wasn’t romantic at all, he knew that, but her moistening eyes almost sank him. Like her, he lost himself in Hooper’s prayer.

“As I look around,” Hoop nodded. “I see the mountains, God’s strong shoulders, holding us close. Right now, I’m reminded of my favorite Psalm. ‘I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.’ Let’s beseech the Lord Jesus now to let loose His help, to take our friend Ned into His Holy care. To keep Kelley safe on the road. Let us pray…”

Jason didn’t bow his head during Hoop’s heartfelt prayer but gazed upon the mountains as he sought God at this dreadful moment. Strength from the Creator bore down on him. Lord Jesus, please help.

“Amen.” The group intoned loudly at the prayer’s end.

“Jason, I’m so sorry.” Kelley’s cheeks were almost white, sprinkled with freckles like sesame seeds on a French roll. “I’ve got to go. Take care of Bryce. You understand, don’t you?”

“Sure.” He drew her close, but his heart couldn’t help a crack. This was one of those times folks asked for God’s strength, and he was one of them now, wracked with his own pain. He didn’t understand. Just like his mom. Another woman going back to a man who couldn’t stick by her side. More than ever, he vowed not to be that man if Kelley ever made it back to him.

Anxiety tugged at him. He and Kelley had just made some sort of headway in whatever relationship they had blossoming. Compassion, worry, and empathy could do wonders in getting old embers flamed up between a broken-up couple. Being needed was a powerful thing. And he knew Kelley pretty well already. She wouldn’t just pat Ned on the back and then dash on home. Already in his mind, he could see her by the injured man’s side, murmuring encouraging words. Maybe even words of love if their previous bond knit up again. Maybe holding his hand, and talking more of days to come than yesterdays long over.

His jaw clenched so tight as the truck drove off that he almost felt his molars squeak.

“Come on,” Hooper’s voice got him back to the present as he addressed the crowd waiting to ride. “Folks, let’s start getting you all mounted up.”

Just as Jason launched off to help, Hoop grabbed his arm. “Jason, Kelley’s thing with Ned, well. That’s how they met. Donating at the blood bank. They’re both O negative, universal donors. The local blood bank always runs short”

“I get it.” Jason nodded. O negatives weren’t universal receivers. Only an O negative could donate to an O negative. He wanted relief to flow, but so far, it stagnated.”Sure. I understand why she had to leave.”

Hooper’s forehead rumpled with concern. “Hey, Jason, um. Kelley’s doing this because of the blood thing. Not because…Ned means anything to her anymore. You get that, right?”

Jason knew then that their kiss had been observed, and by his boss, and heat crossed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess so.” He had to grin because Hoop didn’t seem at all ready to pounce about sexual harassment or reach for a shotgun.

“Let’s go then. Nothing like a ride through God’s country to take a load off whatever’s pounding in your head.”

“All right.” Within a few minutes, he, Scott and Hooper had the greenhorns mounted up on the trustworthy, tourist-friendly horses Hearts Crossing was known for. But his downcast chin all but touched his chest. Something was missing despite the happy chatter and spectacular scenery and sparkling mountain air.

That something was Kelley. Two nights and two more days before he’d get back to the ranch. Back to her. Two nights and days he’d long to be at her side in her element. In the element that had seeped into his very bones. Uzbekistan was the farthest place from his mind. His wanderlust was a full-blown thing of the past.

Before he mounted Zee, the other wranglers checked the riders’ stirrups, and Jason sought out Daisy. “You need any help later on? I’m a fair hand in a kitchen.”

Her smile was bright. “Why thanks kindly, cowboy. Pike’s ma told us her beloved Snowy September is your mother. It would so rock if they got to meet some day.”

Jason had to chuckle. “Yep, but my mom’s a hard one to pin down.” Then he breathed out. Just like he’d been.

Before Kelley.

A couple of the wagon train women had begun stowing kitchen gear. Daisy thanked them, and turned back to Jason. “You hurry on over to your horse, cowboy. But I want you to know, Kelley could use a good guy.”

“What?” Jason already suspected anybody named Martin by marriage or birth commented very comfortably on anybody else’s life any which way they wanted.

“I mean, she gave Ned four years. He wasn’t all that nice to her. When she calms down, it’ll probably gall her. Running to his side right now. But she’d do it for anybody. Thing is, I’ve seen the way you look at her. Same way Pike did me well before all the stuff between us got figured out. I just want to stick my nose in…”

She echoed Jason’s own thoughts so vividly he laughed out loud before she continued. “Pike and I had a lot of past mistakes and misunderstandings between us. Just about a year ago. We made the decision quick not to waste time about it. To move onward. Just a thought.” Waving toward Zee with one hand, she shoved Jason a bit with the other. “See you at supper.”

“You bet.” He wasn’t annoyed with nosy Daisy and grinned back at her. And although he missed Kelley like his lungs had no air, he quickly got his mental priority straight. A man had sustained a life threatening injury. He prayed for Ned again even as he fought off a wave of jealousy.

Prayed! Him, Jason Easterday. On his own.

The riders had already headed off down a trail carved through the brush-laden edge of the creek, Bryce barking loud and keeping up just fine. Around Jason, God’s world breathed with its own life, insects droning, wind swishing the grasses and bouncing from pine to aspen. Then he swept his empathy across the people he’d been asked to join on the adventure, people on horseback for probably their first time. Adults away from their offices, out in the open air and under wide skies for probably their first time. Young teens wide eyed at the wonder of a world free from iPods and texting. Almost certainly their first time.

How lucky Jason was to be part of this. Thanks, God.

He brought up the rear, glad for Hooper up ahead and Scott half-way through to share the ranch history and explain horse lore and native plants. Right now Jason would deal with his own sort of solitude.

The wagons, which held the tourists who had chosen not to ride horseback, made it to the night’s camping spot long before the leisurely, careful trail ride.

“Hello, camp,” Hooper yelled at the riders’ approach.

“Welcome, riders,” a wrangler called back.

The happy words echoed through the hills. Camp bustled with activity, and Jason earned his keep and shook off his loneliness by resurrecting tents, slinging down duffle bags from the wagons, unsaddling horses, and unhitching the teams.

After the chores, Scott plopped his head atop his saddle in the shade of a massive spruce to catch a few zzz’s before suppertime. Jason fought a distinct urge to join him. Helping with supper would have been his dream job if Kelley had been around, but she was somewhere off with somebody named Ned. Somebody who had once been her world. And now they’d shared blood, a bond. Life. Jealousy ruffled his feathers again, try as he might to stop it.

Well, even though Kelley wasn’t here, Jason cleaned up and sought out Daisy, locking his brain against Ned and refusing to open the door to more distrust. With God’s help, he’d keep it locked. He had too much to do and had no need to trouble his mind any further. At least working amidst Kelley’s belongings would keep her close somehow.

As the sun declined, dusk air turned cool. While Scott got busy building a campfire in a designated circle of stones, Jason, Bragg, and two other wranglers helped Daisy set out the food. Then Hooper once again addressed the gathering crowd for grace.

“If any of you all would like to say the blessing for this meal, why, we encourage you to take turns and praise as you wish.”

Jason spoke but not without thinking. The thought had come quick. Something he didn’t know he’d been searching for, he’d found here at Hearts Crossing. A family who stuck together. God, Who was the glue. Kelley needed his support, not jealousy. “I’d like to, Hoop.” He looked around the group, and read surprise on Hooper’s face. “If it’s all right.”

“That it is.”

“Well, today, riding next to these mountains, I asked God for the help I need to settle something in my mind. And He blessed me. I don’t know if getting bounced around on a horse pounded it into my head, but I felt the blessing just the same.” Everybody laughed, and Jason’s heart filled. He’d never see most of them again, yet he had to let them know. “You see, I didn’t know Him all that well, before coming to Hearts Crossing. And even then, it took a few months. But I know Him now. And I’d like to thank Him for the peace in my heart, for the pleasure of your company, and for our cook Daisy and this wonderful meal.”

Folks murmured their approval, and Hoop gave a pleased nod.

Jason not only helped Daisy dish out the meal but he also helped clean up and stash her gear – and for the first time, he got to sample Kelley’s Sloppy Josephines and would have to admit to her they were great.

“Listen, you go now. I can use the time to get my shower while you all go to the campfire.” Daisy pointed to a large plastic gizmo with a shower hose attached. “Water heats up during the day. Most folks use baby wipes or take a dip in the creek or Old Joe’s Hole, but Cookie, now. She’s gotta mind her hygiene.”

“OK…”

“And you definitely don’t want to miss Bragg’s stories. Or his guitar.”

Both were wonderful. The only thing missing was Kelley at his side. The campfire heated up his feet, but his shoulder could have used someone, Kelley, leaning against it. Her hand warming his fingers. But in the night breeze, he did without as happy couples and eager kids sank into the satisfied fatigue of a busy day. As folks disbanded for their tents, Bragg held a small devotion, then played the classic hymn, Amazing Grace.

The song was one most people could sing, or at least hum, in their sleep, Jason included. Snowy and September had exposed him to all kinds of music, from sitar to Gregorian chant. But hearing Bragg Martin’s fingers strum magic from his well-used guitar slid the notes into Jason’s ears in a way he’d never imagined.

How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me.

After a quick tooth brushing and wipe down, he slunk out of his boots and crawled into one of the wagons with a blanket, Bryce at his side. Kelley was in his head, on his mind, but for the first time ever, his first action when head met scrawny pillow was a prayer.