All I Have Read Free Page B

chair. "Not a problem, we can rectify that tomorrow."
    "You're right. I'll see to it myself. I guess Carla forgot."
    Nicholas sent her a questioning gaze and her cheeks colored.
    Shane took a bite. "This is great. Did you make it?"
    "No, I'm afraid not. Charlotte comes during the day to cook and clean; she made it." She twisted a long strand of black hair. "I used to help mom cook this meal, but I haven't tried it on my own." Sorrow tinged her voice, and a sad smile lifted her lips.
    Shane said, "Jake must be doing pretty good if he can afford a maid."
    "Not really," Ellie replied, studying the table.
    "What do you mean?"
    Nicholas enjoyed the meal and listened to the conversation. The tone of Ellie's voice made a dull ache start inside him.
    She shrugged. "Truth is Charlotte feels bad for dad so she gives him a discount."
    Nicholas replied, "What's there to feel bad about? He has a decent farm. A beautiful new wife. A faithful daughter."
    Ellie shifted in her seat, nervously twisting her hands. "I think I should go. I mean, I'm sure dad is trying to track me down and you two need to settle in and get some rest after your long drive. I'll see you tomorrow."
    Nicholas and Shane stood when Ellie scooted her chair back and rushed from the kitchen. They walked to the window and watched her flashlight bob and weave down the trail toward the big, white house.
    Nicholas asked, "What's up with that girl? She seems skittish."
    "Nicholas, let's go back to the table and eat."
    "But, she's out there alone."
    "She's fine. Sit down."
    "If I do, will you explain what you know that you're not telling me?"
    "Yeah." Shane waited until Nicholas was seated. "What Ellie was trying to say was that Charlotte feels sorry for Jake because his first wife died in a car crash."
    ****
    All night, sadness and thoughts of loss haunted Nicholas. When morning came, he was in a surly mood.
    Jake knocked on their door with an offering of waffles and coffee, apologizing for the lack of food in the house. "When Ellie told me what happened…man, I'm so sorry. I guess Carla just forgot to stock the shelves. Everything else is okay though, right?"
    Shane smiled and slapped Jake on the back. "Sure is. Everything is fine. We'll go after work to pick up some things. No big deal."
    Jake shook his head. "No need for that. Ellie's already headed to the store. She'll have everything ready when we get home today."
    Nicholas pulled his work gloves on and stifled a groan at the headache beginning behind his eyes. He walked to the medicine cabinet and popped two aspirin.
    His dad came around the corner. "We good to go?"
    "Ready when you are."
    Jake had brought three horses with him. As they rode, he explained that in addition to raising a few head of cattle, the ranch was also a fifty acre farm that grew corn, green beans, potatoes, and other vegetables for farmers' markets and people in the region.
    While the horses trotted, Shane said, "Jake, when you called and asked me to move here and help, you never really told me my duties. I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to do."
    Jake scratched between his eyes and cleared his throat. "Well, the fact is, the place is too big for me to run on my own and I need help with everything. I hate to admit it, but I let some things go after Annie died. I just couldn't seem to move on. I kept thinking back and realizing how much time I could have spent with her. I just don't want to make the same mistake twice."
    Shane nodded.
    Nicholas understood. How could he not? How many years had he spent away from home trying to be his own man? There had been times when he could have spent more time with the family, but he'd blown it off. It was time he could never get back.
    They traveled a little further before stopping next to a broken fence. Supplies were piled nearby. Jake said, "Here's our project for today. We need to repair this fence so the cows don't escape."
    Shane dismounted and started right in. Nicholas gave him a puzzled look. How did