The Rancher Read Free Page A

his neck,rubbing as she went.
    Looking down into the freshly laidbedding, Abby noticed a small, torn pieceof black cloth protruding from the straw atthe edge of the stall.  She patted Chesteron the side of his neck and reached downto pick it up.
    “What is it?” Lily asked.
    Abby pulled at the cloth and freed alarge black linen knapsack. She couldn’t

    think of a reason as to why it would be in the stall or where it had come from.  She
    had prepared the room herself just a little over a half an hour ago and had not seen anyone else enter since she’d spread the straw on the floor.  Something didn’t feel right, but she dismissed the feeling as nerves from killing the snake.
    “Nothin’.” Abby shoved the cloth into her back pocket.
    Content all had returned to normal, Abby grabbed the bucket of oats from the spot Lily had dropped it and handed it to Caleb, who leaned against the stable entrance, picking at his teeth with a piece of straw. He took the bucket without a
    word and pushed himself away from the
    door.
    Abby returned outside for the water

    pails she’d left in the courtyard.
    Lily followed.
    After she retrieved her pole and pails, she walked with a determined pace toward the water wagon. Something still just didn’t sit right.  She’d killed her fair share of snakes before, but she’d never seen a rattler on the ranch.  They were too far away from the hills.
    “Are you all right?”  Lily broke into her thoughts.
    Abby looked back at her friend, who struggled to catch up, her heeled shoes no match for the gravel and dirt that made up the courtyard.
    What   is   wrong  with  you  Abby
    McCallister?   She took a deep breath andslowed   enough   for   Lily   to   walkcompanionably next to her.

    “My mama sure loved this place, you know?” Abby forced her thoughts in a different direction.  “It’s because of her that  McCallister  stock  is  the  most requested in the territory. She sure knew her horses.”
    They reached the water wagon and Abby turned the spigot to fill the oversized pails.  She leaned her backside against the base.
    “I know you miss her and all, Abs, but...” Lily paused lowering her eyes away from Abby, “...she’s still alive,” she reached out a hand and placed it over Abby’s heart, “in here.  You don’t have to be exactly like her to keep her memory alive.”
    “She was different than most mothers, I know that. But she taught me how to ride,

    how to respect and handle hors—“
    “No one is saying your ma wasn’t a great woman, Abs.   In fact, I am very thankful right now for the skills she taught
    you.   They just saved my life,” Lily exclaimed, her hand raised across her heart.
    The door to the main house opened.
    Her father’s broad shoulders filled the
    entry.  Abby noted how the white flecks in his hair aged him somewhat and she was saddened to think of all he had endured over the last several years without her mother.
    “It’s my pa you should thank for that
    one.”
    Her father motioned for Caleb to joinhim on the porch.  Abby watched the tensebody language between the two men as

    they spoke.  When her father looked up and caught her eyes he held her stare for a moment then turned inside, slamming the door behind him.
    “Uh, Abby?  The water.“ Lily nudged her toward the overflowing pail.
    She quickly switched the full bucket with the empty and was more careful to watch as the second one filled. Her father
    was still angry.   This was the most troubled she had seen him in a long time, but she wouldn’t give in.  Couldn’t give in to what he wanted from her.
    “What exactly happened between you two last night?” Lily asked.
    Abby did not appreciate how in tune Lily could be sometimes.
    “And don’t say ‘nothing’ because I know better,” Lily continued, moving her

    hands to her hips.
    Abby turned away from her, but could still feel her