Redding Writer by Ellie Derrick Lewis

Author:Ellie Derrick Lewis [Lewis, Ellie Derrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781489729620
Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
Published: 2020-06-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Spring arrived, and the cloudy, gray days were fewer. Sunshine poked through the kitchen windows, and the pasture grass shoved its way up through the ground. The snow was melting quickly. The hands saddled their horses and rode out to the pasture to check on the cows that were about to give birth. Wes decided to bring the ones about to calve into the corral since there were only the three of them to aide the animals. The cowboys maneuvered the heavy-bellied animals into a line and led them closer to the ranch. Earlier, before the ride, they had spread fresh hay along one side of the wooden enclosure. Those lumbering cattle were eager for more food and quickly caught the scent. They followed each other obediently into the corral.

Soon after, the mamas and babies were rubbing noses as the newborns were pushed out from the warm bellies onto the cold ground. The three cowboys shared the watch and pulled the calves that needed help. The bawling went on for several days as the wobbly animals learned to suckle and walk.

Patsy spent all her time in the kitchen bringing food and hot coffee out to the men when they could take a break. On the nights when the moon was covered by heavy clouds she used a lantern to light her way to the corral. Jim was the only one who got any lengthy sleep. The following week the snow was gone and all the cows and new calves were led back to the pasture.

Jim moved around the house on his own while Patsy slept. He walked into the kitchen. Then back to the living room and sat down at the desk. He thumbed through the ledger. Everything looked in order. Patsy finally paid for the hay when she took him into town to the doctor. He looked for the sales order and found it stuffed in the back of the bound book. Janey’s phone number was still there. He would love to hear her cheerful voice. He couldn’t remember what days she had off after all this time, and he didn’t dare call her from the ranch.

“Jim!” Patsy’s harsh voice shouted at him. “What are you doing at the desk? Where are your crutches?”

“Back to reality”’ Jim blurted out. “How long till I can drive?” He flipped the book shut and looked up at her.

“Not soon enough,” she said, brushing the sleep from her eyes.

At dinner she announced to him, “Tomorrow I am taking Patches out for a ride. We both need some fresh air. It seems now that you have tossed the crutches, you’ll do just fine without me here for a while.”

“Suit yourself. Should I ask one of the men to go with you?”

“Not at all,” she said instantly. “They have hovered over me all winter.”

While she cooked breakfast the next morning, Patsy said nothing to the cowboys or Jim about the ride. Once the dishes were done and put away, she grabbed her heavy riding coat and tan woolen cowboy hat.

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