The Rancher's Girl by Dina Chapel

Author:Dina Chapel [Chapel, Dina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-11-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

It wasn’t all that hard to ignore Cal Monroe from that point forward. Things had picked up on the ranch and everyone but everyone had more work than they knew what to do with. Rose herself was kept busy with a multitude of tasks, between helping prepare the daily meals for all the hands, and clean up after, laundry, cleaning the household, tending the chickens, and now they were heading into canning season.

Every night Rose literally collapsed into her bed and was asleep within minutes, waking again before dawn to start all over again. She was grateful in a way, as the pace kept her from dwelling on the heartache that always dwelt just below the surface. It wasn’t that she wasn’t thinking of him or that she was forgetting him, it just made it less painful to constantly think on it. The days flew by.

Cal appeared to be the busiest of all, since it seemed that James Arnot entrusted quite a bit of the ranch’s responsibilities to him. When Rose did spy him during the course of the day, it seemed he hardly ever was standing still. He had tried to catch her eye a few times when he had come in to eat during the past few weeks, but Rose had busied herself immediately and was able to effectively ignore him. If he noticed something amiss, he hadn’t mentioned it to her or given any indication.

Rose was pretty sure that at some point she’d have to deal with Cal Monroe, and sure enough, that day came sooner rather than later. It was midweek, midmorning and Rose had just finished hanging up her third load of laundry on the lines that were set up right next to the Arnots’ small fruit orchard. Leaning down to retrieve her basket, she spied Sara Arnot headed her way.

“That sun sure does feel good,” she commented, smiling at Rose. “It’s nice and warm.”

Rose couldn’t help but smile back. “It is, “ she agreed. “I’ll bet these linens will be dry in no time.”

“I’ll walk you back, Rose. Then I can talk to you.” Sara fell in step with Rose as she headed toward the back porch of the ranch house.

“Is something wrong, ma’am?”

“Oh, no, Rose, not at all. It’s just feels a mite more productive to be walking and talking rather than standing and talking.” She smiled at Rose. “Especially when it seems no one has a moment to pause these days. I should have warned you about the amount of work you would be expected to do at this time of year.” Sara stopped walking and put a hand on Rose’s arm. “I hope it’s not too much for you, dear.”

Rose smiled at the older woman and shook her head. “No, ma’am. Not at all. I’m no stranger to hard work, and the working conditions here are much more pleasant than some other places I’ve worked.” They started in to walking again. “I’m fine, truly.”

“I’m glad. Now the reason I came to see you is that I thought you might like a little break anyway.

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