Page 66 of The Rancher's Wedding

Michael thought for a minute, but once he realized the answer, he knew it was obvious.

“It’s this,” he said, gesturing all around him. “It’s the cows and the hogs and the crops and the chickens. All of it. You know, there’s always something going on and I don’t think I’ve ever had a dull day in my life. What about you?”

“I think it’s the same and it’s miraculous that I found it. I don’t think I would have been able to answer that question several months ago. The truth was that I didn’t have anything to wake up for and every day was duller than the last. I suppose Megan was the only bright light in an otherwise uneventful life.”

She considered the thought for a moment, taking in the stars and everything around her.

“And,” she continued, “I have you to thank for it. At first I thought it was just everything here that was making me happy, but that was only half of it. The truth is you are just as important to me as anything on the ranch. And I really hope to never lose you.”

She looked like she was about to cry. Michael handed her a napkin to dab her tears.

“There, there,” he said. “It’s okay. I promise not to leave you.”

“I know,” Estelle said. She closed her eyes and looked at the sky before forcing a smile on her face and wiping away her tears.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Estelle said. “Like you said. Let’s have a good night. It can wait for tomorrow.”

“Yes,” Michael said, “it can.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The previous night had solidified Estelle’s feelings for Michael and instilled confidence in her. He assured her that no matter what she had to say, it wouldn’t affect how he felt about her and, in doing so, strengthened their relationship. She didn’t know what was going to happen, but there was a sense in her heart that things would ultimately work out.

She awoke early and rode Orion to town to pick up some chicken feed and fresh bread while she was at it. On the ride, she took in the cool early morning air, appreciating it for what it was, knowing that the temperature would likely hit the high 90s before the sun was directly overhead.

She kept her eye out on the plains, spotting the usual animals: rabbits and a bunch of birds, mostly, though there were a few large lizards and even a coyote heading off after a night of hunting.

When she made it into town, she tied Orion to a post and headed toward the general store.

Calvin sat at his usual spot in front. Just seeing him there always brought a smile to her face and she could never resist when he’d pull her into a conversation.

“Good morning, Calvin!” Estelle said. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Good morning, Estelle,” he said. “It certainly is.”

“We had that wine that you gave us for our wedding last night,” Estelle said. “It was wonderful.”

“I’ve been saving it for something special,” Calvin said, in that way where his words sounded like laughter. “I’m glad I did.”

“Well, thank you very much.” She sat down on the other chair as he filled his pipe and asked, “What’s the latest?”

It was unfortunate that Calvin, one of Estelle’s most reliable sources of happiness and comfort, was the one who had to give her the bad news.

It was even more unfortunate that he didn’t realize that that’s what he was doing.

“Well, funny you should mention it,” he said. “Turns out there’s a new stranger here in town. Came here all the way from Philadelphia, if I’m not mistaken.”

Estelle’s heart jumped up to her throat and nearly fell out of her mouth. She felt ill and dizzy in a very specific way. It was the exact same way she felt the night that her father introduced her as an adult to Ethan.

She was very glad to be sitting down.

“Really?” Estelle said, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. “Did you happen to get his name?”

Calvin shook his head. “No, ma’am. Just something that Earl Johnson mentioned in passing. I didn’t make the connection until after he left. That’s where you’re from, isn’t it? Philadelphia?”

It could just be coincidence, Estelle thought.Philadelphia is a large city. It isn’t necessarily Ethan. Or my father.

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