Page 48 of A Whiskey River Princess

As they took their seats at the table with the sheriff and his children, Gabriella was surprised at how welcome she felt in this town, as if she was finally home.

Chapter 12

Dirk

Over the next few weeks, Dirk and Gabriella fell into a rhythm in his cabin. Dirk was proud of how quickly Gabriella had learned how to cook and clean. While he worked with Kyle on the ranch, tending the cattle and livestock, Gabriella spent her day cleaning, cooking, and embroidering a sampler that she would promptly hide when Dirk walked in.

Dirk smiled to himself at the thought as he scooped sweet feed into Angel’s feeding trough, and then fed Winter and the other horses.

“What are you smiling about?” Kyle asked as he pushed a wheelbarrow past, filled with horse manure. Kyle Shea was seventeen and had been helping Dirk while the men were away visiting their families. He had just graduated and was eager to prove himself.

Dirk shrugged. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

“You’ve been doing a lot of that lately.” Kyle chuckled, giving him a knowing smile.

Dirk laughed. “What? Thinking?”

Kyle shrugged as he walked on.

“Kyle, after you dump that load, I’d like to speak with you for a minute,” Dirk called after him.

Kyle nodded and then headed out the back to dump the wheelbarrow’s contents.

Dirk finished feeding the other horses and then slid the feed can into the wooden barrel where the sweet feed was kept.

Kyle walked back in and put away the wheelbarrow, and then approached, brushing off his leather gloves, one across the other. “What’s up, boss?”

Dirk laughed. “Stop calling me that.”

“Well, you are, aren’t ya?” Kyle smirked.

“That’s what I’d like to talk to you about,” Dirk replied, enjoying Kyle’s spunk. “Over the past few weeks since my men have been away, I’ve really appreciated your help. You’ve come a long way and really proved yourself.”

Kyle smiled. “Thanks, boss.”

Dirk ignored the jab. “Kyle, I was wondering if you would like to stay on here at my ranch. You still have a lot to learn, especially at branding time and the like, but I know you can handle it.”

Kyle’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I would. I was going to ask you for a permanent job just before your men came back.”

A crease formed between Dirk’s eyes. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to college? You’re smart enough to go to any college you want.”

Kyle shook his head as a smile spread across his lips. “No, college ain’t for me. I’d rather make some money.”

Dirk laughed. “‘Isn’t for me,’ not ‘ain’t.’ Sounds like you could use some more education.”

Kyle burst out laughing, shaking his head. “No, Mrs. Nash is a very good teacher, but now that I graduated, I’m ready to make some money.”

“As good a worker as you are, I’m surprised that you haven’t found a job yet.”

Kyle lifted one shoulder. “I was hoping that you’d offer me one.”

They talked about pay and made plans for the ranch as they walked through the snow toward the house. It was still snowing out, but at least it wasn’t blinding, as it had been before.

“Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee and warm up? Dirk asked, smiling. “You’ve earned it.”

Kyle shook his head. “No, I need to get home. Ma’s expecting me for dinner and if I’m late, my pa will have my hide.”

Dirk chuckled. He already thought of Kyle as a man in so many ways, but then was reminded of his youth at other times. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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