Page 16 of Cozy Cabin for Two
“Of course. I’ll hobble over to watch you and get some sunshine. I need a break from this cabin.”
“Why? Is something wrong with Ash’s cabin?” Daisy stepped inside and took a look around. “Oh, wow. He did such nice work. Look at this place.”
“Ash?” I limped closer, brow furrowed.
“Well, he built it, didn’t he? For months he complained about how he couldn’t wait to get out of that crowded bunkhouse and into a private place all his own.”
We’re staying in his cabin? I about swallowed my tongue at this news. Why didn’t he say something?
“Oh, here, Ro. A gift from me and my sisters.” Daisy held a shoe box out to her.
“For me?” She ripped the top off and gasped at the little pair of light blue cowgirl boots. Tucked inside each one were a variety of school supplies.
“We guessed at the size. Ivy carries boots of all kinds at her shop in town if you need to exchange them. We wanted you to have a good pair to wear on your first day of school. And, well, you can never have enough glue, pencils, and markers.” Daisy winked at her.
“That was so nice of you. What do you say, Ro?” I was truly touched by their gift.
“Thank you!” She plunked to the floor to inspect it all and then whipped off her shoes. She tugged the boots on and asked, “Can I wear them now while riding?”
“Sure.” I nodded, and off she ran to the barn. “Daisy, can you walk beside me? I’m still a littleunsteady on this ankle.” In a haze about Ash’s cabin, I followed Daisy out.
“This is a gorgeous ranch.” I filled my lungs with fresh air, so different than city life in California.
“It used to be my family’s ranch. We live just on the other side, that way.” She pointed in a general direction that I thought might be northeast. “Our parents were older, and passed away too soon. I tried to keep the ranch running and take care of my sisters. But between the work and our debt and back taxes, it became too big of a mountain to climb.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea what you’d been through.”
“We’re fine now. Chris Magnus bought the land and turned it into this rescue ranch. At least he was kind enough to parcel out about twenty acres around our home for us to keep, most of it the apple orchard my mother had started years ago. Sage and Poppy keep that growing. It’s harvest time right now, so they’re busy picking. Anyway, I’ll be forever grateful to Chris for getting us out of a tight spot.”
“Seems like a man with a good heart.” I kept an eye on Ro up ahead, who had slowed and become more interested in gathering wildflowers along the way.
“That was why there weren’t any buildings here. Ash oversaw the barns and bunkhouse being built, andvarious other buildings for the animals. I remember the day Ash got his plans approved for his own cabin. A smile finally appeared on his grumpy face. Just like Sunday night, all smiles having you two at church.” She side-eyed me.
My cheeks pinked. “Well, you and your sisters are certainly surrounded by a whole lot of testosterone out here. Ever get tired of all the guys?”
“You mean the endless parade of flirty and sarcastic ranch hands who see a female and like to tease them without shame? Honestly, it’s kind of refreshing after living with my moody sisters. Out here, most of the time, these guys are clowns, letting off steam, looking for a laugh. But just like the horses, some of them are here needing a rescue themselves.”
“Sounds like Ash. I’ve been hoping to get through to him—although I suppose you’ve known him long enough to know all about his past?” I tried to sound casual instead of fishing for intel.
Daisy snorted. “Ash? No, he keeps whatever ails him close to his chest. He can be a pretty intense guy by day running things around here, but I’ll bet he’s a sweetheart underneath if a woman dug deep enough. Seems like too much work for me. I’ve already got a full plate working and keeping my sisters in line and aroof over our heads. I don’t have time for complicated relationships.”
I held a newfound respect for Daisy. Both of us single women, caring for the people in our lives. In that space, we somehow shared a sisterhood.
Suddenly, a few four-wheelers approached and parked up at the barn door. We watched a few of the ranch hands dismount through a cloud of dust.
“Hey Daisy,” Knox shouted from the group. She waved him off as if she didn’t care.
“So, you’re not interested in Ash then?” I confirmed, just to be sure.
“Nope. Besides, I have a feeling there’s only one person he might care about. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you Sunday night, from what I could tell.” She cocked her head in my direction.
“We have a complicated history.”
“Well, don’t let that stop you, and don’t give up on him,” she winked with a teasing tone in her voice as if she knew exactly what was going on.
We stopped by the arena, where Ro handed us two fistfuls of flowers. Daisy started telling her what kinds they were, when from inside the paddock, a horse neighed loudly and often.
“Sounds like Juniper. I'd better go see what’s going on.” Daisy jogged off, but didn’t getmore than five feet away when the horse came running into the arena, with Colt not too far behind.
