Page 45 of When I Forgot Us
“What?” Chuck dragged the word out, all innocence and misdirection.
“That’s like walking into the hospital and saying, ‘Sure is quiet around here.” You’d get flogged for that.” He’d heard horror stories from friends who worked in the ER. Youneversaid anything like that to a nurse or doctor. They swore chaos broke loose afterward. Might all be superstitions, but he’d seen the same thing happen on cattle drives. “If they make a break for it on the road, I’m blaming you.”
Chuck snorted. “They won’t. This bunch knows what to do, they just like to be ornery and go off on their own sometimes.”
“Sounds like some people I know,” Brian quipped.
He slapped his leg, and his horse darted over to drive a cow back into the herd.
“They’ll settle down soon,” Chase said.
Chase had every reason to think so, but he kept an eye on them. If anything went wrong, the responsibility landed on him. It was easy to fall into the routine of the ride and miss the small details. Like the sparrow that landed on the fence post ahead of him and watched with tilted head and beady eyes. It hopped onto the fence and flapped brown wings, twittering loudly before taking off. The sound of leather creaking and cows shuffling had been his lullaby for so long he often heard it just before falling asleep.
“Sometimes I think we were born in the wrong era.” Chuck turned serious. “Can you imagine this being your whole job? Just taking cows across the country?”
“You had to stop sometime,” Chase reminded him. “Even the old cowboys didn’t drive cattle forever. The goal was to find a place to build a ranch.”
“You’re ruining it.” Chuck’s expression soured. “I mean one of the cowboys who didn’t ever want to settle down. They took job after job, riding back and forth across the country their whole lives.”
“No thanks. I like having a place to call home.” He shoved Chuck’s shoulder, rocking his friend off balance. “But if that’s the life you want, you can always pitch a tent out in the pasture and cook over a campfire.”
“Forgot about that part.” He pushed Chase back with a chuckle. “I’ll stick to this century. As long as I get to ride every day.”
“Done.” He held out his hand and Chuck shook it like they were strangers making a deal.
They rode through the first open gate.
Tom nodded at them in passing. “Road’s next. I’m going to ride ahead.”
“Thanks, Tom.” Chuck nudged Chase. “Go with him and help block the road. The three of us can push them through.”
“Sure.” Chase took off after Tom, his horse enjoying the run enough to offer a small buck when he slowed.
He concentrated his attention on getting the cattle safely across the road and into the pasture. Thoughts of Michelle and what he needed to do lingered in the back of his mind. As much as it pained him to be away from her, it might be better for them both that he’d taken this step back to evaluate. If he was going to lose her again, it was better not to let his heart get so invested in a future together.
Chapter Fourteen
She’d barely seen Chase since Friday. Four days of working through memories and building her relationship with God so she had an anchor no matter what happened.
A few new memories had emerged from the quagmire of her mind. Most short snippets that fed her emotions more than anything else.
She remembered a meeting with her boss that happened last year. She’d asked for a vacation to come home and see Aunt Sarah. It had been denied. She was the bank executive but still not completely in control of her life.
Was anyone?
It had infuriated her at the time and remembering it last night had brought all that back to the surface. She’d paced and chewed on her thumbnail, worrying over the truth about her job.
Had she ever loved it? She thought so. Though the refusal had angered her, she’d stayed. Desperation or some other reason?
Tired of pacing and seeing the same four walls, she left her room for the sanctity of the B&B’s massive living area, complete with fireplace and stacks of puzzles and board games. Sheheaded to the window and dropped into the oversized armchair with the giant back that stuck up several inches over her head. It had that look and feel of a vintage piece, but with the comfort of the modern century.
Except for the springs. A few of those poked in random places and kept her from sitting still for too long.
She turned her head left, then right, scanning the sidewalks and shops that ran in either direction. Color and sunshine lifted her spirits, and she propped her chin in her hand, her elbow braced on the chair’s wide arm.
Bits and pieces of memories continued to trickle in. When they first started, she’d been tempted to run to Chase to tell him the good news but stopped. The few times she’d seen him in passing, they’d both given polite nods and moved about their business. He’d asked for time, and she needed that too.
The more she relaxed into the chair, the looser she felt, and the more flashes came to life. They came at her with snatches of feelings.
