Page 26 of Moonlight Over Montana

“How can she? Arson is a crime and it’s not like you set your place ablaze.” He did his best to temper back his annoyance.

“It’s not really about what I did or didn’t do. It’s a reaction to her losing everything and the reality of what might have happened has hit her hard.”

He could understand that. A few more minutes and he might not have been able to get up the stairs to save them and that made his blood freeze in his veins.

Susie came back up the porch steps and held the tray out to Jed and Maggie before she set it down. “Mom, I’m sorry about before. I didn’t mean what I said, and I know this isn’t your fault. I just miss being at our house, with our stuff.” She sniffed and pressed her fingerstips to her eyes. “I want to go home.”

Maggie got up and pulled her close. “And we will as soon as we rebuild, and this time we’ll design the upstairs exactly as we want. And maybe it won’t be that long, but I need for you to be patient. We’re in this together.”

Jed shifted in his seat. If he could slip into the cabin and give them some privacy, he would, but it would be more awkward if he moved and interrupted their conversation so he stayed put.

“Now, dry your eyes and eat since Jed has something really cool to show you.”

Susie gave him a weak smile. “Sorry about all this.”

“Think nothing of it, but you might want to get a jacket. We’re going down to the barn. There’s a mare in labor and with any luck you might get to witness a new life coming into our world.”

Her face brightened. “Like now?”

He laughed. “Soon but you have time.”

She turned to Maggie. “Is it okay, Mom?”

Cupping Susie’s cheek, she said, “We’ll go together. But Jed’s right; we need jackets. I’m sure it’s going to get cold.”

Susie picked up a handful of appetizers and raced back to their cabin, saying she’d bring Maggie’s jacket too.

“I guess there is a small benefit to ranch life.”

Maggie nodded. “She couldn’t see a foal being born if we were home. Maybe when she starts to realize all the interesting things that happen on a ranch, she’ll enjoy the experience instead of fighting me every step of the way.”

Jed had a feeling tonight’s fight hadn’t been the first and if he were a betting man, it wouldn’t be the last either.

He took the last swallow of his beer and popped another tart in his mouth. “When we come back up, I want to hear what happened with the rest of your day.”

She gave him a slow assessing smile. “Let’s just say I got a lot accomplished and it’s all thanks to you.”

13

Maggie was tired when they got back to Jed’s cabin. But she wanted to fill him in on all that had happened today—well, really yesterday—since it was directly related to his encouragement.

Susie dropped to the top step. “Can you believe we just witnessed a filly born and she’s so pretty. She almost looks gold.”

“Annie is breeding palominos and they have yellow to gold coats with a white mane and tail, and their eyes are a deep brown. With our horses here, we’re breeding quarter horses that are calm and good disposition unlike their Arabian cousins which can be high-strung and more spirited. But Annie is looking not just for coloring, but temperament too.”

“Could a palomino be a good rodeo horse?”

“Ours could be a good choice since a quarter horse has lightning-fast reflexes and are very athletic which makes them highly competitive on the rodeo circuit.”

Maggie was pleased that Jed was taking his time to explain the differences and she said, “What makes you ask about the rodeo? Thinking of running away and joining up?”

Susie laughed. “Mom, I barely know how to ride a horse, let alone be ready to barrel race or anything. I was just curious since my—” She stopped talking and got up. “I’m going to bed. Wait until I tell everyone at school what happened tonight. I’ll bet none of them got to see a baby horse born.”

Jed said, “Good night, Susie. Feel free to come down to the barn tomorrow when you get home from school.”

“Any chance for a riding lesson?”

Maggie could hear the hopeful tone in her voice. Before she could tell her daughter Jed had a job to do, he interjected. “I’m sure we can work something out. But there might be a few barn chores involved.”

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