LITMIR.BIZ

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good to know.”

      “Let me assure you we’re close enough to the ranch to be here on a moment’s notice if necessary. Wes’s grandfather made it possible for Wes and me to get into a small house after we were first married. I had imagined we’d be living in an apartment for several years, so we’re very lucky.”

      “My grandfather sings his praises. I think that’s wonderful.” Tracey and Jeff would have moved to an apartment first, but it didn’t happen, and she needed to stop living in the past. That’s why she’d wanted this new job here for the summer.

      “Wes’s parents are so generous, too, and have made everything great for us. I’ve married into the best family in the world. But that’s enough talking about me. I hear you’re an elementary school teacher. I admire you for being able to handle a roomful of children all day long.”

      “It’s a challenge, but I love it.”

      “Do you have a boyfriend back home who’s going to miss you?”

      Tracey’s eyes smarted. “I was engaged to be married, but my fiancé was killed while serving in the military. I’m still trying to get over it.”

      A hand went to Fran’s throat. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry to have gone on and on about me and Wes.”

      “Don’t you worry about anything. It happened eighteen months ago and I’m doing much better.”

      “I’m glad to hear that. If you ever want to talk, I’m available. I met Wes at junior college. We dated and I fell in love with him. But there were several long periods when he didn’t call me. Both times I thought it was over and could hardly bear it. I remember those times, and I’m so sorry for your loss.”

      “Don’t say another word. I’m just happy you two got back together.”

      “It was like a miracle. One day he showed up at my dorm and we ended up getting married. But I’m keeping you from getting settled, so I’ll drive with you to your cabin. It’s number two.”

      “Thank you.” Fran was a very compassionate person. Tracey liked her. They left the ranch house and got in her car. She started the engine and, following Fran’s directions, drove them past a corral holding half a dozen horses to the log cabins in the distance.

      Only then did it dawn on Tracey how lucky she was to be working for the Hunter family. It made her realize how much John Hunter must revere her grandpa, letting her come work for them as he had. She would do everything she could to fit in, and Fran was already making it easy.

      She pulled up in front of her designated cabin. Fran got out and opened the door while Tracey carried in her luggage. The first thing she saw in the little living-room-slash-kitchen was a yellow vase filled with white daisies placed on the round dinette table. A card peeked out of it. She put down her bags and opened the envelope.

      “Welcome to the Rocky Point Dude Ranch. I hope the experience here will help mend your broken heart. —John.”

      Hot tears burned her eyelids. Tracey didn’t know her grandfather had confided in John about Jeff. She was so touched she could hardly talk.

      “How lovely.” Her voice faltered.

      “Granddad says you’re the very special granddaughter of his oldest, best friend.”

      Tracey turned around. “I can’t thank all of you enough for your kindness.”

      “It’s a pleasure. Can I do anything else for you?”

      “I’ll be fine. Do you want me to drive you back?”

      “Oh, no. I need the walk. We’ll see you in the dining room at seven for a special dinner to kick off the summer season. And remember, come on over to the ranch house anytime if you need someone to talk to. I know there are times when I do.” Fran put the front door key on the table before leaving.

      That sounded like a lonely statement to Tracey.

      While mulling it over, she walked into the bedroom with its two twin beds, dressers and closet. The other door of the main room led to the bathroom. She liked the blue-green-and-white-plaid decor of the cabin.

      A painting of the Sapphire Mountains hung on the log wall over the small couch. With a mini fridge, microwave, TV and internet, she would be perfectly happy here.

      The first thing she did was sit down at the table and call her parents. Most of all she wanted to thank her grandpa and tell him about the daisies John had left for her. After a tearful conversation with him while she expressed her gratitude, Tracey freshened up and drove her car over to the barn to unload her saddle and gear.

      A sandy-haired guy who looked to be college age caught sight of her. “Hey—need help?” He walked up to her with a smile you couldn’t miss. “I’m Grady Cox.”

      “Hi, Grady. I’m Tracey Marcroft and will be helping on the trail rides. If you could show me the tack room?”

      “Let me carry your saddle.”

      “Thank you.” She brought the rest of the gear and followed him through the long barn to the end room. “Were you hired for the summer?”

      “That’s right. I’m a student at Montana State. This will be my third year working with the horses. Occasionally I help on the trail rides, too. Are you from around here? In college?”

      She chuckled. He worked fast. “I graduated from the University of Montana two years ago and teach elementary school in Polson.”

      He shook his head. “I never remember having a schoolteacher who looked like you. This has to be my lucky day.”

      She smiled, but she wasn’t attracted to him, and put her gear away, not wanting to give him any encouragement by responding. “Mr. Hunter told me Wes is in charge of the stable. Is he on duty? I need to pick out a horse I can ride while I’m here.”

      “I’ll help you do that while he’s gone.”

      “Will it be all right?”

      “That’s my job. Do you have a preference?”

      “Not really. I’m sure Mr. Hunter wouldn’t have anything but the best horses.”

      “You’re right about that. Why don’t we walk to the corral? Any one of the quarter horses out there would be a great choice for you. I’ve been exercising them. Of course, we have more here in the barn if you want to look them over, too.”

      “Thank you.”

      She was glad he had other things to do and left her alone in the corral. For the next hour, Tracey examined each horse and walked it around. She took her measure of the three mares: a sorrel, a black and a bay. The three other horses were geldings, all of them buckskins.

      When she’d finished, she walked into the barn to look over the other horses before she made a decision. When she came to the dun gelding, she knew the splendid horse was the one she wanted, and Tracey walked him out of his stall to the corral.

      But as she was leading him around, she noticed his right front leg was limping a little. That wasn’t good. She lifted his hoof to inspect it. When she applied pressure to the sole, the horse let out a distressed grunt.

      “You poor thing.” She patted his neck to settle him before calling to Grady, who’d gone out to the corral. “Come and look. This horse is in pain.”

      He walked over with a frown. “That’s Wes’s horse.”

      “Oh! I thought all the horses were available.”

      “Sorry. Not Chief. I should have said something. He’s off-limits.”

      “Still, he’s limping and needs attention.”

      “I’ve never noticed him do that before. Are you sure?”

      “Positive.”

      “You’d

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