Damaged Hearts (33 page)

“We just got here.  Willie made some room for my horses and we’re going to hope that we didn’t step on Adam’s toes.  There was an empty single paddock that I put GoldDust in and I guess there were three empty stalls that we used for my mares.”

“I think Daddy had Adam move some of our horses around before he left so there would be room for you.  Adam won’t be mad.  He loves your horses anyway and will be happy to work with them.”  Morgan piped up.

“Let’s eat everyone.”  Consuela announced.  “James, are you hungry?  I made some extra spicy just like you asked.”

“I’m always hungry.  Let me at ‘em.”  He grinned, grabbing up a fork.

Soon everyone shuffled in and took a spot at the oversized oak table.  After filling the plates and emptying them again, talk centered around working the two ranches and taking care of inhabitants and stock.

“I have the girls, Consuela and James to help me until Rick and Adam get back.  I think we will be fine, don’t you James?”  Kat offered.

“I will have Cook and Simmons.”  Angel said.  “If I can get some temporary help from Willie, I think I will be fine til Matt and Frank makes it home.”

“Don’t forget me and Patrick.”  Lilly spoke up.  “We will already be in your bunkhouse so...”

“Bunkhouse!  I beg to differ.”  Angel glared at Lilly in mock ferocity.  “You will stay in the house just like friends do.  As long as you need a place to stay, you better plan on staying with me.”

“Anna and I can come out and help on the weekends too if you need us.”  Jacob volunteered.  “Anna won’t have to teach and my practice will be closed those two days.  We can even bring Frances along if she wants to come.”

“I dearly love visiting.”  Frances smiled then blushed.  “Or if you’re busy, maybe Willie can bring me.”

“I think it’s settled; sounds like you all have it figured out.  I gave Emily a room upstairs for now if that’s ok but since Frances and Anna are moving to Ruby’s place, I better get headed back to help them.”  Josephine stood to make her goodbyes.

Kat hugged her aunt tightly.  “Thank you again so very much for everything you did for us and for all your help.  We appreciate it more than you know.”

Angel moved in with a hug of her own.  “Come see us anytime.”  She added.

“You all can stop in and see me too.”  Josephine reminded them.  “Once it gets close to time for the baby, send for me.  I can stay and help for a bit.”

“We will.”  Angel and Kat both agreed as they hugged Frances in turn.  “Safe trip and see you both again soon.”

“Since I will have Lilly for company, you and Anna might as well start back too Jacob.”  Angel winked at Anna.  “That way Anna can have some say on her new accommodations.” 

“Sounds good to me.”  Jacob stood.  “I’ll go see to the horses.”

“I’ll help you out.”  James offered as he followed him out the door.

“Willie, if you want to grab a bunk in the bunkhouse; I think we can head back the ranch tomorrow.  I’m a little tired from all the activity.”  Angel smothered a yawn.

“Right this way Miss Angel.”  Consuela rose from her chair.  “There is a spare room here that should be comfortable for you.”

“Whew.  What do you all think?”  Kat asked Morgan, Ali, and Emily.  “Sure is noisy with so many people around.”

“I like it noisy.”  Ali announced.  “It’s too quiet and stuffy with just us and Consuela here.  Now that you’re here, maybe Daddy will laugh again too.”

“I think we will all make each other laugh!”  Kat agreed as she tickled Ali.

“I’m just glad everyone seems happy.”  Morgan said quietly.  “And I’m glad you came, Kat.”

Kat pulled her stepdaughter close and kissed her on top of the head.  “I’m glad I came too Morgan.  Now what do you say about giving me a tour of the barn and paddocks?”

~XXXVI~

Kat sighed as she looked at the calendar.  “When are they coming back?”  She whispered.  “I can’t believe how much I miss him.”

“It will be sooner than you think.”  Consuela said as she threw open the curtains.  “He will be wanting to see how big you have grown with his babies.”

“Babies?”  Kat questioned, looking at her expanding waistline.  “Oh no.”

“Oh yes Senora Kat.  I am sure it is two that you carry; look how your belly grows already.”

“This belly keeps getting in the way of my work.”  Kat pouted.  “I can only imagine how much trouble there will be with two of them always into mischief.”

Consuela hid a smile.  “But they will have big sisters to help corral them too.  It will be fine, just wait and see.”

I’m going to take the girls and visit Angel today and bring home the puppy.  Maybe Voodoo will give us all something to laugh and smile about.”

Kat grabbed one of Rick’s shirts that she had taken to wearing once she could no longer button her own and pulled it on over her denims.  She had given up trying to get those buttoned too but at least her belly held them up while the shirt kept her from embarrassment.  “I can almost see where a dress might be easier.”  She grumbled under her breath.

In the kitchen, she grabbed a warm, fluffy cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee then made her way to the barn.  First checking on her mares, she then moved on to Dusty’s stall.  “What do you think about going for a ride Big Boy?”  She gave him a nibble of her breakfast then grabbed the lead ropes for the girl’s horses.

After tying Pixie and Genie to their stall doors, Kat quickly brushed them down, checked their shoes, smoothed out the blanket, and waited while James set his pitchfork aside and put the saddles into place.  Once they were ready, she took them outside and returned for GoldDust.

Tying him to his stall door, she brushed him and put the blanket on his back, turned around, and waited for James again.  He strode up and placed her saddle in the middle of the blanket.  “Better get used to this...at least for a while.”  He grinned, before going back to mucking stalls.

Kat tightened the cinch, lowered the stirrups, and checked the hooves, then led GoldDust outside to a separate post.  He was normally docile as a lamb but with the way he was feeling so left out, she’d rather not encourage possible bad behavior.

The girls came running out of the house but slowed to a walk as they approached the waiting horses.  Kat was impressed by how much they had learned in the short time she had been here.  Morgan and Ali were naturals when it came to riding and they didn’t even hesitate anymore when she asked them to muck stalls.

“You two ready to test your skills on a little longer ride?  I thought we could go visit Angel plus, I have a bit of a surprise too.”

“A surprise!”  Ali repeated excited.  “What is it?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if she told us, Dork.”  Morgan nudged her little sister with a laugh.  “Let’s get our horses ready and go find out.”

“Don’t worry about checking their feet til we get back.  James and I already took care of them before we brought them out.  When we get home though, you need to make sure to take good care of your mounts.” 

Kat gave Ali a leg up and handed her the reins then did the same for Morgan before mounting up herself.  “Let’s go.”  She nudged Dusty and the girls followed along. 

Keeping the pace slow and easy, it took twice as long to get to the old place as it would normally but Kat was pleased with the girls growing skills.  As they drew closer, Kat could make out Lilly and Angel on horseback in a nearby field.  She waved her hat in the air and once she was sure they saw her, they continued to the barn.

Dismounting, Kat helped Ali down and smiled when Morgan figured out her own way.  “Let’s loosen the cinch and walk em a bit then tie them here where they can reach the water.”

“I’ll take Dusty too if you’d like.  That way you can talk.”  Morgan offered as she nodded towards the dust from Angel and Lilly’s approach.

“Thank you, I really appreciate that Morgan.  Just don’t let him get too lippy with Genie.”

“We’ll be fine.  I’ve been practicing just like you showed us.”

“It’s about time you showed up here!”  Angel rode up, looking tired, uncomfortable, and hot.  “Where have ya been keeping yourself?”

“Well, I’ve got two new foals and have been trying to keep up with the training on the two year olds.  We’ve been having riding lessons every day and other lessons on taking care of the stock, the rest of the time.  I had planned to be here way before this but been so busy I’m not even sure what day it is anymore.”

“We’ve missed you.”  Angel swung down heavily and grabbed her sister in a dusty hug.  “Let’s go sit in the shade and talk a bit.”

“I’ll take care of Star and be up shortly.”  Lilly said, taking the reins and leading the horse away.

“How’s it been going?  You haven’t sent smoke signals or Simmons to request help.”  Kat grinned as they took a seat on the porch.  “I bet you’re figuring it out just like I said you would.”

“I’m not going to say it hasn’t been hard work, but it’s satisfying.  You were right Kat.  Trial and error is hard sometimes but I’m learning as I go and even if I don’t do everything exactly like you did, I think I’m doing ok.”

“I’m glad Lilly and Patrick are here to help you.  Have Jacob and Anna come out or any of the others?”

“I haven’t seen anyone but we have been in the pastures moving cattle and separating the herd.  I’ve decided maybe we’ll sell the extra riding stock to have some money for repairs and upgrades.  I can sell the steers like we had planned and once Matt comes home, I’ll decide for sure on the horses but that’s where I’m leaning.”

“Sounds like you’ve put some thought into everything.  Good.”  Kat nodded her head.

“Good-bad or good-good?”  Angel asked.  “I just want to know that I’m doing the right thing; that I’m doing what you would do.”

“You know me Angel.”  Kat sighed.  “We had already planned to sell the steers this fall.  I would keep most of the horses but that’s me.  That’s a choice you get to make without my interference.  If you do decide to sell them though, I’d like first choice.  The girls will need a little feistier mounts if they are going to help us this fall.  The two they have are ok for casual riding but they are about worthless for working stock.”

“Ok, deal.”  Angel smiled for the first time since Kat had gotten there.  “I hope you plan to take that little hellion with you today though; no revising your original decision.  Voodoo is a demon!”

“Oh, come on Sis; she can’t be that bad.”  Kat laughed.

“She’s terrorizing Wolfe.  Belle won’t hardly go in the barn anymore and I’m afraid a horse is going to kick that crazy pup.  She’s out of control!”

“Sounds like she will fit in just fine then.  I’ll go grab her now, why don’t you sit here in the shade a while and rest.  Before I go to the barn, I’ll stick my head in the kitchen and see if Cook has something cool for you to drink.”

Kat stepped inside the house and looked around at all the small changes that Angel had made.  She had to admit, the place had never looked better.  “Cook.”  She announced herself.  “Where are you?”

“Sorry Miss Kat, I’m coming,” her voice carried down the hallway from the rear of the house.  “I was just out back hanging up the wash.”

“I’m sorry to bother you but do you have something cool that I could take out to Angel.  I got her to rest on the porch in the shade but I think she could use a drink too.”

“Oh yes ma’am.  I’ve got just the thing.  Simmons brought some lemons from town the other day and I made up a pitcher of lemonade and put it in the cellar.  I’ll have some out there on the porch in a flash.”

“Thank you, Cook.  I appreciate it.  Lilly and my two girls are out here too but I’m not sure where Patrick is.  I haven’t seen much of him.”  Kat replied as she left the house.

“Did I hear you asking about Patrick?”  Angel looked up from where she was sprawled across the bench.  “He’s taken to hanging out with Simmons.”

Lilly smiled.  “Anywhere that man goes, that boy follows behind.  Living here has been great for my son.  I can’t believe the changes in him.”

“Kat!”  “Mama Kat!”  The girls yelled from the yard giggling.

“What?  What is it?”  Kat rushed down the steps.

“Look at this puppy.  Isn’t she just adorable?”  Morgan said, hopefulness shining in her eyes.

“Can we keep her Mama Kat?  Pa...leezzzzzze?”  Ali begged, with the puppy gnawing on her finger.

“Actually, she is the surprise I was telling you about.  She’s one of the reasons we came to see Angel today.  I think her mama is ready for her to go now so we can take her home.”

“Really?  Do you mean it?”  Morgan asked.  “We can take her home to keep?”

“Yep, I mean it.  Her name is Voodoo.  I picked her out before I moved to the ranch.  She’s ours.”

“Oh thank you Kat!  Thank you!  I love her some much!”  Morgan cuddled the pup before setting her on the ground.  “Let’s go Voodoo.  Come with us.”  She called, getting the pup to follow them around the yard.

Satisfied that she had made the girls happy, Kat returned to the porch where she, Angel and Lilly talked about the ranch for a bit.  “Well, the girls love the pup so I guess I can’t trade now.”  She laughed.  “She’ll have to come home with us.”

“Good riddance!”  Angel and Lilly announced together. 

“Good grief you ‘all, she’s only a puppy.”  Kat laughed.

“Laugh it up.”  Lilly grinned.  “You’ll see.  She’s a menace!”

“I suppose we better be heading back.  I hate that this was only a short visit, but I know you two understand how busy it’s been lately.  This being a mom thing is exhausting too.”  Kat stood.

“Once the men are home, hopefully we can see each other more often and for longer visits.”  Angel suggested.  “Before long, we’re going to have to think about what to do as this baby gets closer.  I’m not sure I can ride up until I deliver.”

“Take is easy as much as you can, Sister.  Take breaks and rest.  If you’ve got the stock separated out, it’s just a matter of keeping them fed and keeping the troughs full of water.”

“You make it seem so simple.”  Angel huffed.  “I’m not sure I was cut out for running a ranch.  I can’t wait for Matt to come home and help.  It’s a lot of work for a pregnant person.”

“I better head back before it gets dark.  Lilly, if you two need anything, send Patrick or Simmons.”  Kat gave her a quick hug then grabbed Angel tightly.  “I love you Sister, and I’ll be back by as soon as I can.”

“She’ll be ok.”  Lilly assured.  If I could ride a bull when I was pregnant with Patrick, she can be on a horse for a little while yet.

“See ya soon.”  Kat promised again, stepping off the porch.  “Let’s go girls!  Chores are waiting!”  She tightened the cinch strap on the horses and took the wiggling puppy before giving Ali a leg up.  Morgan mounted on her own and they were ready to go.

The ride back was slower, everyone lost in her own thoughts.  As they neared the ranch, Kat pulled up, instantly on guard.  The puppy, sensing her alarm growled and barked; causing GoldDust to shift uneasily.  “Hold on.  There’s a strange horse in the yard.  Have either of you seen it before?”

“It’s a paint but not one that we’ve had.”  Morgan answered.  “Who do you think it is?”

Excited, Ali kicked Pixie back into a trot heading for the year.  “It’s Daddy!”  She screamed.  “Look, there’s Warlock and Magic!”

“Wait Ali!  Stop right now!”  Kat commanded, riding to catch up.  “We need to make sure.  Someone could have stolen their horses.  Morgan, please hold Voodoo and let me go first to make sure it’s safe.”