Annie looked over the plans for the barn.
“
I
’
m a fish out of water as far as the barn is concerned,
”
she admitted.
“
We
’
re going to have to hire someone experienced in horse breeding, training, hell I don
’
t know a damn thing about horses.
”
She laughed.
“
I think I have a solution to that,
”
Van remarked.
“
I
’
ve been spending a fair amount of time in Weltworth and I happen to know a guy we can hire.
”
Annie
’
s eyebrows raised in question. She knew from experience that the grapevine in Weltworth ran fast.
“
Well?
”
“
I found out that a man named Clint Maloney just had his ranch foreclosed on. I hear he
’
s the best around with horses and knows about cattle as well.
”
“
If he
’
s so good why did he go into foreclosure?
”
Annie asked.
“
I don
’
t know the whole story, but his wife died
—
”
“
Say no more,
”
Annie jumped in.
“
If they have nowhere to go offer him the job.
”
“He has a daughter
too
.”
“
Then
tell him a house comes with the position. If it turns out he can
’
t handle it we
’
ll just get someone else, but I want him
have a home.
”
“
Gathering strays are you?
”
Van asked, chuckling.
“
Why do you say
that?”
“You
already hired Mrs. Harvy to be
your
live
-
in
help. I
heard that she had only one month
’
s rent left in the bank. Then there
is
Jimmy McKeegan. He
ck, you’ve never met the guy, but because he’s Noreen’s cousin you hire him and build one of the nicest bunkhouses I’ve ever seen.”
“
I know what it
’
s like to feel unwanted and to have nowhere to go.
”
“
Annie
,
y
ou
’
ve got a big heart.
”
“
Find this Clint fellow and offer him the job,
”
she instructed.
“
If he has nowhere to go right now move him and his daughter into my new bedroom. That should give them enough room until their house is built. Have him go over the plans for the barn and we
’
ll use his expertise.
”
Annie walked Van to the door.
“
Oh, one more thing, check with Noreen.
She will
know the 411 on this guy, but e
ither way, give him a place to live at my house
for now
.
”
Annie hugged Van.
“
I
’
ll be there in two weeks,
”
she said happily.
*
*
*
*
Annie had chosen a window seat on the plane since she wanted to see Texas from the air. She was going home finally to a place that was all hers
. And s
he didn
’
t have to depend on anyone
’
s goodwill or fickle heart anymore. She
’
d spoken to Van yesterday and he said he
’
d have someone there to meet her, driving her brand new Texas pickup truck
—
cherry red of course. Practically bouncing in her seat, she wa
ited
impatient
ly
for the cabin door to open
when they landed.
Finally, she stood at the luggage claim. She looked around trying to spot a familiar face
, but
she saw none. Instead, she found herself standing in front of the most rugged man she had ever seen. His face was very angular with laugh lines deeply etched into his skin. He was very tan as though he spent most of his time outdoors and when he took off his hat to greet her she could see his midnight black hair. It was curly
, but
he kept it cut short.
“
Mrs. Dawson?
”
the man asked.
“
Annie—
just call me Annie,
”
she immediately said. She didn
’
t like using her married name.
“
You must be Mr. Maloney.
”
She spotted a little girl peering up at her from behind her father
’
s legs.
“
I
’
m Clint
m
a
’
am,
”
he said with a touch of shyness.
Annie didn
’
t think he was a shy man. Maybe around women, but he had the look of a Man
’
s man, just like Burke. She stopped her thoughts from going there. She didn
’
t want to think about him, at least not today.
“
Nice to meet you Clint,
”
she replied as she crouched down.
“
Who is this beautiful princess?
”
she asked with a smile.
The girl was adorable. She peeked out from behind her father
’
s legs and smiled at Annie.
“
Are you a princess too?
”
she asked in awe.
Annie laughed.
“
All girls are princesses at some time or another. What
’
s your name?
”
“
Ennie,
”
she said in delight.
Clint laughed and reached down to sweep his daughter up into his strong arms.
“
That
’
s right sweetheart, your name is Rheenie.
”
A
leg brace on the little girl
’
s leg was prevalent and it tore at
Annie’s
heart. She could see the love between them and was immediately envious.
After l
ocating her luggage, they were off. Clint wasn
’
t much of a talker
,
but his daughter made up for his lack of verbiage. Annie loved looking at Rheenie. Her hair was black like her father and she wore it long and straight, secured by a black velvet headband. Her brown eyes shone with excitement and her face was so animated
that
Annie was immediately smitten.
“
My
d
addy said to thank you for a roof,
”
she said very seriously.
Annie looked over Rheenie
’
s head at Clint
for
clarification. He had already translated many things for Annie.
“
She means a roof over her head,
”
he chuckled.
“
Seriously though, Annie, we are beholden.
”
“
I feel like the lucky one here
.
”
Her heart swelled.
“
I need your experience and knowledge. I
’
m just happy that you took the job, and this little one is definitely a bonus.
”
“
She
’
s something
,
al
l
right.
”
He laughed proudly.
“
Annie
,
I
’
m a princess
,
not a smothin
’
,
”
Rheenie explained, patting Annie on the face with lollypop
-
sticky hands.
Annie took her hands and kissed them,
“
I know you are, baby, I know.
”
As soon as her house came into view, Annie asked Clint to stop the truck. She wanted to take it all in slowly. The house was magnificent. It still had the old farmhouse look mixed with freshness. It had been painted butter cream yellow with emerald green accents. The front porch looked lovely repaired
and
painted white. She loved it. The rose bushes were pruned
,
but they were still there
as well
. It wouldn
’
t be long before they bloomed again.
Annie opened the truck door.
“
I want to walk to it alone,
”
she said to Clint.
Clint nodded and drove up past the house toward the bunkhouse.
Annie approached her house in awe
,
feeling the pull of it. It was the same magical feeling she
’
d felt when she had first come here. Was it only months ago? Annie felt she
’
d grown years
since then
. Closing her eyes
,
she took in the sounds of the birds and building. She laughed; yes, she heard and smelled building. The smell of sawdust was very prevalent. It was a smell of new beginnings. She looked up at the big blue Texas sky and asked God to let this place be her haven.
Touching
the screen door,
Annie smiled more.
I
t was the original, repaired, but the origina
l.
A
nticipation
welled up in
her, wondering what other surprises she would find. The family room had the original wood floors, although refinished. The huge rock fireplace looked to be in working order and Annie was thrilled that the scarred wooden mantle was still in place. It was everything she imagined and more. The furniture had been reupholstered
,
and one Queen Anne style chair had a beautiful hand
-
sewn tapestry on it. Van had mentioned the needlework he found in the attic. Annie gently ran her fingers over the fabric. She was home,
and
this time she knew it was right.
The rest of the house was a delight
as well
. The kitchen still had the original counter tops, scars and all. The big farmhouse sink was still there, modernized by new fixtures. It all blended in and gave the room an overall look of the early
1900s.
Mrs. Harvy
’
s room was off the kitchen
.
S
he had requested that
room,
and it was lovely. Peeking into the spare room, she was surprised to see that Clint and Rheenie
’
s things were inside. She had told Van to give them the master bedroom since it was bigger.
Making a mental note to ask them about it later, Annie moved on.
Finally, she made her way to her room. It was huge. She gasped as she saw the bed covering. It was lush and opulent, covered in throw pillows and it sported a pattern of roses. Her bathroom was also decorated with a rose motif. She looked at her garden tub and instantly knew that it would get a lot of use.
Hearing a sound, Annie went back to her room. There stood Mrs. Harvy with a great big smile on her face.
“
Beautiful isn
’
t it?
”
Annie quickly hugged the other woman.
“
Did you
—
?
”
“
No,
”
Mrs. Harvy answered quickly.
“
Van picked it all out. Not only is he a great architect
,
but he knows how to restore furniture and he likes to decorate. He has great taste.
”
Annie wholly agreed. Van had outdone himself.
Mrs. Harvy seemed to sense Annie
’
s need to be alone.
“
I
’
ll go make us some tea while you take this all in.
”