“Rocky it is.”
Bart leaned down and carefully laid Rocky at the bottom of the newly dug grave and shoveled dirt on top, leaving an impression for the seedling. On his knees, he worked the larchseedling into the soft dirt. The deed done, he stood and held Molly’s hand, as they respectfully stood over the grave.
Molly said, “Rocky, we hope your next journey works out better than this one. But we were proud to have you in Bear and Shadow’s litter. Godspeed.”
Molly let Bart put together a happy hour platter. She noticed an interesting email had just popped in on her phone and she wanted to read it. She went to her comfortable chair in the living room and settled in. The email was from Cassie McKinnon.
Hi Molly,
We haven’t met, but I feel like I know you.
I’m Bart’s mother. At my request, Kitty gave me your email address so I could write this note.
Mainly, I wanted to say thanks for the amazing photos you’ve been sending to Kitty. I know those weren’t just random shots you clicked off. Each one is beautifully composed, little works of art, really. And I can’t adequately express how much it means to me to see Bart happy after what he’s been through. The expressions on his face remind me of the Bart we raised here at the ranch. He looks so happy with you.
Kitty may have mentioned that the family is planning a trip to the Omak Stampede to see Kitty’s farewell ride, see Bart, and hopefully to meet you.
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness in including Bart’s family in your new friendship. And please keep the photos coming.
Warmly,
Cassie McKinnon
Molly read the email at least ten times before getting up. She couldn’t explain why the note moved her so much, but it did.
For some reason, she chose to not tell Bart about the email she’d just received from his mother. They were situated in the Adirondacks in the shade. Bart had poured the Scotch and they had a platter of meat, cheese, and crackers.
“Tell me about Cassie McKinnon.”
Bart looked at her curiously, his mind obviously whirring, but his stoic cowboy upbringing keeping his poker face in place.
“One hundred percent cowgirl.”
“Huh? I thought she was a high school English teacher.”
“That’s her job and she’s very good at it. But she grew up on the ranch next door. She and Dad dated in high school and married soon after. The merger of the ranches has been a long, complicated process.”
“So she can ride?”
That earned a full-bellied laugh from Bart. She hadn’t heard him laugh like that. Mostly he chuckled, but he found that funny. He finished his laugh and said, “Yes, she can ride.”
“What was the laugh about? Either she can’t ride very well or she can really ride.”
“She can really ride.”
“And what does that mean?”
“Queen of the Northwest Montana Rodeo, barrel racer, calf roper, jockey, trick rider.”
“Oh boy. She can really ride.”
“And she’s got the fastest horse in Western Montana.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“They’re beautiful together. Kitty and Mom compete in relay races. No one can touch them.”
Molly loved hearing Bart talk about his mother. The pride in his voice was apparent.
