Page 74 of Cherry Tree Ranch

“Not technically,” he draws out. “I haven’t signed any contracts.”

He gives me a small, sweet kiss, not the ravenous one I expected, the one I’m craving.

“Does that mean you don’t want to pick with me any more?”

“Are you serious? If I can kiss you like this, boss, I’ll work for you morning, noon and night.”

“We’ll see,” I say, trying to be serious.

He walks his fingers up my ribs, up my neck, behind my ear and then down the middle of my chest. He makes circles round my belly button, lingering on the edge of my skin.

He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip. “Back to work?” He smirks.

“Absolutely,” I say, and kiss him like my life depends on it.

My curls are a matted, frizzy mess when we come up for air, so I braid my hair before sorting through the pile of our clothes on the swivel chair.

“I could watch you for ever.”

I turn back. Cash is propped on an elbow, watching me.

“For ever, huh? Wouldn’t you get sick of me?” I ask, getting to my knees and leaning over him.

“Never.” He lifts me up and pulls me on to his lap. “Are you doing OK? Before, it seemed like you were having a fever dream.”

“Well, I had this dream … where I was Daisy.”

“Interesting. Tell me more.” He stops and laughs at himself. “I sound like some creepy psychiatrist – Dahlia, tell me about your dream while I lay here naked under a blanket,” he says in a monotone voice.

I tell him everything I remember. We sit quietly for a while until he gets up with the blanket round his waist. I sneak a peek at his bare butt as he pulls off his damp briefs. After tugging on his clothes, he sits down next to me. He puts his hand round mine and rubs my fingernail with his thumb.

I pull the bronze horse from my pocket. “This was on the desk, and I’ve been carrying it around the way you do your rosary. I love it.” I lean into him and he touches the horse’s back.

“Maybe Daisy loved it too,” he says, putting his chin atop my head.

“Probably. It does say this…” I flip it over and show him the engraving.

“J. It was from Joaquin?” he says, breathy with disbelief.

“Yeah, but I started carrying it with me before I knew.”

Cash looks at me. “There’s an unfinished story here. Let’s look through more of the letters.”

We slowly begin looking through more of the materials from the desk, and then I find a letter that makes me gasp.

“Oh no – Cash, look at this.”

October 8, 1925

Daisy,

Mama is gone. Cattlemen shot her last night in a raid. I’m sorry about my messy handwriting, I’m still shaking after what happened. It was horrific.

Joaquin is unharmed. He was bringing the larger flock home from sheep camp. He and I will make preparations for Mama.

Earl came to see if one of his young colts made its way over here after running from his place yesterday. After seeing what happened, he offered to buy the ranch. He said we could continue living here, we’ll be safe, and he’ll take care of everything.

But, Daisy, I know he didn’t lose a horse yesterday. Those were his men who raided us. He came to see how they did. I’m sure he’s disappointed most of the flock wasn’t here.