Page 64 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

“Making a note for the maintenance board.”

He eyed her for a moment, but didn’t say anything.

Drat. Did he think she was slacking off? “It’s a little thing, easily fixed, but I don’t think we have any new hinges with us.”

“No, we don’t.” Adam faced forward again and got them rolling. “Good idea to take notes. You’ll have to talk to your uncle about the maintenance board.”

Something in his tone sounded off.

Sasha pushed the odd reaction aside as best she could, diving in with full energy to the repairs and fixing and lifting and the rest that working with Adam required.

But she also kept seeing things—small things, but ones that if they weren’t fixed now, the next repair would be expensive or complicated. Loose handles on the mineral tubs. A gate chain that was now baling wire—which would work, until it didn’t.

They searched for the grease gun in the machine shed for fifteen minutes while Adam cursed under his breath before finding it.

When they broke for lunch, Sasha was ravenous, and her brain was full to the brim with ideas. The mess hall was warm and noisy and smelled delicious, and Sasha scooped up a hearty portion of chili, heaped it with pickles and grabbed two buns.

Dustin was already seated at the end of one table with Uncle Frank, talking earnestly. Frank looked up as she pulled out a chair to join them, his expression unreadable.

At least until he glanced at her plate and his brows rose for a split second before he pulled himself together. Too funny. Her dad always said she had the appetite of a linebacker, but so far, she burned it off easily.

“How’d the morning go?” Dustin asked.

“Good. Got all the things on our list done and the horses are ready for training this afternoon. The view from the far east field is incredible, Uncle Frank.”

Frank dipped his chin approvingly. “Too far off the road for the house, but one of my favourite spots.”

“I can see why.” Sasha took a big spoonful of chili and had to fan her mouth. “Your cook is really good.”

“We like him.” Frank buttered another bun. “Glad you had a good morning.”

“I did.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the worklist with her notes on the back. “I need to put some things up on the maintenance board. I took a look but couldn’t find it. Adam said to check with you.”

Frank’s face folded into a frown. “A what?”

Sasha blinked. “Whiteboard or clipboard to write down small repairs they notice need doing? Gate dragging in the east alley. Trough valve that’s sticking. Stuff like that.”

Her uncle reached forward. “I’ll take the list.”

“I don’t mind writing it up,” Sasha offered.

“I keep the lists in my office,” Frank informed her as he took the paper from her fingers and tucked it into his front pocket. “Thanks.”

Sasha sat for a moment, considering. She was here to learn but also to figure out if this entire idea was going to work. She couldn’t hold back and wait for permission. Politely, though⁠—

“At Silver Stone we’ve found it helpful to have the board where everyone can see what needs doing. Oftentimes people add on a task when they’re headed the same direction or doing a similar task nearby. Knocks off a lot of little tasks faster that way.”

Uncle Frank huffed. “Silver Stone has twice the staff and half the common sense some days.”

Sasha froze.

Without another word, Frank turned his attention to the table next to him and a couple of cowboys asking about the afternoon training session.

Dustin’s gaze flicked to Sasha.

He’d noticed but didn’t rescue her. She was grateful for that even if a small part inside wished he’d have stepped in. He got along with Uncle Frank.

But that was the point though. This wasn’t Dustin’s fight.