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“That can wait. The power’s out and the ice won’t last long. I made a jar of sweet tea. It’s instant but it will have to do. Come set for a minute. I’ll pour you a glass.”
“I’m fine. I’ll get something to drink after while.”
“Now don’t be arguing. I need you inside for a minute.”
Jake followed the fifty-five-year old, tough as nails, woman rancher into the house. She was an attractive woman with short salt and pepper hair and a clean and healthy glow about her. They’d worked hard to keep the ranch going after his uncle Charlie died. Her last vestige of fight seemed to have died when she walked out of the storm shelter and saw the aftermath of the storm.
“I’ll pour,” he insisted, taking the tea jar from her. He glanced up at the ceiling. “We got lucky.”
“That we did. This old house held together better than I expected.” Alice picked up her cell. “I pulled up the weather. We’re a heck of a lot better off than the cities and cattle ranchers closer to the coast. Connersville caught the worst of the tornadoes. Lots of people without power. A few families lost their homes.”
Jake hated the sadness in her voice. He had something sure to cheer her up.”I brought you something.”
“You did?”
“Drink your tea. Then we’ll walk down to the barn.”
Her eyes brightened a little. “You didn’t find a calf?
“Yep. I put her and her mama in the back stall. The ground is soggy, but I spread out a couple of bales of hay. They’re both going to be fine.”
Jake heard a vehicle drive up outside. He stood and walked to the door. “The sheriff is here.”
“That’s why I wanted you to come inside. He called. Wants to talk to you.”
