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Cal nodded. “I sure did. Honor has a lot more pluck than I ever gave her credit for,” Cal said with a light chuckle.
“I’ll be straight with you. As soon as the injunction is lifted, Theo and I plan to accept an offer for the ranch. To be honest, I’m not sure if the outfit b
uying the Diamond R will keep you and the others on. That hasn’t been discussed.”
Cal’s face fell. “I’d like you to know the people who work on this ranch have been here for years. We work hard. We’ve always been invested in this place.” He twisted his mouth. “It’s hard to imagine this ranch changing hands. Bud poured his heart and soul into the Diamond R.”
Joshua felt a prickle of guilt. “I know he did. And if it’s okay by you, I’ll make sure to inquire as to whether the Alloy Corporation will be in need of a foreman and ranch hands.”
Cal scoffed. “For the dude ranch? No, thanks, Mr. Ransom. That doesn’t interest me. But I appreciate your giving it to me straight about selling the ranch. Now at least I know what I need to do.” With a nod of his head, Cal strode away from the stables.
Joshua stood by Blaze and watched as Cal quickly disappeared from sight. He felt awful. He had been so consumed by his own agenda and concern for Violet’s future that he hadn’t considered the people whose lives would be drastically altered if the Diamond R was sold.
Cal had driven the point home. Many lives were going to be affected by the sale of the ranch. Not just the townsfolk of Love, but the dedicated employees who had worked at the Diamond R for years. They would all have to seek employment elsewhere, or even leave Love in order to make a living. It wasn’t fair to them, but there was nothing he could do to change things. He had already agreed to sell. His future was in Seattle.
As he mounted Blaze and headed out across the property, Joshua let go of all the things that were burdening him. He took a deep breath of the fresh Alaskan air and began to gallop away from the ranch. Craggy mountains stretched out before him in the distance. There was nothing but wide-open spaces in front of him. He turned his face up toward the sky and allowed the sun’s rays to wash over him. He flew like the wind on Blaze’s back, feeling unfettered for the first time in ages.
From a distance, he spotted a person on horseback galloping toward him. As soon as the rider drew closer, Joshua recognized Honor seated on Lola. He had forgotten how close he was to the property line for the wildlife center.
“Honor,” he said, tipping his cowboy hat in her direction by way of greeting.
She reined in her horse, bringing Lola to a stop not far from him. “Hi, Joshua. I was just heading toward the Diamond R so I could check on the newborn calves.”
The calves. He had almost forgotten all about them. “It’s nice of you to take time out from the wildlife center to check on them.”
“Bud trusted me to do it a few times a week. He and I stayed close over the years. I wouldn’t feel right about stopping until a decision is made about the ranch.”
“I’m headed in that direction. We can ride together.” He frowned. “Unless you’d rather not.”
“I think the great outdoors is big enough for both of us,” she cracked, making a none-too-subtle reference to their war of words the other night.
“You’re right about that. It’s beautiful out here. Majestic. Seattle is a nice place to live, but it’s not this,” he said, scanning the area around them. This Alaskan vista was one of the most spectacular sights he had ever seen.
“How’s Violet this morning? If I may ask?”
“Of course you can. She’s doing well. Theo is probably spoiling her as we speak.”
“It’s all right to do so now and again. After all, she went through the wringer due to her accident. And she wasn’t the only one. I saw the alarm on your face. The love you feel for Violet is palpable.”
“Once you become a mother you’ll see how it is,” he said. “You always worry.”
Honor visibly winced. “I can imagine,” she murmured.
“I remember riding out here with you a lot,” Joshua said, meeting Honor’s gaze. Were the memories as indelible for her as they were for him? He could picture in his mind’s eye her long chestnut-colored hair whipping in the breeze and the look of joy on her face.
A slight smile twitched at her lips. “I remember the time we were looking for a herd of wild mustangs.”
Joshua laughed. “Bud told me if I caught one of ’em, I could keep him.”
Honor made a face. “Little did we know it was easier said than done.”
His grandfather had been a mischievous person. It had tickled him to no end to play jokes on him and Theo. On this occasion Bud had convinced Joshua to go out looking for wild mustangs. He’d fallen for it hook, line and sinker, not realizing that catching one was a near impossible task. In the end, he had come up empty-handed.
“I miss him,” he said, blurting out the sentiment that had been sitting on his heart ever since he’d learned of his grandfather’s death.
“Me too. He was truly one-of-a-kind. Sort of like Jasper.”
Joshua wrinkled his nose. “I’m not sure anyone on earth is quite like Jasper.”
