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“I can’t believe it’s taken until now for you to tell me.”
“Sorry, boss.”
Jackson scrubbed his eyes. Coming to the barn hadn’t exactly been the reprieve from anxious thoughts that he’d hoped for.
He gave Brutus a final scratch on the head and followed Denny in locking up the barn, but he was still too restless to sleep. Thoughts still cluttered his mind worse than the papers cluttering his desk. He moved to the metal gate that led down to the cattle yard. A coyote’s yip echoed on the cool night air. As his eyes adjusted, he saw the outline of small hills and valleys, the legacy of Great-grandfather Reilly measured in every tree and blade of grass. He exhaled and hung his arms over the cold iron as a few faint stars above lit the darkness with ancient promise.
What was it Lexi’s dad had said in his sermon? Something about being grateful, choosing to be thankful for all things, even in the midst of turmoil and confusion. Maybe it was time to practice what had been preached.
So he thanked God for His favor. Thanked God for his family. Thanked God for his mom. His friends. For Lexi. For his health. For the ranch. For Denny. Miguel. Brutus. Fido. Food. A house. Clothing. A bed.
And thanked God that He knew what He was doing, and His faithfulness meant Jackson could let go of his worries and trust Him.
CHAPTERTWELVE
“Oh, Lexi darling. How are you?”
Her mother smothered her in a hug as the morning congregation filed past them to go inside. What had her mother thought might happen at the Reilly ranch?
“I’m fine, Mum.” Well, truth be told, she was also a little flustered still by Jackson, especially after that unnerving encounter two nights ago.
When he’d come in for breakfast yesterday morning—he’d apparently slept in the bunkhouse, which was strange—he’d seemed a little more at peace, meeting her eyes and offering her a smile that made her heart kick. Fluster didn’t even begin to cover it, but she’d done her best to hide it from Ellie. She suspected Jackson’s sister wasn’t fooled.
“Are you sure?” Mum’s voice lowered. “Is everything okay with that young man?”
“Do you mean Jackson?”
“Of course! Why? How many other young men are there?”
Lexi didn’t figure her mother needed to know about the ranch hands. “Honestly, Mum, he’s fine. Everything is fine. I’m safe, I have my own room, and he’s not even in the main house.”
“No?”
“He stayed in the bunkhouse, Mum, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Well, that is good to hear.”
“I don’t know what you thought might happen.”
“Darling, you need to know it’s part of a mother’s lot to worry.” Her mother’s eyes slipped below Lexi’s chin where a scarf again hid her scar.
Okay, so perhaps she could understand. Nevertheless. “You don’t need to,” Lexi said firmly. “I’m having fun.”
“You’re not working too hard?”
“Just hard enough.” Who knew tidying and cleaning up a ranch house could be fun? Then last night, having a barbecue as they watched the sun go down, something even Mrs. Reilly had managed to come out and enjoy. Her heart had been full, watching the gladness lining Ellie and Jackson’s faces as the family quietly interacted. “It’s so pretty out there. You should come visit some time.”
“Hmm.”
“I think you’d like it. The hills are beautiful and peaceful, and sometimes you can hear wolves call.”
“There are wolves?” Her mother’s eyes doubled in size.
“No.” God forgive her that evasion. “Not on the Reilly’s land. And honestly, Mum, the thing you should be focused on is Mrs. Reilly, and the fact that she’s doing better.”
“Well, I suppose that is good to hear.”
Shesupposed? Her disbelief must’ve shown on her face, for her mother patted her arm. “I’m glad to hear you’re okay. Now, you do have the whole day off? Can you come to lunch like I messaged?”
