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But on a particular day, the wind carried biting coldness with it. Swirling patterns of dust signaled a change in weather. I looked up to see that the sky had turned a moody shade of gray with pregnant heavy clouds.
The weather forecast had warned of an approaching rainstorm. From the rapid clouding of the horizon, it would be upon us soon.
Ethan, usually my go-to for any emergency, had driven into town to collect a delivery of cattle feed and medication.
Beth was in the ranch house securing windows and laying down towels at the entrances to absorb any water that might be tracked in. She’d said she would still have to check the emergency supplies and ensure the perishable food was stored properly in case of a power outage.
Meanwhile, Jake was heading the restless cows and sheep into their shelters. And the horses needed to be brought in as well.
I didn’t have enough time to rely on the workers alone.
A sudden gust hit the barn. The metal roofing panel and wooden part of the roof tore off, leaving part of the interior exposed.
Panic bubbled inside me. I grabbed a hammer and some stray nails, then climbed a ladder to patch up the gaping hole. But my inexperience became glaringly obvious with each missed nail and splintered wood.
Frustration grew as I realized that not only was I failing, but I was also wasting precious time.
Determined, I moved to the horse pen. At least I’d get the horses into the stable before the rain began. I tried coaxing them into the pen.
Instead of the graceful, coordinated action I’d imagined, it was chaos. The horses became skittish and refused to be led. I ended up chasing after one particular stubborn mare. I slipped and fell, muck splattering on my clothes.
Jake quickly came to my aid and took over guiding the horses.
Refusing to give up, I decided to protect the hay bales at the corner where the barn roof had opened from getting wet. I tried moving them to a drier spot. But hay is deceptively heavy. I ended up tripping. The bale unraveled, hay scattering all over the barn floor.
Feeling defeated, I sat amid the hay mess. The impending storm was still looming overhead. There was dirt all over my face. And yet, I’d been unable to achieve anything I set out to do.
The enormity of my task hit me then. Managing Harrington Ranch required skill, knowledge, and hands-on experience. Things I sorely lacked.
The wind howled, and I heard the distant rumbling of thunder. I hastily got up, brushing the hay off my jeans.
But just as I was attempting to gather my thoughts, Jake sprinted towards me.
“Anna,” he panted, casting a wary glance toward the entrance, “Max is at the gate.”
Max? Now?
I looked at my clothes, noting my disheveled state.
The last thing I needed was Max with his piercing green eyes that seemed to always judge my inexperience. Unfortunately, he was relentless in his pursuit of ‘offering help’.
I straightened and tried to put on a brave face.
“Just let him in, Jake. Let him in any time he comes, except at night.”
He nodded, turned on his heels, then hurried to open the gate.
I walked out of the barn and braced myself as Max rode in gracefully on his horse.
“Anna,” he called out before jumping down from his horse. “You will probably experience some trouble from this coming rainstorm. Let me assist you.”
Without waiting to let me speak, he continued. He detailed his experience, his knowledge of animals, the connections he’d made over the years.
“I can connect you with the right suppliers and buyers. Let me help you with everything on the ranch,” he said.
But with every word he spoke, I could hear the reprimand underneath. I could see how my glaring absence during Grandpa’s crucial moment had led him to rely on Max. Every sentence was a reminder of the gaping void I’d left in my grandfather’s life and how Max had seamlessly filled it.
Max’s offer was tempting, I couldn’t deny it.
