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With a sense of urgency, I moved to the truck, the engine roaring to life as I settled behind the wheel. The familiar feel of the steering wheel beneath my hands was both comforting and foreign, like an old friend I hadn’t seen in ages.
I drove out, memories of the past resurfacing as I sped past. The winding roads, the sprawling landscapes, and the distant horizon filled my vision. It had been fifteen years since I’d seen this part of the country and left behind a life once so familiar.
Aunt Nelly's voice pulled me from my thoughts, guiding me with directions and landmarks that had etched themselves into my memory. "Just keep heading straight, dear. You'll find the ranch on the right."
The scenery outside the window was a tapestry of nostalgia and change. Buildings and homes I remembered were nowdifferent, remodeled or replaced by new structures that had sprung up in their place. Yet, there was an underlying essence that remained unchanged—the spirit of the place that had shaped my childhood.
As the former Agro America factory came into view, a wave of emotions crashed over me. The skeletal remains of the silos stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time. The landscape had transformed, but the memories I held were intact, a reminder of the bond I shared with this land.
I pulled the truck to a stop, my eyes fixated on the ranch that now occupied the land where the factory once stood. The familiarity of the surroundings was both comforting and overwhelming, a reminder of the life I’d left behind.
I stepped out of the truck putting on a bold face. The winds whispered secrets of bygone days, a gentle caress against my skin. I was back, not as a child seeking adventure, but as a woman on a mission to make a difference.
CHAPTER 4
Ben
The last 48 hours after my visit to the hospital had crawled by each second heavy with the weight of worry. I’d heard Nelly's words about sending a veterinarian, but as time wore on, doubt began to creep in. Could there be a veterinarian in this remote town?
Nelly wouldn't play games, not when my cattle's lives were hanging in the balance. Still, the hours stretched into days, and I couldn’t shake the apprehension that gnawed at me.
The ranch was quieter than usual when I arrived that morning. No workers were bustling about, and no sounds of hooves or clinking tools filled the air. Instead, an eerie silence greeted me as I approached the stall barn.
As I pushed open the heavy doors, a sight unfolded before me that tugged at my heart and stole my breath away. My workers stood in a hushed circle, and as their gazes turned toward me, the circle parted to reveal the reason for their gathering.
And there she was, hunched beside one of my cows, her attention fully absorbed by the animal before her. Dark waves of hair cascaded down her back, and a sense of familiarity washed over me, though I couldn’t quite place it. Her focus wasunwavering, her hands moving with practiced precision as she tended to the creature in need.
My heart raced as I took in the scene, a mixture of surprise, confusion, and a strange sense of recognition swirling within me. Who was she, and why did she seem so familiar? It was as though a distant memory was dancing at the edge of my consciousness, just out of reach.
Her physical features were striking—a cascade of chestnut hair that framed a delicate face, and gentle curves that hinted at both strength and grace. Yet, it was more than just her appearance that drew me in; it was the way she moved and the way she interacted with the cow. There was a kindness in her touch, a connection that spoke of genuine care.
For a moment, I stood rooted to the spot, my thoughts racing. Could this be the veterinarian Nelly had sent? It seemed unlikely, given that I’dn't heard of any veterinarians in town. But as I watched her work, a niggling thought took root: maybe she was the answer to my prayers.
Drawing a steadying breath, I stepped forward, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. The workers' eyes shifted toward me, acknowledging my presence, and the woman—this mysterious figure who seemed to hold a piece of the puzzle—glanced up.
Our eyes met, and a jolt of recognition shot through me. Those eyes, that gaze—it was as though I was staring into a long-lost memory, a fragment of my past. Time seemed to stand still as I struggled to make sense of the connection.
She blinked, seemingly caught off guard by my presence. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice coming out in a gruff murmur.
"Who are you?"
A moment of uncertainty passed between us, her eyes narrowing slightly as though she was searching for something.And then, as if a light had dawned, her lips curved into a hesitant smile.
"Benjamin?" she asked, her voice soft yet carrying a note of wonder. “Are you the ranch owner, sir?” She asked to confirm if she was in the right place.
My heart thundered in my chest as her words hung in the air. It couldn’t be... could it? Could this woman, hunched beside my cow, be someone I’d known from a lifetime ago? Because for what it was worth, she looked familiar.
As the seconds stretched on, the truth slowly began to unfold before me, revealing a connection that I’d never expected. And as her smile deepened, I knew that the path before us could likely take a turn—one that if allowed could weave our lives together in ways I’d never imagined.
I tried to maintain my composure, to project an air of calm despite the whirlwind of emotions and memories crashing over me. Her words, her voice—everything about her felt like a blast from the past, yet inexplicably present. I focused on her question, her eyes expectantly awaiting my response.
"What's wrong with the cows?" I echoed, my voice steadier than I felt. I watched her for a moment longer before I turned to face the cows as if I needed that brief respite to collect my thoughts.
"They've been showing signs of a disease I’ve dealt with before," she explained, her tone both professional and compassionate.
"It's called Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex. It's a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system.
Cattle become lethargic, have difficulty breathing, and their appetite decreases. Left untreated, it can lead to severe pneumonia and even death, especially in young calves."
