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There’s still the same porch swing and tables on the front porch, and I see two people sitting on them, staring at me.
An old man in overalls and a short, middle-aged woman with the brightest blond hair known to man. They are none other than Earl Scott and Claire Monroe, the ranch’s groundsman and housekeeper. Two people that I loved dearly and that have been with my father from the start. Two people that I couldn’t imagine not working here, which makes lead sit in my stomach just thinking about it.
I get out of the car and grab my satchel, my black heels already sinking into the grass as I step out. I straighten my navy blue, bodycon dress and walk up the driveway, loving the smiles that I get from Earl and Claire.
“Well, I’ll be damned! If it ain’t Miss Ali Rose Bailey! Come here girl, it’s been too long!” Earl shouts as he walks to me and pulls me into a large hug. He smells like grass and whiskey, a scent that I find I miss more than anything, because it smells like my dad.
“Hey, Earl. How’ve you been?” I say as he lets me go from the hug, his old and rough hands clasping my shoulders.
“I’ve seen better days, Ali. Things ain’t been the same since your daddy’s been gone,” he says with sad eyes, and I nod solemnly.
“Now, now. That’s enough of the sad talk. Let me have a look at you. I heard you graduated college. Now would you look at that, Cannon Falls has itself another graduate in town!” he says, and I’m confused when he says the word “another”.
“Earl, would you back off and give the poor girl some space to breathe! She ain’t been out of the car for more than ten seconds and you’re already houndin’ her!” Claire says with her mountain twang, a voice that gives me the greatest comfort.
“Claire,” I whisper, my eyes filling with tears.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
“Oh, baby girl, we’ve missed you,” she says sweetly, hugging me tightly before pulling back with a wide smile.
“Marley will be so glad to see you. She just got her vet degree and your dad hired her on the ranch right before he…well before he…you know…” she stutters sadly, but I grab her hand and rub it.
“It’s okay, Claire. It’s been hard for all of us. I can’t wait to see Marley and catch up. Catch up with all of you,” I say.
Marley Monroe has always been the spitting image of her mother. She’s had the tightest and lightest bright, blond curls and eyes the color of a glacier. A true Montana beauty and a heart to match her golden hair. Marley always reminded me of sunshine, warm and bright like her mother. We spent many summers together, but I haven’t seen her since we were kids.
“Earl, get Ali’s bags. Come inside sweetheart, I’ll make some tea and set out some cookies. We’ll get your things in your room. It’s still exactly as you left it,” she says as we walk, staring at my heels that sink in the grass the entire way to the porch.
“We need to get you in some other shoes, darlin’. There’s no way you’re walkin’ the fields in those spiky things!” She squeals and I laugh, already feeling at home and like I have a piece of my father again.
6
We step inside the house,and I am blasted with memories. Everything is exactly the same as when I was younger.
The large, old and wooden staircase is in the foyer, with a table filled with freshly picked flowers. The living room still has those old, green couches with the daisies on them. Bookshelves still line the blue wallpaper. A fireplace with family photos on top sits at the end. I walk to it and look at the last photo of my dad and me.
I’m in my college graduation outfit and I’m smiling wide with my diploma in my hands. Dad looks down at me with proud eyes, hugging me tight as we both smile with joy. I swallow the wad of tears and turn the corner, walking down the hallway that has a bathroom, a dining room, the back door that leads to the other porch, and then finally, the kitchen.
The kitchen has always been one of my favorite rooms in this house. It has yellow, flowery wallpaper and cupboards all around. The shelves on the walls are filled with antique knick knacks and the kitchen aisle is still made of wood and light granite, surrounded by farmhouse style barstools. The old, small, wooden table with matching chairs sits in the corner by the window. It looks out at the mountains and also has a fresh vase of flowers on it.
Oh, and it smells like cookies. Still. This is Claire's main spot, so it always smells of sugary deliciousness.
Claire is an excellent cook, but an even better baker. I spent many of my birthdays here and she always made me a new and amazing cake.
I sit down on one of the barstools and Claire sets a piping hot cup of tea with milk and sugar and a small plate of chocolate chip cookies in front of me. My stomach growls loudly and I take a bite and sip my tea in ecstasy.
“I swear, girl, you look like your daddy, but your hair gets redder and redder like your mama’s. How is she by the way?” she asks, sipping her tea across from me and staring at me with sad eyes.
“She’s holding up,” I say as I finish my cookies and hold the warm teacup in my hands.
“Even though they were divorced, she still feels like a piece of her soul is missing. I feel helpless at times,” I say honestly, and Claire pats my hand.
“I know, hun. Your father loved you girls more than anything. As much as he loved this place.”
When she mentions the ranch, my stomach knots up. I feel queasy from the nerves and the cookies, and I try to calm my upset insides. I don’t want to tell her and Earl yet. I don’t know how to bring up the news of what I’m going to do, mostly because I have absolutely no idea of what I am going to do.
“So, where’s Marley? I can’t believe she’s a vet now,” I say, trying to change the topic.
