3
DELILAH
Bright and early the next morning, I’ve had a hearty breakfast of milk and Wheaties, finished off with a gallon of coffee from the BnB’s dining room. I’m all packed and now I’m waiting for my ride to Bull Mountain ranch to arrive.
Since I have some time, I pull out my phone and message my family’s text chat.
Dee: Hey there. How's it hanging down there? Or is it over? I'm kind of all upside down and all over the place still.
Mom: Hey! There's my girl. How are you? How's Kentuckyville? or whatever it’s called?
Dee: Haha Kinleyville. And it's good. The rodeo finished last night and I met with Red and two of the other ranch owners and guess what?
Dad: Let me guess, you DIDN'T get the job and you’re coming home? I’m crossing my fingers here…
Dee: Wow, Dad. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Dad: I just miss you. Of course I want you home. But they’d be crazy not to hire you. How many female hands with your experience call around asking for work?
Dee: Aww you DO love me. Yes, I got the job. Toby hired me on the spot and he’s picking me up soon to take me back to the ranch.
Mom: Do you have a good feeling about them? You know you're welcome to come back home to Montana at any time.
I roll my eyes, comfortable in the knowledge that my mom can’t see what I’m doing.
Mom: Don't roll your eyes at me either, little miss.
A startled snort escapes me before I giggle.She knows me so well.
Dee: How did you know?
Mom: Because I raised you.
Dad: Even I know you just rolled your eyes. How’s my girl doing?
I can’t help but smile as I hear my Dad say that in my head.
Dee: I’m good. Definitely looking forward to getting settled in and learning the ropes. It’s a Bull stud too. They breed future rodeo bull champions.
Dad: Might have to find time for a vacation so I can check out their operation.
Mom: If we’re having a holiday, you’re taking me somewhere tropical mister. Montana is cold enough. Alaska would be worse.
I inherited my hunger for wandering and discovering new places from my parents. But as soon as we made the big move from Australia to Montana, Mom said she was home and that was that. She loves it there and doesn’t want to live anywhere else, sheconstantlybrings up a promised tropical holiday from decades ago. It’s a running joke that never gets old.
Dee: She’s not wrong, Dad. Didn’t you promise her a trip to Miami?
Mom: Knew I loved you for a reason, Delilah Belle.
Dad: Where are the boys? I need me some backup against the Daniels women.
Dee: Not sure Scott and Dillon are gonna help you with anything right now. They wanted to go to Miami too. Or was it the Keys?
Scott: Who’s dying? I’m out checking water troughs and my phone is blowing up in my pocket and now I’m reading we’re all going to Florida on a family vacation?
Dad: No vacation. You must’ve misread something…
Dee: And there’s my slacker older brother.
