Clay turned the radio to an easy pop station and settled in, his hands always at the ten and two, keeping his eyes on the road, his heart focused on Austin. He took Highway 52 and drove up to Harlin, slowing down along Main Street, the cute part of town that somehow was modern and, at the same time, looked like it was out of an old black-and-white TV episode ofLeave It to Beaveror something.
Clay parked on a side street, and ran inside the Dairy Queen. Dodging raindrops, he returned with a cherry dipped cone for Bea, a vanilla shake for Austin, and a chocolate shake for himself. Of course he was soaked by the time he got back into the truck, but he shook himself like a dog, making Bea laugh and bringing a smile, finally, to Austin’s face.
“Don’t get it everywhere, Bea,” said Austin, handing her the cherry dipped cone and a pile of napkins.
“The truck’ll wash,” said Clay as he trundled through North Harlin, looking at the old houses in the rain, the mom n’ pop shops, the no-name taco shop in a strip mall that Brody had assured him on more than one occasion served the best tacos on the planet. “It’s seen everything from dirt to horse shit, so—”
“Dad,” said Bea, leaning forward, poking her head between the seats. “He just said a bad word.”
“Sorry,” said Clay, at the same time Austin asked, “Is your seatbelt on?”
Somehow this relaxed the energy inside the truck, and Clay whistled along with the radio as he drove north and further north, going through Wyoming, taking the exit at the Ranchette’s Stop-n-Go to drive along the low green hills to the west. Going to the ranch. Going home.
The feeling as he drove slowly through Farthing to the road that led to the ranch was the same as it always was. A sense of heading west, near the foothills, into the good country on the edge of the world.
It was still raining steadily as Austin got out to open and close the gate to the ranch, and mud slopped up beneath them as he crossed the bridge over the churning water below.
Clay was quickly able to finish his chocolate shake with one hearty suck of the straw along the paper bottom of the cup, and pull behind the main lodge along the service road, where he parked in front of the staff quarters and the short path that led to the managers’ cottages.
Leland was waiting, wearing his long canvas slicker and a cover for his straw hat.
“Here we are,” Clay said. He turned off the engine, looked at Austin and smiled. “Bet you never thought we’d do this, eh? Bring Bea to the ranch?”
“No,” said Austin. He seemed to consider the question. “I guess I never thought I’d do a lot of things.” He paused again, and when he looked at Clay, his expression was steady, his eyes such a deep green that it made Clay gasp. “But I’m glad I have.”
“Where are the horses?” asked Bea, unbuckling herself and slithering through the gap between the seats to see out the front window.
“Some are in the barn,” said Clay, undoing his own buckle, telling himself to simmer down his excitement at her excitement. “And some are in the fields.”
“Can we see them now?” she asked, clasping her hands together.
“Once we get you settled, we can go see them.” Austin got out and opened the door to the rear passenger seat, and hauled Bea out gently, giving her a hug before setting her on the ground. “Once it stops raining so hard.”
“I’ll get the bags,” said Clay, feeling a little left out by the gesture. Of course Austin would want to look after his kid. Of course, Clay should carry bags and follow behind like some kind of bellhop. It was his job, after all.
The rain pattered the leaves overhead, scented with damp pine. The path was scurried with water, which made it slick going. Maybe they should put down flagstones instead of just having bare dirt? Maybe Clay could suggest that he be the one to do that so he could have an excuse to hang around the cabin.
Up ahead, the door to the third manager’s cabin was open. Jasper was on the tiny porch, out of the rain, while he packed up his toolbox. Ellis came out, dusting his hands, but when he saw Austin come up, hand in hand with Bea, he stopped, a little wide eyed, and hurried to go down the wooden steps so he’d be out of their way.
“Welcome home,” said Jasper with a smile. He was quite tall, and filled the space in front of the door, and Bea looked up at him as though awestruck. “We’ve got everything in order, curtain rods in place, curtains hung. Stella’s great team just came by to tidy the place up, and they left fresh linens and made the beds. All you need to do is unpack.”
“Thank you,” said Austin, a sigh filling his words with gratitude. “Bea, this is Jasper, our blacksmith. He’s the one who puts shoes on all the horses. And Jasper, this is my daughter Bea.”
Jasper came down the stairs and shook Bea’s hand, his hand swallowing hers.
“It’s nice to meet you, young lady.” Jasper smiled as he straightened up, errant drops of rain dripping from his dark hair. “And this is Ellis, my foolish assistant.”
“Hi,” said Bea, almost unable to draw her eyes away from Jasper.
Ellis, unseen, waved at her and mouthedHi.
“We’ll let you get settled,” said Leland. “Then we can meet you at the dining hall, as you’re just in time for dinner. And Clay?” Leland shook the rain off his shoulders and gestured to Clay as he headed to the stairs, as he meant to take the luggage all the way inside and maybe get a small moment with Austin. “Put those on the porch for a minute.”
That meant Leland wanted to talk to him, so fine. He followed Austin and Bea up the stairs, placed Bea’s Sleeping Beauty rolling suitcase and her Batman backpack out of the rain, and walked back down, hurrying, rainwater dripping from the brim of his straw cowboy hat.
“What is it, boss?” asked Clay as he handed over Leland’s credit card and the receipt for the gas and road trip treats.
“Thank you for doing that, bringing them,” said Leland. He took his hat off, shook it free of rain, then put it back on again, nodding as Jasper and Ellis headed down the path, back to Jasper’s cabin. “I think Austin was a little shook by his ex-wife’s behavior, so your company did him good. Now, regarding the cattle drive.”
