CHAPTER FIVE
Hannah groaned as a rooster sent a wake-up call across the ranch. It couldn’t be morning already. She pulled the blankets around her face and snuggled into the bed. Last night, she’d sat in front of the fire with Pat, talking about their families and what it was like living on a ranch. Growing up in foster homes, she’d never felt the type of connection he had with this land, but she wanted to.
In a lot of ways, moving to Bozeman had changed her life. For the first time, she was part of a community where people cared about each other. She liked smiling at strangers and knowing you wouldn’t get mugged if you went for a walk at night.
The rooster crowed again, reminding her that she had work to do. She pushed the blankets off her legs, leaped out of bed, and pulled on her clothes. Before she was halfway down the stairs, she decided that her first job, after breakfast, would be to look in the attic. Pat had said something last night that made her wonder what was in there.
“You’re up bright and early,” Mrs. Bennett said when she walked into the kitchen.
“The rooster woke me.”
“That would be Henry. If you ask me, he’s losing his marbles. He crows morning, noon, and night. Help yourself to breakfast. There are pancakes and bacon in the oven. But if you prefer cereal, there’s granola, Frosted Flakes, and Cheerios in the pantry.”
“Cereal will be fine. Has Pat come down for breakfast?”
“Been and gone. He likes to get a head start on Sundays so that he can leave early to see Ida. Brett, Thomas, and Dave shouldn’t be too far away.”
Hannah poured herself a glass of juice. “Would you like a cup of coffee or a glass of juice?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll get myself something soon. How are you enjoying the ranch?”
“It’s wonderful. Pat told me some stories about his grandparents and how they came to be here. He should write them down for other people to enjoy.”
“Trying to get that man to write anything would be a miracle. If Steven hadn’t died, he might have done something for his grandbabies.”
Hannah filled a bowl with granola. “How did Steven die?”
“He was driving to Great Falls when a logging truck hit his vehicle.”
“That’s terrible.”
Mrs. Bennett took two pancakes out of the oven. “I knew Pat and Ida from church. They were devastated when he died. It was almost as though they lost the will to live. If Brett hadn’t come home, I don’t know what they would have done.”
“Brett told me he was in Australia when Steven died.”
Mrs. Bennett joined Hannah at the kitchen table. “Pat didn’t want to call him, but Ida made him pick up the phone and dial his number. Two days later, Brett caught a flight home and he’s never left.”
“Pat must have been happy to see him.”
“You would think so, but it was the complete opposite. He was worried that Brett had given up everything to come home. He had, but he wanted to be here.”
The back door opened and someone stomped into the mudroom.
“Make sure you take off those boots.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Bennett smiled at Hannah. “Brett’s a good man,” she whispered.
“I heard that.” Brett walked into the kitchen with a smile on his face. The smile disappeared when he saw Hannah. “I thought Thomas and Dave were here.”
Mrs. Bennett shook her head. “I haven’t seen them this morning. What can I get you?”
Brett took a plate off the kitchen counter. “Stay where you are. I can help myself.” He glanced at Hannah. “You’re up early.”
“Henry woke me. His cock-a-doodle-doing is louder than an alarm clock.”
“He’s been like that for the last two years. No one gets much of a sleep-in on the ranch. What’s the plan for today?”
