“And if I don’t want to?” Adam said, putting his stubbornness on full display.
Once again, the doctor shrugged. “Dammit, Jim, I’m a doctor, not a rancher,” he said with a chuckle, and Adam groaned at the bad Star Trek reference. “But seriously, I’d look into at least hiring some temporary help. Surely there are some young people who’d jump at the chance to earn some extra cash.”
Adam held his head in his right hand. “I didn’t want to have to train anyone. I’m not… great with people generally. That was the point of moving out there in the first place.”
“Well, that’s the name of the game, I’m afraid. I don’t know anyone who owns a ranch and doesn’t have at least one hired hand. You’re playing this game on difficult for no reason.”
“I have a good reason,” Adam grumbled. “And this isn’t a game.”
“All the more reason to get some help.”
When he was finished, the doctor wished him well and left the room. A male nurse came in shortly after to apply the splint and show Adam how to use the sling. Half joking, Adam asked him, “Would you be interested in working on a ranch temporarily?”
The nurse laughed. “Well, this job takes up pretty much all my time. But it sounds like fun. I bet someone would love to help.”
“Where does one go to find unemployed ranch hands?” Adam mumbled to himself.
But the nurse answered him anyway. “You could try the old-fashioned way and put up some fliers in town.” He shrugged. “That’s what I’d do anyway. People in Alder Creek love to do things the old-fashioned way. You’re sure to win someone over.”
He wasn’t entirely wrong. Alder Creek was a tiny town at the base of the mountain. The people there lived life at a slow pace. Everyone knew everyone, and the community was strong. Adam knew this because it had been written in the real estate advertisement for the ranch itself. The seller could not have known that the man who would buy their ranch had no intention of becoming part of any community, let alone a small, old-fashioned one.
As soon as his arm was splinted and his account settled, Adam went to the local library. He would have to stay in town until his prescription was filled regardless, so he figured he may as well make the best of it. Using the library’s computer, he put together a passable job posting. The ad he created was grayscale and mostly text. It did have one piece of clip art that the librarian suggested he add. It was a pitchfork situated so that it looked to be leaning against the text. Adam thought it looked a bit ridiculous, but the librarian assured him that a little artistic flair would get him more eyes.
Ad in hand, Adam asked the front desk for advice on where to hang his job posting. They gave him a few ideas, mostly diners and cafés. They also allowed him to post one on the library bulletin board. Grateful, Adam wished them all a good day and set out.
The last place he visited that afternoon was a little bakery in the heart of town. The librarians had assured him that this place was a daily ritual for early risers. Anyone willing to get up at the crack of dawn for a fresh pastry would make an excellent ranchhand with a strong work ethic. It wasn’t the most well-thought-out reasoning, but no matter. Adam needed all the eyes he could get on his new ad. He had to find help as soon as possible, and beggars couldn’t be choosers.
The café was called Jasmine Craves Carbs, which made Adam chuckle under his breath. He hadn’t tried anything from the place yet, but he figured while he was here, he should order something. The café was small, bright and feminine with lots of pastel décor. The woman behind the counter had salt-and-pepper hair, though Adam could tell it had been quite dark in her younger years. She had a bright, welcoming smile and eyes that lit up when she saw him. It was afternoon, sometime between the early bird and lunch rushes, so it wasn’t too busy.
“Are you Jasmine?” he said with a smile.
She laughed. “Believe it or not, I actually am.”
“Do you own the place?”
“Last time I checked, I did.”
“I like the name,” Adam admitted. He’d never been great at small talk, but that didn’t mean he was unwilling to try.
“Thanks,” she said sincerely. “My daughter came up with it. She has a great sense of humor. Would you like to try something from the case? It’s a bit sparse because we were unusually busy this morning, but there are some good things left.”
“What would you recommend?” Adam asked.
She thought a moment. “Are you against raisins?”
“Not at all.” In fact, he wasn’t against much of anything when it came to food. His mother used to joke that his wife would havean easy time of it when it came to cooking. She would be a lucky woman, his mother had said. Too bad that lucky woman had never quite materialized.
Jasmine offered him a hearty morning muffin with carrots, raisins, and walnuts. Then she offered him a blueberry scone on the house.
“You don’t have to do that,” Adam assured her.
“Ah, but you’re a new customer,” Jasmine insisted, “and I want you to come back. Coffee with that?”
“Black, please.” Adam glanced around the café and noticed a bulletin board next to the door. “Do you mind if I add a job advertisement to your bulletin board?”
While pouring his coffee, Jasmine turned and said, “Go for it. What’s the job if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Just temporary help around my ranch.” He lifted his splinted arm an inch or two to indicate why he needed the help. “I just injured it this morning. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to use it while it heals.”
