“I cannot wait to meet the foals,” I said as I looked up from sewing. Liam had let me use his mother’s old sewing machine and I loved it.
“They’re so adorable,” MaryAnne stated. “I think this is my favorite time of year. Well, spring into early summer. Everything is being born and the flowers are all coming out. There is nothing more beautiful than this time of year in Montana.”
Smiling, I leaned back in the chair. “I can’t wait for winter. I hated winter in Arcola, but something tells me winter here will be magical.”
She laughed. “Wait until that first storm rolls in and you’re stuck in the house for days. It may be pretty, but it gets old fast.”
“I do remember shoveling the sidewalk and driveway of my grandmother’s house. I hated it so much.”
MaryAnne leaned forward. “Good news, we have snowblowers here and ranch hands to operate them!”
My phone rang and I reached for it. The only two people who called me on it were MaryAnne and Liam.
“Hey!”
“Hey, sweetheart. I’m sending you a picture of the baby. Once you meet her in person you can name her.”
I gasped. “I can name her? Are you serious right now?”
MaryAnne chuckled and went on with her sewing.
“Yeah, everyone has gotten the chance to name a new foal. You’re up next.”
“I can’t wait to meet her!”
Liam laughed. “I’ve got to take care of some things, then I’ll be heading up to the house.”
“Take your time, MaryAnne and I are just sewing.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked.
Smiling, I replied, “I am. We’re going to take a break, though, and head into your office, if that’s okay with you. She wants toshow me some of the programs you use so I can start getting up to speed on things.”
“Of course, it’s okay. I’ll send you a text when I’m heading home.”
Home. I loved that word so much.
“’Kay, see you soon!”
“See ya soon,” Liam said, then lowered his voice. “I love you, Mal.”
My entire body warmed. “I love you too.”
MaryAnne’s head snapped up and her mouth fell open. Then she covered her little scream with her hand, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I hit End and set the phone down.
“Shut up! You’ve said the four-letter word to each other?”
Giggling, I nodded.
MaryAnne stood. “Okay, let’s find something to toast with. This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time!”
She grabbed my hand and nearly pulled me out of the seat and into the kitchen. “Where does he keep the booze?”
I opened the hidden pantry, and we walked in. MaryAnne scanned the bottles, then shook her head. “He keeps the good stuff in his office I bet. Let’s go.”
Sure enough, MaryAnne found a bottle of scotch and I grabbed us two glasses. We sat down and decided to start working on teaching me the ins and outs of the ranch business. After about an hour, we found ourselves on the floor, the bottle of scotch between us, and in a fit of laughter.
“Do you think…” MaryAnne asked between giggles. “Liam is going to be mad we drank so much of his scotch?”
