Page 58 of Home to the Cowboy

Sunday night June was in front of her laptop again. She’d promised Barry she would tell him tomorrow which one of the illustrations she liked. They were all really beautiful, the artists clearly exceptional, but despite Abby’s input, she still wasn’t convinced any of these were the right choice.

Her phone rang. It was Willow.

Swallowing a groan, she answered. She hadn’t said a proper goodbye to anyone. “Hi Willow.”

“Hey you, we missed you at Mom’s lunch today.”

“Don’t tell me! I still dream about your mother’s lunches. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Sunday lunch that good.”

“I’m just checking up on you, you left so suddenly. Are you okay?”

“I am, thank you. I’m sorry I left so suddenly.”

“I understand why. So, how does it feel to be back in Seattle?”

“It’s different. I’m struggling to find my rhythm again, but I’ll get there. I have good news, though. Barry, my boss, likes my children’s story.”

“That is great news.”

“The problem is, Barry has sent me a few illustrations from artists the company often uses to look at, but I simply can’t get excited about any of it.”

“You know what?” Willow said. “I think we mentioned that Dylan told us your story about Pepper, the awkward little dragon. In fact, he still talks about you all the time. Anyway, I found myself a few days later scribbling on my notepad. To my surprise, it was a drawing of your dragon. If you like, I can send it to you?”

June wasn’t quite sure what to say. She’d seen Willow’s work. She was a well-known artist, recognized for her beautiful Montana landscapes, but illustrations for a children’s book? “Really?”

Willow laughed. “You’re skeptical. I can hear it in your voice. I’m going to send it to you anyway. Let me know what you think. Have you heard from Dylan today? I believe you two have been texting.”

“Yes, we have, but he’s been silent lately. Is he okay?”

“Talk to him. We all miss you. I’ll send my ideas for Pepper right now.”

They spoke for a few more minutes before Willow said goodbye.

Her mind back in Marietta, June looked out over the city. She loved Seattle. Nestled between Puget Sound, a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins and Lake Washington, Seattle—or Emerald City as it was also sometimes called because of its lush greenery—had stunning views of the Olympic and Cascade ranges, which included the well-known Mount Rainier.

This had always been her home even though she’d never felt she belonged here. Visiting Marietta, meeting Dylan had changed that.

Her phone pinged. A text from Willow. June hesitated before opening it. What if she really didn’t like Willow’s illustrations of Pepper?

She opened the text. Her eyes widened, her heart did a happy little dance. This was it! With just a few strokes of a pencil, Willow had drawn Pepper just as June envisaged her. How on earth …?

Laughing, she phoned Willow.

“What do you think?” Willow asked, a smile in her voice.

June laughed. “This is perfect. I’m not going to ask how you managed to draw Pepper exactly as I’ve pictured her, even if I didn’t realize it. Oh, Willow, this is truly perfect. Do you think …?”

“Of course I have time! I can’t wait to get started. Can you send me the text?”

“I have to talk to my boss first, but I know he’s going to love it. Let me have your email, I’ll send you the story.”

“This is so great! I love new challenges.”

For another few minutes they talked about Pepper before June ended the call. Still smiling, she phoned Barry.

*

Dylan’s phone pinged as he and Daisy returned to his house after dinner. Frustrated didn’t even begin to describe his mood. He was tired. They’d been up and working since five o’clock this morning trying to avoid the worst heat of the day. Summer was also the time of year when they checked and fixed fences, put out minerals, maintained the water systems, and monitored the forage levels in the pastures where the cattle were.