Free No One But You by Leigh Greenwood Page A

talk to. Do you know what it’s like to be confined to a ranch with only men for months at a time? George and his brothers do their best, but they understand their cows better than they understand women.”
    From what Sarah had seen, she’d have traded any one of them for her husband. “I think you’re fortunate.”
    â€œOh, I know that,” Rose said, “but I can’t let them know it. I wouldn’t get half as much work out of them.”
    Sarah had seen enough to know it was love rather than guilt that caused the men to help Rose. She felt guilty for being jealous that Rose had something in such abundance that she’d never had at all.
    â€œNow stop worrying. Tyler is taking Ellen to see the horses, and Zac has offered to show Jared around the ranch in his pony cart.”
    Sarah gave in. “You sit and I’ll get the coffee. I’m as starved for female conversation as you. A seven-year-old girl is no substitute.”
    For the next hour Sarah talked about things she hadn’t talked about in years, and over the course of that time their conversations moved from the general to the particulars of having a baby. It eased some of Sarah’s burden of guilt that she could, in a small way, step into the role of the sister or cousin Rose didn’t have.
    Once they’d exhausted the subjects of childbirth, breast feeding, teething, and the best time to start toilet training, Rose asked Sarah, “Have you decided which man to choose?”
    The abruptness of the question caught Sarah by surprise. “Yes, I have.”
    â€œBut you’re not happy about it?”
    By now she shouldn’t be surprised by Rose’s powers of perception. “No, I’m not, but I’m just acting silly.”
    â€œDoes that mean your brain and heart aren’t in agreement?”
    â€œHow did you know?”
    â€œIt’s a situation every woman finds herself in sooner or later. Men figure out the most practical solution and they’re happy. We women want to go with our hearts first and hope the practical follows along.”
    â€œAnd if it doesn’t?”
    â€œI can’t answer that.”
    â€œWhat did you do when you married George?”
    â€œI followed my heart, but I took the job of housekeeper because I didn’t have another choice.”
    Sarah was getting married because she didn’t have any other choice. For that reason she had to be very careful when she chose the man to marry. She would be handing over a lot of legal rights she was depending on him not to exercise.
    Rose lifted her bulk from her chair. “It’s time I took my promised nap. George is going to want to know how long I slept. Why don’t you take a nap, too?”
    â€œI’m too keyed up.”
    â€œThen take a walk. If you’d like to ride, Tyler will saddle a horse for you and show you around.”
    â€œI don’t want to get in the way.”
    â€œYou won’t. We don’t get many visitors out here so we like to enjoy the ones we have.”
    â€œYou’ve been more than generous.”
    â€œNonsense. You saved me a trip to Austin to restore my sanity.”
    After Rose left the kitchen, Sarah washed the cups and rinsed the coffeepot. Once she had looked around to make sure there was nothing else she could do, she decided to follow Rose’s suggestion that she take a walk. She’d spent her whole life on her father’s ranch, but she still felt she didn’t know enough about running one. Maybe she could learn something here that would help her turn the corner. Even a small advantage could be crucial to their survival.
    The weather had changed overnight and the day was clear and bright with only a mild breeze. It was one of those refreshing days when the sun was warm, and the air was crisp, when it felt good to be alive. Standing on the front porch, she let her gaze sweep over the land from the packed dirt that formed