coat.
Morgan tried to ignore the flash of electricity that went straight from her fingers up her arm. She rushed back to Sara’s truck and swung herself up and into the front seat. “How do you drive this thing?” she asked, and forced herself not to look back at Justin.
“I love it. I had to work on Mitch for six months. He wanted to buy me one of those little trucks to run around in, but I said this or nothing. I can be as stubborn as him when I’m determined.” Sara smiled at her. “How are you doing?”
“Let’s see. I’m confused, perplexed, bewildered, and baffled. Are there any more adjectives I can use?”
Sara laughed. “You sound like me the first time I came here. It will get better.”
“But I don’t understand what kind of ranch this is. Or what type of jobs they do where they’re looking for bad guys. Justin said Bill’s involved and has betrayed his trust. Whatever all of that means.” She rubbed her forehead. “I have a headache.”
“Just think how I felt, and I didn’t have any of my friends here to help.”
“Did you get answers to those questions?”
“Gradually. For a while you just have to trust the people involved. I was falling in love, which made the situation even more confusing.” Sara drove the truck around a curve and made a turn. The main homestead appeared in the distance. “Are you in love, Morgan?”
Morgan looked out the window at the wide, open pastures. Wildflowers bloomed in a profusion of colors, red, yellow, purple, and white. The silence lengthened between them.
“I’m pretty sure I love Ethan, and yet the feelings I had for Justin haven’t completely gone. The man is rude, obviously dislikes me, and he’s a veterinarian! What is wrong with me?”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Ethan wants Justin and me to be friends. Hah. It’d take a miracle.”
Sara drove past the main ranch house and along a narrow side road. About a mile down, Morgan saw several log cabins.
“Usually one of these is kept empty for guests. I thought about having you stay at the ranch house, but here you’ll have more quiet and privacy.” Sara parked in front of the last cabin. She turned in her seat to face Morgan.
“Try to live one day at a time. Keep an open mind. I worried I might miss a bigger town, more activity. Believe me, this is like a small town and there’s always something to do. Rest and get settled in. I’ll have Phillip, he’s my right-hand man, pick you up and bring you to the house for dinner.”
“Where’s Mitch?”
“He’s somewhere around. He has a hundred different problems to take care of, and I’m never sure exactly where he is on the ranch.” She pointed to her phone. “But with this we’re always in contact. I’m sure Justin will bring your phone and suitcases to you shortly.” Sara handed her a key. “Go get comfortable. I have to get back to Caitlin.”
“How is she?”
“Almost six months old, beautiful, spoiled, and we love her dearly.”
“You’re happy. It makes you glow.”
“Yes. I just hope you and Ellen can find such happiness.”
She waved, after Morgan got out, and then turned and sped back the way she’d come.
Morgan walked along the concrete walk to the front door. A colorful mixture of flowers bloomed along the edge. Their sweet scent wafted through the air. She slipped the key in the lock and opened the door to her new home, at least for now. The odor of pine tickled her nose. The cabin was small, a living room, kitchen right off of it, and a medium-size bedroom and bath to the left. Out back, behind the kitchen, was a porch facing pastures and mountains. She stepped out and took a deep breath of the clear air. In the distance, she heard a cow mooing, male voices calling out, the snort of a horse, and a dog barking.
What a misfit I am. They might as well have dropped me onto another planet. Inside her a strange mixture of fear and excitement churned.
“What do you think?” a deep male voice asked