Endless Trails Read online

  Red rhododendrons had grown around the foundation of the beautiful home. The blossoms stood out against the wood and rock. As they brushed past, Amy trailed her fingers along a few of the soft red petals.

  Coming to stand at the door, Amy took her place beside Ryland with her son in her arms. She glanced at the man to her right, suddenly overcome with how much he’d become a fixture in her life in just a collection of hours.

  Ryland reached out and used the metal knocker, the sound solid.

  Dean and Mary opened the door together again, as if they did a lot of things in tandem. Dean dropped his ten-gallon black hat onto his crown and smiled. “I’m just heading down to the job call. Why don’t you join me, Ryland?” He clapped Ryland’s shoulder with his large hand. “I hoped you’d return. If I can get family of Nate’s to stick around, I’m going to have a winning crew.”

  “You returned.” Mary dropped her apron and raised her hands as if in thanksgiving. “We hoped you would come back.”

  Dean slipped his boots on, and then stepped out of the door.

  Amy followed Ryland’s gaze to where Nate had tied his horse to the post by the barn a short distance from the house. The cousin hadn’t arrived too much before them. They’d watched him go inside the large barn with his arms full of the bagged supplies.

  Ryland met Dean’s gaze head-on. “I’d be honored, if you would consider hiring me on. I’m a hard worker, sir, and I don’t balk from work. I can take a leadership position or I can jump in with the gang. I’m not picky and I’m not too proud for anything.” Ryland had shared with Amy in the truck to the ranch that Nate had once made all of the Montana trails recite back to him multiple times what each of their traits were. Ryland worked hard on doing what was asked of him. Amy had laughed when he said he took pride in the fact that he didn’t have too much pride.

  Apparently, he was able to look at a man and see him for his worth. Including himself. That was admirable.

  Dean studied Ryland, a pensive tilt to his head. “I can see that. Nate is a hard worker and I’m glad to have him. I’d be honored to have you. The problem that we have is there’s not enough room in the bunkhouse for you and to also have this lady here, with her young one.” Dean walked down the steps, leading the way down a faded trail.

  Amy’s shoulders slumped. She tried to hide the disappointment that he didn’t have room for her, but she couldn’t stop her mouth from twisting in a frown. She rubbed Cody’s back as if that would console her but what was she supposed to do now? She didn’t have a place for her and her child to sleep. A bunkhouse filled with men wasn’t an option and it sounded like they didn’t even have room for Ryland. They couldn’t stay at the motel again, even if they did have the money.

  “Don’t you worry, dear. We have something special in mind for you and these men.” Mary patted Amy’s shoulder and bustled along beside her. Her girth made it difficult to share the trail side by side, but she angled her body to slip between the trees and pushed the bushes to the side with her wide hips.

  After a few yards, Mary had worked herself ahead of Amy and glanced over her shoulder. “Now, keep up, sometimes Dean goes fast and sometimes he just goes slow. It really just depends on how much energy he has.” She winked as she all but skipped over a tree root poking from the gravel strewn grass. “Today he happens to have a good amount of energy.”

  Amy followed alongside Ryland, curious as to what the resolution would be for having not enough beds in the bunkhouse or room for her and Cody.

  Dean’s voice carried as he spoke lovingly about the Bess Ranch. He waved his arms wide toward the north end of the valley as it disappeared into the mountains. “Bess Ranch spans a couple thousand acres up that way. I even picked up some National Forest when it went on auction a few years back. Best purchase I ever made. My bison love the terrain of the hills and it helps keep the hunting down back there.”

  He looked over his shoulder and paused, “Ryland, have you worked with bison any? We have bison and cattle. They come and go in the prairies, but they’re good herds.”

  Ryland reached out and cradled Amy’s elbow in his palm as he steadied her over a twisty bump in the trail. “Yes, sir. I see you have good pastureland, as well. Do you have irrigation in, or is that something you’re doing naturally?”

  “Naturally, for now. At least in some spots. I made off with a good chunk of piping when I went to that auction a couple summers ago. I can’t remember the name. Thinker’s not as sharp as it used to be.” Dean tapped his temple and returned to leading after they’d caught up to him.

  Walking along the trail and following Mr. Bess, Amy hoped he was serious when he waved them on and called out, “It’s just down here. Not too far.”

  Mary had assured her they had something in mind. At the pace they were going and the distance down from the house, Amy hoped it wasn’t a cave. Although beggars can’t be choosers and she could probably make a cave work, if it kept her out of Buck’s reach.

  Glancing back toward where they’d come from, Amy realized they really weren’t that far from the house. Couple hundred yards at the most. Just past the curve of the drive that bordered the land and separated the barn from the house.

  Then, as if the shadows draped around it like a cape opened, a small house emerged from the woods. House was being optimistic. The whole building looked more like an oversized tree house that was designed to look like a cabin and used a boulder as its foundation.

  Built with logs, like the main house, the dark stain blended with its surroundings like a well-camouflaged blind. Flower boxes under the windows and ornate wrought iron railings gave it a more home-like feel than a hunting blind.

  They climbed up metal steps to the single panel door. Each step creaked as Dean and Mary led the way up. The stairs were sturdy and Amy climbed them, confident that Ryland would say something if he questioned the workmanship or quality.

  At the top, the stairs spread into a wide landing platform, large enough for eight of them to stand comfortably.

  Dean turned, pushing the door open. “This is our in-law suite. I made it for my mother-in-law when we thought she was going to be moving here with us. She passed shortly after the home was completed. It’s been sitting here, unused for quite a while. We have it fully furnished, just need to take the dust sheets off. There’s a small kitchen. You’re welcome to come up and get some food from the pantry in main house.”

  Amy filed into the house behind the rest of them. Cody had fallen asleep sometime on the walk over and she longed to put him down for a solid nap. The poor child was going to be used to moving when he slept and probably wouldn’t be able to sleep in a stationary bed once she had one for him.

  The floor opened up right from the door. Living room and dining room differentiated by the presence of a couch and shelves and coffee table in the former and a small four-person table in the latter. The kitchen was more of a kitchenette that ensconced the corner and shrank the dining area more.

  A beautiful dusty rose colored paint had been used as a trim accent with cream wallpaper and warm oak cabinetry. The stove had four burners but had been laid out in an economical pattern and a small oven below.

  Double sinks, albeit with small bowls, skirted a small window that faced out toward the forest. Flecks of light lit up the ferns and moss that hid beneath the canopy of the trees.

  As Amy moved further into the small house, she couldn’t help holding her breath. Was it possible that she could call this place home? Would she have a safe home for Cody? For herself?

  Mary spoke, her words coming as if from far away. “We would love it if you would eat meals with us, at least one a day? If you’re comfortable, the two of you can share this place. There are two bedrooms, and, Ryland, you can keep an eye on Amy and the baby when you’re not busy.”

  Amy shot a glance at Ryland to see his reaction but he was half-hidden behind Dean as Mary spoke to them both. Amy shifted around, moving closer to the rest of them standing in the living room.


  Mary watched Amy and glanced after every few words at Dean, then back to Amy. “Amy, if you would like a position, you can come up and work part-time in the house. I can watch your son while you do that.” She glanced with such longing at Cody, Amy instinctively pressed her palm to his back.

  Dean chuckled, interrupting Mary’s awkward spiel. “What Mary is trying to say but also trying not to say is that she wants to spend time with your baby. I’d like to get out of cleaning and doing the dishes. My sweet wife has a hip problem and can’t bend down to load and unload the dishes or to mop like she used to. And, quite frankly, I hate it.” He grinned, wrapping his large arms around his wife’s back. “Anything to get me out of having to clean makes me happy.” Dean winked at Amy.

  Mary smiled, blushing and took her husband’s hand in hers. “I would like the help. We don’t know you yet, or you us. While we don’t expect you to feel comfortable with us, right away, we sure hope this will work. Godfrey doesn’t have a lot of young people that come through. We could do to have the age difference around for a while.”

  Holding up his free hand, Dean cut in. “The pay isn’t terrific, but finding a young woman around here that has the time to help out at the house is almost impossible. We’d like to throw in room and board here to sweeten the deal. Everyone else in Godfrey has their own home. Like I said, pay isn’t much, but hopefully that helps. If you need anything, you’re welcome to let us know and we can see if we can make it happen.” As if he’d finished a practiced speech, Dean lifted his eyebrows and pressed his lips together, rocking forward and backward in his boots.

  Mary and Dean watched Amy and Ryland expectantly, almost nervously, as if maybe they thought they were going to run out or maybe they would get a better offer somewhere else.

  Amy’s heart leapt and an inkling of relief worked its way through her limbs. She blinked back tears, gazing off to the side while trying to control her emotions. “That’s a very generous offer. I don’t know what to say.” She sniffed, unwilling to tell them how much they were really offering to her.

  “Just say yes.” Dean reached out and shook Ryland’s hand. “You can start tomorrow since the day is winding down. I have one more guy to hire and I’ll let my foreman, Kevin, know I’ve found someone, as well.”

  “Okay, yes.” Amy laughed, tears spilling over but not in an ugly cry way.

  Mary wiped under her eyes as well and she stepped forward, half-holding out her hands. “Would it be okay, if I held the baby?” Ardent hope filled her eyes.

  “Of course, he’s sleeping but I think we can transfer him okay.” Amy gently traded Cody from her arms to Mary’s.

  A small whimper of delight left Mary’s lips as she gazed down at the child nestled in her arms. Dean tucked his hands in his pockets and watched, a sheen of tears in his own eyes as Mary held the child.

  “Isn’t he precious?” Mary looked at Dean who gazed at his wife adoringly.

  “Well, we hope you like it here enough to stay.” Still watching Mary, Dean chuckled. “I have a feeling you’re welcome here as long you want.”

  Amy waited for the dread to come that usually swelled up in her throat at the thought of being stuck anywhere. She had nothing to be scared of which drastically decreased any reason not to stay. While she was worried now, it wasn’t because of Buck finding her, it was because when he did, he would take his anger out on Ryland and the Bess couple because they’d been nice enough to help her.

  If she was a man and didn’t have a small child to look after, she’d go for Buck and kill him herself. Not to murder him out of spite, but to protect all the people in her life that she seemed to be collecting like precious gems. When you cared about a person, they became a liability. Cody was her biggest liability and she’d do whatever it took to keep him safe – man or not.

  If she was a man though, she wouldn’t be stuck in that situation. She wouldn’t be having her problems with Buck.

  She would worry about Buck later. At least for a few days, she should be fine. She just needed a little bit of time where she didn’t have to worry about anyone or anything, except Cody and herself. Spending time with Ryland without every thought laced with Buck would help a lot in granting her peace of mind.

  The home was more than she’d hoped for. Now she wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Ryland and she could get to know him a little bit better. What if he really was the gentleman his actions declared him to be?

  If Amy wasn’t careful, she’d rebound fast onto someone more worthy of her heart.

  The only problem with Ryland – so far – was his drifter eyes, like he’d never settled long enough to establish roots. If he jumped ranches as much as his cousin seemed to, Amy’s heart would be safer with Buck than with Ryland.

  She wasn’t in danger of falling for Buck.

  Chapter 7

  Ryland

  Ryland and Amy had eaten at the Bess home and then retired back to their place. Dean promised an early start the next day, so Ryland went to bed, leaving Amy and Cody up to explore their new place.

  Up before the sun, Ryland slipped right in to the schedule, working alongside Nate as they tackled first to rewire the western fence and then the south.

  Kevin hadn’t been excited for Ryland to join the crew. According to Nate, Kevin already had some men picked out for the positions. He’d glared at Ryland when Dean introduced him to the team that morning, as if Ryland had edged in on someone else’s spot.

  Without putting too fine a point on it, Nate hadn’t been too excited either. He’d squinted at Ryland and then shook his head as he looked away, shifting his weight in his boots. He wasn’t stupid and had to suspect what Ryland was up to.

  Of course, Nate didn’t want to be bothered. But since early morning review, Ryland hadn’t been able to get Nate to say two words to him. Nate had grunted when he was asked a question and he did anything he was asked or told, but that was it.

  Kevin didn’t seem to have very much respect for either of them as he yelled and barked orders at the cousins and spoke to the other men in a normal voice.

  Two mornings in, Ryland jumped on the chain gang, passing buckets of rock back and forth along the fence line to shore up the wire and prevent coyotes from digging in the front pasture.

  Ryland missed working with his cousins. Usually, when the cousins worked together, they fell into a quiet routine that didn’t require anyone to tell them what they were doing. They just did it right.

  On that particular crew, Ryland and Nate were the only two paying attention to detail and finishing projects in an order that made sense. Efficiency was one of Nate’s leadership traits that made him effective as all get out.

  Under Kevin, the other guys stopped every few minutes to wipe their foreheads and grumble about the hard work.

  The complaining grew annoying and Nate and Ryland glanced at each other more than a few times, smiling. Handing rocks in buckets back and forth along the fence to straighten out the posts and for shoring wasn’t hard work. Not when they had both worked on the reservation digging wells. The reservation had clay layers in spots and they could get stuck digging in atrociously thick spots. Clay was hard on arms, backs, and shovels.

  Buckets of rock were nowhere near backbreaking.

  The men settled down for lunch on the third day.

  Ryland hid a yawn. He’d put in long days and hadn’t seen Amy much since starting. Dean was a fair boss and offered more for long shifts. Nate worked the longer shifts which was enough of a draw for Ryland.

  One of the perks of working at Bess Ranch, among many, included a packed lunch. Amy and Mrs. Bess packed sandwiches and sides which were brought down by Mr. Bess mid-day. The sandwiches were thick and flavorful and the sides ranged from pasta salads to potato salads to chips. Everything was possible and when they pulled out a Jell-O salad, Ryland realized nothing was off-limits. He loved the variety and the sheer abundance of food.

  They’d clustered around the baskets, gathered their food, and then dispersed
around the large river rock clearing on the side of the barn. Just in the shade, many of the rocks were flat and large, like chairs, and the men used them like picnic areas to sit and chat while they ate.

  Ryland stuck to Nate, unwilling to get too attached to the other workers and not sure how long Nate would be around. Plus, he wasn’t willing to miss out on the chance to take as many jabs at convincing Nate to go home with Ryland as he could.

  Shoving a forkful of potato salad into his mouth, Ryland relished the quiet with Nate. He couldn’t help overhearing the other men as they spoke, and he rolled his eyes at some of their topics of choice.

  With his hat tilted back, Kevin reached out and slapped a buddy’s arm. “Did you see that new meat in the kitchen? She’s got some nice curves on her, doesn’t she?” He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t mind tasting that.”

  The ranch hand laughed, and spoke around a large bite of his sandwich. “Yeah, but she’s got that kid hanging off her. Not much you can do with the baby around, Kevin.”

  Ryland lifted his gaze from his sandwich to the small group of men. They spoke of Amy like they had even the slightest chance. The disrespect rode the air like greasy exhaust and Ryland clenched his jaw.

  Kevin snorted, lurching back on the jutting rock he’d claimed as his seat. “I can do a lot with anything around. Anyway, you can ship them off to foster care or get them adopted out. I don’t need a brat hanging around while I want attention.” He smirked, gulping from the water bottle at his side.

  Ryland hurriedly chewed his food and swallowed. He moved to open his mouth and angrily retort, but stopped at the touch of Nate’s hand on his wrist.

  Nate shook his head sharp but only a touch. “Not here.” He kept his words low and from the side of his mouth so that they stayed between Ryland and Nate. Never one to ruffle feathers, Nate’s quietly effective actions claimed him more respect than anything else.