Her sister stirred, and then her eyes opened blearily. “You have to go to work today?”
“Just for a couple of hours,” she said. She knelt down on the floor and gazed at her sister. Such love filled her. “Judy can just watch TV. I just wanted you to know she’s eaten breakfast, and I’m headed out in the next ten minutes or so.”
“I’ll get up,” Belle said.
“There’s some of that cinnamon chip bread,” she said. “For toast.”
Belle smiled, and that made Caroline’s heart lift. Still, so much worry weighed her down, and she stroked her hand along her sister’s hairline again. “What do you need today?”
Belle’s eyes drifted closed again. “Nothing. I’m okay.”
“Look through some of the menus for anything on the south side of town, and text me what you and Judy want for lunch. I’ll get it and bring it back.”
“Okay.”
Caroline got to her feet, wishing God would ease this pain from her sister. She didn’t understand why the world had to have so many problems at all. Couldn’t the Lord erase the evil from the world?
She knew He could, but standing there in her sister’s dim bedroom, she also knew He wouldn’t. No one could learn in a perfectly peaceful environment, and God needed her—and Belle—to exercise their faith and grow into the women He wanted them to be.
“Belle,” she said, the confession about her date with Dawson that night about to spill from her. But she didn’t know how to tell her. Would Belle be happy for her or disgusted and hurt?
She swallowed and said, “Coffee’s ready,” instead of telling her about her evening plans.
By the time she made the turn onto Dawson’s ranch,her sister had texted to say she was up and showered, and she’d have Judy ready for their lunch and afternoon outing to the petting zoo. The wind blew across her SUV, shaking it enough to push her around a little bit, and Caroline gripped the steering wheel as she went up the slight incline and onto the ranch.
Duke’s house sat out front, and this morning, a few kids were working in the yard while a woman sat on the front steps with a cup of coffee in her hand. She watched as Caroline drove by, and she’d never felt more scrutinized in her life.
She also couldn’t remember her name, so Caroline simply kept going. She didn’t need to stop by Dawson’s cabin, because she’d texted him when she’d left the office with the supplies, and he’d said he’d be out on the West End Fence to help her erect the protections.
The wind continued to bully her as she drove past Dawson’s cabin and onto the narrower road. She made the same turns Dawson had yesterday, and after she made the last one, she found his truck there, along with a pretty horse the color of ripe peaches. Semi-orange, semi-brown, semi-glossy.
“He’s beautiful,” she said to herself. He also didn’t have a rider, but spoke to the fact that Caroline wouldn’t find Dawson alone out here.
Sure enough, he and another man started approaching Caroline before she’d even come to a complete stop. The other cowboy stood a couple ofinches taller than Dawson and had blonde hair peeking out from under his dark cowboy hat.
She got out of the SUV and nearly got blown right back in. Both cowboys pressed their palms to their heads to keep their hats on, and Caroline’s hair whipped around until she could gather it all into one fist.
“Wow,” she yelled above the wind. “This is insane.” The air died on her last word, leaving her shouting into near stillness. Of course. Just her luck.
Thankfully, Dawson smiled at her and said, “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She glanced over to the other cowboy, who had two dogs orbiting him like satellites. “Hello.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Caroline Thompson.”
“This is Lincoln Glover,” Dawson said. “He wanted to come see what we’re dealing with, as Shiloh Ridge is due north of here.”
“Yes, Shiloh Ridge,” she said, going into secretary mode. “You filed your paperwork a few months ago.” She worked very hard not to look at Dawson, lest she wore any sort of accusation in her eyes. She gave Lincoln a clinical smile, which he returned in kind.
“Yes, ma’am,” Lincoln said, his voice low and rumbly. “It’s great to meet you. I think you originally sent paperwork to my uncle. Ward Glover?”
“That sounds about right,” Caroline said. “I believe someone else too. Y’all have a couple of foremen at Shiloh Ridge, don’t you?”
Lincoln grinned. “Three, ma’am. I’m the junior foreman.” He shot a glance at Dawson. “Recently.”
Dawson smiled at him and clapped his friend on the back. “Link helps steer a tight ship.”
Lincoln shook his head, but his smile sat right there on his face. “I’m planning to ride our west side today and see where we are.” He glanced over to Dawson and then back to her, an expression on his face she couldn’t quite read as his smile faded. “I’m taking my prickliest uncle, so that should be fun.”
Caroline didn’t know any of the Glovers at Shiloh Ridge Ranch, so she couldn’t speak to the fun-ness of Lincoln’s upcoming task. She met Dawson’s eyes again. “How are they looking this morning?” she asked, hugging herself.