Where the Heart Leads (31 page)

“You are?” Daisy went over to brush a shock of hair out of the girl’s face. Motherly love filled her full, brimming over. “I happen to have some extra crispy bacon. I cooked it extra crispy just for you.”

“You did?” Hailie flashed her dimples.

“Yep. Come over here and I’ll fix your plate.” Daisy went to take a step but Hailie lunged, hugging her hard and holding on tight. The girl didn’t say a word, but no words were necessary.

With some joys, they are best said with the heart.

The Rocking M was a lovely sight. Aumaleigh took a moment to drink it all in. Dams and their foals dotted the lush green hillsides, the mares grazing and the babies frolicking nearby. Farther out, cattle grazed, calves chasing each other playing their little calf games. A few men on horseback patrolled the fields, keeping an eye out for the wildlife that liked to snack on vulnerable foals and calves.

The three barns were busy. Hammering rang in the yard as someone was repairing stalls, just routine maintenance. Cal, the stable boy was pushing a wheelbarrow to empty near the manure pile. Burton and Dale were working horses in the arena. Beckett and Kellan were unloading a wagon full of grain from town.

The bright sun, the warm breeze, the color of the grass and the feel of this busy, prospering place. She’d grown up on a ranch, and she’d worked her whole life on one. But as with all things, this too had to come to an end.

Perhaps it was fitting with all that had happened with the Klemp brothers. Giddy intended to scare her into giving him money she no longer had. Junior, who’d crawled onto the road for help and was found by a couple deputies, had told all. He’d confessed to his role in it, but Milo had promised to ask for leniency from the judge. After all, Junior had saved Milo’s life.

Junior seemed like a misguided but not a truly bad man. He had promise. She’d made sure Milo told Junior he had a job at the Rocking M when he got out of prison.

A horse’s whinny caught her attention. Phil, one of the ranch horses, stretched his neck over the top rail of his fence and batted his eyes, knowing he was a good looking guy no woman could resist.

Because he was right, she laughed and went over to rub his nose.

“This is the last time I pet you as my horse,” she told him. “Be good, Phil.”

Boots thumped on the ground behind her. Beckett strolled up. “We got the feed stored. After lunch, we’re heading out to ride the fence line in the summer fields. Got to make sure they’re in good repair.”

“Great. Would you make sure all your men come in for the meal? I have an announcement to make.” She gave Phil one final pat. There was Josslyn, waving at her through the open kitchen window, signaling lunch was ready. “I’ll go ring the bell.”

“Sure thing.” Beckett tipped his hat, looking a little curious. But if he had questions, he didn’t ask them.

Wishing she could slow down time, just a little, to hold on to this place she loved a bit longer, she reached up and rang the dinner bell. The clatter carried on the wind, alerting cowboys everywhere. They dropped their work, they left their animals and they headed in.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Josslyn asked. She’d come out onto the porch, maybe sensing how hard this was going to be—that’s the kind of lifelong, good friend she was.

“I’m ready.” She took her friend by the hand. “C’mon, let’s go feed that horde of cowboys together one last time.”

The kitchen smelled delicious, of herbed, roasted chicken, butter-fried potato coins, fresh buttermilk biscuits and molasses baked beans. Orla carried two serving bowls into the dining room. On her heels, Louisa dashed behind her. Annika, who’d answered the advertisement, hurried after with a pitcher of lemonade. Not one to stand around, Aumaleigh grabbed a platter of chicken pieces and headed through the house.

The cowboys came like a tornado. Thumping on the floor, banging against the walls, booming voices telling jokes, or discussing ranch business, or complimenting them on the delicious looking food. Chairs scraped against the wood floor as they were drawn out, cowboys settled in and the pandemonium began. Cowboys reached, they snatched, they stuffed things into their mouths, emptying platters and serving bowls at an alarming rate.

“They’re like locusts,” Annika commented, hurrying away to fetch a fresh pitcher. “They’re eating everything in sight.”

Aumaleigh laughed, walking around the tables with a basket of biscuits.

“It tastes extra good today,” Kellan told her around the roll he’d stuffed in his mouth.

“You made my favorite rolls,” Burton added, slathering one with butter.

“I’ll take two before they’re gone,” Beckett said with a wink, helping himself to the basket.

When the men were served and busy scarfing down the food on their plates, she circled around to the front of the dining room. She grabbed a spoon and banged it on an empty glass.

Conversations silenced. All eyes turned to her.

She cleared her throat. “I’ve decided to sell the ranch.”

“What?” Kellan dropped his fork.

“No!” Tiernan thumped his fist on the table. “Don’t do it. I like working here.”

“Where on earth will I go?” John murmured to Burton, who sat next to him.

Aumaleigh held up her hand for silence. “Do you really think I wouldn’t look after you? After all these years of feeding you? I’ve gotten mildly attached to you cowboys.”

“Mildly
attached?” Kellan arched a brow. “Only mildly? I think you’re kidding us. You love us. Admit it.”

“Okay, I do.” She opened the sideboard drawer and pulled out a thick stack of papers. “Which is why I’ve split all of last year’s income from the ranch between us to give everyone a bonus. It’s based on seniority and hours worked. That includes the kitchen and house staff.”

Orla gasped in surprise.

Burton’s jaw dropped.

John cleared his throat. “Did you say you split
all
the income from last year?”

“Yes.” It was a substantial amount. She spread the paperwork across the top of the waist-high sideboard. “When you’re done eating, come get the envelope with your name on it. This is a thank you from my family for all the hard work you’ve given to this ranch.

“Today is the last day the Rocking M will be owned by a McPhee. I’ve decided to sell the ranch to the people my mother promised ownership to and then cheated. Burton, John, Kellan and Beckett. I’ve taken one dollar out of each of your bonuses in payment, per Nathaniel’s advice. This ranch is now yours.”

Cheers broke out. Beckett met her gaze, giving her a sincere, heartfelt nod of thanks. Kellan stood up and whooped in delight, shouting his gratitude. Burton came over and kissed her cheek. John bowed his head, swiping a tear from his eye.

Oh, she was going to miss these men. But finally the McPhee legacy was one she could be proud of.

“Thanks, Aumaleigh.” Louisa still clutched her check, holding on as if she didn’t want to let go. “You don’t know what this does for me.”

“You earned it.” She gave the girl a hug.

The clank of dishes being washed and dried followed her out the kitchen door. As she tied on her sunbonnet, she found her feet dragging. It was hard to close the door on this chapter of her life, but the one ahead of her would be good too. And it wasn’t as if she were leaving behind these people she loved.

Well, her time here was officially over. She straightened her shoulders, took one long last look around and headed over to the barn.

“I’ve got Buttons hitched and ready for you.” Cal, the stable boy held out a hand to help her up.

She accepted, settling onto the seat. “Do you have plans for your bonus?”

“I’m buying two of the mares here. I’ve wanted them so bad for so long. Burton gave me a fair price. It’s a dream, really. I’m gonna keep ‘em here and start my own herd.”

“Excellent. You’ll be a great success, I know it.” She seized the reins. While he tipped his Stetson to her, she drove out of the barn and into the bright kiss of the warm sun.

“Aumaleigh?” The smoky baritone rolled over her, making her shiver. Anticipation trilled through her like a song as she turned, needing, wanting, craving to see him—her Gabriel.

Her heart soared when she saw him ride into sight, so perfect astride the back of his black horse. His Stetson was tipped at an angle, the brim slashing down to hide half his face. But that only emphasized his flawless smile and the dimple in his chin.

“Hey, there.” He reined his horse to a stop. He was there, beside her, towering over her, all she could see. The sky, the sun, the world—it had faded away and there was just him.

There would only, always, be just him. Her soul filled with that knowledge, deep and without end.

“How did it go?” he asked.

“Wonderful and sad all at once.” She shrugged. “And freeing. Like the best part of my life is ahead of me.”

“That’s because it is. I’ll make sure of it.” His fingers curled around her elbow, strength and gentleness combined. He leaned toward her. His kiss was welcome, familiar and sweet. His lips brushed, they caressed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on. She loved this man, how she loved him. Every day and every way, she loved him a little bit more.

It was her turn to ride off into the sunset, this was her happily-ever-after. She was going to live it so there were no regrets. It was never too late for dreams to come true.

Heart in heart and full of joy, they rode off together through green fields and golden sunlight.