The Rancher's Answered Prayer

Unfortunately, Dean didn’t have any idea why Dodd had hired him to sow grasses on the property, five varieties in all, especially as every site had been covered with natural grass already standing tall. The selections of sites and grasses had been well planned, however. Dodd had made sure that those varieties that most needed water had water available. The more drought-resistant varieties had gone in where no immediate water source was located.

“I thought he might be cooperating with a government test,” Pryor reported, “but when I suggested that, he just about doubled over laughing.”

“Did he explain why he fenced the grass fields?”

Pryor spread his broad, capable hands. “I didn’t know he had.”

No one else around the table seemed to have any answers for him.

“Boys, we better get back at it,” Wes interjected before taking a final slug of his coffee. “I’ve got a list a mile long of things to get done before the wedding.”

Wyatt glanced at Dean, though he definitely recalled Delgado saying that Pryor had already married Rex’s sister. As if he knew what Wyatt was thinking, Dean grinned.

“Don’t look at me. I’m married and got two kids already.”

Everyone laughed. Wes raised his hand, saying, “I’m the groom. Y’all think you’re so funny.”

“Dad roped and tied the local doc,” Rex chortled.

“Don’t let Alice hear you say that,” Callie scolded. “She’ll rope, tie and sedate you.”

“I’ll be all for it by the time we get these calves cut,” Rex declared, pushing up to his feet.

Dean, too, rose. “I might as well get back to playing cowboy before my wife comes looking for a babysitter.”

“You picked a good day. It’s Wednesday. We’ll have to knock off early for prayer meeting tonight,” said Wes.

“Stark might be able to pitch in,” Rex suggested. “Why don’t I give him a call?”

“Stark Burns is the busiest man I know,” Wes said, shaking his head. “Even if that daughter of mine has slowed him down a notch or two.”

“Wait,” Wyatt interjected, pointing at Dean. “I thought he was married to your daughter.”

“I’ve got two daughters,” Wes said with a big grin. “Three, counting Callie here.”

She went on tiptoe to kiss her father-in-law’s cheek.

“If you need a hand, maybe I can help out,” Wyatt volunteered.

“You know anything about cutting calves?” Rex asked.

“Not really,” Wyatt admitted, “but I ought to, and I’m a fast learner.”

“Can you ride and rope?” Wes asked.

“That I can do, but I might be a bit rusty.”

“You’re hired,” Rex decreed. “We’ve got a bumper crop of bull calves this year, and the sooner we make ’em steers, the sooner they’ll fatten up for market.”

“I can call our ranch foreman, Delgado, to come over if you like.”

“Now, why didn’t we think of Delgado?” Rex asked.

The men all headed for the door, Wes joking, “I’m getting married soon. I’ve got enough on my mind. Why didn’t you think of Delgado? You’re the brains of the operation.”

“Y’all heard him, boys,” Rex bantered. “I am the official head of the Billings brain trust. Just remember that.”

They were stomping into boots and reaching for hats in the foyer when Wyatt pulled out his cell phone to call Delgado. While he waited for the other man to answer, Rex glanced at the hat pegs on the wall, asking, “Where’s your hat? You’re gonna need it.”

“Oh, I don’t have one,” Wyatt admitted, breaking off when Delgado finally answered. Wyatt explained the situation and heard the delight in his foreman’s voice as he agreed to hurry over to the Billings ranch. “He’s on his way,” Wyatt announced, sliding the small phone back into his pocket. He looked up to find Wes and Rex standing with piles of battered cowboy hats in their hands.

“Let’s try this one,” Wes said, passing a stained, cream-colored hat to Wyatt.

After a moment, Wyatt realized he was meant to try on the hat. Unfortunately, it wobbled atop his head like a crown.

“Too small,” Rex announced, plucking the hat off and pushing it into the bottom of his stack. “Maybe the straw.” He plunked it onto Wyatt’s head. Wyatt pushed it up out of his eyes.

“Too big,” Wes decided. “Let’s go with the old silver belly.”

Tired and more than a bit floppy, the once handsome hat nestled down onto Wyatt’s head as if made just for him.

“That’s the one,” Rex announced.

“It’ll keep the sun from baking you, at least,” Wes said, “but the satin lining’s not exactly cool.”

“Good thing it’s not full summer yet,” Dean put in, grinning as he pulled a baseball cap from his hip pocket and slung it onto his head.

“How come you get away with that?” Wyatt asked, only half teasing.

“Aw, I only wear cowboy hats to impress my wife,” Dean said, “and that thing you’re wearing would surely not do it.”

They all walked out laughing, but Wyatt couldn’t help thinking that a cowboy hat, even an old droopy one, surely made a man stand just a little prouder. As he strode along in the company of these men, Wyatt felt a surprising twinge of guilt at not calling to explain the situation to Tina. Then again, he decided, he hadn’t promised to help repair the house. He was doing exactly what they’d agreed he’d do.

For some reason, he thought of her scrubbing that old skillet with such vigor. Then he pictured Callie Billings moving around her comfortable kitchen, and a pang of something like regret or disappointment struck him midchest. Ridiculous.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.