Saving Amy Jayden Read online

  Nevada vacillated between praying for his boss and despair. Nevada asked God to strengthen his faith to believe the best.

  Preferring to err on the side of caution, Nevada began checking the heifers every two hours as they got closer to calving.

  From experience he didn’t want to miss a chance to provide prompt assistance to cows and heifers having problems.

  Providing attention to the newborns too was paramount. Their survival depended on how quickly they were dried and fed, not to mention that some first-time mothers didn't take to mothering easily.

  He made his rounds quietly.

  Another day or two. Juggling between the hospital and overseeing the ranch wasn't easy. Nevada went to the hospital, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Anthony had given Nevada hope when he didn't think he had any.

  “Are you coming to service?” Angel was standing at the entrance of the maternity barn.

  “Yeah, I'm done. I'll just go and wash up.”

  “All right then, I'll go over and clean up, too.”

  “See you at the barn.” Angel turned to go.

  Nevada said, “Um, please can you make sure that the stalls are cleaned up first thing in the morning?”

  “Will do.”

  Nevada watched Angel walk away. But for him, Nevada didn't know where he'd be. Five years ago, he'd been sinking into despair, wondering how he'd survive after losing his job at the Lazy D ranch.

  Life on the street had lost its appeal and going back to it wasn’t what he wanted for his life. Then someone had invited him to a church barbeque. Angel’s dad pastored the church.

  Nevada had gone for the food and warmth, but that had marked a new beginning. All he needed was a couple more years and he'd have enough to start a small spread.

  With this new turn of events, he wasn’t so sure. He and Amy had learned to stay out of each other's way, having only polite conversation when necessary. The fact that he was attracted to her scared him into keeping his distance.

  After wiping his hands on a towel, he draped it over a post and headed for the house. He had no business feeling anything for Amy. She was technically his boss.

  Besides, what did he have to offer?

  AMY READ THE RANCH ledgers. Obviously, it was making a profit. She checked her wristwatch. Was Nevada planning to show up at all?

  It was as though her thoughts conjured him. He stuck his head around the den’s door and stepped in.

  “You want to see me?”

  “Yes. Have a seat.”

  He glanced at the ledgers and then took the seat in front of the mahogany desk. He sported a two-day-old beard that enhanced his good looks.

  Changing the gears on her thoughts, she flipped the pages. “I see the ranch is making a good profit.”

  “Yes. We had a little expansion last year with twenty heifers. We should see some more profit by the time we wean in the fall.”

  “At least, until my father’s back, while I’m still around, I’d like to know what’s—” her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. “Excuse me, it’s my boss.”

  “I was expecting your report today,” Eric said.

  Dare she remind him she was still on vacation? “I already did that, an hour ago.”

  “Good. How’s your dad? Are you coming this weekend?”

  Amy sighed. “Yes. He isn’t conscious yet but we’re hoping for the best.”

  Silence stretched on the other side. She felt Nevada’s gaze on her and glanced at him. He looked away. “I’ll definitely come. I may need to do some back and forth for a while. Ethan keeps me in the loop of how things are.”

  “Okay. Understand that things can’t completely run without you.”

  “I get that, sir.”

  When the call ended, she dropped the phone and sighed.

  “Wouldn’t it be better if you took a leave?”

  She massaged her temple to ease the headache that hovered just beneath. For how long would she be able to stand between the two things that tugged at her?

  Leaving while things with her father were still uncertain wasn’t something she wanted to do. What if he woke up? “I’m actually on leave, which ends this weekend. I just got a promotion to head a new branch of our company.”

  “I’m sure he understands you need to be here.”

  “I doubt he does.” Not wanting to give him the impression that her work was more important than her father, she changed the discussion. “Back to what we were discussing, I’d love to know what goes on here.”

  “Definitely.” He rose. “Anything else?”

  She sighed again. “Nevada, we need to be able to communicate. I need to know what’s on your mind.”

  “I understand you, Amy, and I don’t have any problems with your request.”

  “You didn’t think I may have other things to discuss with you?”

  He came back and sat down. “Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”

  “No. But, I want to help. My dad would want that.”

  “You just need to ask—”

  “And you answer in a couple of words.” Amy pinched the bridge of her nose. “Never mind. I appreciate all you’re doing around here.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You can go.”

  He rose. When he got to the door, he said, “I’m praying for you.”

  Amy’s mouth fell open for brief seconds. Not what she expected to hear. “Uh, thanks.”

  Nevada stepped out. He was praying for her? Reaching out, she picked up the Bible she’d seen Nevada reading a number of times.

  She opened the first page, his name scrawled across the top in the same calligraphy that filled the ledger.

  She closed it. She wasn’t ready to check God out yet.

  Chapter Seven

  THE SUN WAS SETTING, and the orange ball spread a kaleidoscope of colors on the horizon. Cold wind blew across the land, bringing in the earthy smell Nevada loved. The blazon orange and indigo of the sunset was always awe inspiring for him.

  The small barn doubled as a church. It was filled with little friendly chatter. Nevada walked in and was greeted by Mr. Doyle and his wife. They owned the ranch just south of the Water Hole spread.

  Doyle was Anthony’s close friend. He was a gifted musician. Quiet and reserved, he was a man you wanted by your side in trouble. Their twin little girls giggled as Nevada chucked them on the chin one after the other. He smiled at them and took his seat behind the family.

  Sophie, one of the twins, came to him and he sat the little girl on his lap. Daniel walked in with Diaz and Angel. Nevada was grateful for these people he’d come to see as his family. The other ranch hands didn’t attend church yet, and he hoped he was a good witness. He'd been talking to them and praying. Lord if it’s time for me to move on, give me opportunity with Lucas, Noah, and Reese.

  As he made an end of his prayers, Sam walked in with Amy. She wore a pink dress and knee length heeled boots completed her look. The pink accentuated the red of her hair. She was easy on the eyes.

  Should he have mentioned the bank loan to her? Maybe, not just yet. At least, not until he talked to the manager and knew what to do.

  Sam introduced her to the other family and they took their seats. Sighing deeply, Nevada told himself not to stare. But, how could he not? He felt her presence with every fiber of his being.

  Reverend Ken walked into the barn signaling the start of service. They sang from a small hymnal that had been passed around the group. As the song, ABIDE WITH ME, was sung, Nevada allowed the words to flow over him. Where everything else fails and comfort departs, help me know You who holds tomorrow abides with me.

  Reverend Ken led them to pray and then asked a few of them to pray for Anthony. The gesture hit a chord in Nevada. Theirs was a group that reminded him of the days of the apostles when everyone loved the other and cared what happened to them.

  “We will be looking at the parable of “The Good Samaritan.” Let's turn in our bibles to Luke 10. We’ll
take our reading from verses 25 to 37.”

  The reverend read the text and then looked at everyone. “We have a tendency to think in terms of group and feel that people in our own circle are better than others.”

  He let his gaze roam the faces before him. “God is calling us to a walk with Him where we treat people not because of their positions or affiliations but because we see them as people, creatures of God.”

  He took off his glasses. “God wants us to see people through His own eyes. We need to embrace a life of good will towards everyone. This is the essential ethos of a cowboy.” He said with a small smile. “Do not judge others. That was what the priest and the Levite did. When you judge, you can't reach out to people.”

  Was that what Nevada had been doing to Amy?

  “This race we run is like going on a trail ride. Every one of us is familiar with that to varying degrees. It’s different from my grandfather’s days. But we know the trail is hampered with all sorts of hardships. Be ready to lend a hand irrespective of who the person is. That way, we'll be fulfilling God's mandate. May God help us.”

  “Amen,” everyone chorused. The service soon ended and people walked out in the gathering dusk. Nevada lifted the sleeping girl onto his shoulder. His gaze connected with Amy’s. Was it admiration he saw in her lovely green eyes? He gave her a small smile.

  Sophie’s mom came over. “Thanks so much. You’re great with kids, Nevada. My girl sits in one place only when she’s with you.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe we have a great connection.”

  “You can say that. Have a great night.”

  When she left, Nevada went through the small group, greeting everyone else. By that time, Amy and Sam were heading out. He caught up with them. “Amy, did you enjoy the service?”

  “Yes,” Amy said, a little hesitant. “I haven’t attended church in a long time.”

  “Then, we’ll just bring you more often,” Sam said.

  After a little more chit-chat, he said, “Sam, I’m going on my next round. Don’t hold dinner for me. I’ll eat when I get back.”

  “Okay, dear.”

  He doffed his Stetson at them, turned and walked away. But all he wanted to do was talk to Amy, know things about her.

  AMY WALKED INTO HER room and pulled off her boots, the only ones that still fit, a little. Her clothes and shoes were not practical for a ranch. She was better off in boots and jeans like everyone else, so, she made a mental note to go shopping.

  Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she changed into her jeans and t-shirt. The words of the reverend echoed in her mind. Had she not judged Nevada when she first met him? Maybe he judged her, but it didn’t make it right if she did too.

  Amy walked out to the living room. Sam sat in an old rocking chair knitting. “I'm heading outside for a bit.”

  “Okay, don't be long, it's dark already.”

  “I won't.”

  She walked out into the night, and headed in the direction of the maternity barn. She didn’t want to analyze why she was heading there.

  Was Nevada still there? He hadn't come to the house, but he could be anywhere. She walked into the first lot. Nevada squatted before a heifer. He was drying a calf. She came to a halt just behind him.

  “Isn't it beautiful? Newness of life,” he asked, excitement showing in his voice. It was the first time he’d said something without sounding like he was setting the boss-employee boundaries. She rolled her eyes.

  How did Nevada know she was behind him anyway? He had yet to look up. Not knowing what to say, she walked fully in and squatted beside him.

  “I came here during a calving season—not like I hadn’t experienced a whole bunch, but the experience stays the same—awe, appreciation for the new things of life.”

  He sat on his haunches. “So, that day, like this, we had been checking the lot for nearly a week,” he looked at her with a smile that sent her pulse skittering.

  So, he knew it was her?

  “And this particular night, I was checking the heifers out and right before my eyes a calf was born. At the previous ranch I worked, we celebrated every first birth. I've tried doing that since I came here.”

  “Why?”

  “It was a fresh start for me and I knew I wasn’t going to make the same mistakes that got me thrown—” Seeming to catch himself, he rose and took the calf to its mother. His profile to her, he watched the calf tether on shaky legs, fall a couple of times and finally get its balance and begin to suckle.

  The smile on his face was something Amy had never imagined. She remembered him and one of the Doyle’s kids at the service. There was something about this guy.

  She used to love coming around the maternity barn as a kid. Something she now hated. Amy hoped her father made it so Nevada could keep working the ranch. His love for the place was apparent. She could only imagine what would happen if she put the ranch up for sale. He'd be really hurt.

  “I'm sorry, I got carried away. Did you want something?” Nevada asked.

  Amy saw the flash of hurt in his eyes and then it was gone so swiftly she could’ve imagined it. The set of his jaw told her she hadn't. He’d seen she didn't share his excitement.

  She rose. “I was just walking by.”

  He nodded. “I'll just go check the others.” He turned and walked out of the lot. But, as she watched him walk away, she remembered why she came. Anyway, it was too late to rectify the problem. It was like they’d taken a step forward and two steps backward.

  She returned to the house.

  Amy dropped into the glider and set it into motion. She couldn't appear before Sam just yet. Why did she get so irritable around him? Was she jealous of the fact that her father loved the guy?

  There had to be something her father saw in him. It was apparent in the fact that he lived in the loft, albeit temporarily. He ate at their table. The staircase to his apartment ran through the house. He was practically in the house every spare moment he had.

  He didn't ask her to stay away. Did he? Why was she taking him to task for something that was no fault of his? Or was she fighting her attraction to him?

  No way. She let the swing go and closed her eyes feeling the cold breeze in her hair. She shivered.

  “Isn't it getting cold?” Sam asked.

  Amy’s eyes snapped open. She brought the glider slowly to a stop.

  “What's the matter?”

  “Uh, nothing,” Amy said.

  “You don't want to go through that again, do you? You swing that way when something bothers you. Besides, you were so lost in thought you didn't hear the door. Not that it's quiet. Is it...?”

  Amy's hand shot in the air. “It’s nothing, Sam. I promise.” Amy stood. “I'm going to wash up and go to bed.” She kissed Sam and walked away.

  “When will these children learn to exist together?” Amy heard Sam ask.

  Existing together wasn’t the issue. Nevada was stirring up things in her she didn’t want to confront. And once her dad recovered, she was going back ... to the life she knew.

  Chapter Eight

  AMY LOOKED OUT THE window to see what was responsible for the early morning excitement. She did a quick headcount of the cowboys, nine of them including Nevada.

  How did they deal with the cold all dressed in nothing but long-sleeves? The temperature was still in the single digits, especially in the mornings and nights.

  She singled out Nevada in the mix. While the others were talking at the top of their voices, he commented in low tones, chuckling occasionally. What was all the noise about, anyway?

  Then she remembered. They were celebrating the new calf. What had he said? “Newness of life.”

  Sam appeared with a tray of cookies.

  They practically dragged it from her and before Amy could blink, they had the cookies in their hands. She was surprised at the camaraderie. A small smile tugged at her lips. Maybe there was something nice about life on the ranch that she’d missed after all.

  Everyone in the cit
y was prim and precise. There were fun things and places, but not like when people took joy in mundane things. Who would imagine anyone celebrating a calf?

  Sam said something, everyone laughed and then she walked back with her tray.

  “Work begins and you all get my usual coffee as reward,” Sam shouted over her shoulder. “I'll keep it on so you can come get it.”

  Were there more calves?

  Amy entered the kitchen. “I can see you are all excited.” She cinched the belt of the robe she had thrown over her night dress.

  “Yes, a number of heifers had their calves overnight. Nevada is always excited, insisting it’s worth celebrating.”

  “That's good, but I don't see the big deal.”

  “You have been away too long. Calving for some is newness, for others it's like a fresh start.”

  That again.

  Sam set the coffee maker on and pulled out a thermos.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Wash these thermoses.”

  “OK. But, what do you want to do with six thermoses?”

  “Coffee. The stuff the cook gives them at the bunkhouse is not as good as mine,” Sam said.

  “Can't he get the type you buy?”

  “It's not about the type as much as it has to do with the way it's prepared. Come on, stop being a wet spot...”

  Sam's sudden quietness made Amy look up from her washing task. She took in the narrowed eyes and knew she’d been found out.

  “Nevada said one was born yesterday. You knew that though, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I did and obviously I don't get what all the excitement is about...”

  “And you told Nevada that?”

  Amy shrugged. “Not in so many words.”

  “You should work on hiding your feelings a bit better.”

  “I'm just not good at pretending.”

  Even though Sam wasn't angry at her, Amy could have applied some diplomacy. At first, she’d been awed until she saw the excitement fade from his eyes and then she’d thought, what's the big idea?