Coming Home To The Cattleman

“You don’t have to work while you’re here!”

“I intend to eat, so it only seems fair that I pitch in with the work.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Jason said. “After all, she’ll be causing Rachel more work.”

Sam and Rachel both stared at Jason as if he’d committed a sin, but Jennifer simply looked at him and said, “I agree.”

“Really, Jason, she’s not going to cause me more work. I have to cook for you two. Why shouldn’t I cook for one more without a problem?” Rachel demanded.

“Rachel didn’t ask me to work. I insisted,” Jennifer said, not wanting Rachel to share in the blame. “I’m not here for a free ride.”

Jason and Sam looked at each other and left the kitchen, explaining that they had paperwork to do, and Jennifer and Rachel were left alone again.

“I’m sorry, Rachel. I didn’t want to cause any trouble,” Jennifer said hesitantly.

“You didn’t, Jenny. I can handle their complaints, and I appreciate your help, but it’s the companionship I’m enjoying. You’ve been gone a long time and it’s nice to get to know you again. “

“Me, too, Rachel. You’ve worked for Sam for a long time, haven’t you?”

“Actually, he hired me right after your mother got pregnant. She wasn’t very happy living on the ranch, and she didn’t want to clean the house.”

“I guess that’s something that never changed.”

“Not even in New York?”

“No, we had several maids who cleaned, and a nanny to watch over me and a chef in the kitchen.”

“What did your mother do all day?”

“I have no idea. The nanny took me to school every morning and picked me up in the afternoon. I did homework or spent my time in the kitchen with the chef.”

“Ah. I see. You must’ve been very lonely.”

Jennifer paused for a moment as she thought about her childhood in New York. Some people thought she had been privileged, but Rachel was right, it had been lonely.

“My grandmother thought it was the only way to live, the proper way, and she paid for all of it until she died. She left everything to my mother and she continued to live that kind of lifestyle. But it was so different from my early years here.”

Rachel listened and nodded along as Jennifer spoke, but there was a sad look in her eyes. “So do you still have maids and a chef at your home in New York?”

“No. I let them go and sold the house when Mom died. I didn’t want to live there anymore.”

“So you don’t have a home now?”

Jennifer stopped what she was doing and looked at the kitchen around her. So many memories assailed her, and she took in a deep breath as she thought about Rachel’s question. Did she have a home? New York had never felt like her home, but then she had been away from the ranch for so long that she couldn’t really say this was her home, either. Releasing her breath slowly, she turned to face the older woman, who was looking at her knowingly. “I guess right at this moment the answer to that would be no. But I’m hoping that might change very soon.”

“Well let’s hope so,” Rachel answered, touching the younger girl gently on the arm. “So does this mean you can stay here as long as you want?”

“I can stay as long as Sam will let me,” Jennifer replied, mixing dressing into the salad she’d been chopping.

“Just give him time, Jenny,” Rachel said, and both women smiled at each other. They worked in silence for a few moments, preparing the remainder of the meal. Jenny creamed the potatoes while Rachel finished cooking the meat and baked some fresh rolls. Within a short time lunch was ready. Rachel stepped to the kitchen door to summon Sam and Jason.

They all sat down at the table and Sam asked the blessing. Then Rachel began passing the various dishes.

“Jenny made the potatoes and the salad,” Rachel announced proudly as they were all filling their plates.

“That was very nice of her,” Sam said, not looking at his daughter.

“It’s the least I can do while I’m staying here,” she answered, tasting a mouthful of food.

“Does that mean you plan on staying awhile, Jennifer?” Sam asked in a detached voice.

“Yes. I’d like to, if you don’t mind, that is.”

“No, I don’t mind.”

“Do you…do you think it would be possible for me to ride out with you this afternoon?”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. I’ll be out until suppertime,” Sam answered. “I wouldn’t have time to show you how.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t have to show me. I’ve been taking riding lessons since I moved to New York. I rode on an English saddle, but I am used to riding for long periods of time.”

“Your mother permitted that?” Sam asked, his brows lowering in a frown.

“She didn’t want to, but I insisted.”

“I don’t remember your mother with a weak will.”

“No.”

“How did you convince her?”

Jennifer looked at her father. “I cried until she agreed. It was the only thing I could think of that would prepare me for coming home.”

“I see.” After a moment he looked at his daughter and said, “Okay, then, if you want to ride with us this afternoon, you can.”

“Thank you, Sam.” Jennifer smiled and her face lit up.

Jason had been silent throughout this whole exchange and had wondered how Sam would handle his daughter’s request to go riding. She was a city girl and had been away from the ranch for a long time. They didn’t have time to hold her hand while she had a holiday away from her fancy city life, and Jason knew that she would go back to New York as soon as she was bored and leave Sam heartbroken again. Well he sure as hell wasn’t going to sit around and wait for that to happen!

“Tell me, Miss Watson, did you have a job in New York?” Jason asked.

She kept her gaze on her plate. “Yes, I did.”

Surprised at her response Jason continued, “What did you do?”

“Information services.”

Sam frowned. “What does that mean?”