Against the Odds A Love Story

Chapter 2

Opening One's Eyes Can Clear the View.

Two

I walked around the ranch again with Caroline, wanting to familiarize myself with the things they did there daily. It was a beautiful piece of land. Gazing out into the distance, there were red rock mountains as far as the eye could see. A sea of alfalfa swayed in the breeze blowing across the endless acres, and dots of yellow wildflowers toiled in the shimmering waves of green. To my left and out a ways, I could see a herd of cattle grazing. Further out in front of me, there was a corral. At the moment it was occupied by one of the hired hands walking a horse.

I turned and looked back up at the house, admiring the colorful flower boxes Caroline planted that lined the upper and lower back windows, filled with red, purple, and pink geraniums. I smiled. It might be a ranch, but Caroline had seen to it that a woman's touch was apparent.

As we continued walking, I listened to Caroline as she rattled off the names of the men working for them and what they did. She told me that most of the men worked from sunup to sundown because there was always so much to do, but they enjoyed the work. She said it would be good if I got to know them.

“I will eventually,” I said as Caroline waved to a couple of hands loading the back of a truck with bales of hay. They both smiled and waved back, pausing in their work as we walked by.

“I do believe you have a fan club,” Caroline said, grinning.

“Yeah, right,” I casually shot back, casting my eyes downward, trying to ignore the stares of the two men.

Caroline placed a gentle hand on my arm and I stopped, turning to her. She looked at me quietly for a few seconds and smiled. “I know you've had a rough time of it, Raine, but keep your heart open, okay? Don't let one man's stupidity ruin it for all men. There's someone out there for you. I know there is. Just keep your heart open.”

Wrapping my arms around my middle, I looked out across the land again. “That's easier said than done, girlfriend. And I'm not ready to think about it just yet.”

“That's all right,” she said, putting her arm around my shoulders. “You'll know when you're ready. Just stay open to the possibility.”

“I'll try,” I replied with a smile, thinking of the future. I was still young. There would be time. Just not right now.

We were just making our way past the bunkhouse when David came out.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” he called to Caroline as he walked out to us. He pulled her close for a kiss. Her smile was wide as she went into her husband's embrace.

I silently watched the two. When David released her, I noticed a few drops of sweat rolling down his face, continuing down his chest where his shirt hung unbuttoned. His hands and face were dirty, but it didn't seem to bother Caroline. I couldn't say that I blamed her. Even with sweat and grime covering him, David was a good looking man. He was tall and still very muscular for his age. His grayish-blond hair hung down to his collar, and his clean-shaven face, already showing signs of a five o'clock shadow, housed deep blue eyes framed by thick bushy brows. I was sure he was probably quite the catch in his younger days. Caroline had shown me a few pictures of their son who was now in his late twenties and a sergeant in the Marines. The photos definitely gave me a glimpse of what David probably looked like at that age.

My heart warmed as I watched David smile lovingly at his wife. The affection the two still showed to one another was a little awe-inspiring. He walked over to me and casually draped an arm around my shoulders.

“So, what do you think about our simple life out here?”

“Well, it beats the smog and bog of Atlanta. And besides, I'd take the sound of calves bawling over the whine of Jerome calling my name any day.”

David laughed. “Well, you came to the right place to celebrate your new-found freedom. And speaking of freedom, I've got to get back down to the stable. Sally's having a hard time trying to deliver that foal. It's trying to come breech.”

“Oh, no!” Caroline said sadly. Sally was her favorite mare. “Oh, come on, Raine. Let's go down.” She turned to her husband. “It's all right, isn't it?”

“Yeah,” he said and looked at me. “Normally we'd stay away because it would slow her progress, but since we have to be there anyway, it's fine. Besides, this will be an experience you will never forget, Raine.”

“That's what I'm afraid of,” I said with a smile.

“You'll love it,” David assured me. He turned to Caroline. “Hayden got back late last night from purchasing some horses in Evanston. He's in the stable with Sally. She's in good hands with him, so don't worry.”

“So, I finally get to meet the famous Hayden,” I interjected. I had heard so much about the unseen man, I began to think he was a myth.

“Yeah, he was completely beat when he got in last night and went straight to his place.”

“His place?” I questioned. “I thought this was his place, too.”

“It is,” Caroline said, taking her husband's offered arm. “He just felt he needed his own space, which we could understand. He has his own house on the property. It's nice to still have him close.”

David grinned at his wife. “Shoot, sugar, you know that boy ain't going nowhere. This ranch is in his blood.”

“You got that right.” She pointed to a house in the distance. It was shaded by a small grove of trees. “Hayden built that house himself last year. I'll take you over there later to see it. It's beautiful.”

I made a soft noise of approval. “I look forward to it.”