Alexander Ranch

Chapter 14

The next day, Daisy drove to the ranch. I closed my eyes and lay my head back during the short drive. Ethan must be off on assignment as Jordan had said. I didn't question Jordan's absence. In truth, I was rather tired and told myself I was too exhausted to care. He was the reason I hadn't gotten much sleep last night. I hadn't slept for a long time once Jordan left my room. He'd said they'd been taking turns rotating the outside and inside guard duties. However, each evening Daisy and Ethan were the only ones who had been in my home. Or, at least, the only ones I was aware of. Yet, his last words to me last night were that he didn't have a problem being assigned to protect me. He seemed sincere, but I couldn't make myself believe him. How could I believe his words? If nothing about my presence or his assignment to protect me bothered him, then why was I never aware of his presence? Why had he been avoiding me like a contagious bad rash?

I decided that my previous conclusion, the only one I kept coming up with all night, was correct. He simply didn't want me to feel bad or didn't want Logan to find out how I felt. After all, what was he supposed to say when I pointed out that he seemed to not want anything to do with me or want me around? He didn't seem like a rude person in general. My mind had gone round and round last night comparing how he was with me and everyone else, and his words simply didn't fit. I had finally drifted off to sleep for the last couple of hours before dawn.

We arrived at the Ranch and, after grabbing a muffin and some milk, Daisy and I headed to the horse stalls. I put Jordan out of my mind and anticipated a nice long ride.

The Alexander Ranch had the most beautiful horses. I'd been working with two mares and one stallion named Cervantes. Cervantes was the most docile stallion I had ever seen. Gringa, one of the mares, was much more headstrong than he was. She balked at her saddle and bridle and would nip at you if you let her. Ethan had told me that Daisy usually just rode bareback with a blanket because Gringa fought the saddle so much. I gave it a try and found that she was much happier and more cooperative without the saddle. I hadn't ridden so much since I was a girl. Admittedly, my saddling and bridling skills were rather rusty, but I could ride and work with the horses all day and never get tired of it.

I would start with Gringa today and then Ginger, the other mare. Ginger was sweet but spirited. She was a young girl and loved to run. I would save Cervantes for last. He would rather just plod along. Ethan told me that they actually rescued Cervantes, and he was malnourished and ill when they'd gotten him. It was as though his spirit had been broken. However, he was very affectionate once you got to know him.

Ricky was outside the barn when we arrived. I gave him a cheery, "Good morning," grabbed Gringa's bridle, and headed for the stall. But, when I walked in, Jordan was there talking to Ginger.

"Oh. Good morning," I said, halting in surprise.

"Good morning, Lela," he replied brightly and gave me a smile. I frowned.

"Where's Ethan?" I asked cautiously.

Jordan's smiled slipped a little. "He's on assignment today. You'll be working with me, unless you have any objection."

He'd told me that already. I wasn't sure why the words had come out. He probably thought me daft. But, I'd been so startled to see him that the words just burst out. Daisy came in then, saving me from having to respond.

"Oh. Hey Jordan. Good. You're here," Daisy said stepping in the doorway. "I've got to head back up to the house. I'll see you at lunch, Lela."

"Sure," I said turning to Daisy. And she was off.

"Well," Jordan said reclaiming my attention with a knowing smile tugging at his mouth. "Do you have any objections?"

What was he up to? Was this some kind of joke?