Redemption

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Colt stepped into the kitchen of the main house at the ranch through the back door. He had arrived earlier than usual and found that Sherman hadn’t even come for breakfast yet. Grace stood behind the stove cooking when he entered. She looked up and smiled encouragingly.

“Good morning,” she said.

“Where is he?” Colt asked, too nervous for pleasantries.

“He hasn’t woken up yet,” Grace explained.

“Was he too mad last night?”

Grace shrugged. “He didn’t say much. How is Jessie?”

Colt suddenly became thankful that Grace had been present when he told Bliss about Jessie.

“Pretty good. She’s glad her family found her,” Colt said with a smile.

“I’m glad. Guess she’ll be going home soon. How do you feel about that?” Grace asked.

Colt sighed and leaned against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. “Bliss says I fancy her. My fear that she actually thinks that is nothing compared to the guilt that it might actually be true.”

“So you do like her?” Grace asked, grinning.

“I can’t say. She’s as engaged as they come, so what good will it do?”

Grace sighed. “I know it might seem complicated, but it will all work out. Just do what you know is right.”

Colt sighed. “You say that like it’s so easy.”

“I never said that.”

“What if she leaves and it seems right to go after her, hmm? Then what?” Colt asked.

“Well, at least you’re over Bliss now,” Grace glanced at him knowingly.

Colt froze. Grace’s words hit him hard, right in the gut.

Had he really gotten over Bliss?
Was it that simple?

It didn’t seem like love could just vanish like that.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Sherman’s footfalls coming down the hall. The man appeared, and his eyes landed right on Colt.

“I see you’re here early,” he commented.

“You told me to be,” Colt said, crossing his arms.

“So I did.” Sherman sat down at the table and Grace put a cup of coffee in front of him.

Colt waited for a few minutes, then a few more. Sherman simply looked at one of his newspapers but didn’t speak. Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Sherman, am I fired or what? I’d like you to put me out of my misery,” Colt said.

“Fired? Why would I fire you?” Sherman asked, not looking up from his paper.

Colt stared at him, thoroughly confused. He glanced at Grace, then back at Sherman. “You were mighty upset with me last night.”

“You know how my temper gets,” Sherman stated calmly, still not looking at him.

Colt believed that he witnessed a miracle right there in the kitchen of the Dottie Belle ranch house. That was as close to an apology from Sherman Cooper that anyone had ever received.

“Yes, I know. Well, I guess I’ll be gone to work then,” Colt said quickly, in a hurry to leave before Sherman changed his mind.

“Oh, by the way,” Grace spoke up. “I invite all of you, Jessie and her family included, to come down here for supper tonight. It’s high time I met this young lady.”