days.
“You folks must be tired. Don’t you worry none, the ranch
isn’t too far away. Just let me finish this and we’ll have you in a bed before
you know it.” Sure enough, as soon as Zack finished his drink he led them out
to a private transport that was parked in front of the tavern. The stylish
vehicle had all the current upgrades and went a long way in explaining why the
ranch hand had expected a slightly more pampered group. And even though Michael
had said they were used to roughing it, he couldn’t help but sigh with
appreciation at the luxury in front of him.
He was slightly disappointed that the comfort wasn’t enough
to put Renee to sleep on the ride out to the ranch though. The whiskey and
soothing ride only seemed to energize her. By the time they reached the
settlement and the door to the transport was opened by a lovely woman, Renee
was wide awake.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it out to my ranch
safely.” She held out her free hand as soon as Michael was out of the vehicle
and he was happy to take it. Her dark hair was worn in a think braid and she
carried a child on her hip even as her rounded abdomen hinted that she was expecting
another.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Lee.” He moved to one
side to allow the others room to get out as well.
“We don’t stand on formality here. Please, call me Kat.”
“It’s lovely to finally meet you.”
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you to your sleeping
quarters.” She started walking back to the house as she spoke. “My husband has
made arrangements to join us but unfortunately his shuttle has been delayed.”
She shook her head as she opened the front door. “With the transport strikes, I’m
surprised anyone can get anywhere in a timely fashion these days.”
They followed her through the door and into a welcoming yet
simple room. “You have a lovely home, Kat.” His voice must have carried his
sincerity because she smiled back at him.
“Thank you. It nearly burnt down a couple of years ago. Does
my heart good to see it all put back together again.” She looked around and
sighed. “It may not be as grand as some of the other politicians’ manors but I
wouldn’t live anywhere else. The guestrooms are right this way.” She walked up
a flight of stairs that led to a hallway. “So… This is the awkward moment when
I tell you we only have two guestrooms. I’m sorry. Usually we have a couple of
cabins free but we’re in the middle of calving season. And we’ve had to move
Annie here into her own room so we have space for the baby when he comes.”
“No need to apologize. We’re grateful you have room for us
at all with the last-minute notice we gave you.”
“Okay then.” She opened two of doors that lined the hall. “I’ll
let you guys decide who bunks where. The bathroom is the door just down the
hall.” She turned and started to walk away before stopping. “I’ll send someone
to get you as soon as Jasper gets home.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as she was gone, the four people all looked at each
other in a moment of awkward silence. He wasn’t surprised when it was Renee who
decided to take charge.
“What do you all think is fair? Two in each room?”
That depended largely on who got to share a room with her.
And Michael had a feeling that Adam was thinking the same thing.
“We could do boys in one room. Girls in the other,” Aimes
suggested.
Both he and Adam peeked into the rooms. The beds were good
sized but there was only one per room and he didn’t think they could hold three
large men. “Who’s going to be sleeping on the floor?”
Aimes smiled. “You’re not a dandy. I’m sure the floor would
be plenty comfortable enough for you.” Michael had to admit that Aimes imitated
his earlier speech pretty well.
“Michael and the captain will share a room with me. Aimes,
you get the other room.” They all looked at Adam in surprise. “What? It’s what
we all really want.”
It was
“You folks must be tired. Don’t you worry none, the ranch
isn’t too far away. Just let me finish this and we’ll have you in a bed before
you know it.” Sure enough, as soon as Zack finished his drink he led them out
to a private transport that was parked in front of the tavern. The stylish
vehicle had all the current upgrades and went a long way in explaining why the
ranch hand had expected a slightly more pampered group. And even though Michael
had said they were used to roughing it, he couldn’t help but sigh with
appreciation at the luxury in front of him.
He was slightly disappointed that the comfort wasn’t enough
to put Renee to sleep on the ride out to the ranch though. The whiskey and
soothing ride only seemed to energize her. By the time they reached the
settlement and the door to the transport was opened by a lovely woman, Renee
was wide awake.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it out to my ranch
safely.” She held out her free hand as soon as Michael was out of the vehicle
and he was happy to take it. Her dark hair was worn in a think braid and she
carried a child on her hip even as her rounded abdomen hinted that she was expecting
another.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Lee.” He moved to one
side to allow the others room to get out as well.
“We don’t stand on formality here. Please, call me Kat.”
“It’s lovely to finally meet you.”
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you to your sleeping
quarters.” She started walking back to the house as she spoke. “My husband has
made arrangements to join us but unfortunately his shuttle has been delayed.”
She shook her head as she opened the front door. “With the transport strikes, I’m
surprised anyone can get anywhere in a timely fashion these days.”
They followed her through the door and into a welcoming yet
simple room. “You have a lovely home, Kat.” His voice must have carried his
sincerity because she smiled back at him.
“Thank you. It nearly burnt down a couple of years ago. Does
my heart good to see it all put back together again.” She looked around and
sighed. “It may not be as grand as some of the other politicians’ manors but I
wouldn’t live anywhere else. The guestrooms are right this way.” She walked up
a flight of stairs that led to a hallway. “So… This is the awkward moment when
I tell you we only have two guestrooms. I’m sorry. Usually we have a couple of
cabins free but we’re in the middle of calving season. And we’ve had to move
Annie here into her own room so we have space for the baby when he comes.”
“No need to apologize. We’re grateful you have room for us
at all with the last-minute notice we gave you.”
“Okay then.” She opened two of doors that lined the hall. “I’ll
let you guys decide who bunks where. The bathroom is the door just down the
hall.” She turned and started to walk away before stopping. “I’ll send someone
to get you as soon as Jasper gets home.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as she was gone, the four people all looked at each
other in a moment of awkward silence. He wasn’t surprised when it was Renee who
decided to take charge.
“What do you all think is fair? Two in each room?”
That depended largely on who got to share a room with her.
And Michael had a feeling that Adam was thinking the same thing.
“We could do boys in one room. Girls in the other,” Aimes
suggested.
Both he and Adam peeked into the rooms. The beds were good
sized but there was only one per room and he didn’t think they could hold three
large men. “Who’s going to be sleeping on the floor?”
Aimes smiled. “You’re not a dandy. I’m sure the floor would
be plenty comfortable enough for you.” Michael had to admit that Aimes imitated
his earlier speech pretty well.
“Michael and the captain will share a room with me. Aimes,
you get the other room.” They all looked at Adam in surprise. “What? It’s what
we all really want.”
It was
Similar Books
