The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan

enough for a man to stand up. It featured a Dutch door in front, a window in front of the bed, and a small cast-iron stove, which was vented through an opening in the canvas. A bed attached across the wagon’s back housed a pull-out table, drawers, and cupboards, making them accessible from the outside. She saw a stack of old magazines and a few books.
    “It’s so compact and convenient,” Juliana said, taking it all in.
    “All the comforts of home, including a kerosene heater that keeps it snug,” Andy said. “Mostly, I’m the one who stays here, but from time to time Josh will stay a few days, like when we’re branding, because there’s room for a pallet. It stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter.”
    She marveled at the structure. “It’s quite cozy in here, almost like home.” Maybe even better than the rented old cabin she and her mother had lived in. “It must have been quite expensive.”
    “I reckon so, but Josh has a fine stock of Merino rams that can fetch up to $1,000 a head, so he’s doing all right.”
    “Is it okay with you, Juliana, if we go now?” Josh watched them from the ground and held out his hand to help her down.
    “Sure, if you can set me on the right trail back to Lewistown from your place.”
    “No problem. Actually, there’s a shortcut from the ranch.”
    “Juliana, it was good to meet you,” Andy said. “Please come back when I have some apple dumplings to go with that coffee.”
    “That sounds good to me. Thanks for the coffee, Andy.” She grabbed the reins and pulled herself up into the saddle. Josh unhitched his horse from the back of the wagon and led the way out of the camp, with Shebe following closely behind.
    Josh was more than happy that Juliana was actually at his side at this moment. He had to admit it had been quite a surprise to see her riding up to the camp. He hadn’t really thought she would come. The sunlight through the trees had bounced off her shiny dark hair falling in curls around her shoulders.
    She was so unassuming, but he sensed her tough exterior. He knew she’d been hurt deeply, first by her dad, and then by losing her mother. Healing always took time. He should know. He thought about Crystal, the woman he used to love but had lost to another, and remembered his battle of words with his father, which caused a huge rift. He felt that leaving his father’s ranch was the best decision he could have made at the time. But he knew it had hurt his mother.
    “Sun’s warming things up,” he said once they were out of the camp’s clearing.
    “Yes, it is. I’m sure I’ll have to remove this coat before too long.” Their horses were only a handbreadth apart so they could talk comfortably. “How long have you been ranching?”
    “Most of my life, but not always with sheep. I do have a few head of cattle, though. Just enough to have some fresh meat. Have you ever tasted lamb before?”
    “Afraid not. It really doesn’t sound appealing to me.”
    “Don’t worry. I don’t like it either. I raise sheep for the wool. Right now I’m looking into mining with a feller by the name of Hoover.”
    “Really?” Her eyebrows shot up.
    “Yep. By chance I found some stones on my property, and then I had them appraised. I found out they’re called Yogo sapphires. The only place in the world you can find them is here in Montana. I’ll show them to you when we get to the ranch. Hoover already has a mine started and a few partners, and he needs the water from my property to work it. So I’m considering it.”
    “ ‘Make all the money you can’ is my motto. You can never have enough of it.” Her chin was set in firm determination, but the slump of her slender shoulders belied her confidence. “Sounds like it might be a good investment, but do you have to become a miner?”
    “What’s wrong with being a miner? Mining could be exactly what I need to set me up for life. I know money isn’t everything.” He thought about his dad. “I know