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The next morning, the sun shone bright, almost as bright as Mary felt as she and Tiny served breakfast to hungry cowboys before a new day of work began. Still, beneath that brightness, something in her hands betrayed her. They trembled just a little each time she set down a plate.
Jake was the last to enter the cookhouse, as always, after giving orders to Colt and the hands. Mary poured his coffee, steadying herself. “After you’ve had breakfast,” she said quietly, “I need to ask you a favor.” Jake nodded but said nothing.
When the others had gone and the cookhouse settled into quiet, Mary sat across from him. For a moment, she didn’t speak. She looked down, her hands resting in her lap, her fingers tightening around her apron.
Jake took a sip of coffee and said, “You make a breakfast good enough to last a man all day. What’s on your mind, Mary?”
She looked up, and this time the light in her eyes held. “All my life, I’ve prayed for a horse of my own,” she said. “But being a cook and housekeeper… I reckoned a horse wasn’t meant for me. I rode what I could when I could. Old mares, worn down. But I still loved them.” Jake nodded once. “And now… ” she went on, voice catching slightly, “now I’ve got two horses. And I don’t want to waste them. I don’t want to handle them wrong.” She leaned forward just a little. “A rustler’s horse is fast and used hard. I don’t want that. I want to do right by them. Be like a friend to them.” Jake set his cup down. “Jake, I need your help, if you will.”
He studied her for a moment, then nodded slow. “Mary,” he said, “you just made this one of the best mornings I’ve had on this ranch.” She blinked. “Truth is, I was thinking on those horses myself,” he continued. “Talked to Caldwell last night. We had the same concern you just spoke.” Mary straightened. “I hope you’ll forgive us for stepping ahead some,” Jake said, “but we’ve got some ideas.”
She nodded quickly. “First, Tiny’s taking over the cookhouse. Cooking and serving. Caldwell’s paying him what he paid Miller. You’ll go back to the ranch house full-time. Should’ve been that way already.” Mary’s breath caught. “You’ve taught Tiny well. Folks will eat just fine. He knows all your recipes.”
Jake paused, then continued. “Second, if you’re willing, I’ll work with you every morning. We’ll train those horses together. From now on Caldwell and I will eat breakfast and lunch in the cookhouse. No more of you cooking two meals, one for the hands and then one for him. Every morning, all morning, is your morning for learning and riding your horses or doin’ as you’ve a mind. You’ll soon be able to see this whole ranch on horseback, ride up in the mountains, ride into Caldwell Crossing, even to church.” Mary laughed for the first time, “No, I think I’ll still ride in the buckboard with you goin’ to church.”
Jake stood and called out. “Tiny!” Tiny stepped over, wiping his hands. “Caldwell’s made it official. You’re the new ranch cook. Same pay as Miller got. Plus, extra for your shoeing work. Mary’s gonna’ learn how to ride her new horses.”
Tiny looked surprised, then serious. “I was hoping something like this might happen for her sake,” he said. “Those horses worried me some. Mary’s done more than her share here.”
Mary smiled at him and replied, “We’re a family here. We help where help’s needed. I’ll run and get into my riding clothes, such as they are. Thank you both!”
“Oh, you just reminded me! We’ll be working in the corral with Thomas this morning as you and these horses get to know one another. Then after lunch, Caldwell told me to take you into town on the buckboard and get you some proper riding clothes from Mrs. Jennings, the new seamstress in town. She’s right next door to Joslin’s, where you can get some things you’ve been needin’ and doin’ without. Caldwell said that you have more than earned it. Last, but important, we will pick up the Bill of Sale for your two horses from Sheriff Tex, and you’ll own them right and proper.” Mary gasped at the wonder of it all. “It’s a miracle! A wonderful, marvelous miracle! More than I could ever have imagined!” She wiped away a few more happy tears and headed for the door. Jake called after her, “I’ll meet you at the corral.”
When Jake drank the last of his coffee and started for the door, Tiny called out, “Jake, just one more thing!” Jake turned, “Anything, Tiny, what can I do for you?” With worry in his voice, he warned, “Don’t let Mary ride alone for a while. Those horses came from rustlers who had friends. Those friends may come lookin’ to take ’em. I don’t want Mary to ever be out there alone without protection. She can handle her Henry, but she’ll need heavier iron than that.”
“Tiny, you’re right. Caldwell, Colt, and I think the same as you. But we don’t want to take away Mary’s joy by telling her. We plan to keep an eye on her whenever she’s near those horses. And for the next few weeks at least, Thomas has volunteered to sleep in the barn keeping a lookout for strangers.” “Good! That’s my worry!” As he opened the door, Jake called back, “See you for lunch!”
With a tear or two running down her cheeks, Mary put on her well-worn riding clothes, bowed her head, and prayed, “Thank you, Lord. Thank you for everything.”