Cricket winked at her, a silent declaration of camaraderie.
Out of respect, no one asked us a single question about leaving our parents. They asked many questions concerning us, but aside from asking when Bridge was due, which we weren’t aware yet, the conversation geared mostly toward what interested us.
“Ethan,” Bridge asked after everyone’s plates were cleared, “if you don’t mind me asking, what tribe are you from?”
“I don’t mind.” He smiled. “I’m from the Echo River tribe. We’ve been in the Bitterroot Mountains for more than three hundred years. We kept the mountains and the mountains kept us.”
“Fascinating,” she said. “I wonder how you survived the cold.”
“We are made for this weather. We were made for those mountains.”
Bridge smiled and nodded.
“What made you want to work here?” I asked Ethan, not able to help myself.
“My dad got me in. He works here,” he answered. Bridge and I looked around. “Him. Right there.” Ethan pointed to a large white man at the opposite end, a solitary-looking figure who didn’t join in much conversation but seemed agreeable enough, grinning occasionally at the others around him. Ethan shared his eyes and nose. “My mom is Echo River,” Ethan explained.
I nodded. “Where is she?” I asked.
Cricket shifted uncomfortably. Ethan’s face fell to his plate. “She, uh, died two years ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” Bridge said.
“It’s okay. She loved and was loved. I miss her, but I know where she is.” He lifted his face toward us once more.
“And who are your parents?” Bridge asked Jonah.
Jonah’s eyes widened as if in disbelief that she spoke to him. “My dad’s Charles or Chuck as everyone calls him. He lives in Butte with my mom.”
“Cool,” she responded. He grinned like a fool.
“My mom was Chuck’s younger sister by a year,” Cricket added, fiddling with her napkin. “I know no one asked, but I figured I’d tell you anyway. Her name was Sarah.” Ethan squeezed her shoulder and she winked at him, making my stomach churn.
“So how is August as a roommate?” Jonah asked.
Should I outright lie? “He’s cool,” I said truthfully but left it at that.
“Not chasing tail?” Jonah laughed.
“Maybe,” I eluded.
“I’d be willing to bet there’s no maybe about it,” Cricket said, laughing.
“He’s popular,” I gave in.
Both Jonah and Cricket laughed. Ethan shook his head.
“What about you?” Jonah asked me. “You gotta girl back home? At Brown?”
I looked straight at Cricket and grinned. “Nope. Free as a bird.” Cricket visibly swallowed. Click.
“We’ve gotta bunch of cute girls around here,” Jonah continued. “Every Saturday night except during calving season, we all go into Kalispell. You should join us then.”
“I bet the girls would be glad for a fresh face,” Ellie chimed in happily.
“I’d love that,” I said, sitting back a little, still watching Cricket, but she was ignoring me. Click.
“Are you good on a horse, son?” Emmett asked, changing the subject.
It took me awhile to turn my gaze away from Cricket. “Yes, sir,” I answered. “I used to play polo in prep school.” Our half of the table laughed. “What?” I asked, slightly offended.
“Not quite the same,” Ethan said.
I leaned a little toward him, not sure why I was letting him get to me, I was usually very schooled at playing the upper hand. “I bet I’m a little better than you think.”
He nodded as if he didn’t believe me. Let’s go, dude.
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to see then,” he added.
“You’ve got good arms and shoulders,” Ellie said, appraising me. “You’ll be handy come birthing season and that’s just around the corner.”
I exaggeratedly flexed my muscles, imitating a bodybuilder, making Ellie laugh. “Point me the direction of your nearest cow,” I joked.
She slapped the table and actually hooted. “Boy, you are cuter than a button!”
“Thanks,” I said, my cheeks feeling peculiarly warm.
Someone entered the room, another young ranch hand, but he appeared out of breath. “Emmett, we’ve got a heifer gone into labor and she’s having some trouble.”
“What in the Sam Hill!” Emmett exclaimed. “She’s two weeks early!” He stood and Cricket followed.
“I’ve got it, Pop Pop,” she told him.
He nodded and sat back down, picking up the drumstick he was still working on, thinking nothing of her offer.