“Yes, sir.”
“Well, here we are. Whatcha think? This is Lucy,” he says, pointing to the first horse. He nods at the second horse. “And that one there’s Jane.” Lucy’s entire dark, brown coat is speckled with white spots while her rich, brown mane hangs effortlessly down her long, muscular neck. Jane is mostly white with her backend splattered in light, brown markings. What makes her different is her golden brown mane.
“You’re right, they are beautiful. Have they been ridden at all since they arrived at the ranch?”
He shakes his head. “A little, but not enough to put any of the kids on ‘em. They’re still kind of skittish around people. I’m hoping that you and Wes will help ease them out of their shells.”
“Wes?” My furrowed eyebrows show my confusion, until I realize whom he’s talking about. “Y’all’s son?” It’s as if a light bulb just switched on, and I remembered how Mrs. Adams showed me pictures of him last summer from when he was younger.
“Yep. Y’all will get along real well.”
“Oh, okay. It was good to see you, but I better go and see Mrs. Adams before you get into trouble.” I head out of the back of the barn.
Just as I turn the corner out of sight, I hear Will yell, “Sandy. You know that woman will tan your hide if you call her Mrs. Adams.”
Chuckling, I head toward the main house about a hundred yards from the stables. A white wraparound porch comes into view with picturesque flowers lined up in front of the house. White, pink, red, and yellow blooms trace a border in front of the porch on either side of the steps.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I skid to a halt right before the screen door smacks me in the face. “Kenleigh! I’m so happy you’re here!” Sandy screeches in my ear as she pulls me in for a hug.
I can’t help but laugh at her energetic attitude, and hug her back just as hard. “You know, you almost hit me with the door, but it’s good to see you, too.”
She pulls back, rubbing her hands up and down my arms. “Sorry about the door, but I know that husband of mine showed you Jane and Lucy. When I saw you pull up, I called and told him to send you straight over, after you had seen Autumn first, of course.” Her head shakes, as a grin tugs at the corners of her lips. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about him. Come on,” she says, opening the door for me. “Let’s get some sweet tea and catch up.”
For a woman in her early forties, she doesn’t look a day over thirty. Her olive colored skin and shoulder length, blond hair set off her almond-shaped, sapphire-blue eyes. The only sign of gentle aging is the smile lines that showcase her high cheekbones. Her short frame doesn’t deter her from mounting a horse with ease, though. I know I’ve seen it firsthand. Dressed casually in a pair of white capri pants, a gunmetal, green T-shirt, and brown flip-flops, she looks at ease.
When I enter the kitchen, I take in the light, oak cabinets and smooth, dark brown, granite countertops. The entire kitchen’s decorated in Americana. Pulling out a chair at the kitchen table, I take a seat at the window that overlooks the horse corral. “So, what have you been up to this past year?” Sandy asks, pulling the tea pitcher out of the fridge.
“Just school, mainly. I finished my first year at UTSA. It was grueling, but I ended it all right.”
Sandy takes a seat, handing me a glass of tea. “Thanks.”
I stop to take a drink. Oh my gosh, this woman makes the best sweet tea I’ve ever had.
“Sounds like you’ve had a busy year. What are you studying again?”
“I’m still undecided, but I think I’m leaning toward nursing.”
“That’s great. At least no matter where you go, you’d always have a job,” she says. The springs on the screen door creak and moan as someone comes in the house.
When he rounds the corner, I jump out of my chair, throw my arms around my favorite ranch hand, and give him a big hug. “Brantley. How are you doin’?”
With his arms firmly wrapped around my middle, returning the gesture, he says, “I’ve been good, but now that you’re here, I’m sure it’s gonna get better. How about you?”
“She just finished her freshman year at UTSA. This one here is going places, Brantley,” Sandy answers for me.
I blush at Mrs. Adams compliments. Releasing Brantley, I look over my shoulder to Sandy and say, “Maybe. But right now I’m here with good people and can’t wait to start the summer.”
After one more squeeze, Brantley steps back and lets his eyes travel up and down my body. “Still looking good I see.”