Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 119746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
The front door slams open, voices spilling into the house. Red, Cole, and Hank tromp into the kitchen a moment later, arms laden with grocery bags. Eli follows close behind.
“Think we got everything,” Cole says as they place the bags on the counter.
Red looks between us, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Well, don’t you two look domestic. Need a minute alone?”
“We’re fine,” I say quickly, finishing the rest of the beer. “Just helping with dinner.”
Cole snorts, unpacking the groceries with rough efficiency. “City girl trying to make herself useful. Ain’t that sweet.”
I bristle, but before I can respond, Jensen sets down his spoon with a sharp clack. “Aubrey’s a guest,” he says, voice brooking no argument. “She’s welcome in this kitchen same as anyone. I don’t see any of you offering to help. Ingrates.”
An awkward silence descends, broken only by the bubble of the stew. I busy myself by chopping up a handful of oregano and thyme that had been put to the side, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me.
Eli clears his throat and looks to Jensen. “Ran into Margaret in town. Said you should see your mother before we set off.”
Jensen looks up sharply, a warning in his eyes. “You told her we were leaving?”
Eli shrugs though he looks a little afraid. “I had to. She was asking about your plans for next week. Said you haven’t been answering her texts.”
“Who is Margaret?” I can’t help but ask.
“His mother’s nurse,” Eli says with sympathy.
“Right,” I say. “The twins said she had suffered a stroke. I’m sorry.”
Jensen’s gaze cuts to me, sharp and assessing. “Nothing to be sorry about.”
“Must be hard,” I venture, trying to glean more information. “Managing the ranch, taking care of her. Expensive, too.”
His jaw clenches. “We get by.”
“I think it’s admirable,” Eli says, though there’s a warning in his eyes. “Not many would do what you do, Jensen. Shouldering all that responsibility.”
“Family’s family.” Jensen’s tone is clipped, making it clear the subject is closed. “Now, y’all gonna help with this dinner like Aubrey here or just stand around jawing?”
The conversation shifts to ranch logistics and I watch from the sidelines, trying to catalog each interaction, each unspoken undercurrent. It’s interesting to know Jensen’s family history, that his relative was a tracker too, and during the time of the Donners. But I have to wonder how much Jensen really knows. I get the feeling he’s holding back on things I should probably know about.
By the time the stew is ready, the kitchen table is set and the ranch hands are washing up. Jensen ladles out generous portions, the rich scent of meat and herbs wafting through the room.
“Looks good,” Cole says, taking his seat. “Even with the city girl’s help.”
I roll my eyes and dig in.
Dinner passes in a blur of easy conversation, the kind born of long familiarity. They talk around me rather than to me, which I don’t mind, rehashing old stories. Every so often, I catch Jensen watching me, his gaze thoughtful. He knows I’m absorbing it all.
“Your mother,” I say when there’s a lull, though I know it’s a touchy subject. “Will I get to meet her while I’m here?”
Jensen sets down his spoon, expression closing off. “No. And why would you? You ain’t a friend, you’re just a client.”
He’s got me there. The only reason I want to meet his mother is to talk to her, see if I could gain any more information about her son and his crew.
“She ain’t much for company these days,” Eli speaks up, patting the edge of his mouth with a napkin.
“I understand. Is it just a nurse you have for help? When did her stroke happen?”
His eyes narrow. “She’s got what she needs. I make sure of that,” he says, ignoring my questions.
There’s a warning in his voice, but I press on. “Of course. I didn’t mean to imply—”
“Best not to imply anything,” Red cuts in, his drawl sharp. “Jensen’s business is his own and his family is none of yours.”
An uncomfortable silence settles over the table. Eli clears his throat, trying to change the subject, but the damage is done. I prodded too hard, said too much. Jensen stands abruptly, chair scraping against the floorboards.
“I got stuff to do,” he says. “Wind is picking up. Aubrey, it’s best you hunker down for the night. The rest of y’all know what needs doing.”
He’s gone before I can respond, screen door slamming in his wake. Red, Cole and Hank exchange a loaded glance before standing too, meals half-finished.
“Thanks for dinner,” Cole says to me, voice dripping with sarcasm before they step outside.
Then it’s just me and Eli, the silence thick with unspoken tension. I push my stew around my bowl, no longer hungry.
“I shouldn’t have asked about his mother,” I say quietly.
Eli sighs. “Jensen’s real private about family matters. Especially with outsiders. And one he’s not entirely sure about, from the looks of it.”