Sassy Cowgirl Kisses by Kathy Fawcett
Chapter 11
“Surprise!”
Ash and Sassy jumped a mile when they walked back into the ranch office to a roomful of people and boisterous hoots and hollers.
With boots wet from the creek, muddy jeans, and scratches on their shirts from tugging on the rogue branches of the downed tree, the two were bedraggled and exhausted pulling into the parking lot, but laughing together about many things.
Ash had been grateful for Sassy’s help as they’d used the chainsaw, then removed thick lengths of the tree’s trunk with the ATV and a rope. It was a few hours of grueling labor, but the water now flowed freely again for the herd’s drinking water.
“You did great, cowgirl,” he told her. “Job number one is looking after the cattle, making sure they have food and water at all times. Unless there’s a dry spell or a downed tree, nature provides the water just fine to those that graze along the river. For the others, we have an intricate solar-powered system of pipes and troughs.”
He was rambling, he knew, knowing his cover would likely be blown when they got back to the offices. Sassy looked over and smiled indulgently as he talked. She was probably exhausted, especially since she’d nearly passed out earlier from the high altitude of the mountains the ranch was nestled in.
“I swear, I forgot what hard work was like until today. This ranch has a way of reminding you how pathetic your book knowledge is compared to your arms and legs.” Walking into the office, he was about to comment that day one of cowgirl school had been a success, when they were accosted by a celebration of sorts.
“Wha…” Ash looked around the room to see all the ranch hands looking back at him expectantly, along with Gunnar, Colton, Pike, Rowdy and Gray, and even Ridge. Gunnar stepped forward and patted Ash on the back, gesturing to a food table filled with burritos, tacos, canned pop in iced buckets, and a large cake.
Congrats Grad, the cake said.
“Here’s to the newest ranch manager, Ash West,” Gunnar said proudly to the room, and then to Ash. “Welcome to the team.”
Sassy moved quietly behind Ash and slipped off to the side. Genuinely surprised, Ash smiled and gave a little wave to the room.
“Wow, thanks,” he said, truly touched.
Everyone hooted and clapped as Ash turned red with pride and embarrassment. As the hollering quieted down, Ash figured it was time to say a few words. The food was getting cold and if everyone had a morning like he did, they were hungry.
“Thank you, Gunnar. You know how to make a fellow feel special, saving that old muddy tree for me to pull out of the creek—well, that was just about welcome enough,” Ash said good naturedly to general laughter. “Can we eat now?” That’s when the room really exploded. Ash went off to wash the mud off his hands and face while the hard-working hands ate heartily in his honor.
“Well done, son,” Ridge spoke quietly as he clapped him on the back. The two men tossed their paper plates loaded with food onto the table and sat down to eat.
Ash thought he knew what his dad meant.
BBQ and cake were the equivalents of big-city inter-office memos that heralded a promotion. Men and women on the ranch who were twice and three times Ash’s age needed to be aware of the family’s intentions, and know enough to place “the kid” in higher regard. The tree in the mud—well that was Ash’s opportunity to show he wasn’t too high and mighty to tackle even the most menial of jobs.
Always be willing to do what you ask of others. He’d been shown time and again.
“Just two small tacos, Dad?” Ash gestured to Ridge’s plate.
“Oh, Casey’s got me tracking my fat, carbs and dairy. She and her henchman, Doctor Kat, are on me to change my ways.”
Ash smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. Just because you’ve got three grandchildren…”
“A fourth on the way, with Liu and Colton’s baby,” Ridge pointed out.
“Right, four grands,” Ash said, “doesn’t mean you’re still not a dad. And I suspect I’m going to need you more than ever this summer.”
“So I see,” Ridge mumbled, looking across the room at where Sassy sat, eating and talking to Freda Lang and Wayne. Even with her hair pulled back and a smear of mud on her face, the girl was drop dead lovely.
Ash would have to be blind not to notice her.