Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Even the Lexington family?”
That makes her stop in her tracks, and she narrows her eyes at me. “No. They’re not included. Don’t say that name on this ranch. I’m pretty easygoing about it, but if my dad or brothers hear it, they might become homicidal.”
“Wow, that’s some rivalry y’all have going there.”
“You have no idea. Anyway, everyone’s already out getting set up for later. Neighbors will start arriving within the hour. If you’d like, you’re welcome to hang out with my mom and some of the other women in the food tent.”
“That’s not sexist at all.”
That makes Millie laugh again. “I know, right? But people have to eat, and there’s always some good food that’s prepared in that tent. However, if you want to watch the branding, you’re welcome to do that, too.”
“Let’s see how it goes,” I reply. “I don’t know if I want to watch baby animals be tortured.”
“It’s not torture.” Millie’s voice is calm and patient as she leads me to the Jeep, and we hop in. “They need to be branded so we know who’s who in case a fence fails. They need vaccinations so they don’t get sick, and the boys have to be castrated. It just is what it is, and they’ll be fine.”
“Says the girl who grew up on a cattle ranch.”
Millie grins and drives right on the fields, no roads, as she takes me on a tour of the place.
“We won’t be able to cover everything in an hour,” she says. “There’s a lot of land here. But I’ll show you my favorite spot, where I took that picture this morning. By the way, I love your T-shirt. Nash is my favorite band. Were you lucky enough to see them in concert?”
“I—” I sigh and then just nod. “Yeah, I have.”
“That’s awesome.”
It only takes about ten minutes before Millie stops and cuts the engine of the Jeep. My stomach is a little jittery from all the bumps and being jostled around, but when I see the mountains, I feel my jaw drop.
“Holy shit, Mill.”
“I know.” Her voice is hushed as we simply stand here and take it all in.
The mountains seem to be layered, one behind the next, reaching up into the sky with jagged peaks that still have plenty of snow on them.
“Does the snow ever melt all the way up there?” I wonder.
“By July, most of the snow will be gone,” she replies. “And then in September, it’ll be back.”
“Wow.” In front of the mountains is a valley that cradles thousands of evergreen trees of all shapes and sizes. They’re so majestic, so beautiful, that all I can do is stare in complete wonder.
“I’ve always come here,” Millie says and crosses her arms over her chest. “Most of us do, actually, because it’s not far from home, yet it’s probably the most beautiful view in Montana. When we need some time away, this is where you’ll find most of us. I think we should add a bench here so we can sit for a while, but so far, I’ve been outvoted.”
“You can just sit on the ground.”
And so, I do, just sit on the ground and lean back on my hands so I can look up at those incredible mountains.
“How could you stand moving away from this?” I ask. “You left this for town.”
“I wanted to be closer to work,” Millie says as she sits next to me. “And I needed something of my own. This is my home—it’s in my blood—but it’s Remington’s now. And I’m not a kid anymore, so it was time to do something else. But I love coming out to the ranch sometimes to just be. It’s my happy place. Oh, look!”
Millie points to the trees, and right before us, a doe walks out of the brush, with two tiny spotted fawns following behind her. They’re so small.
“Those are early babies,” Millie whispers. “And so sweet.”
The mom’s ears twitch, and she sees us watching her. She doesn’t run away; she simply continues to walk, with her babies following close behind.
“I get it,” I whisper when the deer wander out of sight. “I totally get it.”
“Erin!” Johnny comes running from the temporary fence where he is watching the men set up for the upcoming work. He comes to an abrupt stop right in front of me and smiles up, showing off his teeth, and the gap where he obviously just lost one. “You’re here!”
“I am.” I sense Remington walk up to us, but I keep my eyes on the boy and ignore the goose bumps that just rolled over my body. “Something’s different about you. Hmm.”
Johnny’s so excited, he’s practically vibrating.
“Don’t tell me,” I murmur, rubbing my chin as if I’m thinking really hard. “Did you get a haircut?”
“No!”
“New boots?”
“These are really old.” He widens his lips and pushes his tongue through the hole in his teeth.