“Actually, we have. A rancher in Wyoming was kind enough to let us spend the night after we had a flat. We ate with the ranch hands and slept in the van.” Grandma Cecilia grinned.
Ronald studied her for a second. “I don’t suppose it would be Dennis McClintock, would it?”
Her grandmother brightened. “How did you know?”
He snorted. “Dennis is an old friend of mine. And he has a large ranch as well. Not big as mine, but pretty big.”
Grandma Cecilia arched a brow. “You don’t seem jealous, Ronald. Dennis could have swept me off my feet.”
Ronald grinned. “I know Dennis. He has a serious girlfriend. And he knows better than to step out on her. Flora would cook his goose if he ever tried something.”
Elana let out a laugh. “He was a perfect gentleman. He also stopped when we had a flat.”
Ronald nodded. “I’ll have to thank him for that.” He reached over and took her grandmother’s hand in his. He gently kissed the back of her hand.
Elana felt her face heat at the intimate moment. She quickly turned her attention out the window. Jack let out a bark and climbed in her lap. Looking out the window, he began to whine.
“I think he has to do his business,” Ronald stated.
Elana frowned. “Do you think he’ll be okay if I let him out? I don’t want him to frighten the cattle.”
Ronald chuckled. “I have a feeling he’ll be fine. We’ll all get out and stretch our legs.”
He opened his door and climbed out.
Jack looked at her and barked.
“Fine, Jack, but don’t run off. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
The dog stared in her eyes and then licked her from chin to forehead.
She laughed and wiped the kiss off with the back of her hand. “Let’s go.” She reached for the handle and opened the door.
Jack jumped out of the truck before she could climb out. He ran about twenty feet, stopped, and relieved himself.
Zipping up her jacket, she walked over to him, and they stood watching the cowboys drive the cattle on.
CHAPTER32
Jack lifted his face to the breeze. This was what he loved best. The scent of the mountain air, the cows, and the impending snow.
He looked back at Elana. She looked worried. She thought he was going to run off.
He wondered why she was always so worried about what happened next.
He wished he could tell her that life was a continual journey. Every day was a new starting point. Where you wanted to end up usually came with a lot of detours and stumbling blocks. But that was part of the adventure.
He looked back at a cow who had strayed from the herd.
The cowboys were busy and had missed seeing her. They were almost over the ridge, and once they were out of eyesight, they would move on without her.
His instincts kicked in. He had to do something. He raced over in the cow’s direction.
He could hear Elana screaming behind him to come back, but he was on a mission.
He ran over to the cow, who lowered her head. He let out a bark to tell her to turn back to the rest of the cattle. But she was an ornery one. She mooed that she wasn’t going to let him tell her what to do.
Baring his teeth, he growled and then let out another bark.
