Page 11 of Slay Bells

Henry didn’t seem convinced. “Like what?”

“Check on the horses.” Jeremy yawned so wide, his jaw cracked. “Or the cows.”

“Ha. You don’t have cows. Good one.” Henry gave him a toothy smile. “I’ll make some coffee. Is the front door open?”

He looked to the digital display on the nightstand. “I don’t know, it’s only six-thirty. I’ll let you in. But you best be quiet.”

“There’s a coffee maker in the bunk house,” Jeremy said, sitting at the dining room table a few minutes later. Henry didn’t do random things without reason. He’d probably had a rough night and needed to find a way to distract himself. Sometimes he wished the man would find someone else to be his reality check. And yet Jeremy understood. Having done a couple of tours over at the hellhole himself, it wasn’t something you just got over.

“Did your Dad tell you I’m going to work here for a while? Helping with the festival.”

Jeremy nodded. “He needs the help.”

Henry lowered to a chair with coffee and a plate of toast. “He said I can stay in the spare bedroom in here, but I’ll stick to the bunkhouse.”

“How about you wait until at least seven before popping up?” His father shuffled into the kitchen, scratching his head. “Who in the hell chops wood at six in the morning?”

“I apologize,” Henry said with a sigh. “I was trying to wake Jeremy up gently.”

“That was gentle?” Jeremy huffed. “How about next time you tap on the window?”

“Good idea,” Henry said.

Jeremy’s phone chimed. Cassandra again. Who in the hell did booty calls at seven in the morning? He pressed the silent button and got up. “Gonna take a shower.”

Chapter Five

Upon waking, it took a moment for Gabriela to figure out exactly where she was. The cabin was dim, as she’d drawn the curtains closed the night before. Not because there were any lights outside, but more because she got a bit nervous. What if a bear or a wolf came to the window? Maybe some strange creeper would peek in the cabin window and stare at her while she slept.

She’d gotten up a couple times to double check the front door and to ensure all the windows were locked. The silence had been deafening. Even now, the only sounds were the steady hum of the refrigerator and a birdcall every so often.

How could people live like this?

The need for caffeine forced her out of the warm cocoon she’d made. The bed was way too comfortable for her liking. Thankfully the cabin was toasty warm and through her socks, the wood floor didn’t seem cold at all.

After coffee and a light breakfast, she planned to go for a walk and get her bearings around the ranch. Perhaps if she got a better feel for where things were, she’d not be so nervous that night. Her boss had sent her there, telling her to remain for as long as she needed. She hoped to write the article quickly and hopefully be done in just a couple weeks. If things went smoothly, she could be home in time to celebrate the New Year with friends and family.

An hour later, she emerged ready to face the day. Thankfully, her Uggs kept her feet warm. Her jacket however didn’t do much more than provide a bit of break from the icy wind. Gabriela made a mental note to go buy something sturdier than the coat she’d bought online because it was “cute”.

She’d made it to the open barn-looking building, took out her camera and took several pictures of the structure.

Just then Henry popped out of a side door. “Good morning Gabriela,” he greeted, waving her over. “Wanna see the inside?”

The picture of him naked the day before gave her pause. “No thanks. I’m about to head back, my jacket isn’t warm enough.”

Henry nodded. “What is it made of? Plastic?”

It was a puffy jacket made of something shiny. “I’m not sure what this fabric is.” Gabriela cringed at recalling how much she’d paid for the useless thing. “I have to go buy something warmer.”

“Chester’s in town has good ones,” Henry offered, and then turned and went into the barn.

Teeth chattering, Gabriela hurried back toward her cabin. It was early yet so she figured there was enough time to purchase some groceries and a jacket and be back in time for lunch.

Just then, a man on horseback got her attention. It was Jeremy. She stopped and stared for a long moment, taking the scene in of a handsome cowboy atop a beautiful chestnut colored horse with the snowy backdrop. In a thick jacket, gloves and skullcap, she could still tell it was him. It was like something out of a movie or on a Christmas card. She lifted her camera and took more pictures than she needed. Jeremy had stopped and bent over patting the horse’s neck, seeming to talk to it. All the while, Gabriela zoomed in and took another series of shots.

Finally, her trembling made it difficult to keep the camera steady, so she hurried to find warmth in her cabin.

“I have a hair appointment. I hope you don’t mind,” Natalie announced over a delicious lunch of grilled cheese on thickly sliced bread and tomato bisque soup. “Jeremy kindly volunteered to give you a tour of the ranch.” She smiled widely at her son.