Sea Of Grass by Kate Sweeney Page A

screen door. “He’ll do fine. So will his son.”
    “That’s good,” Claire said as she loaded the dishwasher.
    “So where did you learn Spanish?” Tess asked as she drank her coffee and watched her. She noticed the hesitation in Claire’s movements.
    “High school, then from the people where I worked,” Claire said. “Now what would you like for breakfast?”
    “Nothing, thanks. I’ll grab a cinnamon roll, though.” She took two sticky rolls off the plate and headed out the door.
    “You really should eat something more substantial.”
    Tess poked her head back in. “And gain ten more pounds,” she said with a grin and a wink. “See ya.”
    She was still grinning when Jack led Stella out of the stable. “Good morning, Tess.”
    “Good morning, Jack. And how is Clover this morning?”
    “Doing better. I saddled Stella for you.”
    “Thanks. You’re doing a fine job around here.”
    Jack shrugged as he petted Stella. Tess watched as she slipped on her gloves; she saw the disappointment. “But you know, I really could use another man watching the herd.”
    She glanced at Jack, whose eyes widened. “I’m getting better at handling a horse. Your dad is really helping me, and well, maybe I can help…somehow.”
    Tess smiled when she heard the frustration in his voice.
    “How old did you say you were?”
    “Sixteen, seventeen in the fall.”
    She wanted to ask him about his father, but for some reason, it didn’t seem appropriate at the time.
    “Well, you are riding better,” Tess said, scratching her chin.
    Jack said nothing as he continued stroking Stella’s neck.
    “And you’re sixteen, practically seventeen. If I decide to let you help with the herd, you might have to sleep in the bunkhouse with the other men.”
    “That would be okay,” Jack said, nearly pouncing on her words.
    Tess slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll check with your mom later. You keep up with the stable and the corral for today.”
    Jack’s grin spread across his face. “Okay. Thanks, Tess.”
    Tess mounted Stella and pulled on the reins. “No, Jack, I thank you.” She leaned down to him. “Between you and me, getting you out there will save my aching arse .”
     
    Claire sat on the back porch peeling potatoes in the shade of late afternoon. She watched Jack riding the filly around the confines of the corral and chuckled at the fierce look of concentration on his face. As Claire looked past him, she saw Tess riding toward the corral. When Tess slowly dismounted and flexed her back, Claire saw how tired and dirty she appeared. The vision of Tess in a classroom with book in hand and wearing something other than dusty blue jeans had her dropping the paring knife into the bowl. It was then she also noticed how fit Tess had become; maybe it was her imagination.
    “Tess! I’m getting better,” Jack exclaimed.
    Claire was amazed and had to agree with her son; he took so easily to riding a horse.
    Tess dismounted and tied Stella off to the post. “You’re doing just fine, Jack. Maybe after supper we can take a ride out in the open and let that filly run,” she said with a tired smile.
    She walked over to the horse trough and took off her hat, then plunged her head into the water. Claire grimaced as she watched.
    Tess lifted her head, shaking it like a dog. Jack dismounted his horse and took off his hat. Claire knew what was coming next.
    “Man, it’s hot,” Tess exclaimed as she ran her fingers through her wet blond hair, then grabbed the towel hanging on the fence.
    “No kidding,” Jack said and took off his hat and dunked his head in.
    Tess threw her head back and laughed, then saw his mother sitting on the porch. She poked Jack on the shoulder and he came up for air, his wet face looking up in confusion. Tess motioned to the porch.
    Jack sported a sick smile. “Um, sorry, Mom,” he called out as Tess threw him a towel.
    Tess gave her a teasing smile. “Me too, Mom,” she called out.
    She unbuckled her