Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts Page A

can visit me in church on Sunday.”
    Tom’s lips curled in disgust. “You’re kidding. You think I’m going to hang out at your church.” He flung his hands in the air and backed down the porch steps into the darkness. “I don’t need this. No job’s worth putting up with this crap.”
    When he got halfway down the front path, he turned and pointed his finger at them, his gesture lit by a yard light. “Don’t talk to any ranchers about me, either. ’Cause if I hear you’ve been telling lies, I’ll take you to court faster than a hound after a rabbit.”
    Prepared to chase the man off the property, Jared clenched his fist as though he carried Moses’ staff in his hand. “Do what you have to do, but don’t come back here again.”
    N ATALIE MANAGED A SMILE FOR J ARED WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE PORCH . He’d surprised her. Not only had he taken an explosive situation and turned it on its heel, but he’d done so without the use of violence or force. For that, she had to give him credit. “You handled that like a pro. Are you okay?”
    â€œDid you see him take off? Like the devil was after him.” Jared peered over his shoulder, and Natalie noted the bobbing headlights of Tom’s truck as it roared down the dirt road.
    â€œGood riddance.” Natalie scowled. “Only now I don’t have a hired hand.”
    Willard shook his head. “You’re better off. Tom was a disgrace to anyone who calls himself a cowboy. I have no idea why your daddy hired him unless he felt sorry for the boy.”
    That might be true, but it didn’t solve Natalie’s situation. The haying season would start in a month. Pastures and cattle to tend. Plus a queen clinic she’d promised to help with. “I planned to brand cattle Saturday. How am I going to vaccinate three hundred calves with only Dillon and Chelsey for help?”
    â€œYou can count me in,” Willard said. “I’m not a young buck, but I can wield a branding iron just fine. I’ll check around and see if we can scrounge up a few more hands.”
    Natalie smiled at the man, once again hating her dependence on others. “I’m much obliged for your help, Willard. And for yours too.” Her eyes darted to Jared’s. “I appreciate how you handled Tom. It takes courage to stand up to men like that without getting into a fight.”
    â€œThanks, but the courage wasn’t mine.”
    Natalie heard the humility in Jared’s voice but didn’t understand what he meant.
    He cleared his throat. “I should go so you can get to bed. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”
    â€œI need to get home too.” Willard held out his hand to Jared. “It was nice to make your acquaintance.”
    â€œYours too. Stop by my office sometime, and we’ll discuss the deep meanings of prose and poetry.” Jared chuckled and turned to Natalie. “I’ll plan on seeing Chelsey after school tomorrow?”
    Natalie frowned at the reminder. One more item to put on her list, as though she didn’t have enough to think about.
    T HE NEXT MORNING , N ATALIE SET OUT A BOX OF CEREAL AND FRESH strawberries for the kids to eat before the bus arrived. Chelsey shuffled into the kitchen wearing cowboy boots and a jean skirt so short it probably violated the school dress code. “Glad you’re up. I was afraid I might have to haul you out of bed.”
    Chelsey scowled. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She picked up a strawberry and examined it before taking a bite.
    â€œYou haven’t forgotten about your arrangement with Jared, have you?”
    â€œPastor Jared, you mean?”
    Natalie’s eyes narrowed. “He wants to meet you at the church after school. No dawdling or cruising with friends, understand? You’ll work two hours, and then I’ll pick you up.”
    â€œWhat? You mean I can’t