Irene Brand - Song of Her Heart

“Didn’t you get away from home at all?”

“Not for overnight. Most of my expeditions were concerned with shopping, doctors’ appointments and the like. The years passed before I knew it.”

“Ranchers can’t take extended vacations, so I haven’t done much traveling, either. But I’ve hunted in Wyoming and Colorado, and I know the Dakotas and Nebraska pretty well.”

“Don’t think I’m complaining about my years at home. I was willing to do it. But that’s all I’ve done, so I don’t have much of interest to talk about.”

“Talk about anything that pops into your head,” Mason said. “I enjoy the sound of your voice.”

Not wanting a repeat performance of being lifted bodily into the truck, Norah had learned to stand on tiptoe, hold the door handle and spring into the truck cab, while Mason stood by if she needed help. She was sure she didn’t look very graceful, but at least she had managed the two times she’d boarded the truck in Valentine. But this time, she fell backward against Mason. He wrapped his arms around her midriff, and for a moment, she relaxed against him, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. Her breath was uneven, but she said, shakily, “Perhaps you’d better give me a boost.”

He loosened his grip lightly and lifted her into the cab. Refusing to meet his gaze, Norah took a comb from her purse and arranged her hair in its usual style. Mason shook his head to settle his hair in place before he put on his hat.

“My hair is as hard to control as my beard,” he said. “I’ve been letting it grow along with my whiskers. I think I’ll dress as a mountain man for this year’s celebration, if I can find a buckskin outfit to fit me.”

When he pulled into the parking lot in front of a grocery store, he said, “This is where Sheila does all of her buying, so I guess it’s a good place. I keep a cooler in the back of the truck during the summer months, so you can take perishables back with you. While you shop, I’ll buy a sack of ice and dump it in the cooler.”

“I won’t buy much,” Norah said as she went into the store. “Just enough to tide me over until I have the job outline for the summer.”

Mason stopped at the Flying K long enough for Norah to pick up her car, and then he continued to the Bar 8 ranch with her.

“You don’t need to go,” Norah insisted. “I can find my way all right.”

“I want to check and see if the telephone is working,” Mason insisted.

He knew it wasn’t necessary for him to go with her, but he still had the impression that she didn’t want to stay at the Bar 8 ranch. For the last hour of their return drive from Valentine, Norah had hardly talked at all, nor did she pay much attention to the scenery, although she’d been vibrant and enthusiastic earlier in the day. Perhaps she was only tired, but he sensed there was more to it than that.

Mason was impelled to see Norah settled safely for the night. He went into the house with her, checked the phone and found that it still wasn’t in service.

“You have my cell phone, so you can telephone if you need to,” he said. She looked rather forlorn standing in the middle of the big dining room, and he said, “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m ashamed to admit this, but I know it’s going to get dark soon, and I’m afraid. I’ve always lived in the city, where it never gets dark. Just telling you about it makes me realize how foolish I sound. I’m determined to stay here. I will be all right,” she said as if she was trying to convince herself.

“There’s a security light in the yard. It won’t be completely dark, and you can leave lights on in the house. But you’re welcome to stay at the Flying K until you adjust to being in the country.”

Forcing a smile, Norah said, “You have work to do, so go back to the ranch and don’t worry about me. I agreed to do this job, and I’m going to stay here alone tonight if it kills me. If I ever go to work on the mission field, I’ll probably spend many nights alone.”

Mason was becoming fond of Norah, perhaps too fond for his own good. It troubled him every time she mentioned her desire to become a missionary, because it seemed to drive an insurmountable wedge between them. Such a decision should be kept between Norah and God, and he was determined that he wouldn’t interfere. Better to keep his emotions and thoughts to himself until Norah came to terms with her future.

“You’ll be safe enough, and I can be here in a short time if you need me.”

“You hired me to be a cook. It isn’t your responsibility to be my guardian.” She placed her hand on his shoulder, intending to lead him toward the door. She might as well have tried to move Mount Rushmore. He didn’t budge until he was ready.

“Keep the cell phone handy, and let me know if you’re uneasy.” He looked at her keenly, a sense of wonderment in his eyes. “I’ve had a great day.”

“So did I, Mason. It’s a day I’ll never forget.”

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