she believed her siblings were imposing on her, she took it with a smile because she didnât want to disturb her father. But now she was alienated from her remaining family.
The family property had been willed to her without any strings, but had she been wrong to put the home up for sale? Had Sam been right when heâd told her that their father had intended for her to keep it intact for the family to use? If that was so, why hadnât her father told her that, or at least provided sufficient funds for its upkeep?
Sheâd received a monthly compensation from her father for the housekeeping duties, but upon his death, that income had ceased. The house was old and large, and in constant need of repairs. If she kept the property, her meager savings would soon be depleted.
Besides, she wanted a new life. If she couldnâtbecome an overseas missionary at this late date, she hoped for a profession of some kind rather than spending her senior years as an unpaid baby-sitter for her nieces and nephews.
It disturbed Norah that she hadnât apologized to her brother and sisters, but how could she when she didnât believe she had been unfair to them? She did remember that Jesus had told His followers if anyone had been treated unjustly, the one who had been wronged should initiate reconciliation. Perhaps she would do that, but her emotional pain was too raw right now to make the first move.
But she felt completely cut off from her previous life. Was that the reason sheâd taken to Mason so quickly? Maybe at the end of the summer, she would contact her siblings and ask forgiveness, but in the meantime, she would spend her time ministering to children whose problems were certainly worse than hers. She prayed that in helping others, she would also find healing.
By five oâclock, she laid her books and schedules aside and prepared for her get-together with Mason. Sheâd noticed that the temperature dropped quickly as soon as the sun set, so she put on a heavy pair of jeans, and a blouse with a sweatshirt over it. She wore woolen socks under a pair of leather boots.
She debated over what to wear on her head, but finally decided on a narrow-brimmed hat that sheâdworn when she worked in the flower gardens. She tied a scarf around her neck, which might come in handy if the wind was too strong to wear the hat. With a lot of anticipation, and some apprehension, she set out for the Flying K ranch.
Chapter Six
M ason wasnât in sight when Norah reached the Flying K, but a burro was tied to the hitching post in front of the house. A metal tripod, gridiron and bulging saddlebags were secured to the burroâs harness. Deciding Mason must be preparing for their outing, Norah sat on the porch and enjoyed the song of the meadowlark that warbled lustily from his perch on a fence post. A grayish-brown prairie hen led her small brood of chicks across the yard, teaching them by example how to feed on the insects and plants.
Mason was obviously a good steward of his property, for the buildings were painted, the ground was free of debris and the fences were intact and sturdy. The fence around the corral interested Norah, for oneach post, there was a worn-out pair of cowboy boots. Buster, the bull, grazed inside the corral, and once he looked toward her and bawled.
âDonât bawl at me,â she said in mock severity. âIâm still mad at you for causing me to wreck my car.â
Chewing on a juicy morsel of grass, Buster bawled again, long and loud, and Norahâs mouth curved into a smile. She would never forget Busterâs welcome to the Flying K.
Soon Mason emerged from the barn, leading two saddled horses, and Norah eyed the animals warily as he approached.
âReady?â he said, a wide smile breaking across his bearded face. He tugged on Norahâs hand, encouraging her off the porch.
âIâm not sure,â Norah said uneasily.
Mason told her that her mount would
The family property had been willed to her without any strings, but had she been wrong to put the home up for sale? Had Sam been right when heâd told her that their father had intended for her to keep it intact for the family to use? If that was so, why hadnât her father told her that, or at least provided sufficient funds for its upkeep?
Sheâd received a monthly compensation from her father for the housekeeping duties, but upon his death, that income had ceased. The house was old and large, and in constant need of repairs. If she kept the property, her meager savings would soon be depleted.
Besides, she wanted a new life. If she couldnâtbecome an overseas missionary at this late date, she hoped for a profession of some kind rather than spending her senior years as an unpaid baby-sitter for her nieces and nephews.
It disturbed Norah that she hadnât apologized to her brother and sisters, but how could she when she didnât believe she had been unfair to them? She did remember that Jesus had told His followers if anyone had been treated unjustly, the one who had been wronged should initiate reconciliation. Perhaps she would do that, but her emotional pain was too raw right now to make the first move.
But she felt completely cut off from her previous life. Was that the reason sheâd taken to Mason so quickly? Maybe at the end of the summer, she would contact her siblings and ask forgiveness, but in the meantime, she would spend her time ministering to children whose problems were certainly worse than hers. She prayed that in helping others, she would also find healing.
By five oâclock, she laid her books and schedules aside and prepared for her get-together with Mason. Sheâd noticed that the temperature dropped quickly as soon as the sun set, so she put on a heavy pair of jeans, and a blouse with a sweatshirt over it. She wore woolen socks under a pair of leather boots.
She debated over what to wear on her head, but finally decided on a narrow-brimmed hat that sheâdworn when she worked in the flower gardens. She tied a scarf around her neck, which might come in handy if the wind was too strong to wear the hat. With a lot of anticipation, and some apprehension, she set out for the Flying K ranch.
Chapter Six
M ason wasnât in sight when Norah reached the Flying K, but a burro was tied to the hitching post in front of the house. A metal tripod, gridiron and bulging saddlebags were secured to the burroâs harness. Deciding Mason must be preparing for their outing, Norah sat on the porch and enjoyed the song of the meadowlark that warbled lustily from his perch on a fence post. A grayish-brown prairie hen led her small brood of chicks across the yard, teaching them by example how to feed on the insects and plants.
Mason was obviously a good steward of his property, for the buildings were painted, the ground was free of debris and the fences were intact and sturdy. The fence around the corral interested Norah, for oneach post, there was a worn-out pair of cowboy boots. Buster, the bull, grazed inside the corral, and once he looked toward her and bawled.
âDonât bawl at me,â she said in mock severity. âIâm still mad at you for causing me to wreck my car.â
Chewing on a juicy morsel of grass, Buster bawled again, long and loud, and Norahâs mouth curved into a smile. She would never forget Busterâs welcome to the Flying K.
Soon Mason emerged from the barn, leading two saddled horses, and Norah eyed the animals warily as he approached.
âReady?â he said, a wide smile breaking across his bearded face. He tugged on Norahâs hand, encouraging her off the porch.
âIâm not sure,â Norah said uneasily.
Mason told her that her mount would
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