When Love's Gone Country (Sequel two of the Embracing Love Trilogy) by Merri Hiatt Page A

work ahead of us and we need to separate the chaff from the wheat right from the get-go.”
    “Are we chaff or wheat?” Jeremy asked.
    “You’re a hard worker,” Frank said, “and that’s what we’re lookin’ for.”
    A meal of pot roast with root vegetables, salad with freshly ripened tomatoes, corn on the cob and blackberry cobbler was eaten with great enthusiasm.
    “I have died and gone to heaven,” Courtney said. “You guys can go do all the work. I’ll just stay here and eat.”
    “Nice try,” Purity said. “If we’re working, you’re working.”
     

 
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
    “Get a good rest tonight,” Frank said. “We rise before the roosters around here.”
    “He’s not kidding,” Emma said. “One of the ranch hands will be by to wake you in the morning. You’ll have less than fifteen minutes to get dressed and head down to the fire pit for instructions.”
    When Emma left, Jeremy said, “No breakfast?”
    “On a ranch, you tend to the animals first, yourself second,” Alex said.
    “I think I liked California better’n this.”
    Courtney laughed as she put her arms around his shoulders. “Me, too. Maybe it will get better.”
    “I sure hope so.”
    Bobby noticed Jacob heading back toward the other ranch hand quarters. “Night, son.”
    Jacob nodded.
    “If you change your mind, there’s a room at the end of the hall for you. You can have it all to yourself,” Meg said.
    “I won’t need it.” Jacob made his way back to the sterile barracks. It seemed to fit his mood. Two of the lanterns had run out of kerosene, but four were still lit. He sat at the picnic table, reaching into his pocket to remove a roll he’d stashed away at dinner. He pulled off two small pieces and placed them at the far end of the table.
    It wasn’t long before a scurrying sound caught his attention.
    “It’s okay. I brought it for you. We’re going to be sharing this space for a few weeks. I figured we should be friends.”
    The mouse stared at him, but remained hesitant.
    “I’ll just leave it there for you. I don’t really know what to call you. I guess just mouse. Doesn’t really seem to fit you, though.
    I’m going to go to sleep. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bite me or anything, but I get it if you feel like you need to protect your space. I’d do the same thing if someone busted in on my territory.”
    Jeremy left three of the lights burning and took one with him to the end of the barracks where he sat it on a chair. He gathered all the blankets, laying all but two on the old springs. The other two he used to cover himself and keep warm, keeping his shoes on in case he needed to leave in a hurry.
    Yeah, he knew about protecting what little was his. His hand curled around the gun handle in his pocket. His father had taught him that. One of the few things he had learned from Paul Reese.
    He’d been at him again that night, but it was different. Jacob had the ritual down. Knew what his dad would say and how he would say it. Threatening with his tone and body language, as well as his words. He was in control and they both knew it. But one day, one day Jacob would be the one in control.
    Instead of following his routine, he had shown concern over a bruise he saw on Jacob’s shoulder. He’d told him to take his shirt off so he could get a better look at it.
    Jacob was leery, as he always was of any kind of gentle care either of his parents showed him, but he did as he was told.
    When Paul Reese told him to remove his pants for a full body check, Jacob knew this time was different. He said he didn’t feel well, like he was going to throw up.
    “If you throw up, you’ll be eating it with a spoon for breakfast.”
    He’d grabbed one of the belt loops on Jacob’s jeans and pulled him into his lap. Jacob fought, as he always did, even though it made his father madder.
    Blood and pain weren’t new to him, but this kind of invasion tore a hole in his soul. When his father said, “Just