told you that. I’m giving him the day off. I’ll explain everything to you tomorrow.”
Red gave Maddie a big hug before she slid back into her car. “Get going, girl. I want my son put out of his misery. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Red, and thanks for your help.”
Maddie pulled out and headed back home, her heart singing and her mind wondering what Red was going to do.
Chapter Four
Maddie was happier than she’d been for a long time and made it home in record time, even remembering to pick up a frozen lasagna for her parent’s dinner, as well as the makings for a romantic outdoor dinner for Jim and herself. She hoped Red wasn’t too disappointed in Andrew but on the other hand, it was high time he knew what Andrew was planning. This was a lot more sinister than a prank and like he had said, it was playing with people’s lives, well intentioned or not.
When she arrived home, Maddie quickly changed into jeans and a cotton long sleeved shirt, packing a spare shirt for tomorrow. An insulated cooler bag, with ice for the small container that was filled with top of the range rib eye fillet and a couple of bottles of red wine completed her preparations. When she was ready, she quickly visited her gran to let her know she might be out all night.
“Where are you off to then, Maddie? It’s not like you to stay out unless you’re planning on staying in the old Circle O cabin.”
“I’m going to see Jim and he’s out riding fences at the moment on the northern end of the Circle O. It’ll likely be dark for the ride home so I’ll stay out unless I can convince Jim to come back with me.”
“Does this have anything to do with your trip into town today? And I heard you talking to Red earlier too. What’s going on?”
“Something I should have done two years ago. I just hope it’s not too late.”
“Too late for what?”
“Too late for Jim and I to get back together. Too late to do something about keeping a roof over our heads before the bank forecloses on us. Just a few minor life events, Gran.”
“Your grandfather should be taking responsibility for that, not you.”
“Well, you know he’s not and I for one do not want to move into town.”
“I don’t either, but your grandfather will need to know.”
“He will Gran and he’ll most likely receive an offer he can’t refuse. I won’t know all the details until tomorrow so there’s no point in worrying him with it until I have something definite to talk about. The same goes for you, Gran. Just don’t say anything until tomorrow, after I’ve been to town to see Red again. Are you okay with that? Because I have a feeling in my bones that everything will work out.”
“You’re a good person, Maddie, looking out for us like this. Go and see Jim then. You two have a lot of catching up to do.”
Maddie gave her gran a quick hug. “You bet we do. Now there’s lasagna thawing out in the oven, so by dinner time it will be thawed and ready to cook. You only need to turn on the oven. Leave the dishes for me, though. Promise?”
“Okay, I will. Be sure to give Jim my regards.”
Maddie gathered up the cooler bag, her small clothes bag, and headed out to the barn, where she saddled up her favorite horse, Pixel, complete with saddle bags for her things. She had a frozen two liter bottle of water to tie around her neck too, so she could drink it as the ice melted and it would also help to keep her cool.
She decided to ride as far north as she could before heading west into the sun. That way, she’d be able to steer clear of unwanted prying eyes from the Circle O. Andrew O’Connor would be just as likely to bail her up for trespassing, even if she was just going to see Jim.
******
It was hot riding at this time of the day and after an hour she decided to stop to rest Pixel. She could see a windmill in the distance and headed for it, thinking