Mara knocked on the door and waited. It was a nice ranch-house built near a river bend along one of the driest sections of the Utah desert near Salt Lake City. Brent stood next to her. He took off his cowboy hat and held it out in front of him. … Read More
The door to the Dirty Stirrup opened and Brent’s mother stepped out. “Call for you Jake,” she said. The music spilled out around her. “And for you too, Jessie. It’s long distance from England!” “Really?” Jessie sat up. “Come on, Jake!” She took his hand and pulled him into the … Read More
Pancake stood quietly in the chute and was docile when Jessie first stood by the fence line next to Jake and Brent. “Are you ready for this, Jess?” “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She looked up at Jake. “You don’t have to do this, you know.” “Yes, I do.” … Read More
“Thanks for letting me ride out here with you,” Brent said as they drove into Nampa, just outside of Boise. “Sure, Brent.” Jessie took his hand and squeezed it. “I’m sure Mara won’t marry no third cousin she don’t love and will be back for you.” “No.” Brent took his … Read More
Jessie’s mother looked up from her morning coffee when Jessie entered, carrying her bedroll and backpack behind her. Jake followed her in. “Hi, Mama,” Jessie said smiling broadly. “Hi.” Her mother turned her head to look out the window. Jessie turned and held her hand out towards Jake. “This here’s … Read More