~Chapter Nine~

May 6, 2016

Colten sighed. He was tired and hungry. Sleeping in the bunkhouse wasn't so bad as long as Alex didn't snore. Last night they'd all been so exhausted from dealing with the calves that Alex had snored and he had snored loudly. Colten knew better than to complain though. He looked over at Katie who was helping Justin get out of the truck to eat lunch with the cowboys. She looked beyond exhausted but Justin looked awful. He was getting so thin, his skin was looking so pale. He had a big bruise on his arm from his latest round of blood work. Watching them together, the pure sadness and grief in Katie's eyes and the acceptance in Justin's, Colten knew he had no business to complain about anything.

"Here ma'am, let me help." Colten watched as Sam jumped up to help Katie. He couldn't help but feel slightly jealous at their interaction. While everything they did was straightforward and honest, Katie smiled at Sam more than anyone else on the ranch. Colten watched as he held Justin's arm slowly leading him to the table. The other cowboys all nodded and waited for the boss to be seated before smiling and engaging him in conversation about the mornings work.

"All right, dinner's ready," a soft feminine voice Colten had never heard before exclaimed. He turned to see who was talking and was surprised to see a short red haired woman carrying a large platter of roast with all the trimmings towards the table. There was something about her that was familiar but Colten couldn't seem to place it.

"Here Penny, let me help." Katie finished arranging Justin's oxygen tank and moved to help the smaller woman. Colten took the time to study the newcomer. She was small, maybe standing at only five foot. Her red hair was braided and hung to the middle of her back. He noted her skin was dusted with freckles. Her eyes were a light brown with a gold rim to them. She was heavier than he was used to seeing on a woman, but her size didn't appear to bother her and surprisingly he enjoyed seeing that thickness on her. He was so used to women looking anorexic that he found himself enjoying the expansive curves of this petite woman. What intrigued him the most was the way she favored her left leg. She moved it cautiously and slowly, almost as if it hurt her to lift it and walk.

"Thanks Katie," Penny responded with a bright smile. "You unload the boys, I'll get someone to help me with the food."

Colten watched as Katie nodded in thanks and then head off to get her and Justin's boys. He stood and walked towards the woman whom had piqued his interest.

"I can help.  What do you need?"

Penny smiled, looking up at the good looking movie star in front of her. She would be lying if she didn't admit that her heart fluttered rapidly in her chest. This was, after all, Colten Haynes the Hollywood movie star. He looked so good in the movies, but nothing could prepare her for the way he looked when he was dressed as a real working cowboy. He was dressed like the rest of the cowboys around him, snug wranglers, a western style blue chambray shirt, and boots with spurs.  He was also covered in as much mud and cow mess as all the cowboys were. Yet, to Penny, that only made him more attractive.

"Thanks," Penny almost whispered, feeling suddenly shy and embarrassed in front of him. "If you could help carry the drinks, I can get the cake and dinner rolls."

"Yes ma'am, my pleasure."  Colten followed behind the woman, his breath catching as he watched her hips sway in her tight jeans. He found himself struggling to keep his emotions at bay. He'd never had a woman affect him this way. Not even Katie and Ava could compare to the racing his heart was feeling. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your leg?"

"I don't mind. It's a long story." Penny answered on a sigh. "So yeah, the short story is I was in a bad horse wreck in Vegas when I was barrel racing. It broke my back and smashed my leg. I have good days and bad days. Today's a good day."

"Wait," Colten paused as he was reaching around her to grab the second gallon of lemonade from the cab of the truck. "You're Penelope Simmons aren't you?  I saw that ride that year. I was at that rodeo."

Penny froze, he knew who she was. Her mind was a jumbled mass of nerves. Silently scolding herself for acting like a teenager, she offered him a small smile. "Yeah, that's me."

"Have you ridden anymore?"

"No," Penny said as they carried the rest of the food to the waiting cowhands. "It hurts me to sit in the saddle for too long. I can go for short pleasure rides, but that wreck combined with a car accident a few years before has left me where I can't ride long or hard anymore."

Colten nodded and smiled at her as she arranged the cups to serve everyone with. He knew she looked familiar but the Penelope he had seen had been skinnier. He must admit, he liked this version a lot better.  He just smiled at her and went to sit at the table with the rest of the cowboys. He watched as Penny and Katie served Justin and the little boys before moving into the cowhands.

Lunch was a loud rowdy affair filled with laughter and stories. The calves were all parted in the holding pen and the cowboys knew that rest of the day would be easy, they were just waiting on the shipping truck to arrive. Everyone enjoyed the food and conversation immensely, but none more than Justin.  He knew that this would be his last chance to do anything like this and he sat and watched his friends and family interact and enjoy the fruits of their crazy week. Struggling slightly, he stood grabbing the table and lightly tapping his glass with his fork.

"Fellas," Justin began and the table quieted down as the cowboys all turned to give their attention to him. Justin was a well respected rancher in their community and every man at the table knew the significance of this last calf roundup for him. "I want to say thank you to everyone of you for all your hard work this week. I also want to say I'm sorry I wasn't able to ride along side of you." He held his hand up as the men began to interrupt him. Everyone noticed the way his arm was starting to shake.

"Now, I'm not looking for pity. But I do know how hard y'all have worked this week. You've been my friends and fellow cowboys for every calf roundup since I took the ranch over from my dad. Well, all except you Ethan," Justin paused looking at the youngest cowboy at the table. "You still had to go to school, but as soon as you were able to join us, you did."  The men all chuckled as Justin smiled at the young cowboy.

"Katie and I have been talking. My time is coming to an end and she will be running things until William can take over."  Justin paused ruffling his oldest son's hair. The boy beamed at his dad and offered a huge smile. "So, we want to give y'all your last check from me and the promise that as long as you're willing to work, you will always have a job at the K Rocker."  At that deceleration, Katie stood and passed out the cowhands pay for the past week.

"Penny," Justin began smiling at the beautiful red head. "I want to thank you for helping keep Katie sane this week and cooking our fabulous meals. You beat our old cookie's meals hands down."

"Hey," Ethan called in mock anger.  "I was the cook last time."  At that the table erupted in laughter.

"Yeah," Justin offered, "I know.  Now, if you will excuse me, I'm not feeling too good and need to head to the house."  With that he smiled and shook the hands of all the cowboys. While the men were tough, many had wet eyes as they thanked Justin for the chance to work for him and alongside of him over the last twenty years.

Katie helped Justin walk to the truck while the boys followed behind them quietly. Even their children seemed to understand the significance of the day and stayed quiet on the ride to the house.   After getting Justin settled and the little ones down for their afternoon nap, Katie went to the kitchen to help Penny who had just arrived put the leftovers away.

"How are you doing Katie?" Penny asked her longtime friend as she puttered around her kitchen.

"I'm okay," Katie responded with a small sad smile.

"Okay. I'm going to go get some laundry started. Let me know if you need anything.  And, there's enough leftovers for sandwiches so you don't need to cook tonight."

"Perfect," Katie offered her friend. "I really appreciate all your help this week Penny.  I honestly couldn't have survived it without you."

"It's my pleasure Katie. I've loved being here this week. Got me out of the house and gave Gran a break taking care of me." Penny paused as if she wanted to ask Katie something but the women were interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Katie smiled at Penny and excused herself to the office to answer it.

"K Rocker, Katie speaking. How may I help you?"

"Katie, it's Dr. Santori. I told you I'd give you this week. How is he?"

"He's doing okay." Katie found herself shaking as she sat down in the office desk chair. She knew what this phone call meant. Dr. Santori had promised to call with the results of Justin's latest white blood cell count. Whatever the doctor had to say, Katie knew it wouldn't be good.

"Good, good. I know he's happier at home with you and the boys." Dr. Santori paused and let out a sad sounding sigh. "I'm not calling to give you good news I'm afraid, Katie."

"Yes, I know," came the whispered reply.

"I think it's time for us to call in the hospice nurses. His white blood cells are so elevated it's almost unheard of and his heart is slowing down."

"But, if hospice comes," Katie couldn't continue. Her voice broke on a sob.

"Yes, Katie," the doctor continued. "It's getting closer. He's only got a week, maybe two. Let me call them in to help you Katie. Hospice isn't for the patient, it's for the living. A good hospice nurse can really help elevate your stress Katie. They can watch him while you rest. I know how tired you are. I saw it in your eyes."

"Okay," Katie said on her sob. She knew it was the right choice for her family, especially for her and Justin. "Thank you for calling Dr. Santori."

"My pleasure, Katie. I'll be coming out with hospice in the morning. We will be there around ten. Is that okay?"

"That's fine. Thank you again." Katie didn't even say goodbye. She just hung up the phone and put her head in her hands and sobbed. She was not ready for this next step. She was fighting it as hard as she could. Dr. Santori was right. She felt that if hospice was coming in, Justin would be gone. She didn't want this.

Hearing a sound at the door, Katie turned and saw Justin with William and Sam walking with him. No words were spoken, Justin knew what was coming. He had talked to Dr. Santori at his appointment when Katie had left to call the ranch. He knew what she was fighting and why. Nodding his thanks to Sam, Justin hugged William hard.

"Let me talk to Mama, okay bud?" Justin smiled at his son. William looked at Justin and saw the quiet acceptance and strength in his eyes. He leaned over and hugged his father before offering Katie a wobbly smile.

"Come on Will," Sam offered the young man a hand. "I think I hear the truck pulling in." With that the pair walked out leaving Katie alone with Justin.

"Justin," Katie began as she wiped her tear stained cheeks.

"I know, Katie-Did, I know. But promise me you will let me go."

Katie walked around and knelt in front of her husband of nine and a half years. She looked deeply into his eyes and saw that he needed this from her. Justin had long ago accepted his fate, but he needed Katie to accept it as well.

"Oh Justin," Katie said as she reached up and kissed him tenderly. Taking a deep breath she caressed the stubble on his drawn in cheek. "I promise."