Chapter Four    It was nearing nine o’clock and the land was covered in shadows. I knew I needed to get to bed, but for some reason I wasn’t tired. I sat on the swing at the end of the porch; my legs propped up on the seat and laid my head against the side as I took in the peaceful sounds of the ranch settling down.   I could hear the cattle lowing in a distant field, an occasional bark of laughter from the bunkhouse and from up on the hill I could hear the lonely wail of a wolf calling for its mate. I listened closely and smiled when a moment later I heard the female return her mates call.   “Is that seat taken?” a deep voice asked from the shadows. Instinctively I knew who the voice belonged to and I moved my legs and patted the swing beside me.  The swing bounced slightly as he settled his weight next to me and I heard a sigh escape from him.   “Sore?” I asked, remembering him saying that he hadn’t been on a horse in a long time. “A little. I forgot I had all those muscles,” he answered as he rubbed the outside of his thighs. “Before you go to bed, take a long soak. It’ll help soothe those muscles,” I suggested. I could feel my cheeks heat at the thought of him in a tub full of hot water and thanked the Lord above for the lack of light. “I had planned on it,” he said as he tipped his head back, relaxing. “If that doesn’t help, I’ve got some liniment you could use,” I offered, again feeling heat sear my cheeks. My mind wandered for a moment as I let myself imagine what his legs would look like and feel like if I were the one to apply the liniment. “Thanks,” he replied, bringing me out of my wayward thoughts. “Did you grow up here?” he asked after we had sat in silence for a few minutes. “Born and raised,” I answered, a tinge of pride lacing my voice.      I knew it almost sounded defensive, though I didn’t mean for it to. People had a habit of thinking they had me all figured out just because I was born and raised on a ranch out in the hills. I had encountered more narrow minded people, who thought I was nothing more than a country bumpkin who couldn’t find her way out of a paper bag, little lone her way around the city. But in reality I lived a little in both worlds. I loved the excitement of the city, the hustle and bustle, the noise and the many things a person could do, but I also loved the quietness of the ranch. The nature that was right at  my backdoor and the sense of coming home I got every time I returned, even if I had only been gone for an afternoon.] “Times like this, I really miss being at home in Kentucky,” he admitted, setting me at ease. “I know what you mean. I spent four long years away at college and every time I came home to visit I tried to store up all the memories I possibly could. When I graduated I knew I had a lot of options. I could’ve gotten a job in a big company making big bucks, but the call of home was to strong to ignore.” “You sound happy when you talk about the ranch,” he observed. “Oh I am! I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, and when I get to craving the city life, I just drive in and spend a couple of hours or a day or two and then I’m ready to come back home.” “The only thing I really miss when I’m at home is my dad. He passed away when I was almost nineteen,” he whispered softly, as if that admission escaped his keeping without his permission. “I know what you mean. My mom died when I was sixteen, and then dad passed away two and half years ago. It’s still home, but there are times it seems so foreign without them here.” ”Exactly,” he murmured. We fell quiet then, just enjoying the quiet night and each other’s company. It was really nice to just sit here on the porch with him, talking when we felt like it and sitting in silence when we didn’t. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable; on the contrary it was companionable. It was like curling up under a well-worn cherished quilt.   “Cassie? I’m sorry to interrupt, but you have a phone call,” Callie said from the other end of the porch. I nodded and she turned back into the house. “Don’t forget I have liniment if you need it,” I said. “Thanks. Good night Cassie,” he said, his voice taking on a husky quality. “Good night,” I returned and then moved down the porch and went inside.                                                             Chapter Five