Then he asked something that surprised her.
“Do you ever want to expand the operation?”
She looked down.
“I used to.”
“Why not anymore?”
She hesitated.
“Money.”
He nodded.
She expected him to ask whether the business was failing.
Instead, he looked toward the shelves.
“You've got a good system. Your records are organized. And your work has a reputation all the way across the ridge.”
She stared.
“How do you know?”
He smiled.
“People talk.”
She looked wary.
He noticed.
“About the quality of your meat.”
Her expression softened slightly.
He continued.
“An old cattleman told me he'd rather wait two months for food from this smokehouse than buy something poorly handled from a careless seller.”
She looked away.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, “My father would've liked hearing that.”
The rancher nodded.
“I reckon he would.”
He finished the bread.
Then reached for his coat.
“I should get back before dark.”
She looked toward the window.
Snow was beginning to fall again.
“The upper trail can become difficult after sunset.”
He smiled.
“I know it.”
She studied his face.
“You're the rancher from the north ridge.”
He looked surprised.
“That's me.”
Her expression changed.
She had heard of him.
He owned a modest cattle property near the mountain pass and sometimes disappeared into the wilderness for weeks at a time.
People described him as proud, hardworking, and stubborn.
Some said he was too independent for his own good.
Others claimed he'd refused several offers to sell the ranch and move closer to town.
She looked toward him.
“Then you've probably traveled that road more often than I have.”
He nodded.
“A fair bit.”
She smiled faintly.
“Still doesn't make you stronger than the weather.”
He laughed.
“That's something my mother used to say.”
She looked interested.
“Was she sensible?”
“More than I ever was.”
The woman smiled.
He placed his hat on his head.
Then paused beside the door.
“Thank you for the bread.”
“You're welcome.”
“And for taking the job.”
She nodded.
He looked toward her.
For a moment, it seemed as though he wanted to say something else.
Then he smiled.
“I'll be back when you tell me the meat's ready.”
She looked at him.
“Good.”
He left.
She watched him mount his horse and ride toward the trees.
Then she returned to the kitchen.
For a long time, she stared at the empty chair.