The ranch hands had spent several days counting livestock, examining the condition of winter-weakened animals, and organizing feed for the remaining cold weather.
Evelyn worked from the broad covered porch of the barn, where a reinforced table allowed her to examine the records without making repeated journeys across uneven ground.
She preferred the barn to Victor's study.
The air smelled of hay and leather rather than expensive tobacco.
The men were generally busy with their own work.
And Caleb was nearby.
He brought her the counts each afternoon.
At first, their conversations were strictly practical.
Then Evelyn began asking questions.
Why did some cattle have different brands?
Why were certain calves recorded as belonging to the north herd when they grazed in the south pasture?
Why had Victor purchased hay from a supplier farther away when a local farmer offered a lower price?
Caleb answered when he knew.
When he didn't, he admitted it.
Evelyn found that refreshing.
Most men she'd met preferred pretending they understood everything.
Caleb seemed entirely comfortable saying he didn't know.
One afternoon, she caught him examining a column of figures with a troubled expression.
“What is it?”
He looked up.
“Nothing.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Caleb.”
He sighed.
“I think I've counted the same calves twice.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Let me see.”
He handed her the page.
She studied it.
Then pointed toward two entries.
“These brands are different.”
He frowned.
“Yes.”
“But the ear descriptions match, and both groups were moved through the western gate on the same day.”
Caleb looked closer.
His expression changed.
“Well, I'll be damned.”
Evelyn laughed.
He looked up.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Her laugh was rich, warm, and entirely unexpected.
She noticed.
Her smile faded.
“What's wrong?”
Caleb shook his head.
“Nothing.”
She looked away.
“I know my laugh is loud.”
He frowned.
“I didn't say that.”
For a moment, she seemed embarrassed.
Then Caleb spoke again.
“I like it.”
Evelyn looked up.
He was blushing.
She stared.
Then smiled.
“You do?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Evelyn lowered her eyes toward the ledger.
“Well,” she whispered, “perhaps I'll have to find more things to laugh about.”
Caleb smiled.
“I'd like that.”
Something changed between them that afternoon.
Nothing dramatic.
No kiss.