Colton grinned as he watched his brother realize there was fresh coffee. If there were one thing the two had in common, it was their incessant need for coffee at all hours of the day.
“The last to get home texted while you were out at the barn.” He answered, grateful that everyone had gotten home safely. Most of the hands that worked on the ranch with them had been working their since they were kids, or they were the kids of the hands that had been there when they were kids. One big, happy family their mother used to say. It was true.
“I also made sure we had plenty of gas for the generators, and that all the generators were in working condition.” Because God knew that the power would go out. It always did.
He frowned a bit to himself. “Have you heard anything of who bought that old Victorian on Cornelia Street? Do you think they’re prepared?” It had crossed his mind the other day to stop in and check, but getting things on the ranch in order while Calder tended to his vet duties took up most of his time. And while the ranch itself was farther out of town than anything else in Pine Ridge, the house on Cornelia Street was closer to them than it was town.
“I’m glad,” Calder said sincerely as he crossed into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee. He and Colton lived on the stuff; they seemed to drink it at all hours of the day. It was the perfect way to warm up, especially in a storm like this. He hoped the ranch hands had some fresh coffee and good food to go home to, as well. They’d all been a part of the same family, in one way or another, for as along as he could remember.
“That’s a good idea. Thank you for doing that,” Calder said, taking a long sip of coffee and sighing in contentment. It was a relief to know any power loss would be short lived; it always tended to happen in these storms, and the temperature was sure to drop quickly.
Frowning, Calder shook his head, trying to remember. “Two young women, I believe,” he said, thinking back. He had seen them moving things in when he was on his way to see a client, and had vowed to stop by and offer his help as soon as he returned. He would have stopped on his way, but the Jacobson’s mare was in labor, and he knew he needed to get there as soon as he could. By the time he finished up, they had appeared to be all moved in.
“Maybe we ought to stop by and check on them, offer to plow their drive,” He suggested. Cornelia Street was closer to the ranch than the town itself, which meant they were on a beautiful property, but also meant that the towns plows might not get to them very quickly. Pine Ridge was small, but all of the streets would need plowing, nevertheless.
