"Good morning Emmett," said Emily as she helped Emmett settle down at the kitchen table.
"Morning. Any news from Sonny?" he asked as Emily poured him a cup of coffee.
"Not for the past couple of days, no."
"Is that normal?"
"Yes. Sometimes they are busy, or communications are not optimal."
"So, you're not worried?"
"No. I'm not. You know the saying, no news good news."
"You reckon I can ask you for one of those delicious ham and cheese omelets?"
She smiled. "One omelet coming right up," she said as she headed for fridge.
She had just finished having breakfast with Emmett when Dean, one of the youngest farmhands came running inside the house.
"The herd got out of the enclosure out in the plains!"
Emily stood and looked at Emmett then at Dean. "Get Frank and Rudy. We'll saddle up and bring them back down here until we can fix the enclosure."
"The one down here isn't finished yet," replied Dean.
"How long would it take you to finish it?"
"I don't know, maybe a half an hour."
"Alright, you stay here and fix it. You've got twenty minutes before Frank, Rudy and I bring them back. Can you handle that?"
"I don't know," mumbled Dean nervously.
Emily stood and put her hand on Dean's shoulder. "You've got this. I trust you Dean. Now go on."
As Dean left, she looked at Emmett. "We'll bring them back."
"I ain't doubting you one bit. Go. I'm fine."
Emily put Sonny's cap on her head and ran out toward the stable where Frank and Rudy were waiting for her and a horse. She mounted and they galloped up toward the plains as Emmett reached the porch.
Frank, Rudy and Emily regrouped rather quickly the herd and started to head back when they heard a cattle behind them. Emily turned around and saw one of them heading in the opposite direction.
"I've got this one, take the others back down."
Frank and Rudy nodded as Emily turned her horse around and galloped in the opposite direction.
Emmett stood as Frank and Rudy arrived on the trail with the herd. Emily's faith in Dean had been correct, he had managed to finish the enclosure just in time. Emmett walked down the stairs as he could, toward the enclosure and Frank and Rudy.
"Where's Emily?"
"One got away, she went to get it."
Tire tracks were heard coming down the path from the road. They all turned around and saw a taxi stop.
The door opened and Sonny stepped out. He grabbed his duffel bag from the back seat and walked over to his dad and the others.
"Pops," he said as he reached his dad and hugged him.
"Son."
Sonny looked around. "What's going on?"
"Herd broke loose in the plain."
"Are they all accounted for?" asked Sonny, knowing what one cattle less could imply financially for his father.
"One got away," answered Frank.
Sonny looked around the property. "Where's Emily?"
"She went to get the remaining cattle."
"What?! Alone?" said Sonny as he dropped his duffle bag and headed for Frank's horse.
"Son, she's been here almost three weeks. She's been running this place, better than I ever have. She knows what she's doing."
He was about to mount the horse and go looking for her, when they heard a horse neigh afar.
Sonny looked up towards the trail and saw Emily trotting, the cattle in tow. He stepped away from Frank's horse and kept his eyes on her. She looked stunning and so at ease, it was as if she'd been raised on a ranch her entire life.
She stopped her horse just a few yards away from the enclosure, dismounted and gave the reigns to Rudy. She looked at Dean. "Good job in getting it finished in time. I knew you could do it."
She then turned to Emmett. "There all accounted for."
He nodded. "You've got company missy."
She looked at him puzzled, turned around and scanned the property. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him standing next to Frank's horse.
"Sonny!" she yelled as she ran the ten yards that separated them. He took her in his arms and held her tight as they kissed. Considering where they were, it wasn't a passionate kiss, but it was intense in emotion.
When they separated, he looked at her. "Looks like you've got everything under control."
"She sure does," said Emmett as he joined them slowly. "Your gal sure knows how to run a tight ship."
Sonny smiled.
"And your father is a stubborn and proud old man," replied Emily. "who knows he shouldn't be walking on that cast."
"I'm headed for the chair," replied Emmett as he walked toward the porch. "Dean, why don't you get us some tea?"
Sonny took Emily's hand in his and they headed for the house. "I'm happy you're home," she said.
"Me too. Now I get to see you at work. There's something about you being bossy around my dad's cattle ranch, that I find extremely exciting."
She raised an eyebrow. "You don't say?"
"I do. Reassure me and tell me my dad sleeps downstairs and you on the other side of the house?"
"Why?"
"Because there is no way, I'm waiting to head back to VA Beach to make love to you, and I'm not sure I want my dad to…"
"To hear how much I've missed you and desire you?"
He nodded and looked at her greedily.
"Then, you don't need to worry."