On Her Way Home by Sara Petersen Read Free Book Online Page B

quickly scooted forward out of the sofa. Warm light danced off two smaller stuffed chairs that were placed in front of the window, with a wood side table between them. Jo liked this room immensely. Today the light was bright and cheerful, shining through the paned windows and reflecting off the smooth, pearly stones of the fireplace, but Jo guessed that on a stormy day, the room would be just as welcoming with its deep sofas and warm rug.
    Continuing the tour, they moved to the back of the house, where one large room extended the whole length, with the kitchen on one end and a vast wood table for dining on the other. Jo was starting to feel dwarfed by the substantial furnishings; everything was built larger in this home. Oddly enough though, she felt warmth, imagining happy people gathered around the table for dinner. Despite the vastness of the home, its furnishings, and unfinished appearance; it was the most likable dwelling Jo had ever been in, excluding her own beloved home, of course.
    As they toured the house, Leif explained a few things to her, “I grew up next to Kirby and Mattie. Half of my childhood was spent in their home, and half of my whippings came by his hand. Kirby has ranched all his life. As he got older and the ranching turned from open range to barbed wire, it became difficult for him to maintain his own land. So, he sold his ranch about a year ago and moved to Montana. That’s partly the reason for the new house. Before Mattie and Kirby came, we lived in the bunkhouse and tack room year round.”
    Jo smiled, “It’s a beautiful home…and I’m anxious to meet Mattie. Kirby can’t stop talking about her.”
    “Yeah, she’s the best woman I know. Kirby won’t be bothered with most women, but Mattie has him wrapped around her finger. They’ve been a team for as long as I can remember. She’s been visiting family in Great Falls for over two weeks now but should be home any day. You’ll love her.” He grinned. “Nobody can resist Mattie, especially after you’ve eaten at her table. Kirby and I have been taking turns being the cook. I think I’ve lost ten pounds.” He joked, patting his lean middle.
    Jo followed Leif out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the second floor. The walls around the second floor landing and the hallways were papered in a creamy white with tiny pink roses you had to look closely to see. The landing split the second floor in half. Leif pointed to the left and said, “That door at the end down there is my room.” Then opening the door in front of Jo, “This is the water closet, electric lights and indoor plumbing included.”
    Jo’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “I have to confess; I didn’t expect Montana to be this…modern,” she said while scanning the bathroom. It was clean and bright, with a long white claw footed tub that looked like pure heaven to Jo. If ranching was as hard as she imagined it would be, the tub would come in handy.
    Leif chuckled, “It’s not. In fact this is one of five outlying homesteads in the county that have electricity. We are part of an experiment to see if it’s cost effective to extend service to rural homes and ranches. It surprises most people to discover we have electricity in this part of the country, but it shouldn’t…we also have a lot of water.
    Jo nodded her head and joked, “So how is it that you were picked for this experiment. Are you naturally lucky?”
    “Actually I am,” Leif quipped, grinning boastfully before turning down the hallway. Jo smiled and followed him around the banister to the other two doors. He held the second door open for her. “This is where you’ll be staying.”
    Jo stepped into the room. It wasn’t overly large and looked like it had been left untouched since completion of the house. It was a forest of white pine; the walls, floors, bed, and dresser were all made from the same light wood and were the only things occupying the room. A large window overlooked the back of house. The