The Last Chance Ranch by Ruth Wind, Barbara Samuel Read Free Book Online Page A

the year. I spent the last few days roasting and peeling chilies, and my fingers are blistered. I don’t mind, though. I love the smell of them roasting.
    I wonder what foods you like to eat. When you were a baby, you ate so many strawberries you got allergic to them. And you liked pork and beans and McDonald’s hamburgers and candy. But you were still so little then, it isn’t like big kid eating. Like having your own set of favorites and dislikes that isn’t like anyone else’s. I hate egg whites, you know that? And milk and okra. I love chilies and tomatoes and lots of fresh vegetables. I’m pretty good in the kitchen, too. That’s where I’ve been working lately. It’s a good place.
    You be sure to eat all your vegetables. They give you clear skin and good vision and strong bones.
    Love, Mom
    A fter breakfast, Tanya chopped vegetables for the stew they would all eat for supper—fresh green peppers, some late cabbage and broccoli, and tender fresh carrots. Desmary, sitting on her high stool, gazed out the window as she kneaded bread on the counter. Tanya hummed softly a tune from childhood, about a woman who got married the day before she died.
    “That’s such a happy sound, that humming,” Desmary said, flashing a smile over her shoulder. “Makes me think of my youth.”
    Tanya grinned. “Not everyone shares your enjoyment. I’ve been told very bluntly to shut up.”
    “People just get used to things being a certain way. The kids now, they don’t have people sing to them. Their mothers turn on the radio when they do chores. Mine used to sing.” With a deft move of her wrists, she flipped the bread dough twist and looked at Tanya. “Amazing Grace.”
    From the short hallway that led to the communal dining room for the boys and the counselors came a child. It was the same little boy who’d been on the porch the day of Tanya’s arrival. His name was Zach and he was in trouble almost all the time, and Tanya felt sorry for him. She had asked if he could be assigned to the kitchen more often, and the counselors had only been too happy to do it. For some reason, Zach calmed a little in her presence.
    In his arms he carried a basket of green Anaheim peppers, long and shiny and freshly picked. Behind him came a second boy and two counselors, all bearing bushels of peppers. Desmary caught sight of them and made a noise of frustration. “I haven’t seen so many peppers in one season in years!” She put her knife down and came over, her rolling gait obviously more painful than usual. With a gnarled finger, she poked the flesh of the peppers and sighed. “They have to get done right away. We’ll have the apples to do this weekend.”
    “Apples?” Tanya echoed.
    With a gloomy look, Desmary nodded. “We’ll sell most of them, but some get put up in cider and butter.” She snapped her fingers in annoyance. “Which reminds me—I’ve got to get Ramón to pick up some canning jars for me.”
    Tanya looked at the piles of peppers and realized she couldn’t leave Desmary to fend for herself. She couldn’t possibly go with Ramón to town this afternoon. She wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or relieved.
    To the counselors, she said, “We need a few boys to peel chilies this evening. Can you send about four or five over after supper?”
    David winked. “Sure.” He touched Zach’s head. “Come on, kid.”
    Zach shot the man a glowering look and didn’t move. His bristly blond flattop had been recently trimmed and stood at rigid attention over the top of his head. Freckles dotted his small nose.
    “Can I keep him in here a little while?” Tanya asked. “I need some help getting these washed.”
    “I guess it won’t hurt. Zach, you’ll be in reading class in an hour—are we clear?”
    “Yessir.”
    The counselors left. Desmary peered at the table with a look of great doom on her face. “I hate chilies,” she said. “What kind of fool vegetable is that, anyway? One that burns you?”
    Tanya