* * *
The next morning, after a sleepless night, Kira rolled out of bed at her usual five thirty a.m. By six, she’d showered, dressed, pulled her hair back, applied sunscreen and lip balm, strapped on her wristwatch, made her bed and left her room, ready for the day.
Ordinarily, she would have gone outside to make sure her students were up. But this was no ordinary day. With the tragic news from Africa still fresh, she would need to be here for Dusty and Paige.
After nearly two weeks in the program, the students would know the routine, and Jake would be there to keep them in line. This morning her own small family had to come first.
Peeking into Paige’s room, Kira saw that the little girl was still curled in sleep. Dusty’s room was empty, his bed made, his flannel robe hung neatly on its customary hook behind the door.
The dining-room table was set for breakfast. No one had come in yet, but she could hear Consuelo stirring in the kitchen and smell the aromas of bacon and coffee.
She found Dusty sitting at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee. He looked haggard, his eyes bloodshot. But he was shaved, combed and neatly dressed in a fresh shirt and jeans.
Stepping behind him, she bent and pressed her cheek against his. Consuelo, scrambling eggs at the stove, gave her a quiet smile. Kira walked to the counter, poured coffee into a mug, added some milk and took a seat across the table from her grandfather. “How are you this morning?” she asked. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
He shook his head. “Not much to be done. Only thing that’s changed is what we know. So I reckon we’ll just go on with the day as usual.”
Kira sipped her hot, bitter coffee. “The students wanted to do something special for you. Jake said it was to be a surprise, but since I don’t know what it is, I thought I’d better prepare you.”
“That’s nice of them. I’ll at least pretend to be pleased.” He spoke as if every word were an effort. “You and Paige are my only heirs now. This ranch will be all yours when I pass on.”
“I hadn’t even thought about that,” Kira said, which was true.
“I’d wondered how to handle it if Barbara came back and wanted her share, most likely in cash. Guess I won’t have to wonder anymore.” His voice cracked slightly.
“We don’t have to talk about this now.” Kira reached
across the table and covered his hand with hers.
“I don’t even have a picture of her that isn’t ten or fifteen years old,” he said. “She’s just . . . gone.”
At that moment, Paige wandered into the kitchen. Still dressed in yesterday’s shirt and leggings, she yawned and rubbed her eyes. Her gaze fixed on Dusty. “Why do you look sad, Grandpa?” she asked.
He gave her a melancholy smile. “Just some sad news, honey,” he said. “Your aunt Kira can tell you about it.”
Taking her cue, Kira rose. “Come on, Paige, let’s get you bathed and ready for the day,” she said, leading the little girl back to the bedroom. While Paige splashed in the tub, Kira did her best to explain the passing of the grandmother she’d never met.
“So my grandma is up in heaven with my mom now,” Paige said. “I bet they were really happy to see each other.”
“Let’s hope so.” Kira helped Paige out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel. “Now let’s go and get you dressed.”
* * *
By the time Kira returned to the kitchen with Paige, Dusty had gone to sit on the porch with the dog. The students had finished eating and were busy with morning chores. If the planned surprise was going to happen, it would have to be soon. She had her own full agenda for the day.
When Paige had finished breakfast, Kira took her outside. The students had finished with the stable and turned the horses loose in the paddock. Now, wearing work gloves and carrying shovels, hoes and rakes, they headed toward the hills that rose behind the ranch yard.
The nearest hill was a small one, low with an easy slope, and slightly rounded top. The trail, where Kira’s students had led their horses on past outings, wound around its base. That hill was where the young people were headed now.
“What the devil’s going on?” Dusty had risen and walked to the porch rail, where he could see what was happening.
“It’s a surprise.” Kira picked up an empty chair from the porch and carried it to a shady spot at the side of the house with a view of the hill. “Come on down here, where you can watch them.”
Dusty came down off the porch and took his seat. Tucker followed him, resettling himself at the old man’s feet. The dog seemed to sense his distress. He had stayed close to his master all morning.
Paige climbed onto his lap to watch as the students began clearing an area, about six feet across, at the top of the hill, smoothing the earth and edging it with a circle of stones. With that done, they began searching the slope, bringing back rocks to pile at the center of the circle in a narrow pyramid shape.
“What the blazes are those kids doing?” Dusty muttered.