The trail was mostly flat with just a couple of small twists and turns. Here she was, almost three hours later, still going strong and enjoying the freedom of a ride while ducking the inevitable chores. Cherry Springs was nestled in the foothills of the mountains, with moody clouds above, and before long, she arrived at the town.

Small wooden houses with pitched roofs presented themselves as she rode up the path, between cattle pastures and small ranch houses not unlike the one she had come from.

Though she had only a little experience working on a ranch, she had watched her brothers and figured she could handle a job on her brother's farm. Her heart soared with excitement and anticipation, tinged with a pang of worry, to see Walter after so many months. Her heart longed for the company of her brother, her friend, and for the adventure of being a ranch hand, which, in all honesty, was part of the reason she had come.

She trotted into town and entered the bustle of the day. It was already late afternoon, and being early summer, she had plenty of daylight left to find the farm. The clouds had taken over the sky by this time, and a chill wind picked up. Rain was brewing; she had to get to the farm soon.

But where to go from here? The only option was to ask for directions at this point. She stopped by the local market, where an elderly woman carried a wicker basket of eggs and cherries.

"Excuse me, ma'am, can you point me towards the ranch house of Belle Benning? Am I in the right town?" The woman eyed her suspiciously.

"Yep. You're in the right town. But I wouldn't bother Miz Benning; she's a bit of a private type. We all tend to keep to ourselves around here."

"Oh, well — I am expected." A rumble of thunder interrupted her, and she gazed up at the thickening grey clouds. "And with the storm... I mean, I'd like to get there before the downpour."

"Mmhm." She scrunched up her face and put a hand to her forehead. "Don't keep an old lady in the rain; I still have to walk home."

Around them, people were scrambling to finish their duties in town before the evening storm. Women in flowing dresses picked up their skirts, all accompanied by men who led them into wagons or whisked them away on horseback. Men without women at their sides disappeared swiftly through the swinging wooden saloon doors.

Anna rubbed her shoulder, discomfort rising in her. "I'm sorry,

I didn't mean to... Can I help you with your groceries?"

"Excuse me, miss." Another voice came beside them. The man in overalls with a round gut put a hand on the old woman's shoulder and smiled. He had a long, saggy face and warm eyes, reminding Anna of a kindly old basset hound. "It's alright, Gretta. You run along now." He turned back to Anna. "I'm Bob, the shop owner here in town. Don't mind her; it's just her way. She's not a bad woman, just folks around here can be very private. I'm just closing up a bit early before the rain comes, but I can lead you in the direction of the Benning homestead."

"Thank you, I very much appreciate it."

She waited a few minutes as he closed down the stalls, folding the wooden covers over the produce, iron locks clanking, doors closing.

He went over and unhitched the rope on his horse, a large brown horse with a white stripe down its muzzle and matching socks. He climbed into the saddle, teetering as he found stability on the horse.

She rode beside him up the road, towards the top of the hills by the town, forking to the right into a small neighborhood, small houses central to fields and adjoining paddocks.

"So, what business do you have with Miz Benning? Are you a cousin of hers?"

"Oh, well, sort of."

"I was expecting a young man to appear, certainly not a lady.

But I suppose you are dressed for it."

Anna tried to act natural and not give away the fact that she had no idea what he was talking about. Staying vague, she answered, "Tell me what you know about the ranch if you please." He looked puzzled but said, "Well, it isn't more complicated than it sounds. I do know that she is in need of a new ranch hand, as hers just quit last week. Someone to look after the cattle and help around her farm before it falls into disarray. You know how these things need constant upkeep."

Anna nodded knowingly. "Oh, yes. I come from a small farm just like that," she said. Though she wondered, with Walter there, how the place could be in such poor condition after three months.

She'd have to speak to him about it when she arrived.

Bob nodded, pleased to be of service, and led them up the lane. There were small ranch houses, each with a dairy cow, small pens of pigs, and a chicken coop in every yard. Some had a pond with ducks. Low hedges and picket fences separated the properties.

At the next fork, Bob stopped and pointed. At the top of the hill was a patch of forest, and off to the right of that, on the field below, stood a two-story farmhouse.

"That'll be the Bennings' house. Belle Benning owns all the land around there, and some pastures up in the hills there. Anyway, I'm just down this street to the left if you need any further help from me."

"Belle is expecting me..." Anna lied. Her heart sank at the thought of lying to such a nice man. "Err, at least, my brother should be there, and he will be pleasantly surprised if nothing else.

We are a close family."

Anna shuddered from the wind as it whipped, the sun totally obscured in the dim light, while the rain pattered on the dirt road around them.

Bob knitted his eyebrows with concern, worry, perhaps fear? But he gave a concerned, empathetic smile. "I'm sure he will be pleased to see you. Family is important around here, Lord knows.

Belle is a nice lady, quiet, keeps to herself."

She nodded and thanked him, then they parted ways in the hurry of the thickening rain, he riding up to his farm and she to the right up the road.

The house was a two-story, with white-painted wood, a slanting red roof, and an adjacent barn peeking from the backside. The property formed a green square with a fence around the house, with cattle visible in the distant pasture.

She dismounted her horse by the roadside hitching post just off the property. "It's alright, Juniper. I'll be back for you shortly," before hurrying up the flower-lined walkway to the porch as the rain beat down. Safe under the porch awning, she wiped strands of wet hair from her face and straightened her clothes before knocking on the red oak front door.

A young woman in a simple smock and dress, who must have been the maid, opened the door.

"Hello, miss. Benning residence. May I help you?" The pattering of the rain made her light voice difficult to hear.

Anna's heart swelled. She had made it to the correct house.

Maybe this was her chance to see her brother.

"Yes, is there a Mister Walter Atwater here?"

The maid crinkled her brow, thinking. Then she shook her head. "I'm sorry, miss, I think you have the wrong house. Best of luck to you."

She began to close the door.

"Wait!" Anna cried, but it shut in her face. She was left standing there, dumbstruck, staring at the oak door, which on closer inspection had noticeably peeling paint.

She sat on the porch as the minutes passed. What was there to do? She had found the right town, even the right house. How could this be wrong after coming so far? How could this be at all?

Had her brother perhaps given a false name here? Or maybe gone elsewhere, found other work, changed his mind without saying anything to the family? Maybe he would write any day now. Or maybe he was too ashamed to write, having backed out of such a good deal.

She turned around and gazed, dumbstruck, into the landscape behind her, where the drumbeat of the thickening rain matched the scattered thoughts in her mind.

I have to do something. What am I going to do? Where can I go from here? She had no backup plan, and the sun was beginning to set. Between the dark, the rain, and exhaustion creeping up on her from hours of riding, she was beat.

She couldn't drag herself to the hotel in town just yet, and the rain wasn't letting up any time soon. Wherever Walter was, she needed to find out more. And this house, the end of her trail, could hold some answers.

She turned around and swiftly knocked on the door again.

The hinges squeaked as the maid's face appeared once more.

She looked at Anna with a blank expression. "Ma'am, do you require something else?"

"Yes, may I please speak to the lady of the house?" Anna asked, trying to sound innocent. It seemed like a discreet way to find out if her brother was there without arousing suspicion.

The maid answered with a soft Scottish accent, "There is no man of the house. The lady runs it herself."

"I would like to speak to your lady," Anna insisted, her heart racing with the realization that her brother was indeed not there.

The maid whispered nervously, "I don't think Miss Belle wishes to be disturbed. She's quite busy, running her own ranch without any help at the moment."

"I'm here to apply for the position of ranch hand," Anna stated firmly.

The maid hesitated, then nodded. The door closed briefly, and Anna heard footsteps receding into the house. After a moment, the door reopened, revealing a large woman in the doorway.

"Hello, are you Belle Benning? I'm here to apply for the position of ranch hand," Anna said.

"Yes, I'm Belle Benning. Oh my," Belle said, looking her over. "I didn't expect anyone this late, especially not a young woman like yourself." She glanced at the sky. "If you're a runaway seeking shelter on a rainy night, you're welcome here. Lucy can prepare a nice dinner and a bed for you."

"That's very kind, but I wanted to ask about Walter Atwater," Anna said, deciding not to reveal their relationship. "I met him on the road. He was kind and mentioned I could work here. I assure you, I'm qualified. I grew up on a cattle ranch and seek independence for a while. I'm not ready for marriage." She rubbed her arm, surprised by her own candor.

Belle's expression softened. "No need to explain, young lady. Women don't always need to be beholden to men. I just need someone capable for the job. As for Walter, he was here, but he left. Thought I wasn't enough of a woman for him, so he abandoned our marriage plans and left for another town, breaking my heart." Her eyes watered, and her lip trembled. "How do you know him?"

"Oh, he's just a man I met recently who offered me a job," Anna lied, her hope rising at the clue to his whereabouts. "I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Do you know where he might have gone?"

"I haven't the faintest idea," Belle replied, trying to smile. "He better not return here with his broken promises. But please, come inside for some hot supper."

Anna knew she needed to stay and investigate this farm to learn more about Walter's whereabouts. It was better they didn't know her relation to him, as he seemed unpopular here.

As Belle spoke, a large dog burst through the open doorway, darting past Anna towards the road and forest.

"Oh no, Buster! He's after the bee hives again!" Belle exclaimed, as Lucy, the maid, gasped in shock, watching the rain-soaked scene.

Without hesitation, Anna chased after the dog, plunging into the pouring rain. She caught up with Buster just as he reached the bee hives, tackling the sopping wet yellow lab. The dog licked her face affectionately and then shook off, covering her in another layer of mud.

Returning to the front door with Buster in tow, Anna was met with Belle's wide-eyed astonishment. "Wow, girl! You've got spunk! The job is yours if you want it."

Better they don't know who I really am, who my brother is, Anna thought. There's something strange going on. If Walter left town, they know something. I should stay here; it's a good place to start looking for him, and I need shelter from this rain.

Belle, still in the doorway, said, "Let's get you out of the rain. There's a shed out back where the ranch hand usually stays. It has a bed with clean sheets and a tub for bathing. Get settled, and you'll start work tomorrow. This is Lucy; she'll show you around the ranch and instruct you on your duties."

Just then, two young girls, around eight and ten years old, appeared behind Belle. "We'll take care of your horse tonight, ma'am!" they said cheerfully, revealing Belle's daughters.

They took her saddlebag and led her horse to the stable beside the house. Lucy handed Anna a towel, saying, "This is for after your bath."

Anna took the towel, grateful for the hospitality, her mind racing with questions about her brother and the secrets this ranch might hold.

Lucy guided Anna to the barn located around the corner, behind the house. Passing the stable, Anna noticed the girls diligently brushing and feeding Juniper. The barn featured two rooms: one filled with supplies and the other a makeshift bedroom for a stable hand. Soaked and muddy, Anna was eager to change.

"One of the girls will bring your supper," Lucy informed her before leaving.

Anna set her pack down beside the bed. As the sun began to set, she worried about the encroaching darkness. However, Lucy returned promptly with two kerosene lanterns. "One for the bedroom, one for carrying. Please conserve the fuel," she instructed.

"Thank you," Anna replied as Lucy left, leaving her to the modest comforts of the barn. The middle room, used for preparing feed, was filled with funnels, barrels, and wooden tables. The caretaker's room was simple, with a straw mattress, a wash basin, and creaky wooden floors. Anna hung a sheet near the tub for privacy, giving the space a homey feel.

"There! Not so bad," she murmured, appreciating the faint light from the window.

Exiting the bedroom, Anna nearly tripped over something plump and orange. Startled, she grabbed the kerosene lamp to reveal a group of chickens pecking at the ground, causing a mess. "Well, looks like ranch hand duties start now," she sighed.

After returning the towel to the bedroom, she pondered her next move. Her dry clothes would get dirty if she tended to the chickens now. She only had one towel.

Peering into the darkness, she called, "Buster... Buster?" Whistling hopefully, she waited. Soon, she heard the pattering of paws. "Buster!" The dog licked her hand, and she ushered him into the barn.

"Yeah! That's right!" Anna encouraged, using Buster to herd the chickens out. After securing the barn door, she sighed in relief, grateful for the fresh air.

Her first night was nothing like she had planned. She contemplated writing to her family in the morning, unsure how to explain her brother's disappearance without causing worry.

After washing off the mud and changing into the nightgown Lucy provided, Anna was interrupted by Jill, who brought her a plate of chicken and rice. Hungry, Anna quickly finished her meal and settled in for the night.

As she lay there, Anna wondered about the challenges ahead. Searching for her brother, starting as a ranch hand – it was overwhelming. She had never been allowed to take on such responsibilities. What if she was fired before finding her brother? The stakes were high, and she drifted off to sleep pondering her next steps.