Caribou Crossing Read Online Free PDF Page B

the fire, and Miriam’s mom’s brandy-spiked eggnog.
    Jessica lost no time telling everyone she was now a horse owner. “Or at least I will be as soon as it’s born this spring,” she added. “I think my horse is going to be a rodeo star. Or maybe a racehorse.”
    â€œCan’t say she isn’t ambitious,” Miriam commented to Wade.
    â€œI’d say she’s a dreamer,” he said dryly.
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with that,” she defended her daughter. “Look at us. Remember all those dreams we had, the day we got married? Now they’re all coming true.” Gently, subtly, she touched her belly, thinking of baby number two and not for one moment regretting that she’d have to turn down her mom’s delicious eggnog.
    Her dad clapped his hands and announced it was time to open presents, and they all settled in for another round of tearing off wrapping paper. The highlight, for Miriam and Wade, was their gift from her parents: a personal computer. They’d wanted one—a few of their friends had them and raved about e-mail and games—but they hadn’t been able to justify the expense. “Thanks, Mom and Dad. This is terrific!” Miriam exclaimed.
    â€œHere.” Her father handed her another parcel. “This goes with it.”
    She opened it eagerly, expecting a game, and found a box with the label QuickBooks. Inside was a CD and a hefty manual. A bookkeeping program? “Um, thanks,” she said dubiously. Though her dad was a banker, she’d never been fond of math and had always been grateful he didn’t talk shop at home.
    â€œYou’re operating a business now,” he said. “You need the proper tools.”
    â€œMy pa did all the books by hand, in ledgers,” Wade said. “But this, uh, I guess it’ll be great.”
    Her father shook his head. “You’re the younger generation. You’re supposed to be into technology. Get with the program, kids.”
    Everyone laughed. Miriam exchanged a glance with Wade, who hated math worse than she did. Her husband was a proud man and liked being in charge, yet after only two weeks of living at Bly Ranch, she’d seen how much he had on his plate. Being a ranch owner wasn’t the same as being an employee. She was his wife, his partner in this venture, which was a lot different from visiting the ranch on weekends to ride. She needed to pull her weight, too.
    She said, with resolve, “You’re right, Daddy. I’ll take this on.”
    Wade’s grateful smile was her reward.
    â€œI’ll sign up for a bookkeeping course and learn how to use this program.” Bookkeeping was just about adding and subtracting, wasn’t it? Her dad was right. She and Wade owned not only a massive number of acres, more than a hundred head of cattle, and half a dozen horses—they were running a business.
    All of which, if she thought about it that way, sounded pretty intimidating. Almost overwhelming. She took a deep breath. They could handle it. Wade had worked for his father forever, and she’d learn whatever she needed to know.
    â€œTalk to the ranch’s accountant,” her father advised. “He’ll tell you what records you need to keep and what reports he needs from you at fiscal year-end.”
    â€œUh, okay.” The ranch had an accountant? And what was fiscal year-end? Okay, she was officially intimidated.
    She looked around the room at the brightly lit tree, cheerily dressed family and friends, platters of Christmas snacks on the table, then down at the box on her lap. “QuickBooks,” she muttered under her breath.

Chapter 4
    The sound of a closing door made Wade jerk to alertness. It was Rose, returning from a trip to the ladies’ room. “Any change?” she asked quietly.
    â€œI dozed off,” he admitted.
    They both peered at Miriam. There was movement under her eyelids.