Thomas A. Kempis Travis awoke with a start and looked at the clock beside his bed. The big red numbers said five-thirteen. He would need to get up soon. They were in the middle of the second cutting of hay and there was plenty of work to be done. He hadn’t been much help on the ranch lately, and he wanted to make up for it today. Deciding to relax for a minute before getting up, Travis closed his eyes and put his hands under his head, inhaling a deep breath. Tess’ warm, citrusy scent filled his nose and he smiled in the darkness. He must have been dreaming about her again. He was convinced he could smell her scent at night while he slept and sometimes when he caught himself daydreaming. This morning, it was as though she was right in the room with him. He could feel the warmth of her presence near him. Stretching, Travis bit his lip to keep from yelling. His legs. The pain radiating from them was so violent, he gasped for breath. “Travis?” Tess’s voice was like a soothing balm.
