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ya will,” Swede said. “Now, did Lex tell ya about yer other duties?”
    “Other duties?” Ty asked. He was under the impression mechanic work was his fulltime responsibility.
    “Well, sure. When nothin’s broke, she expects ya to help with whatever else needs done like ridin’ herd or helpin’ hay, thet kind of thing.”
    “Okay.” Ty wondered what riding herd and haying entailed. He was certain it would be way out of his comfort zone.
    “Ya’ll take to it like a duck to water. I’d bet on it,” Swede said as he pulled in at the John Deere dealership in Burns. Inside, he sauntered over to the parts counter where he introduced Ty to the parts manager and let them know Ty could charge anything he needed to the Rockin’ R account. After discussing the tractor and what he thought was wrong with it, the manager put together the necessary parts and gave them to Ty.
    “You can always call and see if we’re out that direction to save a trip into town,” the manager said as Ty thanked him for his help.
    “Thank you. Nice to meet you,” Ty said before Swede left. After loading the parts, they drove through town.
    “How about we find some lunch?” Swede pulled up at a building that appeared only marginally better than condemned.
    Ty wisely kept that thought to himself and followed the older man inside. Although it was only slightly less dilapidated inside than out, the food was delicious. Ty ate his fill, followed by a large piece of berry pie. Ready to pay for his share, Swede grinned and motioned for him to put his wallet back in his pocket.
    “Lunch is on the ranch. This is an official business trip, ya know.”
    Content and full, they drove though town. Swede pointed out the store where they purchased clothes, tack, Baby’s dog food, and an assortment of other things completely foreign to Ty.
    As they left Burns and passed through Hines, heading back into the sagebrush-covered landscape, Ty asked more questions about Lexi, the ranch, and his duties. He answered a few questions Swede asked. By the time they got back to the ranch, Ty felt more at ease with the foreman and more confident about handling the job.
    “If ya need anything, jes come down to the barn. Me or one of the boys will be down there. We’re headin’ into calvin’ season so we got to keep an eye on the lil’ mamas,” Swede said as he walked out the shop door.
    Ty buried himself in his work and before he realized it, Swede hollered in the door that it was suppertime.
    The big clock on the shop wall confirmed Ty had been working steadily for several hours. With a few more, he hoped to have the tractor repairs complete. He planned to return to his work after dinner and see if he could finish before he turned in for the night.
    After a pleasant meal with Swede and the crew, he called Beth and gave her a brief run-down of the job, assuring her everything would be fine. She laughed as he related meeting Lex.
    “To say it took me by surprise would be the understatement of the year,” Ty said with a grin.
    Beth laughed. “I wish I could have seen your face.”
    “I’m sure it would have made you laugh.” Ty sat down at a stool at the shop’s workbench. “Everyone calls her Lex or Lex Jr., but I don’t think I can do that.”
    “Why?” Beth asked.
    “She’s beautiful, sis. It just seems all wrong to call someone that lovely by anything other than a pretty name.”
    “Ty, don’t you go falling for your boss,” Beth teased, knowing her brother took his work very seriously.
    “No worries about that. I need this job too much.”
    She sighed. “I know. Take care of yourself. I’m glad you called. I miss you already.”
    “You always were my favorite sister,” Ty said, hoping to chase away the somber mood that had settled over them both.
    Her light laughter assured him he had. “I’m your only sister. Love you, Ty. Stay out of trouble.”
    “I will. Bye, Beth.”
    After hanging up with Beth, he set the speakers for his phone on