Chapter 18: TomaRita slept late and missed breakfast. The noise from pots and pans and the clanking from spur clad men failed to disturb her. She awoke to sunshine and Mina staring at her with accusation in her brown eyes and a set look to the baby mouth. “Mama is vorking verry hard,” Mina whispered and ran out of the room.
Rita struggled upward and groaned. It couldn't be noon yet, but then she remembered this was a ranch, and it was doubtful if anyone here slept much beyond sunrise. She splashed water on her face missing the tub filled with warm water and the soft towels Teresa would have laid out for her. This would be a far more primitive way to live. She dressed rapidly in the shortened work shift and ran outside to relieve herself, noting that Mama was busy with laundry.
The mornin
