by A. D. Ellis
Reid nodded and followed Walker from the office. He kept his gaze straight ahead and refused to look at the horses or the workers. He’d come for one reason and one reason only. The sooner business was taken care of, the sooner he could head back to California and whatever life held for him there.
“Oh my God.” Five tiny dust mops on legs scuttled toward Reid, barking and jumping. He dropped to his knees in the main entryway of the house and allowed the dogs to climb all over him, licking, yipping, and wiggling. “Hello, hello, aren’t you the most precious little puppies?”
A throat cleared behind him. “Those were your grandfather’s dogs. He had four mama dogs during my time here. Usually sold off all but a few of the litters. For some reason, this last litter, he kept all the pups. Their mama was killed by a coyote about a year ago, so these five are pretty much spoiled rotten by the entire ranch.”
“So they aren’t really puppies? Just small?” The five dogs continued to clamor over Reid.
“Nah, they’re Affenpinschers, a small breed. About two years old. But they love people.” Walker grinned at the dogs using Reid as their jungle gym. “Usually don’t get this excited over strangers though.”
Reid laughed. “What can I say? I’m special.”
“’Course, most visitors don’t drop to their knees so easily either.”
“It’s a talent,” Reid purred and winked up at Walker.
Walker cleared his throat again. “Yeah, well. Let’s figure out where you’re going to sleep. I’ll have our ranch cook, Norma, make you a sandwich, at least.”
“Listen,” Reid stood from the floor still holding one of the dogs while the rest begged at his feet. “I don’t mean to put anyone out. I don’t need any special treatment or anything fancy.” Reid pointed out the window. “I can even stay in one of the bunkhouses or whatever they are called. I just need a mattress and a shower.”
“Nothing doin’, no way your grandpa would allow his grandson to sleep in a bunkhouse.” Walker moved past Reid and waved him forward. “Come on.”
The dogs followed too, and Reid laughed as he put the fifth dog down to join the crew. “It’s like a little parade.”
“They think they’re going to get a snack or something. Usually once they sniff the visitor they go right back to their naps.” Walker’s gaze followed the small herd of dogs scuttling across the expansive hardwood floor. “Norma, this is Reid Alexander.”
The older woman, who could be described as stout and fluffy, gasped and rushed around the kitchen island to pull Reid into a hardy hug. “Oh, Mr. Alexander. Your grandfather was so very proud. I’ve waited for the day you would come to us.”
Reid blushed and stammered, “Ah, well, thanks. It’s nice to meet you.” He slowly removed himself from her clutches.
“Can you set Reid up with something to eat, please?” Walker asked. “I’ll show him to a room and let him shower. He’ll probably eat and then nap.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.” Reid nodded toward Norma.
“Oh, I know just the dinner we shall have to celebrate tonight,” Norma exclaimed as she busied herself banging pots and pans. “A meal fit for one such as you, Reid Alexander. I must get busy. Go, go now, rest.” She shooed him from the room.
Walker led the way from the kitchen, and Reid and the dogs followed.
“She doesn’t need to cook a special dinner,” Reid hissed as they moved from Norma’s earshot.
“No need to argue.” Walker waved a hand. “She’ll cook whatever she wants, whenever she wants.”
Reid shrugged.
“Okay, so you have the option of your grandfather’s old room, or any of the three guest rooms in this wing of the house.” Walker gestured to four doorways. “Or, you can pick from three rooms in the other wing. That’s where my room is.”
“One of these is fine.” Reid pointed to the doors. “But I don’t want his room. That’s weird.”
Walker chuckled. “He would have loved having you here.” He walked to one of the doors. “This one is probably the best room. It’s a replica of the one your grandfather assigned to me when I moved into the house.”
“Why?” Reid asked.
“Why what?” Walker frowned.
“Why give me the best room, and why did he move you into the best room?” Reid’s tone sounded somewhat accusatory.
Walker was quiet for a brief moment. “I think he was lonely. Your grandmother died long before I started working here at the ranch. Your grandpa had a longtime girlfriend when I came here, but she passed away when I’d been here about five years.” Walker opened the door to the bedroom and walked in. He continued speaking as he opened the curtains and looked out the window. “The previous foreman and his son lived in the main house at one time.”
“What happened to them? Why aren’t they still living here?” Reid threw his bag on the bed and slipped off his boots.
Walker started to speak, but had to stop and clear his throat. “Accident. Foreman’s son was driving them home from an auction one night. Drunk driver hit them head on, killed them both. Drunk walked away with barely a scratch. I think he served fourteen months or something. Such a damn shame, lost two incredible men.”
“I’m sorry, that sucks.” Reid joined him by the window. “When was that?”
“Almost four years ago.” Walker turned from the window. “Jack promoted me to foreman and moved me into the main house. It was good for both of us. Kept each other company. He and Greg had been as close as brothers. Losing Greg and Samuel was hard on him.”
“So, it’s just you and Norma in here now?”
“Yeah, huge house, plenty of space. Which is why there’s no reason not to take the best room with the best view.” Walker gestured out the window. “Look at that. That’s Pine Ridge Ranch. Your grandfather’s dream, his pride and joy, his legacy.”
Reid’s eyes stung, but he blinked away the burn and pursed his lips. “It’s beautiful. But his dream isn’t my dream.” He sighed. Don’t let the charms of this man and the ranch sway you, Alexander. “I’m going to shower if that’s okay,” Reid abruptly changed the subject.
“Yeah, that’s fine.” Walker moved to the adjoining bathroom. “You’ve got your own bathroom in here. Towels, toiletries, everything should be stocked. Laundry gets picked up three times a week and returned the next day. Laundry room is in the basement if you need to wash something on your own. But I wouldn’t recommend it. The crew that does the laundry is pretty specific about their routine. Probably best not to butt in.” Walker gave a little wave as he crossed to the doorway. “I’ll be out in the office until late afternoon. After dinner, I’ll be in the office here in the house. Come find me when you’re ready to tell me what the devil brought you here.”
Reid nodded. “Hold up,” he called abruptly.
Walker turned.
“So, I’m sure it’s fairly obvious that I’m gay.” Reid set his jaw in a show of defiant challenge.
Walker said nothing, simply raised his brow.
Reid huffed. “Is that going to be a problem?”
“For who?’ Walker cocked his head.
“Me? You? Others?” Reid flicked both hands in the air in a gesture of frustration. “Do I need to be worried about the employees or families taking an instant dislike to me because of my sexuality?”
Walker snorted. “Depending on why you’re here, your sexuality will be the last thing they hate you for.” He turned and walked from the room.
3
Walker entered the kitchen where Norma was busy whipping up a feast.
“Oh, don’t look like someone kicked your puppy,” Norma teased. “This is a good thing.” She nodded and patted Walker’s shoulder.
“I don’t know.” Walker leaned against the counter and shook his head. “Part of me knows Jack wouldn’t ever do something to put the ranch at risk.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “But Reid had no emotional attachment to his grandfather and has no reason to appreciate this ranch. I don’t know for sure
why he’s here, but I’ve got a feeling it’s not going to end well.”
Norma tsked. “Nonsense. Jack Alexander was the best man I knew aside from my dear Benjamin, God rest his soul.” She held a hand to heart. “If Jack had a reason for wanting Reid here, we have to trust it. The man was unconventional in a lot of aspects of his life, but he almost always got the job done and done right.”
“Almost always is the part that worries me.” Walker shoved away from the counter. “I’ll be in the barn until dinner. Send him my way if he’s looking for me.”
“You hush. We have to stay positive. This ranch has been part of many families’ lives for a very long time. It will not just wither and die, blowing away with the dust.” Norma shooed Walker away. “Go on with you. I have dinner to prepare. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
“Not that you aren’t a catch, but I’m pretty sure he’s not interested.” Walker chuckled as he thought back to his recent conversation with Reid.
“You’re not interested either, but you’d do just about anything I asked of you for a plate full of enchiladas or a slice of chocolate cake.” Norma wagged a finger and smiled knowingly.
“Point taken.” Walker raised his hands in defeat and left the kitchen.
Reid shuffled into the kitchen, his hair still wet from the shower.
When Norma turned, she beamed before frowning. “Dinner will be special. You’ll need to dress better.” She eyed his gray capri sweats and “Boys Wear Pink” tank.
Reid narrowed his eyes for a moment. “You throwing shade at my sense of fashion?”
“Attitude is neither wanted nor appreciated in this house.” Norma scolded. “I have no issue with your fashion. I happen to think men can wear any color they want, and you look quite nice in pink. I’m simply letting you know that I won’t bust my fanny to cook the best damn food you’ve ever eaten only to have you show up to the table in ratty sweatpants.” She planted both hands on her hips, obviously waiting for his reply.
“Pretty sure you just became my very favorite person on this ranch.” Reid winked.
Norma laughed. “And you’ve not even tasted my cooking.”
“Can I help with anything?” Reid eyed the large kitchen with the many food stage preparation going on.
“No, but you can put your butt in that chair and eat this sandwich.” Norma took a plate from the fridge and uncovered a monstrous sandwich, a pickle spear, and potato chips.
“That’s the biggest snack I’ve ever seen.” Reid’s eyes widened as she placed the plate before him. “No way I’ll be able to eat it all, but thank you, it looks delicious.”
Norma went back to her work as Reid dug into his food.
“Where did you come from?” Norma asked as she checked pots on the stove.
“California,” Reid said around a bite of sandwich. “North of Los Angeles.”
“You like it there?”
Reid shrugged and stuffed a chip in his mouth. “My parents live in a ritzy, flashy area, so it suits me fine.”
Norma hummed in answer. “What do you do there?”
“I don’t have to work, thanks to Daddy dearest. So, I spend most of my time taking dance lessons and volunteering as a dance teacher at a youth center.” Reid chomped on the pickle spear.
“That’s a beautiful thing.” Norma nodded. “I’d like to see you dance someday. My husband and I used to dance. He was a talented dancer. Me? Two left feet. But he was patient and never let me sit on the sidelines.”
“Maybe I can teach you some moves.” Reid winked. “Did he work at the ranch? Your husband?”
“Mmm hmm, my dear Benjamin. He was a horse trainer.” Norma smiled. “I’ve lived on this ranch since the day we married. Benny had started as a stable boy about the time Jack was taking over the ranch from his elderly father, your great grandfather, Jack.”
“Another reason I go by my middle name. Too damn confusing with all the Jack’s.”
“Anyway, Jack quickly saw Benny’s skill with the horses and promoted him.” Norma stirred a simmering pot. “We were married a month later. Lived in the bunkhouses and I helped the old cook. Grumpy ass old man, he was, but a damn good cook. Taught me at least half of what I know.”
Reid finished the last of his sandwich and smiled as he propped his chin on his hand to listen to the tale.
“When Cookie passed on, Jack moved me to main cook. Benjamin and I moved into the main house, opposite wing from Jack.” Norma’s gaze turned wistful. “He’d been courtin’ Sarah for over a year while working his butt off trying to keep the ranch up and running.”
“I thought the ranch was the best around?” Reid frowned.
“It is now. Wasn’t always the case. Great grandpa Jack took it over from his father and kept it afloat, but was never really able to make it meet its potential.” Norma shook her head. “Wasn’t until Grandpa Jack took it over that it really started to thrive. That man died at age ninety-seven, and at least seventy of those years were spent devoted to the Pine Ridge.” Norma walked over to the table. “Thought you’d never be able to finish the whole thing.” She smiled.
Reid blushed. “Hungrier than I thought, I guess.” He brushed crumbs into his hand and stood to throw them away. “So you were here when my father was born?”
Norma’s face scrunched up. “Yes, I was. Can’t say I ever took a liking to that Jack. Think we were all relieved when he demanded to be sent off to school. Maybe letting him go away so young wasn’t the best move a parent could make, but young Jack seemed determined to make everyone around here miserable if he was going to be stuck living a miserable life on a ranch. From the time that kid was born, he seemed to look down on anything he deemed beneath him, and that included ranching.”
Reid nodded. “Yep, sounds about right. Did he ever come back after leaving for school?”
“No. Never saw him again. I didn’t ask, but I got the feeling your grandfather only heard from him when he needed more money. Benny told me that your father had been promoted through school and entered college early. Graduated, with honors, early, as well. Became a huge success in the business world.” Norma frowned. “Good for him, I guess. I think it always hurt your Grandpa Jack that his son was so unlike himself. Sarah was a beautiful and wonderful woman, but she wasn’t a very motherly type so they never had more children.”
“What did Sarah do here at the ranch?”
“She was mostly in charge of event and entertainment. She also made sure all of the children were looked after and educated.” Norma cocked her head to the side. “Funny that she was a better mother to the ranch children than to her own. Sad, really. But maybe because the ranch children loved and appreciated her, I’m not sure Jack Junior ever really did.”
“He still doesn’t.” Reid shook his head. “I think my mother only stays with him because it allows her to volunteer and support non-profits. And maybe because of me.” Reid smiled, but it was a sad smile as he thought about his unfortunate relationship with his father. “I think she knows Dad would likely toss me out if she wasn’t there to run interference.” Reid batted his lashes. “I know it’s hard to imagine, but I can be a bit of a handful.”
“Why would your dad throw you out?” Norma was fishing, and they both knew it.
“He, ah, doesn’t exactly agree with my lifestyle,” Reid deepened his voice as he mocked his father.
Norma snorted. “As if who you are is something you can choose.”
Reid beamed and slapped a hand on the old wooden table. “Right?”
“I mean, if we could choose who we are, wouldn’t most of us choose to be rich or famous or thin? Personally, I’d like to be rich enough to never need to work and still be able to help others, and eat whatever I want without getting fat. Oh! And be able to sing.” Norma shook her head. “Why would anyone choose to be something that may bring them a lifetime of ridicule and harassment? People’s thought process on that never makes sense to me.”
“Exactly.” Reid pressed hi
s lips together before taking a sip of sweet tea that had magically appeared in his hand at some point in the conversation. “I love who I am, and I wouldn’t change it, but it’s taken me a fairly long time to come to terms with the fact that I don’t match the perfect, idealized, cookie cutter image that society has for what a man should be. I’ll never have the perfect wife, white picket fence, two point five kids, and a dog.”
“As well you shouldn’t,” Norma stated. “You should have whatever makes you happy and makes you feel complete. Husband? Kids? Dog? Sure, if that’s what fills your heart. Boyfriend? No kids? Cat? Maybe. Just a great group of friends? The kids at the youth center? A parakeet? Whatever makes you happy.”
Reid finished his tea. “Great group of friends probably isn’t in the cards.”
Norma wrinkled her nose. “You don’t have a huge group of wildly artsy, eclectic friends?”
“Sorry to burst the stereotype.” Reid winked. “Nah, I’ve never really built strong, long-lasting friendships, or relationships. Everyone around me seems so superficial, only in it for themselves or for what my family’s money can provide.” He wrinkled his nose. “That’s why I stick to dance and the youth center. I can be alone and happy in dance, and spend time with truly appreciative people at the youth center. No one there knows I come from money.”
“So, forgive me for prying, but humor an old lady, there’s no special someone waiting for you back home?” Norma wagged her brows.
Reid snorted. “Not in the least. In fact,” he yawned before continuing, “my most recent boyfriend suddenly stopped calling when he realized I wasn’t an instant heir to my grandfather’s fortune.”
Norma grunted. “Well, good riddance to him.” She threw her arms around Reid’s shoulders. “Your Grandpa Jack was so very proud of you even though he never got to meet you. You’ve come to a wonderful place, you’re welcome here for as long as need be, and you’ll never be without friends.”