The Rancher's Conditions

by R. S. Chapman

  “Why do you ask?

  Molly hesitated, then said, “Well, you’re here today, on Thanksgiving, but I guess the biggest thing that makes me wonder is the way he looks at you when he knows you won’t notice.”

  A warm feeling washed through Layne. “Oh, this is a special day for him,” she explained quickly. “He looks at all of us. He wants to be sure everyone is enjoying themselves. That’s the kind of man he is.”

  “Okay,” Molly said, turning to the mess left on the table, “let’s get at this!”

  ~ ~ ~

  With the table cleared and everything washed and put away, the women put on warm coats and went outside to find Erik and Lucy. Their first stop was the horse stable, and as they walked through the building, Layne showed Molly the various horses.

  “This is Blaze,” she said, rubbing the horse’s nose as she stuck her head out of the stall. “Erik gave her to me.”

  They continued through the stable and came across an empty stall. “I think this is Gracie’s place,” Layne said, looking over the gate. “She must be out in the pasture.” They completed their tour and stepped outside into the bright sunshine.

  “Why does Erik need all those horses?” Molly asked, looking back at the stable. “Does he ride all of them?”

  “No.” Layne smiled. “His horse is that big white one. Remember, at the end of the building? The others are for the cowboys who work for him. They live in San Antonio, but keep their horses here.”

  “Isn’t that quite a long drive for them? Erik said it’s over twenty miles.”

  “It would be difficult if they had to take their horses back and forth each day, for sure. Some of them used to stay in the place behind Erik’s house,” Layne explained, “but these are young men, most of them single. They need a night life, I guess.”

  Instantly, as the words left her mouth, a thought flashed through her like a lightning bolt! The empty house! This could be the perfect solution, the perfect answer! What if? Layne had to test the waters! Was it possible? Would it work? Would Erik agree? How to approach the possibility with Molly?

  “Isn’t this beautiful?” she said, sweeping her arm across the wide expanse of country. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to live here? In a place so lovely?”

  “It certainly would be,” Molly agreed. “Lucy is going to love her visits.”

  Layne mulled all the pros and cons through her mind when she spotted Erik and Lucy come around another outbuilding. He was holding Gracie’s reins while Lucy sat high in the saddle atop the gentle horse’s wide back.

  Erik and Lucy saw them too, and waved vigorously as they slowly made their way toward the stable. The little girl was already shouting to the women about their adventures, where they’d been, and what they saw. “And,” she finished, “Uncle Erik said that from now on, Gracie was mine. All mine. He said he’d even show me how to comb her and everything.”

  Layne’s heart swelled. Erik was completely twitterpatted, and she knew that from this time on, Lucy was never going to want for anything for the rest of her life. She decided to wait, to get all her ducks in a row, before approaching him with her thoughts.

  As the evening turned cooler, everyone went inside for turkey sandwiches and pumpkin pie. With his mouth finally emptied of the massive bite of sandwich, Erik turned to Layne.

  “Where should we put Lucy’s bedroom when she’s here?” he asked. “Upstairs alone, or downstairs, with me?”

  “I don’t know,” she replied. “What do you think?”

  “I think, if this meets with your approval,” he said, looking to Molly, “downstairs is best, at least for now. This is a big house, and she may feel uneasy about being upstairs alone. If her bedroom is down here, close to mine, I think she’ll feel more secure, safer.”

  Molly nodded her agreement. “Yes, I think that’s best.”

  “Then come with me,” Erik said, holding the sandwich close, ready for another bite. “Let’s look at the room.” He led them down a long hall to what was to be Lucy’s room. As usual, it was huge, and already held a queen-size bed and otherwise was completely furnished.

  “This could hold an entire Girl Scout troop,” Layne exclaimed, walking around the room.

  “Well, Lucy’s gonna meet friends while she’s visiting, and that may possibly mean sleepovers, don’t you think? But the real reason I’m showing you is because I want your ideas on bedspread, curtain, and wall colors. Little girl things like that.”

  Molly gave Layne a beseeching look. “I’ve been out of circulation for so many years, I’ve got to leave those decisions up to you, I’m afraid. I hope that’s okay?”

  Layne gave a smiling nod in reply as she continued through the room, picturing a picture-perfect, storybook bedroom. Yes, she could do this, and would do it gladly.

  ~ ~ ~

  Later that evening, back in her empty apartment, Layne sat on the couch fine-tuning her approach to Erik. Although she couldn’t see any reason why he’d refuse, until the ink was dry, so to speak, she couldn’t be sure. Lucy and Molly lived in a less than desirable neighborhood, their little house was badly in need of repairs, and although these were the landlord’s responsibility, they were not getting done. The rent was scheduled to increase in a couple months, and Molly’s Social Security income just wasn’t enough anymore. Everything in their life seemed to be spiraling downhill.

  She knew Erik would drive them back to Leesville Sunday afternoon, so she’d wait until Monday evening to present her case.

  Chapter 11

  It was Monday morning, and Layne knew Erik was back by now. She found her cell phone and punched in his number. It was answered after three rings, and she didn’t hesitate to tell, not ask, him that she wanted to see him this afternoon. It was very important. And no, she couldn’t do this over the phone, and no, she couldn’t explain why right now.

  “You actually want to come here to talk to me? You understand we’ll be alone?”

  “Oh for Pete’s sake, Erik! I’m not afraid of you. I have an idea I think we should discuss.”

  “And you can’t do this now, over the phone?”

  “I could,” Layne replied, “but I don’t want to, and I’m not going to.”

  There was a short pause. “Well, if it’s that important, you know you’re always welcome. This afternoon is fine.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Erik was waiting when Layne drove up to the ranch. “Hi,” he greeted, opening her car door and watching expectantly as she slid out and stood in front of him. “Would you like to go in?” he said, nodding toward the house, “or tell me whatever it is, out here?”

  “Here is fine,” she replied, looking around. “We can start here.” She took a few steps to get a clear view. “Is that place still vacant?” she asked, pointing to the dwelling behind Erik’s massive home.

  Erik nodded. “Yeah.”

  “May I look at it?”

  Erik shot her a somewhat confused glance. “Sure,” he said, “but why? It needs quite a bit of work.”

  “Okay, but when that’s done, it would be quite livable, wouldn’t it?” Layne asked, walking toward the house.

  “Sure, but again, why?” Erik produced a key and opened the door for her. “It smells kind of musty, being closed up for so long after my foreman moved into a larger house.”

  Layne took a slow, leisurely stroll through the entire place, room by room, taking notes and asking questions of Erik as she went. Was it insulated, air conditioned, heated, water quality - everything she could think of. Erik gave an affirmative nod to all.

  “Is there any time,” he said, “in the somewhat near future, that you’re going to tell me what the hell this is all about?”

  “Sure,” Layne answered, checking her notes before sliding them into a pocket. “But more on that later. Right
now, you got any leftover turkey?”

  Erik’s incredulous looks were becoming common. “Um, I sent most of everything home with Molly and Lucy, but I suppose there’s still a bit left. Why?”

  “Good,” Layne said. “I’m hungry. I need a turkey sandwich.”

  Shaking his head, he took her hand and started back to the main house.

  Erik picked what little meat remained from the bones and Layne spread mayo on fresh white bread.

  “I agree,” he said. “There’s nothing better than a leftover turkey sandwich on white bread,” he said, placing the dish of meat in front of Layne. He pulled open the massive refrigerator door and peeked inside. “What do you want to drink?”

  Layne responded that she was fine with water, so he grabbed a beer and joined her at the table.

  “Okay,” he said, “now, tell me what this is all about? Am I wrong in assuming that you don’t want to rent the place?”

  Layne looked up from her sandwich and met his steady stare. “Well, I have a feeling my roommate will probably be leaving soon, so I’ll be looking for another place, but no, not here.”

  “Barb’s moving out? She’s not leaving the practice, is she?”

  “No, she’s not leaving the practice. She’s got a boyfriend.”

  “Aha.”

  “Back to the house. Did you enjoy your time with Molly and Lucy?”

  “Loved it!”

  “Would you like to see them more often? At least Lucy?”

  “I’d like seeing both of them much more, but the court says no school days for Lucy. That limits it, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, right now it does,” Layne agreed, “but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

  Understanding slowly spread across Erik’s face, turning it into a huge smile. “The house.”

  “Yes, the house.” Layne nodded. “Just waiting for some TLC from you to begin with, and then from Molly and Lucy!”

  “Do you think they’d do it?” Erik asked, practically bursting with excitement. “Would you ask them?”

  Layne shook her head. “No, that’s your job, Erik. Coming from you, it would mean so much more. If you remember, Molly absolutely loved it here. She loves the ranch and everything about it, and it goes without saying that Lucy does too.”

  “At least, could you be with me? Help answer any questions they may have?”

  “If that’s what you want, yes. I’d wait until your next visitation, though, and ask Molly to come along so she can see the house. I can’t see Molly refusing your offer, but she may have a few ideas about colors and whatnot.” Layne thought for a brief moment. “Also, Erik, and this is really important. Understand Molly’s financial situation. She can’t afford to rent the house or furnish it.”

  “I’ll take care of everything. She’ll have no expenses whatsoever, I promise. I’ll get new furniture too.”

  “That would be wonderful, but you may want to wait on that too,” Layne suggested. “Maybe Molly has a favorite chair or loves her bed, things like that.”

  Erik reached clasped Layne’s hand. “Thank you,” he said, “for suggesting something that was right in front of my eyes. I’d love to have them here.” He let go of her hand and dug into a shirt pocket and pulled out a cell phone.

  Layne finished her sandwich while he talked with Molly. As he finished and placed the phone back in a pocket, she looked at him expectantly. “What’s the word?” she asked.

  “Lucy’s got something going on with school on Saturday, so this weekend is out, but the next is okay. I invited Molly to come too. I’ll pick them up right after school on Friday.”

  “Okay. There’s one thing to think about, Erik. If she loves the house and accepts your wonderful offer, you’d probably want them here as soon as possible, right?”

  “Absolutely!”

  “But it will take a while to get the place in shape, right?”

  Erik nodded. “I suppose so. Depends upon what needs fixing.”

  “Then I suggest moving them into your home until all the work is done. What are your thoughts on that?”

  “I’ll call the moving truck right now!”

  Layne laughed out loud. “I’ll take that as being in favor of getting them here as fast as possible.”

  “Yeah, I’m in favor of that for sure.” He searched Layne’s eyes. “I’m, uh, wondering . . .” He hesitated. “If you’d sort of . . . be on call, so to speak. I mean, I’m going to have lots of questions at first, I’m afraid.”

  “But Molly will be there too, you know. Ask her, she’ll know what to do.”

  Erik gave her a sheepish look. “I know that, but just having you around would make me feel so much better.” He reached for her hand again.

  “Layne,” he said, “I got off to such a bad start with you, well, several times, I guess. But please, please believe me when I tell you there was nothing romantic between Joyce Callaway and me. I swear. I’d like to have you back in my life again, in friend with me. Is that possible?”

  Layne met his searching eyes, knowing that she had fallen more than in like with this man. “Yes.” She nodded, replying softly, “Yes, it is.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The next weekend finally came and Erik drove to Leesville to pick up Lucy and Molly. They drove into the ranch and found Layne waiting on the swing. She waved and jumped off the swing to catch Lucy, who ran directly into her arms and gave her a big squeeze.

  “Look,” she exclaimed, holding up a Cabbage Patch doll, “Uncle Erik got this for me. Isn’t she pretty? You can hold her if you want.”

  “She sure is pretty,” Layne agreed, taking the doll and cradling it in her arms. “What are you going to call her?”

  “I’m going to call her Rhonda. Grandma said that was my mother’s name, and it was okay with Uncle Erik to name her that.”

  Molly also gave Layne a tight hug. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us,” she whispered. “Erik’s told me what he’d like to do.”

  “What are your thoughts about all this?” Layne asked, as Molly released from her bear-hug grip and took a step back to look at her.

  “I can’t begin to thank you and Erik,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. “Mere words just aren’t enough!”

  Erik come up behind Molly and wrapped his arms around her. “Come on, let’s see the place.” He took Molly’s hand and started toward the house. “Remember,” he said, “use your imagination. The house needs a bit of work.”

  Erik took Molly and Lucy through the house, room by room as Layne trailed quietly behind, watching as he patiently explained his plans and asked for suggestions. He wanted the place to be exactly the way Molly and Lucy wanted it to be. He was showing his true self — kind and caring — and Layne was swept away by this. She knew now, beyond any doubt, that she was totally in love with this man.

  After the tour, they returned to the main house where Erik sat down with Molly to list the belongings she would bring with her in the upcoming move. She had six weeks before her rent was to be renewed and increased, so she thought it best to stay in Leesville until the little house was ready. Although Erik would have preferred Molly and Lucy to immediately make the temporary move into his home, he reluctantly agreed.

  Once he and Molly finished with their list, Molly asked if she and Lucy could go back to the house for another walk-through.

  “It’s your house.” Erik laughed. “Help yourselves, but be careful. By the looks of the sky, it could start to sleet any time, and the grass could get slippery.” As he watched the door close behind them, Erik smiled up from the table at Layne. “What did you think of the house?”

  “Perfect. They’re going to love it.” Layne met his smile with her own. “This is a wonderful thing you’re doing, Erik. This is more than you or I could have wished for, Molly a
nd Lucy living right in your backyard!”

  “If it weren’t for you, none of this would’ve happened, and I love you for that.”

  Layne searched the depth of his eyes. “Tell me something,” she said softly. “Since you’re talking about love, do you mean in friend in love with me, or in love, in love with me?”

  “I mean in love in love. I am totally in love with a great friend,” he replied, studying her in return. “You’re everything any man could ever desire. You’re intelligent, educated, thoughtful, and caring. You had the courage to leave a good job and strike out on your own. Not many people would have done that.” Erik studied her for a short moment. “You’re kind of pretty too,” he added with a boyish grin before becoming serious. “But what about me?” he said. I really want to know how you feel. Where I stand in your life?”

  Layne walked to the table and put her hand on his shoulder. “I love you, Erik. I’m in friend in love with you, and in love in love with you.”

  Erik took her hand, pulled her down onto his lap, and gently kissed her. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the entire universe,” he said, pulling back to gaze at her, “and I will love you forever.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Molly and Lucy returned from their tour, more excited than ever, talking a mile a minute. The dining room table was set and waiting. Erik had planned on a restaurant meal in San Antonio, but the rain was increasing and turning to sleet, and a trip on a slippery highway was unwise.

  Molly and Lucy retreated to their bedrooms shortly after the late dinner. They’d had a long, exciting day, and waved goodnight as they climbed the long staircase. Erik and Layne were left alone in the living room, sipping an after-dinner drink.

  “Layne,” Erik said, drawing a knee up under himself and turning to her, “it’s getting nasty out there.” He nodded to a window. “The rain is freezing on the glass.”

  She followed his nod. “I see that,” she agreed. “What do you suggest?”