My Ranch My Way

by Misty Malone

  "Can you explain to me, Sugar, why you don't want to be a teacher? I can tell you really have no desire to teach, but I've also seen you with kids and you're great with them. You're so patient, and it's easy to see how much you care about them. Why don't you want to teach them?"

  "Because to be a teacher you have to teach a whole group of kids the same thing, in the same way. I have yet to see two kids that are alike. It's like books. This book I wrote I'm sure will appeal to some kids, mostly girls, but not the princess type. I also have a story in mind I want to write that will appeal more to boys that like baseball. I have something in mind that kids who have a love of animals will like. I have lots of ideas in mind that'll appeal to lots of different kids. That's how I want to help."

  "If kids have something they want to read they'll be more likely to do the reading they need to do to get good at it?"

  "Exactly. By giving all of them something they'll want to read they'll learn it's possible to enjoy reading."

  "It sounds to me like you've found a career," he said with a kiss to her forehead."

  "I hope so," she admitted.

  "Me, too," he confessed. "That means you can stay around here with me. I've been afraid you'd want to move to some big city for a dream job of some kind."

  "If I can make a career out of this, it is my dream job."

  "And you can do it right here, where I can keep a close eye on you, and keep you safe and healthy and happy." He pulled her in against his chest for a hug.

  "My dream life," she whispered as she hugged him back.

  "I'm glad to hear that," he said, still holding her tightly against him.

  "Oh, I forgot. I meant to tell you, I saw Cindy again at the bank today. She said she and Ben have been going to some restaurant I've never heard of. It's called The Flaming Pheasant."

  "Ty was telling me about it. He said he took the girl he's been seeing there last week and they really liked it."

  "Cindy said they really like it, too. I told her I've never heard of it and she said it opened a couple years ago. That was while I was at college, so that explains why I haven't heard of it. Anyway, they thought maybe we could all go there some night after things settle down for you."

  "Sounds like a good idea. The next time you see her you can tell her that sounds good to us."

  "Okay, I will. Dad sold a horse today, so I'll have a check to take to the bank tomorrow. They seem to be getting pretty serious, the way she talks."

  "Oh, really? Good for them. I like Ben. I don't know her as well, but she seems nice, too."

  "That's what I thought. I've been getting to know her better since I've been doing most of Dad's banking for him. I like her."

  While he still had her in his arms he said, "Dad and I have to go, Darlin', but will you do me a favor, please?"

  "I'll try. What is it?"

  "I promise tomorrow we'll talk about why I don't want you talking to this mystery man in the dark SUV, but until we can talk about it will you please stay away from the vehicle if you happen to see it?"

  "But Chase—"

  "Sugar, I have to go, but I'm going to leave it at that. You know my feelings. I want you to stay away from that dark SUV if you see it. I think you know by now that I wouldn't ask you if I didn't think it was for your safety. I can't make you do anything; we both know that." He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "But we both also know if I know you put yourself in danger tomorrow we may well be discussing it with you over my knee."

  She looked at him, but didn't say a thing.

  "I'll come over tomorrow night and I promise we'll talk then. Behave until then, Sugar." He took her face in his hands and gave her a very passionate kiss that left her knees weak.

  Chapter 11

  Cece set out for the bank the next morning, turning left out of their lane and going past Chase's ranch and on into town. She was coming up to his ranch when she saw a black SUV parked along the road, facing her, and Chase's lane. It startled her, but she nonchalantly drove on past, noting that no one was in the vehicle. There was a license plate on the front of the car, and she made a mental note of it. As soon as she had turned off that road, well out of sight of the vehicle, she pulled over and wrote the license plate down.

  She was proud of herself as she drove on into town. Chase couldn't be upset with her because she didn't stop at the vehicle, but hopefully the license number would be useful.

  At the bank she talked to Cindy after depositing the check for her dad. "It sounds like you and Ben are getting along well," she said.

  "We are," she said, gushing. "I could say the same for you and Chase. You guys seem very happy together, too."

  "We are now. We had a few rough moments, but we're good now. We'd like to get together with you guys. Chase says we'll let you know when things settle down for him around the ranch."

  "Okay, great."

  Cece left a few minutes later, eager to get back home and give Chase the license plate she'd gotten. She also wanted to see if the vehicle was still there.

  When she topped the last knoll before Chase's ranch, opportunity arose. The SUV was still there, but there was a man walking along the road toward it. Seizing the opportunity to find out who this man was, she pulled over beside him and said, "Good morning. I assume that's your SUV. Having car trouble?"

  The man acted a bit surprised, but quickly smiled and said, "Yes, it's mine. I was just on my way back to try it again."

  "If you were looking for a gas station, there aren't any up that direction," she said, indicating the way he was coming from.

  "I found that out," he said with a smile.

  "Do you want a lift to your vehicle? Hop in." She knew it was a short trip, but maybe she could get some kind of information out of him.

  But the stranger answered, "No, thanks. It's not very far."

  "But I'll wait while you try it. If it doesn't start I can take you to the nearest station so you can get some help."

  "I have my phone," he said, holding it up. "If it doesn't start this time I'll call AAA. It's such a nice day today I figured I'd see if there was a station close, so I took a walk. If it won't start now I'll call them and get a tow truck out. Thanks for the offer, though. I appreciate it."

  She paused, trying to think quickly. She really wanted to find out who this man was, but Chase could be right; he could be dangerous. "Okay, if you're sure you don't want any help," she said.

  "I'll be fine. Thanks again, though."

  She nodded and went on down the road. She'd planned on stopping in to give Chase the license plate number, but she couldn't turn in now with him right there. If he did have something out for Chase that might put her in danger, too, just as Chase had suggested. She went on down the road, and up the hill. Toward the bottom of the next hill, completely out of sight of the stranger, she pulled into her lane, and called Chase. She could at least let him know the stranger was in the vicinity again.

  Chase answered and she quickly told him the stranger in the black SUV was parked along the road by his lane. She said he was walking from town back toward his vehicle.

  "I wonder what he was doing?" Chase wondered.

  "He said his vehicle broke down and he'd walked that way looking for a gas station," she told him. "But when he didn't see any he was going back to his SUV. He said if it didn't start now he'd call AAA."

  Chase was quiet for several moments. Finally, he asked, "How do you know that, Sugar?"

  "That's what he said," she said, and immediately wished she wouldn't have. She knew as soon as she said it that he would be upset with her.

  "We'll talk later," Chase said. "I'm going to see if he's still there. Are you home, safe?"

  "Yes, of course I'm safe," she said rather indignantly.

  "Are you home?" he asked.

  "Yes."

  "Good. Stay there. I'll come over after I see if he's still there and let you know what I find out."

  "Okay." He hung up, and she could tell he wasn't happy with her. He hadn't e
ven said good-bye, although she knew he was in a hurry to see if the SUV was still there. When she talked to him she had to make him see that she was just trying to help him.

  Chase had been out fixing fences when Cece called. He wanted to catch this stranger still there and knew if he rode down the lane he'd leave. Thinking his best bet was to come upon him from behind, he headed Thunder toward the woods that ran along the road. The woods didn't go too far, but he hoped it was far enough so they could provide some cover for him. He went to the edge of the woods farthest away and slowly made his way toward the road. Sure enough, he saw the SUV, and someone was sitting in it. Using the woods as cover and moving slowly, he came up toward the SUV.

  As he got closer he could see the person sitting inside the vehicle, with a set of binoculars aimed toward the lane leading into the ranch. While he was looking straight ahead, Chase came out of the woods and straight to the vehicle. When he tapped on the window the man inside was so surprised he jumped and turned to look at him.

  Chase was shocked when he turned toward him. The mysterious stranger was Jim Hunter, Leah's brother! What was he doing in Wyoming, staring at The Circle M ranch, shortly after his sister had made a rather unusual visit? What was going on?

  To Jim's credit, he rolled the window down. "Chase McDermott, is that you?" he asked.

  "Jim Hunter," Chase returned. "What brings you out here, staring at my ranch?"

  "The Circle M is your ranch?" Chase thought Jim seemed sincerely surprised.

  "It is," Chase confirmed. "You didn't know that?" He was more than skeptical of that thought, but he wanted to watch Jim's reaction.

  "I thought it might be, but I wasn't sure," he answered. "Leah said she stopped in to see you when she was out this way for work, but she didn't mention the name. I thought maybe The Circle M was for McDermott, but I wasn't sure. I was going to stop in and say hi while I was here, but I didn't want to barge in on someone else, if this wasn't your place. Not everyone would take too kindly to a stranger bothering them in the middle of the day."

  Until he could find out what was going on, Chase decided to play along with Jim. "I can understand your concern," he said. "But since you know it's me, come on up to the house. We can have some iced tea. What brings you out here?"

  "Business, basically. I work for a land developer of sorts. He and a friend want to start a dude ranch somewhere out in this part of Wyoming. They have a couple in Texas, but they want to start one in Wyoming, so I'm out here scouting the area."

  "Oh, really? I'd love to hear more about that, but let's talk over some iced tea. It's hot out here."

  "Have you got time? I don't want to take you away from your work if you're busy."

  "Nonsense. It's always nice to see someone from back home. Come on up to the house." He rode off, motioning for Jim to follow him. He hoped he and his dad together could figure out what really brought Jim to Wyoming and The Circle M.

  Chase motioned for Jim to park at the house, and he rode Thunder out to the barn and handed him off to one of the hands to take care of. He was headed back to the house as Jim got out of the car. Chase held his hand out as he said, "Good to see you, Jim. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier out there."

  "Not a problem. I was a couple years ahead of you in school, after all. I think you were closer in age to my sister."

  "Yeah, Leah," Chase said. Purposely not mentioning her again, he asked, "So how have you been?" He opened the door and invited Jim inside.

  "I've been well. And apparently you've done quite well. A ranch?"

  "A family ranch," he said in explanation. He headed toward the kitchen, as he yelled, "Hey, Dad, are you in the house?" When Jim looked at him curiously, he explained, "My dad came to visit for a few days. I'm not sure if he's in here or out at the barn finding something he can help the guys do."

  "I just came back in," Joe said as he came around the corner to join them in the kitchen. "I was out helping Mack in the barn."

  "Thanks for helping, but you don't need to be working while you're here. Anyway, Dad, this is Jim Hunter. He was two or three years ahead of me in high school. Jim, this is my dad, Joe McDermott."

  The two shook hands as Joe said, "Jim Hunter. You played football in high school?" When Jim nodded, Joe said, "Quarterback, I believe."

  "I did," Jim acknowledged. "How did you remember that?"

  "Chase played, too. I didn't always make it to the game when he was a freshman and wasn't playing varsity, but I followed it in the paper the next day. You were the quarterback when he was playing JV. So, what brings you to Wyoming?"

  "Jim says he's out here scouting a ranch his boss can turn into a dude ranch."

  Stella set three glasses of iced tea on the table, along with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. "Have a seat and help yourself," Chase said, putting a glass of tea in front of him as he sat, and picking up a cookie. "So, what's this about looking for a ranch?"

  "The man I work for is a land developer. He has numerous businesses, including two dude ranches in Texas. They're doing real well and they want to expand, open one in Wyoming. He sent me out here to do some scouting. I'm checking to see how many dude ranches are around and how they're doing, and looking into any ranches that could be acquired."

  "Interesting," Joe said. "Is this the type of thing you generally do for this person you work for?"

  "Mostly, yes. I've been scouting land for him for different projects for six years now."

  "Do you like it?" Chase asked.

  "Yes. Actually, I do enjoy it," Jim answered. "You don't know of any ranches for sale in the area, or any operating dude ranches, do you?"

  "Sorry," Chase answered, "but I can't help you with either. I've only been out here a few months and I've been busy during that time, so I don't really know that much about the area. I can check with my neighbor, though, if you want. He's a friend and we talk regularly."

  "I'd appreciate that," Jim surprised Chase by saying. "Let me give you my card. My cell phone number's on there. If you find anything out could you let me know?"

  "Sure. I'll talk to Pete and let you know. Are you going to be in the area for a little while yet, or are you ready to leave?"

  "I've been out here about a week, and I'll probably be here about that much longer," Jim said. Chase and Joe talked to Jim another half hour.

  Chase glanced out the window and saw Cece's car turning in his lane. He quickly jumped up and said, "Jim, excuse me, I just thought of something I need to tell my foreman. Dad, can you entertain our guest for a couple minutes?" With that he ran out the door, leaving two men staring at his quick departure.

  Ty saw him running out of the house and asked, "What's wrong, boss?"

  Chase quickly told him, "Get down there and cut Cece off before she gets up here to the house. I know this man from Texas, but I do not want him to see her. Tell her I'll be over to see her as soon as he leaves."

  Ty jumped on Thunder and took off down the lane, waving at Cece. Chase went back in the house, hoping to keep Jim looking forward. If he stood up and turned around he'd see her car out the window, and might recognize her from earlier. Chase sat back down and joined in the conversation.

  The men visited another ten minutes, then Jim left.

  "What was your sudden departure all about?" Joe asked.

  "Cece was coming up the lane. I don't know what Jim's really here for, but until I find out I don't want her anywhere near him. I don't want him seeing her and knowing we're dating."

  Joe looked at his son curiously. "What he's really here for?"

  "Dad, that's the SUV that followed me into town yesterday and was sitting along the road facing the ranch. He's also Leah's brother."

  "Leah?"

  "I dated Leah Hunter one time shortly before I moved here. Then last week she showed up here out of the blue, just to visit, she said."

  "That's a bit coincidental, isn't it?"

  "Exactly," Chase said. "That's why I don't want him seeing Cece until I find out what's rea
lly going on. Why was he sitting out in front of the ranch out here twice now? Why did he show up shortly after she showed up, and why did she show up? And why are they both showing up at about the same time all these things are happening on my ranch? Coincidence?"

  Joe looked at his son seriously. "Do you think Jim has something to do with the things happening on your ranch?"

  "I don't know," Chase said, running his hand through his hair. "I'm just saying it's awfully funny that Leah showed up, and now him, while this stuff is happening. What do you think? They have something to do with it, or is it Uncle Ralph? And if it's Uncle Ralph, what are they both doing up here?"

  After a sigh Joe admitted, "I don't know what to think."

  "I don't, either," Chase said, "but I'm seriously thinking about going to Sheriff Green. Maybe I should let him figure it out."

  "Maybe that would be best," Joe said. "Let's sleep on it tonight and we'll talk in the morning and decide."

  "Okay, that's probably a good idea. I've got to go talk to Cece."

  "I thought you told her last night to stay away from a black SUV," Joe said.

  "I thought I did, too," Chase said with a frown. "Apparently I didn't make myself clear enough."

  "Maybe you better try again, son."

  "Yeah, maybe I better. See you later, Dad." He turned to go, but then turned back and said, "On second thought, Dad, do you want to go with me? Maybe you and Pete can talk while I bring Cece back home for a little bit to show her the one puppy."

  "Sure," Joe said. "What's new on the one puppy?"

  "I think it grew a quarter of an inch last week," Chase said with a bit of a grin.