Rancher's Girl

by Jeanne Harrell

  “Well, I won’t be for long, if I don’t find her soon.”

  Jason had never seen Sandy out of control in any situation and they had worked together for going on ten years. He knew Sandy to be a sturdy, strong, independent man—this thing with Lily had knocked the stuffing out of him. It was obvious that Sandy was coming apart at the seams.

  “Listen, don’t worry about the guys. I’ll take care of ‘em—soothe some ruffled feathers. I’ll also take care of the immediate shipment and anything else that comes up this week. Why don’t you knock off for the rest of the week?”

  “What the hell am I going to do if I don’t work?”

  “You’re not working now, you’re in a fog. Stop…Take a deep breath and go find her. The ranch will be here when you get back. I’ll mind the store.” Jason winked at him.

  Sandy looked at him for a long minute. “You’re absolutely right. Jason, thank you.” With that Sandy smiled, his first in a long time, turned his horse into the wind and galloped back to the house. Jason was right—he had to find her.

  * * *

  Sheriff Moody was checking cars and giving out parking tickets when he saw Sandy coming out of the elementary school where that cute girlfriend of his worked. He watched Sandy look all around his car and then start checking through his pockets, and hat. What was he doing?

  “Hey Sandy!”

  “Hey Bud…”

  “…How’s that cute little gal of yours? I hope her head is better after knocking herself out in my office. I tell you, that got my heart started.” Bud laughed until he saw Sandy’s face. His laughter died. Uh-oh…something’s wrong.

  “Hey, you all right? I say something I shouldn’t?”

  “Listen, Bud. I’ve got to get going, if I could just find my damn car keys.”

  “Would those be the keys in your hand, by some chance?” This guy was losing it.

  Sandy looked down at his hand, rolled his eyes.

  “Shoot, there they are! Thanks, Bud,” And he turned to open his car door.

  “Sandy, hold up a minute there. Of course, this is none of my business, but are you all right? You seem….distracted.”

  Sandy glanced at the school and back to Bud. “I don’t know where Lily is. I just spoke with Mrs. Nolan at the school and she doesn’t know where Lily is either. She asked for a two-week leave of absence and that’s all Terri knows.”

  Bud thought that over for a minute. “Well, if you ask me, and I know you didn’t, if there’s one snoop in this town who can find anything or anyone, it would be your mother. Have you asked her?”

  Sandy brightened like the light was turned back on. “Thanks, Bud. Later…” He got in his car, started the engine and drove off fast, almost running over Bud’s toes.

  “Hey!” Bud stepped back breathlessly. “He almost got me that time. He and that gal of his are quite the pair. The wedding should be fun.” Bud’s eyes twinkled as he laughed, heading back to his office. “Yep. Lots of fun.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Ah, San Francisco!

  Lily yawned and stretched out her arms getting out of bed in the luxurious suite she’d rented at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. It was always her favorite place when she lived in San Francisco and she decided to pamper herself. When things are falling apart, have pie in San Francisco! Okay, so maybe that didn’t make too much sense, but then Lily wasn’t trying to make sense of anything right at this moment.

  She was just trying to breathe.

  High in the west tower of the Fairmont, she was able to do just that. Lily had flown to San Francisco the Monday after returning home from that dreadful trip to Sonoma. Getting away from everyone and everything seemed like the best idea for now. And it was “getting away” and “not running away,” thank you. She had to recharge her batteries to tackle what lay before her.

  And it was there—that big elephant waiting to sit on her soon. What would she do about her dad? What would she say to Sandy? Nope… Not today.

  She was sleeping at night again and her appetite picked up. Lily and her friend, Page, whom she knew when she lived in the City, were going shopping and then to lunch in Chinatown this fine day. She stretched again. Man, oh, man, that felt good… It was nice to have fun again. She and Sandy had a lot of fun when they…. Nope—not going there yet.

  Her phone was off all week. She glanced at it while brushing her teeth and noticed she had twenty plus messages to return. Sandy and Sam were both probably going nuts worrying about her. They needed to sort a few things out by themselves, she had decided. Thus, her flight to San Francisco.

  She had called Jeanne on Tuesday to let her know where she was, so someone knew. But Lily had sworn her to secrecy. Sooner or later, she knew Sandy would worm it out of her, but not today. Nope. Not yet. She also didn’t want Jesse worrying about her, so she told Jeanne she could tell him, if he asked. Sandy would never suspect that Jesse knew anything.

  She was fixing her hair when Page called from downstairs.

  “Ready to go?”

  “Be right down, Page.”

  It was a beautiful day in San Francisco.

  But it was a lousy day in Sonoma. Sam had been kicking himself ever since Lily and Sandy left. He spoke to the framed photo of his wife on the wall. “I really screwed up, didn’t I, Margaret?” He felt sure she was nodding.

  “Should I try to make things right for sweet Lily?” Margaret nodded again. He should be willing to do anything for his daughter, even accept her choice in marriage. Even if he was a Johnson…

  Sam considered flying down to see her. She certainly wasn’t picking up or answering any of his phone calls. It had been a long week and he didn’t want to let this trouble continue. He had to make things right, somehow. Sam picked up the phone one more time.

  * * *

  Sandy called his mother. “Mom? You’ll never believe who’s flying to Reno today…Give up? Sam…Yes, I’ll go pick him up. Don’t worry about it. I want you here by 5:00, so we can go through this together. All right? Talk to you soon.”

  Briefly he wondered how his mother might feel at seeing Sam again. Well, she’d just have to deal with it.

  Sandy rubbed his eyes for the hundredth time. With Jason taking care of the business and brother Bill minding the finances, he could try to breathe. Sam’s plane wasn’t arriving until 4:00, so he had some time to try to relax. Maybe he’d try to finish that book Lily wanted him to read. Pride and what? Where was it?

  * * *

  “Page, what do you think of this dress? I like it, but Sandy prefers me in jeans.”

  Lily and Page were shopping at Bloomingdale’s, a fashionable clothing store in Union Square. Everywhere they turned was another beautiful article of clothing in that spacious, airy store. Four wonderful floors of fabulous designs! Page watched her model the pretty dress in the mirror. “Want to talk about it yet?”

  “… No.”

  “Lily, all you do is talk about him. What Sandy likes, doesn’t like, what he does… You’ve been here almost a week now. Hasn’t the dust settled enough for you to call him?” Page watched her smile slip to a frown.

  “Honestly, Page. I’m not sure what to say to him. I basically ran out on him, hiding here in the City. I left him in a bad way, I know.”

  “Going somewhere to think things over is not running off. You said that yourself. Problem is you’re not talking about any of it yet. Let’s go get a glass of wine somewhere, all right?”

  Lily turned this way and that in the fitting room mirror.

  “You’re buying that dress, aren’t you?”

  Page laughed at Lily’s wicked smile. “He’ll love me in it, I know.”

  * * *

  Sam’s plane was late. Sitting and waiting for him, Sandy thought about the last time he was at this airport here in Reno. He and Lily were going to see Sam. She looked so lovely that day, laughing and happy. They were holding hands, sharing secrets. Poof…the memory dissipated. He hadn’t seen or spoken
to her in a week. It was interesting to him that he had gotten along without her for four years just fine, but he didn’t feel so fine now that she was gone.

  He cut himself this morning shaving and wondered who the poor fool in the mirror was. Oh yeah…that’s me. Jeanne told him to pull himself together. Did he think Lily would want to see him as a haggard old man? He had wondered if Lily wanted to see him again period.

  Maybe he should make an effort with clothes, etc. So he tried to spruce himself up a bit. Without thinking, Sandy put on the Western shirt Lily had worn that happy day in his kitchen. Crap! He took it off. Just couldn’t do that yet.

  Sam’s plane landed and he walked into the arrival area. Because of security, Sandy would be waiting by baggage claim. He only had a small carry-on, but it seemed like a logical place to meet. Sam took the escalator down to the lower area where baggage claim was located. Walking quickly, he passed a tall cowboy complete with cowboy hat, sunglasses and a sign that read: SAM CABLE. He stepped back to look at the sign again and laughed.

  “Mom’s idea,” grinned Sandy.

  “Let’s start again, shall we, Sandy?”

  “You bet, sir.”

  On the way to Naples, the fog in the car began to clear somewhat.

  “… I realize I screwed up and I apologize for it. Something that had happened to me years ago shouldn’t have any effect on you and Lily. I see that now, but I guess my stubborn side was up.”

  “It has caused a few problems, Sam, I’ll admit that. Hopefully, nothing insurmountable.”

  “Have you two been talking it over?”

  “No.” Sandy gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.

  “Why not?”

  “… Because, sir, she won’t answer my phone calls and isn’t at her job. I don’t know where she is.” Sandy looked over at him.

  “What? She’s missing?” Sam became agitated and couldn’t sit still.

  “Yes.”

  “Good grief! Well, we have to find her.”

  “I’ve been trying, but unsuccessfully so far. I’m hoping you and Mom can help. You both got us in this stew. I’m hoping you can help get us out.”

  “… Your mother?”

  “Yes, Jeanne will be at the ranch with my son, Jesse, when we get home. I never had a chance to tell you much about myself. I was married six years ago and we had a little boy. She died of cancer a year after he was born.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “Thank you. That’s how Lily and I met: she’s Jesse’s teacher.” Sandy glanced at Sam as he waved a hand in the air.

  “I can see all of it now. I suggested she move here after her rotten marriage with Ron was over. What a louse!”

  “… She told me about him.”

  Sam smiled at Sandy. “I’m glad she met you. You both need some happiness in your lives. Seems you’ve had bumpy roads, but maybe it’s smoothing out a bit.”

  “It was until we went up to Sonoma.”

  Sam winced at that remark. “Sorry, son.”

  “Forgiven, sir.”

  They rode in silence the rest of the way to the ranch. Sam wondered what it would be like to meet Jeanne Murdoch again and was lost in his thoughts.

  * * *

  Back in San Francisco, Page and Lily enjoyed seeing the sights of the City. Sitting at a corner café in Fisherman’s Wharf, Page tilted her head at the photograph on Lily’s phone.

  “He’s so good-looking. Look at the hair… those eyes… Your pictures probably don’t do him justice.”

  “They don’t,” smiled Lily. “He’s so handsome and photogenic. He’s tall, probably 6’2 and gets taller with that big old cowboy hat.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to call him, Lily? After all, he doesn’t even know where you are. What if you didn’t know for a week where he was?”

  Lily closed her photo file and shut down her phone. A waiter approached with their check.

  “You’ve got a good point, Page. I think I’m ready. We have a lot of fun together and I miss him terribly.” She thought a minute. “Maybe tonight after dinner.”

  “What about your dad? Do you think he may have come to his senses by now? He probably had his reasons to voice disapproval of Sandy, but do you think he’ll stand by that position forever? Is he that rigid?” Page picked up the check to look it over.

  “No, I don’t think so,” commented Lily. “He would want me to be happy and being with Sandy makes me happy. I’ll tell you what, though, Page. I decided the first morning I got out of bed at the Fairmont that I was going to marry Sandy, no matter what Dad thought.”

  “Good for you! Have you told this delicious boyfriend about your decision yet?” She smirked which made Lily laugh.

  “No, but I will tonight. Thanks for this, honey. You’re a good friend and I owe you.”

  “Just invite me to the wedding. This guy I’ve got to meet. Does he have any brothers?”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Sandy, Jeanne, Sam and Jesse all sat in the family room, spread out in various chairs. The dogs were running in and out, so Sandy asked Jesse to take them outside.

  “Can I go visit Anna’s new baby horse, Dad?” Jesse’s little face shone.

  “Absolutely, Jesse. Shut the door when you go out, please.”

  “Bye, everybody!” And he ran outside as fast as he could, dogs at his side.

  “… Sweet boy, Sandy,” said Sam.

  “Thanks.”

  “Well, Sam. I guess we caused a pretty pickle here,” started Jeanne. “What do you think we can do?”

  “For starters, I apologized to Sandy in the car over here. I guess the train derailed because of me. I never meant to hurt my precious daughter or your nice son here with my age-old baggage.” He glanced over at Jeanne.

  “You’re right about that,” she said.

  “Okay, then where is she?” asked Sandy. “If she isn’t in Sonoma or Naples, where else would she go? Mother, any ideas?”

  Jeanne looked uncomfortable, like someone just stuck a pin in her. “Ah, well…um…”

  “No ideas, you two?” Sandy pressed.

  “Well, sure,” said Sam smoothly. “She would probably go to San Francisco. She always loved the City, even though Ron was a jerk. Shopping, restaurants, events—it’s her play town.”

  Jeanne looked down at her hands.

  “Mom, I know you always have the scoop on everything. What do you know?” Sandy scooted to the edge of his seat.

  “… Jeanne?” asked Sam.

  “Okay, she called me last Tuesday and told me she was in San Francisco.”

  Sandy’s jaw dropped. “You knew all week and didn’t tell me?”

  “Now, son—don’t be upset with me. Lily swore me to secrecy, because she wanted someone to know – and she was pretty upset with you two.“ She gave them both a stern look. “And of course, I don’t tell secrets.”

  Sandy wasn’t finished. “So where in San Francisco is she?”

  “She’s staying at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill.”

  “Oh, yeah! That’s right! That’s her favorite hotel. I had forgotten all about it.” Sam looked at Sandy. “Sorry again.”

  Sandy blew out the breath he was holding. “All right. I’m going to see if she’s registered there and fly out tomorrow.” He rose. “I’m going to make some calls now.” He left Jeanne and Sam in the living room. He winked and she blushed.

  “Nice to see you again, Sam.”

  “You too, Jeanne. You look lovely and haven’t changed a bit.”

  “In forty years? Come on, Sam. We were always truthful with one another.”

  “We were a lot of things to one another, Jeanne Murdoch. Want to go for a walk?” Sam’s face relaxed and his eyes softened making him look like that handsome actor…what’s his name? Oh, yes. Sam Elliott.

  * * *

  The Fairmont Hotel had her registered and put the call through. His cell phone rang at the same time. Sandy knew who it was before he answered. He
hung up the Fairmont call and answered his cell.

  “Sweetheart! Is that you?”

  “Yes, it’s me, Sandy. Look, I am so sorry.”

  “…Don’t be sorry about anything. I’m just happy to have found out where you are.” He let out a staggered breath.

  “Jeanne didn’t blow my cover? I thought for sure she would.”

  “No, Sam flew in today and I cornered them both to squeeze the information out. I figured together they could give me what I needed.” He laughed. Damn, it was wonderful just to hear her beautiful voice again, the panacea he needed to soothe his troubled heart.

  “Dad is there? How is he?”

  “We talked everything out, Lily, and he apologized a few times. Right now, he’s taking my mom for a walk.” He looked around his office, the familiarity comforting him.

  “Really? Interesting.”

  He paused and listened to her breathing. It was nirvana to him. “Are you all right?”

  “Sandy, you might not want to hear this, but I’ve been having a pretty fair time in one of my favorite cities. I called my friend Page and she forced me to talk out this whole business. I couldn’t do anything at all for several days. But then we started going shopping and eating out. We went to the Wharf for lunch and I bought the prettiest dress at Bloomingdale’s. You’re going to love it!” Her babbling relaxed him even more.

  “I would love to see it. How about tomorrow? I want to fly up to get you. Would that be all right with you, sweetheart? I love seeing the guys ogle you in airports,” he teased.

  “Come get me, Sandy. I want to see you more than I realized. I do love you so.” He could tell she was smiling, even on the phone.

  He paused and his voice became a whisper. “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

  Lily couldn’t speak for a few seconds.

  “Hello? Lily, are you there?”

  “Is that from Pride and Prejudice? I’m overwhelmed! That was so beautiful, Sandy! Did you read that book? Was it for me?”

  “Cover to cover. I watched South Pacific too.” Sandy grinned.