by Misty Malone
“Why is it so important to them that he be an attorney?”
“His father’s goal in life was to be a powerful attorney in a prestigious firm and eventually become a partner in the firm. He saw that as his way of assuring Ty would have a good job, and thus a good life. He was happy with his life and assumed Ty would be, too.”
“He just doesn’t get it, does he?”
“It was the life he chose to lead and was happy, so he assumed his son would be just as happy. He views it as Ty wouldn’t even give it a chance.”
“But he didn’t give ranching a chance, either. It sounds to me like ranching makes Ty as happy as being an attorney made him. I wish he’d see that.”
“I do, too, Cheyenne.” He studied her a few minutes before asking the next question. “Does your concern about Ty and his parents have anything to do with the problems I hear you’ve had with your mother?” She looked down, and he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, Cheyenne, that’s none of my business. You don’t need to answer that.”
“No, it’s not that, honest. To answer your question, yes, that’s probably partly where my concern comes from, but not entirely. I was so impressed with Ty’s story because he knew what he wanted to do with his life, and he went after his dream.” She smiled, a proud smile. “And he succeeded. He’s really good at what he does, and you can tell he loves it. That impressed me about him, so it’s hard for me to understand why his dad can’t see that. His son followed his dream, just like he followed his own dream, and Ty’s very happy. What more could a parent want?”
“I wish he saw it that way.”
“Yeah, me, too.” After a pause, she shrugged her shoulders, looking a little lost, or hopeless. “The reason I hesitated when you asked me about my mother is because I’m having trouble getting over that.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard.”
“Ty told you?”
“Honey, Ty loves you and cares about you. He’s been watching you closely because he’s concerned and wants to help.”
“I know, and I want to get past it, too. Why am I so worried I’ll allow it to happen again?”
“Allow it to happen?”
“Yes. I mean, she brainwashed me, and I just let her do it.”
“But you’ll be more careful with what she tells you from now on.”
“But what about someone else? She had no problem brainwashing me, so what if someone else could do it just as easily?”
“Cheyenne, you instinctively trust your parents more than you trust other people. I don’t mean just you; everyone does. No one else would be able to have that kind of influence over you.”
She looked at him, thinking. “Maybe you’re right.”
“All I know is you need to keep talking to Ty about it. Trust him.”
“I do. The one thing I know I can count on, is him.”
“Good. Keep doing that and you’ll be fine. He’ll make sure of it.”
Ty came in for lunch an hour later and asked Cheyenne and Ted if they’d like to take some horses out riding. Ted looked a little surprised, but smiled. “I haven’t ridden a horse in some time, but I used to love riding. I’d love to go.”
After lunch the three of them set out on horses to show Ted the ranch. They enjoyed a leisurely ride while they visited. Ty rode up beside Cheyenne. “Anyplace in particular you feel like going, Cheyenne?”
“Could we go to that big pond this ranch shares with the neighboring ranch?”
“You like that pond, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do. It’s beautiful there. And I think it’s neat that half of it’s on this ranch and the other half’s on the neighboring ranch. It’s kind of like an olive branch showing peace among the neighboring ranches. It’s especially fitting because we’ve always gotten along really well with the owners of that ranch.”
“It is neat that the ranches share the pond,” Ted said. “I like your view of it as an olive branch.”
Ten minutes later they reached the pond and reigned their horses in. Ted looked around appreciatively. “I certainly see why you like this place, Cheyenne. It is pretty here.”
“And peaceful,” she added. “I always thought that spot right over there would be a perfect place to put a picnic pavilion. Wouldn’t it be a terrific place to have a barbecue? We could have a family reunion, or a neighborhood summer party, or something like that. The service road goes real close and could be extended so people could drive back here.”
Ty looked over at her. “You’ve given this some serious thought, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, I guess I have. But to me this place just almost begs for a party or some kind of celebration. Maybe a harvest party after the crops have been harvested.”
Ty helped tie all three horses to some trees, and took her hand as they walked toward the pond. “Or maybe my little social butterfly just likes having get-togethers.”
“That could be part of it, I guess,” she admitted.
They spread a blanket on the ground and sat down, looking out over the pond. Ty leaned against a tree and pulled her back up against his chest, wrapping his arms around her waist. Ty and Ted visited a bit, while Cheyenne leaned against Ty, but didn’t join in the conversation.
Ty leaned down and spoke quietly next to her ear. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just enjoying the view.”
“Cheyenne, I thought we were past the little game playing, where I remind you what I think of lies and then ask you the question again.”
Ted looked up at Ty’s serious expression, and hid his chuckle, not wanting to interrupt the two young people.
Cheyenne sighed. “Ty, seriously, how do you always know when something’s on my mind?”
“I told you, honey, I care about you. I watch you. I know these things. If you’d just accept that and stop fighting it, it would save us a lot of time. We could just talk about things and get them settled quicker.”
Again Ted had to hide a chuckle.
She sighed. “Okay, Mr. Mind Reader, what am I thinking about?”
“Well, unless I missed my mark this time, I’d say it’s about your mother again, and how you’re afraid to live your life again for fear someone will brainwash you again.”
Her eyes opened wide and she turned to look at him. He chuckled and look proud of himself. “I thought so.”
“But how did you know that?”
“Because you’ve been quiet ever since last night when someone mentioned learning by example. You’re worried about being brainwashed by example.”
She turned back around and looked at the pond again for several moments. “I guess maybe I am,” she admitted.
He pulled her back against his chest as he said, “Honey, I wish you could just let it go, like you did in that letter you wrote me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You told me you were upset and couldn’t concentrate to work on your paper, so you turned it over to me, like I’ve told you to.”
“Yes.”
“You said that once you wrote the letter it was like it was on my shoulders then and you knew I’d take care of it. You were able to concentrate then and finished your paper.”
“Yeah.”
“So why can’t you turn that worry over to me, too, and go on and live your life?”
“Turn it over to you? How can I do that?”
She looked over toward Ted, with a lost look on her face. He quietly repeated what he’d said earlier when they talked. “Trust him and you’ll be fine. He’ll make sure of it.”
She thought about his words. They were making a lot of sense to her.
Ty quietly agreed. “Turn it over to me and let me worry about it. I’m watching over you, honey. There’s no way I’d let anyone use you like that again.”
She was quiet for so long he was starting to worry. She turned toward him then, and had tears running down her cheeks. Ty quickly wrapped his arms around her. “Cheyenne, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” sh
e whispered through her tears. “I can turn it over to you, Ty, because you are watching out for me, and you won’t let it happen again, will you?”
He smiled, knowing in that instant she was going to be okay now. “No, honey, I certainly won’t. I’ll keep you safe.”
She leaned her face against his chest, so she was looking at Ted. “I’ll be fine, Ty. You’ll make sure of it.”
Ted smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up. Ty said, “I will make sure of it, honey.”
She let him hold her for quite some time, gaining strength from his strong arms around her, letting her know she would indeed be fine.
Ted pointed and spoke quietly. “Look,” and pointed toward the far side of the pond. A small group of deer had come into the clearing and were grazing. They watched the group until they disappeared back into the woods.
Chapter Fifteen
Everyone hated to see Ted leave. He and Sam had spent some time talking, and by the time he left, Sam felt like they were old friends.
Cheyenne especially hated to see him leave. She saw why Ty was so fond of his grandfather. She got a moment alone with him before they went to the airport. “Ted, I am so glad I got to meet you.”
“I was thinking the same thing about you, Cheyenne. Ty is special to me, and I’ll rest easy now, knowing he’s found the right little lady.”
“Thank you. And thank you for all the help you’ve given me.”
“Help?”
“Yes. I understand my finance class now, thanks to you. I also know now I can trust Ty and I’ll be fine. He’ll make sure of it. Thank you for that.”
“Cheyenne, I didn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know. I think it was Ty’s words and the fact that he did, in fact, know exactly what you were thinking about that let you actually feel the truth in his words. He really does love you, Cheyenne, and he will always protect you. Of that I am absolutely positive. Trust him and you’ll be fine.”
She reached up and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. When Ty came into the room a couple seconds later he saw the two of them in a hug, and he couldn’t have been happier. He went to them and wrapped his arms around both of them. “That’s a sight for sore eyes. I knew you’d both like the other, but this visit went even better than I imagined.”
***
The next month was an extremely busy time. Clay and Lynelle’s wedding was three weeks after Ted went back home. Cheyenne’s final exams were a week before the wedding. Ty kept a close watch on her, knowing she was going to be extremely busy and it would be a stressful time.
Clay kept a close watch on Lynelle for the same reason. Both girls earned a couple quick reminders to watch their attitude, but nothing major.
With Ty’s help studying, Cheyenne aced her finals, earning a final grade of an A in four classes, and a B in her dreaded finance class. They were both prouder of the one B than they were the A’s. Ty was especially happy. “I am so proud of you, Cheyenne. You didn’t give up. I knew you could do it.”
“With your help,” she reminded him. “But that’s okay. I can do everything I want to do, with your help.” He took her in his arms and pulled her in for a kiss.
Sam walked into the kitchen. “There you are, Ty. I was looking for you.” He glanced up and saw what they were doing and quickly backpedaled. “I’m sorry. When you get a minute, can you come see me, please?”
“Sam, come back in,” he said. “No need to apologize. I was just telling Cheyenne how proud I am that she stuck with her finance class. Did you know she ended up with a B for the class?”
“No, I didn’t.” He gave her a kiss on her cheek. “I’m proud of you, too, Cheyenne.” He grinned and glanced back to Ty. “Though maybe not in quite the same way.” They all three laughed.
“You wanted to see me?” Ty asked.
“I’d like to talk to you and Clay a minute. He’s already in my office.”
“You guys go talk,” Cheyenne said. “I’m going to check with Lynelle and see what she needs help with, now that my finals are over.”
“Good idea,” Ty said. “Just make sure you two don’t try and do too much. Let the wedding planner do her job.”
“Yes, dear,” she sing-songed as she rolled her eyes.
She had a mischievous grin on her face and Ty knew she was teasing, but he gave her one last quick kiss, along with a swat on her behind. “Behave,” he warned as he followed Sam to the office.
Once in the office, Sam got right down to business. “I wanted to talk to you two about something. I think I’ve already made my decision, but I want your thoughts on it before I give them my answer.”
“So you want our opinion, although it probably won’t matter anyway. Is that what you’re saying, Dad?” Clay was chuckling.
“No, not really,” Sam responded. “Well, maybe. Here’s the thing. Clyde Simpson’s going to sell The Bar T Ranch. We’ve been friends for about forty years, so since our ranches join, he wanted to offer it to me first. What do you think?”
“I hate to lose them as neighbors,” Clay said right away, “but our ranch is big enough, isn’t it? The Bar T is about the same size as ours, and I certainly don’t think we need that big a ranch.”
Sam nodded. “That was my thought, as well. Ty, anything you want to add?”
“No, I think Clay pretty much said it all. A ranch that big would have some big headaches to go along with it.”
Sam agreed. “That it would. I appreciate him offering it to me first, and I’m going to miss them as neighbors, but I just don’t think we need that big a ranch. I sure hope the new owners are as easy to get along with as Clyde was, though.”
Clay and Ty both agreed. They talked a few more minutes before getting up to leave.
Ty paused a couple moments. “Sam, could I have another minute of your time, please? There’s a couple things I’d like to talk to you about.”
Clay was about to the door, but turned back around. “Do you need me, too, or just Dad?”
“No, I just need to talk to your dad a minute.”
“Good. I’ve got to go see Lynelle and calm her down. I’m afraid there’s a spanking looming in her future, or I’ll have a bridezilla on my hands.”
“Good luck, son,” Sam told him as he left.
Sitting back down, he gave Ty his attention. “Okay, Ty, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“There are two things, actually, and they’re closely related.”
“Okay, you’ve got my curiosity piqued. What’s on your mind?”
“Well, I’d like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage, and I’d like to buy The Bar T so I have a home to move her into.”
Sam’s eyes lit up as his smile grew. “I take it you’ve thought about this? I mean, you didn’t just find out the neighboring ranch is for sale and decide you’d propose to Cheyenne, did you?”
“No, sir. I’ve known I wanted to marry Cheyenne for several months now, but I didn’t want to take any of the excitement away from Clay and Lynelle. I know a wedding is a big thing to the bride, and Lynelle and Cheyenne are having a good time preparing for this wedding. I planned on waiting until their big day is over. I thought maybe I’d propose to Cheyenne while Clay and Lynelle are on their honeymoon.”
“You’re going to wait that long, huh?” Sam was smiling as he asked.
Ty turned a bit red as he answered. “I can’t wait forever. If it was up to me I would have asked her about four or five months ago and we would have been married a week later, but that wouldn’t be fair to either of the girls.”
Sam was all out laughing now. “I remember what it was like to be young and in love.”
“My only concern was a home. Grandpa set up a trust for me when I graduated from high school, but was still underage. It’s been handled by an investment firm and has done really well. I’ve got almost three million dollars in that account, and I’ve saved the majority of my wages while I’ve been working, so I have enough money I’m sure I can get a bank to back me while I
buy a ranch and get it started.”
Sam’s eyebrows raised and he looked at Ty, while shaking his head.
“What’s wrong?” Ty was concerned he’d done something to upset Sam.
“Ty, you are just one surprise after another.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was surprised to find out I’d hired an attorney as a ranch hand. It was a bigger surprise to find out that attorney I hired as a ranch hand graduated from Princeton and Harvard. Now I find out he was a millionaire when I hired him.”
“I didn’t see myself as a millionaire by any means. That money from Grandpa was for when I’d matured enough and knew what I wanted in life. I always saw it more as a promise from him to help me get what I wanted once I knew what it was I wanted. Well, now I know, and he agrees. I talked to him a couple nights ago and told him I was going to start looking for a ranch. If I couldn’t find one in this area, I planned on buying us a house for now and stay on as your foreman until I found one. I won’t move Cheyenne away from her family.”
“I thank you for that. I can tell you’ve thought this through, Ty, though I’m not surprised.”
“Thank you. My only hesitation is leaving you and this ranch. You’ve been more than fair with me, and I’ve learned a lot from you and Clay.”
“Normally I’d say I hate to see you leave, too, because you’re a damn good foreman.” He smiled as he went on. “But you’re going to be a damn good son-in-law and husband to my daughter, so I’m happy for both of you, to know you’re going to have your own ranch. You’re ready to run your own, Ty. You’ll do fine, I’m sure. And I’m really happy to know we’ll be getting a good neighbor.”
“So does that mean you’re okay with my asking Cheyenne to marry me?”
“Absolutely, Ty. You are exactly what she needs. And wants. You’ve got my blessing.”
“Thank you. I’ll be the best husband I can be for her.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute, Ty.”
“Can I ask one more favor of you? I’m not too familiar with the price of land, or in this case, a ranch in this area, and I don’t know anything about his foreman or hands. Do you know if they’d be willing to stay on, or if I’d want them to stay on?”