Thunder Mountain Ranch

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “Well, the fact that you stopped Sally from injecting herself, people are seeing that as a selfless act by putting your own life in danger to save one of your student’s mother’s life.” Cyn didn’t want to tell her that Megan was her biggest fan, and head cheerleader.

  “Oh, no. Cyn what am I going to do?” How could she get her old life back after all this hoopla.

  “Just be Alex, and blow it off like it’s no big deal. You can do it, and besides, half the teachers are afraid of you anyway. And now that they think you disarmed a crazed suicidal mother, they all will stay clear of you.” Somehow that didn’t come out as comforting as Cyn thought it would.

  “Lovely. Be myself, because they’re all afraid of me. Perfect. I can just imagine what parent teacher conferences are going to be like.” Alex could only hope that aliens would come down and erase everyone’s memories by Monday. But you could never depend on those aliens.

  “Any other surprises I should know about before I see you tomorrow? You can still pick me up right?” Alex remembered Cyn’s offer, but she didn’t want to assume.

  “Absolutely, and no more surprises. Dez wants you back, but no surprise there. Right?” Cyn had become Dez’s new best friend. She kept calling to cry on her shoulder about what an idiot she was for losing Alex. And she found no argument there.

  “Well, I hate to sound cold hearted, but too little too late.” Alex knew she needed to at least talk to Dez even though it would do no good. She should hear her out, for what it was worth.

  Agreeing to meet at the airport in the same spot where she’d been dropped off, Alex wished Cyn a happy Saturday and she would see her tomorrow evening. It was agreed she would spend the night at her place instead of going home to see Dez. She hadn’t seen her alone since the whole Sally problem went down, and Alex wanted their first face to face to be when they had enough time to do some talking. She also wanted to grab a few more clothes to take to Cyn’s until she could move all her clothes to the new place. It was only going to be another week and she would be out on her own.

  Chapter 31

  Looking at the clock, Alex couldn’t believe how fast the morning had gone by. The lunch bell would be ringing soon, but she still wasn’t hungry. Missing Sam seemed to have made her appetite disappear too. Looking at her room she figured she might as well get her clothes in order so she could be ready tomorrow without too much hassle.

  When the lunch bell rang, Alex looked out her window at the crowd heading over and decided to wait a bit. Trying to think of something that sounded good was impossible, because the only thing she wanted to nibble on was Sam. The next few weeks should see a rapid drop on the scale at home as well as looser fitting jeans.

  Finally deciding to at least get a glass of iced tea, Alex headed out where she saw Jessie approaching with a basket in her hand. That was the nice thing about having a best friend who knew you well. Alex always lost her appetite when she wasn’t a happy camper, and Jessie knew how unhappy she was about Sam being gone.

  “Okay, Darlin’, no arguments. I brought you something to eat and I’m going to watch you eat it all.” Jessie couldn’t let Alex pass out from lack of food now could she.

  “Yes, mother. I’m just not hungry, except for Sam.” At least Alex could get the whining done before she got back home, as she wouldn’t want to put Cyn through this.

  “You really do miss her? You swear?” Jessie knew Alex did, but wanted to get the conversation rolling. “Yes, I swear. I can’t believe how much. Jessie, what

  am I going to do when she comes back here after her visit? It

  will be four months until my next break and then two more

  months until school’s out. What was I thinking getting

  involved with someone who lives in another state.” Alex was hoping Sam would move east but she wasn’t going to assume

  anything until it happened for sure.

  “Alex, there is no way Sam will come back here. I

  figure once she lands at your place and you two get settled in,

  she’ll be turning in her resignation and having Smokey

  shipped ASAP.” Jessie hadn’t told Dawson he was going to

  lose one of his best workers.

  “Seriously, you’re that sure? Gosh I hope so. This

  talking on the phone is torture. My vibrator is going to burn

  out after these next few weeks of only being able to talk to

  her.” Alex thought after she said it that might be more

  information than Jessie needed to hear.

  “Okay, I’ll try to forget you just said that. Just be darn

  sure when she does arrive that you two explore every aspect of

  what you want from each other. I expect you two to be a

  couple for the rest of your earthly existence and then some.”

  Jessie handed Alex a hot tri-tip sandwich and wondered if she

  would notice.

  “This smells like, oh my gosh, tri-tip. Who made this,

  you or Pablo?” It was Saturday and Alex knew today wasn’t

  tri-tip.

  “Your number one fan, Pablo. I’d mentioned to him it

  was your favorite and he made one just for you although you

  couldn’t miss the aroma, so a few guests got some of it too.”

  Jessie had more and more requests for it. Maybe they should

  have it more than once a week.

  “Bless him. Just the smell makes me hungry. I wish

  Sam was here, she loves it too.” Alex was hooked. Every other

  thought was about Sam.

  “So what deep and meaningful conversation did you

  want to have with me?” Jessie hoped it wasn’t too deep, as

  those kinds of talks gave her a headache.

  “Actually, I think we just had it. I can’t believe it

  could be this easy finding the right woman to spend the rest of

  my life with. It’s just too easy, don’t you think so?” Looking at

  Jessie she hoped she had some brilliant insight.

  “Why does it have to be hard? Haven’t you ever

  walked into a store and found what you were looking for right

  off the bat? Well, this is sort of like that. The only difference is

  that I put what you wanted right in front of you. If Sam hadn’t

  been right for you, I would never have set you two up. I know

  what you want. God knows we talked about it enough times

  remember, back when we were both single and we described

  our perfect match. That’s why I was so baffled when you told

  me about Dez. She just didn’t fit. But you were gone on her

  and there was no reasoning with you.” Jessie had never

  brought up that little item to Alex before.

  “You’re right. I was totally gone and I don’t think I

  would have listened to anyone. The only plus about the whole

  relationship is, I learned what I don’t want.” Alex needed to

  just let things happen for better or worse with Sam, but put as

  much into it as she had with Dez and this relationship would

  be a hundred times better.

  “Okay, so you’re going to relax and enjoy yourself. I

  know the next couple of weeks are going to be hard. But I

  know you can afford the higher electric bill and Sam will be

  there before you know it.” Jessie was going to miss Alex and

  Sam so maybe they needed to talk once a week instead of once

  a month.

  “I know I haven’t told you lately that you are the best

  and I love you very much.” Alex was thinking about how she

  had wanted Jessie as a lover, but actually was better suited to

  Sam.

  “You don’t need to, Darlin’. I know we will always be there

  for each other. We’ve been through a lot and I kn
ow you will

  always be there for me as I’ll be for you. All I ask is that you

  never change and Sam and I will love you forever.” Jessie put

  her hand on Alex’s and squeezed.

  “Well, I hope I can count on you two to let me know if

  I am changing. I’ve always had this fear of becoming my

  mother. Scary.” Smiling at Jessie, she knew she wouldn’t. “Absolutely. So what have you planned for the rest of

  the afternoon?” Jessie knew what she would have been doing

  if Sam were there.

  “Gosh, I hadn’t given it much thought. Can you take a

  walk with me? Just a short one. I feel so alone without Sam

  here. I know I need to be a big girl, but I got so use to having

  her around.” Alex was starting to get choked up and a little

  anxious.

  “Sure. I remember how panicked I would get when

  Dawson went on business trips. It’s hard to have such a big

  part of your life just leave. I think that’s why Dawson bought

  Winston to help fill that void.” But a dog was far from a

  lover.

  “So, I need a dog to replace Sam!” Alex gave Jessie a

  look as she was teasing her about Dawson’s replacement. “No, in your case a cat! Besides, once Sam moves east

  I don’t see her leaving except for another family emergency,

  and hopefully that won’t be for a very long time.” Jessie

  needed to get back to the office.

  “A cat is just what I wanted to get. But I think it will

  need to be a joint decision. Anyway, you need to get back to

  work and I’ll come looking for you if I need a hug.” Alex

  needed to get a grip and deal with this feeling.

  “Okay, but come get me if you need some company.” Leaving

  the basket for Alex to finish her lunch, Jessie gave her a big

  hug and kiss and left her to her solitude.

  Alex lay on her bed looking at the ceiling, thinking

  about what Sam was doing right now. She hoped that Anthony

  would stabilize and begin a steady recovery. That was

  something everyone was praying for. Deciding to get up and

  pack the basket with her dishes, she looked out the window

  and wished she was home so she could be doing something

  constructive. She would love to take a long ride, but knew she

  couldn’t go by herself. Jessie had work to do and had already

  taken off enough time to spend with her. The only thing left to

  do was take a walk and just enjoy her last day. Actually she could always get some paper from Jessie and start sketching the buildings. In fact that was exactly what she would do, then she would leave them for Sam to put on the finishing touches

  and measure for accuracy.

  Grabbing her phone, Alex headed for the office. She

  wanted drawings of everything she wanted to build and also a

  complete layout of the ranch, including the trail leading to

  Thunder Mountain. When she walked in, Jessie was on the

  phone and motioned her over. Alex leaned against the counter

  and tried to see if a clip board was available to write on. She

  noticed a pleased expression on Jessie’s face as she was

  listening to her call. She wrote something down and then

  showed it to her. “Anthony regained consciousness, doing a lot

  better, will be out of ICU by tomorrow. Sam taking next flight

  out. Will be here by dinner time. Sends her love.”

  Alex wanted to jump for joy and wished Jessie would

  hurry up and get off the phone. She wanted more details like

  exactly when the plane was landing. Jessie was talking to

  Sam’s mother, trying to be polite and listen, but was anxious

  too to get off and tell Alex everything. Finally she said

  goodbye and hung up.

  “Tell me, tell me. When does she get here?” Alex was

  trying to be calm.

  “She left for the airport the minute after Anthony

  regained consciousness and told her to get out of his room. He

  was kidding, of course. But he told everyone to go home he

  wasn’t planning on dying just yet. So Sam called the airport

  and just made the last flight out. She would have called but I

  think she wants to surprise you. So you didn’t hear any of this

  from me, okay?” Jessie was so happy Alex and Sam could

  spend their last night together that she was close to tears. “How’s she going to get here from the airport? We

  took her remember.” There was the Stagecoach Shuttle from

  the airport, but Alex wondered if they needed to make a

  reservation for her.

  “Not to worry. Your girlfriend is very organized and

  made arrangements on the way. That’s the reason my aunt

  called me instead of Sam. She used up her cell phone battery

  getting herself booked so she could see you before you left.”

  Jessie hoped Alex didn’t want to go sit at the airport and wait

  for her.

  “So she’ll be here for dinner? Woo hoo!” Alex

  couldn’t believe it. She would have her last night with Sam

  before having to go home.

  “Can you act surprised?” She figured Alex could, if

  she would just get her mind on something else for a while.

  Jessie hated lying to her, but the truth was, Sam would be here

  before dinner. In fact she was about an hour away. Anthony

  was already conscious when the family arrived at the hospital

  that morning and Sam had been able to get the first flight out.

  Jessie wanted to get Alex involved in something so she

  wouldn’t see the shuttle dropping her off, but what? As it

  turned out, Jessie didn’t need to come up with a plan. Alex was

  out of the office and heading for the dining hall. She wanted to

  have a candlelight dinner for just the two of them. She would

  put in a special request with Pablo, grab the necessary utensils,

  and go get her casita ready. If only she had more time she

  would have loved to have picked up some flowers from town.

  Jessie, wondering what Alex was planning, followed her. “Alex, wait up. What’s the rush?” Jessie was having to

  run to catch up.

  “I want a special dinner for just the two of us and I

  hope Pablo has some tri-tip left.” Alex looked at Jessie and

  stopped in her tracks. “I love you so much and can’t begin to

  tell you how much the last two weeks have meant to me.”

  Hugging Jessie, the tears started to come as she squeezed her

  tight.

  “I love you too, and you don’t know how happy I am

  that you two seem to be perfect for each other. I’m keeping my

  fingers crossed, but it all seems a go. Doesn’t it to you?” Jessie loved her friend so much in that she was always appreciative

  of everything she had ever done for her.

  “From your lips to Goddess’s ears. I really hope so

  with all my heart. Jessie, is there any place close by I can go

  buy some flowers?” Alex really wanted to have some kind of

  homecoming gift.

  “You know, there is a little flower stand down the road

  about ten miles. Do you want me to drive you or would you

  like to go by yourself?” This was a perfect way to get her out

  of the way.

  “I can go! Right after I get the casita set up.” This was

  great. Alex could have her place ready by
the time Sam

  arrived.

  Jessie decided to help Alex get her room prepared. The

  drive to get the flowers should take her long enough to have

  Sam waiting for her when she came back. Pablo was

  wonderful and would have a special meal for two ready when

  Sam arrived. Jessie clued him in on the surprise and the fact

  that Sam was only minutes away, while Alex was looking in

  the drawers for the good silverware. He understood

  completely, said his lips were sealed, and would have everything ready.

  It only took ten minutes to get the room in order. The

  table was set with candles Jessie had in reserve for guests who

  wanted to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays in a private

  romantic setting. There were also linen napkins to go with the

  sterling silverware. Producing a vase was Alex’s cue to get on

  the road and get the flowers. Luckily, the roadside stand was in

  the opposite direction of the airport so she wouldn’t pass Sam

  on her way.

  Alex had only been gone about ten minutes when the

  shuttle pulled in. Sam got out as Jessie hurried to meet her and

  let her know what was up. Sam wanted a shower and a change

  of clothes. She was on cloud nine that Anthony was okay and

  on the road to recovery, and that she would get to say goodbye

  to Alex and spend their last night together. She knew it would only be a couple of weeks before she would go back to visit, but who knew what would happen after her plane left. As Sam ran for her room, Jessie could see that she was as excited as Alex and she was grateful to whatever force had made this all happen.

  Chapter 32

  As Alex drove, her mind wandered off to many different subjects as this was her last day before she had to jump on a plane and go back to her reality. She thought of Cyn, work, moving and dealing with everything she had left behind. The thought of staying here to be with Sam and Jessie seemed so great, but it wasn’t really fair to Dawson. He had been so understanding the last two weeks sharing his wife/best friend with her. But how understanding would he be to have to share her all the time? In a way he was sharing Jessie with Sam and another distraction wouldn’t be fair. Jessie’s life was here and Alex’s life was back home and teaching at Taylorwood. Sam, thank goodness, was free to come and go as she pleased and it would please Alex very much if she spent the rest of her life with her. Although Sam would have a say in this matter. Maybe she would hate it and wished she’d never left New Mexico. It was a big step, and how would Alex handle the guilt of having her move and seeing her unhappy? Would she give up her life to make Sam happy? There were so many things to think about and discuss, but not tonight. The little flower stand came into view and Alex was happy to see it wasn’t all that small.