by Danni Roan
“I had seen that on the ranch plans, but haven’t been down to look at it yet. Do you think it’s safe?”
“No telling,” Chase mused, his blue eyes roving over the prairie, “but we can have a look.” He reined his roan horse downstream, not waiting for her to follow.
“Do you know your way around here pretty well?” Phil asked, moving Amy in behind the roan.
“I used to,” Chase chuckled, looking over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of her. He’d been surprised when he’d turned to watch her earlier as she caught up to him.
She’d been sitting straight in the saddle, her face turned to the sun, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders and catching hints of fire in the early morning sun. The golden light seemed to illuminate her, almost making her glow, and it had taken his breath away.
Who would have guessed when he’d answered Kade’s call that he’d be working for a pretty woman who seemed to come alive in the light?
“It’s been a lot of years since I rode these trails with Kade Ballard.” He turned his horse around a bend in the stream and pulled up short to stare at the old sawmill, its once gaping holes of missing boards filled with new wood.
“Looks like someone beat us to it,” Phil said, noting the large white pickup truck on the far side of the mill.
“That’s Kade’s truck,” Chase called, setting his horse to a gallop.
With a laugh, Phil let Amy follow him.
At the sound of galloping hooves, Kade stepped out of the long rectangular building, wiping his hands on a greasy rag.
“Hello,” he called as the riders pulled up.
“Kade, what are you doing here?” Phil asked.
“Working.” Kade’s reply was simple. “I’m doing it myself so it isn’t costing the ranch anything,” he added, his eyes keen.
“Well, it looks good,” Chase offered, swinging down.
“I’ve been trying to get the mechanism working again,” Kade said, “but something’s stuck.”
“Like what?” Chase moved toward the building, then stopped, turning back to Phil, who sat smiling on her mount.
“Oh, sorry,” Chase said, blushing.
“That’s alright,” Phil shot back, “the whole idea is to see the ranch.” Climbing down from Amy’s back, she patted the horse then joined the men. “Lead on,” she giggled.
A half hour later the men had the old water wheel turning and the long gears and poles that used to turn the mill spinning in their home.
“You want to go back or ride on?” Chase asked as they gathered up their horses and stepped into their saddles.
“Lead on,” Phil said, smiling. Just being out in the open air seemed to lift her spirits. “Kade’s got a good idea with the mill,” she added, ambling along next to Chase. “In time, we could have a shop there.”
Chase smiled. He liked the way this woman’s mind worked; she was always one step ahead. “And for now?” he queried.
“We’ll keep it under lock and key until we’re sure what use it has. It’s amazing how something so old could be set back into motion and actually work again.”
“Sometimes all you need is a little extra elbow grease. Hard work goes a long way toward success.”
“Is that what you were doing in the rodeo?”
Chase laughed, turning to look at her fully. “Something like that. It was a long road to follow, but now it seems to be paying off.”
***
The next few hours flew by as the warmth of the sun crept across the prairie and surrounding hills, sparkling off the water of the Wind River Basin as they rode over trails beaten flat over decades.
Spring flowers dotted the green vales as the horses’ hooves thudded over solid ground, and Phil sighed as a deep sense of belonging encompassed her. The feel of the breeze in her hair, the light and warmth on her face, the easy movement of a horse under her permeated her soul.
Philomena couldn’t remember feeling so relaxed and energized at the same time. New ideas for the ranch, business, and future flooded her mind.
“You look happy.” Chase’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts as he pulled his roan to a stop.
“The more I see and explore the Broken J, the more ideas I have,” Phil admitted, her eyes lingering on the handsome cowboy.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” Chase crossed his arms on his saddle horn and studied her. The more he was with her, the more he recognized a spark within her. There was a reason she had been successful in the big city. He only hoped she could be equally as successful here.
A slow smile spread across his face as he noted the light in her violet eyes, and he let Romeo ease a step closer as their eyes met and held.
The chirp of a cell phone broke the spell and Chase reached a hand into his pocket, pulling the device out and lifting it to his ear.
“Hello.” His voice was welcoming, but as he listened his eyes clouded.
“That isn’t possible,” Chase spoke, his jaw tensing with the effort of restraining his temper. “I hold full rights.”
Phil’s heart tugged toward the distressed cowboy as it kicked up a beat. Something was wrong.
Pressing the switch with a scowl. Chase shoved the phone back into his pocket and pulled his reins tight, wheeling the big roan. “We’d better get back,” he said, his voice tight, kicking Romeo into a run.
Phil grasped the saddle horn as Amy lurched into a run to keep up with her stable mate, but within a half stride, Phil had found her balance and was racing homeward. She didn’t know what was wrong, but something hot and defensive rose in her on behalf of her wrangler.
A wry smile touched her lips at her sudden possessiveness. There was just something about the man on the racing red roan that touched her. Whatever was going on, she would do her best to help him.
It didn’t hurt that sales for the bookings for the 4th of July weekend and rodeo had tripled since she’d posted Chase Haven as the head wrangler of the Broken J.
Chase’s horse kicked up dust as he rode into the ranch yard and pulled up in front of Kade, who was backing his team of mules toward a large, red wagon.
Phil slowed Amy as she watched the rider lean toward his friend, who nodded and took the reins of the roan.
“Where’s Chase going?” Phil finally asked as she ambled up to Kade, who stood watching his friend stride toward his pickup and climb in.
“Business in town,” Kade rumbled.
“Will it be alright?” Phil followed the receding truck with her eyes.
“It’ll work out one way or another,” Kade spoke, still holding his big team and the third horse.
Swinging down from Amy’s saddle, Phil patted her mount and reached for the roan’s reins. “You go on with what you were doing. I’ll put these two up, but then come in for lunch. We need to talk.”
***
Chase sucked several deep breaths into his lungs, pushing his temper down with slow deliberation. Just when things were coming together, everything had to go sideways again.
Slamming his palms on the steering wheel, Chase huffed and eased his foot off the accelerator.
“Lord,” he spoke, trying to lift his heavy heart, “I’m doing my best here. I want to do the right thing.” He shook his head. “I thought I was on the right track. I need you to give me patience.”
Turning down the familiar road to Tipton, his mind ran over the phone call from Baron. There was only one person who could be making the claim against him, only one person who had any possible legal relationship.
Sometimes it was hard to remember that his heavenly father was working for his good, when it seemed like his own dad was ready to tear him down.
The whir of the tires on tarmac was a familiar sound, a sound that had kept him company for years as he shuttled himself and Romeo from rodeo to rodeo, busting his backside to pay feed, vet and farrier bills to keep his dreams alive.
“God help me,” Chase finally said, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over him and releasing the tension th
at had run up his spine.
“I’m sorry you had to come in like this,” Baron offered as Chase opened the door of the office a half hour later. “It’s bad business.”
“Thanks, Baron,” Chase offered politely. “Can you walk me through it?”
Chapter 9
“You alright?” Kade asked Chase as he entered the barn when the sun was sinking low.
“It’s what it is, Kade,” Chase said. “A couple of year ago, I couldn’t have said that, but now…” he shrugged, knowing his friend would understand.
A beefy hand fell on his shoulder, but nothing else was said.
“I thought that was your truck.” Phil walked into the barn as Chase lifted a pitch fork and started tossing hay into mangers. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
For a moment, Chase’s deep blue eyes studied her before he spoke. “I’ve got a court hearing in Colorado on July third.” Again, he hesitated. “My father is contesting my rights to old Butch’s stud services. Seems he’s been standing him at stud behind my back for the past few years and hauling in the fees.”
A white-hot heat rolled over Phil, shocking her at its visceral wave. “How can he do that?” She wanted to shout but managed to keep her voice down.
Chase shrugged, tossing more hay over the stall door. “I’m sorry if this is gonna be a problem. I can fly back in on the 4th and still make the rodeo.”
“Oh my goodness, the rodeo,” Phil groaned, realizing what the wrangler was saying. The plans were all in place. The towns people were expecting to see their small-town hero ride.
Phil watched as Chase dropped his head in shame, sorrow or weariness, she wasn’t sure which, and her heart went out to him. How many times had his father done something like this to him, how many times had he been cut to the bone by someone who should have protected him?
In one swift move, she reached for him, laying a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry,” she offered simply, and was gratified by his soft smile as he placed his hand on hers.
A warm ripple rolled up her arm and she shivered. If she was reacting to Chase’s simple touch, she’d been on her own longer than she realized.
“Don’t worry,” she heard the words coming out of her mouth but didn’t know where they were coming from. “I’m sure everything will be alright.”
Chase removed his hand from hers, returning to his work with the evening feed as she turned and exited the barn.
Turning his head slightly, he watched Phil walk across the darkening yard and something warm rolled through his center. It was nice to return and find support and understanding.
“You gonna need a lift to the airport?” Kade asked, pushing a cart full of corn, oats and sweet feed toward the stall.
“I’ll figure it out,” Chase replied, scooping the grains with a tin bucket and pouring it into the horse feed trough.
“She’s right, you know,” Kade spoke again, taking the bucket and feeding more of the horses. “It will all work out.”
“I know,” Chase said, a half-smile on his face. “A few years ago, I would have charged across the country halfcocked trying to fix it all on my own, but now I know I’m not alone and that if I hold on God, will see me through.”
“You’ve come a long way from that angry young man who left Wyoming,” Kade agreed.
“I had help,” Chase offered calmly, moving on down the line of horses to be fed.
***
“They’re here! They’re here!” Philomena practically bounced in her boots as two airport shuttles bounced into the parking area outside the ranch compound.
“Well we’re all ready for them,” Mrs. Wade offered, touching her fluffy hair. “I’ve got several cookie jars full of treats ready and coffee or other beverages at a little table in the parlor.”
Phil stepped from her office and out onto the front porch to meet the arrivals, and watched as Kade trotted the mules out to the parking area to ferry the guests to the house.
Fifteen guests spilled from the white vans; men, woman, and children of varying ages bubbled excitedly, their voices mingled into a melee of cheer.
Phil stepped to the edge of the porch, pinching a wilted red begonia from a window box. Across the yard, she could see Chase standing at the barn door, speaking to the second wrangler.
The first trail ride of the newly opened ranch would begin in just over an hour, and the horses were quietly waiting in their stalls.
Chase Haven looked across the yard as he stood across from his second wrangler, Randall, talking about the impending ride. They’d been over the trails several times in preparation, trimming low limbs and checking for hazards, making sure everything was perfect.
Randall’s voice faded into the background as Phil stepped out on the front porch in her cut-off jeans and boots. She was mighty cute, he thought as he watched her toss her mass of dark hair over her shoulders.
Chase smiled, thinking it wasn’t so bad having a good-looking boss. Perhaps over time they’d have the chance to get to know each other better.
The sound of the mules pulling the wagon, full of excited guests, drew the wranglers’ attention and with a grin, they trotted to the wagon to help the women down. If they were going to give them an old west feel, they might as well start off right.
“It’s much prettier than I expected,” an older woman, her dark hair graying, said, gazing around at the big house with the bright flowers and colorful bunting on the front porch.
“Look Mommy, horsey.” A little girl pointed toward the barn, a bright smile on her face.
“Yes honey, horsey. We came here to ride horses and see the wild flowers of Wyoming.”
Phil smiled, watching a tall man scoop the little girl up and toss her in the air, making her squeal. “I think we needed this vacation.” He smiled at his wife, linking hands and walking up the stairs to be welcomed by Phil.
She’d never seen the appeal of settling down, having a family, but now after all the letters and connections to the ranch, a longing entered her heart. She wondered for a moment if attraction to Chase Haven had anything to do with it as well.
Over the next fifteen minutes, guests poured through the entrance of the Broken J, picking up keys to their rooms and chatting with staff who assisted with bags and other items.
Phil greeted each one, trying to make them feel welcome, and either directing them toward their rooms or the parlor for a light refreshment. With the informal dinners and family style environment, she wanted her guest to meet and mingle.
With the sudden influx of new people, Fred made his way out of the office and into the melee, twining his supple body around legs.
Phil laughed as the little girl from earlier squealed and reached for the cat, who surprised everyone by allowing her to pick him up for a cuddle.
“What’s his name?” the girl asked, looking at Phil.
“Fred,” Phil responded with a smile.
“Hello, Fred,” the girl of about five greeted the cat, rubbing her cheek against the cat’s soft head.
Phil’s heart sang with the sight and loved how the little girl never questioned the feline’s name.
“Is he yours?” the little girl asked, looking at Phil as the cat began to squirm.
“Yes, he’s mine,” Phil replied. She hadn’t realized she would enjoy the interaction with the guests so much.
The sound of the phone ringing in the other room had Phil making her apologies and exiting the room, leaving Fred to fend for himself.
“Hello,” she called in to the receiver as she snatched the phone from its cradle.
“Phil,” Michelle’s voice came over the phone.
“Hey, you,” Phil responded still feeling jazzed from meeting the guests.
“How’s it going?” her best friend asked. In the background, Phil, could hear pots and pans clattering, and knew her friend was cooking.
“We’re doing well. We’ve got all eight rooms rented, another group has taken the bunkhouse apartment and one of the family cabins. It�
��s a good number to start with, not too big and not too small.”
“I know it will be a success, Mina,” Michele offered.
“What’s wrong Michi?” Phil asked, settling onto her stool.
“Wrong, why would you think something’s wrong?”
“Because you only call me Mina when you’ve had a bad day.”
“Oh, well,” her friend hedged, “It’s really nothing, I just wanted to check in on you. Maybe I’ll come out there sometime soon.”
Phil contemplated jumping in to what was really bothering her friend. She had a suspicion that things weren’t good at home, but prying never got anything from Michelle.
“I’d love that,” she responded. “We could even go riding.”
“Um, no,” Michelle stated flatly, “you know I’m afraid of horses.”
“Well no matter what we do, I’d love to have you here.”
The sound of guests preparing for their trail ride drew Phil to the door, her excitement still bubbling in her chest.
“You have guests, you’d better go,” Michelle said. “I’ll let you know what I decide, okay?”
Again, Phil could hear something in her friend’s voice but didn’t say anything. “I’ll call you soon, okay?” she offered.
“O.K. Bye.”
Phil clicked off and stepped into the hall, following her first guests out onto the front porch, and watched them head to the row of horses lined up along the corral.
Looking up, she saw Chase tip his hat and offer a wink in her direction, bringing a smile to her face that warmed her to her toes.
Today was a good day.
Chapter 10
The first week of operation was beyond busy. It seemed that every time Phil turned around, there was some little issue to be dealt with: someone’s missing item, a special request, and the questions went on and on.
As the week went by, she finally decided to frame a crumbling letter and post it at the forefront of the hall menagerie of photos. This age-yellowed paper from the earliest years of the ranch, penned by the founder Joshua James, seemed to fascinate the guests.
Phil smiled, watching another guest read the letter.
