Rancher to the Rescue

by Patricia Forsythe

  Brady crouched beside the little girl’s head and bent forward to cradle it and her shoulders firmly between his forearms.

  “Here we go,” Phoebe said. With Zannah’s help, she gently lifted the broken leg and straightened it. Emma let out a shriek of pain and then went limp.

  “Is she dead?” Joelle cried.

  “No,” Brady said. “She fainted, but she’ll be all right as soon as we get her leg splinted.”

  He looked around. “This canyon is too small for a helicopter to land here. We’ll have to go back the way we came and carry her to the top of the mesa.”

  Within minutes, Phoebe had the leg splinted, and Emma began to come around.

  Brady gave her some water while the two women found two much longer sticks. They made a stretcher using a large square of waterproof cloth from Phoebe’s saddlebags.

  Brady lifted Emma onto it and grasped the handles at one end while Zannah took the other. Phoebe placed Joelle on Belinda and handed her Pancho’s reins, then gathered up the reins of the other horses and climbed into her own saddle. She gave the nod to start off.

  Joelle sniffled. “This is the worst day ever.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Brady responded. “Five people and five horses are coming safely out of the canyon and heading home. I think this is a great day.”

  Zannah gave him a grateful smile.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “HER LEG IS broken in two places, but it’s been set, and Emma’s going to be fine,” Casey said, entering the waiting room to speak to Zannah. “She was pretty excited about that helicopter ride, but she’s asleep now,” he added, sitting down and wiping his forehead, then laughing ruefully.

  “So was I, for that matter. Never rode in a helicopter before,” Zannah agreed.

  “I’m sure the bill is going to be exciting, too.”

  “Well, if we have trouble paying it, maybe she and her sister can go treasure hunting again,” Vanessa said, sitting down beside her husband. Shakily, she reached for his hand. “She’ll be here for a couple of days, then we’ll take her home. That’s when the fun will start.”

  “Joelle will be waiting on her—”

  “Yes, hand and broken leg,” Zannah finished for her brother, who smiled.

  “So, she’ll be punished almost as much as Emma. Poor kid,” Vanessa said.

  Zannah looked at her carefully. Usually unflappable, her sister-in-law was pale and drawn. Her dark hair, always flawless, was lank and falling around her face. She and Casey had rushed south to Tucson from Phoenix, arriving not too long after Emma was wheeled into the emergency room. Zannah had stayed with Emma until her parents had arrived.

  Brady, Phoebe and Joelle had taken the horses and returned to Eaglecrest. Phoebe called to say that they had arrived safely and Gus was expected home soon.

  Now that it looked like things would be okay, she called Eaglecrest to arrange with Sharlene for someone to make the two-hour drive to Tucson to pick her up.

  “It’s nearly 8:00 p.m. We’re going to get something to eat, Zannie,” her brother said, standing up and stretching, then pulling his wife up beside him and drawing her close in a one-armed hug. “Do you want to join us?”

  “I already ate, but I’ll sit with you.”

  “I’m going to get soup,” Vanessa said. “So I can have plenty of crackers to settle my stomach.”

  Casey laughed and regarded his wife with pride.

  Zannah started to follow them, then stopped suddenly as images and hints lined up in her mind like dominoes.

  “Vanessa,” she cried. “Are you pregnant?”

  Her sister-in-law laughed. “Yes. Since I’m thirty-eight, and I’m considered to be high-risk, we were waiting to tell everyone, but it’s going to be hard to hide pretty soon.”

  Laughing, Zannah hugged them both. “We need to celebrate.”

  “Yes, with lemon-lime soda and crackers.”

  After lunch and checking on Emma once more, Zannah returned to the waiting room, read her messages, flipped listlessly through a couple of magazines that were older than Emma and then sat and tried to stay awake. Because she couldn’t keep herself from it, she brooded over everything that had happened that day.

  The worry about the girls, then dealing with Emma’s injuries, had pushed everything else out of her mind, but sitting quietly now, the memory of Brady’s shocking plan came flooding back.

  She knew she should be fair, should consider it from all sides. The problem was that she didn’t feel like being fair. She felt betrayed. He wanted to carve Eaglecrest into ranchettes. She hated that word.

  “It’s a carved-up piece of a ranch,” she muttered.

  She was barely five minutes into her brooding when Brady strolled into the room. A combination of joy and annoyance flooded through her. He spotted her immediately and hurried over.

  “How’s Emma? Are you okay?” He sat down beside her and studied her face. “You look tired.” He reached out as if he was going to take her hand, then thought better of it.

  “So do you. It’s been a long, eventful day.” She told him everything that was happening with Emma, then said, “How did you get here so fast?”

  “I left as soon as I got home. Juan and Phoebe took care of the horses.”

  “Why are you here, though?”

  He shrugged. “I knew you’d need a ride. Sharlene called to say you were ready, so here I am.”

  “What if I’d decided to stay overnight in a hotel, like Casey and Vanessa?”

  He shrugged. “Then I would have rented a room and waited for you.” His smile flickered. “I brought my toothbrush.”

  Something about that statement stopped her and had her studying his face. He’d had exactly the same kind of day she’d had, topped off by a two-hour drive to pick her up, followed by another two-hour drive to get her home.

  Touched by his thoughtfulness, she said, “Thank you. That’s really nice. About this morning, Brady—”

  “No.” He held up his hand. “We’re not going to talk about that yet. I’m tired, you’re exhausted and nothing will be resolved peacefully after the day we’ve had.” A muscle in his jaw worked. “We’re not going to resolve anything in anger. And, to tell you the truth, Zannah, I’m done. I don’t know what it will take to change things, but I’m done.”

  His words sent tremors of alarm through her, but he looked so grim, she only nodded. She couldn’t give either of them more stress and worry today. She didn’t yet know what “I’m done” meant, but his whole demeanor had changed. He no longer had the sparkle that new ideas and plans always seemed to bring to his eyes. In fact, he looked guarded. But maybe that was because the idea of selling off part of Eaglecrest was much bigger and more critical than something like trust exercises or golf on horseback.

  What did it mean that he was done? Was he leaving?

  “Okay, Brady. Are you okay to drive?”

  With a fleeting smile, he said, “Yeah. You can sleep.”

  They said goodbye to Emma, Casey and Vanessa, then began the long, mostly silent ride home. He had predicted it correctly, Zannah thought, settling into the cushy leather seat of his sporty car. She was going to fall asleep immediately.

  * * *

  BRADY PULLED INTO a fast-food drive-through and ordered a cup of coffee. While he waited for it, he reached behind the seat and pulled out a light jacket. He spread it over Zannah. The air-conditioning wasn’t particularly cold, but he needed something to do, something to prove to himself that he was taking care of her.

  After he got his coffee, he pulled onto the road and started toward Eaglecrest, dreading when he would have to pull off the smooth highway and onto the ranch road that would certainly jolt her awake. But that was two hours away, and she would sleep peacefully until then.

  He shook his head. When had he ever worried about a woman being awakened by
a rough road? Never. But then, he’d never been involved with one like her.

  Involved. In love was more like it. He’d felt it coming on for days. Maybe that’s where the word lovesick came from. It didn’t hit him like a thunderbolt. Testy encounters followed happy ones, each building up, compromise on top of compromise, one after another, into a solid foundation of love for her.

  He was done fighting with her, having one confrontation after another. They had to find a way to settle things more easily, and he was going to tell her that when they were rested up and willing to listen to each other.

  He hoped that was soon.

  * * *

  GUS STOOD IN front of his mirror and did something he rarely did—took a good look at himself. He’d shaved that morning for the first time in days and had gone into Raymond for a haircut. Maybe he didn’t look too bad for a man nearing seventy who’d had more broken bones than he cared to count due to sudden meet-ups with the ground. Yeah, his hair was gray, but it was still thick. Physically, he was in good shape, and he looked pretty good, except that now he was dressed up like a dog’s dinner and felt like a damned fool.

  He was wearing his only good suit with a white shirt and striped tie, which he thought would strangle him. He couldn’t seem to get the knot right. He started to jerk it off when someone knocked on his door.

  As soon as he said, “Come in,” the door opened, and his daughter swept into the room.

  “Are you okay? Why were you headed home before—” She stopped and stared at him. “Why are you in your suit? You haven’t worn that since—”

  “Your mother’s funeral. Yeah, I know.” He tugged at the tie once again. “This is a special occasion.”

  “You mean because Emma’s being released from the hospital?”

  “That, too, but that wouldn’t need a suit and tie.”

  “I can’t think of anything that would.” Zannah frowned at him. “It’s a Thursday. What’s so special about it?”

  “I’m going to propose to Sharlene.” He threw the words out there and waited for a reaction.

  “Sharlene? What—?” She rushed to him and placed a hand on his forehead. “Did you experience sunstroke?”

  He batted her away, but he found himself enjoying the look of worry and shock on her face. “No, of course not. I wasn’t up there long enough for that. I’m serious. I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

  “What on earth makes you think she’d say yes?”

  “She told me she loves me. I realized I love her and I’ve been a damned fool, so I’m going to propose. If she says yes, I’ll help her run her inn. Now that you and Brady have Eaglecrest, I won’t be needed here.”

  Zannah opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. She obviously needed a minute to process this.

  “Come here, Zannie,” he said and guided her to the desk chair, where she sat down with a bump.

  He grinned at her and went back to wrestling with his tie, but he positioned himself so he could keep an eye on her in the mirror.

  After a minute, she drew in a deep breath and asked, “Are you serious?”

  “Serious as a parolee trying to impress a judge. I had some time to think while I was up there on Anvil Peak, which, by the way, I still think is the location of the mine.”

  “But you didn’t stay and look for it.”

  “Got something more important to do.”

  “Like propose to Sharlene.”

  “Damned straight.” He told her about the conversation he and Sharlene had before he left. Finally satisfied with the look of his tie, he turned away from the mirror to face her. “I’ll go back someday to look—maybe Sharlene will come with me. Doesn’t matter. I plan to spend the rest of my life making her happy. If she was courageous enough to tell me she loves me, then I should be brave enough to do the same.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “I didn’t, either, but once you told me that Realtor seemed to be getting cozy with her, things clarified in my mind. I’ve been lucky enough to have two wonderful women love me. That’s more than a lot of men get, and I hope I’m smart enough not to waste it. I love her, too. Thought for a long time it was gratitude for her faithfulness to Esther, to my family, this ranch, but that’s not all of it. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Love isn’t something that should be squandered.”

  “That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard you say.” She stood, tears forming in her eyes, and came to hug him. “If it means anything, you’ve got my blessing.”

  “That means everything, honey.” He gave her another hug, then stepped back. “So do I look okay?”

  “You look wonderful—happy.”

  “I am.” He looked around for his keys, spotted them on the dresser and scooped them up. “I heard Sharlene finished work early and has gone into town. Is that right?”

  “Yes. She also gave Joelle a list of chores that will keep her busy until her next birthday.”

  “Good! I had a talk with that little lady early this morning. I know she’s sorry for what she did, although I’m sure the idea started with Emma.”

  “It certainly did.”

  He jingled the keys in his hand. “I’m guessing Sharlene will be at the inn.”

  “I’m sure she will be. Good luck.”

  “Thanks, Zannie. I’m hoping I won’t need it, that good looks and charm will carry the day. But I think I’ll stop and buy some flowers, too.”

  He heard her chuckling as he hurried out the door.

  Half an hour later, Gus pulled up in front of the old Mosely house hotel. He didn’t give himself time to think but jumped out of his truck and marched up the front steps. He could already see improvements being made to the old place. The yard had been cleared of weeds, and stacks of lumber occupied the space, covered with blue tarps, ready for use inside the house.

  There was a car he didn’t recognize parked out front, but he didn’t speculate about the owner. He opened the door and hurried in, a bundle of yellow roses cradled in his arms.

  “Sharlene,” he called out as soon as he walked inside. “Are you in here?”

  “Gus? I’m in the kitchen.” Her voice came from the back of the house, so he strode purposefully in that direction, stopping briefly to smooth his hair and his tie.

  “What are you—?” she started when she saw him but then stopped to stare.

  As he’d expected, Jeff Denton was with her, the two of them standing close together looking at blueprints spread out on a beat-up old table. He gave the other man a challenging look, staking his territory.

  “I need to talk to you, Sharlene.” To Denton, he said dismissively, “Will you excuse us, please?”

  “Sure.” Denton looked from one to the other of them, then scooted away. “I’ll see you later, Sharlene. Let me know what you think about these. I’ve got to go. I promised my wife I’d take her to lunch today.”

  He had a wife? Good, Gus thought. That made things easier. He watched the other man leave, then looked back at Sharlene. Stepping forward, he handed the roses to her, trying not to appear awkward.

  “These are for you.”

  Sharlene took the flowers, but her eyes never left him, traveling from the tips of the highly polished dress shoes he hadn’t worn since the last time he’d had on this suit to his fresh haircut, then back again.

  “Gus.” She sounded stunned. “What are you doing? Why are you dressed up? Did something happen?”

  “Yes. I realized I’ve been a complete idiot and I came to say I’m sorry and see if you’ll forgive me, marry me and let me help you run this place.” He held out his hands as he went on, “The change of clothes is to show there’s been a change in me.”

  “Oh, thank goodness,” she said, laying the roses on top of the blueprints and walking into his arms. “It’s about darned time.”

  * * * />
  ZANNAH WALKED TOWARD the office slowly, knowing she would find Brady inside. She thought about her conversation with her father. It took courage for Sharlene to admit she loved Gus, and it wasn’t something to be squandered. It was a precious gift, one to be both given and received. She hoped she had that kind of courage.

  When she reached the office, she paused to catch her breath, then turned the knob and stepped in. Brady looked up and came quickly to his feet, hurrying around the desk.

  “Good morning. Are you okay?” He eyed her with concern.

  “I’m fine. Are you?”

  “Yeah. A little saddlesore from all that riding yesterday.”

  They paused, suddenly awkward, then they both spoke at once.

  “I’m giving up on the ranchette idea—”

  “You’re right about the ranchette thing—”

  They stopped and looked at each other.

  “What did you say?” he asked.

  “What did you say?”

  “I talked to my dad,” Brady said. “He’s willing to give us a loan to do the road repairs. He’ll give us reasonable terms. After that, I’ll be a silent partner in the ranch, or maybe I’ll sell to someone you can work with.”

  “You’ll lose the challenge,” she blurted.

  “Doesn’t matter. I thought I could do this, help run this place, make it secure, but obviously I can’t.”

  The defeat in his voice caught at her heart. “No. That won’t be necessary. I’ve—I’ve thought it over, and you’re right. The best way for us to secure our future, the future of Eaglecrest, is to sell part of it.” She held up her hand. “Though not river access to Lucas Fordham.”

  “Agreed. But why did you change your mind?”

  “I realized that I’ve been hanging on to the past so much that I couldn’t move forward. Being gone from here for years was the worst thing I could have done. It made me rigid about the ranch, wanting to keep everything the way it had been. I thought you wanted to change simply for the sake of change, but that’s not true.”