Two Spirit Ranch

by Jaime Stryker

  Carl raised an eyebrow obviously surprised that his cousin knew all these details.

  “And how exactly did you get a better understanding of the woman’s situation? Well, now Jake, I was just stopping by to offer the little lady an opportunity of a lifetime. Clearview Estates is prepared to offer her a mighty nice sum for the plum piece of property. She'd be foolish not to at least seriously think about it.”

  Jake chuckled and crossed his legs, “Just like the great deal you wanted to offer Bud, huh? You knew how he felt about your plan to turn Clearview into some mini-resort. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was all your harassment about selling the place that led him to an early grave…”

  Carl sat his mug on his desk with a loud thump and stood up and began to pace around the room.

  “Goddamnit, Jake! I will not stand for these personal attacks. I can't for the life of me understand why you're so dead set against us bringing jobs and progress to Clearwater. The opportunities for everyone here would be astronomical. We could give the young people here a real future. Everyone's land prices could go through the roof. As it is, people want to leave town right after high school rather than stick around.”

  “Some of us want to keep Clearwater the nice peaceful little town is it, Carl. We're doing okay without some big resort development.”

  Carl stopped pacing, shook his head, and said, “Wake up Jake and join us here in the 21st century. People need progress and jobs.”

  “Look,” Jake said, standing up. “We're never going to agree on this obviously. I want Clearwater to succeed as much as you. I’m a stakeholder, too, but there must be some way besides carving up all this natural beauty and losing all its charms. I’m not sure what the answer is, but all I'm telling you is to back off of Terri Lawson. Give her some space.”

  Carl cocked his eyebrow again and said, “Why do you care so much about this little gal who just got into town? You sweet on her? Or are you trying to get the pretty lady to give you the property herself?”

  “You never change, do you, Carl? Just back off,” Jake asserted. “Or you're going to have me to deal with.”

  Jake grabbed his hat and marched out of the office. He knew that Carl would not let up easily, but he would protect Terri from him if he had to. He owed it to Bud who gave him a job back when he was a young man and needed it to save for college tuition. And, if he admitted it to himself, part of him felt intrigued to find out more about this woman. Bud, who had no children of his own, had never mentioned a niece when Jake worked for him, only a nephew. Such a strange omission. He would’ve thought about it more but a call to help out a motorist beckoned him to duty.

  Despite herself, like a giddy teenager, Terri cleaned up the ranch and put on a fresh white sleeveless blouse and fitted jeans in anticipation of Jake’s arrival. She knew she was being silly. There was no way she would start anything romantic with anyone in this town. Hell, she wouldn't be ready if she were still in New York, not after the devastation of what Tom did to her. Yet, here she was, a stranger to this small town, staying in her deceased Uncle’s home and yet she was concerned with her appearance. Not for herself, but for a tall, dark stranger who also happened to be sheriff. Interesting how life throws things at you when you least expect. She understood why Sally described Jake as the best catch in town. Hell, he probably was the best one in the whole county. So why wasn’t he snatched up? Terri had a hunch there was a story in there somewhere. And if luck was on her side, she might just find out a little more about Sheriff Jake Collins.

  When she heard a knock on her door around seven, her stomach practically flipped in anticipation. If she had been excited before, it doubled when she opened the door. For the first time, she saw Jake out of his uniform in a red flannel shirt with the cuff rolled up and a pair of dark blue Wranglers. He looked like one of the dreamy cowboys on the cover of a romance novel. This is too good to be true, Terri thought to herself. But, here he was and standing right before her in all his handsome ruggedness.

  “Oh, hi. Thanks for stopping by.”

  “I wanted to stop by earlier, but I had to run home and shower and change. I helped a woman change a tire in a gigantic mud puddle. I was a big mess! I had mud all over me,” he confessed.

  Terri thought she sort of liked the idea of seeing him all dirty and muddy just as much as she enjoyed seeing him fresh and clean.

  “No problem. Come on in,” Terri said, opening the door and motioning for him to enter.

  “Thanks,” he said, pausing a second before walking inside. Their eyes locked for a moment, and both of them couldn't help but smile.

  “It’s sweet of you to stop by. Cold showers are not any fun,” Terri said smiled.

  The more Jake looked at her luscious curls, her delicate neck, and tiny waist the more he thought he might need one of those cold showers when he got home. He hadn’t felt this way about a woman in a long time. His tough exterior was rapidly breaking down in front of this captivating woman.

  “Let's hope I remember the water heater trick,” he said. “Why don't we head out there and see?”

  The two went outside and began to walk to the back of the house where the water heater was located. Jake nervously tried to think up some small talk. Usually, he never found himself at a loss for words, but this woman left him tongue tied.

  “So, how long you planning on being here?” he asked finally.

  “I'm not sure yet. It depends. I'm a lawyer in New York and on a short leave of absence. But I’m sure they won’t let me stay too long.”

  “A lawyer, huh? Smart woman. I'm impressed.”

  “Well, thanks. It’s long hours, but sometimes it’s rewarding if I'm working on a case I really believe in.”

  “That’s too bad about your not staying too long. There’s a lot to see and learn about Montana if you take the time—and with the right guide.”

  “Oh, really? I guess I’m not used to taking time. Things just move too fast in New York.”

  “Clearview must be a real change for you then,” Jake said, walking up to the rusty water heater and fiddling with some knobs in the back while Terri looked on.

  “True enough!” Terri exclaimed. “It's nice though. People are so much nicer here. And I like the more relaxed pace. I needed a change and a break from my work.”

  “Don’t your husband and kids miss you back in the city?” he asked, glancing back at her. He tried not to sound too obvious as he fished for information.

  She awkwardly looked away, and immediately Jake thought he put his foot in his mouth.

  “Uh...” Terri stuttered.

  “I'm so sorry. None of my business,” Jake said. “Small town habit. We tend to ask too many questions.”

  “No, it's okay. I don't mind. Obviously, my uncle thought a lot of you. And to answer your question, I don’t have a husband or kids back in New York. You? Have a family, I mean?”

  Jake shook his head and answered quietly. “Nope. Single here.”

  Terri flashed him a surprised look. “I find that hard to believe.”

  Jake chuckled and asked, “Why's that?”

  “A handsome man in uniform like you would attract women like bees to honey,” she replied, immediately wishing she hadn't said that. She had no business flirting or giving out the wrong signals.

  Even with his tan complexion, Terri could see him blush.

  “Well, thanks. Always nice to get a compliment...from a beautiful lady.”

  They stood there in silence for a beat before Jake said, “Well, I did some twiddling with the knobs. The pilot light looks like its working. Why don't we wait a few minutes and then check the water temperature?”

  “Sounds good,” Terri said, wondering what they would do in the meantime. Whit the slim pickings at the grocery store, she didn’t have time to get her stock her usual wine and hors d’oeuvres. “Oh, my. Where are my manners? Would you like something to eat or drink? It's the least I can do for you coming all the way out here.”

  “I had a bite,
but something to drink would be nice.”

  “I'll get that for you.”

  “You see the lake yet?”

  “Lake?”

  “Yeah, your Uncle has a lake just a little past those trees out there,” he said, pointing out towards a field of trees.

  “I had no idea,” Terri said in wonderment. She never imagined she would have her own lake.

  “Why don't you get yourself something to drink, too, and we'll walk out there and show you? I told you there’s a lot to Montana if you take time to explore it.”

  “I may have to make time,” Terri replied.

  “Oh, my God!” Terri said, holding a glass of freshly made lemonade and staring out at the body of clear water before her as the setting sun cast crimson, pink and orange streaks across the cloudy sky. “It's absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Yeah, it really is,” Jake said.

  He found himself impulsively placing his hand on the small of her back and kept it there while saying, “He built a little pier out this way. Come on, and I'll show you.”

  They continued to walk along the edge of the lake, the only sounds being of birds chirping in the background as the day began to draw to a close. Terri felt very comfortable with this new acquaintance. She thought he had a nice firm but warm touch. Finally, they reached a small wooden pier that extended about twenty feet out into the water, and Jake led her to the end of it.

  “It's so peaceful out here,” Terri said in amazement. The loud noises of traffic and people in New York might as well have been on another planet. She began to understand more and more what had drawn her uncle here. There was a quietness that was very calming to the soul and the air was crisp and fresh. Terri felt her senses were being awakened by the natural beauty of it all. So different from the loud and brash city.

  “When we were younger, Bud used to let me and Carl come out here on the days we weren't arguing too much and let us fish. That's why he wants the land you know,” Jake said, leaning on the railing and watching a school of tiny fish below.

  “Because of fishing memories?”

  “Because this lake, which is called Lake Crow, would be an excellent spot for his company to build their condos and lakeside resort. The man who owned this land before your uncle, Victor Johansen, had no family, and he and Bud became friends. After he died, he left the land that included the lake to your uncle. Originally, Bud only owned a few acres around the ranch. It ate Carl up inside that he couldn’t work out a land deal with Old Man Johansen the first time around.”

  “I had no idea. I wish...I wish...”

  “Wish what?”

  “That I would have taken the time to come out here and visit. While Uncle Bud was still alive.”

  “Why didn't you?”

  A cool breeze began to come off the lake, and it blew Terri's soft curls around her face.

  “I was always busy. Law school. Then career. And Uncle Bud always made it a point to come out to New York to watch a few shows on Broadway and see me a couple of times a year,” Terri said, mournfully. She leaned against the same railing as Jake and their bodies were as close as two can be without touching.

  “I regret it now,” she admitted. “Especially now that I'm here.”

  “Well, no better time than the present. Now that you are here, he must have thought a whole lot of you to leave you this place. Him leaving you the place he loved so much tells me a lot about you.”

  “Thank you, Jake. That means a lot to me,” Terri said.

  “Do you have a brother?” Jake asked.

  Taken aback, Terri moved away from Jake a few inches. “Why?” she asked, sounding defensive.

  “Uh, it's just...” Jake started to say. Her reaction to what he thought to be such a simple question perplexed him. Was there some sort of bad blood in the family? “I remember way back Bud used to talk a lot about a nephew he had that lived in the city. I just assumed...”

  “Well, uh...” Terri was struggling to come up with an answer when a loud crack and pop came from the railing which suddenly began to give way. Her head was pitching forward into the water and Terri could see her reflection in the still water. But for a brief moment—a mere blink—it wasn't her face she saw but that of her old self, Terrence. She blinked again and he was gone.

  Jake immediately reached out, grabbed her, and pulled her back, holding her tightly next to him.

  “Whoa! Careful! I should have warned you that this pier was built quite a while ago. I think some of the wood needs to be replaced,” Jake said, still holding on to her. He noticed that she made no effort to pull away.

  Startled, Terri tried to catch her breath. “Thanks! I was almost swimming with the fishes down there.”

  “You okay?” Jake said, noticing she still appeared shaken.

  “Definitely. Thanks to you,” she answered. She felt herself become flush at the thought of how her body felt pressed against his hard one. It was getting colder and she wanted to feel enveloped in his strong arms and pressed against his warm body. Even though she hated to admit it, she missed having a man hold her, making her feel safe and loved.

  “Whatever happened to...” Jake started to say.

  Terri sensed he was returning to the subject of Bud’s nephew and desperate to avoid the brother topic she said, “Would you mind if we go check that water temperature now? I really could use a nice, hot shower after that long drive yesterday.”

  There was no reason to reveal more about herself to anyone here, the sting of Tom's rejection still fresh. She would only be here for a few days at most just long enough to decide what to do with the ranch. That’s what she decided in New York and that was the plan she was going to stick to. This handsome stranger would not deter her from her goal.

  “Sure,” Jake answered, her avoidance of the brother question didn't escape his sheriff sensibilities, but he decided it was better not to push the topic. If there was something she wanted him to know, she'd tell him. Although, Jake couldn't help but wonder why Bud didn't leave at least part of the ranch to the nephew he spoke of so fondly.

  After they checked the water in the kitchen and hot water finally began to flow, Terri thanked Jake profusely. “Thank you so much! You're a genius!”

  “Hardly,” Jake responded. “I just happened to be here a few times when Bud had to fix it.”

  Jake took a deep breath and tried to ignore the urge he had to take this woman in his arms and kiss her. The whole evening he'd thought about how good her lips would taste and how her soft, delicate neck would feel against his cheek. Sure, he had had his share of women in Clearview make a play for him, but no woman had managed to catch his eye this way in a very long time. He wasn’t a saint, but he wasn’t a player either. He respected women and felt it was his duty to honor the badge he wore.

  “I should probably let you get some rest,” he said, fighting the urge to make a move. He should be a gentleman. This was Bud's niece after all. All woman deserved respect, but he felt a particularly strong need to look out for Terri because she was Bud's family.

  She walked him to his truck. The evening had grown quite cool, and the moon shone brightly in the barely cloudy sky.

  Jake thought she looked stunning in the luminous moonlight, and she smelled so sweet, like the sweetest spring flower. He held out his hand to be shaken, and he felt her soft yet strong hand in his.

  “I really appreciate this and all you’ve done for me, Jake. You’ve made me feel very welcomed in town. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you,” she said.

  “Anything you need. You let me know,” he said.

  They stood like that for a moment, and she impulsively thought of approaching him for a hug when she noticed two glowing eyes staring at her by the trees, and a fear rushed into her.

  “What is that?” she said, jumping back.

  Jake turned around to see instantly what he recognized as a coyote.

  “Just one of them coyotes coming out. Don't worry. They're just as scared of you as you are of them
. They’re just curious. Just don’t get to close and you’ll be fine.”

  “I'll take your word for it,” Terri said, not entirely convinced. Country living would definitely take some getting used to.

  “Hope to see you again,” he said, trying to shyly express his interest.

  “Me, too,” she said, reaching out and placing a hand on his arm before she even realized it.

  Terri watched the taillights from Jake's car grow dimmer in the distance. She sighed deeply while the crickets started their peaceful evening symphony and a slight wind blew through the trees.

  Why couldn't she find a man like that? Strong and caring, not to mention movie star handsome. Did any men like him even exist in New York City? And if by a miracle she found a man like that, would he love her for exactly the person she was? Or did romance, as she had begun to suspect, only exist in Hollywood movies? She went back into the house and shut the door, eager for a hot shower and warm bed so that she could process the day’s events.

  Off in the distance, beyond where the coyote had stood, a pair of binoculars was fixated on the Terri and Jake’s farewell. The lone figure sat the binoculars on the passenger seat of his Yukon and grunted as Terri entered the house.

  “Cuz does have the hots for the new lady in town,” Carl said to himself, before taking the final drag on a nearly burned out Marlboro. “There's no way in hell I'm going to let some bitch from the city ruin this deal when I'm finally so close. No matter what I have to do, I’m gonna seal the deal so help me.”

  His cellphone rang, and he reached into the front pocket of his worn Wranglers to pull it out.

  “Talk to me,” he answered.

  He paused to listen to the caller for a moment before saying, “The minute you have something on her you get back to me. There's got to be something. Everybody has something.”

  And if he could somehow stick it to his upstanding member of the community cousin at the same time by digging up some dirt on his new lady friend, all the better. After all, Jake deserved it. Sherilynn was supposed to be his. She was so beautiful and sweet and funny. Carl had his eye on her ever since they were in grade school and Jake knew it. Before Carl even had a chance to ask her out in high school, Jake came along to spoil everything. Jake always spoils everything. Sherilynn could have been his if he had the chance. But Jake stole her. It was Jake’s fault Carl didn’t have her. And it was Jake’s fault that Sherilynn died. It was time for Jake to pay.