by R. C. Ryan
“Time.” Ally sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling weary beyond belief. “I remember my mother telling me that everything happens for a reason. She was talking about her own life and the difficult choices she’d made that led her to our final days together. By then, she’d been at peace. She said she’d learned that she was where she wanted to be, with the only one who mattered, because she’d learned to be patient with herself.” Ally looked up at Reed. “Maybe I’m supposed to learn patience. With myself. With my son. With the world around me.”
“That’s probably the lesson we should all learn in this life.” He turned her in his arms and kissed her gently. “We need to get out of here.” He caught her hand and led her down the stairs.
They stared around at the once pretty showroom. Now much of the contents lay water-soaked. The room reeked of smoke.
At a knock on the door they looked up to see Gemma and Jeremy.
Ally waved them inside.
Their disheartened looks mirrored the sadness Ally was feeling.
Gemma looked around. “Hey, where’s Kyle? I was hoping to see his happy little face.”
“He wanted to stay at Reed’s place. He’s found a new friend, and he seems to be having a grand time.”
“I’m glad.” Gemma touched a hand to the lumpy sofa now waterlogged and still dripping. “Can any of this be cleaned?”
Ally shrugged. “I don’t know. Think about all the good people who brought their old treasures here, hoping to earn some money. Now everything’s ruined.”
Hearing the tremor in Ally’s voice, Reed drew her close and pulled out his cell phone. “Want me to call Thorny and see when he can start on the repairs?”
Ally nodded.
Gemma took Jeremy’s hand and the two of them walked to the back room. Ally trailed behind, dreading what she would see. Everything had been flooded by the fire hoses and lay in soggy heaps.
Gemma turned in Jeremy’s arms and began silently weeping.
Ally’s heart went out to the girl. She was so young to have had so many things go wrong in her life.
Reed stepped into the back room. “Thorny said he’s been through this kind of fire damage before. He knows the steps that need to be taken, both for the authorities and for the insurance company. He can assess the damage and start repair within a couple of days.” He turned to Jeremy. “You find a job yet?”
Jeremy shook his head. “I’ve been looking everywhere. But…”
“Thorny would like to hire you.”
“He would?” The boy looked thunderstruck.
“He said he’ll need all the help he can get. And, Gemma, if you’re willing, Thorny would like you to begin to catalog for the insurance company all the items that can’t be cleaned up for resale. They’ll send a representative out to double-check them, and they’ll make a settlement to every one of the families who’ve left items here.”
“Oh, Reed.” Ally gave a sigh of relief. “That’s such good news.”
“Yeah.” He caught her hand before turning to the teens. “We need to get out of this gloom.”
The four of them stepped out of the building and into the sunshine.
Reed shook Jeremy’s hand. “Keep an eye out for Thorny’s truck. When he gets here, you and Gemma can sign on for the cleanup crew. And until he pays you”—he reached into his pocket and withdrew some bills—“this should be enough to get a room somewhere and a couple of meals.”
The two teenagers were speechless.
It was Gemma who finally found her voice. “That isn’t necessary. You don’t need to do this.”
“I want to. You’ll be better workers if you’ve got a decent place to sleep and enough food to give you energy.”
As the two walked to Jeremy’s truck, Ally touched a hand to Reed’s cheek. “That was sweet and generous.”
He gave her a devilish grin. “Just don’t go around sharing that news. I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation as a tough guy.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
He caught her hand. “Even though it’s against my nature as a guy, I know you need to shop for clothes for you and Kyle. So I’m about to introduce you to Glacier Ridge’s one-stop shopping.” He pointed to the neat store with bright red-and-white awnings over the windows and a sign that read: ANYTHING GOES. “Trudy Evans owns the shop, and her motto is, if you can’t find it at her place, you don’t need it.”
Ally’s smile slowly returned. “And you’re going to go inside with me and actually shop?”
“I am. But I should warn you. An hour is just about my limit. I see it as my duty as a guy to grumble and complain after an hour of nonstop shopping.”
She laughed aloud. “Reed Malloy, I accept your guy challenge. Let’s do this.”
Chapter Sixteen
Pretty, dark-haired Trudy Evans, owner of Anything Goes, nodded toward a half dozen handled bags resting on the counter. “I think that’s everything, Reed. These are Ally’s clothes, and these bags are the things she picked out for Kyle.”
“Thanks.” He handed her a credit card and signed the receipt before tucking away his wallet.
Ally stepped out of the back room that served as a dressing room wearing a simple white gauzy shirt with the sleeves rolled to her elbows and new denims tucked into a pair of brown Western boots.
Reed’s smile grew. “Now you look like a permanent resident of Montana.”
“Thanks.” Ally shared a smile with Trudy. “Actually, these were Trudy’s idea. I was going to go for sandals, but she said boots would be more practical.”
“Not to mention more expensive,” Trudy said with a laugh. “Sorry. That’s the business side of me.”
“Don’t apologize. You did good work, Trudy.” Reed collected the bags and started toward the door.
“Wait,” Ally called to his back. “I have to pay for this.”
“It’s all taken care of.” Trudy nodded toward Reed.
“No.” Ally stopped in her tracks. “That wasn’t part of the deal. These are my responsibility.”
“We’ll settle up later. Right now, I’m about to get cranky if we don’t stash these things in the truck and head on over to Clay’s Pig Sty for a beer and a sandwich.”
When Ally seemed about to argue, Trudy winked at her. “It’s a pattern with guys. After an hour or so, they get really antsy if we don’t treat them to some kind of manly reward for being good sports about shopping. In this town, nothing beats a longneck and a pulled-pork sandwich at Clay’s Pig Sty.”
Ally gave a toss of her head before giving out a throaty laugh. “Why not? I’ve been dying to see what the inside of the Pig Sty looks like.”
Trudy called, “Have fun. And prepare to be surprised.” She came around the counter and gave Ally a hug. “And again, I’m really sorry about the damage that fire did to your place. The whole town is hoping your business is up and running again soon. We all love having a new place to shop.”
“Thanks, Trudy.” Ally floated away, wondering at the lightness around her heart.
Reed caught her hand and gave her a long, measured look. “What’s with that glow?”
“In all my years living in the city, I never felt the sort of easy acceptance I’ve been experiencing since coming to Glacier Ridge. The people here are just so warm and loving.”
“You want loving?” He stowed the bags and turned, catching her hand as they began walking along the sidewalk. “Baby, just say the word, and we can ditch the town and people, find a secluded spot, and I’d be more than happy to show you just how warm and loving a guy from this small town can be.”
“Why am I not surprised by your offer?” She punched his shoulder. “You’re such a guy.”
Ally and Reed stepped inside the door of Clay’s Pig Sty to the smell of onions on the grill and the wailing of Willie warning mamas about the perils of cowboys.
“Hey, Reed,” came a voice from behind the grill. “It’s been a while. You been up in the hills with that pricey herd
of yours?”
“Yeah.” Reed had to shout to be heard above the din. “Hi, Clay. Say hello to Ally Shaw.”
“Hey, Ally. You the owner of that new business in town?”
“Yes, I am.” She nodded vigorously, knowing he couldn’t hear her.
“Heard you had a fire. Shame there was so much damage. You going to give the town another chance?”
Another nod of her head.
The man, with sweat rolling down his face in little rivers, shouted, “Good for you, little lady. The special today is—”
Every voice at the bar joined in to shout, “—pulled-pork sandwiches and spicy sweet potato fries.”
That was followed by a roar of laughter.
“But that’s just the special,” Clay added. “For our newcomer, I should say we’re also serving stuffed pork chops, grilled pork loin strips over rice, and pork wedges with tomato and vinaigrette salad.”
“I’ll have the pulled-pork sandwich,” Ally shouted.
“Make that two. And two longnecks.” Reed caught her arm and steered her through the maze of tables filled with rowdy wranglers and ranchers until they reached a quiet booth in the corner.
As they sat, Ally looked around. “It’s so clean.”
“That’s every visitor’s first impression.”
“And why not? You have to admit, the name Pig Sty brings a certain image to mind.”
He grinned. “Yeah. Poor Clay’s been living with that for all his years in business.”
Clay himself walked to their booth to set down two longnecks. The smiling owner was wearing a plaid shirt and suspenders holding up his faded jeans.
“Nice to finally meet you, Ally. My wife was at your grand opening, but I had to work that day. Thanks to you, I had one of my best days ever. You brought a lot of hungry and thirsty folks to town.”
“I’m glad I was able to help. Did your wife find anything she liked at my shop?”
His smile widened. “Your question ought to be, what didn’t she like? I figure, from her level of enthusiasm, I’ll be wading through a whole lot of stuff in the next couple of months while she spends our money.”
“Good for me.”
He nodded. “Yep. And good for our town. Your sandwiches are coming right up.”
Minutes later he returned with fork-tender pulled-pork sandwiches on home-baked sourdough bread, along with bowls of coleslaw and a big plate of fries for sharing.
After one bite, Ally closed her eyes and gave a hum of appreciation. “Oh, this is heavenly.”
Reed had to laugh. “Admit it. You’re surprised.”
She joined in the laughter. “I am. This isn’t at all what I expected from a place called the Pig Sty.”
“It happens every time Clay has a visitor new to town.”
Ally eyed Reed over the rim of her longneck. “Why did those guys refer to your herd as pricey?”
“I’m raising an experimental herd of sorts.” He sipped his beer. “Matt was able to persuade an Italian firm to take a chance on Malloy Angus cattle that are free of any hint of antibiotics or hormones. If they meet all the test requirements, they can be labeled as such and sold for much more than ordinary beef in the finest restaurants around the world.”
“That sounds simple enough.” She studied him. “But I doubt it’s that easy to do, or everyone would be doing it.”
“True enough. I’ve been experimenting with this type of herd since I was a teen. Along the way I learned some powerful lessons.”
“Like what?”
He grew thoughtful. “The first couple of years, I didn’t realize that my herd would have to be segregated from the rest, and without the benefit of antibiotics they ended up getting diseases they had no defense against.” He smiled, remembering. “Then I learned something else. A segregated herd can be a defenseless herd, unless I want to pay more wranglers just to patrol the area. One year, I lost nearly three times more calves than the normal number we lose in spring, due to predators that figured out they could slip in and out of the herd after dark without getting caught.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah. I’ll say.” He nodded. “I lost more money than I could ever have earned in those early years. An expensive lesson, and one I could afford only because my family absorbed the cost. The average rancher can’t afford to do what I’m doing. I’m just grateful my family has been patient and willing to keep paying out without ever seeing a cent of profit, while I worked it all out.”
“So, are you seeing a profit now?”
He gave a snort of derisive laughter. “I’ll tell you after roundup.”
She leaned forward, eyes wide. “Is there a real roundup like the kind I see in old Westerns?”
“Why, yes, ma’am,” he drawled. “Along about this time every year. You can feel free to join us if you’ve a mind to. We need all the hands we can get.”
Chuckling, she reached for a sweet potato fry. “I know you’re teasing me, but I’d really love to see it.”
“I’d like that, too. In fact, if you’d like, you can be a part of it.” He closed his hand on hers. “I’ve got a lot riding on this season. I want to prove to myself, and more important, my family, that this isn’t some silly pie-in-the-sky idea. I need this herd to pay off big-time.”
She nodded toward all the men at the bar. “How do they know about this?”
He grinned. “Half the town knows, since most of them moonlight as wranglers at our spread when they aren’t needed at their own. Ranching is a tough way to make a living.”
“Then why do so many keep on ranching?”
He shrugged. “Most of us grew up on ranches. It’s what our fathers and grandfathers did. It’s what we love.”
“And yet, so many ranches are failing.”
“Yeah. Ranchers have to live with crazy weather, disease of their cattle, predators, many of which are protected species, and enormous debt. But ranching’s in our blood, and we can’t seem to leave for another way of life. Maybe we like knowing we have at least a little control over our own destiny. When things work out, it can be really soul-satisfying.”
“In charge of our own destiny.” Ally looked suitably impressed. “I like that.”
“Yeah.” He shot her a look of admiration. “I figured that would appeal to an independent soul like you.”
“It’s what I’m striving for.” She flushed. “Not quite succeeding yet, but I just can’t seem to give up on the dream.”
He squeezed her hand. “Good. Keep that finish line in sight. It’s worth the race.”
Ally and Reed stepped out of Clay’s and headed along the sidewalk of Main Street. The town was alive with ranchers shopping for supplies and equipment and workers on their lunch hour, out for a stroll.
With every few steps they paused to call a greeting or to exchange small talk. Most of the folks in town wanted to talk about the fire and, hopefully, to glean a bit of gossip from their newest business owner.
Ally’s standard response quickly became, “The sheriff is still investigating the source of the fire.”
As they walked away from yet another round of conversation, Reed took her hand. “You’re getting real good at this.”
“At what?” She slanted him a look.
“Don’t play cute, Red. You’ve figured out how to evade like a regular detective.”
“Why, thank you.” She managed a smile. “I think I’m handling this rather well.”
“Yes, you are.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek and she looked startled.
“Reed, people can see us.”
“Really?” He looked around, then caught her by the shoulders and leaned in to kiss her soundly.
When he lifted his head, he wore a very satisfied smile as he muttered, “There now. That will give them something to talk about.”
He took her hand. “That kiss reminded me how much I enjoy dessert. Time for a stop at D and B’s Diner.”
Inside, Reed kept Ally’s hand in his as he led the way between the tabl
es to the little old-fashioned counter.
Dot Parker, a pencil tucked behind her ear, wearing her favorite polka-dot dress and a crisp white apron, hurried over. “Reed Malloy, it’s about time you brought our Ally to town.” She turned to Ally. “We heard all about the fire, and the fact that you and Kyle went with Reed to his place. The sheriff tells us he’s investigating. Now that you’re here, you can tell us the rest.”
Dot’s sister, Barb, looked up from behind the pass-through, where she was working the grill. “Word around town is the fire started with a torch through your window. I can’t think of anybody in this town nasty enough to do such a thing. So, honey, who’s got it in for you?”
Ally shook her head. “The sheriff suspects a coworker of mine from Virginia.”
“I hope I get my hands on him before Eugene does.” Dot placed two glasses of water in front of them.
At Ally’s questioning look, she frowned. “The sheriff might have to play by the rules, but not me. I’d like to take a torch to this fellow’s backside.”
Reed was grinning. “I’d really like to see that, Dot.”
She glowered at him. “You think I’m kidding. If I get my hands on that guy…”
“Take their order,” her sister bellowed.
“I know what Reed’s in here for. A chocolate shake, right, Reed?”
He nodded.
She turned to Ally. “Hot tea and fresh apple pie?”
“That sounds heavenly.”
Dot took a moment to shoot her sister a smug look before starting on their order.
Minutes later, as they enjoyed their desserts, Dot stood in front of them, eager for any hint of gossip. “So, this coworker of yours, Ally. Is he good-looking?”
She turned to Reed. “You met him. What do you think?”
Reed shrugged. “Not my type.”
Dot poked a finger in his chest. “Just stick to the question.”
“Pretty average looking. The sheriff is preparing some flyers to pass around town. Eugene thinks he’s hiding in plain sight, maybe using some sort of disguise.”
