by R. C. Ryan
“Is it possible to enhance something as crude and primitive as my old film?”
She nodded. “Possibly. But only with very expensive, high-tech equipment. My firm has such equipment. As do a lot of the tech industries.”
Nelson was clearly intrigued.
He clutched her hand. “You know people who could work with my old film?”
Hearing the quivering note of hope in his voice, she swallowed back the lump that had risen in her throat, threatening to choke her. She paused, her mind awhirl with possibilities. “I could phone my former supervisor and see if she would be willing to do this. Not during business hours, of course. But maybe, as a favor to me, she could be persuaded to take up your cause after hours…”
“Do it, girl. Call her. Whatever she wants to be paid for her work, I’m more than willing.”
Ally put a hand on his shoulder. “Great One, please understand that she may refuse. I’ll do my best to persuade her, as a favor to me. We had a really good working relationship. But I can’t make any promises. Everyone in that division works long hours, and they certainly don’t relish the idea of doing more of it on their own time.”
The old man brightened. “It’s worth a try, girl. I’d die a happy man if I could have a definitive answer.”
“You realize it may not be what you want to hear.”
He nodded.
Ally bent close and kissed his cheek. “I’ll call her now, before I leave for town.”
“Bless you, girl.” Great One squeezed her hand between both of his, before she stood and walked from the room.
Ally found Nelson and Yancy in the kitchen, talking in low tones. Both men looked up hopefully.
She took a seat at the table, facing them. “My former supervisor, Gaylen Webber, has agreed to scan your film.” She turned to Great One. “Assuming this is your only copy, are you willing to ship it to her, knowing it could be lost in transit or damaged during the enhancement process?”
When he realized the implications, he took his time before answering. “I hadn’t thought of that, but I have to risk it.”
An hour later, as Ally prepared to leave for Glacier Ridge, Great One handed her a padded mailer containing his precious film.
She held it in her hands and looked up into his eyes. “Are you sure you’re willing to part with this?”
“You know the old saying. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If I don’t risk everything while I have this chance, I’ll have to die without ever knowing.” He closed his hands over hers. “You’ve opened a door, girl. I have to walk through it, even if I discover hellfire on the other side.”
She walked outside and climbed into the ranch truck Yancy had driven up from the barn. She lifted a hand to the two men standing together on the back porch and watched them in the rearview mirror until they disappeared from sight.
She glanced at her precious cargo, bound for a delivery service in town, and from there to her former office in Virginia.
An old man’s deepest-held hopes and fears lay on that strip of film.
Dear heaven. What had she unleashed?
After shipping off the mailer to her former supervisor, Ally crossed the street and headed toward her building.
As she drew near, she glanced at the new roof gleaming in the sunlight. She could hear the sound of power equipment as she opened the front door and stepped inside.
Thorny hurried over. “Hey.” He swept a hand. “What do you think?”
She took a moment to look around before smiling. “It looks a lot better than it did the last time I saw it.”
She glanced toward the stairway. “Can I go up?”
Thorny held up a hand. “Those stairs were badly damaged. It’s safer if you remain down here.”
“All right.” She took in a breath. Spotting Jeremy on a ladder, Ally asked quietly, “How is he working out?”
“Jeremy’s a really good worker. Thanks for recommending him.”
“Oh, I’m glad.” That news lifted Ally’s spirits even higher.
“If we keep on pushing, I think you could open for business within the week. But that would mean a lot of driving for you, since there’s no place to sleep here. I can’t promise your apartment for at least another week after that. If we’re lucky, we may be able to get you back upstairs sooner. But I can’t be certain until we get through the next couple of days.”
“Don’t apologize, Thorny.” Ally touched a hand to his arm. “You’ve already made more progress than I’d anticipated.”
“Hey. Ally.” Gemma stepped out of the back room and hurried over to hug her boss.
“Gemma. How did Gemma’s Closet fare?”
“I had to toss everything. But since it was free to begin with, I just started over. After work, whenever Jeremy isn’t too tired, he takes me around to out-of-town yard sales.” She turned. “Want to see my new stuff?”
“I’d love to.” Ally followed her to the back room and looked around with a smile of appreciation. A clothesline was crowded with fringed jackets and bell-bottom pants. A tabletop displayed hobo purses and beaded evening bags, boots and strappy shoes. A glass display case was filled with vintage jewelry and belts.
“Oh, Gemma. This looks even better than before.”
“Thanks. Whenever you’re ready to open shop, I’ll help you set up your displays, too.”
Ally hugged her. “What would I do without you?”
“I’m so thankful to you, Ally. Jeremy and I are both grateful. He finally has a job. He loves working with Thorny. And he’s making enough money that we’re able to rent a motel room not far from here on the interstate. It’s pretty shabby, but it’s better than sleeping in his truck.”
“I’m glad.” She held the young woman a little away, to study the green-and-blue stripes in her hair and the heavy black eyeliner giving her a cat’s-eye look. “Thorny thinks I can open the store within a week. The sooner the better.” She put her arm around Gemma’s waist as the two walked out of the back room and looked around at the flurry of activity. “We both need to get back to work.”
“You’ve got that right.” Gemma squeezed her hand. “I can’t wait.”
Ally stepped into the sheriff’s office and was surprised to find her uncle behind the desk.
“Archer?”
His head came up, and he took his time closing a drawer before crossing his arms over his chest. “You here on business?”
She shook her head. “I came to town to take a look at my building, and I thought I’d talk with the sheriff before I leave.”
“He’s out at the Taylor ranch. Old man Taylor likes to slap his wife around. From the sounds of it, he went too far this time.” He shrugged. “Of course, she’s said that before and then refuses to press charges. But this time, she may have had enough.”
Ally shuddered.
“If you’re worried about your stalker, don’t be. His lawyer won the right to have him taken to Helena for incarceration and trial, arguing that travel to this neck of the woods was too far and constituted a violation of his rights.” Archer gave a smug smile. “Before that stupid son-of-a—that miserable lowlife was hauled off, I let him know that, even after he does time, if he ever shows his face in this town again, he won’t leave alive.”
When she frowned and started to turn away, he came around the desk and closed a hand over her arm. “Sorry. I know that kind of talk upsets you. I realize I’ve got rough edges. Eugene and I had a talk about it. He said you refused to say anything bad about me, except to say I’d saved your life.”
“That’s the truth. And I’ll be forever grateful, Archer. I told the sheriff I have no doubt Glen would have killed me if you hadn’t come to my rescue. But the violence…”
“Being a lawman isn’t for the weak. I’m sure it’s hard for some to see. Violence comes with the territory. But Sheriff Graystoke said if I wanted to keep my job, I’d have to agree to some retraining.”
She turned to look at him. “Retraining?”
He
nodded. “The state boys call it”—he rolled his eyes—“sensitivity training. That’s for us old-timers who need to learn to be politically correct. Next time a punk resists arrest, instead of breaking his skull, I’ll show him my badge and ask him politely to hand over his weapon and raise his hands.” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “If he doesn’t comply with orders, then I can knock him around until I beat some sense into him.”
Seeing her reaction, he grinned. “Just kidding. It was meant as a little joke.” He quickly changed the subject. “When are you opening your shop?”
“Next week, if everything goes as planned.”
“You and the kid still staying out at the country club? I mean, the Malloy place? Speaking of which…where’s Kyle? Isn’t he always attached to your hip?”
“He’s gone on a camera safari with Frank and Grace.”
“Pretty fancy. A camera safari. Is that like a picture-taking trip?”
She nodded.
“Sweet. Already got yourself a babysitter.” He gave her a sly look. “Thorny says your apartment suffered the worst damage and won’t be ready for a while. Going to be a long drive here and back every day once you open for business.” He paused a beat. “You could always stay with me until your apartment’s ready.”
She blinked in surprise. “You mean it?”
“Yeah. Why not? We’re kin.”
“It would only be for a week or two.”
“That’s probably long enough. I prefer my own company. But we can make it work for a week or two.”
“Thank you, Archer. That’s generous of you. I know how much you value your privacy. You realize Kyle will be with me. But only at night. I’ll bring him to work with me during the day.”
“Fine. As long as the kid knows his place. No noise. No dropping stuff on the floor. No poking his nose where it doesn’t belong. You let him know my bedroom’s off-limits.”
Ally swallowed. “That’s a tall order for a little boy. But I guess he can manage for a week or so. If you don’t mind, I’ll stop by your place and move some of our things into the upstairs bedroom.”
“Suit yourself.” Archer turned to grab up the ringing phone on the sheriff’s desk.
He put a hand over the speaker. “This is going to take some time.”
“All right.” Thank you, she mouthed before letting herself out of the office.
She grew thoughtful as she made her way back to her shop.
She knew Kyle wouldn’t be happy when he learned he had to leave the Malloy ranch. He’d come to feel safe there. Safe and loved. And it would mean leaving his new best friend. That would be tough. He followed Lily around like a devoted puppy.
It was only for a week or two, she reminded herself. Hopefully, by the time Reed returned from the roundup, she and Kyle would be back in their own apartment. The thought of lying with Reed in her bed had her humming a little tune. Maybe she and Kyle would plan a welcome home party, and Reed would ask to stay over. Then she could really welcome him back.
For the rest of the day, while Thorny and his crew finished up last-minute repairs, Ally and Gemma moved among the stacks of furniture and assorted ranch items, deciding how best to display everything.
Gemma positioned a scarred picnic table in one of the big display windows, before opening a faded patio umbrella. Then she rummaged through boxes until she found what she was looking for. A plastic pitcher and six glasses and a tin tray bearing a logo from someone’s long-ago trip to Niagara Falls were positioned on one end of the table. She added an old metal coat rack and draped a beach towel on one hook and a slightly used straw hat on another.
She walked outside and stood back to get a better view of the display before turning to Ally, who had followed. “What do you think?”
“Perfect. I’m betting everything in this display will be sold as soon as I’m open for business.”
“I’ve been thinking.” Gemma led the way inside and folded a checkered tablecloth and draped it over one end of the picnic table. “You should hold a grand reopening day. Folks around here are constantly stopping me in the street to ask when you’ll be open for business. Everyone’s been watching the repairs with real interest. There’s been so much buzz about the place. Almost as much as when you opened the first time.”
“Really?” Ally chewed her lip, considering. “That grand opening was a lot of work.”
“Think about all the ranchers who drive to town on Sunday for church and to pick up supplies.”
Ally’s eyes lit with the thought. “I suppose I could have some snacks for the customers who come straight from church or the feed store. I wouldn’t serve enough to hurt anyone else’s business. Just a few nibbles, to whet their appetite for more at the local places. But maybe I could buy some pulled-pork sandwiches from Clay, and have him cut them into bite sizes, to serve on a tray.”
Gemma’s enthusiasm grew. “And how about brownies and cookie pieces from D and B’s and tiny cups of ice cream from I’s Cream?”
Ally nodded. “Coffee could be a problem. But I could always buy a case of those little bottles of water.”
“Too bad you couldn’t have the name of your store on every label.”
Ally burst into laughter. “Now you’re talking way too much expense for this little business. But I guess I could have some business cards printed up to hand out to everyone.”
The two young women moved around the room, discussing how best to show off the items for sale and trying to see each display through the eyes of the ranchers and their families.
By the time the workmen had left for the day, Ally and Gemma had made their plans and agreed to spend the rest of the week making final preparations for their grand reopening. As Ally drove toward the Malloy ranch, her head was spinning with all the ideas she and Gemma had shared. She loved working with Gemma. And she was really glad she hadn’t let Sheriff Graystoke persuade her not to have anything to do with the girl and her boyfriend. She could see now that Eugene was just trying to protect her from people he thought less than honest. And it was true the lawman had managed to color her original perception of the two teens, but she was so happy she’d been able to see beyond their past and their outward appearance to the goodness of their hearts.
She had a sudden thought. Her uncle had hoped, by being honest about her past, to turn Reed away from her, because he bore some sort of grudge against the Malloy family. At the time she’d been hurt and offended. Now, looking back, Archer had actually done her a favor. He’d made it impossible for her to live a lie in this town. He’d forced her to admit the truth and hope people would accept her as she was.
And wasn’t that exactly what Great One had wanted her to understand? She never needed to be an actor in a play. This life was her reality. By being herself, she knew a freedom she hadn’t enjoyed in years.
She felt her eyes brim and blinked hard. Despite all that had happened, she was being given a second chance. Not just in business, but in life.
And maybe the strangest result of all this heartache was Archer’s unexpected offer. Her uncle was making a real attempt to allow her and her son back into his life. Despite the shocking brutality she’d witnessed in him during the arrest of Glen, leaving her repelled and more than a little afraid of him, he seemed to have made a real turnaround in his attitude.
She clicked on the truck radio and began humming along to a happy song that had her tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. Maybe her mother’s dream of being reunited with family could happen after all. For the sake of her sweet mother, she would give Archer another chance. After all, miracles sometimes happened. Just look at how far she’d already come.
Chapter Twenty-Three
When Ally drove up to the Malloy ranch, she spied several trucks parked near the back porch, alerting her that Reed’s brothers and their wives were home. Once in the kitchen she was greeted by Yancy, who was being helped by Nessa and Ingrid. The two women were happily chatting about the progress being made on their building sites
. Across the room Matt and Luke were drinking longnecks while sitting on either side of Great One.
“Matt thinks the south wall of the house should be mostly windows and sliding glass door walls, because of that spectacular view.” Nessa held up her phone and showed them the photos she’d taken from the high ridge where they were building their house.
“Oh, that view is amazing.” Ingrid passed the phone to Ally, who agreed.
Nessa accepted her phone back from Ingrid. “How about your place?”
“We’re just in the planning stages.” Ingrid sighed. “But Luke said he’s been thinking about that spot for a place of his own for years now.”
Like her sister-in-law, she held up her phone and passed around some photos she’d taken of their site.
“Oh, that’s lovely.” Nessa handed the phone to Ally, who nodded in agreement.
“What about your place, Ally?” Nessa caught her hand. “Tell us how Thorny is doing with the fire damage.”
“I’m amazed at all he’s managed to do.” She accepted a glass of wine from Ingrid and leaned a hip against the counter. “By the time he left today, he decided I could open for business by next week.”
“So soon?” Nessa caught her hand and led her to the low coffee table, where Yancy had set out a plate of cheese and homemade biscuits.
Ally nodded. “I can’t tell you how happy I’ll be to get back to work.”
“And your apartment?” Matt asked.
“Thorny said it may be another week or more before I can move back.”
Luke popped a cheese cube in his mouth. “That’s a long drive from our ranch every morning.”
“I know. I was wondering how I could manage, but Archer surprised me by offering to let me live with him until my apartment is ready.”
Matt’s brow shot up. “And you accepted?”
“It would certainly make things easier. Besides, it wouldn’t be right if I refused his generous offer. Especially since he seems to be making a real effort to change.”
