The Wrangler

by Lindsay McKenna

  “Yes, please.” She rinsed out the cloth and folded it next to the double sinks. After hanging the apron on a nearby hook, Val sat down at her grandmother’s right arm.

  “I want to hear how the fences look,” Gus told her.

  Griff brought over two steaming cups of coffee. He set one in front of Val and then took a seat opposite Gus.

  “Well,” Val said, “it’s good news.” She glanced over at Griff. He had taken a shower and changed before dinner, but he hadn’t shaved. Stubble shadowed his face and gave it a dangerous quality. “Do you want to share with Gus what we discovered?”

  Pleased that Val would invite him into the conversation, Griff said, “Sure.” He laid out the areas that needed work. When he was finished with his report, he saw Miss Gus’s mouth was pursed and he knew when that happened, she was formulating a plan.

  “In terms of replacing posts and buying barbed wire, what are we talking?” Gus asked.

  Griff took out his notebook from his left pocket, opened it up. “We’re looking at replacing fifty posts. In terms of wire, we’ll need one large spool.”

  Satisfaction wreathed Gus’s face. “That’s not so bad, is it, Val?”

  “No. I was really surprised as we rode the fence today,” Val agreed. “I thought it would be in a lot worse condition.”

  “This is good news,” Gus said, sipping her coffee. She looked across the table at Griff. “So, why don’t you go to the Horse Emporium tomorrow morning, buy those items and get started? I figure it will take you about a week to complete it. Assuming your arm can handle it.”

  Nodding, Griff said, “Yes, my arm will be just fine. I can have it done in a week.”

  Gus gave her granddaughter a pleased look. “Now, that means we can buy those heifers. Once the fences are mended, we can release them into the pasture.”

  “So, are you sure we have the money for this, Gus?”

  With a chuckle, Gus said, “Of course we do. I told you much about my ranch savings account. What I didn’t share with you until now is I set up two accounts. One is connected with the books for the Bar H. The other has most of the money I received from the sale of our ranch. It’s my personal stash. And that’s the one I’ll use to buy twenty heifers.”

  “Really?” Val saw Gus’s eyes gleam. She was a shrewd rancher and businesswoman, there was no doubt.

  “That’s why when Downing and that darned Realtor come by wanting to buy the Bar H, thinking we’re in dire straits, I let ’em think it.” Her lips curved into a wily smile. “Our finances are no one’s business.”

  “Of course not,” Val agreed. She gave Griff a glance and saw the surprise in his expression. Turning back to Gus, she said, “But that’s your personal money, Gus. You don’t need to spend it on this ranch.”

  “Why not?” Gus demanded, petulant. “This is your home, Val. It’s where you were born.” She jabbed her finger down at the table. “It’s important to have roots, child. And to have family. Without either, you’re nothin’ more than a tumbleweed flailin’ and wanderin’ all over the prairie of life. Whether you know it or not, you’re very blessed to have this ranch. It’s your heritage.” Her mouth thinned and she narrowed her gaze on her granddaughter. “I know this place holds painful memories for you, but over time they will dissolve. The Bar H is a beautiful ranch. We have a creek and a lake. We have cleared pastures. Everything a rancher could want is right here. You just need time to realize it.”

  Reaching out, Val gripped Gus’s wrinkled hand. “I do realize it. I hope you don’t think I’m not grateful for your help, because I am.”

  Patting her hand gently, Gus dropped her gravelly voice. “I know how hard this is for you, honey. I’m hopin’ the longer you stay here, the more the Bar H will grow on you like a good friend. Your mom and dad were lousy parents to you. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here earlier in your life to help protect you. But all we can do now is pick up the pieces, Val. And I’m here to make sure that happens. You have the money to make this place solid, business-wise, again. Okay?”

  Hot tears scalded Val’s eyes. She felt the warmth and strength of her grandmother’s hand around hers. Gus had worked all her life. She still had calluses on her palms to prove it. “Okay,” Val said in a wobbly voice. Embarrassed, she wiped away the tears in her eyes. “You’re such a guardian angel, Gus. I love you so much.” She lifted her grandmother’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

  Griff sat quietly watching their conversation. Although he was an interloper, his heart was solidly tied to this ranch. The strength of the two women at this table was responsible for that. The tears in Val’s eyes tore at his heart. He wanted to get up, lean over and give her a hug of support. Tucking the need away, he said, “Miss Gus, have you decided on who to buy the cattle from?”

  Releasing Val’s hand, Gus focused on his question. “Yes, I have a ranching friend over in Cheyenne that raises the best Herefords in the state. I’ve already contracted with him to select twenty of his best two-year-old heifers. If you get that fence patched in a week’s time, then I can call and tell him when to truck them over to us.”

  “It will be done.” I’ll get on it first thing tomorrow morning.” He held up his bandaged arm. “I’m sure my arm is ready to go to work again, especially since the fence isn’t in too bad shape.” He felt the two women needed time alone, and he pushed back from the table to leave the kitchen.

  “Where you goin’?” Gus demanded, scowling.

  “Er…to my room.”

  “Sit back down.”

  Griff hesitated, halfway out of the chair. “I thought you might need some private time together.”

  Jabbing her index finger down at the table, Gus growled, “Sit down, young man. I’ll decide when I don’t want you to hear something!”

  A sour grin crossed Griff’s mouth as he sat back down. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “That’s better.” Gus studied him for a long moment. “Val tells me you have an accounting background. Is that true?”

  Nodding, Griff told her more about the MBA he’d earned at Harvard.

  “Well, don’t ya think it’s time you put it to work here at the ranch?”

  “Yes, of course I can, Miss Gus. I can pick up accounting duties for the ranch if you want.”

  “I’ll pay you extra to do that.” And then she shot a smile over to Val. “I ain’t too good at keepin’ the books, like I used to be. Hate giving up things, but I need someone like you to straighten them out. The only way a ranch knows if it’s belly-up or not is by its books. I’ll give you the second set of books, too.”

  Val frowned and stared at Gus. “A second set of accounting books?”

  Gus nodded. “The one with my savings account of my ranch sale money. You never saw ’em. They’re the books that contain all the expenses for the ranch.”

  “That’s a good plan,” Griff told her. “The Bar H should have its own set of books. And legally, because the sale of the ranch belongs to you, it shouldn’t be mixed in with this ranch’s books.”

  “You got it,” Gus crowed, delighted. She slid Val a look. “I knew this gent was the right wrangler for this ranch of ours. And now, it’s proving to be true.”

  Val grinned a little. “You were right, Gus.” She always was, Val realized. Some people, she’d discovered, just had a very clear eye on life. Gus was one of those people who could read a person like a book—and be right. Val wasn’t that good and she was grateful for her grandmother’s insights.

  Pleased, Gus nodded. “Now, Griff, you’re carrying a double load with fence mending and book balancing.”

  “If it’s okay with you, Miss Gus, I’ll do the fence mending first. When I get back at night and after dinner, I’ll sit down with the books. You’ll be my go-to source to figure it all out.”

  “I’d be pleased to do it. Maybe, once ev
erything is straightened out and cleaned up, you can share them with Val?”

  “Of course.”

  “Technically, she owns the Bar H.”

  “Legally, though,” Griff countered, “it’s in your name, Miss Gus.”

  “That’s gonna change,” Gus said, giving Val a sly look. Reaching out, she gripped her granddaughter’s hand. “Some day in the near future, when things are settled, you will want the Bar H back. It won’t be now, but when you’re ready to assume ownership, you let me know. I’ll deed it back to you. Fair enough?”

  “Fair enough,” Val replied. In her heart of hearts, she really didn’t think she’d ever want the Bar H, but there was such hope burning in Gus’s eyes, Val kept that to herself. She loved her spunky grandmother with a fierceness that had always been in her heart. Gus was truly her guardian angel.

  * * *

  GRIFF TRIED TO KEEP THE SURPRISE OUT of his face early the next morning as he entered the Horse Emporium. Clarissa Peyton, the recently divorced wife of Senator Peyton, was in the store. And next to her was Curt Downing.

  “Morning, Griff,” Andy called from the front counter. “How you doing? Haven’t seen you here for a while.”

  Smiling at his former boss, Griff came up and handed Andy a list. “Doing fine, Andy. And you?”

  Andy patted his protruding belly. “Dr. Jordana has me on high-blood-pressure medication,” he said in a complaining voice. “Makes me feel lousy.”

  “Sorry to hear that, Andy.” Griff glanced over at Clarissa and Downing. They were in deep, quiet conversation with each other. Lowering his voice so only Andy could hear him, he asked, “That is Clarissa Peyton, isn’t it?”

  Andy leaned forward and whispered, “Did you hear? She is now going by her maiden name, Clarissa Reynard. You know that her daddy, Hank Reynard, owns the Triple R ranch over in Cheyenne? It’s one of the biggest and most successful in the state. Apparently, her father disowned her and now, with her senator ex-husband, Carter Peyton, going to prison, she’s out on the street.”

  “I heard Miss Gus say Clarissa was one of the richest women in the state. I guess her status changed?”

  “Yes, in a big way,” Andy said, sad. “She’s a nice lady. Her son, Bradley, is now eighteen and into drugs. Hate to see all of this hit her. Clarissa has done a lot for the poor here in Jackson Hole. She was once part of a global effort to raise huge amounts of money through her favorite charities for the poor. Isn’t it something that now, she’s one of ’em?”

  “It is.” Griff knew what it felt like to lose millions and be thrown out on the street, too. “Does she live here or in Cheyenne?”

  “Clarissa lives here. She just sold the senator’s big house and has a nice sum, but nothing like she had before. Right now, she’s looking for an apartment or condo. I think that’s what she and Mr. Downing are discussing right now.” Andy raised his brows and said, “You did know Downing owns a string of condos here in the valley?”

  Downing was just full of surprises. “No. I know he owns a very successful trucking company and has his endurance breeding facility.”

  “The guy has his fingers in every pie you can think of,” Andy said in a grumbling tone.

  Griff couldn’t help wondering what other pies Downing had his fingers in, and how he could find out.

  “Clarissa knows he’s a bad dude,” Andy continued. “It’s just that she’s desperate for someplace to live.”

  Quirking his mouth, Griff said, “Sometimes, when you’re down-and-out, you don’t have the choices you’d like, Andy.”

  “Right about that. Bradley and Zach Mason are sharing an apartment. Both of ’em, from what I’ve heard through gossip, are selling and moving drugs through the valley.”

  “That has to bother Clarissa a lot.” Griff wondered if he were in her shoes, what he’d do in such a situation. There weren’t any easy answers.

  “Oh, it does. Right now, she has a job over at Franny’s Mercantile on the main plaza. She’s a working woman again.”

  “Coming from a ranch background, it’s too bad she can’t go home to her father’s ranch.”

  Andy scratched his chin. “She had a heck of a falling-out with her father when she turned eighteen. She’s the oldest in the family, but in his will Hank left the ranch to his only son, the baby of the family. She was pissed off, to say the least.”

  “I don’t blame her,” Griff said, feeling badly for the beautiful woman in her early thirties. Clarissa was dressed in jeans with a tasteful denim blazer over a pink blouse. She was all class, Griff decided, even if she didn’t have the same kind of money as before.

  “Well,” Andy said, waving the list in the air, “it looks like you need four-by-four posts and plenty of barbed wire. Fence mending?”

  “You got it.”

  Andy turned and called to one of his helpers. A young man in his early twenties hurried up to the counter. Handing the lad the list, Andy said, “Jacob, load all that stuff in Mr. McPherson’s truck. He’ll bring it around to the dock.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jacob turned and hurried toward the rear door of the store.

  “I can’t say I miss working here,” Griff told Andy with a smile.

  “I miss you, Griff. You were a hard worker, reliable and responsible.” Andy’s blue eyes sparkled with mirth. “Now, if you ever need another job…”

  Griff held up his hand. “No thanks. I’m happy at the Bar H.”

  “It’s working out okay?”

  “Better than I hoped.”

  “Good, good. Because Miss Gus is known to be a tough boss.”

  “Only if you don’t do your fair amount of work.” He saw Downing part from Clarissa and walk toward the counter.

  “From the looks of that list, you’re gonna be puttin’ cattle back on the Bar H pretty soon?” Andy guessed.

  “Yes, Miss Gus wants to buy twenty head of heifers.”

  “Heifers for the Bar H?” Downing asked, overhearing the conversation. “I didn’t realize Miss Gus had the money to buy anything, much less twenty head of prime breeding cattle.”

  Frowning, Griff stared hard at the rancher. Downing acted like everything was his business. Griff wasn’t about to let Downing know anything about the ranch’s financial status. “Surprises abound.”

  Downing’s mouth cut downward at the corners. “You’re feeling pretty cocky this morning, McPherson.”

  Griff knew he had the upper hand. He’d encountered this kind of swaggering bastard on Wall Street all the time. Money made some men power hungry, arrogant and bullies. Downing had all those stellar traits.

  When McPherson wouldn’t answer, Curt prodded, “Well, tell me, does Miss Gus need twenty head? I’ve got some fine Hereford stock over at my ranch that I’d be willing to sell her.”

  “The cattle have already been bought.”

  Brows flying upward, Curt said, “Really? Why, that’s a lot of money.”

  “Yes, it is.” Griff watched amazement cross Downing’s face for a moment before, suddenly, the unreadable mask was once more in place.

  “Well, well, that’s mighty interesting, because word around town is that the Bar H is near foreclosure.” Drilling McPherson with a stare, Curt said, “And if it is, Miss Gus can’t afford those cattle.”

  Sauntering around the counter, Griff shrugged and said, “I wouldn’t know, Mr. Downing. I only work for her.” He moved past the scowling rancher and headed for the front door. It was time to drive his truck around to the dock to pick up the supplies. Lifting his hand at the door, Griff called, “Nice seeing you again, Andy.”

  “Same here, Griff. I’ll just put this on Miss Gus’s account with us.”

  “Great. Thanks.” Griff smiled to himself as he saw Downing mouth a curse. Let the jerk think what he wanted. Griff climbed into the truck and drove it around
to the rear dock.

  He was surprised to see Clarissa Reynard standing on the dock—waiting for him. As he hopped up on the platform, he tipped his hat. “Miss Reynard?”

  “Hi, Griff, I know your brother, Slade.” Clarissa held out her hand and shook his. “I saw you in there and I wanted to talk to you privately.”

  Griff could smell the faint whiff of jasmine perfume around Clarissa as he shook her soft hand. She wore makeup, her lips ruby-red to match her carefully coiffed hair. “Yes, ma’am. What can I do for you?”

  Clarissa moved a bit closer and lowered her voice. “I was wondering if Miss Gus has a house or cabin to rent out on the Bar H? I’m looking for a place to live and I really don’t want to be in town.”

  “Miss Gus only has the main ranch house, I’m afraid.” He saw the hope in Clarissa’s large green eyes die. Feeling badly, he offered, “But I can ask her if she knows of another ranch around here that might?”

  “No, that’s okay. I know just about everyone here in the valley. I love the Bar H because it is south of town and is in truly beautiful country. I’m looking for peace and quiet and that would have been the perfect spot.”

  “I see,” Griff said, apology in his voice. Nearby, Joe and another worker began loading the fence posts into the back of his truck. “I’m sorry.”

  Stepping back, Clarissa smiled a little. “That’s okay. I’ll find something. I’m not Wyoming bred for nothing.”

  Smiling a little, Griff said, “Wyoming bred and Wyoming tough.”

  “You should know. You’re from here, too.” She brightened. “I’ve been meaning to visit Slade and his new wife, Jordana. Would this be a good time to drop by and see them?”

  Griff liked her openness and warmth. And she had sincerity to boot, unlike Downing.

  “Sure. I would think they’d like to see you.”

  “When I held my charity events to raise money for the poor, Slade always managed to give some even if he didn’t have it. Your brother is a stand-up guy. I hope you know that.”

  “I do,” Griff said, meaning it. “And I’m sure Slade and Jordana would like to hear from you.”