The Rancher's Reunion

Chapter Three

The old ranch Jeep, a rusty black model minus doors, roared to life. Will shifted gears, guiding the vehicle along the bumpy dirt and gravel road, leaving a wake of dust.

“Sure you’re up to this?” Will asked.

Annie pushed her windswept hair out of her eyes and tucked the strands behind her ears. She slapped a navy ball cap emblazoned with the University of Tulsa logo on her head, and turned in the seat to face him. “Are you kidding? After all that sleep?”

“But your leg?”

She had pushed the seat back as far as possible to accommodate and protect her extended left leg. Will glanced down at the uncovered wound. Her pant leg was rolled up to her knee, and with the dressing off he could see the incision on the back of her calf. It ran horizontal, at least four inches, with a small vertical zigzag. Tight stitches pulled the skin together. Several large abrasions around the area were scabbed and healing.

The bullet, Annie had told him on the phone, penetrated the muscle and then exited, leaving the area a nasty mess. The surgeon opened the area to clean and remove shards of glass along with embedded dirt and gravel from her fall. Now that the infection was under control, the wound appeared to be healing nicely.

So why was it he cringed every time he glanced at her leg? Will did not consider himself fainthearted. He could handle any number of emergencies related to the animals on the ranch, yet he found himself skittish about this. Maybe because it was Annie who’d been hurt. An involuntary shudder went clear through him.

“You’ve seen worse accidents at the rodeo.”

“Not the same thing. Trust me.”

“Well, you’re going to have to deal with it. I hurt my leg. It’s healing. End of story.”

He said nothing to her curt response, noting only that she seemed out of sorts since Margaret Reilly’s visit.

In fact Rose was the same way. Plain cranky.

Rose he understood. She’d run the Sullivan house since his mother left. At times he wondered what kept Rose here in Granby with him and the ranch. She had never married, often saying the Sullivans were all the family she needed, and later including Annie in her circle of love.

His father had often told him a kitchen was only big enough for one woman. Will figured Annie didn’t count because she was like a daughter to Rose.

Margaret Reilly? Well, that was another story. She got on Rose’s last nerve.

On several occasions during strategic planning meetings at the ranch, Will had to pull Margaret aside to explain Rose’s role at the ranch wasn’t simply housekeeper. No, Rose O’Shea couldn’t be defined by the words housekeeper or cook. Margaret had a hard time understanding, but at least she’d stopped giving out suggestions for redecorating the house and reorganizing the kitchen in front of the feisty older woman.

He wasn’t too sure why Margaret irritated Annie. Must be a woman thing.

The campground appeared in the distance and Will pointed as they approached. The perfect spot, it was nestled in a protective shelter of trees. The tall redbuds, elms and birches were planted by his grandfather William Sullivan.

“Finished those cabins a few weeks ago,” he told Annie. “Along with the shower facility. The covered areas over there are for picnics, barbecues and activities.”

Six cabins, each able to accommodate four campers, stood in a semicircle to the right. The clearing to the left was for pitching tents.

“You’ve got showers and toilets?”

“Don’t want them coming to the house, do I?”

“This is roughing it, Okie style? Those cabins are adorable.”

“Adorable?” Will nearly choked on the word. “They’re not adorable.”

“Sure they are. So you’re planning on quite a few campouts?”

“More than quite a few. We’re booked nearly every weekend from now to the end of the summer.”

Annie’s eyes widened. “Will, that’s a lot of work.”

“You bet it is, and this has been over a year in the making. Besides campouts we’ve got one-night events like hayrides and church meetings. The riding lessons have picked up too.”

“Who does the lessons?”

“I wish I could say I do them all, but mostly I rely on Chris LaFarge and his wife, Joanie. Chris is a vet tech over at Doc Jones’s practice.”

“You’re busy.”

“There’s an understatement. I spend most of my time on the phone troubleshooting and scheduling. The frustrating part is trying to get any real work done in between calls. Getting to be a joke.”

“Sounds like you need a personal assistant.”

“Margaret said the same thing.”

“That’s because she probably has a personal assistant.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t afford that kind of expense. By the spring I’ll know if I can draw my own paycheck as an employee. There’s no way I can bring anyone else on board at this point.”

“So explain to me again how the Reillys play into all this?”

“Ed Reilly came to me with the idea. KidCare is the middleman in this operation. They negotiate the programs and outsource to operations like Sullivan Ranch. KidCare takes a percentage of profits right off the top along with a fee I pay them for things like marketing. I deal mostly with Margaret on a day-to-day basis.”

Annie tilted her head, listening.

“You’ve never heard of KidCare, but trust me, for a homegrown operation, they’re huge. Lots of influence and lots of money. At first Ed offered to finance the changes I’d need,” Will continued. “But that didn’t sit well with me. I’m fortunate KidCare is interested in working with Sullivan Ranch, but I don’t want them to own me.” He adjusted the rim of his straw Stetson. “How did you pay for the work?” Clearly Annie wasn’t shy about asking questions.

“I sold the land in the north pasture to the Dearbornes.” Will shifted uncomfortably. Just saying the words made him nervous.

“That’s almost…” Annie blinked hard. “That’s almost a third of the ranch.”

“I know. I know. To tell you the truth, it scared me spitless. Fact is, the past few years I’ve been barely squeaking by with the horse boarding and my inheritance. Ed came along when I was seriously contemplating the need to sell everything.”

She sucked in a breath. “Sell Sullivan Ranch?”

Will seconded her reaction. He gazed out through the mud-spattered windshield, his vision taking in the pecan grove and the small peach and apple orchard. “It’s been a long time since this place has been a working ranch.” He pointed to the pasture beyond the trees. “There haven’t been cattle out there since before my dad got sick, and that was a long time ago.”

Quiet filled the Jeep as Will paused, his hand moving the clutch back and forth in and out of neutral. “This ranch is all I know. But something had to give, and I just couldn’t see the past as a way to the future.”

He turned to Annie, the knot in his stomach tightening. “Am I wrong?”

“No, Will. I think you’re right. Besides, the entire project has changed you. It’s good to see you so enthusiastic. I’m really happy for you. But how are you going to do it all by yourself?”

“Slowly. Very slowly. I started with a plan, and so far things have worked. At first I focused on getting the ranch in shape, starting with routine maintenance. Then I contracted to have the work done for the new campgrounds. There were inspections and zoning red tape until I couldn’t see straight.”

Annie gave a thoughtful nod as he spoke.

“Now I have a couple reliable college kids on the weekend. They’ll help set things up and do the tear down. Chris and Joanie get the horses fed and exercised in the evening. Gives me a break.”

“Still leaves a lot for you to do. Maintenance of the ranch and bookkeeping, and now these KidCare projects are rolling. What are you going to do when you start getting outside reservations, besides KidCare?”

Will grinned and his pleasure soared. She got it. Annie understood.

“Already started getting outside reservations. That’s why I’m booked almost solid.” He grinned, unable to contain his pride. “Hey, it’s hard work. Any new venture is. They say you can expect to work twenty-four-seven for the first few years to launch a new business. I’m prepared to do that.”

And he was. There wasn’t any extra time left over to brood on the past or worry about the future. No time to think about Huntington’s these days.

“I’m surprised you know if you’re coming or going.”

Will laughed. She wasn’t far off the mark. “Annie, the place seems to be exploding with ideas. I’d like to expand and put in Quonset huts and a full kitchen and hold full camps Monday through Friday, all summer long. The place would be a Christian dude ranch. I know it’s not a new idea. There are plenty around the area. But it’s still a pretty lucrative opportunity, considering we’re smack-dab in the middle of the Bible Belt.”

“That’s a terrific vision. I can see it happening.”

Excitement sizzled through him as he spoke. “Can you, Annie? Because I really can.” He fiddled with a thread on his jeans. “Sometimes I’m so fired up I could burst with needing to talk.”

“Will Sullivan a chatterbox. Now that’s a new one.”

Will paused for a moment, taking in the picture Annie made. A smile teased her lips, and her eyes brimmed with laughter. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently adjusted the crooked ball cap on her head.

“Better?” she asked quietly.

“Perfect,” Will returned.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, and Will knew that at this moment he was more content than he had been in a very long time.

“Now I remember why they call it Green Country,” she said, her gaze taking in the thick, lush grass and the leafy trees around them.

“Pretty, huh?”

“Yes, but I just realized I missed the azaleas blooming.”

“Stick around. They bloom every year.”

She frowned.

“You missed most of tornado season, too.”

“That I don’t miss,” she said. “Remember that year one hit the barn and took your cow two miles down the road?”

“Yeah. Amazing old Daisy was unhurt. Mad as all get-out, but not a thing wrong with that cow.”

“Rose was worried sick. How is old Daisy?”

“I don’t even know. But she hasn’t changed a bit. Still stubborn and contrary, but Rose flat out refuses to let me sell that cow. Says my dad loved old Daisy and she’s part of my heritage.”

“Kindred spirits,” Annie said, laughing.

“You mean Rose and Dad, or Daisy and Rose?”

“I don’t think I should answer that.”

Will took a deep breath of Oklahoma air and pushed the wind from his lungs. “End of May is about the best time of year, don’t you think?”

Annie nodded.

“We’ll be complaining about the heat and humidity soon enough, but now…warm days. Cool nights. This has been an especially kind spring, too. The grass will stay green well into summer after all the rain we’ve had.”

“I don’t think I’m even going to notice the humidity here after living in Kenya.”

He’d driven the Jeep in a large circle around the ranch and as they pulled close to the rear of the house, Annie waved for him to stop.

“Oh, my goodness. What happened to Rose’s garden?”

“We moved the garden over by the pond. There’s a gazebo there now, too.”

“Then what’s that?” She pointed to a large area surrounded by a white picket fence. Inside, the dark red clay had obviously been tilled and fertilized. Neat rows of small plants were staked as far as her eye could see.

“Pumpkin patch.”

“The world’s largest pumpkin patch?”

“Pretty much. Can’t you see it in the fall, with kids all over the place picking out pumpkins?”

“Yes. I can.” She scrutinized the area, then spoke again. “What about pony rides and a small animal-petting zoo? You know, calves and lambs. A donkey. You could probably get the animal shelter to bring out puppies and kittens for adoption. Make it a yearly event.”

“Now why didn’t I think of that?”

As she waved a hand to gesture with increased enthusiasm, Will could almost see the ideas percolating under that ball cap on her head.

“Add bales of hay and a few scarecrows to give it a real harvest theme. Why, I bet you could sell Sullivan peaches and pecans and Rose’s pies, too.”

Will snapped his fingers. “You’re a genius, Annie.”

“I have my moments.”

“Let me know if you have any more.”

Annie laughed at his words.

He glanced over at the stable. “I haven’t even shown you the horses yet, have I?”

She hesitated. “No. But have you checked the time? You’ve got that fundraiser at seven.”

Disappointment slid over him as he confirmed her words with a quick look at his watch. He’d much rather be riding around the ranch with Annie than playing nice at the Reillys’ party.

Will stuck a finger into the collar of his dress shirt, searching for breathing room. Giving up, he unbuttoned the top button and loosened the noose.

Why was he here? Then he remembered. Networking.

He sipped a tall, chilled glass of sweet tea and watched Margaret Reilly flit around the great room of the Reilly home. A butterfly in a pink suit, she checked on each and every one of her guests. Detailed instructions were given to the caterers before she floated across the pristine white carpet to light next to him.

“You aren’t eating?” she said.

“Not real hungry,” Will admitted, eyeing the buffet table.

Long tables were covered with pink linens and centerpieces of fresh spring flowers, all coordinating perfectly with the hostess’s ensemble. Serving platters were laden with delicacies Will hadn’t attempted to identify. Fact was he wasn’t much into fancy food. A plain meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, he preferred a good steak every time.

He knew he was out of his league here among the Tulsa religious elite gathered for the fundraiser. A simple rancher, he was trying to become a savvy businessman, but small talk was not his forte.

If he had his way he’d never leave the ranch. Will had majored in business, while commuting between Granby and home, but he couldn’t grab his degree and get back to the ranch fast enough. He had no aspirations of grandeur beyond keeping Sullivan Ranch afloat and contributing to a community that supported him through the tough times.

He loved the land, liked hard work and enjoyed getting dirty.

Dressing up made him uncomfortable, and today he’d put on a suit and tie and Sunday shoes—twice. His feet longed for the comfort of his worn Justins.

Gaze drifting, he observed the uniformed staff through the French doors. The Reillys sure could throw a party. Things would move outside anytime now. The buffet dinner and social time were to be followed by a silent auction on the grounds.

Waiters made last-minute preparations for seating along the huge patio area, near the heated pool where sparkly frosted lights hung between huge maple trees. An impromptu stage covered by a white canvas tent had been erected on the lawn. A small ensemble played classical melodies in the background. At the end of the patio another long serving table boasted lavish dessert trays and silver coffee urns.

“I can ask Chef to prepare something for you,” Margaret offered.

“I’m sorry?” Will said, realizing he’d been miles away.

“I said I’d be happy to ask Chef to prepare something for you.”

He gave a small laugh. Was he that transparent? He felt certain he stuck out as a real greenhorn in this crowd and said so.

“Not at all,” Margaret said. “Actually, you and Ed are a lot alike.”

A red warning flag went up. Margaret was preparing to launch into one of her Ed stories.

“Would you excuse me a minute, Margaret?” He was long overdue for a dose of fresh air.

He moved slowly, stopping to greet a business acquaintance, and then paused to examine the original Western artwork scattered throughout the room. Grabbing a fresh tea, he slipped out the side patio doors when Margaret wasn’t looking.

The night air remained warm with barely a breeze. A hand in his pocket, Will stood for minutes watching the few clouds in the clear, dark sky move across a blanket of stars. “Beautiful night.”

Will didn’t have to turn to realize Ed Reilly had joined him. “It is. Wouldn’t trade Oklahoma for any other place on the planet.”

“Me either,” Ed agreed. “But you ought to be inside meeting those young ladies Margaret has lined up for you. They come from important Tulsa families.”

Will turned to face the older man. Tall and blond with silver shot through the temples, he had one obvious thing in common with his wife. Ed Reilly was accustomed to getting what he wanted.

“Sounds like she’s negotiating a business deal,” Will observed.

“Take some advice from a fellow who has been around the block, Will. A good partnership can lay a solid foundation for a long-term relationship. Don’t rule it out.”

“I’ll give that some thought, sir.”

While he said the appropriate words, Will knew he wasn’t interested in Ed’s definition of a long-term business arrangement. Fact of the matter was he believed in love. Hadn’t seen much of it, but somewhere in the back of his heart he knew that if the Huntington’s wasn’t a block in his road of life and he was in the position to consider marriage, he wouldn’t consider it for anything less than love. A forever and ever, all-encompassing love.

“Nice party,” Will said.

Ed chuckled, knowing he’d been sidestepped. “That it is. A fine party, indeed. Hope the good food and fellowship encourages folks to dig deep into their wallets. We’re supporting a very worthy cause tonight.”

“I’m sure they will. Tulsa is a generous town.”

“You’re right, Will. Tulsa is a generous town. There is always someone willing to lend a helping hand.”

“Yes, sir.”

“My wife tells me everything is moving along well for the youth retreat.”

Will nodded.

“I’ll be out of town next week, but I know you two can handle things.”

“I appreciate your confidence in me.”

“You’re doing a great job. Give it a year, eighteen months, and you’ll start to reap the fruit of this venture.”

“I hope so. Don’t mind telling you I’ve spent more than a few sleepless nights.”

“Success is not without risks. But you’re motivated, a hard worker and a Godly man. Rare combination these days. Before you know it Sullivan Ranch will be bigger than you dreamed.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” Will said.

Ed chuckled.

Both men turned as the patio doors burst open and Margaret stood silhouetted against the lights of the party inside.

“Are you two hiding?” Margaret asked.

“Not at all, darling,” Ed said. “Just mixing a little business with pleasure.”

She nodded, unconvinced. “Will has a phone call. You can take it in Ed’s study.”

Margaret led Will across the carpet and down the hall. Her heels clicked a sharp staccato pattern on the imported Mexican tile as she led the way to the study, opening the massive oak doors. “I do hope you’ll hurry,” she said, as she left him alone in the room. “The party isn’t over yet.”

He reached for the receiver on the desk. “Sullivan here.”

“Will, I’m so sorry to bother you.” Annie’s voice overflowed with emotion. “I tried your cell first.”

Will fumbled in his pants pocket for his cell. He must have left it in the truck. “What’s wrong?” he asked, prepared for the worst.

“Rose. She fell. I’m certain she broke her hip. The ambulance is taking her to St. Francis Hospital.”

Chapter Four

Annie fidgeted in the uncomfortable waiting-room chair. She’d watched the frantic activity in the busy E.R. for the past thirty minutes, wishing she could step in and help.

Her stateside hospital experience had been a med-surg unit after graduation, right before she left for the medical mission position. Boring compared to what she’d observed here. The staff certainly had a formidable challenge. The traffic in and out of the automatic doors seemed heavier than the large medical clinic outside Dadaab. If anything, being on the outside looking in made her anxious to return to nursing.

When Will came through the glass doors she grabbed her cane and stood.

In a suit and tie he took her breath away. Her heart sped up and she had to will herself, as always, to act normal. She knew she was fooling herself if she thought she’d ever be blasé where Will was concerned.

Apparently she wasn’t the only one. Several nurses looked up and continued staring, their admiring gazes following the tall handsome rancher as he moved with purpose through the lobby. A worried frown on his face, he inspected the room. His glance connected with Annie and in several quick strides he was at her side.

“How’d you get here so fast?” he asked. His concerned eyes were more charcoal than blue, reflecting the dark gray suit he wore.

“I drove the Jeep.”

“The Jeep? That piece of junk is held together with two rubber bands and a piece of duct tape.”

She laughed. “It did fine.”

“How’s your leg?” He stepped back and urged her to sit. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t read me the riot act for asking.”

“Who, me?” She slid into the chair, resting the cane across her legs.

“Uh-huh.”

“Sorry if I was irritable. The leg really is okay.”

Will nodded. “What’s happening with Rose?”

“X-ray. I got an update from one of the nurses. She thinks they’re going to admit her soon.”

“Surgery?”

“I imagine so, but I haven’t heard anything definite yet.”

“She hurting?”

“Not anymore. They gave her a nice shot.” Annie smiled slightly. “Rose was reciting her apple pie recipe in her sleep by the time they came with the gurney to take her for a CAT scan and then to X-ray. The staff was standing around taking notes.”

“You’re kidding.”

“A little. You need to relax, Will.”

“I wish I could.” He shook his head. “We need to call her sister. I don’t know if Rose told you Ellen moved back to Catoosa last year.”

“I already called. Ellen is in the billing office now, filling out paperwork.” Annie leaned over and pulled Will’s cell phone from her hobo bag and handed it to him. “I borrowed this. You left it on the kitchen table. I hope that was okay?”

“Of course.”

“Ellen happened to be in town and made it here about the same time I did.”

Will’s eyebrows rose. “Good deal.” He yanked the striped tie off his neck and shoved the fabric into his suit coat pocket. “Tell me what happened again.”

“Rose swears it was that barn cat. She’d gone outside to put scraps on the compost pile and the cat was trying to catch birds. She shooed him off, turned too fast, tripped and fell.”

“That’s all? How could she break a hip like that?”

“It happens. She got herself up and back in the house, but she called me because she was in pain. When I checked, one leg appeared a bit longer than the other and the hip hurt to touch. She couldn’t bear weight, so I called an ambulance.” Annie paused. “You know how she always complained about her hip when the weather changed. Maybe she has some arthritis or osteoporosis? I don’t know, but broken hips are always a risk for someone her age.”

“Her age? How old do you suppose Rose is?”

“I’m not sure. You know the rules. Weight and age are taboo. I’m guessing she’s sixty-something. What do you think?”

“You’re probably right. She and my dad were about the same age, and he would have been sixty-three.”

Annie did the math in her head. His father was thirty-four when Will was born. That would have made him fifty-two when he died. So young.

Will sat down in the chair next to her, shoulders slumped.

“Are you okay?” Annie asked him.

“Me? Yeah, I’m fine. I just realized Rose has never had a sick day since I’ve known her.” He ran a hand through his hair. “She’s the rock in my life.”

“I know. Me, too. I feel horrible thinking how I take her for granted.”