Two Spirit Ranch (4 page)

“I told Bud that place needed a little color, so I took it upon myself.  Bud and I…” Sally stopped, and Terri could tell that she was starting to get a little choked up.  “We were both two very independent people, and that’s why I think we worked so well.  We had our separate lives, but we spent some good times together.”

“I’m glad he had you then,” Terri said, noticing a younger woman in a pink uniform identical to Sally’s come out from the back with a coffee pot and refilling cups on various patrons.  “I’m just so sorry we are just now meeting.  The past year I was so busy I didn’t take the time…”

Now, Terri felt her own self getting emotional, and Sally placed a hand over hers.

“Don’t you worry, hon. Your uncle knew just how much he meant to you.  He was so proud of you.  He told me all about his big lawyer niece in the New York City,” Sally said.

Terri smiled.  She hadn’t planned on getting to know anyone all that well while in town.  After all, how open would the residents be about a transgendered visitor?  She had planned to just stay to herself until she figured out her next steps.

“If you need anything at all while you’re in town, you don’t hesitate to let me know, honey.  I figured you might need some time to decide what to do with the ranch.  Bud told me a long time ago he was goin’ to leave it to you.”

“It’s all a lot to think about, but I needed to get out of New York for a few days anyway.”

“Everything gone all right since you been here?” Sally said, bringing out some cream and sugar from under the counter. “Hope your stay in Montana has been nice so far…”

“Oh, it’s been great, except for the ticket I almost got,” Terry said.  “Luckily, the officer let me off, and he was quite handsome.”

Truth was she had thought about Jake constantly since he escorted her to the ranch.  His gallantry caught her as very “un- New York.”  What a nice change of pace it had been to meet such a gentleman in modern society.

“Oh, Jake, I bet.  We've got a small sherrif’s force here.  Even the sheriff does the regular patrols.  No office work around here. Jake,” Sally said, practically licking her lips.  “Now, that is one tall, cool drink of water.  He makes every female heart flutter just by walking into a room.  He hasn’t met the right woman yet since the…” Sally said pausing, before adding, “You single, sugar?” She pointed at Terri’s empty ring finger.

“Um, yeah…I kinda just got out of a relationship,” Terry confessed.  She hoped Sally wouldn’t ask for more details.

“Well, girl, you’ve got to get back on that horse and ride again!” Sally said, before lowering her voice.  “So to speak.”

“One day.  Maybe,” Terri said quietly.

At that moment, Jake walked in and greeted the customers in the café. His commanding presence caught the attention of every person in the room.  Terri couldn’t help but think that he looked even more handsome, if that were possible, this morning. She noticed how his uniform contoured the muscles in his arm just perfectly.  Such a man would have a pick of any woman he wanted, and in such a small town, he must be even a bigger catch. 

He caught Terri’s eye, smiled, and walked over. He took off his hat and revealed a thick head of dark brown hair.

“Morning, Sheriff,” Sally said.  “Just one empty seat left, and it’s next to Clearview’s beautiful new visitor.  Ain’t you lucky?”

Jake smiled sheepishly and looked a little shy.

“Coffee, bacon, and eggs.  Thanks, Sally.”

“Sure thing, darlin’,” Sally said, before turning to Terri.  “And you, honey?”

“I’ll take the same,” Terri said, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious around Jake.  She thanked God she had taken the time to smooth her curls, put on a little make-up, and a new pink sundress.  She eyed him crossing the room as she sipped her coffee from her mug and now this hunk of man was sitting next to her.

“Hello Miss Lawson, I mean, Terri. I just wanted to say hello. I noticed your car outside and just wanted ask how things were going at the old house,” Jake said sincerely.

His dark brown eyes and tan skin were beautiful up close. His skin a bit weathered by the elements and yet looked soft and smooth.

“Thanks again for the escort. I don’t think I would have made it through all these little country roads without you,” Terri said. “Things are fine up in the house. Except I had an odd visitor yesterday after you left.”

Jake sighed loudly and said, “I’m afraid I have an idea.”

“You know?” Terri said, surprised.

“My cousin, Carl, huh?”

“Exactly.  Your cousin seems intent on my selling the ranch before I’ve even had time to take a look at it...”

“I’m sorry about that. Carl and I may be related by blood, but it’s been my experience that my cousin always misses a good chance to shut up.”

“So I shouldn’t listen to him?”

“Let’s just say he and I have very different ideas on what would be…,” he said choosing his words carefully, “…best for Clearview.  He works for a company that wants to develop a condo and resort complex here.  I think it’ll change our town and not for the best.  Most folks here like our laidback quiet way of life.  You have to make your own decisions, of course.  Just don’t let my cousin talk you into anything you’re not ready for yet.”

“Okay, good advice. But there is one other thing you could help me out with at the house…”      

“Yes..?” Jake looked at her pretty face intently, feeling protective of the newest resident of Clearview.  He had thought of her nonstop since he met her the night before.  In addition to her beauty, which included the type of body curves that would make any red-blooded American man take notice, she exuded a type of confidence he always found attractive in women, but he could sense there was a hurt there, too. A vulnerability he felt instinctive to protect.  After all his years on the force, Jake’s gut feelings had gotten pretty good at telling if someone was running from something whether it be emotional or physical.  Terri Lawson struck him as the big city woman trying to get away from something and that intrigued him.

“Know of any good plumbers? There is no hot water in the place! I realize folks might like roughing it, but this city gal needs some hot water,” Terri smiled.

“You know, there was always a trick your Uncle did with the water heater when I was working there. I’ll stop by early this evening after my shift and show you if you want.”

“Oh, that’d be great,” Terri said, feeling suddenly flush at the thought of the sheriff paying her a visit after dark.

In the back of the kitchen, Sally peered from behind the counter at Jake and Terri talking.

“What in the world are you staring at, Sally?” Mindy asked, walking up to get a look herself.

“Ain’t nothing like ridin’ a fine horse in new country,” Sally said smiling.

“Good Lord.  Meaning what?”

“Girl, look at those two.  You could
feel
the chemistry between them.”

Mindy groaned.  “Sally, you and I both know that every single gal in the county practically had tried to catch Sheriff Collin’s attention, and we both know why no one has.”

Sally frowned and said, “He’s a young man though.  Time will heal his wounds. He can’t spend the rest of his life dwelling in the past.”

“But that’s just the kind of guy he is. Faithful.  Dedicated.  Maybe to a fault,” Mindy remarked, her eyes gazing at Jake.  She’d been one of many to have a crush on the charming sheriff.

“We’ll see.  I hope it changes for him.  None of us will ever forget that night, but…”

“But what?” Mindy asked, ignoring poor Don who waved from the dining room for more coffee.

“None of us can afford to live in the past, it just ends up costing the future,” Sally said with the wisdom of her years.

Mindy nodded in agreement before heading out to the dining room with the coffee.

Chapter 4

When she arrived back at the ranch house, Terri toddled towards the door trying to balance the two bags of groceries she picked up at the local Grocery 'N Things market.  The pickings were slim.  No vegan items.  No organic fruits.  But Terri always considered here self adaptable and found a few things to eat. Coming from New York, she was amazed at the warmth and genuine interest everyone seemed to have in her.  As soon as she mentioned she was Bud's niece to the cashier at the supermarket, the tiny older lady threw in a free coconut cake. So far this small town was starting to grow on her.

Fumbling for the keys in her pocket, she noticed a business card sticking out in the crevice of the door.  She sat down the bags and pulled the card out.  There in glossy print was a picture of the man from yesterday and the name and title, Carl Collins, Agent, Clearview Estates Resort.

“Damn, this guy doesn't give up,” Terri said, shaking her head.  Hadn't she
just
spoken to him?  Why was he being so pushy?

Jake walked into the office of the Clearview Estates Resort to find his cousin sitting at his desk with his legs propped up on it.  In one hand, he held the phone and with the other a huge mug of steaming coffee.

“We'll get those signatures by tomorrow, Mr. Johnson.  I guarantee.”

Jake walked towards the desk and caught his cousin's eye, and Carl nodded to him.

“Sounds great, Mr. Johnson.  I'll call you just as soon as I get the fax.  And tell the missus ‘hello’ for me.  Talk soon,” Carl said, hanging up the phone, sitting upright at his desk, and eyeing his cousin suspiciously.

“Well, hey there, cuz.  For what do I owe this visit?  You taking a break from serving and protecting the citizens of Clearview County?” Carl said, the sarcasm dripping off of every word.

Without invitation, Jake sat in the chair across from Carl, took off his hat, and sat it on the desk.

“I needed to have a word with you, Carl,” Jake said sternly.

“Well, well, fire away, cuz,” Carl said, sipping his ever present mug of coffee.

Jake took a deep breath and debated in his head the best way to approach his cousin.  The two had been born within weeks of and grew up next to each other.  The competition between the two seemed to be on from the word go.   Even though they weren’t siblings, rivalry always seemed to be the basis of their relationship.

Although, Jake always thought this competition was all in Carl's head.  As kids, he could have cared less who got the better grades, who got what position on the football team, who dated what girl.  But Carl always seemed obsessed with keeping a scorecard, and Jake had never understood why.  He tried to befriend his cousin on a few occasions, but Carl's sense of competition always soured any efforts.  Eventually, Jake gave up and decided he and his cousin would never find common ground.  It saddened him because he never had a brother, and he thought about how great things could have been between them if only Carl would let bygones be bygones.

“I want you to leave Terri Lawson alone,” Jake stated matter-of-factly.

“I don't understand what you mean,” Carl said.  “Terri who?”

“Drop the act, Carl.  I don't have time today. Sell your brand of crazy somewhere else. Leave Bud's niece alone.  She just got in town and is trying to deal with her uncle's death.  You showing up on the first day ready to close a deal isn't exactly understanding of the woman's situation.”

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 21
^st
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.