Home on the Ranch 47 - Tina Radcliffe Read online

  Satisfied her incision was no worse for the day’s activity, she donned clean gray sweats and white socks, then combed her wet hair, braiding it into a single plait once more.

  She headed for the kitchen. Ellen would be home soon, and she didn’t want her to have to cook after having spent the day taking care of chores at her own little house in Catoosa.

  Annie stood staring into the freezer at the labeled containers.

  “Did they answer you yet?”

  “What?” She turned and met Will’s grin. He looked worse than she had. A film of red dust covered his face, rising to stop just where his hat had protected his head and forehead. Underneath all that grime he wore a grin bigger than she’d ever seen on his face.

  Will liked being in control, and today they’d conquered Mother Nature. No small feat. Annie couldn’t resist a tender smile.

  “Looks like you’re having a serious discussion with the contents of that icebox,” Will said.

  “I’m trying to decide what to fix for a quick meal. But it doesn’t look like there’s anything fast and easy in here.”

  “Rose doesn’t do fast and easy. You know that. That’s why I ordered pizza.”

  “They don’t deliver out here.”

  “Sure they do, especially when I dangle a fat tip as bait.”

  Hopeful, she closed the freezer door and assessed him. “Did you really order pizza? Real pizza?”

  He grinned. “We don’t do fake pizza out here.”

  “Mazzio’s?”

  “Of course. Two extra large, deep pan. Oh, and Canadian bacon and pineapple for you. Still your favorite?”

  “You remembered.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not joking, are you?”

  “Annie, I never joke about food.”

  The front doorbell rang. “See?”

  “So fast?”

  “Placed the order on my cell after I dropped you off at the house.”

  “I owe you big-time for this.”

  “The way I see it, I owe you,” Will said. The sincerity of his words reached out to her. Annie’s breath caught for a moment.

  She followed him to the front door, where he took the boxes from the teenager on the porch. “Thanks for coming all the way out here,” Will said. He slid three twenty-dollar bills into the kid’s hand. “Keep the change.”

  “Mister, you can ask for me anytime.”

  Annie snatched the containers from Will, moving quickly to the kitchen with her prize. She grabbed several cans of root beer and set them on the table.

  “I’ve got to hurry,” Will said from behind her. “I have less than thirty minutes before Margaret arrives.”

  “You wash, I’ll get the plates.”

  Will rolled up his sleeves. “Deal.”

  Annie placed a stack of napkins beside the plates and looked at Will. “Do we need forks?”

  Frowning, he grabbed a dish towel. “For pizza?”

  Annie smiled and served herself, then slid the open pizza box across the oak table.

  “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had pizza?” She picked up a piece of cheese from her pizza and swirled it on her finger before popping it in her mouth. Biting into a slice resulted in a moan of pleasure she was unable to contain.

  Will’s eyes rounded. “Your pizza must taste lots better than mine.”

  “Sorry, but this is really incredible.”

  “Not a problem.” He laughed. “Pizza and a floor show.”

  The doorbell rang again, and Will shoved the last of his slice into his mouth and stood. He stuck his head into the hall and frowned. “She’s early.”

  “Margaret’s here already?”

  Annie heard the front door swing open.

  “You’re not dressed.” The tone in Margaret’s voice as she addressed Will was enough to make Annie want to take cover.

  “Well, sure I am. I’ve got clothes on.”

  “That isn’t what I meant. We agreed that you were going to dress in Western apparel for this event.”

  Margaret followed Will into the kitchen. She wore a starched white Western blouse with snaps, pink horseshoe yoke and black cord trim. A shiny silver bolo and cord were at her collar. Black creased Levi’s and spotless, black leather Western boots with silver tips completed her cowgirl ensemble.

  Annie admired the expensive boots, then cringed remembering the amount of mud between here and the barn.

  Will glanced down at his jeans and navy T-shirt, just before he grabbed the last slice of pizza from the open box. “Here’s a news flash. This is cowboy gear. This is what a down-home boy wears when he’s been working his tail off all day emptying a barn. I haven’t had time to shower, much less change.”

  “Uh,” Margaret commented, as she passed him. “I believe you. You smell awful.”

  Will stepped back with a laugh. “Authentic cowboy aroma.”

  Margaret shuddered. “You realize the caterers will be here in less than an hour and the first buses arrive in an hour and a half?”

  “The less talking I do the sooner I’ll finish my dinner.”

  “I hope you’ll hurry.”

  “Sit down and relax. Have some pizza.” He pushed open the lid on the second box.

  “No, thank you. I can’t eat. I’m too stressed. Ed is counting on us, you know.”

  “What I know is that this is supposed to be fun.”

  “Fun?” She tossed a smooth, black leather satchel that resembled a saddlebag onto the counter. “Have you any idea what kind of day I’ve had? The ice-cream machine we rented is malfunctioning, and I’ve been all over town trying to find another.”

  “Sorry you had such a rough day, Margaret.”

  Annie stopped eating stared at him. Her? They were the ones who had just spent five hours mucking out a barn.

  “So I understand you saved the day, Annie,” Margaret commented, acknowledging her presence.

  Annie glanced up and gave a quick shrug. She bit off a piece of sausage and cheese.

  “She did. I was all set to cancel. If I was smart, I’d put her on the payroll.”

  The comment caused Margaret to narrow her eyes.

  Will gulped down his soda and stood. “I’d better grab that shower. Be right back.”

  “Anybody home?”

  “Rose.” Annie nearly choked. She gripped the table for support and stood.

  “Rose?” Will asked, his voice reflecting surprise as he moved to the front door.

  “No one else but.”

  “Did you escape or did they discharge you?” Annie called.

  Rose walked into the kitchen leaning heavily on an aluminum four-legged walker. “I cut a deal with the doctor.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” Will said, reappearing in the doorway. A suitcase was under one arm, a large stuffed animal under the other.

  “Dr. Wyatt is going out of town tomorrow, and since my IV is gone there wasn’t any good reason for me to spend another sleepless night in that noisy hospital with that awful food.”

  “Care to explain this deal?” Annie asked.

  “The agreement is, she’ll do her treatments and exercise at home, and go back to the clinic Monday for a follow-up,” answered Ellen, bringing up the rear, balancing two floral arrangements. “Noisy hospital, hmm? The truth of the matter is her card club caused such a ruckus the staff figured it was the only way to get some quiet on that unit. I think the nurses begged the doctor to let her go home.”

  “Oh, that isn’t what happened at all. I promised that head nurse I’d send Will along with a pie come Monday.”

  “That I might believe,” Ellen shot back. “But they’re more interested in Will than your pie, which is the only reason they would help you get out.”

  Annie couldn’t help but giggle. When Rose and Ellen joined in the laughter, Will’s ears turned a bright shade of red.

  “How nice to see you, Rose,” Margaret said when things quieted down.

  Rose slowly walked over to a straight-backed chair. “Marga
ret.”

  Annie coughed loudly at Rose’s curt greeting.

  “Will, can you hold this chair so it doesn’t move, while I try to sit down?” Rose asked, with a quick glance at Annie.

  Ellen slipped a foam cushion beneath her sister before she descended to the chair, and then moved the walker out of the way.

  “What are you going to do about this weather?” Rose asked.

  “We have a brilliant back-up plan, thanks to Annie,” Will said. He glanced at the wall clock. “Holy cow. This boy’s got fifteen minutes before the show gets on the road.” He bent down to kiss Rose’s cheek and ran toward the stairs. “Shower and change. Back in a flash.”

  “How are you feeling?” Annie asked. “Do we need to fill any prescriptions?”

  “We already did that,” Rose said. “I’m feeling pretty good. A tad sore where the drain was removed.”

  “How’s the incision look?”

  “Oh, it’s so pretty. Are we going to compare incisions?” she asked with a sly grin.

  “Please, don’t,” Margaret exclaimed. “I’m rather squeamish.”

  “We’re only joking, Margaret. Honest,” Annie said with a wink to Rose. She helped herself to her third piece of pizza. “Pizza?” she offered the sisters.

  Ellen shook her head, refusing. “I call dibs on the rest of that vegetable lasagna in the fridge.”

  “Who made vegetable lasagna?” Rose asked.

  “Chef prepared it for Will,” Margaret said.

  “Will who?” Rose asked.

  Annie cleared her throat. “Wasn’t that nice of Margaret, Rose?”

  Rose looked from Annie to Ellen. “Very nice,” she muttered.

  “So what’s this brilliant plan Will was talking about, Annie?” Ellen asked loudly.

  “We cleaned out the big barn,” Annie quickly returned.

  “I knew there was a good reason I didn’t let him tear that building down,” Rose said.

  “Now tell me about the good stuff. What kind of food are you serving?” Ellen asked Margaret.

  Margaret glanced at Rose, hesitating before answering. “Barbecued beef on sourdough buns, baked beans, corn on the cob and brownies. It’s not homemade, but the caterers have a good reputation for putting on an excellent spread.”

  “I may have to sneak down there,” Ellen said.

  “I’d be glad to bring you up a plate,” Margaret said.

  “Would you? Rose, too?”

  “Of course.”

  “And what are the plans for breakfast?” Rose queried.

  “Bagels, fresh fruit and juices.”

  “Sounds like KidCare has done a fine job with this program,” Rose said.

  “Thank you,” Margaret replied, obviously pleased at the nod of approval.

  So was Annie. She looked up and her glance connected with Rose’s. Rose was at least trying.

  “What do you think of the changes Will has made, Annie?” Ellen asked.

  “They’re incredible, and it sounds like this is only the beginning,” Annie replied.

  “That’s right. Ed and I plan to be working with Sullivan Ranch for a long time,” Margaret interjected. “We have so many plans for Will.”

  Rose emitted a strangled sound, her face pinched and eyes wide with a retort she held back. “I’m heading to my room,” she announced.

  “A fine idea,” Ellen said.

  Annie stood to help, wondering if Margaret realized how close she’d come to the eye of the storm.

  Hands on the walker, Rose raised herself. “You know you don’t have to stay tonight, El.”

  “Getting sick of me?”

  “No, but you have things to do.”

  “What things? Everett is on the road so much I think that husband of mine is closer to that four-wheeler he drives than he is to me. My house gets lonely.”

  “Well, I appreciate it. Good to know someone’s in the room at night. I’m not real good at getting out of the bed yet. Using muscles I didn’t know I had.”

  “I’m happy to stay, so long as you don’t snore.”

  “Snore? I don’t snore,” Rose retorted with indignant surprise, as she started walking with slow steps. Ellen laughed.

  “Annie, do I snore?” Rose asked.

  “I’m staying out of this,” Annie said, clearing the table.

  Will popped into the kitchen, a black Stetson in his hand. Still damp from the shower, his dark hair glistened. He had changed into a pristine, white Western shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders.

  “Woo-hoo. Aren’t you one handsome cowboy?” Rose commented.

  “Thank you.”

  Very handsome, Annie silently concurred, tamping down the flutters of her heart. Will Sullivan always managed to be the handsomest cowboy in any room.

  Margaret slid elegantly from her chair and stood. “I have your name tag.”

  “Name tag?” He frowned at the silver clip bar.

  “So they know we’re staff from KidCare.”

  Will took the tag from Margaret and turned to Annie. “Did you see the first-aid kits I brought in?”

  She nodded toward the kitchen counter.

  “Those work?”

  “Perfect. I’m all set if you need me.”

  “Great. I guess we’re ready.”

  “Good luck tonight,” Annie said to both of them.

  “This is pretty exciting,” Ellen chimed in. “I think we need a prayer to launch Will’s new venture.”

  “Pray fast,” Rose said. “I’m going to need to sit in a minute.”

  Will took Margaret’s hand and then Annie’s. They in turn clasped the hands of Rose and Ellen.

  “Lord,” Rose prayed, head bowed and eyes closed, “thank You for giving Will this opportunity to expand Sullivan Ranch. Bless tonight’s event and keep everyone safe, and may Your name be glorified this evening. Amen.”

  “Amen to that,” Will said. “Let the games begin.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Sullivan Ranch and KidCare are quite a team,” Margaret said, while Will loaded the last of her supplies into the backseat of her cream-colored Mercedes. He closed the door and handed her the keys.

  “Aren’t we?” she persisted, slipping the keys into her purse on the top of the car.

  Will nodded in agreement, wary of where the conversation was going.

  June bugs drawn by the overhead mercury lights danced around them. Will swatted the insects away with a sweep of his hat.

  “And it isn’t just the ranch, Will,” Margaret said. “It’s you. I insisted to Ed that you were the right man for the job. You know, we both feel close to you, like you’re our own son.”

  Will said nothing, not wanting to offend Margaret or Ed. Fact was he wasn’t looking for adoption. Merely a business partner, and a temporary one at that.

  Margaret continued. “Why, with Ed’s grooming, you’re going to be important in this community in no time.”

  He rubbed his fingers over the smooth surface of his Stetson. “Being important isn’t real high on my list.”

  “Nonetheless,” she continued, slapping at a mosquito. “Sullivan Ranch is already getting enormous publicity. In fact, did I tell you we had calls asking if you’d participate in a bachelor auction?”

  “No way.”

  “Yes. Really.”

  “No. I mean there is no way I am doing anything like that.”

  “Why not? Ryan Jones is going to. It’s for Children’s Hospital.”

  “That’s Jones’s business.”

  “But—”

  “No, Margaret. Ask me for a donation, ask me to hold a fundraiser at the ranch, but don’t ask me to exploit myself and compromise my privacy.”

  “We can discuss it another time.”

  Will shook his head. He was too tired to argue. He’d deal directly with Ed next week, and nip this nonsense right in the horse’s behind.

  Margaret perked up. “I’m going to call Ed tonight and give him a full report. Everything went extremel
y well. You saved a potentially disastrous situation.”

  “Annie did that. She was an answer to a prayer, you might say.” He smiled, remembering Annie’s comment about serious prayer. Sure, it had stopped raining eventually, but since the ground remained sloppy, using the barn was the best solution all the way around.

  “Annie had the idea but it was you who implemented the plan.”

  “Ah, thanks. You know, there is one thing. I’d like a copy of the liability releases and contact information to be on file at the ranch before the next program.”

  Margaret stiffened. “That was a communication error. My assistant didn’t understand that KidCare was partnering with Sullivan Ranch. I have them at the office if we really need them.”

  “Better to have them here in case there is a problem during the night.”

  “Of course. I’ll take care of it immediately.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a BlackBerry, quickly inserting a note. “The next KidCare project isn’t until Friday, correct? The hot dog roast event.”

  “Yeah, the next two Fridays are pretty much the same—hayrides, weenie roast and marshmallows round the campfire. And I have a few projects of my own going on.”

  “You’re booking your own programs?”

  “I have bills to pay.”

  That was an understatement. While the new venture promised to generate revenue, at this point future business didn’t balance out the considerable new monthly debt he was incurring today. There were part-time employees to pay, as well as continued upgrades and plain old maintenance to the ranch.

  “You know Ed and I have said over and over that he’d be glad to underwrite you.”

  “This is Sullivan Ranch. It’s been an independent operation for four generations. I intend to keep it that way.”

  The grip on his hat tightened. If he needed financing he’d take the problem to the bank. He wasn’t going to be obligated to KidCare except within the parameters of their current working contract.

  “You know it takes time to build your base of customers. But by next summer you’ll be booked solid with KidCare projects,” Margaret said.

  “I understand that. But I have to do what I can for the ranch now. That includes bringing in my own clientele if and when I can.”

  “What do you have scheduled this week?”