The Rancher's Redemption. Melinda Curtis
same metal, olive-colored file cabinet. The same dark wood floors worn in front of the fireplace where Big E liked to pace.
And there, to the left of the hearth, was the leather cigar chair that stood guard over Big E’s floor safe. Was the paper documenting the land trade still inside? All Ben needed was the combination to find out.
“According to Jon, Big E and Zoe travel regularly in the motorhome.” Ethan moved to stare out the window, sounding preoccupied. “But this time they left without telling Katie or Lochlan or anyone where they were going or how long they’d be gone. And Big E didn’t move enough funds in the bank accounts to cover the checks Katie needed to write, like for feed and payroll.”
Ben stared at a photo of Big E on the mantel. He wore a dark suit and black bolo tie. He’d shaven and his peppery hair was neatly trimmed. Zoe leaned in to kiss his cheek. Her straight blond hair was framed by a white bridal veil.
Ben expected to feel pain in his chest, somewhere around the spot his heart was supposed to be. Jealousy. Loss. Betrayal.
He felt nothing, except...confusion.
His grandfather looked happy. And Zoe looked like a joyful, blushing bride.
Ben’s image of them had been clichéd. He’d pictured Big E with a depraved, triumphant attitude, as if he’d successfully pulled one over on Ben. He’d imagined Zoe with a cold look in her eye as she calculated the spending limit on the credit card Big E gave her.
“We should be worried,” Ben said reluctantly. “Couples in love don’t just disappear. I’d wonder about his sanity if he didn’t have Zoe with him.” And wasn’t that a change? Ben paying a backhanded compliment to his ex.
“I need to tell you something.” Ethan turned, looking as if he was about to go on the witness stand in a contentious case.
His brother’s heavy expression seemed to require lightening. “If you tell me you killed Big E in the library with a candlestick, I’m going to be very disappointed in you.”
Ethan’s mouth was a flat line. This was either something grim, or Ethan had indeed killed their grandfather.
Ben swore. “Seriously, I would have studied criminal law if I knew you had a violent side.”
“It’s not that kind of news.” His twin shook his head. “I’m getting married.”
“To Sarah Ashley Gardner?” Please say no.
Ethan had been dangling from Sarah Ashley’s string since he was thirteen.
“No. To her kid sister. Grace.” That wasn’t concern lining Ethan’s face. It was defensiveness. “I love her. We’re going to have a baby.”
Ben had the strongest urge to close the distance between them and hug his twin. He glanced at the photo of Big E and Zoe and didn’t budge. “Congratulations.”
“Jon’s getting married, too, in case you hadn’t heard. Her name is Lydia and she’s great for Jon.”
Ben’s chest tightened. He felt like an outsider. They hadn’t told him their good news earlier. Of course, he’d refused the offer of a beer and a game of poker, during which they might have told him. “I’ll congratulate Jon next time I see him.”
“Grace has been helping at the guest ranch,” Ethan said. “But she’s tired and if you helped out—”
“If I helped out,” Ben cut his brother off, “I wouldn’t be prepared to defend the ranch’s water rights in court.” He had to be ready for whatever Rachel threw at him. “I’m here for one reason and one reason only. As your attorney.”
“Which is important to me. I want to start a veterinary practice here on the property once I get licensed in Montana.” Ethan rubbed a hand through his hair, still looking defensive. “Right now, I’m practicing under Norman Terry at the clinic in town. Most of my patients are pets of friends, our ranch livestock and the petting zoo animals.”
“A zoo?” Had he heard Ethan right? “When did a zoo open in town? And who was the fool who thought that was a good idea in Falcon Creek?”
“It’s a petting zoo. It was Zoe’s idea. And the guests really like it.” Ethan’s gaze swept the photos on the mantel. “I hate to admit it, but there might be something to the guest ranch. It could help the place stay afloat. You know, diversify income. That’s why the water rights are so important.”
Ben studied his brother the way he scrutinized an opposing counsel’s witness, looking for sincerity and certainty. Finding both, he asked, “Do you know why Rachel brought this lawsuit now?”
Ethan shook his head.
“Someone gave her the history of water use here on the ranch.” Ben couldn’t imagine Big E going that soft. Unless she’d gotten her figures from someone at the water company, the only other people with knowledge of and access to the water bills were Zoe, Katie Montgomery and her father, Lochlan, the ranch’s foreman. Lochlan had been managing things on the Blackwell Ranch for years and was as loyal as they came. Same for his daughter. “Now that Big E is acting irrationally, my money’s on Zoe.”
“Regardless, you’ll handle it,” Ethan said stiffly.
Standing so near his twin, the loss of their close relationship was an ache in Ben’s chest.
“Jon wants to sell the ranch,” Ethan blurted. “Combined, we can get a majority stake in the ranch and could wrest control from Big E. Jon’s going to call a vote. I want to stay. I’m staking my livelihood here. My future.” The words stopped tumbling out of his mouth, slowed, were given weight. “For the future of my child, Ben.”
Ben drew back. He knew what Ethan was asking. He wanted Ben’s vote to keep the Blackwell Ranch within the family. “And if I lose the water rights? What then?”
“Don’t talk like that. Dad wouldn’t want us to walk away from our heritage.” Ethan placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “Maybe roots and family aren’t important to you, but they’re important to me. Think about the memories we had growing up here. Riding the range. Camping under the stars. Running around a safe little town. When you have kids someday—”
“Big E ruined that for me.” Ben brushed Ethan’s hand away. “The ranch, the town, my life.”
“I notice you didn’t say anything about a broken heart,” Ethan said softly. “Let it go, Ben. Move on.”
Never look back, boy.
“It’s kind of hard to move on when you’ve returned to the very spot where you started.” Ben hated that he sounded pathetic.
“Do you want me to say I’m sorry that I waited until I knew for sure they’d eloped? Because I will.” Ethan didn’t sound resentful or pompous. He sounded earnest. “I’m sorry I made sure you couldn’t catch up to the woman who didn’t love you. I’m sorry that meant you heard about their elopement from someone else in front of an audience. And...” Ethan shuffled his booted feet. “And I’m sorry we haven’t been close since then.”
“I...” Ben swallowed. An apology. It was what Ben had waited for. And yet, he didn’t know what to do.
Outside the window, the tire swing spun in the breeze.
“Higher!” a six-year-old Ben had demanded of their grandfather.
Ethan sat inside the tire swing while Ben stood on top of it. With each push from Big E, the wind had whistled past Ben’s ears almost as fast as when he rode Cisco, Jon’s bay mare.
His parents were cutting birthday cake for Tyler and Chance on the picnic table. Tyler swiped a glob of frosting and flung it in Chance’s dark hair. They giggled even as they tussled, trying to reach more cake.
Laughter. Smiles. The feeling that all was right with the Blackwells’ world and that they were invincible. When