The Rancher's Twins. Carol Ross

       CHAPTER FIVE

      TRAVEL ALONE WOULD slice precious time out of Jon’s day. Property lines and gravel roads meant zigzagging and relatively slow-going for miles. And that was before he reached the long driveway to Big E’s house and the barns. It would be faster to ride his horse, or an ATV, but opening and closing gates, fencing and cross fencing on neighboring lands would impede him too much this time of year.

      The shortest route would have him crossing Double T land. Relations between the Thompsons and the Blackwells had lately been, if not peaceful, then uneventful. But Jon wasn’t about to do anything to remind them of the victory Big E and Ben had won concerning water rights. And most importantly, Jon couldn’t pack nearly as much gear on a horse or an ATV.

      Maybe Big E had given Ethan some clue as to where he was going. Busy as his brother had been with college and veterinary school for so many years, his visits were infrequent and quick. But he’d been back a couple of months ago for Sara Ashley Gardner’s wedding. Sara Ashley was Grace’s sister and Ethan’s ex. He’d stayed with Jon while he was in town and it had been great spending some real time with his brother again.

      Ethan answered on the fourth ring. “Jon, hey, what’s up? Everything okay?” As expected, his brother’s voice was laced with concern. Ethan knew it was calving season. None of his brothers would expect a call from him now unless it was urgent.

      “Ethan. Yep, everything is fine. I think.” He paused. “Or not. Have you talked to Big E lately?”

      “Just once since I was there and that was two weeks ago. What’s going on?”

      “Trying to track him down. Big E and Zoe took off in their motorhome about a week ago. The bill at Brewster’s hasn’t been paid for a while. Katie needs to order feed and supplies, and the store can’t extend any more credit.”

      “Took off? Where did they go?”

      “No one seems to know. Not anyone here anyhow.”

      “Have you talked to anyone else?” Jon knew he meant their other three brothers.

      “Not yet. I was thinking we could divide and conquer. I’ll call Tyler if you want to call Chance.”

      “What about Ben? He doesn’t want to hear from me.”

      “I won’t fare much better. I’m thinking we both call Ben. Maybe if we each leave him a message he’ll think it’s important enough to call one of us back. Although I doubt Ben has talked to anyone, and especially not Big E.”

      Zoe had been engaged to Ben when she threw him over for Big E. Their brother was bitter. Rightly so, seeing as how Jon and Ethan had inadvertently encouraged it. Not the wedding so much, as they’d wanted Ben out of Zoe’s clutches. The whole thing had been a mess. Jon wished Ben would give them an opportunity to clear the air. Their brother had to know by now that Zoe was no good for him.

      Ethan whooshed out a breath. “Okay, I’ll call them both.”

      “Thanks, Ethan.”

      “Big E left without paying the bill at Brewster’s?”

      “Yep. You know that no one can sign on the account except for him or one of us boys.”

      “Yeah. Did you, uh, talk to Grace?”

      “Grace is the one who informed me. Pulled me into her office yesterday. Katie was there.”

      “Did she mention me?”

      “Who, Katie?”

      “No, not Katie, Grace.”

      “Why would Grace mention you?”

      “She wouldn’t. Never mind.”

      Jon hoped Ethan wasn’t torn up about Sara Ashley’s marriage. He’d thought his brother was over that relationship. He didn’t have time to ponder that or the sad state of his disconnected family. “I feel bad for Katie. Either let her run the place, or not. I swear, I don’t know why she sticks around.”

      “We both know why she sticks around.”

      “True.” Because the two things Katie loved more than anything in the world were at the Blackwell Ranch—her father, Lochlan, and the horses, many that she’d trained up from colts.

      “What are you going to do?”

      “I’m on my way there now. Katie called this morning saying she needed me ASAP, which causes me extra concern.”

      “This is weird. Stupid question, but you’ve called him, right? Our wayward grandfather?”

      “Three times. Two messages. Even called Zoe’s phone. Texted her, too.”

      “Huh. Well, let’s hope they’re just out of cell-phone range. Maybe he went to see that friend of his in New Mexico. The survivalist who lives in the adobe hut out in the middle of nowhere without power.”

      “Carl Clutch. Had that same thought seeing as how they took the motorhome.”

      “But why the secrecy?”

      “With Big E? Who knows? I’ll let you go. Got some more calls to make before I get there. I’ll keep you posted.”

      “All right. Good luck.”

      “Thank you. Something tells me I’m going to need it. And Ethan?”

      “Yeah?”

      “It sure was nice having you back here. The girls are still talking about you. Getting a little tired of all the ‘Uncle Ethan this and Uncle Ethan that.’ Abby wants to be a vet.”

      Ethan chuckled. “Thanks, brother. It was good being there. I miss my nieces. We’ll talk soon.”

      Jon called Tom, briefly explained the situation and told him he’d be gone for a good while. They discussed ranch matters. Then he called Tyler and Ben. No surprise, neither one answered, so he left messages. He didn’t provide any details, just asked them to call back. It seemed too early to suggest something was amiss. He had no proof anything was wrong, other than the sour feeling in his gut, which settled deeper as he steered the pickup through the grand iron arch.

      As far as Jon knew, the large metal sign had arced over the entrance forever; Blackwell Family Ranch. He crept along the lengthy drive that led to his childhood home. All around him was the land—the ranch—where six generations of Blackwells had lived. A surprising twinge of nostalgia had him wondering what his great-great-granddad had seen and thought when he first stepped foot here. Could he have had even an inkling of all the turmoil this place would witness? The births and the deaths, marriages and divorces, drought and flood, feast and famine, love and hate, and all the accompanying memories both peaceful and painful. It seemed more than any family should have to endure. And for the first time in Jon’s life, he