Chapter 23
LAUREN
A fter Matthew told me about the ranch’s financial situation, an idea took shape in my mind, the pieces unfolding one at a time.
Some people created with broad strokes, but for my mathematical brain, it was more like making origami.
I was up most of the night working through my plans until they shaped into something real and logical.
Despite lack of sleep, I was buzzing when the sun rose, and the first thing I wanted to do was get more information.
I called Deborah, my financial advisor in New York, and floated my big idea past her—buying a dude ranch in Wyoming.
She fell into shocked silence. Then she admitted that although I had the funds for such a purchase, she didn’t support the idea.
“Why would you want all of that responsibility and stress right now?” she asked.
“This is the time in life most people like you look forward to lying on a beach somewhere and enjoying the fruits of their labor. If you really want to invest in real estate, there are other options that are much more low maintenance.”
The last thing I wanted to do was lie on a beach for the next thirty years, so I thanked her for the financial information and hung up the phone.
Deborah’s less than enthusiastic reaction prepared me for what could be an onslaught of well-meaning naysayers, starting with my sister.
Yes, Tori was all for new business ventures, but buying a dilapidated ranch in Wyoming was going to seem like a bizarre extension of the Ms. Match brand, which was what I had planned for it.
Because of our high-end client list and Tori’s personal style, we were associated with exclusivity and luxury, not barn cats and bar fights.
If I could get her to listen, though, I’d show her how my plan could work.
I knew one person who would be relieved by my news, and that was Matthew Hart.
I couldn’t wait to tell him he wouldn’t have to sell his ranch to a stranger.
My only concern was that he might think I was insinuating myself into his life.
It was one thing to start up a relationship with a guest who lived in New York and quite another to have her buy your ranch and be a part of your life forever.
Unfortunately, the timing was never right to give Matthew my news.
First, he was busy with preparations for the campfire cookout, which was as much fun as everyone said it would be with a horseback ride up to the mountains, cowboy beans and cornbread cooked over a fire, and even a few tall tales of the old west spun by Walt.
The following day was Gigi’s last at Silver Sage, and she wanted to take me on another picnic down by the river.
We rode Loki and Banjo out there, the late August breeze cooling our faces, and we set up our snacks on those same sunny rocks we’d visited with Matthew on my first horseback ride at the ranch.
My eyes misted up when she asked if we could keep in touch by email, and I wanted to tell her that it was likely we’d meet again someday soon, but I didn’t want to make promises when I wasn’t sure I could keep them.
“My dad really likes you,” she said as we rode back. “He’s been different since you got here.”
“Different in a good way?” I hoped she didn’t think I’d been taking him away from her.
“Yeah,” she said. “He seems happier. Last summer he didn’t ride as much or go to the hot springs. He’s having more fun now.”
“I’ve been having fun too.” More fun than I ever imagined when I fled to this ranch, thinking only of escape and anonymity. Who knew I’d find so much more?
Matthew and Walt took Gigi on a special moonlight ride after dinner, and although they invited me to join them, it didn’t feel right to intrude.
Gigi and I had done our special ride and picnic, and now she needed time with her dad and the man who was like a favorite uncle to her.
While they were out on their ride, I continued making spreadsheets and planning my pitch.
The property would keep its charm if we restored and renovated the current buildings, but we’d also add modernity and comfort by building new structures like a pickleball court and the wellness spa that I’d expected when I first arrived.
Since there were already a plethora of dude ranches that catered to families on vacation, we’d use our ranch for other purposes.
Tori called when I was finishing up my work for the evening.
“So you’re still set on letting Freddy go ahead and plant his stories in the media?” Disappointment laced her tone. In all my excitement about buying the ranch, I’d almost forgotten about what was happening back home. New York felt a million miles away from here.
“I really don’t want to rehash this,” I said. “I’ve made up my mind about that situation.”
“What’s going on with you?” she asked. “You practically hung up on me the other day. Are you mad at me? I feel like you’re keeping secrets.”
“No secrets, and I’m not mad at all.” Right as I spoke, an owl screeched outside my window, as if calling me out on my lie.
“Okay.” She went quiet, and I knew she didn’t believe me. “How’s the rancher?”
“Matthew is fine.”
More uncomfortable silence ensued, which was unusual for us.
“You are coming home, aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course! There’s a big party arriving soon, and the ranch is completely booked so I’ll be back in two or three days.
I just need to buy a ticket.” Matthew had said I could stay at his house when my cabin was needed for new guests, but I’d be in his way.
He was so understaffed that I had no idea how he was going to get through the next few weeks.
“Then what’s going on?” she demanded. “I know you, and something is off.” She was losing patience with me, and although I wanted to share my ideas with Matthew first, maybe it was better if I tested out my presentation before I spoke to him?
“I’ve always been supportive of your business pursuits,” I said. “Just remember that when I tell you what I’m about to tell you. Okay?”
“Okay, hit me with it.”
I took a deep breath, clicked on the PowerPoint I’d made on my laptop for my own reference, and then dove in.
“Silver Sage Ranch is in financial trouble, and Matthew might have to sell it. I’ve talked about it with Deborah, and I can afford to buy this place.
I’m going to make an offer to him and pitch my plans for revitalizing it.
It needs major updates, but it has great bones.
Have you looked at the photos I’ve been sending you?
The scenery out here is magnificent, and the property’s potential is endless.
Please listen before you tell me I’m nuts.
” I held my breath as I waited for her reaction.
“I’m just relieved you’re not getting engaged. You had me worried there for a minute. Tell me more.”
“If I bought the ranch, we could start doing Ms. Match couples retreats here, like we’ve always talked about, helping people work on their relationships.
We could also do singles retreats, if we wanted to go in that direction.
We’ve also talked about having conferences for female professionals and leaders so they could network, and this would be a great place for that too.
The sticking point for starting all of that up is always the hassle and expense of finding a location.
If I owned the ranch, that wouldn’t be an impediment anymore. ”
“Interesting…what else?”
My pulse quickened because her tone was curious and engaged, like she was taking me seriously, which was almost more than I’d hoped for.
“We’ve talked about how the show is getting stale, and we’re not bringing in new viewers.
It’s a great time to transition to something else, a different format.
I was thinking about a new version of Ms. Match called Western Matchmaker .
The premise of the show would be that you come out here and match up people who live in Wyoming.
Like a rancher looking for a wife to help him run his cattle ranch or a young rodeo star who’s ready to settle down.
Matthew’s brother is a country vet who’s quite a catch. ”
“Hate the name, but that’s a fun idea,” Tori said. “It’s never been done before either, not that way.”
“We could get footage of you doing Western things too,” I said. “Like trying to ride a mechanical bull or doing some target shooting. We could film some of that at the ranch.”
“And how are you going to do all this and still keep up as our CFO in New York?” she asked.
“I would spend a lot of time out here,” I admitted.
“We’d need to hire someone to take on a lot of my day-to-day duties in New York.
I need a change, Tori. I’m stagnating at work, and I don’t want to retire next year and learn Mahjong.
My time here has transformed me in ways I couldn’t have put into words before I got here, but it was exactly what I needed. I want this new challenge.”
What I didn’t need was her approval to buy the ranch, but I wanted that, too. I wanted this place to be connected to our work in New York, and for that part, I needed her onboard.
“I’m going to say to you what you said to me when I wanted to start a matchmaking company, and I asked you to quit your job and join me.”
“Okay.” I tried to remember back to that conversation. “What did I say?”
“You said, this isn’t just about what you enjoy doing today. This is about your future. Is matchmaking what you want to spend your days and nights thinking about? Is this your passion?”
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I love this place. Every day I’m here, I wake up excited about what’s ahead, and that’s not only about Matthew or being on vacation.
It’s this ranch. It’s so full of possibilities, and I haven’t had that in my life in a long time.
When my marriage fell apart, I closed the door on so many opportunities and now…
I’m opening it again, but only to things I really want to let in. ”
“Okay, then,” she said resolutely. “Buy the ranch.”
* * *
The next morning was a hectic one at the ranch.
Gigi’s mom and stepdad arrived, and Tyler was busy loading the Shah family and their luggage into the Suburban for their trip to the airport.
Matthew already seemed to have re-focused his energy on the large party arriving in a few days, and it felt like the right time for me to go home.
I made a reservation to fly to New York in two days’ time, but there was one very important conversation I needed to have before I said goodbye.
Once a bit of late afternoon calm settled on the ranch, I was ready to pitch my offer to Matthew. I found him in the office standing behind the reservation desk as he worked on his computer.
His face lit up with a smile when he saw me. “Hey, there. I was just finishing up here and coming over to your cabin to ask if you wanted to have dinner with me.”
“Can we talk in here for a few minutes?” My body was vibrating with nervous energy. “I have something on my mind.”
“Sure. Let’s go inside my office.” He walked me into the tiny room the size of a closet where he had a desk, two chairs, and a bunch of cardboard filing boxes on the floor.
I could see why he didn’t want to spend much time there, since it would easily induce claustrophobia.
He sat in the desk chair, and I took the other one.
There was no point in beating around the bush, so I launched right in.
“Matthew, you know I adore this place, right?”
He nodded and leaned back in his chair. “I know you do, and that makes me so happy.”
The tension in my chest eased a little. “Good. I haven’t been here that long, but this ranch is already part of me, and so are you and the rest of the people at Silver Sage.
I want to make an investment in its future.
” I took a deep breath. “If you’re still considering selling, I would like to discuss an offer to buy the ranch. ”
Matthew blinked at me, speechless.
“I know this wasn’t what you expected me to say today,” I continued, “but believe me, I’ve done a lot of thinking and research before coming to this decision.”