Showdown #3
“We need to help Cassie with that ranch,” she said.
“It’s not her fault her son went off the rails.
She’s been depending on him ever since he got old enough to work the ranch, and he must have gotten burned out.
I can’t help feeling sorry for that kid.
He had all the best intentions, and he went about them all the wrong ways. ”
“I felt the same way,” Tim said.
“I think you’re right,” Aunt Steph put in. “What can we do to help Cassie? She doesn’t deserve this.”
“Well, I’ve got an idea to talk over with the family,” Grandma Austin said. “But first, I want to thank Tim, and all of you.” She looked around at the assembled Rocker A family and hands. “You worked together and saved the ranch. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Cheers erupted from the ranch crowd, until Grandma Austin lifted her hand for quiet and began again.
“Now, I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I’d like to put an end to this selling-the-ranch idea.
Of course, I’ve got to talk it over with the family.
But if it were up to me, the Rocker A would go on as long as family members were willing to work it.
And if we chose to do that, I think there’s a possibility we could buy the Baldwin ranch.
Tim, you’ve been saying we need more grazing land to increase our herd, haven’t you?
We could give Cassie a decent price, and if she wanted, she could come live with us.
She won’t have much of a way to support herself if her son is in jail. That poor woman’s had a tough life.”
“Well, I’m all for it,” Tim said. “Let me know what the family decides to do, and I’ll help however I can.”
Uncle Russell cleared his throat. “Well, let’s vote on it,” he said. “I don’t mind admitting that I’ve been impressed by the way the ranch hands all pulled together the last few days. We’ve got a winning team, and I’m proud to be involved with it. I vote to keep the ranch.”
That made Maria feel warm and fuzzy. Uncle Russell being excited about the ranch was a wonderful development.
“Russell, we don’t need to discuss this in front of everyone,” Grandma Austin said primly, but she was smiling.
“I don’t think we need to discuss it at all,” Annabelle said. “I’ve changed my mind. There’s no way I’m going to give Neil the satisfaction of seeing us sell the place.” She tossed her head. “I really don’t mind it here.”
“Good!” a tall young ranch hand behind Annabelle’s shoulder exclaimed.
Annabelle turned around and smiled at him, and he grinned down at her with a warm expression.
Maria raised her eyebrows. Was this another ranch romance in the making?
It would be good for Annabelle to find someone steady.
Maria would have to nose around and ask somebody about Annabelle and the ranch hand later.
“Well, I vote to stay,” Aunt Steph said. “When I think of all the work I’ve put into this place, decorating and fixing things and making it a home—and all the friends I have around here—it would be a shame to leave.”
“I still want to travel,” Elijah said from his seat on the floor. “Do stuff you can’t do here on the ranch. But I guess there are ways to do it without selling the place. I could always win the lottery.”
The room erupted with laughter, and Tim whacked Elijah upside the head. “You save the money you spend playing poker and buying beer, and you’ll have enough to go anywhere you want.”
All the adults in the family had chimed in now, except Maria, and she felt Grandma Austin’s eyes on her.
“Well,” she said, “when I first came here, I didn’t think I was going to stay.
But I didn’t agree with you all about selling the ranch.
And now I feel even more strongly. It’s beautiful here. It’s home.”
“Yeah!” shouted ranch hand Danny from one of the couches. “Hey, I’m gonna start a bonfire down by the bunkhouse. Anybody wanna roast hot dogs?”
The ranch hands trooped out in a body. Annabelle went out too, the tall ranch hand on her heels.
“Saw you looking,” a voice said in her ear, and Maria turned to find Tim grinning down at her. “Annabelle and Nate? I think he likes her.”
“Wow,” Maria said. “How did you learn that, anyway?”
He winked. “It’s part of my job to be observant.”
§
Much as she would have liked to take part in the bonfire, Maria had something more important to do. She went to her room and called Dad.
It was late, but he and Grandma were still up. They got on speakerphone, and Maria told the whole story, a little breathless.
“So,” she said at the end, “the family decided to keep the ranch. Dad, Grandma, do you think—would you really be willing to come out here to Montana? You won’t miss Michigan too much?”
“Well, I think we’ll come back now and again to visit,” Dad said, his voice hearty. “But I think we’ve all been wanting a change of scenery for a while. I talked to the sheriff in Livingston, and he’s got an opening for another deputy. I’m not too old to chase a few outlaws.”
“And I’ve always wanted to see Montana,” Grandma said. “Besides, I heard that ranch house has a state-of-the-art kitchen. I’m itching to try it out.”
Maria laughed. “Well, that’s great,” she said. “I’m glad you want to come. I think you’ll love it here.”