The Rancher's Reunion

Rose he understood. She’d run the Sullivan house since his mother left. At times he wondered what kept Rose here in Granby with him and the ranch. She had never married, often saying the Sullivans were all the family she needed, and later including Annie in her circle of love.

His father had often told him a kitchen was only big enough for one woman. Will figured Annie didn’t count because she was like a daughter to Rose.

Margaret Reilly? Well, that was another story. She got on Rose’s last nerve.

On several occasions during strategic planning meetings at the ranch, Will had to pull Margaret aside to explain Rose’s role at the ranch wasn’t simply housekeeper. No, Rose O’Shea couldn’t be defined by the words housekeeper or cook. Margaret had a hard time understanding, but at least she’d stopped giving out suggestions for redecorating the house and reorganizing the kitchen in front of the feisty older woman.

He wasn’t too sure why Margaret irritated Annie. Must be a woman thing.

The campground appeared in the distance and Will pointed as they approached. The perfect spot, it was nestled in a protective shelter of trees. The tall redbuds, elms and birches were planted by his grandfather William Sullivan.

“Finished those cabins a few weeks ago,” he told Annie. “Along with the shower facility. The covered areas over there are for picnics, barbecues and activities.”

Six cabins, each able to accommodate four campers, stood in a semicircle to the right. The clearing to the left was for pitching tents.

“You’ve got showers and toilets?”

“Don’t want them coming to the house, do I?”

“This is roughing it, Okie style? Those cabins are adorable.”

“Adorable?” Will nearly choked on the word. “They’re not adorable.”

“Sure they are. So you’re planning on quite a few campouts?”

“More than quite a few. We’re booked nearly every weekend from now to the end of the summer.”

Annie’s eyes widened. “Will, that’s a lot of work.”

“You bet it is, and this has been over a year in the making. Besides campouts we’ve got one-night events like hayrides and church meetings. The riding lessons have picked up too.”

“Who does the lessons?”

“I wish I could say I do them all, but mostly I rely on Chris LaFarge and his wife, Joanie. Chris is a vet tech over at Doc Jones’s practice.”

“You’re busy.”

“There’s an understatement. I spend most of my time on the phone troubleshooting and scheduling. The frustrating part is trying to get any real work done in between calls. Getting to be a joke.”

“Sounds like you need a personal assistant.”

“Margaret said the same thing.”

“That’s because she probably has a personal assistant.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t afford that kind of expense. By the spring I’ll know if I can draw my own paycheck as an employee. There’s no way I can bring anyone else on board at this point.”

“So explain to me again how the Reillys play into all this?”

“Ed Reilly came to me with the idea. KidCare is the middleman in this operation. They negotiate the programs and outsource to operations like Sullivan Ranch. KidCare takes a percentage of profits right off the top along with a fee I pay them for things like marketing. I deal mostly with Margaret on a day-to-day basis.”

Annie tilted her head, listening.

“You’ve never heard of KidCare, but trust me, for a homegrown operation, they’re huge. Lots of influence and lots of money. At first Ed offered to finance the changes I’d need,” Will continued. “But that didn’t sit well with me. I’m fortunate KidCare is interested in working with Sullivan Ranch, but I don’t want them to own me.” He adjusted the rim of his straw Stetson. “How did you pay for the work?” Clearly Annie wasn’t shy about asking questions.

“I sold the land in the north pasture to the Dearbornes.” Will shifted uncomfortably. Just saying the words made him nervous.

“That’s almost…” Annie blinked hard. “That’s almost a third of the ranch.”

“I know. I know. To tell you the truth, it scared me spitless. Fact is, the past few years I’ve been barely squeaking by with the horse boarding and my inheritance. Ed came along when I was seriously contemplating the need to sell everything.”

She sucked in a breath. “Sell Sullivan Ranch?”

Will seconded her reaction. He gazed out through the mud-spattered windshield, his vision taking in the pecan grove and the small peach and apple orchard. “It’s been a long time since this place has been a working ranch.” He pointed to the pasture beyond the trees. “There haven’t been cattle out there since before my dad got sick, and that was a long time ago.”

Quiet filled the Jeep as Will paused, his hand moving the clutch back and forth in and out of neutral. “This ranch is all I know. But something had to give, and I just couldn’t see the past as a way to the future.”

He turned to Annie, the knot in his stomach tightening. “Am I wrong?”

“No, Will. I think you’re right. Besides, the entire project has changed you. It’s good to see you so enthusiastic. I’m really happy for you. But how are you going to do it all by yourself?”

“Slowly. Very slowly. I started with a plan, and so far things have worked. At first I focused on getting the ranch in shape, starting with routine maintenance. Then I contracted to have the work done for the new campgrounds. There were inspections and zoning red tape until I couldn’t see straight.”

Annie gave a thoughtful nod as he spoke.

“Now I have a couple reliable college kids on the weekend. They’ll help set things up and do the tear down. Chris and Joanie get the horses fed and exercised in the evening. Gives me a break.”

“Still leaves a lot for you to do. Maintenance of the ranch and bookkeeping, and now these KidCare projects are rolling. What are you going to do when you start getting outside reservations, besides KidCare?”

Will grinned and his pleasure soared. She got it. Annie understood.

“Already started getting outside reservations. That’s why I’m booked almost solid.” He grinned, unable to contain his pride. “Hey, it’s hard work. Any new venture is. They say you can expect to work twenty-four-seven for the first few years to launch a new business. I’m prepared to do that.”

And he was. There wasn’t any extra time left over to brood on the past or worry about the future. No time to think about Huntington’s these days.

“I’m surprised you know if you’re coming or going.”

Will laughed. She wasn’t far off the mark. “Annie, the place seems to be exploding with ideas. I’d like to expand and put in Quonset huts and a full kitchen and hold full camps Monday through Friday, all summer long. The place would be a Christian dude ranch. I know it’s not a new idea. There are plenty around the area. But it’s still a pretty lucrative opportunity, considering we’re smack-dab in the middle of the Bible Belt.”

“That’s a terrific vision. I can see it happening.”

Excitement sizzled through him as he spoke. “Can you, Annie? Because I really can.” He fiddled with a thread on his jeans. “Sometimes I’m so fired up I could burst with needing to talk.”

“Will Sullivan a chatterbox. Now that’s a new one.”

Will paused for a moment, taking in the picture Annie made. A smile teased her lips, and her eyes brimmed with laughter. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently adjusted the crooked ball cap on her head.

“Better?” she asked quietly.