Made For The Rancher

“Wonderful. Thanks again.”

“Best of luck to you and Representative Farnsworth.”

One of the orderlies wheeled her out of the hospital to the car where her parents were waiting. She thanked him and hugged her parents. Once she’d gotten in back and her dad had put her bag in the trunk, she leaned forward.

“If you don’t mind, I want to buy a gift for Mr. Clayton and take it to him before we drive home.”

Her mom turned around. “What did you have in mind?”

“A saddle blanket. He used some blankets from his truck to keep us from going into shock. I think it would be a nice reminder.”

“I think that’s a lovely idea.”

“Dr. Turner said I could find one at Frost’s Western Saddlery on Main Street.”

Her dad nodded, and he drove there, parking in front.

“I won’t be long,” she told her parents as she hurried into the store and approached the middle-aged man who asked if he could help her.

“I’m looking for a Nez Perce saddle blanket,” she said. She had one herself and loved it.

“I have several. Come over this way.” The man led her to another part of the store where he brought out four different samples. Her eye was drawn to a black-and-beige blanket with a distinctive indigenous design. For some reason she could see Mr. Clayton using it.

“I like this one.”

“That’s an excellent choice. It’s a heavy-duty wool blanket. Perfect for our Montana weather, especially in the winter.”

“How much is it?”

“Two hundred dollars.”

There wasn’t enough money in the world to pay Wymon back for what he’d done for her and Rob. “I’ll take it. Could you wrap it as a gift for a man?”

“Of course.”

She handed him her credit card and walked around the shop. When she saw a beautiful, long-sleeved ivory Western blouse with snap closures, she lifted it off the rack. Delighted to discover it was her size, she rushed over to the counter with it. “I’d like this, too, but it doesn’t need to be wrapped.”

Before long the salesman had bagged her purchases and handed her card back to her. “Come and visit us again,” he said.

“I will. Thank you.”

She hurried outside to her family. “The Clayton Ranch is only five miles from here. The doctor gave me directions. Mr. Clayton might not be in his office, but it doesn’t matter. I’d just like to drop this off to let him know how much I appreciate what he did for us.”

“We’d like to thank him ourselves,” her dad said. “Tell me the directions.”

It wasn’t long before they arrived at the ranch with its arch of antlers welcoming them to the property. They drove up the road. The setting was like something out of a storybook with the gorgeous mountains in the background. Around a curve sat a fabulous two-story ranch house that had to have been built before the turn of the last century.

They pulled up to the office parking area. “I’ll run in and see if he’s there. If he is, I’ll phone you to come in. Otherwise I’ll just leave my gift.”

She pulled the wrapped package out of its sack and walked up on the porch. There was a sign to ring the bell. After a minute, a pretty Hispanic woman opened the door. “Yes?”

“I’ve come to see Mr. Clayton. Is he here?”

“He’s just leaving. Did you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“May I tell him who’s calling?”

“Jasmine Telford.”

“Come in.” Jasmine followed her through the entry hall to the living room. “Wait here. I’ll get him.”

Jasmine looked around the beautifully decorated room. It was straight out of the pages of True West magazine.

“Ms. Telford?”

Wymon’s deep voice set her heart racing before she turned around to see the handsome rancher enter the room, wearing his cowboy hat. She’d been told she’d caught him on his way out. It was pure luck that he was still there.

“I know I’m the last person you ever expected to see again, and I don’t want to hold you up. But I was just released from the hospital and wanted to thank you again before I left for Philipsburg. This is for you,” she said, handing him the gift.

He took it from her. “You shouldn’t be giving me anything.”

She smiled. “Let’s agree not to argue about it. You and I both know what you did. Please, accept this with my heartfelt gratitude.”

Their eyes held for a moment before he took off the wrapping. When he let the blanket unfold, she knew she’d picked the right one for him. She could see the pleasure in his silvery eyes.

“You have excellent taste. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Well, I’d better be going.”

He studied her face. “Give Mr. Farnsworth my best. I’m sure you’ll both be happy to get home and put that plane crash behind you.”

It already was behind her. She’d hoped Mr. Clayton would want to talk to her for a few more minutes, but he was on his way out with other things on his mind. Worse, he assumed she and Rob were still a couple.

Mr. Clayton didn’t know anything about her relationship with Rob. At this point she didn’t dare blurt out that they wouldn’t be seeing each other anymore. As if Mr. Clayton cared...

“Thanks again,” she said and gave him a wave before exiting the door. Once in the car she told her parents she’d given him the gift. “He’s a busy man and was on his way out. That’s why I didn’t invite you in to meet him.”

Her mom smiled at her. “I’m sure he appreciated the gift.”

“I think he did. Thanks for bringing me here.”

On the way back to Philipsburg she unloaded about Rob. “Right before the crash he asked me to marry him, but I had to turn him down. Right after I told him that, the hawk hit the propeller. It was awful!”

Her emotions got the best of her, and tears started running down her cheeks.

“Oh, darling,” her mother said sympathetically, turning around in her seat.