The Rancher's Reunion

“I’m sorry?” Will said, realizing he’d been miles away.

“I said I’d be happy to ask Chef to prepare something for you.”

He gave a small laugh. Was he that transparent? He felt certain he stuck out as a real greenhorn in this crowd and said so.

“Not at all,” Margaret said. “Actually, you and Ed are a lot alike.”

A red warning flag went up. Margaret was preparing to launch into one of her Ed stories.

“Would you excuse me a minute, Margaret?” He was long overdue for a dose of fresh air.

He moved slowly, stopping to greet a business acquaintance, and then paused to examine the original Western artwork scattered throughout the room. Grabbing a fresh tea, he slipped out the side patio doors when Margaret wasn’t looking.

The night air remained warm with barely a breeze. A hand in his pocket, Will stood for minutes watching the few clouds in the clear, dark sky move across a blanket of stars. “Beautiful night.”

Will didn’t have to turn to realize Ed Reilly had joined him. “It is. Wouldn’t trade Oklahoma for any other place on the planet.”

“Me either,” Ed agreed. “But you ought to be inside meeting those young ladies Margaret has lined up for you. They come from important Tulsa families.”

Will turned to face the older man. Tall and blond with silver shot through the temples, he had one obvious thing in common with his wife. Ed Reilly was accustomed to getting what he wanted.

“Sounds like she’s negotiating a business deal,” Will observed.

“Take some advice from a fellow who has been around the block, Will. A good partnership can lay a solid foundation for a long-term relationship. Don’t rule it out.”

“I’ll give that some thought, sir.”

While he said the appropriate words, Will knew he wasn’t interested in Ed’s definition of a long-term business arrangement. Fact of the matter was he believed in love. Hadn’t seen much of it, but somewhere in the back of his heart he knew that if the Huntington’s wasn’t a block in his road of life and he was in the position to consider marriage, he wouldn’t consider it for anything less than love. A forever and ever, all-encompassing love.

“Nice party,” Will said.

Ed chuckled, knowing he’d been sidestepped. “That it is. A fine party, indeed. Hope the good food and fellowship encourages folks to dig deep into their wallets. We’re supporting a very worthy cause tonight.”

“I’m sure they will. Tulsa is a generous town.”

“You’re right, Will. Tulsa is a generous town. There is always someone willing to lend a helping hand.”

“Yes, sir.”

“My wife tells me everything is moving along well for the youth retreat.”

Will nodded.

“I’ll be out of town next week, but I know you two can handle things.”

“I appreciate your confidence in me.”

“You’re doing a great job. Give it a year, eighteen months, and you’ll start to reap the fruit of this venture.”

“I hope so. Don’t mind telling you I’ve spent more than a few sleepless nights.”

“Success is not without risks. But you’re motivated, a hard worker and a Godly man. Rare combination these days. Before you know it Sullivan Ranch will be bigger than you dreamed.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” Will said.

Ed chuckled.

Both men turned as the patio doors burst open and Margaret stood silhouetted against the lights of the party inside.

“Are you two hiding?” Margaret asked.

“Not at all, darling,” Ed said. “Just mixing a little business with pleasure.”

She nodded, unconvinced. “Will has a phone call. You can take it in Ed’s study.”

Margaret led Will across the carpet and down the hall. Her heels clicked a sharp staccato pattern on the imported Mexican tile as she led the way to the study, opening the massive oak doors. “I do hope you’ll hurry,” she said, as she left him alone in the room. “The party isn’t over yet.”

He reached for the receiver on the desk. “Sullivan here.”

“Will, I’m so sorry to bother you.” Annie’s voice overflowed with emotion. “I tried your cell first.”

Will fumbled in his pants pocket for his cell. He must have left it in the truck. “What’s wrong?” he asked, prepared for the worst.

“Rose. She fell. I’m certain she broke her hip. The ambulance is taking her to St. Francis Hospital.”

Chapter Four

Annie fidgeted in the uncomfortable waiting-room chair. She’d watched the frantic activity in the busy E.R. for the past thirty minutes, wishing she could step in and help.

Her stateside hospital experience had been a med-surg unit after graduation, right before she left for the medical mission position. Boring compared to what she’d observed here. The staff certainly had a formidable challenge. The traffic in and out of the automatic doors seemed heavier than the large medical clinic outside Dadaab. If anything, being on the outside looking in made her anxious to return to nursing.

When Will came through the glass doors she grabbed her cane and stood.

In a suit and tie he took her breath away. Her heart sped up and she had to will herself, as always, to act normal. She knew she was fooling herself if she thought she’d ever be blasé where Will was concerned.

Apparently she wasn’t the only one. Several nurses looked up and continued staring, their admiring gazes following the tall handsome rancher as he moved with purpose through the lobby. A worried frown on his face, he inspected the room. His glance connected with Annie and in several quick strides he was at her side.

“How’d you get here so fast?” he asked. His concerned eyes were more charcoal than blue, reflecting the dark gray suit he wore.

“I drove the Jeep.”

“The Jeep? That piece of junk is held together with two rubber bands and a piece of duct tape.”

She laughed. “It did fine.”

“How’s your leg?” He stepped back and urged her to sit. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t read me the riot act for asking.”

“Who, me?” She slid into the chair, resting the cane across her legs.