Leann Harris - Fresh-Start Ranch

“It’s in Los Rios. The hearing is ten-thirty.”

“Okay, I’ll be there, but I’ll need directions.” And she didn’t want to repeat her mistake of getting lost on the rural roads. She only had to fall in a hole once to learn to be wary. Kind of like falling in love. She didn’t need to repeat the mistake twice.

* * *

Ethan followed Tessa into the office. Doc Adams had brought in a battered metal desk and put it on the other side of the office from his messy rolltop desk. The computer monitor with hard drive underneath looked out of place in this room, which could’ve come straight out of a picture from a 1930s veterinary office. On the opposite wall, sitting on the metal desk, was a slick laptop. Tessa’s diploma rested on the floor, waiting to be hung. Obviously, she hadn’t had time to finish settling in. Between the two desks was a long table pushed against the back wall, with the printer on it. Underneath were several boxes.

“I haven’t had time to unpack yet,” Tessa explained, walking to the metal desk. “I’ll need your email address so I can send you future reports.”

“Agreed. I’ll put you on the email loop for the Society. Now most of our ranchers have email, but I’ll send you their phone numbers in addition to their email address.”

“Thanks.” She walked to the printer and picked up the report. Meanwhile, Ethan mentally ran over the information he expected the report to contain.

For the last day and a half when Ethan had been working at the ranch, he’d recalled Hope’s birth. What an incredible moment. They’d snatched victory from the mouth of tragedy. When his parents asked about what had occurred at the seizure, the words came tumbling out full of enthusiasm and praise for the new vet, surprising his folks as well as him.

After he finished, his mother simply smiled her I-understand-what’s-really-happening smile, while his dad shook his head. Their reactions puzzled Ethan but he’d been too distracted by thoughts of Tessa to dwell on them for long.

He felt as though he’d known Tessa forever. That didn’t make sense. He wasn’t ready to feel such a strong sense of connection to a woman. He’d talked to God while riding out to check fences, but he hadn’t come to any understanding of his feelings, even when he discussed his reaction with Ranger. He was glad his horse couldn’t talk and comment on his odd behavior.

Adding to his turmoil, this morning Mary called, needing him to drive to Albuquerque to sign papers. He’d gone, but the tension in Mary’s office was so thick, he knew that it was going to be a rough year while he was head of the rescue group. He couldn’t fault Mary’s legal expertise, but they’d never discussed what had happened the morning of their aborted wedding. Driving home from that tense meeting, he thought seeing Hope and Lady would be a good way to unwind. His anticipation had turned to alarm when he walked into Doc’s medical barn and clapped eyes on Kevin Raney.

Ethan had had the unfortunate experience to meet Kevin years ago. Kevin had been traveling the rodeo circuit. He didn’t rope or ride or participate in any of the events. What he did was provide drugs, drink, betting on rodeo events and poker games for the young men and the cowboys who worked the circuit. After a particularly ugly fight that had broken out among several cowboys, sending them to the hospital, Kevin had been barred from coming on the fairground or rodeo property. Later, Ethan had heard Kevin had spent time in the New Mexico state prison system.

So, what was Kevin doing with William?

“Here’s the report,” Tessa said, breaking into his thoughts.

His hand brushed hers when he took the pages. As if grabbing a live wire, a jolt raced through him. His gaze flew to hers. Her eyes widened and a startled “oh” escaped her perfect mouth. The surprise in her eyes told him he wasn’t alone in the reaction.

The moment ended with the outside door slamming. Doc Adams appeared in the doorway.

“Hey, Ethan, what are you doing here?” He looked from Ethan to Tessa.

Ethan took a step away from Tessa and turned. “I was driving back from the city and wanted to see how Hope and Lady were doing.”

Doc gave him a funny look.

“After meeting with our lawyer,” Ethan further explained, “I needed to spend some time with horses.”

Doc’s brow arched. “I see.”

Doc’s cryptic answer made the thirty-five-year-old Ethan squirm like he did the summer Doc had confronted him when he was sixteen and in a whole lot of trouble.

“It was fortunate he came,” Tessa interjected. “There was a little difficulty with William and Kevin Raney.”

“Oh?”

Tessa explained how Ethan’s presence had resolved the situation with the men, making Ethan feel ten feet tall. Doc threw Ethan a glance. They both knew what trouble Kevin could be.

“Good thing you showed up,” Doc said.

Did he hear something in Doc’s voice?

“Yeah, it seems I’ve been doing that lately. I’ll see you on Friday at the courthouse.” Ethan walked out of the office.

“Ethan,” Tessa called to him, following him outside.

Stopping by his truck, he turned to face her. “Yes?”

“Thanks again for your help with William and Kevin.” Her eyes softened with gratitude, making his chest tighten. “When you got here, I was wondering what I could do to stop them from taking Hope.”

Her words sent a chill down his spine. “Be careful of Kevin. Despite the charming smile he so easily flashes, he’s a con man, who’s spent time in the state penitentiary some time back. And from what I’ve seen, I doubt that he’s changed since he got out.”

“Why was he in jail?”

“He ran a bookie operation.”

“Gambling?”

“That’s it.”

“Thanks for the heads-up.” The cold tone of her words could’ve frozen a side of beef in the middle of summer. “I’ve seen the destruction caused by it, so I’ll make sure Kevin doesn’t get his hands on Hope or Lady.” Ethan was surprised by the vehemence of her reaction. Obviously, she had had some sort of run-in with a bookie.

“Don’t try to take Kevin on. I can’t guarantee he won’t be violent. If it comes to your life or the horse’s, you’re more valuable.”

The expression in her eyes mellowed. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

Would she thank him if she knew why he knew that truth about Kevin? But there was no reason for her to know. His past mistakes wouldn’t make a difference in their professional relationship, and that’s the only kind of relationship either of them seemed to want. No doubt that was for the best. Anything else would only lead to disaster. He’d been down that road before and didn’t like where it led.

* * *

The tiny town of Los Rios sported a beautiful courthouse, constructed in the late twenties, built in the Southwestern style using adobe and giant crossbeams.

Ethan had plenty of time to admire it as he sat beside Tessa and they listened to Mary Jensen summarize what they’d found at the ranch. Tessa had finished her testimony. When Mary was done the Moores’ lawyer argued that the family had fallen on hard times. They hadn’t meant to starve their animals.

The judge told them he would be back with his verdict in a few minutes. When he returned, he addressed the Moores.

“Doris, this is not the first time you’ve been before this court. But, this case is judged on its own merits. Seeing the pictures and listening to Dr. Grant, I’m awarding all the horses to the Rescue Society.”

“You can’t do that,” Doris yelled, jumping to her feet.

The judge glared at her. “My ruling stands.”

“What about the foal I sold?” she shot back.

“You’ll have to pay the buyer back. If they aren’t happy with that solution, have them file with the court for relief.” The judge left the chamber.