Page 4 of The Rancher

“Is that part of the balcony we see when we approach the front of the house?”

“Yes, I’m glad you saw that. The house is sort of built differently inside than what you might expect.”

“That’s true. Is the west wing the same way?”

“No. It has six smaller bedrooms. They are still good-sized but smaller. The room next to mine at the end of the hall is the nursery. It was Maddy’s when she was little. Francie and I planned on more children, but it wasn’t meant to be.” He looked at his watch. “Shall we get back downstairs and get you to the guesthouse? It’s almost five. I’d like to get you settled in before dinner. Amy doesn’t wait dinner for anyone, including me.”

Lyris chuckled. “I guess we know who rules the roost here.”

“You bet. Amy. If you want to eat well, you won’t get on her bad side.”

“I’ll see if I can manage that.”

CHAPTER 2

After the tour, Lyris went with Ray as he carried her duffle bag to the guest house. The small ranch-style house was on the back of his property, on the far side of the pool. She’d originally thought it was the pool house, but he had one of those setting along the south side of the backyard.

The north side of the yard was covered with bushy Blue Spruce trees forming a barrier against the wind and snow in winter.

The rectangular pool was about fifty feet long and thirty feet wide, with a diving board at the end of the pool closest to the guesthouse. The pool itself was about twenty-five feet from the sliding door leading into the kitchen. A covered patio took up twenty feet of that space.

The guesthouse was painted white, same as both the main house and the pool house. A small porch was in the front of the guest house with white columns, like those on the main house, only smaller.

Ray dropped the backpack on the overstuffed chair in the living room. “Let’s head out.”

Ray took her across the patio to the sliding door and held it for her.

He stood and watched his daughter interact with a woman Lyris assumed was his cook.

“Come on in and meet Amy. The woman who keeps us all on track.” Ray approached Maddy and the woman. “Amy, this is Lyris Jennings, our new vet. She’ll be living in the guesthouse and will take her meals with us.”

Lyris extended her right hand to Amy. She was about five feet tall, had silver hair piled on her head in a messy bun, and yet her face was nearly wrinkle-free. She could have been anywhere between forty to seventy, but Lyris thought she was probably in her fifties. “I’m pleased to meet you, Amy.”

“And I you, Dr. Jennings.” She took Lyris’s hand.

“Please, call me Lyris.”

Amy nodded. “As you wish. You’ll have to let me know if there are any foods you’re allergic to and if you want anything specific to eat, like your favorite meal. I’m always looking for ideas.” She turned to Ray. “Dinner will be at five-thirty tonight. I have a euchre tournament to go to.”

Ray laughed. “You and your cards.”

Amy placed her hands on her hips. “Everybody needs a hobby. You need to find one. Maddy is growing up and not going to need you as much. You need to fill the void.”

He matched her stance. “I have my horses. They, and my business, keep me too busy for anything else.”

“Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. By the way, will you be having dinner here next Saturday? You have that gala and I need to know if I need to include you in my supper plans.”

Ray turned toward Lyris. “Will you be hungry before the gala? They have hors d’ouvres along with the champagne.”

Lyris widened her eyes and raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t realize I would be attending a gala and need a gown. I’d have to find one. Why do you want me to go?”

“You have a week to find something. As to why, you’re part of this operation now. I need you to represent it.”

She widened her eyes. He said she’d be attending as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to attend a formal affair. “I’ll see what I can find, and I don’t need dinner beforehand.”I’ll be too nervous to eat. I have to take a day and go shopping in Denver. I hope I can find something at such short notice.

“Fine. Now let me show you your office in the barn.” He walked with her to the barn. After they entered, he led the way to her office. The barn faced south. When both of the large doors were opened, she bet there was a great cross breeze.

Ray led her to the northeastern part of the barn.