festival events with him.
Excited to have another reason to see her away from the dude ranch, he emailed his response, then took Daisy with him to his mom’s for Sunday dinner.
Everyone had congregated except their youngest brother, Toly, who was still single and on the rodeo circuit. When Roce walked into the living room, Libby shouted for joy and ran over to play with Daisy.
Eli sat on the couch with Brianna and Jasmine, the wife of their oldest brother, Wymon. Everyone fought to hold Eli and Brianna’s new baby. Just two weeks old, little Stephen, named after their father, Stephen Clayton, was adorable, and the family was overjoyed.
“How’s the new Clayton Ranch vet?” Wymon asked, giving Roce a hug.
“That depends. Since Mom hasn’t announced dinner yet, let’s go in the den for a minute. I want to talk to you about something.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It could be.”
They went into their father’s study and he shut the doors. “You know the ranchers around here better than anyone. What can you tell me about John Hunter? He made it big in oil and owns the Rocky Point Dude Ranch outside Hamilton. He said he met you at a rodeo last year.”
“That’s right.” Wymon sat on a corner of the old oak desk. “He’s well-known and revered. I’m biased, from a personal standpoint, because he was an early contributor to our coalition’s agenda to reintroduce grizzly bears to the Sapphire Mountains.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Do you know anything about his family?”
“I’ve met Sheldon, who helps his father buy the horses they use on the ranch. We’ve talked several times. He seems like a good man, too.” Wymon cocked his head. “What’s this all about?”
Roce wasted no time telling him what had happened last evening. “Wes is Sheldon’s son and married to a girl named Fran. Wes told me under no uncertain terms that Dr. Cruz, who’s from Darby, will be taking over Chief’s care starting tomorrow. That goes exactly against what John told me.”
Wymon shook his head. “Obviously, the grandson is making trouble for you already. I wonder why. How old is he?”
“Mid-twenties maybe. In my opinion he was irrationally upset that Tracey was the one who noticed Chief’s limp in the first place. He claims it’s his horse, and he was in town when she went to the corral to check out the horse she wanted to ride.”
“Tracey?”
“Yes. Tracey Marcroft. She’s an elementary schoolteacher from Polson. She was hired to help with the trail rides this summer. I learned that she grew up around horses and even did a little barrel racing. She picked out Chief as the best of the lot. Her grandfather is close friends with John. That’s how she got the job.
“But instead of Wes being glad she saw what was wrong with the horse, he was so cold. Dr. Cruz wasn’t available, so John Hunter called me. Now I have to ask why Wes is that intent on Dr. Cruz taking over, when it’s John’s decision. Something doesn’t feel right.”
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