and twenty-five sacks of Nature’s Best. What out of that says crimped oats? Does Colby have a hearing disorder now?”
She’d stopped by the feed store on her way home to pick up the order for the horses she was training. Instead of what she ordered, they had readied seventy-five sacks of oats. This day just seemed to keep going downhill.
“I’m sorry, Ally. If you can give me a few minutes, I’ll fix your order. Are you in the farm truck?”
“Yeah. Thanks. I’ll wait outside.”
Despite the obstacles she’d overcome so far today, mostly set in her path by that Seth Masters, it was still a beautiful day with just enough fluffy white clouds overhead to keep the sun from turning up the heat. She wandered out to the gardening section and idly looked at the petunias and other bedding plants. Any other year, she would be picking up trays of assorted flowers to be planted in the beds around the large wraparound porch at her house. This year she had purchased one hanging basket that she placed at the edge of the small front porch of the cabin where she stayed, and that was all she would allow herself to have. No use spending money on stuff that would just die from neglect.
And they would be neglected. Her heart just wasn’t in it. The cabin, provided by the ranch where she worked, sufficed, but it wasn’t home. It would never be home. Why surround herself with tarnished memories of the things she used to love? She didn’t need to be reminded of her home and the joy she’d known there. It was gone, and the sooner she accepted that fact, the better off she would be.
She would keep the appointment with Wade Masters once it was arranged, but down deep she knew she had little hope of convincing him to give back her ranch. Even if he agreed to sell it back to her, she didn’t make enough money for monthly payments on a ranch that size. It would take time, at least another year, before she could start earning the kind of money she needed.
“It seems we keep bumping into each other.” A deep voice came from behind her. Before she fully turned toward him, she knew it was Seth Masters.
“Are you following me, Masters?”
“On the contrary, I’ve been around back looking at the tractors. I didn’t see you when I got here, so I would have to ask you the same question.”
He smiled. She gritted her teeth and glared.
“So what are you going to do with a tractor?”
“Someday I might buy some land. And I’ve always been fascinated with tractors. The bedding plants look rich and healthy,” he added, filling the intervals when she didn’t respond. “Are you doing your flower beds in these?”
“I have no land. I have no house. Consequently, I have no flower beds. So no, I’m not buying any plants.”
“I saw this store and had to stop. You don’t often see old businesses like this still open and running. Most have been replaced by the newer franchises.” He looked around at the large assortment of plants, hanging baskets and trees. “It’s things like the old wood-burning stove inside and the sign on the back door. Have you seen it? ‘This store is guarded by a double-barrel shotgun two nights a week. Pick your night.’ You just don’t find that kind of thing in the city. I think it’s charming.”
Charming? “You’re kidding.”
“No, not at all.”
“How long are you in town?” She couldn’t keep herself from asking. If he would be in and around the area, she needed to know it and be prepared for any more chance encounters.
“Just a few weeks this trip. I’ve been considering buying a small place with some land and a barn. I’ve always loved horses. Ridden most of my life.” He shrugged. “This might be a great location.”
“It’s a little far from LA.”
“Just a couple of hours by plane.”
“It is a nice area. I’ll give you that. And most of the people are friendly and aboveboard.”
“Hey, Ally.” She turned to see two feed store employees walking toward her, their shoulders laden with sacks of grain. “You in that black truck? We got your feed.”
“Yeah. Make sure you have the right order this time.”
“Yep. We got it. No crimped oats this trip?”
“That would be correct. Oh. Could you throw in two large mineral blocks, Jack?” She considered her mental list for a brief second to see if she could remember anything else she needed. “I think that will do it.”
Soon the correct bags of feed and two mineral blocks were loaded into the back of the truck. As she walked to the driver’s side, she again heard someone call her name.
“Ms. Kincaid?” Seth Masters stood at the back of the truck. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
The question was so unexpected, it took her a few seconds to realize he was waiting for an answer. “Ah...actually, I have prior commitments. I hope you find your tractor and whatever else you need.”
She wasn’t used to lying. It made her feel horrible. She didn’t trust the man, but he hadn’t really done anything to her—other than almost run her down. He was here alone and probably just wanted a little company. Still...he was a Masters.
“Thanks. I think I have. Well, good to see you again.”
“Yeah,” she mumbled as she climbed into the driver’s seat and started the truck. The day did not exist that she would have dinner with a Masters. Today’s lunch had been bad enough. Then, she hadn’t known who he was. He may or may not be closely involved with the clan of thieves who’d stolen her family’s land, but she wasn’t about to take the chance. He’d said he was related. From his apparent age, and given that he looked exactly like Wade Masters, he could very well be their brother. But he hadn’t grown up around here, otherwise she would have heard of him before. It made her wonder what he was up to.
As she backed out and headed for the main road, she noticed him still standing next to the fertilizer. He looked up and nodded as she passed. He seemed nice enough, but there was still the question of why he was here. Calico Springs was barely a dot on the map. It certainly wasn’t the vacation capital of the world. Probably he was here visiting his family. But they were all out of town, according to Mr. Rucker. While it was none of her business, overall it was a bit suspicious. She didn’t like suspicious. Especially when it involved the name Masters.
* * *
Seth decided time was on his side to do some house hunting. It was just over a week until his brothers were due back, according to Ben Rucker. It would give him a chance to find a local place to call home; he already had penthouses dotted around the US and the UK. Now that his business was well enough established that he could take some time off on occasion, having property in this area would afford him the chance to see more of his family.
“We have several ranches that fit your description, Mr. Masters. Shall we plan on a time to go and see a few of them?”
Seth sat across the desk from Kathy Chisum, the broker for Chisum Real Estate. Ben Rucker had recommended her as one of the better agents in the county representing the largest number of farms and ranches. He figured while he waited for Wade, Chance and Cole
