pastureland dotted with groves of pine and oak and a number of small lakes.
“That’s fine. Any time. Any day,” he replied. “I’ll be here for a couple of weeks, and my schedule is pretty much open.”
“What about right now? I’ve had a cancellation.” Her voice was sweet and sincere.
“Works for me. Thanks, Ms. Chisum.”
“Kathy.” She smiled and rose from her chair. “Shall we take my truck?”
“Sure.”
The first two properties they saw had most of the things he wanted in a ranch, but he found something wrong with both of them. He didn’t want an old dairy farm. He didn’t want a house with two bedrooms that would require major renovation. But the third ranch was almost perfect. White pipe fencing ran along both sides of the driveway. The house was a charmer. It was an example of antebellum architecture that was in remarkably good shape, although it could use a good paint job. Across the front and sides of the house, large white columns rose to the top of the second story, and a portico in the center drew the eye to the magnificent front door. Someone had cared a lot for the house and property. A deep porch surrounded the home on the first floor, and second-story balconies overlooked the pasture and hills on all four sides. Two chimneys peeked over the roof. Inside, a grand staircase led to the second floor, which contained four bedrooms and a larger room with a sitting area that he assumed was the master. The kitchen and baths had been completely remodeled with granite countertops that complemented the hardwood floors.
From the back porch, a path led to the barn. There were approximately twenty stalls, tack room, wash rack and a large open area where hay could be stored for the winter. The smell inside the wooden structure was amazing. He recognized alfalfa and the scent of leather. It brought Ally to mind.
“Kathy, would you happen to know who owns this farm?”
“Sure, let me look that up.” She tapped something into her phone. “Oh, wait. It’s owned by the Masters family.” She stepped back and eyed him closely. “Any relation?”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact.”
“Then you know they have a large ranching operation on the west side of town, just over ninety thousand acres. This was a repossession and doesn’t border their property, so they put it up for sale. But I guess you knew that.”
“No, actually, I didn’t. I’m not involved with the family business.”
“The price they’re asking is really good for this area. Well below market value. We’ve had a lot of interest. It won’t be on the market very long.” She turned to look at him. “I guess you want something away from the family compound?”
He nodded. “Would you happen to know who owned it before them?”
“Mmm. I’m afraid I don’t know any of the history for sure. I could try and find out for you if you like.”
“No. That won’t be necessary. I like this place. I should talk to my brothers about it.”
“Sure. If you’re seriously considering it, don’t wait too long.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
“It’s getting late. If you have no plans, would you like to have dinner?”
“I’d like that.” He smiled.
Kathy was a pretty, shapely brunette who appeared to like what she saw in him, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a friendly meal with her. The problem was, he already had his mind wrapped around a certain perky redhead. And he was positive this last ranch had been Ally’s.
On the way back to town, while Kathy chatted away, an idea began to form. Ally wanted her home back. He needed a wife. They both had a chance to get what they wanted with no strings attached. The ranch’s low list price was certainly worth it if it ensured he would be included in the will where billions were at stake.
It was a crazy idea. He smiled to himself at the thought of her reaction. He suspected only the name Masters had prevented her from accepting his dinner invitation earlier. Would she dare dance with the devil and say yes to marriage? Become Mrs. Seth Masters? On the irony scale, that had to take the cake.
It would have to be a real marriage. One on paper for a few months. With the proper prenup, it shouldn’t be a problem. He had developed a knack for reading people, and Ally did not fit the particulars of a gold digger. She had given no sign of wanting to know him better. In fact, she seemed to hate him, as much as someone could hate a person they didn’t know. But she’d also impressed him as an honest person who only wanted what, in her mind, she was entitled to: her ranch.
* * *
When Ally got home the next day, Seth was waiting for her on the tiny front porch of her small cabin. It hadn’t been hard to find; in fact, Ben Rucker had told him where she lived and provided directions. Seth had also confirmed since yesterday that the ranch Kathy had shown him used to belong to Ally’s family. He’d been right about that.
She looked exhausted, surprised and anything but happy to see him. Admittedly not a reaction he was accustomed to.
She pulled up next to the convertible and hopped out of her old truck. “Did you get lost?” she asked as she approached where he sat. “’Cause I can tell you this isn’t where you want to be.”
“It’s exactly where I want to be,” he said. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“Talk? Talk about what?”
“I think I found a place I want. I would like you to go with me tomorrow and look at it.” She sighed and resolutely shook her head, so he jumped in before she could say no. “Look, I know we got off to a bad start. But I really do need your expertise. I’ve ridden horses off and on most of my life. But I’ve never had a ranch. I don’t know the first thing about stocking a barn for the winter, so I can’t know if there is adequate space. I know nothing about the equipment required. You said you grew up in this environment. I’m asking you to help me decide if this is the place I want to invest in.”
“Why don’t you ask your relatives?”
“They’re out of town.”
“What about Ben?”
“Rucker? I have a feeling he knows about as much as I do with regards to ranching. No. I assure you, I need you. Frankly, you’re the only one who fits the bill.” An understatement.
She was quiet a long time. Then, “Where is this place?”
“West of town. I can’t remember the road names, but I’m sure I can take us there.”
In the dim glow from the lamppost next to the driveway, he saw her lower her head. Was she thinking about her former home? Should he have just told her his plan here and now? He’d given it serious thought last night and decided that she might be more tempted to say yes if she were at her home when he hit her up with the idea. He could now see that might be taking unfair advantage. He drew in a breath, intending to explain, when she raised her head and looked at him.
“I guess I can do it. I have to work three horses in the morning, but I can skip the ones scheduled
