arch that read Long L.
“Do you know who the Long L was named after?” she asked and Jake shook his head.
“No, one of the early day Warners, I suppose.” As he drove along a narrow dirt trail that almost disappeared in weeds, high grass and cacti, her curiosity grew. In minutes, she could see a large three-story weathered house on a rise. Tall oaks were on either side of the house, ancient trees that had long spreading limbs.
“That’s not what I’d expected,” she said, gazing at the house.
“It’s impressive,” Jake said. “According to Thane, it was built in 1890.”
“If it’s lasted well over a century, it must be well-built.” The house looked Victorian, with one large turret on the second floor, a dormer on the third floor and three balconies on the second floor, all with fancy balustrades like the porch. “I think I’m going to love working on this old house.”
“I’ll remember to avoid taking you to my condo with a very contemporary kitchen.”
She smiled at him. “I like contemporary, too. Antiques are my first love, though.”
“This ranch house looks more elaborate than I’d expected,” he said, peering at it through the windshield.
“And more charming, because I can imagine how it will look with a new coat of paint and all fixed up,” she said.
“I’ve never been on this ranch before,” Jake said. “Thane’s grandmother died first and his family didn’t like their grandfather, so we didn’t spend any time out here. No telling what we’ll find. Thane said his great-great-grandfather was a horse thief and a bank robber and did plenty the family didn’t talk about.”
As Jake spoke of the ranch’s history, Emily couldn’t help but feel eager to get to work. She hadn’t wanted this job, but she had gotten into the antiques-and-appraisal business because she loved old things, and as she looked at the large ranch home that was over a hundred years old, she couldn’t keep from being curious and excited about what they would find in it. The prospect of living in it, working constantly with Jake, added to the excitement bubbling inside her.
“We’re not going to find any bodies, are we?”
Jake laughed as he shook his head. “Nope. At least, I hope not. As far as I know, Thane’s grandfather was only a gambler. He must have been good at it to hang on to this ranch. That’s an imposing-looking house. I figured we’d find something that should be leveled. That’s what Thane suggested and I think what he intended to do. We’ll have to see what it’s like inside, but if it’s solid, I’m not tearing it down.”
“Tearing it down would be a real loss,” she agreed. “I can’t believe I’m going to live in that for the next few weeks.”
“Count on weeks. I’m guessing the inside is filled with stuff, from what Thane indicated. Years of stuff. If so, it’ll take time to go through it.” They drove over rocks and through a stream that was only a trickle.
“Someone is there. See that pickup by the oak?” she asked, pointing ahead.
“That’s the caretaker, who’s also in charge of security. Rum McCloud. I don’t know whether Rum is a nickname or his real name. I notified him that we were coming.”
Standing in the shade, a lanky man in a plaid long-sleeve Western shirt, jeans, boots and a broad-brimmed hat waited with his hands on his hips. They parked and Jake went around to open the door for Emily, but she stepped out quickly.
Jake walked up to Rum and held out his hand. “I’m Jake Ralston and this is Emily Kincaid.”
“Howdy, folks. Rum McCloud. Welcome to the Long L. Here’s two house keys and my card with my phone number and email address. Anything I can do for you, just let me know. You can call or text.” Rum aso handed Jake three key rings, which he assumed were for locks inside the house.
“Thanks. We’ll go look at it. We plan to stay in the house to get stuff sorted and out of it. I’ll let you know, Rum, what we end up doing.”
“Fine. We can send dinner up from the big kitchen for you. My crew will still be around 24/7. We watch this place.”
He looked over his shoulder at the house. “The place needs repairs, but it’s time and weather that’s taken a toll. We keep vandals, kids and drifters away from here. After his grandfather died, Mr. Warner came and looked at the place, locked it up and left and never came back. Inside that house is just like his grandfather left it. I’m sorry about Thane. He was a fine man.”
“Yes, he was. We became friends too far back to remember. I told you on the phone—I intend to keep this ranch, raise cattle and keep you and the other men who are here now. You can pass the word on that.”
“Glad to hear that. I’ll pass it along. Everyone is wondering about the future. Now I can tell them they still have a job.”
“Yes, you can. The only quick changes will be to this house. We’re not staying tonight. We’re only here to take a look inside the house. I’ll let you know when we’ll be back and when we’ll stay to go through stuff. Hopefully, we’ll start next week,” he said, glancing at Emily, and she nodded.
“I can do that,” she said, mentally going through her business calendar. Next week would fit her schedule nicely, and she was looking forward to getting her hands on the antiques.
There was only one thing she was still fretting over. Living out here with Jake Ralston.
Emily said goodbye to Rum and was aware of Jake beside her as they walked to the front steps.
“This was a grand old house in its day,” Jake said. He paused at the foot of the steps to look up at the house.
“I think it’s still a wonderful house,” she said and he looked down at her and smiled.
“Why do I think that you are a definite optimist?”
She shrugged. “I like the house and I see the good side of keeping it. Cleaned up and freshly painted, it could be charming. I’ve already sent a text to my assistant and she’s getting a cleaning crew lined up for tomorrow.”
“We’ll see what my contractor says. He knows a lot about houses.”
After crossing the porch, Jake unlocked the oversize door, which swung open. The entryway had a marble floor with a stone fountain that had no water. The fountain was centered in a shallow circular marble pool, also dry and with a thick layer of dust. Above that, the ceiling soared to the second floor with a dust-and-cobweb-covered chandelier hanging high above the empty fountain. She couldn’t judge the condition of the furnishings, since they were all covered with sheets.
“I never was here with Thane. He told me he hated coming here. He said his grandfather didn’t take care of it and it was a depressing mess. I see what he meant if this was the way the old man lived.”
Emily took pictures with her phone. “I’m sending these to Leslie so she’ll have an idea what this cleaning job is going to entail.”
They walked around the empty fountain and a wide dark hallway stretched ahead of them. Nearby, two sweeping staircases led to
