The Rancher Next Door. Cathy Thacker Gillen

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СКАЧАТЬ there anything we can do to help?” Meg asked.

      Rebecca snatched the leather lead from the hook next to the gate, where she’d left it, and shook her head.

      Talking softly, the way she’d been taught when she’d taken a seminar on the care and feeding of alpacas in Europe the previous year, Rebecca attached the lead to Blue Mist’s halter and led her toward the barn. The animal relaxed almost immediately when she entered the six-by-ten confine with the high wooden walls. She settled onto the recently scrubbed cement floor with a sigh and “kushed” or lay down on her side. Rebecca removed the lead, then talked to her a little more. When she was satisfied Blue Mist was settled, Rebecca backed out of the stall and closed the gate.

      Rebecca turned, to see her parents, watching. “Good job with that,” her dad said, looking impressed.

      Meg nodded in agreement. “I had no idea you were this good with farm animals.”

      “Even so, you think I’m crazy, undertaking this.” Rebecca knew from the look on her father’s face that his opinion hadn’t changed in the least. Meg’s probably hadn’t, either.

      Luke glanced at the interior of the barn. It hadn’t been used to house animals for thirty years.

      Meg walked out into the warm spring evening. The scent of flowers filled the air. Until now, she had kept silent on the subject, leaving the “heavy lifting” to Luke. Rebecca sensed that was about to change.

      “We’re so glad to have you back in Laramie again, Rebecca, and we applaud your desire to be independent and run your own business, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t worried about what you’re trying to do here.”

      Luke nodded. “I’ve done some research on alpacas.”

      “Then you know that compared to most types of livestock, they are very gentle and easy to raise.”

      “I also know what they cost. And I’m guessing you paid more for Blue Mist than for your brand-new pickup truck.”

      Rebecca didn’t deny that was the case. “I’ll make the money back and more. And I’ll show you how I’m going to do that when I have my Open House the Sunday after next.”

      “All we’re saying is that maybe you should slow down,” Luke continued. “Take on a few animals, see how that goes before you invest every penny you have in this endeavor.”

      “You could start your own travel agency,” Meg chimed in. “With your experience…you’ve been so many places. You would be great at it. You could still live on The Primrose. Have one or two alpacas for pets. You just wouldn’t have to…”

      “Labor like a farm hand?” Rebecca guessed where this conversation was going.

      “Exactly,” Luke said.

      Rebecca was saved having to reply to that suggestion by another vehicle moving up the gravel lane that served as her driveway. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to show the movers where to put my boxes.”

      Rebecca lifted the cross bar on the swinging wooden doors and opened up the detached barn-style garage that would soon be turned into the farm office. She greeted the driver and his assistant and indicated where she wanted the boxes stacked. The two men had just gotten started when a third vehicle drove up the lane.

      “When it rains it pours,” Rebecca mumbled, not all that sorry Trevor McCabe had taken this moment to drop by, too. She could use whatever distraction her neighbor provided, and then some.

      Trevor drove past the movers and parked next to her parents’ vehicle. Rebecca watched as he strode toward her and her parents. He said hello to everyone then grinned at her disheveled state. “Looks like you’ve been busy,” Trevor drawled.

      Rebecca noted he also looked a little worse for wear, as if he’d spent the day working, too. “Then that makes two of us.”

      “I stopped by to see if you wanted to borrow my pressure washer to clean out the barn,” Trevor said. “I could show you how to use it, if you’ve never handled one.”

      Aware her parents were hanging on every word, Rebecca said, “I’d appreciate that. Thanks.”

      “Want me to go and get it for you now?” Trevor asked. “That way you’ll have it when you need it.”

      “I’ll ride over with you, if you don’t mind,” Luke said. “I’ve never seen your ranch.”

      Trevor’s surprise faded as quickly as it had appeared on his face. “Sure.”

      Rebecca stepped between the two men. “Smooth, Dad. But you can stop trying to set up Trevor and I. He’s already told me in no uncertain terms that he has absolutely no interest in dating me.”

      TO TREVOR’S RELIEF, Luke didn’t even try to deny his supposed matchmaking before heading off to the Wind Creek with him. “Is that true?” Luke demanded as Trevor turned the vehicle around and headed toward the rural two-lane highway.

      “Rebecca misunderstood why I was talking to you yesterday morning.” Trevor eased back out onto the road.

      “Did you tell her I asked you to talk her out of ranching?” Luke studied the feed corn growing in the field to their right.

      “Nope,” Trevor said as he turned into his own drive.

      “Thanks. She wouldn’t appreciate the behind-the-scenes interference.”

      He stopped to get the mail out of his box. “No kidding.”

      “I know you think I’m wrong for trying to change her mind about this.”

      Trevor shrugged and continued driving. “She’s a grown woman.”

      “Who is still capable of making a mistake.”

      Trevor parked in front of the barn and cut the engine. “Maybe it should be hers to make. Look, Dr. Carrigan, I know you mean well. But Rebecca has a right to live her life any way she pleases.”

      Luke hit the release on his safety belt and pushed from the vehicle. “Even if it costs her six years of savings?”

      Trevor led the way into the state-of-the-art facility. It smelled of disinfectant and spring air. “This venture of hers is not going to do that. Ranch land around here is only going up in value. Alpacas, while expensive, are a much sought after commodity, not just in Texas, but in the entire United States. There’s a ban on importation. She’s going to have to breed wisely to get the maximum value from her investment, but even if she doesn’t, it’s unlikely she will lose money, given the demand for the animals.” He retrieved the pressure washer out of the tack room and carried it to his pickup.

      Luke lounged against the pickup’s gate. “That could all change if demand declines.”

      “True, but since it takes eleven months to produce a single alpaca, and alpaca wool is wanted world over, it won’t happen any time soon.”

      Luke stuck his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “I heard what happened at the feed store with Vince Owen.”

      Trevor СКАЧАТЬ