Man Wanted in Cheyenne by Richard McPherson

Author:Richard McPherson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unleash Creatives
Published: 2022-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Jake watched Doc’s small regional jet taxi to the gate, and the butterflies in his stomach reminded him how important her visit was. The parking, deplaning, and waiting were agonizing. When he saw her striding toward the exit, looking fabulous in gray slacks and a snug blue hoodie, Jake ached with happiness.

He caught her eye, and as she waved he felt as if their laughter, hugs, adventures, and kisses, were just the beginning. For the first time in years, he was ready - even eager - to let someone into his life again. His fears were melting away, and he couldn’t wait to tell her, see her face light up.

She dropped her bag, a small gym duffle, and held out her arms. “How’s Montana’s newest bison rancher?”

He hugged her tightly, smelled summer in her hair, felt her warmth. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

She chuckled and gestured to her bag. “This is it, traveling light. I can’t wait for my tour. I’ve never seen a movie star’s house.”

Jake took the bag and put his arm around Doc’s waist, couldn’t stop touching her. “Then we’ll see the house first. ‘Course, I’m not living there anymore, got my own place last weekend.” He winked at her.

Jake opened the door to his spacious office without a word of fanfare, wanted the space to speak for itself. Doc stopped first to admire the Remington sculpture, scanned the refined furnishings, but lingered longest over a wall-mounted map of the property, highlighted where bison would graze. She studied the map, made hmmm sounds as she read the notes on projected counts by season. She turned to Jake with undisguised respect. “You’ve become a trusted member of the Lange operation. That’s a big accomplishment.” She touched the back of the leather executive chair. “I know you’ll do right by him.” She rolled the chair a few inches back and forth. “I know you’ll make the most of it for yourself.”

In the ranch house, she oohed and aahed at the art, asked about a colorful native weaving on the wall, spoke in hushed tones, like she was in a palace. Jake led her to a huge oil painting over the fireplace, a study in muted grey and white: a bison emerging from the snow, its power and mystery clear, despite its indistinct outline. It had become the spiritual center of the house for Jake, and they both fell silent. He put his arm around her waist. “Doctor Wagner, it’s time for you to examine some real bison, my very first.”

Jake drove the pickup, still thought the golf-cart contraption was silly. They traveled the fence line and Jake enthused about the features. “Look at that those hillsides. Perfect forage, some shelter in winter. I think we can manage over two hundred head.”

She nodded. “Very promising, and just as beautiful as you said.”

They topped a small hill and Jake stopped, didn’t say a word as the small group of bison turned toward the pickup. He turned off the ignition and waited while Doc studied the animals.

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