When Dreams Collide (12 page)

“I’m beyond drowning my sorrows. Thinking positive thoughts and...”

“Oh my God!” Susan leapt out of her chair.

Dusty swung around and a broad smile creased his face. Jeremy and Amanda Branigan strode across the room heading toward their table.

Susan threw her arms around Amanda. “Are you okay? Please tell me nothing’s wrong with you or the baby!”

“We’re fine. Nothing to worry about.” Amanda hugged her friend. “The woman who hit us is recovering nicely, and her little girl is no worse for wear. All of us were so fortunate the accident happened in town at an intersection where neither vehicle was moving too quickly.”

“That was the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard. Mid thirties and she had a heart attack?” Susan shook her head.

“It can happen to anyone.” Amanda turned and met Dusty’s eyes. “Susan called us last night while you were in the shower. I’m so sorry your offer on that ranch wasn’t accepted. Seems so mean, withdrawing the property from the market like that. But knowing how much the Branigan clan loves their ranch, I can understand keeping the property in the family.”

Jeremy stuck his hand out. “Dusty, don’t give up on your dream just because of this one setback.”

“I won’t. I was pissed off when I first got the news, but I’ve got my perspective back.” Dusty shook his buddy’s hand. “It just wasn’t in the cards, and Susan keeps assuring me better things are around the corner.”

“Damn straight. And I’m sorry about the way the old man treated you. You don’t owe Arthur Branigan a damn thing. You did an excellent job for him, and it’s time to strike out on your own. Everyone knows there’s a limited future for a foreman. Leaving the Lazy B is a wise choice. You just sprung it on Dad unexpected like, and he reacted badly knowing it would be difficult to find someone to replace you.”

Dusty grinned. “Did you hear the latest? He gave Scooter the job.”

Jeremy threw back his head and hooted. “Those ranch hands have no idea what they’re in for.”

“Sit down and join us for dinner. We just arrived ourselves.” Dusty pulled a chair out for Amanda.

“We know. We spotted you guys walking into the restaurant. We just drove into the city from the airport,” said Jeremy.

“We swung in here to bring you up-to-date on our news and grab a bite before we head back to the Lazy B.” Amanda settled herself in the chair and hooked her purse strap over the arm.

“Tell me everything about the honeymoon,” ordered Susan.

“Everything?” asked Jeremy, one eyebrow raised, pulling out the vacant chair and seating himself.

“Well, almost everything.” Susan snorted. “The rest I’ll leave to my imagination.”

“The Rocky Mountains were magnificent, of course, and our hotel was amazing. And don’t get me started on the delicious food.”

“Glad you guys had fun.” Dusty turned his attention to Jeremy. “So, the cops didn’t press charges?”

“No, the whole incident was just an unfortunate accident. I’m just thankful it didn’t happen on the highway. That woman and child could have been killed.” Jeremy picked up the menu. “Our rental car will be repaired by the insurance, so we escaped a pretty serious situation totally unscathed in every way.”

Everyone ordered a beer except Amanda who drank orange juice. Soon they were grazing on crisp garden salads while they waited for their entrées. After a short delay, the waiter brought their sizzling steaks surrounded by baked potatoes and grilled vegetables. The foursome enjoyed their meal without a lull in the conversation the entire time.

At nine o’clock, Jeremy called the ranch to let his family know they were staying in Helena overnight. After he ended the call he met his friend’s eyes. “What hotel did you register at Dusty? I’ll phone over there for a room, too.”

“Actually...well...we...” stammered Dusty.

“For crying out loud.” Susan huffed. “He’s staying at my condo with me. Okay?”

“Do I detect romance in the air?” asked Amanda, grinning.

“You’re a goner, buddy.” Jeremy grabbed Dusty around the neck and playfully shook him.

Dusty unhooked Jeremy’s arm and reached for Susan’s hand. “We took the friendship to a new level in Bozeman, and we decided...”

“It’s none of my damn business,” interrupted Jeremy, waving off further discussion on the matter. “Catherine and Amanda have been matchmaking for weeks now, and if their efforts are showing results then I’m totally in favor of...”

“Matchmaking for weeks!” Dusty’s face paled. “What are you talking about?”

“Those women lined up David and Catherine and paired you with Susan to stand with Amanda and me at the altar,” explained Jeremy.

“That was supposed to remain a secret,” interjected Amanda.

“Women can be sneaky, Dusty,” whispered Jeremy, rubbing his arm where his new wife swatted it.

“I heard that. We are not sneaky. Creative. The opportunity presented itself and we acted on it.” Amanda smiled broadly. “And look. The two of them make a wonderful couple, don’t you think?”

“Oh, absolutely,” agreed Jeremy, solemn-faced. And then he burst out laughing.

“Men are hopeless,” sniffed Amanda. “Not a romantic bone in their bodies.”

“Could I interest anyone in dessert?” inquired their young, blonde male waiter approaching their table.

“I’m stuffed,” groaned Susan.

“No way,” added Dusty.

“Seems all I did this week was eat, and eat, and eat,” moaned Amanda.

“Thank goodness, you’re here. I’m dying for something chocolate, totally decadent. Go fetch the dessert menu,” ordered Jeremy, grinning. “Just kidding, man. You can bring me the bill though. Dinner is on me tonight.”

“We should be treating you guys. You’re the newly-weds.” Dusty reached for his wallet.

“Forget it.” Jeremy waved away his offer. “You can pick up the tab when you guys return from your honeymoon.”

“Talk about horse before the cart,” whispered Susan.

But she silently considered the possibility that perhaps, some day, just maybe... And then she scolded herself for her wistfulness. Dusty didn’t require a mortgage now. Did he even need her either?

With her luck, Graham Smith would find Dusty a ranch somewhere in Wyoming.

Chapter 9

Susan arranged to meet Dusty for lunch at the diner around the corner from the Ellis Bank. Over breakfast, he’d told her he would meet with his financial advisor and arrange the transfer of his lottery funds to her bank where he intended to deal exclusively. Her Monday morning proved to be the normal chaotic start to another busy week. When she entered the diner, she spotted Dusty seated in a back booth.

“Hi!” Susan settled herself on the padded vinyl bench seat and swung her legs under the table. “I need a cup of coffee, and I need it now. I haven’t had a moment’s peace since I walked into the bank at eight thirty this morning.”

“Rough day?” inquired Dusty, reaching for her hand.

“Tellers are dropping like flies over there. I received two letters of resignation the minute I walked in. One is getting married out of state three weeks from now, and another one is moving at the end of summer because her husband has been transferred to New York.”

“You’ll find someone.”

“Even experienced tellers require a few weeks to get into the groove at a new location.” Susan waved at a waitress carrying a coffee carafe over to their table. “Decaf coffee please, Ellie, and I’ll have the pasta special. I’m expected back in a half hour.”

“No, problem, Ms. Sanders.” The waitress smiled while she poured Susan a cup of decaffeinated salvation.

“I’ll have the steak special,” added Dusty.

“Coming right up.” Ellie headed to the kitchen.

“I’d hoped you’d be free this afternoon.” Dusty’s shoulders slumped.

“Why?” asked Susan, blowing on the steaming brew and taking a tentative sip.

“Graham called my cell just a minute ago. He found a property he’s eager to show me.” Dusty grinned. “His exact words were ‘a little piece of heaven with a creek running through it’.”

“Sounds promising.” Susan grabbed her electronic organizer. “My last appointment is at two. I can get away by two-thirty or so, if heaven can wait that long.”

“Heaven can wait, but I’m not certain I’ll be able to.” Dusty groaned. “But I’ll force myself to sit patiently. I insist you check this place out with me. You’ll see things from a woman’s perspective that would go totally unnoticed by me.”

Susan leaned back in her seat and the waitress set her plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of her. “Thanks, Ellie. That’s smells wonderful.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.” Ellie turned to Dusty. “Your steak will be out in two shakes. Would you like a cola refill?”

“Please. Just bring it with the steak. Don’t make a special trip.” Dusty grabbed his drink and polished it off.

“So, what did Graham tell you about this little piece of heaven?”

“Nothing much. He insisted I’d be happy with the place. But as you recall, I was happy with the last place. So, I’m not arriving with high expectations, nor am I going in with preconceived opinions. Just going to check out the place and see what it has to offer.” Dusty’s steak and pop refill arrived. “Thanks, Ellie.”

“Enjoy your meal,” she called over her shoulder as she hurried away.

“Let’s hope it’s at least as nice as the place in Bozeman, and Graham isn’t wasting your time having you view properties for the sake of showing you something.” Susan twirled her pasta on her fork and popped the last bite into her mouth. She downed the remains of her coffee, leapt out of her chair, and pecked Dusty’s cheek. “Got to go. See you at two-thirty.”

****

Dusty parked in the Ellis Bank parking lot at two-thirty on the nose and discovered Susan leaning against the front entrance’s wrought iron railing, arms crossed, waiting for him. He leapt out of the driver’s seat, hurried around the truck to help Susan into the vehicle. She wore those darn fool high heels to work every day, and he imagined crawling into a truck with over-sized tires wasn’t on her daily to-do list. He swept her up in his arms and gently placed her on the passenger seat. “Sorry, I left my step ladder in my other pants.”

Susan laughed and snapped her seatbelt into place. “My two o’clock appointment called at two-ten to inform me she couldn’t make it,” she explained through the open passenger window. “Her child’s school called and her daughter was taken to the hospital with a possible allergic reaction to glue or something. She was in art class when she took ill.”

“I hope she’s okay. You could have sent me a text or called.” Dusty headed around the truck to the driver’s side.

“Wouldn’t have mattered. I just now cleared everything off my desk. But another mound will be waiting for me in the morning.” Susan leaned against the back of the pickup’s bucket seat and sighed. “Corporate America should eliminate Mondays and then my job would be much more rewarding.”

“As if.” Dusty scoffed. “Everyone would just curse Tuesdays instead.”

“You’re probably right. A bad day is a bad day.”

“Being unseated by a bucking horse and landing in a pile of horse dung. Now that’s having a bad day.” Dusty chuckled and glanced over at Susan. He backed out of the parking spot and turned onto the street.

“Just drive us to the realtor’s office,” said Susan, disgustedly. You didn’t have to be dumped into horse manure to have a terrible day. Ringing telephones, computers acting up, and two no-show client appointments. She’d experienced it all today.

A half hour later, they were headed to the ranch property which to both Dusty and Susan’s surprise was situated only twenty minutes east of the outskirts of Helena. Graham Smith insisted they take his Lexus, and Susan and Dusty prepared themselves for another white-knuckled excursion. Graham’s driving was impeccable.

“Now, folks, I’ve got to tell you in all honesty...”

“Oh-oh. When someone starts a conversation with ‘in all honesty’ my first instinct is to turn tail and run,” drawled Dusty, jokingly.

“Well, I don’t blame you none either. But hear me out. Now I haven’t seen the property myself yet because it just came on the market this morning, and we’re the first to view it. When I read the description on the listing I almost dropped my coffee mug. This property is custom made for you, Dusty. The specs on this ranch sounded like you made this fellow a list, and he built it for you.”

“That good?”

“I’m telling you. If this ranch even comes close to the specs on the listing sheet, your heart might stop when you see it.” Graham beamed. “Dusty, I’m just so blame excited for you. After your disappointment in Bozeman, I’m hoping this place lives up to the hype.”

“Me, too,” said Dusty, peering into the backseat and smiling at Susan. “Hopefully, this is right up my alley, and we can prepare an offer right away.”

Susan held up her hands, indicating her fingers were crossed. She mouthed the words ‘please, God, please’ and smiled.

Graham turned off the main road and headed south for a quarter mile. They spotted an enormous overhanging sign as they drove closer. East Canyon Ranch.

Dusty whistled long and low while Graham approached the larger of the two barns each painted brick red with white trim. “That barn doesn’t look very old, or else they maintained it well.”

“Spec sheet mentioned the original barn had been constructed over eighty years ago, but renovations had been ongoing over the years. And the single-story, sprawling ranch house is old, but several upgrades and extensive redecorating were completed three years ago.” Graham turned the vehicle off, released his seatbelt, and clambered out.

Dusty and Susan followed suit and slowly did a one-eighty taking it all in. “The spec sheet mention how breathtaking this place is?” inquired Dusty.

“My good Lord, that damn spec sheet doesn’t do this place justice.” Graham tugged his Stetson off and scratched his head. “This place is unbelievable.”

Dusty shook his head. “I’m afraid to ask, but what the hell is the price tag on this place?”

Graham met his eyes. “It’s three million, but at first glance, I dare say it may be under priced.”

“Hells bells, I’m not certain I want to go that high. I suppose if I buy something lower and then renovate, I’d probably end up spending nearly the same.”