“Tanner’s parents died when he was sixteen. Left him and his baby sister and no one else to help. He had one meeting withCPS, and the next thing anyone knew, Tanner had left with Savannah. That was a couple of years ago, and no one has seen either of them since. The house is still there. It was in Tanner’s name, so no one could sell it. It’ll be waiting if he ever comes back.”
“CPS probably planned to separate them,” Pistol, one of the ranch hands, said. “Easier to find a home for a baby. Tanner was a good kid. Hard-working, too. Worked a couple of summers here. Knew his stuff, too.”
“And he loved his sister.” Trace stuffed more food into his mouth.
“That he did. I hope he knows he can come back.” Pistol picked up another sandwich, checked what was inside, and took a bite. “We could use a good, solid worker like him again,” he added after swallowing.
“Stupid thing.” Crompton winced as he sat.
“You need that operation, boss.” Crompton shot Pistol a hard look, and Pistol held up his hands. “You know we’ll pick up the slack.”
“I’m not talking about it.”
“Fine, boss. What about you, Orsen? Decided what you’re going to do with your place?”
Orsen chewed the food in his mouth, then swallowed. “I’m having it torn down. I had to file some paperwork, but I should be able to have it done in the next month or so.”
“And then?” Pistol leaned his elbows on the table, watching Orsen.
“I don’t know. I sometimes think I should build a new place, but if I do that, I don’t want it in the same spot. I had a look around and there is a nice place not far from here.” Orsen shrugged. “I just want it gone. The rest can happen when the time is right.”
“You own some land near the creek, and there is a track already in place. You could easily turn that into a road and build there.” Trace licked his fingers. “About twenty minutes outside town. Beautiful views as well.”
“And it’s on my land?” Orsen really needed to go and see the land he now owned, but he’d been putting it off. He hadn’t been ready. Too much of a reminder of his previous life, but maybe he could go with Santino.
“Yeah. I sometimes go up there… Guess I can’t do that now.” Trace shrugged.
“I wouldn’t want you to stop, and maybe you could tell me the best places to go.”
Trace nodded. “That I can do.”
“Grab a map of the area and mark them off,” Pistol suggested. “Fifty acres is a huge amount of land. You could sell half and be set for life.”
“Or rent it out to some of the farms and ranches around here,” Trace suggested. “Some of its prime farmland. You’d make money from it without having to sell.”
“I never thought about that.” Orsen scratched his cheek. “I’d still own the land as well.”
“I know Crompton could use another couple of acres.” Pistol looked at Crompton, who frowned at him. “You can add to the herd, boss, and then when Terry leaves the military, it’ll be ready for him.”
“Who’s Terry?” Orsen looked at everyone sitting around the table, and they all looked at Crompton.
“He’s my boy. Wanted to go into the military before being a farmer. He’s only got a few years left before he qualifies for his pension.”
“You don’t see much of him because he’s one of the best men they have. He’s a SEAL, but he’s nice.” Pistol patted his stomach and pushed his plate away.
“I didn’t know you had a son. I guess I wouldn’t, though.” Orsen looked down at the table and ran his fingers over it. “He won’t mind me being here, will he?”
“No, and if he did, I’d have something to say about it, so you stop worrying.” Crompton narrowed his eyes at Orsen. “Terry wanted to see the world before settling down and I did the same at his age. He’ll come back home when the time is right.”
“I’m glad you have someone to pass your home on to.” Orsen smiled when Crompton looked at him. “It’s family.”
“That it is, and he knows I’ll be here when he’s ready.” Standing, Crompton grumbled under his breath as he rubbed his hip. Pointing a finger at Pistol, Crompton growled, “Don’t.”
Pistol held his hands up. “Fine. I won’t.”
Orsen smiled. “You should get it operated on while we’re all here.” He jumped up and ran, laughing, when Crompton reached for him. “I’m going to finish the stalls!” Running outside, he glanced over his shoulder and saw Pistol following, a grin on his face. Orsen’s smile widened, and when he waved, Pistol waved back.
Happy. That’s how he felt right then and nothing could take that away.
