Ranch Life is Great

  Ranch Life is Great

  By

  Misty Malone

  ©2016 Blushing Books® and Misty Malone

  All rights reserved.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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  Misty Malone

  Ranch Life is Great

  EBook ISBN: 978-1-68259-810-8

  Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

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  Table of Contents:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  About the Author

  EBook Offer

  Blushing Books Newsletter

  Blushing Books

  Chapter One

  Sherman, Wyoming, 1891

  Cade Collins was on his way back to the barn after checking on a herd of heifers when he saw his foreman, Wyatt Hammond, coming up the lane of the ranch, riding hard. It wasn't like Wyatt to run his horse like that unless it was something important, so Cade was instantly on alert. He hurried to the barn, where he slid off Thunder, his gelding, and tied him loosely to the fence rail before hurrying to meet his foreman.

  "Cade, you best be getting into town as quick as you can. Miss Elsie's parents are dead."

  "Dead? What happened? They were both fine last night."

  "When I got to town, I went to the Wintock Mercantile, but it’s closed today. It seems Miss Elsie's mother and father went down from their living quarters over the store early and were getting the store ready to open for the day. When it was about time to open, Miss Elsie went down to help them and she found them lying on the floor. Somebody shot them both."

  "Do they know who shot them?"

  "Not that I know of. She and her Aunt Gertrude are pretty upset."

  "I'm going in to see her right away. Can you tell Maria where I'm going and why? Tell her she may want to get a couple bedrooms ready. I'm going to try to talk Elsie and her aunt both into coming out to stay here. If Elsie's worried about staying here before we're married, we may just move the wedding date up—to today."

  "I'll handle things here, boss. You take care of Miss Elsie and her aunt."

  "Thanks, Wyatt." Cade untied Thunder and quickly swung himself up into the saddle and was gone. He'd been seeing Elsie Wintock for almost nine months and had recently asked for her hand in marriage. She'd accepted, and they were planning a wedding in the fall.

  Wyatt stood in the lane and watched him leave. The next few days at least would be hectic for everyone. He'd do what he could to help at the ranch, but he knew his boss was going to have his hands full. He turned toward the house to warn Maria, Cade's cook and housekeeper.

  Cade's mind was on his future bride as he hurried into town. He may try to talk her into marrying him today instead of waiting until the fall. He didn't like the idea of Elsie and her aunt, two small but very pretty young ladies, staying alone in town, especially after what happened to her parents. His mind wandered as he rode hard toward town. He couldn't imagine why anyone would want to kill Henry and Velma Wintock. They operated one of the two general stores in town, so most people in town knew them. He didn't know of one person who didn't like them.

  Cade knew Elsie and her aunt would be devastated. Her aunt had come to stay with them about a month ago, when her husband passed away. He was glad her aunt was staying with them, but Elsie was still going to have a difficult time ahead of her. Helping her parents run that store had been a big part of her life for a long time. Now that would all be changed forever, and she would have to decide what she wanted to do with the store.

  He got to the mercantile and slid off Thunder and tied him to the hitching post. There was a small crowd gathered outside, all talking low and looking down. He excused himself and made his way to the door, but it was locked. He knocked when he saw Elsie, her aunt, Sheriff Daniel Fitch and Deputy George Tillman. Elsie soon opened the door and went straight into Cade's waiting arms. He held her, while moving them inside the store and locking it. He led her back to the group, with his arm still tightly around her.

  With no he
sitation, he reached out with his other arm and pulled her Aunt Gertrude in against him, as well, before turning back to his intended. "Are you okay, honey? What happened?"

  Elsie was very emotional and tears were flowing again, so Sheriff Fitch answered for her. "Miss Wintock came down from their living quarters on the next floor when it was time to open the store and found Henry and Velma lying on the floor. Someone had shot them. So far we have no idea who would have done such a thing. My quick check with the neighbors indicates no one seems to have seen or even heard anything."

  Cade continued to hold both of the ladies close as he addressed the sheriff. "Do you know how or where they got in here? They generally don't unlock the door until it's time to open, do they?"

  "No. As a matter of fact, Miss Wintock said that's how she knew something was wrong. She came down at opening time, but the front door was still locked, and no one came when she knocked. So she took out her key and opened the door herself."

  He pulled her in a little closer. "I'm so sorry, Elsie. Are you two ladies okay?"

  Elsie nodded, and Aunt Gertrude spoke. "We will be, Cade. Thank you for coming in. When Elsie saw her parents, she screamed. I heard the scream and came running down. I've been with her since, but you're the one she's needed. She's been shaking pretty badly."

  He pulled both of them in tighter. "Thank you for being here for her, Aunt Gertrude. When you're done here, why don't both of you come out to the ranch and stay?"

  Elsie looked up at him, shock written on her face. He patted her back. "You know there's plenty of room." He turned to Aunt Gertrude with an explanation. "Dad built a big house with the idea that when I found a wife and got married we could have our bedroom in one wing, along with any children we have, and they could live in the other. Both families would have privacy, while sharing the main house."

  Gertrude nodded. "I knew Elsie said it's a huge house."

  "When Mom inherited the ranch she grew up on in Texas, they debated what they should do; which ranch they should run. Dad said he knew I could run this one myself, but that one in Texas has been left in limbo for a few years while my grandfather was ill, and it's starting to get run down. They decided to move there and make a good working ranch out of it again. If they sell it, it will be worth more if it's a successful, operating ranch. Then once it's in good shape again, they'll decide if they want to stay there and run it, or sell it and move back here. That leaves me alone in that big house, with just Maria, my cook and housekeeper."

  "That sounds like a good decision on their part," Gertrude said.

  Elsie was shaking her head. "I just don't know if—"

  Cade studied his bride-to-be, and tried to put her at ease. "I'm a gentleman, Elsie. I think you know that. You can trust me. No one will be talking or thinking otherwise, either, because Maria's there, and your aunt will be there, as well. Maria's home right now getting two guest rooms ready for the two of you. Anyone who knows Maria, which is most everyone in Sherman, knows that she will not allow anything untoward to occur before we are married. Aunt Gertrude will be there, as well, so we'll have two chaperons. I don't think tongues will wag. What do you think, Sheriff?"

  The sheriff was a little surprised by the question, but quickly agreed. "I'd have to say you're right, Cade. Maria's been with your family a long time now, and I think pretty much everyone in town knows her, and they know her morals. I don't think people would be gossiping at all."

  Cade turned back to Elsie. "So will you two lovely ladies come stay at the ranch?"

  She paused, obviously thinking. Sheriff Fitch offered a thought. "Of course it's up to you, Miss Wintock, but speaking personally and as the sheriff, I think I'd feel better if you two stayed at the ranch for at least a few days while I look into this. I have no idea who could be behind this, but until I find out something about it, I'd feel better knowing you two are safe with Cade at his ranch."

  Both ladies and Cade turned to look at the sheriff. Cade found his voice first. "Are you saying the ladies may be in danger?"

  "I don't know, Cade. That's my problem. I can't imagine anyone who knew Henry and Velma who would have wanted to harm them. Everyone knew them and loved them. So I have no idea who could be behind this. But until I have some clue to go on, I don't know what to think." He turned to Elsie. "You don't know of anyone who may have been upset with your father about anything; anyone he may have had any kind of business with?"

  "I really don't," she insisted. "I've been thinking about that since you asked me earlier, but I just can't think of anyone."

  "You and your family moved here about nine years ago, you said?"

  "About that, yes."

  "Did he have any business dealings with anyone back east who could have been upset when you moved out here?"

  "Not that I know of. He and his dad and brother ran the family general store. He came out here to open his own store, but his dad and brother continued running the store there. If there were any kind of problems, I would think they would deal with them. That store is still open."

  "It doesn't sound like there could be any problem there. Nine years is a long time, too. If someone were upset with him there, I certainly wouldn't think they'd wait nine years to confront him. I think we can rule that possibility out. That still doesn't give me any clues, though, as to who may have done this, or why. Until I know that, I can't really say I feel comfortable with you two ladies staying by yourselves here, in the same building."

  "I understand, Sheriff, and I have to agree with you," Cade said.

  "We're not two helpless females, though, Cade. Papa taught me how to use a gun, and I have one upstairs. I'm sure he taught Aunt Gertrude, as well."

  Gertrude nodded her head. "He certainly did. My brother believed that every lady should know how to handle a gun so she can defend herself. I have a gun upstairs, as well."

  "I can't disagree with him, and I'm glad he taught each of you how to handle a gun, but I would still feel much better if you were both at the ranch," Cade countered.

  "But what about the store? I have to be here to open it."

  Cade glanced over at the sheriff, who looked as shocked as he was. He turned back to his future bride. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Elsie?"

  Now she was the one who looked shocked. "I have to. Cade, I have no choice. We have a store that's full of merchandise that needs to be sold, and there are people in this town counting on that merchandise."

  "I know you've helped your parents with the store for several years, but do you know all you'll need to know to be able to step in and take over running it? I mean, do you know how to keep the books, and how to place your orders?"

  She pulled back from him and looked up at him. "Are you saying I'm not smart enough to run the store?"

  He tried to pull her closer to him again, but she was staying right where she was, obviously waiting for his answer. "No, I'm not saying that at all," he tried to assure her. "I know you and you're a very smart lady. All I was asking is if your father showed you how to do those things." He smoothed her hair as he pulled her in against him. "Honey, I had an awful lot of respect for your father, and I think you know that."

  "Yes, I do. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound challenging."

  "That's all right. You're under a lot of stress right now, and I understand that. But that's part of the reason I want you to go to the ranch with me. Give yourself a couple of days to come to grips with what's happened, and then we can talk about what you want to do. If you want to run the store, at least for a while, I'll do what I can to help. I'm not saying I won't worry, because I probably will. But I'd feel a lot better if you at least give the sheriff a couple days to see if he can get some kind of clue as to who may have done this. I don't want whoever did this to come back for you and your aunt."

  He could tell she was fighting tears again, but he watched as his brave little lady squared her shoulders. "You're right, that does make sense. But then you're fine with me opening the store again? We have regular customers
who count on us."

  "I know you do, Elsie. I'm one of them. But I think everyone in town will understand if you're closed for a few days while the sheriff looks into this tragedy. If any of your regular customers need something, they can go to the other store this one time. I'm sure they'll come back to you once you get it back open."

  "That makes sense, I know. I just hate to see them go somewhere else. What if they don't come back?"

  "I don't think you'll have to worry about that. Everyone who came here loved your family. I think they'll be back."

  Again, he watched as she took a deep breath, drawing strength. She looked at her aunt. "What do you think, Aunt Gertie?"

  "I think you should listen to your future husband. He's a smart man. I think we both need a couple days or so to attempt to find some kind of peace with what happened."

  "Will you do that, please, Elsie? Maria will be excited to have ladies to talk to, and I'll feel a lot better knowing you two are safe at the ranch while Sheriff Fitch investigates this tragedy. We'll make arrangements for a funeral, and then you and your aunt can take a little time to think about this and decide what you want to do. When you feel ready to make a decision, I'll help you all I can. Whatever you decide to do, we'll do it together."

  "Thank you, Cade."

  "You're going to be Mrs. Collins soon. Of course I'll help all I can, whatever you decide to do."

  They finished answering questions the sheriff had, and Cade suggested the ladies gather up a few things to take with them while he went to the livery to rent a buggy to take them home.

  Elsie shook her head. "We'll go get some things together, but there's no need to rent the buggy. Dad's buggy is in the building out behind the store, and the horse is at the livery. I can drive Aunt Gertie and me out."

  "We'll compromise," he said, not asked. "We'll take your buggy and horse, but I'll drive it. We'll tie Thunder on behind. I don't like the thought of you driving after what you've been through. There's plenty of room at the ranch and the men will take good care of your horse and the buggy."