Page 39 of The Rancher

The man turned and faced Ray with a smirk on his face. “What do you need, Ray?”

“You’re fired Ted. I want you off the ranch and out of your quarters within the hour. You’re not to go near any animals or talk to anyone in that hour. Do you understand me? Meetme in my office when you’re packed and I’ll give you your last paycheck.”

Ted narrowed his eyes and snarled. “You can’t just fire me. You’ve got no cause.”

“I just did. Sue me if you want but you’ll lose. According to the law I can fire you any time with or without cause. But I’m sure I can come up with cause if I need to. Now, get out of my face.” Ray stood there.

Finally, Ted turned and walked toward the bunkhouse where he had a small apartment. Actually, each man had their own room with two communal showers and bathrooms. Ted’s room was bigger and had a private shower. There was also a small refrigerator.

Ray returned to the house.

Forty-five minutes later, a knock sounded on Ray’s office door.

“Come in.”

Ted entered. “I’m here for my check.”

Ray picked up an envelope from his desk, stood and walked to Ted. “This is your blood money. If I could prove you killed Francie, I’d hunt you down to the ends of the earth. Nothing and no one could stop me from my vengeance. But I can’t and until I can prove it, I have to let you go.” He handed him the envelope. “Now get out and off my property.”

“I’m goin’ but don’t think you’ve seen the last of me.”

“If I see you on my property again, I’ll shoot to kill and remember I’m a crack shot. You’re not.”

“Goodbye Ray.” Ted took his time walking out of the office.

When he was gone, Ray picked up his phone and called the head of his security. “Nate. Ray. I’ve just fired Ted Gulliver. See that he leaves the property and make sure to watch for him trying to get back on the property.”

He listened.

“Thanks, Nate. I appreciate it.”

Ted’s gone for the moment. I don’t trust that he won’t try to get back on the property but at least security is aware of the problem and the rest of the employees are aware, too. Why is it I have a bad feeling anyway?

CHAPTER 11

Monday, July 8th

Lyris wasin the barn checking on Majesty and Junebug. Their babies where nearly three weeks old now and loved running in the small pasture next to the corral.

Ray walked in and stopped at the end of Junebug’s stall. “What are you doing?”

She smiled. “The mares are the best mothers, and I want to make sure they stay that way. I’m rubbing lanolin around their nipples to keep them from cracking and being uncomfortable when the babies nurse. Most vets didn’t worry about it, but I’ve seen mares refuse to nurse their babies because they were too sore, so I’m taking care of the condition before it becomes a problem.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll have to remember that if you leave.”

Lyris felt like she’d been sucker punched in the gut. She knew she’d said she might be leave after six months, but hearing it felt so wrong. She loved being here. She’d grown to love Maddy and though she didn’t want to admit it, she’d fallen in love with Ray, too.

He never pushed her for a relationship, but he made sure to always include her in family outings. They went fishing together. She and Ray attended a couple of galas for charities that were near and dear to Francie’s heart.

When they were alone together, like at night after dinner, he talked about Francie. Lyris knew he’d loved her with his whole heart. They’d been high school sweethearts and had married right after graduation.

Just like Lyris, they’d both gone to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, though not at the same time she did. They’d lived off campus in a small studio apartment and had both worked full-time and took a full load at school so they would graduate in four years.

They had bought Whispering Wind Ranch when Ray got his first one-hundred-million dollars. When Ray started coming into more money with his siblings, they bought more land and started the stud business.

Lyris probably should be jealous of how much Ray talked about Francie, but she wasn’t. She thought the love he had for Francie had to be different than what he might feel for Lyris.

Did he love her? He hadn’t pushed her to go out with him again. She attended the galas because he’d asked as a friend. He hadn’t strayed from the friend category and now Lyris was wondering if she’d made a big mistake.