Page 88 of York

“Does that mean what I think it means?” he asked.

“After everyone finishes up, I guess we should go check out my ranch.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Runa

It was exactly how I remembered it.

But also changed.

The three-story log-cabin-style home I’d grown up in had been large. This place was massive. My grandfather had clearly added on over the years.

For what, I had no idea.

“Damn,” York said, looking over at me.

“It’s bigger than it used to be.”

“Very rustic,” York said as I stuck the key in the lock and pushed the heavy wooden door open.

It was an expansive space full of windows, exposed wood walls, and giant brick fireplaces.

Like with Gary’s office, there was no shortage of western art, head mounts, and leather, but there were warmer touches to soften the masculine vibe of the place—warm, aged copper cabinet pulls, lush rugs, and large indoor plants. All of them still alive. And the house itself was spotless. So someone was clearly still around to keep the place up.

I think Greg might have mentioned something about how the will had stipulations for the home and ranch staff, but it was all too blurry to remember clearly.

“Mama! Look!” Denny called, making me jump and walk over to where she was standing at the doors to the back porch.

“What, munchkin?”

“Over there!”

Sure enough, far in the distance, three bison were grazing beyond the fence of the ranch.

“How many acres is this?” York asked.

“Twenty-five-hundred.”

“Damn. Over there, is that the cattle?” he asked, gesturing toward the left.

“Yeah.” But the herd looked much smaller than it had once been. I guess there was no need to go through the usual yearly breeding program, if the money from the ranch now came from minerals.

“Can we go see them?” Denny asked.

“Sure,” I said, but my heart wasn’t in it.

“How about I take you out there to look at them?” York asked. “So Mommy can have a few minutes to walk around the house.”

“Okay!”

“Do I need to worry about any… you know?” he asked, glancing up at the heads on the wall.

“There’s a fence to keep most things out. It butts up to the cattle fence.”

“Alright then. We’ll be back then,” he said as Denny set down all her toys but one. “You okay?” he whispered to me.

Not remotely.