| Subject: Big Blue Sky Epilogue |
Author:
Karen
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Date Posted: 08:11:00 11/10/07 Sat
In reply to:
Karen
's message, "Big Blue Sky" on 20:35:06 04/21/06 Fri
Hi Everyone; Sorry I posted the last with no salutation. I was so anxious to get it up after all these months I forgot a little note of apology for the delay. I really appreciate the fact that you've all remained interested in the story for so long.
The new house is great. Just the right size for me and my sister and the dogs and cats and our hobbies.
You wouldn’t believe how difficult it can be to simply get an internet connection. It was almost comical. However, I now have a great new service that’s as fast as cable actually, and comes from radio waves. Can you believe it?
I also have another story ready to go except for my comma police who I didn’t have access to for these last two chapters. LOL. It’s just sort of a fun story full of angst and action and romance. Best of all its complete so no waiting for new chapters or time to write them. Yeah!!!
Some have asked about a sequel to the Brookes ranch saga. I just can’t say. Who knows what kind of bad guys might crop up in the future, but for now, everything is peaceful in Montana.
Big Blue Sky
Epilogue
Brooke’s ranch
Two and a half years later
Mac sat at the antique roll top desk in the den. She was balancing the books, and a look of satisfaction crossed her features. The changes they’d adopted over the last three years had proved very profitable. It had taken more than one heated meeting where everyone had spoken up. Finally, a blending of Shaun’s fresh approach based on his research into very new ideas, and Billy’s tried and true, combined with some ideas that Harm had come up with through observation had produced very satisfactory results.
She was really going to miss Billy. She could always count on him when it came to pulling something fun on Harm. Nevertheless, he could also be relied upon to have an answer for every problem. The die-hard cowboy was a walking encyclopedia of ranching knowledge.
It was time for him to retire though. His brother had a fishing boat in the Florida Keyes and Billy needed to get away from long hours in the saddle and the brutal Montana winters. He would be leaving as soon as the Spring roundup was finished.
The discussion had taken place at the turn of the New Year, and Harm had been searching with no luck since then for a suitable replacement. One of the senior cowhands asked to interview for the job, but when he found out all the responsibilities expected of him, he decided he liked the job he had just fine. Even the generous salary offered didn’t sway him.
Beth had returned to her habit of a morning ride to check the livestock. Losing every adult family member in less than ten years, then almost losing her grandchildren had hit her hard. For a few months, Mac and Harm had been deeply concerned for her health. They had no idea what to suggest to bring her out of the depression. Until Sam mentioned that Gramma didn’t ride anymore. They waited patiently for the right opportunity.
One morning in May she appeared in the barn while Harm readied his horse. She mentioned somewhat wistfully that she’d been riding since she was five years old and she missed it. Harm and Mac conferred silently, then Harm offered to saddle a horse for her and take it slow, if she wanted to come along. Her answer had been a disdainful sniff before she turned and stomped off. Shrugging to each other, Harm finished his preparations with a fervent wish that Mac could ride along, yet knowing there was good reason why she couldn’t.
Two minutes later Beth appeared back in the barn with one of the cutting horses walking about six feet behind her. She’d brought him in with only a length of soft rope. “I can saddle my own damn horse, and you better try to keep up with me,” she informed Harm.
After that, she was once again as much a fixture in the pastures as in the house. Harm found his skill as a rider and rancher much improved by watching and listening to her. In some ways, she was even better than Billy. She’d been born and raised to the life that Billy had adopted as an adult.
Mac leaned back in the big oak desk chair as she let her mind wander. Slowly her hand traveled over her small rounded belly. The doctors weren’t sure how it happened or why she was still able to conceive, but aside from some special precautions she experienced no problems.
She roused from her momentary reverie when she felt a warm presence against her back. His hands molded themselves lovingly around her shoulders. Her head came to rest on his hard, flat stomach. Ranching kept Harm as trim and tight as flying. Looking up she gazed into two pairs of aqua eyes. One loving, but faintly concerned, the other, a slightly darker shade, was happily amused. The second pair belonged to their young son who was perched on Harms shoulders.
“What’s up, Harm?” she asked, curious about the look on his face. Usually nothing interfered with the proud grin he wore whenever he was near his two-year-old son.
“Uh…nothing, not really. I think I might have found our new foreman.”
“Really? That’s great.” She knew how much Harm had worried about finding the right man.
“Well, maybe…that is, if you approve,” Harm vacillated.
“Why wouldn’t I approve, Harm. Is he qualified?” she stood up and turned to face him pushing the chair away.
“Well…I think it’s someone you know, only…well…not really,” he explained.
“Now that just doesn’t make sense, Harm. I’m fairly certain my background doesn’t include personal relationships with any cowboys,” she made light of his nonsense.
“No, but you have met this man before in another role. I wasn’t sure if it would bother you having him around. It’s up to you, Mac. Beth has met him, but the final say is yours.” Harm wouldn’t allow anything to upset Mac in her second pregnancy. The doctors cautioned that this must be the last for the safety of both the mother and any possible child.
Lifting his son off his shoulders he told him to go find Gramma. They both hesitated to watch as he streaked off towards the kitchen. Luke never went anywhere if not at a dead run. They had searched their minds for a name that had no possible connotations or connections with anyone they had ever known yet would give their little man a good solid positive self-image.
“Harm you just aren’t making any sense,” Mac picked up the thread. “Where is he?”
“In the living room,” Harm motioned to the tall slender man standing in the center of the room. He held his hat in his hands somewhat the same way that Harm had always held his uniform cover. Sunlight glinted off the neatly trimmed flaming red hair that curled around his head. Then he turned to look at her and Mac was startled off balance by the clear blue eyes. Harm reached out and took her arm to steady her.
“That’s just what I was afraid of,” his brow darkened.
“Harm that’s… that is, I mean…I…that’s…it’s….his hair is shorter, his eyes are blue now, and his skin is somewhat lighter, but I’m sure…”
“It is, Mac. His name is Robert MacGowan. He was an investigator for the Agriculture Department. When you met him as ‘Red’ he was working undercover.
Apparently, the man had a diverse family tree, and he’d made interesting use of it in altering his appearance.
“But he was here at the house with the Casey’s…”
“Trying to make sure no one got hurt,” Harm explained.
Mac looked hard at the man who was now looking back. His clear blue eyes were troubled, but free of guilt, as her mind fast played through the events of that night.
“If you don’t feel comfortable I told him this interview could go no farther. Mac, I don’t want you upset,” Harm reassured his pregnant wife.
“No…no, Harm, it’s okay, I think. That’s exactly what he did. That explains the third bullet in the man called Graney. One was yours, one was Billy’s, and one was ‘Red’s’. He also tried to get Don Casey out of the house after…after I…that is…so that’s why he just left the barn. The job was handled. I had taken care of it,” she worked it out in her mind.
“He knew about you…about both of us. He was trying to preserve his cover as long as he could, but he would have stepped in, I’m certain of it after talking to him. He said he almost didn’t send his resume, but he needs a place where he can work, and be with his family. He retired from the government at the end of the year. He knows the business, Mac,” Harm added.
“Let’s go,” she told Harm, starting for the living room.
“Robert, this is my wife, Sarah Mackenzie Rabb…” Harm introduced, catching up with the determined woman.
“Call me Mac,” she extended her hand. “It would appear we share a little secret, Mr. MacGowan,” she smiled.
“I go by Rob,” he took her hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’d appreciate it if this doesn't get around. There’s some out there who take exception to the time I helped them spend in jail,” he smiled in return.
“It’s a concept Harm and I are perfectly familiar with, Rob. Welcome to Brookes
Ranch,” Mac answered sincerely. She leaned contentedly back against Harm and looked up at him as he slipped his arm around her waist.
end
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