14 comments/ 23721 views/ 17 favorites I'm Not Lisa Ch. 10-11 By: coaster2 Chapter 10 Finishing Touches It was a happy trip back to the ranch. We were back in business again without the threat of our credit being withdrawn. We had immediate access to a full one-hundred-thousand-dollar line of credit, and Angus immediately drew on it to pay Tim Kleinhauser back. The relief after the tense moments of the past three days was plain for anyone to see. We were back on level ground. At least I thought we were until we crested the rise just before the ranch came into view and the next thing I knew, Rance had hit the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road. I couldn't figure out what had happened until I looked over to the South and saw what Rance had seen. Three very large trucks were slowly working their way across the range toward the foothills in the distance. I couldn't tell what they were, but they weren't road trucks by appearance. "What the hell!" Angus spat as Rance climbed out of the cab. "Pass me the binoculars, Dad," Rance said in a low voice. I could tell he was trying to control himself. "There's a drillin' rig for sure," Angus said. I can see that from here." "Yeah. And a big generator and what looks like a pump with a tank body. We better get the hell out there and see what's goin' on," Rance said, climbing quickly back into the truck and handing his father the binoculars. Rance didn't take off at a crazy rate. He was mindful of his father's leg I'm sure, and he drove slowly by steadily in the tracks of the big machines, easily catching them. He began flashing his lights and honking the horn until we could see that the caravan was coming to a stop. Rance was out of the cab in seconds and I wasn't far behind him. I could see Angus was frustrated at being stuck in the cab, but Marion stayed behind to calm him down. I caught up to Rance just as one of the truck drivers stepped down from his cab with some papers in his hand. "You mind tellin' me who you are and what you're doin' on our land?" Rance said, still working hard to control himself. "I'm Tony Graziano, and I'm here to drill for coal-bed gas as per this permit," he said, handing Rance the papers. "How did you get this permit?" "I didn't. We're contractors. I was given this at the office when CoalMeth contracted us to drill the test holes." "Well, I can tell you for sure that we've never given CoalMeth or anyone else permission to drill on our land," Rance said strongly. "Not now, not in the past. Somethin' is wrong here. Don't you start until I get this cleared up. It may come to pass that we will allow drillin', but it will be done legally with our permission. You'll be makin' a big expensive mistake if you do it before that." "I better call the office. As far as I know, this is all legal. I don't need a problem with the law. You sure about this?" he said, trying to get some kind of confirmation. "I'm Rance Cameron, and over in that truck is my father and mother. This is my fiancée, Julie Sanchez. I can absolutely guarantee that we own the 3C Ranch and that we have never signed over any drillin' or exploration rights to anyone at any time. That clear enough?" "Look, Mr. Cameron. I'm going to call CoalMeth now. They look after all the paperwork. Like I said, I'm just a contractor. You'll have to talk to them about this," Graziano said apologetically. He pulled out cell phone and punched in a number. "Harry, you better get Mr. Krenneman on the phone. We've got a problem out here at the 3C Ranch." He waited for a couple of minutes before someone came on the line. Mr. Krenneman, I'm out at the 3C Ranch and there's a guy here claiming to be the owner who says he never signed over any drilling rights to you. I better put him on the phone so you can talk directly." He handed Rance the phone. I wish I could have heard the whole conversation. "Mr. Krenneman, my name is Rance Cameron. My father is Angus Cameron. If either one of our names isn't on that document, you can't be drillin' on our property without permission." A pause. "That can't be. My father never signed anythin' that would permit exploration or drillin' on our property without talkin' to my mother or me." Another pause. "Mr. Krenneman, I guarantee that signature is a forgery. Where did you get that from?" Another pause. "I thought so. Mr. Krenneman, I know for a certainty now that that signature is a forgery. I'll be contactin' the police and laying charges against Mr. Prentice. We may decide to permit drillin' on our property if we can work out a proper agreement, but I can tell you for sure it would never be with Dexter Prentice, and you can take that to the bank. "I'm just getting' home, so I'd appreciate if you told this crew to hold off until we can get this straightened out. I'm sure you don't want to be a party to a criminal act." Another short pause. "My father and I will be down at your office early this afternoon. Maybe we can get this straightened out then." Another short pause. "I'll see you as soon as we can get there. I'll ask the police to join us." A still shorter pause. "Thank you. I'll hand you back to your crew now." He passed the phone to Graziano and moved toward me. "That man has balls of brass," he said. "Let's go back to the truck and I can let Dad know what's goin' on." We got back in the truck and Rance began to drive toward the house. "Prentice gave CoalMeth a release with your signature on it, authorizin' them to explore and drill on the 3C," Rance said. Angus exploded. "He did what. How the hell can he do that? I never signed anythin' allowin' that." "I know that, Dad. It's a forgery. I'm callin' the police when we get to the house. I'm havin' them meet us at CoalMeth's office this afternoon and we'll get this straightened out. You'll be surprised that Prentice gave them the document last week on Thursday. He must have been pretty sure of himself that we'd settle when Crenshaw pulled our line of credit. This is goin' to be a nasty surprise for both of them." "I'll see them two bastards in jail over this," Angus fumed. "We can only hope. It would serve them right. All we have to do now is to prove the signature is a forgery," Rance growled. "How hard will that be?" Marion asked. "I don't know. One thing for certain, though, we're not goin' to let Prentice get away with this." Rance called the police department and spoke to someone in charge, explaining that he believed a fraud had been committed with the use of a forged signature. After some discussion, the officer agreed to meet Rance at the CoalMeth office at two that afternoon. "Rance, do you mind if I go with you? I think we should all be there for this." "No ... I don't mind. In fact, I think you're right. It involves all of us, so we might as well let them know we're serious." It was just before two when we walked into the CoalMeth office and asked for the manager. A man at the front desk picked up the phone and called someone, indicating there was a "delegation" here to see him. In a minute, a tall, forties-something man emerged from the office, dressed in field clothes rather than a suit. "I'm Rance Cameron, and this is my family. I called you earlier about an attempted fraud." "Yes," he acknowledged. "I'm Rich Krenneman, the area manager for CoalMeth. I'd certainly like to get this straightened out." "I've asked the police to have someone here as well. This has all the earmarks of attempted fraud, and we want to put a stop to it," Rance continued. "I understand and agree totally. The last thing we want is a conflict with the landowners." "Then we're on the same wavelength," Rance agreed. "You mentioned you weren't adverse to the idea of drilling on your property. Is that correct?" "Yes, but if we were to make an agreement with CoalMeth, it would be done one-on-one, and not through some agent." "I can understand that. We'd be happy to sit down and discuss an agreement with you once this problem is cleared up." "Well, that will be our first order of business when we prove the signature you have is a forgery." At that moment, the door opened and a uniformed officer entered the office. "I'm Officer Hawthorne," he said. "I'm looking for a Mr. Rance Cameron." "That's me," Rance responded, turning to us. "This is my father, mother, and fiancée." "What exactly is the problem, Mr. Cameron?" Rance went on to explain the document Prentice gave the CoalMeth office to allow exploration and drilling on the 3C Ranch. He also noted that no one in the family had signed nor ever seen the document. "Do you have a copy, Mr. Krenneman?" "Yes. Right here," he said, handing it over to the officer. "Is this your signature, Mr. Cameron?" the officer asked, showing Rance the document. "No ... it's purported to be my father's signature. Does this look like yours, Dad?" he asked, handing the paper to him. Angus looked at it and I saw his eyes go wide. "I sure does look like my signature, but not the one I use these days. It's more like the way I used to sign years ago. Wouldn't you say so, Marion?" he said, passing the paper to her. "Yes. That's your old signature before you hurt your hand. Give me your wallet, Angus." Rance's father looked a bit bewildered, but did as she asked. Marion opened the wallet, searched for a moment and pulled out her husband's driver's license. "Here. This was just issued a year or so ago. That's how he signs his name these days," she said, handing the laminated card to the officer. I watched as he compared the two signatures and nodded. "No doubt about it. They aren't the same. You say you hurt your hand and that's why your signature changed?" "Yeah. Got it caught between a bad-tempered steer and a gate post three years ago." "CoalMeth wasn't in the valley then, was it?" the officer asked Krenneman. "No ... only in the last twenty months." "Who gave you this document?" the officer asked. "Dexter Prentice. He's been a self-appointed agent for some of the ranchers, getting them to sign up for cash now rather than the hope of royalties later." "Have you paid any money to Mr. Prentice?" "No sir. Not one cent. The only people we'll pay are the landowners themselves, or their appointed representative. Any money paid so far has come out of Prentice, not us. He wouldn't get anything from CoalMeth until the wells were producing." "Alright. Leave this with me, please. I think you can conclude that the signature is in doubt, Mr. Krenneman. You'd be wise to suspend any work until this matter is cleared up." "Yes, fine. I'll call the crew and ask them to leave," the manager said. "Thank you," Angus and Rance said, almost in unison. "Mr. Cameron," the officer said, directing himself at Angus, "Can you provide some current signatures on official documents? Say, cancelled checks by your bank for example?" "Sure. I can have them to you this afternoon if that's any help." "Good. I'll photocopy them and you'll still have a copy for your records with our stamp on them." "That will be fine," Angus nodded. Officer Hawthorne excused himself and left the office. Rance turned to Krenneman. "Mr. Krenneman, I appreciate the way you've handled this. Like I said on the phone, our family is willin' to discuss drillin' on our property, but not through a third party. If you're interested, we'd be willin' to sit down and talk." "I'd very much like to do that, Mr. Cameron. If you'd like we could set up a time and I'd come out to the ranch, or we could meet in my office, whichever is the most convenient for you." "Dad, this is your call," Rance said. "I'm having a bit of trouble gettin' around since I broke my leg a few weeks ago. If it isn't too much trouble, I'd prefer to meet at the ranch." "Not a problem," the manager said quickly. "Name a day and a time and I'll be there." "How about Friday, say eleven in the morning. We can fix you a lunch while you're out there. You may want to have a look at the area where you'd be drillin'," Angus offered. "Great! I'd really appreciate that. Eleven on Friday it is. Thank you very much. I'll look forward to seeing you then." As we drove back out of town toward the ranch, Rance made an observation. "I think Mr. Krenneman has pretty much convinced himself that the signature is a forgery. I think the policeman is thinkin' the same thing. I'll drive back to town with your cancelled checks and see what else I can find out." "I hope it's as cut and dried as it seems, Son. If it is, Mr. Prentice is in a world of hurt." "I think the bigger question is where he got that old signature. Have you ever sent him anythin' that would have your name on it?" Rance asked. "Nope. Never had anythin' to do with him, and don't ever plan to." "So ... how did he get it? Might be a good question to ask the officer, don't you think," Rance grinned. "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" I asked with my own sly grin. "Don't know. What do you think I'm thinking?" "Maybe Melvin Crenshaw supplied a copy of an older document from his files for his pal Dexter Prentice." "Mom ... did I tell you just how smart Julie is?" "Yes you did dear. Several times. It appears you are right." "Rance, do you mind if I go with you this afternoon?" I asked. "No. I don't mind. I'd enjoy the company," he smiled. We returned with the cancelled checks in a Ziploc bag and walked into the police station. Rance pulled the officer's card out of his shirt pocket. "Is Officer Hawthorne in?" he asked. "Just a moment, sir," the desk officer replied. A moment later, a smiling Hawthorne appeared, walking quickly to the front desk. "You didn't waste any time getting back here," he said brightly. "No time to waste on somethin' this important," Rance said. "Here are the cancelled checks. I think you'll see the signature is pretty much the same on every one of the six we've provided." Hawthorne looked at them carefully, nodding as he did so. "They're pretty consistent alright. I'll make photocopies for your files. We'll need them if there's any prosecution in this case. Otherwise you'll get them back at some point when the case is closed." "Fair enough. Somethin' else, though. That old signature that was on the release. You might talk to Melvin Crenshaw at The Central Bank of Trinidad. It's one of the only places one of my father's old signatures might be on file. Crenshaw called our line of credit late last week for no good reason. We've never been given an excuse, and I suspect he might be givin' Prentice a hand in puttin' pressure on us to sign with him. We refused, so there could be a connection." Officer Hawthorne studied Rance for a moment, then made a note. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Cameron. We'll let you know as soon as we have something concrete on this issue. I appreciate your letting us handle this. I know there's some pressure on you, but we have the tools to do the job and make sure that the law is served." I saw Rance nod, extending his hand to the policeman. They shook, and we left the office. "Never a dull moment, huh?" Rance said as we climbed back into the truck. "If I'd known it was going to be this exciting, I'd have been here sooner," I laughed. "Well, we aren't out of the woods yet, but I have a feelin' it won't be long before we know what this is all about." "That map we saw at Valley S & L, do you think it will mean an end to the money worries?" "It could. It's too soon to say. If it does, well ... anythin' we ever hoped for at the 3C could be possible. Let's not get our hopes up just yet, though." "Always the cautious man, huh?" "Naw. Just tryin' not to jinx us," he grinned. "Say, when are we goin' to get married?" "Talk about changing the subject," I laughed. "I thought you'd want to make sure all this mess was looked after before we decided." "You mean to tell me you and Mom haven't discussed a date yet?" "I didn't say that. We've discussed one. How does October 16th sound?" "Fine. Are we havin' a church wedding?" "Of course. We've already booked it." "You have? What about the reception?" "All arranged. At the church annex." "Guest list?" "Mostly done. Just need to know who you want to invite." "When were you goin' to tell me about this?" "Soon. Didn't want you to get too distracted. Plenty of time yet," I smiled. * Chapter 11 As Good As Done Our surprises weren't over yet. As we pulled into the yard, I saw a truck parked in front that looked somewhat familiar. "Looks like you're finally goin' to meet my sister," Rance grumbled. "Oh ... good. Caroline, isn't it?" "That's right. I hope that idiot husband isn't with her." We parked the truck in its usual spot and walked into the house. I saw Marion and Rance's sister sitting on the sofa, and neither of them looked very happy. I recognized Caroline as the blonde I had seen talking to Rance that fateful morning. As I got closer, I could see Caroline's eyes were puffy and red. I stood back as Rance walked up to her. "What brings you out here, Cary?" he asked without being confrontational. "More trouble at home?" She nodded, looking downcast. "She caught Billy cheatin' on her. I guess it wasn't the first time. She's left him and is goin' to file for divorce," Marion said in a monotone. "Well, can't say as I'm surprised," Rance said in a low voice. "But just the same, I'm sorry to hear it." Caroline nodded again, then looked up at him. "Looks like we didn't do so well pickin' partners, did we?" "First time around, you're right," Rance said, then turned to me. "Cary, this is Julie Sanchez, my fiancée. I believe I've done a whole hell of a lot better the second time around," he grinned. He reached for my hand and held it gently. "Nice to meet you, Caroline. I'm sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances." "Nice to meet you too, Julie. Don't fret over me. I'm just gettin' rid of the last traces of Billy Miller. I'm about done with him now." "Cary is comin' back to the ranch to live here for a while," Marion said. "Good," Rance responded. "No place like home when things aren't goin' well. Besides, you'll finally outnumber us men." That produced a small smile from the woman. As the afternoon progressed, I could see Caroline was getting a little brighter and not feeling quite so sorry for herself. After I'd helped Marion in the kitchen with the evening meal, I poured myself a glass of wine and went out on the deck to sit with Rance's sister. She was a blue-eyed blonde, very attractive with naturally curly hair and a sexy body. I was envious in a way, but I certainly didn't envy what had happened to her. She didn't look a lot like Marion, so I assumed she favored the Cameron side of the family. She had a glass of wine beside her, but it appeared untouched. "Mind if I join you?" I asked. "No ... not at all. I guess we should get to know each other since you're marrying into the family," she smiled. I got the feeling that there wasn't any hostility in her towards me. I held out my glass and she picked up hers to touch lightly in salutation. "Mom says Rance got lucky when he found you. He needed to catch a break. Lisa did him a lot of harm. He didn't deserve that." "You and Rance get along okay?" "Yeah. He's always been my big brother, lookin' out for me. If I was in trouble, I'd more often go to him for help. He was always there for me." "I gather he didn't approve of your husband." "No. Right from the beginning he felt Billy was wrong for me. But ... when things did go wrong ... he never said 'I told you so,' not even once." "So ... him cheating on you wasn't a first?" "No. I knew in my heart he wasn't faithful. I was trying to ignore it and hope he'd quit some day. But he never did. The more he got mixed up with those high rollers and speculators, the more he thought he was Mr. Big and could get away with it. Finally, one of his girlfriends phoned the house for him and I couldn't ignore it anymore." I'm Not Lisa Ch. 10-11 "Sounds like you gave him every chance, Caroline." "My friends call me Cary, Julie. I'd like to think we're going to be friends," she said hopefully. "I'm sure we will be. We both love Rance and this family. Your parents have made me feel very welcome." "Dad says you're the best thing that ever happened to Rance, but don't tell him I told you that," she grinned. "Okay. It'll be our secret. Just so you know, though, Rance is the best thing that ever happened to me, too." We spent the next half hour comparing notes on school and our teenage love-lives. Cary was feeling a lot better now, perhaps because she had someone nearer her own age to talk to. I avoided the subject of her husband, and she did as well. By the time we were called to the table, we had become friends I felt. At the table, Rance and Angus filled Cary in on what had been going on in the past couple of months, including the attempt by Dexter Prentice to get the rights to the coal-gas revenues on the 3C. "I wonder if that's what got Billy all upset last week. He was on the phone with Dexter and they were arguing about something Billy said was illegal. He didn't want anything to do with it, as far as I could make out. When I asked him, he said it was private business I didn't need to know about." "Well, maybe I should give that fool a little more credit then. If he was mixed up in the deal that Dexter was tryin' to pull off, he'd be in as much trouble as any of them. If he steered clear of it, then maybe he won't end up in jail," Rance said. "Well, either way, it isn't going to change my mind. I'm going to see Mr. Tenewsky tomorrow and get the divorce started. I should have done this months ago. I've just been kidding myself this last year. I'm old enough that I should have known better," Cary said sadly. Marion reached over and covered her hand. "Don't be too hard on yourself, dear. You were in love with Billy, and that can hide a lot of things. Maybe you'll have good luck next time, just like Rance did," she smiled, looking at me. We met with Richard Krenneman on Friday as arranged. I sat with them at the dining room table for a while, but when the subject got down to the small details, I excused myself and went to help Marion and Cary with the lunch. When it looked like it was time for a break, we brought out the food, along with plates, utensils, napkins, and glasses. The men were now on a first-name basis, and I sensed that they had reached an agreement. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Cameron. The food looks wonderful," Krenneman enthused. "You're welcome, and please feel free to call me Marion. You've already met Julie, and this is our daughter, Caroline." "Yes ... nice to meet you all. I wish we had done this right in the beginning. My predecessor wasn't very enthusiastic about dealing with the individual ranchers, so he was happy to have Prentice look after that. When I replaced him, I wasn't sure what our reputation in the community was. I'm only just getting a chance to try and repair it, if that's what it needs." "I don't think too much damage has been done, Rich," Rance said. "Your company was pretty much invisible until this latest mess came up. Once word gets out that you've come to an agreement with us, that'll carry a fair amount of weight with the other ranchers. It should be easier to talk to them then." "I'll be glad of that," Krenneman said. "The reason I was sent here to replace Johnston was that we were so far behind schedule. I'm still getting my feet on the ground to figure out what's been happening. This agreement we've worked out will go a long way toward getting our project back on the proper time-line. I'm very grateful for that." "We feel good about this agreement too," Angus said with a smile. "It's fair all around and will be important for our future too. All we have to do now is confirm that the original signature is a forgery." "I'll have our legal department draw up the agreement we discussed and have it sent to your lawyer for his review. Once we get that done and signed, we can move forward," the new manager said. After lunch, Rance and Angus took Rich Krenneman for a tour of the ranch, paying particular attention to where the test locations would be. Krenneman was pleased with the sites, thinking they would be relatively easy to set up on and not involve a lot of disruption to the landscape. The only proviso in the contract was that CoalMeth would construct a fence around each site to keep cattle from straying too close to the operation. If the site was abandoned, CoalMeth would remove the fence and return the area to its original condition. When Rich Krenneman left later that afternoon, Angus and Rance came back into the house. "Nice fellow, that Krenneman," Angus said. "Straight shooter, too. Told us what he wanted to do and didn't beat around the bush about it." "I'm glad you're happy, Angus," Marion said, smiling. "It sounds like this could work out very well for us." "It could work out a whole lot better than 'very well,' Mom. Rich was pretty optimistic about how much gas they could likely produce off our site. It's not guaranteed, but he's pretty confident they're going to find a substantial pool. That could mean a lot of money for quite a few years." It was almost two weeks later that we heard from the police department about the forgery. There hadn't been any rumors around town about action against Dexter Prentice or Melvin Crenshaw, but with Rance and Angus getting ready to bring the herd down from summer pasture and start shipping the first steers to market, they weren't paying that much attention. Angus took the phone when Officer Hawthorne called. Again, I could only hear one side of the conversation until he hung up and came over to fill us in. "Well, it seems like all hell has broken loose in town. The signature is definitely a forgery. It apparently was traced from bank records and transferred to the original document. No tellin' when that happened, they say. The District Attorney filed charges and the police paid a visit to Dexter this mornin' and arrested him on charges of utterin' a forged document, fraud, and collusion with intent to defraud. He'll be out on bail, but I gather they'll be keepin' an eye on him real close. "Melvin Crenshaw was served with a subpoena to appear in court to answer charges of aidin' and abettin' a fraud. He'll be out on bail too, but he won't be back at the bank. Apparently his bosses have decided someone else should be runnin' the place. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. "I guess there are a few other people they want to talk to, but right now, we're clear to make our own deal with CoalMeth. I suppose this calls for a drink?" he grinned. "I've got somethin' put away for this moment," Marion said. She went to the pantry cooler and pulled out a bottle of what was obviously champagne. Angus did the honors and popped the cork, sending it flying through the dining room, narrowly missing Rance. No harm done, and laughter followed the near-miss. Marion produced five tall, slim, wine glasses and Angus poured the sparkling white wine. "Do you suppose this is the end of all the drama in this household?" Marion asked half-seriously. "Who can tell," Angus grinned. "We seem to be a magnet for this kind of thing lately. Maybe it's goin' to settle down, now. I could use a bit of that. I'm back walkin' again, so that's another thing to be thankful for," he said, raising his glass in one hand and his walking stick in the other. "Just you remember, Angus Cameron, no horseback ridin' until the doctor says so," Marion announced sternly. "Yes, dear," he said meekly. "Looks like I'll be usin' the Jeep for the roundup, Rance." "Looks like," he agreed. "Julie, can you make do with the old Dodge?" "I'll be fine, Rance. I'm all done at Mountain and I'm just waiting for the final check. I've got three jobs lined up, but they're all local." "Hell, girl, you'll be buyin' one of those big SUV's soon enough with all that money rollin' in," Angus proclaimed. "I think I'll settle for something a little smaller for now. Anyway, there's no rush as long as I've got a way to get around." "In all the excitement, I forgot to tell you about my new job," Caroline brightened. "I'm going to work for Sunrise Photography. Mr. Forsythe is getting on and wants someone to take over the business in a few years. I showed him some of my work and he agreed to let me work on trial. It's something I'd really enjoy and he can teach me a lot. He's a really nice man." "Good for you, Caroline. That sounds like something you'd really enjoy," Marion said. "I've seen some of your pictures and I've got one framed on the wall in our bedroom," I told her. "You're really good. Maybe you should do our wedding pictures." "Oh ... I'd love to ... if that's okay with everyone?" she said tentatively. "I think that's a wonderful idea," Marion said. "That does sound like a good idea," Angus agreed. I could see Rance nodding agreement as well. I felt good for Cary. She needed something nice to happen to her. Billy Miller called a couple of times trying to convince Cary to move back, but she was adamant. He had been served with the divorce papers and she was in no mood to make up. He had given up when she told him in no uncertain terms that they were done and the divorce would go through. Marion, Cary, and I were spending more time now planning the wedding, although it really wasn't that complicated. What to wear, whom to invite, where to get the wedding cake, and so on. Like most men, Rance just wanted to know what to wear and when to show up. He had given me his list of people to invite. It was short, but I knew most of them would try to be there; especially Tim. The house had a fourth bedroom, and Marion insisted that my father and mother stay with us. They were allowing the Camerons to host the wedding. I phoned them immediately to tell them of our plans. I thought they might be disappointed that the wedding wouldn't be in Salinas, but it didn't seem to be a terrible blow to them. I think my father might have even been a bit relieved. Rance phoned Tim personally to invite him. After some wrangling, Tim also agreed to be the best man as well. I couldn't think of anyone else that should have been in that role. He and his wife would stay at a very fine old-west style hotel in town. We had run out of bedrooms. We invited the Staleys and the Velasquezs as well, as a thank you for their help and friendship when we needed it. While the Staleys would be away and unable to attend, the Velasquez family accepted. I was pleased to see that. Richard Krenneman was invited and while he was on his own, he also accepted the invitation. My family would be driving from Salinas. In fact, Raoul was coming out on his own a couple of days early to scout out the job opportunities in the area. He was stuck where he was at the lettuce plant and even though he was now a journeyman mechanic, there was no shortage of qualified men who wanted to work in California, especially when it was close to Monterey, Carmel, and the Bay Area. He was hoping something more interesting might be available in Colorado. We would put him up in the bunk house while he was here. Rance was gone most of the next week as he organized the cattle drive from the summer pasture down to the winter range. He and his father had already decided that the current price for prime heavy feeder steers and heifers was high enough to sell off up to four hundred head. It would be a big payday if they could get the top prices at the La Junta auction, some eighty miles northeast of Trinidad. The short travel distance really helped hold the condition of the cattle and cut the transport costs, he explained. I rode up to the range on horseback with Rance and saw for the first time an actual cattle drive. He had me off to one side near the back of the herd, but not eating dust like the guys riding what they called the "drag." Angus putted alongside in the Jeep, shouting out orders now and then, and generally just enjoying being back on the range again. His leg was much better and he could walk with only his cane most of the time. I watched Rance and the hands work the cattle to keep them in tight and moving forward. Any strays that wandered off were soon rounded up and moved back into the herd. It was a bit of old-west romance that I was happy to be a part of. What amazed me was how the horses seemed to know what to do without much input from their riders. They'd just lean into the cattle to keep them in line without making a big fuss about it. I spent two days with Rance on the drive before I had to stay at the ranch to look after my business. I was getting a fair number of calls now, most of them small projects that I could do quite quickly and easily. Dave Tanner at Valley Computer had become a very good source of leads. I was pleased that we could give him some business from the Mountain Building Supplies contract, as well as some referrals from our smaller clients. We worked well together. A week later, all the cattle had been shipped to La Junta for auction. Prices looked to be holding firm at just over $105.00 per cwt, Rance said. Angus was wearing a smile too. This would be a good result for all their hard work. The ranch would probably realize well over two hundred thousand dollars from the fall sale. Raoul arrived on the twelfth of October and was welcomed by Rance and family. I admit I was getting a bit nervous with the wedding just four days off. Rance, on the other hand, didn't seem to have a worry in the world. I found myself spending more time with Cary who had been through all this before and was a calming influence. You wouldn't have thought it would be a big deal since I'd been living with Rance for almost six months, but it was. Raoul joined us for supper that first night and it made for a lively dinner table. He was looking for an opportunity to use his skills fully rather than the limited needs of my father's operation. "I've checked and I won't have any problem getting my journeyman's ticket in Colorado," he said. "I've got all the experience needed thanks to Dad." "Why don't you see Rich Krenneman at CoalMeth?" Rance suggested. "He can hook you up with the contractors they use. They're always in need of skilled mechanics." "That sounds good. I'll go see him tomorrow if I can get an appointment," Raoul said. "I can help you with that," Angus spoke up. "I'll call him tomorrow mornin' and see when you can get together with him. He may have some other possibilities too." "Thanks, Mr. Cameron. I really appreciate that. I'd like to find a place I can use all of my training." "Well, maybe you can set up your own business here too," Cary suggested. "I don't know about that," Raoul said cautiously. "I don't have enough money to buy the equipment I'd need. That will take some time." "Don't you have your tools any more?" I asked. "Oh sure, they're in my truck. But it takes more than that to set up a business. I think I need to walk before I run," he grinned. "That's good thinkin', son," Angus said. "You get yourself established, then you go into business for yourself. In these parts, reputation is everythin'. A good one goes a long way to bein' a success. Just ask your sister." "Mom said you had a computer business, Julie. Is it doing well?" "It's doin' darn well," Rance interrupted. "She's even got some out-of-state customers," he bragged. "I'm happy with it," I admitted. "That's great. This place is so cool," he said. "I've never been in Colorado. It's sure different from California." "Well, for one thing, we're six thousand feet up, and for another, it gets dang cold here in the winter," Angus said. "I'm not worried about cold too much," my brother said confidently. "I worked in Alaska for two years. Cold's bad enough, but cold and damp ... I hated that." "Well, it isn't that cold," Rance suggested. "Maybe down around twenty degrees in winter, and not much snow. This is a dry part of the world. I think the total rainfall is only about fifteen inches. We have to find water or take it from the river when we can." "Do you drill wells?" Raoul asked. "Yeah. That's where most of the water we have comes from. We've got three on the ranch," Angus said. "That's what I was doing in Alaska ... working on drilling rigs. No trouble keeping busy, that's for sure." "There's several contractors around here. Could be an opportunity with one of them," Rance suggested. "Looks like some good leads for me already," Raoul smiled. "You're welcome to stay in the bunkhouse as long as you like. There's an unused room you'll find, and it has the facilities you'll need," Marion said. "You should plan on havin' your meals with us here, though." "I don't want to impose," my brother said. "You're about to become family, Raoul," Rance said. "You'll be my brother, so let's not hear any more about imposin'." That brought a big smile to both me and Raoul, as well as the rest of the table. I was proud of Raoul. He'd always been my big brother, but we hadn't been close. Now, it seemed he was about to strike out on his own, and after having been apart for several years, we were getting to be more comfortable with each other. That felt good. True to his word, Angus phoned Rich Krenneman the next morning and set up an appointment for my brother. "Rich seems to think there's a couple of opportunities for a journeyman mechanic," Angus said. "One of them might be with that drill crew we ran into on the property a while back." Raoul's face lit up when Angus told him about the appointment and the manager's suggestion that there could be a job for him. He wasted no time in getting himself ready for the meeting, making sure he was properly dressed. "You think I should wear a suit, Sis?" I looked at Rance and he shook his head. "Save it for the weddin', Raoul," he said. "You're lookin' to hire on as a mechanic, not an accountant," he grinned. My brother looked relieved. Just the same, he fussed with his pants and shirt, making sure they were clean and ironed before he left. He always was a neatnik. I watched as he drove off in his truck, headed for town. "He'll be fine, Sweetheart," Rance said from behind me. "He's a nice guy, comes from a good family. I'd be surprised if he doesn't have a job before Saturday." "I wonder how Mom and Dad will feel when another one flies the coop and moves away?" "It was goin' to happen sooner or later. You heard him. He wanted to get out on his own. He's grateful to your father for his support, but he wants to make it on his own. I'm sure that's what the Alaska thing was all about." I nodded. Rance was right. At thirty years old, it was time for Raoul to move on. That would just leave Ramon at home. I wondered when he'd decide it was time. Tim and Ardele Kleinhauser arrived late that afternoon. They had rented a car and had it delivered to the local airport where they parked his twin-engined plane. They stopped to check into their suite at the Sante Fe Trail Hotel, a heritage site that Marion said was very nice. They came for dinner, and we had a great time listening to stories about Rance and Tim, and my days at his company. I must have been a little red-faced a couple of times and I was glad my parents weren't here to hear this. They were expected tomorrow about noon-hour. In the meantime, Raoul had an interview with Tony Graziano at his shop in Model early Thursday morning, just a few miles up Highway 350. It was about a twenty minute drive from the ranch. He was excited about the prospect. Rich Krenneman had pretty much assured him that if his certificate was in order, he'd get a job. Tony was always looking for a good mechanic and they were rare in this part of the country. I'm Not Lisa Ch. 10-11 Tim and Ardele left for the hotel just before nine and by ten o'clock almost everyone was in bed. The only exceptions were Raoul and Caroline. They had been talking for some time and I thought I saw something happening between the two. I was probably wrong. Cary was still getting used to the idea that in five months she was going to be divorced. She found the whole idea upsetting. I thought I had better warn Raoul to take it easy. I wasn't sure how much he knew about her situation. The next morning, Thursday, Raoul was off like a shot to Model and his meeting with Tony Graziano. I had to chuckle. He was like a kid at Christmas with the prospect of this job. Rance and Angus took the jeep and patrolled the property, checking the fences and making sure the feed was out where it should be. They really didn't need to. Charlie had made sure of everything yesterday. Was it a sign that Rance was maybe beginning to feel a little nervous about Saturday? My dress had been delivered and Marion and Caroline fussed with it when I tried it on. I thought it was perfect, but they still had to make tiny little alterations to make sure it was perfect. There was only one bridesmaid; Caroline. It was going to be a simple, small wedding between two families who had never met until two days before the ceremony. Not exactly the dream wedding every woman wishes for, but I was making allowances for the fact that I was getting the man I wanted and would be living with him in a place I really wanted to be. My mother and father and Ramon arrived early in the afternoon. They had stayed in Albuquerque overnight before driving up to Trinidad. Dad had decided to turn this trip into a ten day vacation, with the wedding in the middle. I was first to the door when they arrived and ran out to hug them all in welcome. Marion, Angus, and Rance were right behind me. "Mom, this is Marion and Angus Cameron, and this is my man, Rance," I smiled. "And these are my parents, Miguel and Carmelita Sanchez, and my younger brother Ramon." "Very nice to meet you all," my mother said, and echoed by my father. Ramon smiled and shook their hands, but seemed a bit shy I thought. We led them into the house and Rance helped with their bags, putting them in the last open bedroom. It was a noisy reception as a few minutes later Raoul arrived back from his interview, virtually jumping up and down in excitement. "Mom, Dad, I've got a job already. Isn't that great?" My mother didn't look thrilled, but I could see my father smile and nod his congratulations. He knew of Raoul's ambition, and was supportive. Ramon would be staying in the bunkhouse with his brother, and said that was just fine. When things calmed down after a few minutes, Marion poured a glass of wine to welcome my parents and we all sat in the living room as they got to know the family I was marrying into. I didn't detect any discomfort or coolness. Marion had a way about her that disarmed people almost right away. She was a lovely woman that I would be proud to call my mother. I think my mother sensed that and was happy that was the case. My father and Angus seemed to have a lot in common as well. Both were down-to-earth working men and I felt they understood that. Within an hour of their arrival, I could relax. The two families didn't have any problem getting along and that was a big relief. I watched Rance as he stayed in the background, listening to the conversation between my father and Angus. Every once in a while he would cast a glance my way and smile. He seemed comfortable with everything as well. Caroline arrived just before four o'clock from the photography studio. She was introduced and then helped herself to a glass of wine. She sat near Raoul and Ramon, talking with them for a few minutes. A while later, Marion rose and headed for the kitchen to prepare the evening meal for our guests. Caroline and I were right behind her. My mother soon joined the group, so it was a bit crowded in the kitchen, but she wanted to talk to Marion and help where she could. I signaled to Caroline that we weren't needed just yet and we returned to the living room to join the others. "So tell me about your new job," Caroline asked Raoul. "I'm second mechanic at Southern Valley Drilling. They're the company that's going to be drilling for coal-gas on this ranch. They've got a big shop in Model just up the road a ways and I'll also be doing some field work when needed. I start the beginning of November, so I'll have time to go home and get my things and find a place to live when I get back." "Why don't you stay in the bunkhouse until you've got a couple of paychecks under your belt and know a little more about the area," I heard Rance say. I hadn't noticed him walk over and join our group. "That would be great if it isn't any problem for you," my brother said. "No problem at all. We don't have many hands around at this time of year, so we've got three or four open rooms at the bunkhouse. As a matter of fact, I'll be stayin' out there Friday night. Somethin' about tradition and not seein' the bride before the weddin'." "That's great, Rance. Thanks," he smiled widely. I don't remember the last time I saw Raoul this happy. He was excited about his new career and his soon-to-be new home. We had scheduled a wedding rehearsal Friday afternoon and a big dinner at the Comanche Steakhouse in town. Tim insisted that he would be the host for the dinner since he was entirely responsible for putting Rance and me together. It was a pretty lame excuse, but we agreed after we realized any argument would be futile. Because it was going to be a fairly simple wedding ceremony conducted by the local Episcopalian minister, the rehearsal was quick and went off without any problem. I wondered if it would be that easy tomorrow. I had a feeling I would be pretty uptight, even if Rance wasn't. My parents were nominal non-practicing Catholics. When I told them that I would be married in a Protestant church, they weren't upset, recognizing that none of the Sanchez family was regular church-goers. My mother always went at Easter and Christmas, but that was about the extent of it. So far, we hadn't encountered any conflicts at all, considering the two families didn't really know anything about each other. The dinner was noisy and fun. Carly and Ramon were the designated drivers, much to Ramon's chagrin. Angus was still taking some pain medication for his leg, so he was limited to how much alcohol he was allowed. Tim and Ardele were within walking distance of their hotel. In the meantime, I was happily helping myself to the wine. I was probably going to regret it in the morning, but for now, I was having fun and letting go of the tension that I had been feeling. It was pretty plain that the Sanchez and Cameron families were getting along just fine. Angus and my father, Miguel, were on a first name basis and trading what they called "war stories" for most of the night. My mother, Carmelita, and Marion were also getting on very well. Ramon was in conversation with Tim about I don't know what, while Caroline and Raoul were talking quietly all by themselves. Once again, I thought I saw signs of something more than just conversation. I had Ardele to myself, and I was able to find out a good deal more about Tim than I knew previously. Sometime before eleven, the party broke up. We hugged Tim and Ardele in thanks for their generosity and told them we'd meet them at the church before one o'clock tomorrow. The rest of us piled into the two trucks and made our way back to the ranch house. I would be sleeping alone for the first time in months, and I already missed the warmth and comfort of my soon-to-be husband. "I'm going to miss you tonight," I said quietly to him as he prepared to move out to the bunkhouse. "No more than me. My only reward is that I'll have you for the rest of my life tomorrow. That's worth the wait," he smiled lovingly. We kissed deeply and held each other for a long time before he left. I suddenly realized how tired I was. All the tension and expectation that had built up in me was now being released. A few hours from now, I would be Mrs. Rance Cameron. It was a dream I didn't imagine was even possible a year ago. Now, it was going to come true. I walked to our bedroom and undressed, wishing I had the courage to break the tradition and have my man in our bed that night. I crawled under the covers and within seconds I was asleep. When I awoke on Saturday morning, I realized this was my wedding day. The day I had hoped for since I was a little girl. Almost every young girl dreams of marrying her special man. I know I did. But I don't think I ever thought I would marry a man as wonderful and handsome as Rance. He was something special, something to cherish for the rest of my life. I smiled as I climbed out of our bed. This was my day. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweat shirt, combed my hair back, and brushed my teeth. No point in getting dressed yet. Besides, I could smell bacon and coffee and I knew breakfast was on the way. I walked into the kitchen to find my mother and Marion hard at work. I hugged them both and got a good hug in return. "How did you sleep?" my mother asked. "Very well. I feel very rested this morning. How about you?" "Yes. Your father snores, of course, but ... I'm used to it now," she smiled. "Are you ready for your big day?" "Yes. I am. I'm very ready." "Well, have a good breakfast," Marion said, "because it'll be mid afternoon before we eat again." Just then Ramon came into the kitchen from the back deck. "I'm the designated food carrier," he said, yawning. "Something about Rance not being allowed to see Sis until the wedding." "That's right," Marion said. "I'm glad someone remembered. It's bad luck, otherwise." "Raoul said Caroline told him about it. She made him remember not to let Rance come over here today." "What about his wedding clothes?" my mother asked. "All looked after by Caroline. She got him to tell her what he was wearing and she made sure it was all in the bunkhouse yesterday." "My daughter is becoming quite the organizer," Marion smiled. "Good for her. I'll have to remember to thank her," I said. "Thank who," I heard Cary's familiar voice behind me. "You. You've been looking after getting Rance prepared. Thank you for that," I said, hugging her. "It's the least I could do. I even got him something special to wear." "What?" I asked. "Just you wait and see, Julie. I might even be establishing a new tradition. Who knows." Caroline was upbeat and looking forward to today. That was a relief. I wondered if it might have been the opposite with her divorce under way. That didn't seem to be the case. We loaded a large platter with three breakfasts, covered it with a tea towel, and sent Ramon off to the bunkhouse with his load. Caroline followed him with a thermos of coffee she had thoughtfully provided. The boys would survive, although none of them overindulged last night. Angus and my father showed up a short while later and sat at the dining room table for their breakfast. They hadn't seemed to have run out of topics to discuss, and it was good to see them so involved with each other. I took it as a good omen. Soon enough, it was time for me to get ready. I had kept my hair fairly short, so I decided against getting a fancy hairdo. There wasn't enough to work with, I thought. A shower, shampoo, makeup, and then begin to get dressed. Caroline joined me and helped me with the dress. It was strapless with a built-in bra, so I didn't have to worry about straps showing. It was also a snug fit. I was showing an extra bit of cleavage as a result, but I didn't think Rance would mind. My mother came into the room with a hat box she had brought with her. Inside was a classic veil that was a style from at least a century ago. "This is the veil I wore when I married your father. It has brought me good luck, just as it did for my mother. I want you to wear it today, Juliana." "Oh, Mother, it's beautiful. I will be so happy to wear it." It was beautiful and I was proud to be allowed to wear it. I didn't know about it, but Angus had hired a limousine to take me, Caroline, and the parents to the church. As I sat in the back, looking out the window at the wonderful scenery, I was surprised that I wasn't nervous. I felt calm and ready. I looked down at the ring Rance had given me and held it up for my mother and Marion to see once more. It would soon be joined by a wedding band. As I stood in the entrance hall before entering the church, I felt calmer than I ever expected. I don't know why. Perhaps because I slept well last night, or perhaps there was no "mystery ride" ahead of me. My father stood proudly beside me, smiling at the guests and me. He was happy and I was happy for him and my mother too. I saw Tim and then Rance step into the aisle in front of the minister, looking back toward me. Then, the organist began playing the Wedding March, and with my father's guidance, we walked slowly down the aisle toward them. My father handed me to Rance, and he took my hand. In a moment I could tell he was nervous; stiff and uncomfortable. I looked in his eyes and saw them glisten, almost on the verge of tears. It was the last thing I expected to see. Rance was wearing a new charcoal suit, a white dress shirt, and a black tartan tie with red and yellow stripes. The Cameron tartan, I learned later. He also had new shoes, and not the cowboy boots he almost always wore. The minister began the service and before I realized it, we were saying "I do," and he was pronouncing us man and wife. Rance trembled as he lifted my veil and very tentatively kissed me. I reached for his hand to steady him, and I could feel and hear him relax. It was over. I was Mrs. Rance Ian Cameron, and I was one happy woman. The reception was fun and lively. A small five piece band played mostly western swing music, with a few contemporary numbers thrown in. I really didn't pay much attention. As I danced with Rance, my father, Angus (awkwardly on his still-healing leg), Tim, Raoul, and Ramon, I was in my own little world. I cut the cake and threw the bouquet and did all the things new brides are expected to do. Later that afternoon, the limousine arrived and took Rance and me to the Sante Fe Trail Hotel for a brief, two day honeymoon. We would be back at the ranch on Monday morning, delaying our real honeymoon until January when we were scheduled to take a Caribbean cruise for a week. In the meantime, we could get started on baby-making. On Christmas Eve, I lay in our bed with my husband and we talked quietly about what a wonderful year it had been. The mistaken identification of his sister for his old girlfriend really was the event that led to everything else. It pushed Rance to finally declaring his love for me and it forced me to make a decision about my future life. I have no regrets. My parents are back in Salinas, and we talk to them once a week on the telephone. That's more than I ever talked to them, even when I was at Stanford. Raoul is doing well at Southern Valley Drilling; he really likes Tony Graziano and the work. He's adapting to the cold winter weather, but I have a feeling Caroline might have something to do with that. He has an apartment in town, and I know Cary meets him there sometimes after work and they have dinner together. It's the last thing I would have expected, but just the same, if he heeds my advice to go slow, I think they both might have a chance. Ramon is back in Salinas, getting ready to start the New Year at night school. He was given some advice by Tim about getting a good education in the area that he wants to work in. One trip in Tim's plane convinced him that he wanted to be in aviation, and he's taking a course in aviation mechanics. Angus is back to normal, or at least as normal as he's going to be on his damaged leg. He's kept the walking stick and uses it when he goes to town or has to walk more than a little. He's allowed on horseback, but no galloping around or riding with the herd. Those were Marion's orders and he knows better than to argue with her. Marion, Caroline and I are very close. Marion has become the second mother I didn't know I needed. She's calm, cool, and collected in stressful situations and is a fountain of knowledge and good advice about married life. She's also a very good instructor in the kitchen. I'm now able to help her with the main meals and take some of the burden off her. My business is doing very well. Not terribly busy, but steady and providing a nice income on a monthly basis. It means I can contribute to the household, which is something I insisted upon. The test sites have produced good results for coal-gas, and even one for water. We should have the permanent wells in place by summer and the royalties will begin to come in. Our agreement with CoalMeth provided for an up-front payment if the test sites were positive, and that will mean less dependence on the line of credit. Melvin Crenshaw pled guilty to lesser charges of aiding and abetting and has been given three years probation. The former banker's surrender completely undermined Dexter Prentice's not guilty plea, and led to his changing his plea to guilty. He'll be spending the next two to three years in a minimum security facility. It seemed like a reasonable result to everyone but Angus. He was in favor of a hanging in the town square. Rance is talking about building a home for us near the ranch. Nothing fancy or big, just a nice three bedroom style rancher that would fit in with the surroundings. We've already picked out a plan and the builder, so we'll be visiting with Sam Velasquez to discuss a mortgage soon. I'm not sure Marion is crazy about the idea, but we won't be far away and I didn't want to burden Rance's parents with our presence permanently. "I've got a special Christmas present for you," I said, whispering in Rance's ear. "Can I have it now?" he smiled, turning toward me, guessing what he thought I was referring to. "Since it's almost midnight, suppose so." He was gently massaging my breast, his thumb gently gliding over the nipple. "You're going to be a daddy next year," I said, kissing him softly. "Oh ... I am? When?" It was like a delayed reaction. When the idea sunk in, he reacted by sitting straight up. "Sometime in early July, the doctor said." "You're not kiddin'?" he said, almost unable to believe what he was hearing. "Nope. I am pregnant." "Yahoo!" he hollered. I'm sure everyone in the house heard it, but since I'd already told Marion, I didn't expect them to be alarmed. Caroline would figure it out for herself. "So, we'd better get started on that new home pronto, Cowboy." "Yes, we'd better," he agreed. "Well, sweetheart, I can't think of a better Christmas present I could ever get. I hope this is the first of a bunch," he said, coming back down beside me, his arm pulling me tight. "We'll see. Depends on how good a daddy you make." "I'm goin' to be the best damn daddy you ever heard of." "Yeah. I think maybe you will be," I said, kissing him again. I was pretty sure he would be too. END Author's note: My thanks to Jesse Coulter for the germ of an idea for this story. As usual, both ErikThread and DaveT conspired to make this story better. I'm grateful for their help and any errors are mine alone.