Saving You

Chapter Six "Ranger"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Wednesday October 26th

Bryan and I talked as we drove to his friend's family ranch. "So they're losing their ranch?" I asked softly. I couldn't imagine losing the ranch now. I loved it! It was becoming a part of me.

"Yeah," Bryan sighed. "It's a sad thing but it's not uncommon in these hard times. But the only good thing is their neighbors are going to buy it and add onto their land."

"I'm sure that would be good for them." Bryan turned into a small ranch and I braced myself for all the questions that would probably be thrown at me.

An hour later, we were leaving with a beautiful black and white border collie named Ranger. He was mainly black except for his legs, chest and belly. Most of his muzzle was white too with a thin white stripe that ran up to just above his eyes. The man had said Ranger would go wherever I did, he didn't need a leash, he'd stay on command—even if he ran off to play or inspect something he'd come back when called, he could sleep outside or in. Ranger was friendly with everyone unless of course he sensed something from me, he loved kids, and his only vice was sometimes begging for food from the table.

"So you think you made a good choice?" Bryan asked as we turned into my ranch's driveway. I smiled.

"I think I did. Ranger and I are going to get along great." I rubbed Ranger's furry head. His ears perked up at his name and his tail wagged excitedly. Bryan parked by the house and we all got out. Ranger inspected the new territory that surrounded him but stopped to look at me to see if it was okay to run around. "Go ahead Ranger."

The dog bounded off towards the barn and the fields. I followed along at a walk with Bryan. "So I hear you're starting a program with inmates from the prison in Reno."

I nodded. "Yeah, it's kind of like HARP at Riverbend except these are adults and it's more advanced. They'll work with the mustangs from the ground up. Halter breaking, grooming, working with them until they're riding horses if able to be."

"Brynna told Mom you might be looking for help and I'm looking for a job. I work good with horses, as all of us Ely's do," Bryan flashed a confident grin. "And I wouldn't judge any of these men for what their situation is. I can help train the horses and the men."

"I'd have to ask Brynna what I'd be able to pay you." I told him. "If you don't mind, I'd like to see you in action with a horse."

Bryan grinned again. "Don't mind at all. Which one?"

"You pick." Bryan went into the pasture and grabbed Calico. He brought her out, brushed her off quickly and tacked her up. Bryan mounted her and rode her in front of me, showing off his riding skills. He was good on a horse I must say. I think it was an Ely thing because Jake and his other brothers I've saw were good on horses. 'Course Calico had to give him a little trouble, she might be older but she still had her get up and go. She gave a few crow hops and pulled at the bit but Bryan handled her wonderfully. "I'm going to talk to Brynna as soon as I can but as far as I'm concerned, you've got a job."

I helped Bryan take care of Calico and asked him what else he could/would help with. "Are you opposed to mucking stalls with me?"

Bryan chuckled. "No I'm willing to do that. Don't have any horses in the barn though do you?"

"Not at the moment but I'm thinking of putting these older ones in the barn so they can be warmer at night in these colder temperatures. I was also thinking once the mustangs were used to it enough, they'd spend some time in the stalls when the guys are grooming them and feeding them. I want to move ten horses to this pasture the day before we start—which is in two weeks—so the guys can pick their own horse and we can take the rest of them back to the bigger pasture. That way it's not too hard for them to catch them in the mornings. First though they're going to muck out stalls, help with the older horses along with Belle and Faith, and they're going to have a day of you or me or both of us teaching them how to properly handle a horse and telling them how we're going to work."

Bryan nodded as he listened to me. "You know, I'm going to contact my brother Seth who is a paralegal in Elko. You should have everyone sign a waiver stating that you're not responsible for any injuries that happen and they work with the mustangs at their own risk."

"That's great Bryan! I didn't think of that although I'm sure Brynna would have." We talked for a little bit longer before my contractor for the indoor arena showed up. Bryan stayed as I talked with the contractor, Jeff's brother Josh, and we talked about where I wanted the arena built, how big, a time frame and before he left, he told me he'd draw me up some plans to look over before he started.

As Josh drove back down the driveway, a sleek black car drove towards us. Ranger barked at its arrival. "It's okay boy." I gave him a gentle pat on his shoulder and walked towards the car with Bryan and I saw Jeff step out of his patrol car. A young man, in maybe his late thirties and a woman around his age stepped out of the car. Preston's children.

"Hello!" The man called out as he walked towards us. "Charlie, right? Michael, Preston's son." He looked so much like Preston, it was crazy.

"Hi!" I walked over to meet them. "Good to see you again, Michael, Charlene." Charlene was Preston's daughter.

"This is Bryan Ely, he's a friend and this is Ranger." I looked at Ranger then at Michael and Charlene. "They're friends, Ranger." Ranger wagged his tail but sat until they reached out to pet him. The dog really did have manners.

"Sorry it's taken us so long to get back to the US. Your father assured us that the stuff would be here waiting for us to go through when we got back." Charlene looked a bit teary and I hugged her.

"It is. We really haven't gone through anything yet, just went over Grandma's – Trudy's – Will but that's about it." I told them as we stood there.

"Why don't we go inside and talk?" They nodded in agreement but Bryan said he had to get back to Three Ponies. I told him I'd call him later after talking to Brynna. I stopped to introduce Jeff to Michael and Charlene. "He's one of the officers that stays here to keep watch."

"Have you been having trouble?" Michael asked once we were inside, concerned. I sighed as they sat down at the table. I got Ranger some water and food in his bowl before joining them.

"Well the sheriff here, Heck Ballard, is trying to catch the person who did this but we've had a few issues with whom we believe to be responsible here." I told them about the attacks and the campsite.

"And you're staying here?" Charlene was shocked. I nodded with a sigh.

"Grandma gave my cousin Gabe and I the ranch in her will. Gabe is attending school in Colorado so I'm solely responsible for the ranch and the mustangs right now. I can't leave them here with no one to help them. And eventually, they'll be found, whoever did it." I was determined that they would be found.

"Our father left us a will also." Michael told me, looking over at me. "He split his remaining money between us and he left us his mare, Honey, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, she's a great horse. I've let her out with a few mustangs but I can bring her up whenever you'd like. If you're interested in taking her of course. I don't know what your work allows. But if you can't, I can promise she'll always have a home here."

"We do want to take her. My wife lives back in California with our kids on a small farmette and they're excited about her coming to live with us. We want to teach the kids to ride." I smiled, it sounded so wonderful. Honey would have a great home. "My wife has ridden horses since she was ten years old. So she'll have good care and plenty of attention."

"Uh, do you mind if we um, well take his belongings?" Charlene asked with a sniff. Her tears were making a comeback.

"Not at all! They're yours." I told them then I felt slightly uncomfortable. "No one has been in their room since…"

"Since the night they were killed." Michael finished for me. I nodded, swallowing hard.

"Sheriff Ballard said they cleaned up but I just want you to be prepared for what could be in there." I replied softly. He grabbed my hand gently.

"Thank you. I think we'll go get settled in a hotel now-"

"No! Stay here. There's no need for you to get a hotel." I protested. Ross would probably be a little uncomfortable but it would all be okay.

"Are you sure?" Charlene spoke, looking pleased.

"Yeah! Of course. I have to run into town for a few things but feel free to go up to the room and start sorting through his stuff." I showed them the master and where the available guest room was before leaving. I really needed to get on seeing exactly how much money I had at the bank and if I could finance the rest.

…...

I walked out the bank feeling a bit more broke. Grandma had left me ten thousand dollars, I still had thirty thousand in my trust fund, and I had applied for a loan for a whopping thirty thousand. They had approved me and so I had called Josh about starting the arena but I wanted to add some adjustments so he told me to stop by his office.

"Hey Charlie, come on in." He waved me in as I arrived at his office. "So what adjustments are you talking about?"

"Well I was looking at pictures of arenas as I was waiting for the bank's decision and I saw this." I pulled up the picture on my phone. It was a little barn that was right off of the arena—connected to it—had a covered walkway and ten box stalls. The stalls had another door that opened into small corrals for the horses to go into when they were being "stalled". "I was thinking how perfect this would be for the mustangs that the guys are working with to stay in that way they could walk them right into the arena. While the guys are working on other things, the mustangs could be out in the corrals."

"It sounds great. We could add that on, it will cost a tiny bit more but I'll try to keep costs down as low as we can. Since you're going to be a rescue, I can give you a discount and use it when tax time comes around." Josh smiled at me. "So I can come down on my usual costs some more."

"Thank you so much." I said gratefully. "When I finish my website I am more than willing to advertise your company for you as much as I can."

"That would be much appreciated. Well I'll finish up the adjustments to the blueprints and I'll drop you a copy off when I'm done in the office for tonight." I thanked him again and drove back towards the ranch. When I got there I checked in on Charlene and Michael, they were still packing up some of Preston's things so I went outside to the horses to give them their space.

Just as I pulled Judge out to groom, my phone went off. I locked the stall Judge was in and answered my phone. "Hello?"

"Hey honey, it's Dad." I smiled at his voice.

"Hey Dad, what's up?"

"Nothing much, just sitting here and I'd thought I'd call to see how you are..."

"I'm good. I have a ton of stuff to tell you!" I went straight into telling him about wanting to purchase a security system and cameras, the new program, the arena, everything.

"Charlie." My dad's voice sounded strained. "Don't you think you're getting in over your head?"

"Not at all Dad. The program is only for a few months and if all goes well I'll have a week or two before we start the next batch of horses, the arena will be helpful even if I don't keep up with the program for me to work with the mustangs in there that I want to try to get re-homed. With what I make with the BLM and what I'll be making while I work with the program the payments will be no problem. Grandma already has the ranch paid off. So I just have my usual bills, my truck payment and the loan payment."

"What about working with these inmates?"

"There's going to be multiple officers here with them and I hired one of the neighbor boys, well man really, to work with me. So I won't be alone with them. They wear tracking devices and any threat or harm to me and they're pulled out of the program. Plus these guys are screened Dad, they're the ones who aren't violent and aren't in on battery or assault charges. Mainly it's just small things."

"Well it has to be pretty bad to be in a state prison and not the county jail." Dad mumbled. I sighed.

"Dad, these men are just like the mustangs. They need a second chance and this program will give them that. Society already has this view of people who have been to prison. If they have skills like the ones they'll get training the horses, it could keep them out of trouble once they're out of jail."

"I can't say I'm thrilled about it but I know you won't change your mind." Dad said, sounding a bit defeated. "But honey, let me do one thing for you."

"What?"

"I have a friend who owns a business working in security and alarms. He'd come out there and work everything out with you himself. Let me contact him and pay for it."

I hesitated. "Are you sure Dad?"

"Very sure. I want my little girl to be safe as can be." He said, completely serious. It'd be one less expense I'd have to pay for and if it'd make him feel better how could I say no?

"Sure Dad, if you're sure about doing it."

"I am. He might be able to squeeze you in this weekend. I'll call you later with the details okay? I'll give you the name of his website and you can look at some of his equipment. See if there's anything specific that you want and you can let me know when I call back."

"Okay, thanks Dad." I cleared my throat as I felt it tightening. I missed my dad. "I love you."

"I love you too honey." We hung up and I went back to Judge, who was waiting patiently for me in the stall. I brushed out his mane until all the tangles were gone, picked out his feet and reapplied his blanket. I didn't want to rub off any of his little bit of winter coat he had. Even with the blanket, I wanted him to have that extra hair. I did the same with Calico and I was just finished Ginger when Ross rode into the yard on Tank.

"Hey!" I called out to him as I left the pasture after putting Ginger back. He gave me a tired smile.

"Hey." Ross said as he dismounted Tank. I grabbed onto Tank's reins.

"Why don't you let me take care of him and you go take a shower?" I suggested. Ross looked torn. I knew he would love to go shower and relax but a major rule I was learning from Sam was you took care of your own horse no matter how tired you were. "Just this one time."

"Okay." He gave in. I tied Tank to the fence temporarily because I figured I better introduce Ross to the others instead of just letting him find out himself.

"Preston's children came today." I said as we walked towards the house. "Their names are Michael and Charlene. They're staying here for at least tonight."

Ross nodded but I could tell he would be much quieter than he usually was. "They're gathering his things and they're going to take Honey back to California. Michael's wife has horse experience. They want to teach the kids to ride." I told him as I opened the front door. A stack of boxes sat by the stairs and they were in the kitchen, talking at the table. They both looked up at our approach. "Charlene, Michael, this is Ross McBaine. He works at Riverbend Ranch one of the neighboring ranches here in Darton. He's been helping me with the mustangs and the ranch."

"Hi." Ross said shyly, a blush reddening up his face. I put my hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"It's nice to meet you." They both said at the same time but they seemed to understand that Ross was shy and made no move towards him.

"Go ahead and go upstairs, I'll make sure Tank is okay." Ross nodded at us all and left to go shower. Once I heard my bedroom door upstairs close, I spoke. "Don't mind if Ross is really quiet. He's quite shy, even around me, he doesn't talk much."

"I got that impression." Charlene smiled at me. "Does he stay here too?"

"Yes, he stays here with me as another precaution with the guy on the loose." I told them. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get back out there to take care of Tank, his horse."

I left the house and went back to tend to Tank. I un-tacked him, putting the tack away and brushed him down. He wasn't sweating since it was so chilly out now. I brought the horses into the barn so I could feed them and as soon as they were done, I let them all back out. After tossing some hay out, I went back inside.

Ross was walking down the steps as I stepped back inside. I smiled up at him as Ranger came in behind me. "Tank is groomed, fed and happily eating hay with the others."

"Thank you." Ross kissed the top of my head.

"I guess you haven't met our newest house guest." I gestured to Ranger. "Ross, this is Ranger. Ranger, this is Ross, a friend."

Ross smiled at me for making introductions between him and the dog but gave the excited dog a gentle pat. I made dinner and we ate, everyone but Ross talking, after dinner Ross and I walked outside. We did our nightly check on the horses and locked up the barn in the company of Ranger. We greeted the officer coming on duty and went back into the house. Charlene and Michael had went to bed, tired after their drive from Michael's place in California to here so Ross, Ranger and I went down to the basement to look at security systems. I had told him about them while we were doing our nightly check.

"My dad said to pick out whatever I wanted and tell him. I really want to get cameras out along the fence line where I can't see. Maybe trail cams. I want to see who is on the property from the house and I was thinking having them surrounding the house, in the barn and arena—once it's up. I want an eye on the horses right in corral by the barn. The older horses and Tank could be made to be a personal target. They have meaning to me."

Ross grimaced. "I hate that you have to think this way."

I rubbed his arm. "Me too but I want to keep everyone on this ranch safe. Animals and humans." Ranger's tail thumped as I looked at him. "You too my little Ranger."

"You really are excited about having a dog aren't you?" Ross chuckled, amused at my excitement.

"Yeah, I never got one when I was growing up. Just hamsters." I wrinkled my nose. "And they're evil."

We got back to talking to the security systems. "I like these cameras here." I pointed out a small, durable, outdoor capable camera. "They're small enough to be hardly noticeable and they'll be able to handle the harsher weather."

"Yeah they seem to be a good choice." Ross agreed. "I would let the man who is coming out suggest a security system for you. He'd know what would be best."

"That's what I was thinking." I nodded then I sighed. "I think I'm going to put on a gate in the front too. I know it's not going to stop someone on foot but.."

"But it'll make you feel better." Ross finished for me. And it would, knowing I have control of who comes in here with a vehicle.

Ross looked up at the clock on the wall. It was getting late. "I'm going to head up to bed, are you coming?"

I shut down the computer. "Yeah." Then I grinned at him. "I guess Charlene and Michael staying here means you have to sleep with me."

Ross rolled his eyes. "I think I've already given up on trying to sleep in a different bed than you. I can make sure you're okay and if you have any nightmares like last night," Ross brushed my hair back gently. "I can be there to comfort you."

I took his hand as I turned towards the steps. "You're so sweet."

"Not really."

"You are." I protested as I let Ranger out to use the restroom one more time.

"Whatever you say." Ross made sure to lock the door as Ranger came trotting back into the house. We went upstairs and I changed quickly into my pajamas so I could join Ross in the bed. I stared amused at Ranger, who laid himself at Ross's feet.

"I guess I have two new bed buddies." I laughed as I slid under the covers. "You don't mind do you?"

Ross shook his head. "As long as he stays down there."

I got myself comfortable on Ross's chest and sighed contently. "We should go out tomorrow and bring Honey into the smaller corral with the older horses so when they go to leave, she'll be up here."

"Sounds good." Ross said and I could tell he was drifting off already.

"Goodnight cowboy." I kissed his cheek and tried to get to sleep. It didn't take long for me either.

…...

Killer POV

It angered me how she just paraded around the ranch like it was nothing. I had attacked her just nights ago and she was acting like it was nothing! She had even more people here now! I was pretty sure the new man here was his son, he resembled him so much. Anger raged through me like a wildfire.

Here I was stuck here living in a tent and moving from spot to spot, never able to stay but yet all of them were in the stupid purple house, just enjoying themselves and enjoying what should rightfully be mine. I had to do something. Something big but I wasn't sure of what. I needed to think of it quickly though because she was making big plans, I could tell. Talking to a man earlier today, gesturing wildly over a piece of land next to the barn. The guy kept writing stuff down.

How much money did he leave her? How was she doing all this?! Patience...I told myself silently. I needed to be patient and think my plan through good so it would succeed. Anger and impulse never got me anywhere good. No it just got me in trouble all the time. I had learned from my past mistakes and I wasn't going to repeat them. All of this would be mine one day.

…...

AN: Hey readers! Here's your next chapter for you! Thanks for reading. I would love some NEW reviews for this story, I love seeing the hits my stories get but what I really love is YOUR reviews! I like to know if you're enjoying it or not, if you're liking where the story is going, should I change something, do you not like something?

Soon I'm going to go back and fix mistakes in my last chapters. I re-read book sixteen of PS series and that's when Gabe gets into the accident and I learned that Gabe's mother DOES have a name, Cynthia. So I'll be going back to switch that at some point and I'll try to fix other mistakes I see. I actually re-bought and re-read book #20, Blue Wings, which has Ross more involved in that book so it actually will(should) help me with my story more. I always wished Terri wrote more about Ross and Pepper(I just wished she gave us more info like Pepper's real name and just involved them more, Pepper was one of my favorite characters!) but of course, we all love Sam, Jen and Jake :)

Also, I know I've been saying this on my other stories but after this chapter, my chapters are going to be shorter. Like 2500+ words but less than 4000 probably. That way I can get more chapters up and update more frequently and hopefully update two stories when I do update!

If you haven't already check out my Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island story called You Are The Only Exception. I'll be posting the 2nd chapter of it when I update Savannah's Journey. I've only had one review but maybe this next one will get me another review :)

Thanks for reading! -Quinnandseth'sgirl15

My next update should be Savannah's Journey and it should be up within the next few days! I'll get it to my readers as soon as I can :)