Saving the Dude Ranch
Joanna carefully balanced two glasses of ice cold lemonade in her hands as she used her elbow to slide MacGyver's patio door closed behind her. She set the drinks on a small, wrought iron table which also held the cordless phone and watched as Mac tossed an old tennis ball across the backyard and Frog gave chase. She smiled at his odd, bow-legged lope as he retrieved the ball and returned to drop the slobber-covered toy at Mac's feet. His master rewarded his effort with a hearty ear rub.
"Why don't you two take a break?" she called as she sat down in a lawn chair next to the table.
MacGyver turned and graced her with a smile which she automatically returned. He retrieved a fresh bowl of water for Frog before joining her at the table and taking a sip of his own drink. It was a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon which they both surprisingly had free from Challengers thanks to the large number of community volunteers. It felt good to be together, just the two of them, away from work and responsibilities on this lazy summer day.
"You know, pretty soon it's gonna be a year since the law firm forced us into becoming emergency foster parents and our licenses are gonna expire. Do you plan on re-upping?" Mac asked.
Wow, that question had come out of left field!
"I actually haven't thought about it. What are you planning on doing?"
"After the situation with the Talbot kids I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea."
"You have a good point," Joanna conceded, taking a long drink of her lemonade before staring off into the distance, knowing that now was as good a time as any to bring up what had been weighing on her mind lately.
"Do you want kids of your own, MacGyver?" she asked softly.
"I've already got one," he chided playfully.
"Sam's an adult. I was thinking of the younger variety."
"I don't know," he replied as Jo saw him shrug out of the corner of her eye. "Years ago the idea was always in the back of my head, but when Sam showed up I guess I stopped thinking about it."
"Well, you better start thinking about it," Jo replied a bit more harshly than she intended. "If you want a bunch of baby MacGyvers you're gonna need to stop hanging out with me and find someone to help you with that."
"You're kidding, right?" Mac asked, his voice full of disbelief.
Joanna stared straight ahead and shrugged even as a shiver slid down her spine. She felt awkward talking about this, but she didn't want him to have any regrets if he decided to stay with her.
"Jo, what are you trying to tell me?!" There was a hint of panic in his voice. Was she using this as a way to back out of their relationship?
"Let's face it, Mac. I'm not getting any younger. You can still have children. Me, not so much." This time she turned and looked him in the eye.
"And I'm perfectly okay with that," he replied, his voice both gentle and firm. "I always figured if we wanted kids we'd adopt. Rather than bring a new one into this world I think I'd rather help out the ones already here."
"Mac, did you hear what you just said?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise. But before either of them could say anything the telephone rang.
MacGyver grabbed the handset and clicked onto the call.
"Hello? Hey, how's it going?" He got up from his chair, offered Joanna an apologetic smile, and slipped into the apartment for some privacy leaving her to mull over what she had just heard. He had used the words 'we' and 'kids' in the same sentence as naturally as breathing!
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"Sorry to interrupt your Sunday, but me and Neil didn't know who else to call."
"What's goin' on, Chuck?" Mac asked, his voice serious. It had been a while since he had seen his two best friends from Mission City and was now concerned about what had prompted the call.
"Remember Mark Bennett from high school?"
"Yeah," Mac replied thoughtfully. "Didn't his folks own a farm just outside of town."
"Yep. They sold it to Mark and his wife, Linda, when they retired and moved to Arizona. Mark and Linda turned it into a dude ranch."
MacGyver could hardly contain the laugh that tried to escape.
"A dude ranch?! In Minnesota?!"
"I know it might sound a little corny, but it was actually doing quite well up until recently."
"Why? What happened?"
"Ya know that old abandoned hospital? Well, some big Japanese electronics company bought it and turned it into a state of the art factory that opened about a month ago."
"What does this have to do with the ranch?"
"The factory offers great pay and benefits that Mark couldn't match. He lost almost half his employees to it and he didn't have that many to begin with."
"That's too bad, but why are you telling me this?"
"Mark's got a big group coming in this week. We've been asking friends and neighbors to volunteer some of their time to help out. I remember you used to hang around your grandpa's farm as a kid and you know your way around horses so I just thought…"
"That I'd drop everything and come help at the ranch."
"Well, yeah! I guess."
Mac pinched the bridge of his nose and tried not to sigh. "Things are different now, Chuck. I have responsibilities."
"You mean you have to clear it with the little woman."
MacGyver could practically see Chuck's smirk over the phone line. "There is no 'little woman'," he replied firmly.
"Hey, sorry man! It's just that Neil told me you showed up at the reunion with a real special lady. I just assumed…"
"Well, you assumed wrong! Listen, let me think about this and I'll call you back later."
Mac hung up the phone before his friend could say anything else. He returned to the patio where Joanna was tossing Frog's ratty old ball.
"Who was that?" she asked absently.
"My friend, Chuck, from back home."
"The one who owns the sporting goods store?"
"Yeah, that's him," Mac confirmed before relaying their conversation to Jo.
When he had finished explaining everything his friend had told him, Joanna finished the remainder of her lemonade in one long gulp and rose from the chair.
"Well, I better get out of your way so you can pack," she announced.
MacGyver's hand snaked out and grabbed her arm.
"Wait a minute! You're okay with this?"
Jo looked at him, a bit stunned. "Of course I am. It's what you do, right?"
"Right. I mean, I used to, but," Mac shut his mouth to stop the stuttering.
"Don't worry about it," she laughed lightly. "Cynthia and I will make sure everything's covered at Challengers. In fact, I'll take Frog over there right now. You go do what you have to do."
Mac wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
"You're amazing, you know that?"
"Of course," she shrugged playfully. "But it's nice to hear once in a while."
Not knowing when he'd get another chance, he slowly lowered his head to hers until their lips met in a tender caress.
"I'm gonna miss that," he told her in a husky voice.
"Me too," she replied softly before clipping Frog's leash to his harness and leading him out the gate.
XXXXX
Mac tossed his last pair of clean jeans into his duffle and was ready to call it a night when he heard a knock on his front door. There, grinning like a Cheshire cat, stood Jack Dalton.
"Hola mi compadre!"
"Jack, what are you doin' here?" MacGyver moaned, knowing that even though he didn't mean to, Jack always managed to bring trouble his way.
"Can't an old buddy drop in to see how another old buddy is doing?" he asked innocently.
"Not when one old buddy lives two thousand miles away!"
"Au contraire! I just flew a couple of fat cats into the Windy City for a convention and thought I'd cruise on up."
Mac popped his head out the door to find a flashy red sports car parked in the driveway.
"She's a beauty, ain't she? High end rental," Jack announced as if reading his mind.
"You can't afford that!"
"Big tips! One of the perks of the job!" the pilot exclaimed as he eased his way into the apartment. Tossing his ever-present aviator cap on the kitchen counter he caught sight of MacGyver's bag
"Going somewhere?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"Yes, I am," Mac replied succinctly. "And no, you cannot stay here while I'm gone."
"In that case, I'll come with you."
"Don't you have clients you need to take back to L.A.?" MacGyver asked, not even trying to hide the frustration in his voice.
"Huh?...oh, them...they're catching a flight out of O'Hare for Tokyo day after tomorrow and my schedule just happens to be clear. So, where're we goin'?"
Realizing he was stuck with Jack like green on grass, Mac flopped down on his couch and began to explain.
"Do you remember Mark Bennett from high school?"
"Mark Bennett...Mark Bennett," Jack rolled the name around on his tongue. "Was he ever in the market for a fake ID?"
"I don't know," MacGyver groaned. "Do you want to hear this or not?"
"Sorry, I'm all ears."
"Mark and his wife, Linda, run a dude ranch outside of Mission City. They're a little short-handed this week so I'm going up to help out."
"Sounds like a blast! When do we leave?!"
Mac sighed. "Jack, what do you know about ranches?"
"What's there to know?! Campfires, s'mores, singing Kumbaya with cute cowgirls." Jack waggled his eyebrows.
"I meant horses, Jack. Horses."
"No problemo! I learned everything I need to know about equines from my uncle Charlie!"
"Uncle Charlie?!" MacGyver shook his head in disbelief. "You're thinking of horse racing! Your uncle was a con who used to rob your piggy bank!"
"So?"
Mac squeezed his eyes shut already regretting what he was about to say.
"Fine, Jack. You can come. It's a long drive so we leave at first light."
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It was early afternoon the following day when MacGyver drove his Jeep up a long, gravel driveway and parked next to a sprawling ranch house. Three women stood on the porch exchanging hugs before the younger two skipped down the stairs to a battered pick-up truck. The remaining woman was tall with curly red hair and looked to be about six months pregnant, though Mac was no expert in that area. He hopped out of the Jeep and headed to the porch with Jack on his heels.
"Excuse me! Could you tell me where I could find Mark Bennett?" he asked, keeping his tone light and friendly.
"He's out grooming one of the trails," the woman replied. "But I'm his wife, Linda. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Name's MacGyver. This is my friend, Jack Dalton."
"Of course! Chuck said you'd be arriving today, but I thought you were coming alone?"
"Slight change of plans," Mac explained with a forced smile as Jack climbed the steps, doffed his aviator cap, and brought Linda's hand to his lips.
"A pleasure to meet you, ma cherie."
It was all MacGyver could do to not roll his eyes, but Linda seemed to find the gesture amusing as she giggled before inviting them in.
"I'll give you a tour of the house and by then Mark should be back to show you around the grounds. As you can probably tell, we've done quite a bit of remodeling," she called over her shoulder to the men who followed her slightly waddling gait. "We downsized the living room to serve as the lobby and expanded the dining room to accommodate the maximum number of guests."
"Do all your guests eat here?" Mac asked as she guided them into a large country kitchen.
"It depends," Linda answered airily. "Each cabin has a small kitchenette since eating out isn't exactly a prime option in this neck of the woods. We're prepared to provide three meals a day for everyone."
"So, exactly how many is 'everyone'?" Mac inquired.
"We have five cabins that can house up to five people, so when we're booked, that's twenty-five guests."
"And you're booked for this week?"
"Yep! The first family arrives Wednesday. We should have a full house by Thursday evening."
Jack let out a whistle through his teeth.
"Couldn't have said it better myself!" Linda quipped with a smile as she continued the tour. "Back here are the bedrooms for Mark and me and the household staff. You two'll be in the bunkhouse with the rest of the guides and ranch hands. There's a kitchen in there as well and the foreman likes to think he's a chef so you won't have to worry about going hungry."
"So how many employees do you have?" MacGyver asked.
"Depends on how busy we are. Thanks to you and Jack and other volunteers, the ranch care and activities are all covered. I have three housekeepers coming in, but unfortunately, you just saw half of my kitchen staff leave when you pulled up. They got full time jobs at the new factory," Linda frowned.
"Then there are only two people to cook for everyone," Jack concluded after doing some quick mental math.
"Yep. Just me and Ellie."
"Don't you have anyone else to help out?" Mac asked.
"Nope. Not on short notice like this. But we'll get by. We always do!"
They had returned to the lobby in time to see Mark striding toward the house. MacGyver greeted him enthusiastically and then introduced him to Jack.
"I remember Jack," Mark smiled. "By reputation, mostly. I never found myself in need of a fake ID!"
The three men shared a laugh before Mark led them to the bunkhouse. The wooden structure was well built with all basic amenities. Bunk beds lined one wall while the rest of the area consisted of a small kitchen and dining area as well as a corner with a TV and a few comfy chairs.
"You two can bunk here," Mark said.
"Thanks," Mac replied, tossing his duffle on the lower mattress.
"Hey, why do I have to take the top bunk?" Jack complained. "I get airsick!" His left eye twitched.
"You're a pilot, Jack. You don't get airsick. Besides, I'm the one afraid of heights, remember?"
"All right," Jack grumbled as he hoisted up his luggage. "But if I fall out of bed and break my neck it's all your fault."
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The rest of the afternoon went by quickly as Mark first took his two new volunteers on a tour of the guest cabins randomly spaced amongst large pine trees. They were relatively new buildings made to look old and rustic but with all the comforts of home. He and Mac then saddled three horses and the trio checked out one of the shorter, easier trails available for guests to ride with a guide. MacGyver noticed Jack holding the reins a bit too tight and shifting uneasily in the saddle whenever his horse twitched.
"You doin' okay, Jack?" he asked with a smirk.
"Yeah. Sure. Why wouldn't I be?" Jack's wide eyes were glued to the dirt path ahead and his knuckles were turning white as one hand now gripped the saddle horn and Jack tilted precariously to the side as his horse adjusted its gait to the terrain.
Mac reached out, grabbed Jack's sleeve, and righted him on his mount.
"You've got to squeeze him with your knees," MacGyver instructed. "Make sure he knows you're up there and that you're in charge.
"In charge. Right," Jack repeated a bit breathlessly.
"Now loosen your grip on the reins. The horse knows where he's going and you're confusing him," Mac coached.
Jack slackened his grip completely, but the well-trained horse continued to plod evenly down the trail. MacGyver shook his head, wishing yet again that he had listened to his gut and left Jack back in Milwaukee.
After they had returned to the ranch and tended to their horses, the three men and Linda sat down to a hearty meal she had prepared in their absence.
"Tomorrow I'll show you guys the other trails we use," Mark said in between bites of his wife's delicious stew. "Today I took you on the one we use for kids and beginners. The 'bunny slope' so to speak. The others are much more interesting."
"Interesting?!" Jack croaked as he almost choked on his sip of iced tea.
"And more challenging," Mark added with a cheeky grin.
"Um, I was thinking," Jack hedged. "Maybe it would be better if I stayed behind and learned how to do some of the other things around here. Ya know, maybe muck out the barn or something?"
"You? Muck horse stalls?" Mac looked at his friend with both suspicion and concern.
"Yeah! You got a problem with that?!" Jack responded a bit more defensively than necessary.
"No way. Suit yourself," Mac answered evenly, slathering butter on a hot biscuit and smiling to himself. Go figure, Jack Dalton was afraid of riding horses!
The conversation continued to center around the ranch and it wasn't long until the subject of the kitchen staff, or lack thereof, came up again.
"You shouldn't be working so much," Mark gently scolded his wife. "I'm sure if we look hard enough we'll find somebody."
"Don't worry, sweetheart," Linda replied. "Ellie and I spoke earlier and planned a very simple menu."
"But still…"
"Hey! What about Joanna?" Jack eagerly suggested.
"Joanna?!" Three voices echoed back.
"Who's Joanna?" Linda asked.
"She's Mac's...um...well, it's kinda hard to explain," Jack replied.
"She's a friend of mine," MacGyver replied succinctly.
"A very good friend, if you get my drift," Jack added with a wink.
Mark and Linda exchanged hopeful glances. "Do you think she'd come?" Mark asked.
MacGyver's first instinct was to shut down this idea immediately. Jo didn't deserve to get caught up in his problems, or those of his friends.
"Jo's covering for me at Challengers," he replied, hoping that would end the discussion.
"C'mon Mac!" Jack exclaimed. "You and I both know Cynthia could run Challengers on her own with one arm tied behind her back. Can't you just call Jo and see what she says?"
MacGyver knew he was fighting a losing battle with his friend. He also knew that Joanna would never forgive him if he refused to ask her for help she might be able to provide.
"Fine. I'll give her a call," he relented as Linda pointed to the telephone mounted on the wall next to the oversized refrigerator.
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Joanna guided her car up the long driveway and parked to the side of the large ranch house. Except for MacGyver's Jeep, the place looked to be deserted even though it was mid-afternoon. As she stepped from her vehicle, she inhaled the combination of fresh cut grass, hay, manure, horse sweat and smiled. Her friends in the city would probably think she was crazy, but the earthy smells of the ranch soothed and grounded her. She had been so jealous that Mac had been invited up here, but she hadn't let on, knowing she had her own duties at Challengers. However, after receiving MacGyver's call last evening she could hardly wait to arrive. Ever since she had been a little girl she had dreamed of living on a farm, preferring livestock to people. Even though she was here to help in the kitchen, she was bound and determined to enjoy her surroundings.
She had just raised her face to the warmth of the sun when she heard the front door to the house open with a soft creak. A pretty redhead with an extended belly stood on the porch and waved to her.
"You must be Joanna!" she called. "Grab your things and come on in!"
Jo did as she was told and soon found herself back on the front porch sitting in a white wicker chair and sipping a glass of ice water.
"I didn't expect it to be so quiet around here," she observed as Linda reached for her own glass of lemonade.
"Consider it the calm before the storm. Forty-eight hours from now we won't have time to breathe."
"Speaking of which, shouldn't I be learning my way around the kitchen?"
Her hostess literally waved off her question. "There'll be plenty of time for that. Life moves slower out here. None of that big city rush. Besides, it's much more fun to make a new friend."
Linda's warm smile immediately endeared the woman to her.
"Where are the guys?" Jo asked, looking toward the stable area.
"Mark took Mac to check out a couple of the riding trails our guests will be using. They won't be back for a few hours yet."
"What about Jack?"
"Last I heard he was laying down clean straw in the horse stalls."
Joanna's eyes went wide with surprise. "I thought he'd be out riding with Mac?"
"They all went for a trail ride yesterday," Linda said, her eyes gleaming with mirth. "Let's just say I think it gave Jack a new perspective…a very high perspective!" The two women giggled at the thought of Jack's fear of horseback riding before Jo sobered.
"I shouldn't laugh," she confessed. "My mom's the same way so I know how he feels. I'm just glad he can still make himself useful."
"Oh, don't worry about that. We can never have too many extra hands! Now, why don't you tell me how you and MacGyver met?"
"It's kinda a long story," Joanna hesitated, her head spinning at the quick turn of direction the conversation had taken.
"Like I said, we got nothin' but time, for now anyway."
Jo spent the next several minutes trying to condense the events from the time Mac had saved her from falling off a stool at the now-defunct Challengers Academy to now.
"So you two are quite the item, huh?" Linda asked with a smile before taking a sip of her cool drink.
"What makes you say that?"
"Weren't you listening to yourself just now? Besides, when Jack brought up your name at supper last night, Mac got the same look on his face that Mark gets on his whenever he looks at me and Junior, here. I know two people in love when I see them."
"Yeah, well, we're taking things slow. Really slow," Jo responded, a bit unsure why she felt the need to defend the pace of their relationship. The heat of a blush began to blossom and she decided to turn the tables. "So, you and Mark met in high school?"
"Oh, no," Linda laughed. "Mark is several years older than me. Besides, I was born and raised in St. Paul. In college I had gotten an internship at a big marketing firm where Mark was already halfway up the corporate ladder. We hit it off and the rest is history!"
"Is this your first?" Jo nodded toward her new friend's belly.
"Yep! We had finally settled into married life and were thinking of starting a family when the Bennett's retired and we decided to move up here and take over the ranch. After eight years of putting all our energy into this place, I finally put my foot down and told Mark it was now or never if he wanted to have a little cowpoke. No way am I havin' a kid after I turn forty, you know what I mean?!"
Joanna summoned a smile and nodded, recalling the similar conversation she had with Mac a couple days ago. Before the two women could say anything more, a familiar voice floated around the side of the house.
"So there we were, high above the Pacific Ocean, both engines on fire with no land in sight when-Oh! Hiya Jo!"
"Hi, Jack," she greeted him, a pretty young housekeeper at his side. He whispered something in her ear, making her giggle before she turned and headed back to one of the cabins.
"What can I say?! The ladies love a pilot!" he boasted. "Aren't Butch and Sundance back yet?"
Linda glanced at her watch. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed. "I guess we really did lose track of time! They should be back soon. Jo, let's go start dinner so you can get familiar with the kitchen."
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Mark and MacGyver guided their horses around the final bend in the trail that ended in the pasture just beside the barn. Mac's stomach did an odd little flip of happiness when he saw Joanna's car parked next to his. Once their mounts were groomed and fed, the two men headed into the main house to find Linda and Jo working companionably in the kitchen, preparing a light supper. Soon the two couples and Jack were sharing the meal and engaging in light-hearted conversation. MacGyver was pleased to see Joanna relaxed and laughing. Upon Mark's recommendation, everyone went to bed early as their first guests of the week were due to arrive tomorrow.
Just before noon on Wednesday, a green mini-van pulled into the drive and a man, woman, and twin pre-teen girls emerged. The Donaldson family. They received a warm welcome from their hosts as ranch hands emerged from the bunkhouse to deliver their luggage to the cabin they would call home for the next several days. Insisting that they were planning on providing their own meals and entertainment, Linda gladly sent them on their way with a map of the grounds which included hiking trails and directions to "secret" fishing holes. The remainder of the day kept the staff busy preparing for the Schultz family scheduled to descend upon the ranch the following day. Ranging in age from seven to seventy and spanning three generations, the family had indicated on their reservation form that they would be taking advantage of all the food and entertainment services available. They were obviously the reason the Bennett's needed as much help as they could get. It was nearly twilight before MacGyver had a chance to slip out of the stables with some snacks for the horses grazing in the paddock. As he rounded the corner of the building he saw Joanna standing by the split-rail fence, stroking the blaze of a pretty little chestnut mare. He watched as Jo lowered her hand, only to have the horse nip at her shoulder. Joanna's girlish giggle carried on the soft summer air as she resumed caressing the mare's muzzle. Mac smiled as he pulled out his Swiss Army knife and cut one of the apples he carried into wedges.
"Here," he said, approaching Jo. "Try this."
Jo put the wedge of fruit in the palm of her hand and offered it to the mare who gently took it between her velvet lips, chewed, swallowed, and nickered for more.
"What's her name?" she asked MacGyver.
"Missy."
"Well, Missy, you're incorrigible, you know that?" Joanna teased the mare as her friends, spurred by the presence of a sweet treat, gathered along the fence.
"You're really good with them," Mac complimented her once the apples and carrots had all been eaten and the horses resumed munching on the grass.
"I wish I knew more about them," she shrugged.
"You love them and respect them. That's an awful good start."
They stood in companionable silence watching the horses graze and frolic until pinpricks of starlight studded the now-black sky. After exchanging tender kisses and whispered farewells they returned to their respective quarters to prepare for the busy days ahead.
Morning came way too quickly for MacGyver and his counterparts who spent the day tending to the horses as well as the seemingly never-ending influx of Schultz's. Every now and again he would catch a glimpse of Linda, Joanna, and Ellie setting out the cold buffet lunch or family style dinner they had prepared for the guests. Mark had sent Jack out with a bucket, work gloves and trowel to gather any stray stones from the riding trails that may have appeared since their last grooming leaving Mac to help out wherever he was most needed until he was summoned to his friend's office late that evening. Mark was slumped in a chair behind his desk when MacGyver knocked softly on the already open door.
"Mac, thanks for coming. Please have a seat." Mark motioned to a well-worn leather couch on the opposite wall as he came around to lean against his desk.
"I take it this isn't a social call?" MacGyver ventured.
"Unfortunately not," Mark replied. "Consider it more of a preemptive strike."
Mac's tired eyebrows shot up. "That sounds interesting."
"I'll cut right to the chase," Mark began. "Grandpa Schultz signed up the entire family for a trail ride tomorrow."
Mac quickly did the calculations in his head. "That's twenty people!"
"Including children," Mark sighed. "Our limit on any ride is ten. Generally less if there are kids."
"Aw man…"
"But, he did sign a waiver stating he understood our policies and the risks that going against them may incur. He also signed waivers to use the black diamond trail and not require helmets."
Mac winced at the ski term reserved for the most challenging slopes. "Are they nuts?"
"Maybe. More importantly, they're rich and used to having their own way," Mark stated. "Unfortunately, he has his mind made up and all the proper paperwork has been filed. To top it off, they're all novice riders."
"That's where I come in?" Mac asked, getting a feel for what his friend was going to ask him.
"Yeah. There's no way I'm taking them on a half-day ride on our most difficult trail alone. I need you to have my six."
"You got it! What time do we leave?"
Early Friday morning MacGyver joined all available ranch hands to help saddle and assign the horses to their riders. The youngest, seven-year-old Timmy, would be riding Missy, the chestnut mare that Joanna had grown so fond of. She was small, gentle and predictable, and Mac was going to be sure to keep the boy close to Mark at the front of the line with the older, and hopefully somewhat more experienced, riders toward the back.
With the ride scheduled to begin at nine o'clock, the Schultz family gathered outside the stable at promptly eight-thirty to review the rules and riding tips Mark made sure everyone heard before mounting up. Unfortunately, Mark was nowhere to be found. With each passing minute, the riders grew more restless. MacGyver was just about to go to the house to see what the hold up was when he saw Mark and Joanna walk out the front door and head toward the eager group, their faces full of concern. He politely excused himself from the Schultz's and met them halfway.
"What's wrong?" Mac asked without preamble.
"It's Linda," Mark replied. "She's been sick all night and now she's worried about the baby. So am I. We have an emergency appointment with her doctor in Mission City this morning."
"You take care of Linda," MacGyver instructed. "I can handle the trail ride on my own."
"Thanks Mac," Mark said, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder. "But I can't let you do that."
"What other option is there? I doubt the Schultz's would take kindly to rescheduling."
"There is one option," Mark replied, looking at Joanna.
"Her?!" Mac exclaimed as if Jo wasn't there.
"Yes, me!" she bit back, taking offense to the tone he had used.
MacGyver scrubbed his face with his hands. "I'm sorry, Jo, but you don't have much more experience than most of these riders. It's too risky."
Mark reached out and grabbed a grey gelding he introduced to Joanna as 'George'.
"Look Mac, you told me Jo has a way with horses, and I know she has a way with you as well. You'll make a great team and ole George here has done this a hundred times. He'll take care of both of you."
"I don't know…" Mac waffled, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"Look, it's either me or Jack," Joanna said firmly.
MacGyver's eyes met hers and his gaze softened in an attempt to convey a silent apology for his earlier reaction. He knew she could sit a horse well enough, and he knew these horses were trained and docile. And he could use another hand in case something went wrong.
"Alright," Mac capitulated. "But we'll take it nice and slow...for everyone's sake."
Mark breathed a sigh of relief before he went to address the group and Mac and Jo mounted up. With MacGyver in the lead and Joanna bringing up the rear, the group set off to the trailhead single file. Mac took a deep breath before guiding his charges into the woods.
An hour and a half into the excursion, many of MacGyver's initial concerns had been seemingly put to rest. The Schultz contingent turned out to be much more level headed and friendly than he anticipated, and they took direction well. Only a few times had he heard Joanna call out reminders to keep the horses on the smooth dirt path or ride single file and he had done the same. Now they had come upon a grove of trees with a natural spring.
"Okay everybody, let's stop here for a while."
Saddles creaked as riders dismounted. Some older riders groaned, already getting a little saddle sore. Mac couldn't help but grin.
"Lead your horses over to the spring and let them drink. I suggest you do the same," he instructed. "The facilities are behind the trees. We won't be stopping again until lunch."
"Don't you mean the facilities are the trees?" Joanna asked, already standing by his shoulder with George in tow.
"Nope," Mac smirked. "Go ahead and have a look. I'll take care of ole George here."
Jo headed toward the clump of trees he indicated while the family broke off into small groups to chat about their experience so far and some took advantage of the snacks Ellie had packed in their saddlebags. He had just begun leading the horses away from the water when Joanna emerged from the woods shaking her head.
"Port-a-Potties?! Really?!"
MacGyver smiled widely. "Only the best for Bennett Ranch guests! You see, people like to think they're roughing it without really, well, roughing it!"
"And I, for one, appreciate that policy!" Jo teased.
It wasn't long until they were back on their way. Some riders had fallen out of order, but they had all proved to be responsible so Mac wasn't worried. There was more conversation and laughter as everyone relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. MacGyver answered as many questions as he could regarding the area and pointed out spots of interest that Mark had introduced him to the other day. With the summer sun high in the sky, the trail opened out into a wide meadow sooner than Mac had expected. Once again, he told the group to dismount and take their horses to a large, clear stream for a drink. With that chore accomplished, boxed lunches, once again courtesy of Ellie, were removed from saddlebags and the family once again broke off in groups to share their meals. Mac and Jo unloaded feed bags with oats, carrots, and apples and tended to the horses before settling down with their own food.
"Everything goin' okay back there?" Mac asked, just as Joanna took a bite of her chicken salad sandwich.
"Hmm,mm," she confirmed before swallowing. "From what Mark said I was afraid there'd be trouble."
"I'm certainly not gonna complain," Mac promised, leaning back on his elbows and tilting his face to the sky. When Joanna finished eating, she did the same.
"This sure is a beautiful spot," she commented softly.
"Yep," he agreed. "Probably the best on this trail." He recalled another lovely spot Mark had shown him not far from the ranch. Hopefully he would find some time to take Joanna there...just the two of them. But right now the Schultz's were packing up the remains of their lunch, eager to get back to their ride.
The second half of the trail wove in and out of shady woods, sun splashed meadows, and gurgling streams that seemed to follow them wherever they went. The hills were a bit steeper, the path narrower than before. Mac made sure to set a comfortable pace for the horses as well as their riders. None too soon they came upon their final resting site before returning to the ranch. Now used to the routine, the group of riders dismounted and watered their horses without MacGyver's instruction before tending to their own needs. Everyone had spread out, some to take pictures of the landscape, others to stretch their legs. Joanna approached Mac as if drawn by a magnet.
"I think we're gonna make it," he said, sliding his arm around her shoulders after stretching out his own back.
"I don't suppose the Bennetts have a hot tub hiding somewhere?" she asked as he felt her muscles flex under his hand.
"I doubt it," he replied. "But don't worry, you'll feel a lot worse in the morning!"
"Oh, thanks a lot!" she grumbled.
Suddenly, from somewhere in the trees, they heard the sound of branches snapping, a panicked whinny, and a high-pitched shriek. Mac, Joanna, and several of the adults charged into the woods in the direction of the noise. Several yards away they saw Timmy sitting on the ground, tears rolling down his cheeks while the mare he had been riding had her reins caught in a tree branch and was refusing to put any weight on her hind right leg.
"You check on Timmy," MacGyver directed Jo, "And I'll take care of the horse." He saw myriad emotions quickly play out across her face as she looked at her favorite little mare before heading towards the boy.
In no time the area was packed with well-meaning relatives and Joanna was in the middle of the chaos. When she finally made her way back to MacGyver it was to tell him that Timmy was fine, just a little shook up and more worried about the horse than himself.
"And well he should be," Mac muttered, holding back the seething anger that roiled in his gut. "He knew better than to take her off the path."
Joanna reached out and gently touched his forearm. A calming source just when he needed one the most.
"How is she?"
"I'm not sure," he sighed, holding onto the reins he had just finished untangling. "I think she might have a stone in her shoe, but I'm more concerned about the gash on her fetlock."
The couple's gaze fell to the mare's lower leg where blood streamed onto the mossy ground. When they looked up it was to find Grandpa Schultz and Timmy approaching.
"Terrific," Mac muttered under his breath. "They're probably gonna find a way to blame us for this and a lawsuit would kill the business."
"Mr. MacGyver, my grandson here has something to say to you."
Mac and Jo exchanged curious glances before giving the boy their full attention.
Timmy kept his eyes averted, "I'm sorry, Mister. I know I wasn't supposed to take Missy off the trail, but I thought she might like some shade. Everything was fine until I tripped over an old dead log and yank her reins too hard. She reared and…"
"Wait a minute," MacGyver interrupted, letting go a breath he didn't know he had been holding. "You weren't riding her?"
The boy shook his head and looked up cautiously. "Is she hurt?" he asked meekly.
"Yeah," Mac replied, refusing to sugarcoat the situation. "I'm just not sure how bad."
"Is there anything we can do to help out?" Schultz asked.
MacGyver looked to where the family had gathered a short distance away.
"I'd really appreciate it if you could get everyone back to the trail. I need to get the mare outta here and the less people around, the better. She's spooked and in pain."
The older man immediately headed back to his clan and took charge as MacGyver quickly and skillfully removed Missy's saddle.
"What do you need me to do?" Joanna asked softly from behind him.
"Missy knows and trusts you. You can help me get her back up on the path where I can take a closer look at that wound. Give me your blouse."
Without question, Jo shrugged out of the lightweight cotton shirt she wore over her tee. Mac took it and together they began to approach the injured horse, murmuring encouraging words to her all the way. Once Joanna had grabbed the mare's reins, Mac slowly lifted the shirt and wrapped it around the horse's eyes to blindfold her so she would need to rely on them to lead her out. It was tough going as the mare struggled not to use her injured leg, but eventually, with Jo's and Mac's hands gently yet firmly guiding her, all three made it back to the trail. MacGyver carefully removed the blindfold and handed it to Jo.
"Take this to the stream and get it cold and wet. And grab the first aid kit from my saddlebag," he instructed.
He crouched down and examined the mare's leg more closely as he waited for Joanna to return. It was bleeding much heavier than he would have liked. Sooner than expected Jo was handing him the cold, wet cloth. He gingerly began to wipe the blood away. He was hoping to use the gauze pads and tape in the emergency kit as a bandage, but the bleeding was too heavy. Instead, he tightly wrapped the shirt around the mare's leg to create a pressure bandage. He then got out his knife, lifted the injured hoof, and selected a tool to dig out the stone he found lodged in her shoe.
"Is she gonna be okay?" Joanna asked, concern shadowing her face.
"I hope so," Mac sighed, even as he saw fresh blood already seeping through the cloth. "At least we're three-fourths of the way home. I'll take Timmy up with me, you bring up the rear with Missy. Take it slow and easy."
"Okay everybody! Time to get movin'!" Mac called as everyone mounted up. He swung Timmy up on his horse before climbing on himself and watched as Joanna mounted George and grabbed Missy's lead, waiting for everyone to be on their way before she began the trek.
They hadn't traveled very far before Jo called out to MacGyver.
"Mac, you better come back here!"
He quickly dismounted, but instructed the others to remain in the saddle.
"What is it?" he asked, but he answered his own question when he looked down to find the mare's makeshift bandage saturated with blood that was now leaking onto the ground.
"Aw man," he said, scrubbing the back of his neck. "We gotta find a way to stop the bleeding."
"Any ideas?"
Mac jammed his hand into his pant pocket and wrapped it around his ever-present knife.
"Just one. I can try to cauterize the wound, at least enough to keep the bleeding manageable until we can get back, but it'll take time and I'll need your help."
"What about them?" Joanna nodded toward their guests. "The trail's well-marked. Should we send them on ahead?"
Mac shook his head. "Ranch policy says guests must not ride this trail without a guide. If anything happens, there would really be trouble."
Not knowing what else to do, MacGyver headed over to speak with Grandpa Schultz. After relaying the guidelines they needed to follow and what needed to be done to the horse, the family elder ordered everyone to dismount and promised to keep them occupied while Mac and Joanna took care of Missy.
As Jo worked to soothe the horse and keep her calm, MacGyver went back into the woods to find some twigs and kindling. He soon had a small fire started a few feet down the path. As the flames grew, he placed his open knife on a rock to allow the flames to heat the steel blade. When he was satisfied it had grown hot enough, he kicked dirt onto the fire to extinguish the flames and then, wrapping his hand in Joanna's damp, blood-stained shirt, picked up his knife and headed back.
"Okay, stand off to the side and hold onto her lead and try to keep her still," he instructed. "But let her go if she bolts. Trying to pin her down would be more dangerous for all of us."
Jo did as he asked, stroking the horse's muzzle the entire time. Mac let his hands run lightly over the horse's wither, side and flank to reassure her before crouching down by the bleeding fetlock. He could picture many outcomes, most ending with a hoof in his face. He silently prayed she was too tired and weak to fight him and then set to his task before the blade of his knife cooled off. He took a deep breath and firmly applied the flat piece of metal to the cut on the mare's leg. The smell of blood and burning flesh caused bile to rise in the back of his throat. A few peaceful seconds passed before Missy reacted, sidestepping away from him before yanking the halter lead out of Jo's hand. She hobbled down the path as fast as she could before stopping, her twitching body shiny with sweat.
"Go back to where I left her saddle and get the blanket," Mac said.
He slowly approached the frightened animal and, once Jo gave him the saddle blanket, he began to rub her down, all the while speaking in low tones and making sure she could see him. After several minutes, the mare became calmer than she had been since the accident and was actually putting more weight on her injured leg. Cautiously optimistic, MacGyver examined her wound once again. Though some blood still seeped out, most of the gash had been sealed. It wasn't pretty, but it would have to do until they could get back to the ranch and call for a vet.
Mac stepped up behind Joanna and began kneading her neck and shoulders, the knots there belying her calm, confident demeanor.
"Is she gonna be okay?" Jo asked, looking up at him with tired eyes.
"Yeah," Mac nodded with a smile. "She's gonna be okay."
XXXXX
When they arrived back at the ranch an hour later than expected, a controlled chaos erupted. Ranch hands were dispatched to tend to the horses while MacGyver told Mark everything that had happened. Much to everyone's surprise, Grandpa Schultz offered to cover all the vet bills since the injury was his grandson's fault. Once the horses and guests were taken care of, Mac and Joanna headed to their separate quarters to shower and change before supper.
That evening's meal was a casual affair. After getting cleaned up, Mac and the other ranch volunteers built a huge bonfire and set out bales of hay at a safe distance as seating for their guests. Once everyone was settled, including the Donaldson family who had decided to join in the festivities, Linda, Joanna, and Ellie emerged from the house carrying trays loaded with hot dogs, buns, various condiments and homemade potato salad. Everyone burst into cheers in anticipation of the weenie roast...and the s'mores making which was sure to come later. MacGyver caught Jo's eye and motioned her over to where he sat. She gave him a tired smile and plopped down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her close.
"Tired?" he asked, and felt her nod against him.
"How's Missy?" she asked.
"The vet says she'll be fine. He said we did a good job given the circumstances. How's Linda?"
Joanna raised her head. "She's basically fine, as well. The doctor said her blood pressure is slightly elevated, most likely due to the stress she's been under. He ordered her to start taking it easier with the threat of three months bedrest if she doesn't."
"Sounds like Mark's gonna have a battle on his hands," Mac said drily, earning a laugh from Jo.
"What about Mark?" the ranch owner asked as he headed toward them carrying two plates laden with food.
"Just that you're gonna have your hands full if you expect Linda to take it easy," MacGyver explained as he eyed his supper warily. "Do you have any idea what's in these things?" he asked, poking at his hot dog.
"No. And I don't think I want to!" Mark laughed, patting Mac on the shoulder before heading back to his wife.
MacGyver had a fork load of potato salad headed for his mouth when an all-too-familiar voice called out.
"Hola, Kemosabe and maybe-hopefully-soon-to-be Mrs. Kemosabe!"
"Hi Jack," Mac and Jo answered in unison.
"Heard about your little adventure today, pal. Trouble just seems to dog ya!"
If that wasn't the pot calling the kettle black, MacGyver didn't know what was, but before he could open his mouth to protest his friend continued.
"Look what I found in the bunkhouse." Jack produced and old acoustic guitar from behind his back. "Perhaps you could grace us with some dinner music?"
"Fat chance!"
"Aw, c'mon Mac!" Jack whined. "I know you don't like to play in front of people, but what would a campfire cookout be without a sing-a-long!?"
"Quiet?"
"Exactly! And we can't have that now, can we?!"
"Apparently not," Mac muttered.
As guests and staff alike finished their meals, made s'mores, or just relaxed around the fire, MacGyver grabbed the guitar and began to pluck out the notes to "Home on the Range." Soon everyone was singing along and he played a few more songs that he figured both adults and kids would know. It didn't take long before voices began to fade and the events of the day caught up with everyone. Small groups began to excuse themselves and head back to their cabins. Those remaining helped clean up before turning in themselves. Soon MacGyver found himself alone. Warmed by the fire and looking up at the stars, he leaned back against the hay bale he was sitting on, cradled the old guitar, and began to play the quiet strains of a piece he had composed himself and titled "Eau d'Leo". The last time he had played that song had been over a year ago on New Year's Eve when a blizzard had stranded the Thorntons, Joanna and him at a B&B in Door County. It was there that he told Pete he had feelings for Jo. The corners of his mouth tugged upward at the memory.
"Whatcha smilin' about, cowboy?" Joanna asked as she settled next to him.
"Nothin'," he lied as he went to set the guitar aside.
"No, don't," Jo commanded, putting a staying hand on his arm. "Keep playing. Please? I love that song."
"But you've only heard it once," he pointed out skeptically.
"Well, it made a strong impression on me." She smiled and then snuggled against his side.
Repositioning the instrument, he started playing from the beginning, wishing it never had to end.
XXXXX
Late Sunday morning, the Bennetts, MacGyver, Joanna, and Jack waved good-bye as the final members of the Schultz family drove away.
"I hate to do this, Mark," Mac said when the car was out of sight, "but we really need to get going, too. I'm sorry we can't stay longer and help out."
"Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what?" Jack asked.
"When I took Linda to her doctor's appointment on Friday I was approached by the leader of the high school's 4-H Club. They've decided to make the Bennett Dude Ranch their summer project. We're gonna have all the help we'll ever need!"
"That's great!" MacGyver said. "But what about when the baby comes? The kids'll be back in school."
"Things always slow down a lot by then," Mark explained. "Besides, while we were in Mission City I also heard some rumblings that some of our former employees aren't enjoying their high paying factory jobs as much as they thought they would. Any ranch hand worth his salt can't stand to be cooped up, standing over an assembly line for twelve hours a day. I have a feeling I'll be doing some rehiring over the next few months."
After exchanging handshakes, hugs, and farewells, the trio from Milwaukee headed toward their cars.
"Hey, Jo! I'll drive your car if you wanna ride home with Mac," Jack offered.
Joanna sent MacGyver a panicked look that made him laugh.
"Don't worry," he assured her. "Jack drives better than he flies."
"Ya know, Mac. If you keep complaining about my piloting skills I'm gonna have to ban you from my plane!"
"Promises, promises…." Mac whispered in Jo's ear causing her to giggle as he slung his arm across her shoulders and guided her to the Jeep.