When Love's Gone Country

Chapter Seventeen



Charlie Mankins rang the bell to awaken the city ranch hands. He wondered how long it would take Alex to recognize him. “You got ten minutes to get to the fire pit. Time’s a wastin’.”

“Remind me to find a way to destroy that bell,” Courtney said.

“They’ll just put another one up.” Brad’s feet hit the floor, then he stood up. An audible moan escaped his lips.

“You okay?”

“If by okay you mean sore as hell, then yeah, I’m okay.”

“And just think, Jacob gets to sleep in today.”

“Don’t remind me. I’m tempted to go pour a bucket of cold water on him.”

“That wouldn’t be good sportsmanship. You lost the bet fair and square.”

Brad took a step and Diego bounded off the bed.

“I wish I had one-tenth of that dog’s energy,” Court said, tossing the covers aside and slowly getting out of bed. “Holy shit! Where’s that Icy Hot? I don’t even know if I can walk.”

“Come on, granny, we can share a walker.”

“That’s not even funny. I’m serious. My legs are tied up in knots.”

Court took a few tentative steps. When she didn’t fall flat on her face, she was encouraged.

“What we need is a hot shower,” Brad said.

“No time. Animals come first.”

“Not you.” Brad pointed to the bed. “Lay down.”

Diego looked at Courtney.

“Don’t drag me into this. You heard him.”

Diego lowered his head, then jumped back onto the bed and lied down.

“Now he’s going to pout,” Court said.

“He can pout all he wants. I won’t be here to see it.”

The same scene was being played out with the other couples. The only ones who seemed to have gotten through the first day unscathed were Purity, Jeremy and Jacob, who couldn’t help but snicker when he thought of Brad doing double chores while he got to sleep in.

When they were all gathered, Charlie said, “We’re headin’ to the fire pit, just like yesterday.”

“Hey,” Purity said as she greeted Charlie with a big smile.

He shook his head ever so slightly toward Alex. Pure got the hint and nodded. “We didn’t see you yesterday, did we?”

“No. I just got back. I used to work summers here, but now that I’m eighteen and out of school, I’m working full-time.”

Alex looked at the young man. He seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place where he might have seen him before.

As they walked to their gathering place, Purity and the young man chatted. Alex thought he knew that voice, but the face didn’t match and the tone seemed lower.

They reached the fire pit and chores were divvied up the same as the day before. Purity and Alex were headed to the stables when Alex said, “Charlie Mankins.”

“What?” Pure asked.

“That’s who that man is.”

“Bingo!”

“You knew?”

“Of course. How could I ever forget Charlie?”

“He looks so different now.”

“When was the last time you saw him?”

“A year or more, I guess. His voice is deeper, too.”

“I think he wanted to surprise you.”

“Well, he sure did. I’m going to go find him. I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time.”

Within five minutes, Purity reached the stables. Sam was waiting for her.

“Thought you lost your way there for a minute.”

“Oh, sorry. We met an old friend and Alex wanted to talk with him for a minute.”

“Charlie?”

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

Samantha Waters removed a gloved hand to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. “He’s my fiancé.”

Purity grinned. “Alex is going to be thrilled to hear this. Did you meet here at the ranch?”

“Yeah. Last summer. Charlie’s had a rough life, but he turned it around. He speaks highly of both you and Alex. He says The Kids’ Place saved his life.”

“I think it saved my life, too. That’s where I met Alex.”

“Let’s get started. Your husband can catch up when he gets here. Do you like horses?”

“I love them.”

“Good. Some people will tell ya it’s not necessary to like animals to be a ranch hand, but I disagree. Animals can feel the energy you put out. If you don’t want to be here, they can sense it. We’ll start with water and feed, then I’ll have you walk the horses. We’ll leave the stall cleaning to Alex.”

“I think we’re going to be good friends, Sam.”

Sam winked. “Us women have to stick together.”

While Pure and Sam worked diligently to care for the horses, Alex found Charlie at the big, red barn helping set up for the hoedown.

“You could have told me your name.”

Charlie grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

The men shook hands and Alex put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Engaged.”

“You’re getting married?”

“She’s awesome. I met her last year and we’ve been together ever since.”

“I’m really proud of you. I still remember the first day I met you in The Kid’s Place men’s locker room.”

“You were knee-deep in water in your suit trying to stop those toilets from spewing water everywhere.”

“Never did think to shut off the water valve. I said then that you were a good man to have around. I see it still holds true today.”

“I was going to call you one of these days.”

Alex raised his eyebrows. “About what?”

“How you become a board member.”

Alex swallowed the emotional lump lodged in his throat. He had been concerned that Charlie would end up as another statistic. The Kids’ Place was intended to be a safe place for kids to hang out, rather than spending their time on the street getting into trouble. For Charlie it had worked just that way. And now he wanted to give back.

“I just need you to fill out a form. We’d be lucky to have you as a board member.”

“I’m going to be working here at the Double Y. Is that going to be a problem?”

“Shouldn’t be. We prefer board members to be local, but you’re only a few hours away. I think we can make an exception.”

“If I can just help one kid like me, it’ll be worth it.”

“I couldn’t be happier for you, Charlie. I can’t wait to tell Purity.”

“She almost blew my cover this morning.”

“I thought something funny was going on, but I was still half asleep and my body ached everywhere.”

“You need to go to the hot springs. They say there’s some kind of miracle in the water there. Cures all kinds of things, including sore muscles.”

“Where is it?”

“Have you been down to the wheat fields?”

Alex shook his head.

“Have Sam show you where they are. There’s a forest right behind them. It’s right in the middle of all the trees. There aren’t any signs or anything.” He leaned closer and whispered, “We’re not really supposed to talk about it. It’s some big secret. But everyone at the ranch knows about it.

Did you ever notice how young Frank and Emma seem? They’re in their seventies, yet you’d never know it to look at them. They can outwork any of the hands. They’re the first ones up and the last ones to bed. I’m telling you, there’s something in the water.”

“I’ll check it out.”

“Don’t talk about it when anyone’s around. And, if you get caught over there, you didn’t hear about it from me.”

“Understood.”

“It’s really good to see you again, Alex.”

“You, too, Charlie.”

Alex made his way back to the stables where he was promptly given the dirty deed of stall cleaning. “How come Purity gets to walk the horses and I get to clean up after them?”

“Purity was here on time, ready to work,” Sam said.

Alex glanced from one woman to the other. “I’m outnumbered. I think I’ll just shut up.”

“Wise choice.”

“Hey, Sam, Charlie told me about a hot springs over by the wheat field. Do you know where that is?”

Samantha looked around to see if anyone had overhead his words. “I know it. No one talks about it. Mums the word. Meet me at ten by the fire pit and I’ll show you the way.”

“What’s all this about a hot springs?” Purity asked.

“I’ll fill you in later,” Alex said. “Charlie’s engaged.”

“I know! Isn’t it fabulous? Sam’s his fiancé.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t ask you if you’d set the wedding date yet,” Pure said.

“We have. October twentieth. We’re getting married here at the ranch.”

“Oh, how perfect.”

“You’re both invited, of course. We’ll be sending out invitations closer to the date.”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Alex said.