Eve: Whether the story is in parts or all at once, I wrote the silly thing and I was confused. I had to do spread sheets to keep all of them straight...honest!
Natalie: They certainly are...but let's hope all the characters have been introduced and it will be easier to follow. I won't make any promises though.
Alix: Let's hope things get clearer and Michael does get to the ranch this chapter...I think it's cute but that's just my opinion.
Carolyn: I know how you feel about pushing the wrong button...I'll tell you when it's really frustrating, when you've typed a really good paragraph, the phone rings, you close the thing and haven't saved a word...that's frustrating.
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Chapter: 34
On Thursday morning Liz and Lois made their way to their respective places of employment, did a lot of cleanup work and then about noon they took off for the weekend. Michael followed them back to the apartment complex and got his paint supplies together and then told the girls that he would take his rental and follow them. They nodded in understanding and explained that they had to go pick up the horses and the fifth wheel. Michael laughed.
“You’re taking the horses?”
“Of course we’re taking the horses…they like to go away for long week-ends too.”
Michael just shook his head and laughed, he sometimes doubted their sanity.
So an hour or so later, give or take a few minutes, they were all on their way. As usual Liz and Lois only had to pick up their already packed suitcases with clean clothes and they were gone. They had no need for groceries this time since they were familiar with the Evans ranch and what to expect. They were actually excited to see Jose’ and Maggie almost as much as Max and Clark, well almost. They really enjoyed the couple very much. They hoped Michael enjoyed himself too, considering all the news they had to share with Max and Clark.
When they turned into the long roadway that led to the main buildings on the ranch Michael Guerin had to take a deep breath. This was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen in his life and then, when they arrived at the buildings Michael was speechless. ‘
Who in the hell built a place like this out in the middle of no man’s land?’ He thought to himself.
‘Good God, this place was a mansion! Liz wasn’t shittin’ when she said the prince didn’t live as good…damn!’
When Liz and Lois had made the turn in off the main road Max and Clark were totally aware and made their way out to the side of the barn where they were going to park and waited for them. They knew the horses would be with them and they were also ready for Michael’s arrival.
Liz easily pulled the truck and the fifth wheel to the side of the barn that they felt was their space and you wouldn’t have been able to wipe the smiles off the young men waiting for them with a stick of dynamite. They stood there smiling from ear to ear and the girls were just as animated.
Liz was the first out of the truck, if you could believe it, leaving the door hanging wide open and ran as fast as she could to meet Max’s open arms.
“I’ve missed you so much.” She whispered through the kisses Max was planting on her lips and across her cheek. She couldn’t get enough of him and Lois was right behind her headed for Clark in a somewhat slower more sexy walk, grinning from ear to ear.
Clark was a little slower, less demonstrative, but very, very passionate in his kiss. He wanted to devour Lois, no other words would describe the feeling and when Michael finally pulled in beside the trailer, he could only sit and smile. They were all oblivious to the world around them and he was filled with happiness for his friends. He did take a picture for posterity. Maria and Ava would love this.
When the two couples finally broke for air Michael was standing next to his vehicle taking in the rest of the sights around him and Liz and Lois were glad that he didn’t embarrass the men. It wouldn’t be fair until after they knew that Michael was married and an old friend. Michael realized this of course and played it cool. Max and Clark kept one arm around the girls as they welcomed Michael to the ranch and Michael smiled.
“I’m really glad to be here, and thanks for the invite; this place is awesome, I’ll bet I get plenty of material for my work out here. God, I don’t know where to start. I think I’ll explore with my camera first and then decide what to do first. I would love to bring my wife here.”
Max was the first to speak…
“You’re married?”
Michael smiled…
“Yeah, we have a lot to talk about, but first you have to know that Liz, Lois, my wife and quite a few people we are going to be talking about in the next few hours are all friends. Let me formally introduce myself.”
With that Michael held out his hand to a couple of confused young men.
“Michael Guerin, FBI. Officially I’m here to protect Liz and Lois, mostly Liz. There’s a huge conspiracy going on with this cattle virus and some very dangerous men are involved.
“We believe that Liz’s evidence of the murder of your parents and the manmade virus that is killing the cattle has put her in serious danger. And with that incident in the bar with the roofies we are pretty certain that she needs protection. I’m here for that reason; I’m also a painter so it’s an excellent cover at this time. Now, before we start answering questions for you two I think a couple of animals need some attention, what do you think?” And Michael smiled as the two Evans men shook their heads in disbelief.
“Sure, Liz we’ll take the horses to the corral for you while you batten down the hatches so to speak.” Clark offered and Max agreed.
Michael took his overnight bag out of his rig and then went to the fifth wheel side door and grabbed Lois and Liz’s bags as the rest of them unloaded the horses and got them settled down.
About forty five minutes later the five young people made their way to the side porch of the huge house and Max introduced Michael to Maggie, who was busy in the kitchen setting up the table for an early dinner just as Jose’ walked in from the other part of the house. Max made some more introductions and then led the three visitors through the hallways to the main stairway and Michael could hardly keep from staring.
“Impressive isn’t it?” Liz asked.
“Understatement.” Michael answered and he followed the group up the stairs still carrying the bags.
“This is my room Michael and that’s Lois’ across the hall. I don’t know where they want you.
Max smiled, then laughed out loud.
“We put him at the other end of the house.” And they all laughed in understanding. Michael had been put as far away from Liz and Lois as Max and Clark could get him.
Michael set the girls luggage in their rooms and followed Max down the long hallway, turned right and made his way to the other end of the house just like Max had said. Then Max pointed to the stairway that he and Clark used in order to get from the first to the second floor most of the time and Michael smiled. This obviously was where Clark and Max lived, the other part of the mansion being reserved for ‘company’ so to speak.
“NICE” were the only thoughts going through Michael’s mind at the time.
“Really nice!”
After everyone was settled in Max made his way down the back stairway, which wasn’t as impressive as the front but very nice indeed, where he met up with Clark in the kitchen.
“Get everyone settled?”
“Yeah; that was quite a revelation out there, what do you think?”
“Well, I could suggest that they move out here but after what happened to mom and dad I guess they are as safe where they are as they are here. Michael seems like a nice enough person.” And Clark grinned…
“Yeah, now that we know who he is.” And both men laughed at themselves…not trusting Lois and Liz was not very mature of them.
Michael took time to get himself settled in to the very spacious, very nice room the men had set up for him and then made his way down the hall to the rooms the girls were staying in and he smiled as he entered Liz’s suite.
“You weren’t kidding one bit about this place were you?”
“Not at all, do you like your accommodations Michael”
“Damn Liz, what’s not to like? The view is awesome, it’s nicer than any hotel I’ve ever been in in my life, even the one Maria and I stayed in on our honeymoon. When I sat on the bed to change into my boots, well, let me just say I’m really looking forward to sleeping tonight.”
Liz giggled,
“It is nice isn’t it?”
“That word doesn’t even come close and as masculine as my room is this has to be one of the most feminine rooms I think I’ve ever seen without being frilly.”
“I know. Whoever decorated this place was a genius. Max said his grandmother was the one who insisted on having it built but I’m not sure if she was the decorator. You’re right, it’s beautiful. Clark and Max live down that hall where you’re staying. Apparently this is for the female guests or something.”
“Well, if they ever run out of cows they can always open a vacation resort. This place wouldn’t need a damned thing.” Michael was thinking out loud as he observed everything around him.
“You’re right…maybe it needs a bunch of little kids. You know they have their own school down the road past the out buildings for the ranch hands families that live here. Max and Clark went to it when they were growing up and they offer scholarships to the kids attending the school. The place is quite remarkable. They have the school because it’s too far for the kids to commute and the teachers actually live here too. It’s an actual village when you get right down to it.”
“Yes, it’s very impressive. Now, this evening we need to have a meeting before you girls settle in for the night.”
“Yeah, I know…we will Michael. Maybe we can take a ride out into the hills and you can scope out some scenery.”
“Now that sounds like a plan.” And with that Liz and Michael made their way down the main staircase to join the rest of the group in the kitchen. The dining room was extremely impressive but the eating area in the kitchen was very impressive as well and also the preferred eating place of the Evans men and Liz smiled. Michael was going to be more comfortable in here also.
“Michael, is your room okay?” Clark asked with a grin…damned imaginations will get you every time.
“Yeah Clark, it is. I was telling Liz that if you ever run out of cows you can start a vacation resort here. This place is fantastic.” And Michael was dead serious when he said that.
“Think you Michael, we have our grandmother to thank for the accommodations, she was a New York debutant who refused to live out here in the middle of nowhere until grandfather promised her she could live in the style she had become accustomed.” And they all had to laugh at Clark for the description of his grandmother’s living conditions.
“Oh Clark, I’m sure she would have married him regardless.” Lois remarked, a little taken aback to think that Clark’s grandmother only married his grandfather for money.
“You don’t understand Lois, grandmother loved grandfather but not ranching so much. The house was a compromise on grandfather’s part because he loved her so much. You should have heard some of dad’s stories; all of the rooms in this place housed many of New York’s finest upper crust on many occasions.” Max answered for his brother and Liz just sat and took it all in.
Jose’ and Maggie smiled as they all enjoyed the enchilada casserole and all of the sides that accompanied it.
Maggie was a young Irish girl that had grown up on the ranch and fell in love with Jose’ as a very young lass and learned her way around a kitchen from Jose’s mother. It was a match made in heaven. Irish stew one night and the hottest Mexican fare you could stomach the next.
“As soon as we help Maggie with the dishes we’ll take a ride, okay?”
Lois asked as the conversation started to settle in to some cattle and modern day activities of the ranch.
“If that’s what you’d like to do then yes, we can take a ride but you certainly don’t need to help with the dishes.” Max declared, Maggie can get some extra help if she needs it.
“My word yes Lois, please enjoy what’s left of the day.”
“Well alright then.” And so the young people finished up their dinner and went out to the corral to get their horses to head on out.
“Michael, do you ride at all?” Clark asked.
Michael smiled before answering…
“Let’s just say I can sit in a saddle but I’m certainly not as adept at it as Liz and Lois. A nice tame, patient animal would be nice.” And the other four laughed at his reply.
Michael went out to his rig to get a very nice camera from the rear storage compartment and made his way back to the barn where he found one fine looking appaloosa gelding standing next to Chief and Banner and he made his way into the barn and retrieved a saddle, blanket, bridle and reins and made his way back out to the corral where Liz and Lois were just showing up with their saddles and equipment as well.
It wasn’t very long before the five young riders were on their way toward the mountain trail out beyond the out buildings and Michael was in seventh heaven. The beauty was breathtaking with the sun going down in the western sky. The colors were beyond belief and Michael could hardly wait to take out his paints and brushes. But first the important things, talks with Max and Clark and bringing them up to speed with all that was going on as he knew it.
