Hes the man who stole two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from my mother, Ms. Simpson. The rest is simply window dressing. Now, move yourgoat.
Unable to think of what else to say, Heidi stepped to the side of the road. Athena trotted along with her. Rafe got in his car and drove away. The only thing missing from his angry departure was a cloud of dust. However, the road was paved and well maintained by the city. One of the advantages of living in Fools Gold.
She waited until hed gone past, then turned toward the ranch and started to run. Athena kept up easily, for once not insisting on extending her time of freedom.
Did you hear that? Heidi asked, her athletic shoes pounding on the pavement. That man is really mad at us.
Athena trotted along, apparently unconcerned about Glens fate.
Youll be sorry if we have to sell you to pay back May Stryker, Heidi muttered, then wished she hadnt.
All her life shed only wanted one thing. A home. A real home with a roof and a foundation, hooked up to sewer and water and electricity. Something most people took for granted. But shed grown up moving from town to town, the rhythm of her days defined by the carnival where her grandfather worked.
When shed found the Castle Ranch, shed fallen instantly and madly in love. With the land, the old house and especially the nearby town of Fools Gold. She had a herd of eight goats, uncounted feral cows and nearly a thousand acres of land. Shed started a business making goat cheese and goat-milk soap. She sold goat milk and goat fertilizer. There were natural caves where she could age her cheese. This was her home and she wasnt giving it up for anything.
But she might have to give it up for somebody. Glen. Whod sold a part of what he didnt own to a woman with a very angry son.
* * *
RAFE PULLED IN NEXT TO HIS mothers car and parked. The ranch looked worse than hed rememberedthe fence lines more theory than substance, the house sagging and in need of paint. He could think of a thousand places he would rather be than here. Leaving wasnt an option. Not until he got this mess cleaned up.
He climbed out of his car and looked around. The sky was bluetypical for California. That impossible color movie makers loved and songwriters sang about. In the distance, the Sierra Nevada mountains rose toward heaven. When he was a kid, hed stared at those mountains, willing himself to be on the other side. Anywhere that wasnt here would have been better. At fifteen, hed been trapped. Funny how all these years later he was back and just as stuck.
The front door to the house opened and his mother stepped out. May Stryker might have been in her mid-fifties, but she was still beautiful, with shiny black hair that fell to her shoulders and a tall, lithe build. Rafe had inherited his height and coloring from her, although, according to his mother, his personality came from his father. May was a softhearted nurturer who wanted to take care of the world. Rafe would rest a lot easier when hed conquered it.
You came, May said, crossing to him and smiling. I knew you would. Oh, Rafe, isnt it wonderful to be back?
Sure, he thought grimly. Maybe later they could stop by hell for a marshmallow roast. Mom, whats going on? You werent very clear in your message. What he meant was she hadnt explained how shed gotten in this situation in the first place.
All shed said was that shed bought a ranch, and that the man was now telling her she couldnt have it. Mostly because he didnt own it. Fraud before noon. Or grand theft. Either way, it was going to be a long day.
Everything is fine, his mother said, moving toward him. Glen and I have been talking and
Glen?
The smile widened. The man who sold me the ranch. She gave a little laugh. Apparently he had a friend who was sick and
Ive heard this part, he said, interrupting.
From who?
Heidi.
Oh, you met her. Isnt she wonderful? She raises goats here on the ranch. Theyve been here nearly a year, and theyre just wonderful people. Glen is Heidis
grandfather. She lost her parents when she was little and he raised her. May sighed. Theyre a wonderful family.
He didnt like the sound of that. Mother, he began.
She shook her head. Im not one of your unruly clients, Rafe. You cant intimidate me. Im sorry I called you and asked you to come all the way out here, but I have everything under control.
I doubt that.
Both eyebrows rose. Excuse me?
Youre not the only one involved. I signed the paperwork, too. Remember?
You can unsign it. Ill take care of this. Now, go back to San Francisco.
Before he could explain there was no unsigning a legal document, the front door opened again and an older man stepped out. He was taller than May, with white hair and sparkling blue eyes. He winked at May, gave Rafe a charming smile and hurried forward.
There you are, the man said, holding out his hand as he approached. Glen Simpson. Nice to meet you. I understand theres been a mix-up with your lovely mother here, but I want to assure you, were going to work it all out.