Page 25 of Caleb’s Cause (Broken Wheel Ranch #12)

Two days later, Katherine looked over at Caleb with a frown. “Do you know why we’re being called to the principal’s office?” She grinned when he snorted a laugh.

“I don’t think Erin’s the principal.”

“Yeah, I know, but she’s the boss of everything, and I was just wondering why the two of us have been called in to see her.” She paused, then sat up quickly and looked at him in fear. “Oh my god, do you think it has to do with either of our parents?”

Caleb threw her a nasty look, but without saying anything, he sped up to get to the main house on Erin’s Way faster. When they parked, they didn’t see anyone, so they hurried to the back door and Julie met them at the door.

“Calm down, it’s all good,” were the first words she said, and Katherine stopped to get her breath back.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, I’m positive. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, water, juice?”

“I’ll take a water if you have it,” Katherine said, and took the offered bottle. The two of them followed Julie down a hallway, and into an office. They saw Erin sitting behind a desk and sat in the seats offered.

“I’m going to get right to the point,” Erin said briskly.

“Caleb, I told your father to call me directly when he was able to contact Katherine’s mother, Ilsa.

He called last night. He met with her, and they are talking.

I have no clue about what, but Kevin informed me that he had it under control and would keep Ilsa safe. ”

“Okay, but what aren’t you saying?” Caleb asked as he settled into his seat, cradling his cup of coffee on his stomach.

“He might not make it back for the wedding.” Erin held up her stump and shook her head.

“That’s all I know. He has made contact with Ilsa, they’re talking, and he assessed the situation and though he didn’t say anything, I think he’s going to stick with her until she’s safe.

I have no clue where he will take her, but he said it wouldn’t be back here, because he didn’t want them to be followed.

He also said something confusing, but I didn’t question him on it. ”

“What did he say?” Caleb asked with a heavy frown.

“He said if, and I’m quoting here, ‘if the shit hits the fan, then I want my people to have my back,’ that was it.” Erin looked at Caleb with a confused look. “What do you know?”

“Dad’s a homicide detective with the Seattle Police department.

His ‘people’ would be the people he works with, which would mean the entire police department.

I’m assuming that he might take Ilsa to Seattle and have her hole up there.

What better place to keep her safe than to stay in the home of a police detective?

Besides, who would look for her in Seattle?

If this is true, then no one after Katherine would be able to find Ilsa in Seattle, and when the coast is clear, I’m sure they can make their way here to Colorado.

I’m not a cop, nor am I a former military person like the men working here, but that’s what I would do.

Get her out of Los Angeles, make sure she’s safe, then move her here. ”

“There is that.” Erin nodded, then turned to Katherine. “Are you okay with that?”

“As long as Mom is safe, I’m good with anything.”

“Good, now that I’ve told you that information, I have some other things I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Which is?” Katherine asked with a hesitant look at Caleb.

“It’s all good, or at least I think it is. First, let me deal with Caleb.” She turned to him and nodded. “How are you on setting up your office?”

“Good, further along than I thought. I’m only waiting for my license to practice in Colorado to arrive in the mail. I was told I passed all the requirements, I just need the piece of paper.”

“Okay, any time frame?”

“Any day now, but no later than Friday of this week.”

“Good, since today is Tuesday, this should work out well.” She didn’t even pause as she went into her next topic. “Remember when I hired you, I said that I wanted you to work with my employees?”

“Yes, who do I need to see?”

“Within the next couple of weeks I have two new boys, hell they’re twenty-three or four, I forget, but anyway, I have the Montgomery brothers starting next week.

They know that they have to see you before they can work here.

They are good with it, and they will be bringing their health records with them.

” Erin shook her head and held up her stump to hold Caleb off.

“I believe they are medically healthy, but when I met them a few weeks ago, they were all banged up. Cole and Lois met them at the rodeo and Kade had his arm in a sling, and a cast on his leg. His twin brother, Lane, was severely bruised on his torso.”

“What on earth happened?” Katherine asked in shock.

“They were rodeo riders. I won’t get into all the details, because it’s not my story to tell. Anyway, once Broken Two is complete, there’s going to be a new ranch put in across the street.” She pointed behind them and they turned so she could explain the ranches as Julie showed the different areas.

“Wow,” Katherine said.

“Yes, anyway Kade and Lane will be working over at New Double with Ann and the racehorses until the new ranch can be built. They won’t even break ground on that one until next spring, and I’m thinking eighteen months to two years to get it all done. That’s how long it took to build Broken.”

“That wasn’t here when you moved here?”

Erin smiled as she settled back in her seat.

“A little history on Erin’s Way. My many, many times removed grandmother started Erin’s Way back in eighteen thirty-six.

” She went on to give a brief history of how her grandmother had been left by her husband, how the ranch started, and how it had been added onto by the following generations.

Then she explained what had happened after the accident and why she did what she did by starting Riceman Stallions, and The Broken Wheel.

Then she explained how she came into possession of Ducky’s land and how New Double came to be.

“Holy hell,” Katherine said. “You did all this?”

“Yes, and now that Clark’s home, and his name is on everything, then together we’re going to branch out into the rodeo business. As I just mentioned, it won’t be up and running for at least two years, but in the meantime, New Double is in desperate need of help.”

“And you’re wanting the Montgomery brothers to get a clean bill of health from me in order to work for you.”

“Yes, I know you’re not a medical doctor, and I don’t mean any offense by it, but I think after what they went through in the rodeo, I want to make sure all their parts are working properly.

I don’t want them to blow off a twinge and it turn out to be something bad down the road that could have been prevented at the beginning.

” She cocked her head to the side and scowled at him.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of this next part, but maybe you could research how to get an x-ray machine in your building, or the other one.

Then let me know if you know of anyone who can read them.

I don’t want to have to send anyway into Fool’s Gold, or Colorado Springs for x-rays, and wait for the results.

I would like them here and at the ready.

” She shook her head again. “Something for you to look into. I’m not saying you have to take them, and read them, but get me names of people who can, and would be willing to live here. ”

“I understand, and you want me to work out any twinges or kinks, and give them exercises to do on their own.”

“Correct.” Erin nodded and studied the young people before her. She was only six or seven years older than them, but she felt much older. “Now, this next part might piss you both off, but I think it will be good for everyone involved.”

“What?” both Katherine and Caleb asked.

“I know that the cabins over at Broken Two hadn’t been fully furnished properly, and I’m sorry for that.

However, in light of what happened last Sunday, with Katherine recognizing George Babcock, and what that all entailed, I feel that it would be safer for the two of you to move back to the cabins at Broken Two.

Caleb, what are the chances of someone that comes to your office, or to the bunktels, would they find the cabins? ”

“They wouldn’t, they are so secluded that even if Uncle Ry hadn’t taken me to them directly, I never would have found them.”

“Good, because I don’t care if the two of you share a cabin, for safety’s sake, or because you want to, but when the Montgomery brothers come, I will be setting them up in those cabins.

I don’t know if they’re going to use one or two.

For now, it’ll be up to them.” She shook her head and held up her hand.

“I know they would be better off over at New Double, but I’m thinking of safety in numbers.

” She shook her head again, and looked directly at Katherine.

“This isn’t an order, just a strongly worded suggestion, but I think you’re going to want to get with the women at Broken and learn how to shoot a gun. Again, safety in numbers.”

“What’s that mean about the people sharing a cabin or not?” Katherine asked.

“They are twins, so I’m sure they’re used to sharing a room.

They grew up on a dairy farm, over in Kansas, but hate cows, and always wanted to work with horses.

They know how to hunt and fish, so they are proficient with guns, again safety in numbers.

Like I said, you’d have to talk to them to get their story.

But I think if they are in one or two of the cabins, then that would give extra protection for Katherine.

I’m not saying you’re a shrinking violet. ”

“But you would feel better if I had someone watching my back.”

“Correct.”

“I don’t have a problem moving over to those cabins, but how will I get to the barn over at Broken? I don’t have a vehicle.”