all things having to do with injured wildlife or domestic animals. It took us a year to build the center and hire the right people.”
“We have three vets at the center,” Chase told Cari. “They work full time. In the summer, vet students from around North and South America come here to learn and help Catherine and her team. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“This is incredible!” Cari said. “When can I meet Jenny?”
“How about tomorrow morning?” Chase asked. “The center is a mile away and is closest to the main highway through the valley.”
“I’d love that!” Cari whispered, suddenly emotional. “You two have truly created a blueprint for multi-use of your land, this microclimate, and taking advantage of it in a very positive way.”
Mary glowed. “Our family has always dreamed big and outside the box, Cari. We want to have wise use of our land, of the soil, the air, and the water. Chase isn’t one to brag, but our ranch has, in a sense, become a template for other ranchers in this part of Wyoming. A lot of people have reduced their eating of meat, and many more are leaning toward being vegan, which has impacted cattle ranches in a huge way. They are all looking for other ways to sustain a lot of family ranches, and ours, as well as Logan Anderson’s ranch, which is located next to ours. His family, by the way, has Scottish roots. We’ll have to make sure you get introduced to him shortly. He’s much like Chase from the standpoint that his family has always protected the earth as we do.”
Chase rose after the dinner was done, collecting plates and taking them to the kitchen. They ate the bread pudding dessert. Afterward, he brought out the coffeepot and poured fresh coffee into the awaiting mugs. “Mary, we need to fill you in on some serious things that Cari let me know about shortly after she landed here.”
Frowning, Mary said, “Oh?”
Cari felt her stomach squeeze in reaction. The elder had her silvery hair in a braid over her head. Though older, Mary Bishop was a world-class entrepreneur of the finest kind. She didn’t hold much hope that the woman would want her to stay on the ranch, making her family a target of Dirk. Placing her hands beneath the table, palms damp, she tried to swallow her nervousness as Chase sat down and told his mother the story. As he finished, she saw Mary’s face become sympathetic looking, not judgmental. Cari expected her to ask her to leave tomorrow morning. Who would want their family in danger? She knew she wouldn’t.
Eyeing Chase, Mary said, “I’m glad to hear you’re planning to touch base with Dan. He’s our ace in the hole. He has eyes in the back of his head and he’ll ensure the safety of everyone in this valley, not just our family and employees.”
Cari tried to remain unresponsive to the woman’s gruff reply. Part of her was relieved, but another part, scared to death for this wonderful family.
“Then,” Chase said, “you’re in agreement with me that we keep Cari here? I think part of her wants to leave in order to protect us from her stepbrother.”
Mary nodded and gave Cari a sympathetic look. “Just about every family I know, with some exceptions, has a darkness that haunts them, of one sort or another, through a particular family member. Dan Seabert, our sheriff, is ex-military. Chase served his country, too, and my son knows how to protect his own. I’m sure if you go with him to see the sheriff tomorrow, Dan will come up with a plan of action.” She tapped Cari’s hand. “We need you here. And I know you don’t want to stay long due to the threat from your stepbrother, but he hasn’t found you. He may never find you here, Cari. That doesn’t mean that Chase and I, or the sheriff, won’t be on the lookout for him. And who knows? Law enforcement in California may nab him, too. So, I think your abundance of caution, while warranted, is probably lessened because you’ve hidden out with us. And from what Chase said, your stepbrother has all his ties in California. It makes sense he’d stick around there and renew them. Criminals tend to know one another and have their own network.”
Swallowing hard, Cari gave a slight nod. “I really think Sheriff Seabert needs to know. But so do the townspeople of this valley, too.”
“Oh, no worries on that,”