City Slicker Ch. 04

“I.....I don’t know if that would be such a good idea.” I stuttered. “We’re.....not on the best of terms.”

“I know. I know.” She retorted. “It’s just that you may be the only one he’ll respond to.”

Nodding my head, I agreed to speak with her son. As I approached him, Wade looked up briefly. His face was pale, almost colorless. He looked ill. I stooped down in front of him, taking his hands in mine. Wade was mumbling incoherently about his grandfather. Guests stepping out onto the patio, sensed our wanting to be alone.

The two of us walked out into the flower gardens, away from the house and all the guests. Sitting on a stone wall, we held hands. Wade’s touch was just as I had remembered, secure and loving.

“I wish it were me that died instead of my grandfather.” Wade mumbled in tears.

“Don’t say that Wade.” I responded. “You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”

“I don’t have a life anymore.” He asserted. “First, I lost you. Now, I’ve lost my grandfather.”

“You didn’t lose me.” I replied. “I just gave up on myself. I didn’t want you hating me later on is all.”

“I could never hate you.” He affirmed.

I wasn’t sure of what to do or say next. My being with him seemed to have helped but Wade was still in a very deep depression. We sat quietly for the longest time, comforted by each other’s presence.

My grandfather approached us as from the house. He walked cautiously as he neared us. He spoke consoling words to Wade, which seemed to help, mentioning how much he’d miss his old friend and colleague.

“I’m going back to the hotel and get some rest.” J.D. stated. “I can drive myself if you want to stay with Wade for awhile.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna stay for awhile.” I responded. “Wade needs someone with him.”

It was late afternoon when Wade and I left his parent’s home. Knowing he was too upset to drive, I took the keys from his hand. With Wade mumbling the directions, I made it back to the Hampton Inn.

“Why don’t you stay the night with me?” I suggested, pulling into the parking lot. “You’re in no condition to drive home.

Wade accepted my offer with a shrug of his shoulders and a nod of his head.

The doors between mine and J.D.’s room were open when we entered the hotel room. My grandfather was sitting on the bed reading a newspaper and watching television.

“Hi Grandpa.” I greeted, peaking into his room. “You ok?”

“I’m ok.” He replied. “How’s Wade doing?”

“He’s better.” I retorted. “I asked him to stay the night with me. I think we’re gonna try and talk things out.”

“Anything I can do?” He inquired.

“Not really.” I responded. “It’s something we’ve got to handle ourselves.”

Wade and I sat on the bed together but I found myself too tired to talk. Not having slept for over a day, my body and mind were suffering the consequences. Wade also looked extremely tired, more emotionally than physically. We decided to catch up on some sleep and talk later on.

Snuggled in each other’s arms, we drifted off to sleep within minutes. The sound of the television playing in the other room didn’t hinder our slumber. We slept peacefully, waking about 9pm.

Wade suggested ordering some food from room service. At that hour of the evening, sandwiches and snacks were all that were available. It’s all either of us wanted anyway. My grandfather joined us for the late night dining.

“You gonna make an honest woman out of my granddaughter?” J.D. kidded, biting into his sandwich.

“That’s my intention, Mr. Kramer.” Wade responded. “I love Michelle more than anything.”

“Whoa! Hold on!” I exclaimed, sipping on my soft drink. “Let me have a say in this. Ok?”

“Wade, I won’t marry you.” I declared. “At least not for awhile.”

“Why not?” My grandfather questioned. “If you love Wade as much as he loves you, why not get married?”

“We don’t need a legal document and an expensive wedding to declare our love for each other.” I replied. “But, I am willing to agree to being engaged. That’ll eliminate the need for a prenuptial agreement and allow both of us to feel we’ve got a serious relationship.”

“What about kids?” Wade asked. “We talked about having kids.”

“We can still have kids.” I answered. “Not being married won’t prevent us from having children.”

“Michelle, your grandmother would paddle your butt for saying such a thing!” J.D. asserted. “And, your grandfather would paddle yours, Wade, if you agreed to it!”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep our relationship going.” Wade muttered. “I’ve been through hell since Michelle left.”

“Well, Michelle hasn’t had an easy time of it either.” My grandfather countered. “She’s done nothing but cry at night, hardly ever sleeps, mumbles your name when she’s napping and drinks Scotch like a boatload of sailors on shore leave. I won’t even go into that constant smoking habit of hers.”

J.D.’s statements embarrassed me to death. Admittedly, they were true but I didn’t want them revealed, especially not to Wade!

“I’ve got another week or so finishing up the warehouse project I’m working on.” Wade stated. “I could drive up to Colorado when I’m done and see about finding something to do up there?”

“There’s nothing in your line of work around Texas Creek.” I stated. “Besides, your father would have a fit if you quit working for him.”

“What about the boarding stable and campgrounds idea you had?” J.D. remarked. “That would be right up Wade’s alley.”

“That’s just an idea I have. It’s nothing concrete.” I replied. “I don’t have anything down on paper. It’s just in my head.”

“Wade could work on it!” My grandfather countered. “You’ve got the ranch to run! And, those books to write! You may never get the chance to put it on paper.”

“Whatta you think, Wade? You wanna give it a shot?” I asked, grasping his hand. “I’d allow us to be together.”

“Of course I’ll do it.” Wade declared. “We can work together on it.”

“One other thing.” J.D. added with a stern look. “No hanky-panky in the house. You two can get yourselves a place of your own if you’re gonna be.....acting like newlyweds.”

“What about setting a travel trailer on the ranch?” I remarked. “At least until we can have a house built or get a modular.”

“That’s all right with me.” J.D. responded. “Whatever suits your needs.”

With my grandfather’s help, Wade and I had worked through some of our problems. We both felt relieved that we were coming to terms with our relationship. Being together was paramount for both of us, although I was worried about how Wade’s father would take the news that he was moving to Colorado.

We slept well through the night, waking early the next morning. After grabbing a shower and fixing my hair and make-up, I got dressed and packed for the trip home. The three of us ate breakfast in a nearby restaurant. Wade wanted us to stop by his apartment so he could put the engagement ring back on my finger.

Wearing the ring, unlike the first time, didn’t make me feel apprehensive about making our relationship work. I wasn’t fearful of hurting Wade or losing him later on. I was going to quit running every time I got scared.

Cruising along the highway, I set the speed control and relaxed behind the wheel. Lighting up a cigarette, I thought about setting Wade and I up with a place to live. I knew he wouldn’t feel comfortable living in my grandfather’s house.

The miles passed quickly as thoughts and ideas crossed through my mind.

“You need to think about building a house.” J.D. stated, reading my mind. “I don’t want my great-grandchildren living in a travel trailer.”

“There’s a nice piece of land at the north end of the ranch.” He added. “It borders the Bureau of Land Management property.”

“How much do you want for it?” I inquired. “How many acres?”

“I’ll let you have twenty acres. That’s all.” J.D. replied. “Call it an engagement present.”

“What if I want more?” I asked. “Twenty acres isn’t all that much.”

“After I’m gone, the Lazy K will be all yours.” My grandfather replied.

“I’ve already had my attorneys change the deed so you’re name’s on it with mine.” He explained. “That’ll avoid having my will go through probate and you having to pay inheritance taxes on the ranch.”

“What about Dad?” I blurted out, without thinking.

“That bastard’s already got his inheritance!” J.D. exclaimed. “I should have had him arrested for embezzlement when he stole that two-hundred thousand from the corporation.”

It was true. My dad had embezzled the money from his own father’s corporation. Out of fear from his stockholders and board of directors, my grandfather had replaced the cash from his own pocket. My father’s thieving ways had ruined their relationship as well as put him at odds with my mother. Thankfully, I was much too young to have had to bear any of the condemnation.

“Looks like Wade and I are gonna be pretty busy at the ranch.” I remarked, changing the subject.

“I see a lot of Wade’s grandfather in that young man.” My grandfather responded. “I just hope you’ll try and make your relationship work out.”

“Getting off the hard liquor would be a good start.” He added. “I won’t ask you to quit smoking, even though I wish you would.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” I muttered. “I won’t make any promises though.”

“You can do it.” J.D. assured me. “It just takes willpower.”

It was late evening when we made it back to the Lazy K. My grandfather had slept most of the way so he was wide awake when we arrived. I was just glad to be home. Thunder was booming off in the mountains, making the coyotes restless. Their howling was incessant and louder than normal. Scanning over the pastures, I didn’t see any of the horses out.

“Cody must have brought all the horses in for the night.” I remarked.

“Probably doesn’t want to be disturbed later on.” J.D. kidded, gesturing towards his trailer.

Looking down the hill, I saw the familiar Toyota Avalon sitting next to Cody’s pickup. I assumed his newest girlfriend was spending another night with him.

The following morning it was business as usual, enjoying breakfast with the ranch-hands, then working in the office most of the day. Cody noticed my engagement ring at breakfast, causing most everyone to ask questions, especially Juanita.

The first day back was busy, spent trying to catch up on things while we had been gone. Wade phoned that evening, while I was sitting at the computer working on my book. Stepping out onto the patio with the cordless phone, offered me some privacy.

I could tell by the tone of his voice, he was feeling much better, although he sounded tired. Wade had informed his father of his future plans to join me at the ranch. Surprisingly, he’d taken it pretty well.

Although Roger Garrett had reiterated his interest in forming a partnership on my project for the boarding stables and campground resort, I wasn’t buying into it. I didn’t want his money or his possible meddling interfering with Wade and my project. Explaining it to my fiancee so he wouldn’t take it personally was somewhat difficult. Wade and I, along with my grandfather’s help, could make the idea a reality. I had confidence in Wade and I knew he wouldn’t let me down.

One morning, right after breakfast, my grandfather joined me to look at travel trailers. It would serve as Wade and my temporary home until we could have a house built on the twenty acres J.D. had given me. There were several RV dealerships in Pueblo so we struck out for there.

While my interest was in finding something comfortable that afforded us as much living space as possible, J.D. was back on his kick for a motorhome. Since it was difficult to look at both at the same time, I resigned myself to let him find something first.

Since money was no object, my grandfather started looking at high-end motorhomes first. Priced at over three-hundred thousand dollars, I felt they were a little extravagant for something that’d probably spend most of its time taking up space in the driveway. Reasoning with him, I managed to talk him into looking at motorhomes more suited to his needs. We spent most of the morning looking at everything they had on the lot before deciding on a Fleetwood thirty-nine foot motorhome with all the amenities and luxuries imaginable.

Seeing the big smile on J.D.’s face eased the pain of writing the check for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Knowing the money could be used to increase our horse and cattle herds was offset by the happiness purchasing the motorhome brought him. Although, knowing I’d have to do most of the driving of the motorcoach was quite unsettling.

After a two-hour review of the motorhome with one of the service technicians, I learned about all the functions, gadgets, switches and controls. Fortified with an armload of manuals and documents, I was ready to drive the huge vehicle home. Driving along Highway Fifty wasn’t too difficult. Maneuvering the motorhome through the narrow streets of the small towns along the way proved somewhat nerve-wracking, especially knowing J.D. was right behind me.

Pulling the luxurious motorcoach into the driveway and up to the house, I was relieved to have made it safely with scratching my grandfather’s newest prize possession. After activating the hydraulic leveling jacks, plugging in the electrical cables and waterline connections, the motorhome was finally set up.

“I’m gonna make out a list of things we need to get for the motorhome.” J.D. remarked. “Tomorrow, we’ll go shopping.”

“Fine.” I responded. “I’m gonna catch up on some work in the office.”

I wasn’t too happy about having spent most of the day without accomplishing what we’d originally gone shopping for. From the comment my grandfather had made, tomorrow didn’t look anymore promising. With Wade due to arrive sometime within the next couple of weeks, I really wanted to get our temporary housing ready.

That evening I assessed my financial resources. With just under sixty thousand dollars in the bank, I was beginning to have doubts about spending a considerable amount of it for a trailer. The money would be better spent on building materials for a permanent home. Still, Wade and I needed some place to live. Maybe an apartment in Canon City or Salida, both thirty miles from the ranch, would be a better option. In a quandary about what to do, I thought it best to wait and discuss it with Wade when he called.

As always, it was good to hear Wade’s voice when he called. He seemed in good spirits and didn’t sound as tired like the previous evening. I was hesitant to bring up the subject of purchasing a travel trailer to live in while we had our house built. Clouding our phone conversation with a discussion about money matters didn’t seem appropriate.

“Have you found us a travel trailer to live in or have you even had time to look.” Wade inquired, bringing up the subject.

“Well, sorta.” I stammered. “Grandpa and I went shopping but all we bought was a motorhome. It’s something he’s been wanting since he saw your father’s.”

“Whatta ya think about renting an apartment?” I suggested. “I might be able to find something nice in Canon City or Salida.”

“I thought we were going to live on the ranch.” Wade replied, sounding somewhat discouraged.

“Well, I thought so too.” I responded. “I just hate to spend twenty thousand dollars on a trailer when I should be putting that towards building materials for the house.”

“Why don’t I send you the money for a trailer?” Wade suggested. “I could do an electronic transfer over the internet.”

“No! Don’t do that!” I exclaimed. “If you want to buy the travel trailer, let’s wait until I find something first.”

“That’ll work. Whatever’s easier for you.” Wade responded. “I should be helping you instead of being stuck here.”

With the trailer situation pretty much settled, our conversation turned more intimate. With my grandfather sitting in the office with me, it was difficult to speak the words I wanted to say.

“You and Wade having financial problems?” J.D. asked afterwards.

“No. No problems.” I answered. “Just trying to decide how to spend our money.”

“How much as Wade got in the bank?” My grandfather blatantly inquired. “How much have you got?”

“I don’t know what Wade’s financial situation is.” I replied. “I don’t feel that’s any of my business.”

“Which brings up the subject of his salary.” I quickly added. “What are we gonna pay him for his time?”

“Michelle, you two need to sit down and go over your assets together.” J.D. asserted. “You need to decide who’s going to pay for what and so on.”

Since my grandfather had totally ignored my question, I decided to ignore his remarks.

“I’ll set his salary at a twelve-hundred dollars a week.” I boldly declared. “That sounds appropriate.”

“He shouldn’t make as much as you.” J.D. argued. “After all, you’re the one bearing all the responsibility for running the ranch.”

“I can’t very well pay him less than room and board.” I mumbled, letting my discontent show.

“What? What’d you say?” My grandfather asked.

“Nothing.” I answered “I didn’t say anything.”

I didn’t want to get into an argument with my grandfather over money matters. Although I was bearing the responsibility of running the ranch, I wasn’t getting paid for it. We’d never discussed pay for my work. Although it was taking up most of my time, I didn’t feel it appropriate to expect money. Living in the house and eating Juanita’s meals had seemed reward enough. I’d never planned for the expenses I was about to face.

The following morning I prepared to go shopping with my grandfather. The night before he’d jotted down a lengthy list of items he wanted for his new motorhome. Seeing him load his golf clubs in the back of his car, made me curious as to his plans.

“You going golfing?” I inquired, trying to sound calm. “I thought you wanted to go shopping.”

“Yes, I’m going golfing.” He retorted. “My list is on your desk. You can handle it without me tagging along.”

I was immediately incensed at his thoughtlessness. It was all I could do to conceal my rage.

“Doesn’t he realize I’ve got more important things to do than do his running for him!” I thought. “The least he could do is go with me!”

Leaving immediately after my grandfather’s departure, I spent all day gathering up the items on his shopping list. My anger hadn’t subsided by the time I returned to the ranch late in the afternoon. I was still pissed, except now, I was also tired and suffering with a severe headache.

I tossed all the purchases into the motorhome instead of taking them into the house.

“Did you get everything?” J.D. inquired, coming out to see how my shopping trip had gone.

“Yes, I got everything!” I exclaimed, letting my anger show. “Thanks for your help!”

“Whoa there Girl!” My grandfather retorted. “What’s the hell’s the matter?”

I let my anger explode. Reprimanding J.D. for all the extra work I was having to perform along with the menial tasks he expected me to do, I let it all out. By the time I was finished, I was hoarse from yelling and screaming. My headache had increased in severity to where I was squinting from the pain.

My grandfather stood silent, dumbfounded by my outburst. I started to apologize but resisted saying anything. J.D. stepped out of the motorhome and walked back into the house. My head was throbbing something fierce. I sat down on the couch, resting my head in my hands. Stretching out on the couch seemed to ease the throbbing some.

It was early evening when I finally entered the house. My grandfather was warming up dinner in the microwave.

“Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.” He announced.

“I’m not hungry.” I muttered. “I’m gonna take some aspirin and stretch out across the bed.”

“You need to eat something.” He retorted. “It’ll make you feel better.”

I didn’t respond to his comments, knowing it would just start another argument. In an argument, there was no way of winning with my grandfather.