THE STORY SO FAR: Twice divorced, unemployed computer technician Victor Haig is searching for a real soul mate when he rescues Nina Raymond from two louts who either mistook her for a hooker or an easy opportunity. The previous night Nina was thrown out of home by her mentally unbalanced and recently widowed father. Nina (20) admits to 37-year old Vic she’s sexually inexperienced. He learns the young woman has been abused sexually by the few men in her life including her father. They leave town, taking to the road in Nina’s SUV with no destination in mind. They work on a dude guest ranch and a year later help the proprietor rebuild his computer and video business. After three months they head east into real cattle land and look for a run-down ranch to buy to build it up. Nina reveals she’s the daughter of an heiress and inherited her mother’s wealth. Although pleased she is wealthy Vic decides it’s best they don’t overspend as he wishes to pay his way to end up being in 50-50 partnership with Nina. They purchase a run-down privately owned ranch of 63,800 acres and their adventures continue while waiting to ‘hand-over’ day of the property.
* * *
Vic and Vic Nina turned into the Levett’s horse ranch in the new pick-up. Vic preferred it over the SUV and Nina didn’t mind – a vehicle being a vehicle to her although she seemed to prefer the intimacy of the pick-up despite its aggressive-looking exterior.
Vic’s preference wasn’t based on the look of the vehicle, its V8 power for pulling a load or its versatility. No, it gave him the feeling of being a rancher although he knew he wasn’t one – not yet. He accepted he had some ways to go for that hat to fit, so to speak.
Nina had stopped saying, “You look so happy driving this vehicle” but he guessed she still thought it as whenever they started off in it he’d be aware of her looking at him, smiling softly. God she was a great kid, he thought; fancy liking him.
He had this thinking time because Nina was dozing. Why she was tired was anyone’s guess – his guess was mental fatigue: thinking about the wedding and life ever-after. Oh, and shopping. He found shopping a bore rather than fatiguing. Well my girl, once out on the ranch you’ll have to toughen up or hide indoors.
Vic was glad they would be spending the weekend with the Levett's as he wanted to build a trusting relationship with Shaun and to have Shaun to supervise all building at the ranch which Nina was insisted be called Haig Ranch. That was fine with him because when they walked on to the property as new owners she would be Mrs Haig the 3rd, although he’d be stupid to mention that tag; she and everyone else would regard her as Mrs Haig the lst – and fair enough.
Checking around, Vic had found Shaun had an excellent reputation and he’d called on Shaun on a job when spotting Shaun’s building sign at the entrance to the property. Shaun showed him around and was all energy and information and related well with everyone including the owners making an inspection. The Twill’s took a keen interest in Vic as he was a newcomer to the district.
“I’ve heard your wife is young and very beautiful.”
“She is both of those things but we don’t marry till another three weeks, ma’am.”
“Oh please – Trinity.”
“And I’m Alan.”
“Everyone knows you as Vic,” she said.
“Everyone, Trinity?”
“Well, the ladies I take coffee or lunch with in town,” Trinity said. “You are rather striking and are seen walking around town a great deal – staying at the hotel I believe. But there is talk about you – appreciative talk I might add – because you are a rare man.”
“Rare man ma’am, I mean Trinity?”
“You accompany your partner when she shops for lingerie.”
“Doesn’t every man do that?” Vic asked but his straight face was too obvious and everyone within earshot burst into laughter.
Chatting away with Alan Twill over coffee reminded Vic he lacked depth of knowledge about cattle ranching and if the truth be known what he knew about horses wouldn’t fill much beyond the first page of a notebook.
“Rearing young cattle for on-sale like the rest of us?”
“Yes, that rather appealed to me?”
Alan looked at Vic and laughed, not sure if Vic understood. “You don’t have much choice – we have great land for growing bone here but the beef is put on elsewhere. You were aware of that, where you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Is that a yes or a no?” Alan asked closely.
Shaun intervened. “Vic grew up on small farms, one place almost a ranch according to what Kate told me. He’s just spent a year working for Joe Black.”
Alan became really interested. “Not…”
“One and the same – his ranch is over by the coast for the easy life.”
Alan spun back to Vic. “You know he’s the greatest guy to have ridden on this land around here in modern times?”
“I do now; Kate filled us in. But the truth is he never mentioned being a rodeo hero – in fact he never mentioned rodeo.”
“Good God, has he gone mental?”
“Ease back, Alan,” Trinity said, the fifty-something wearing a light grin on her leathery face. “That will be Hannah riding him short rein.”
“I’ll be damned,” Alan said, scratching his head under the brim of his black Stetson. “That guy’s a legend around here to folks like us – unfortunately now a forgotten legend.”
Trinity walked with Vic to his vehicle. “Look, please arrange for me to meet your partner. Everyone is talking about you two, fact and fiction. First Mr Brody lets it known you people were attempting to buy the Hunger’s place for a distressed price but having no money and then his daughter Leigh absolutely refutes that saying you’ve signed up, the money is there and you’re planning to spend big money on development. Then the story comes out that your partner is an heiress and you two will marry when her divorce comes through. All this could harm reputations so I need to sort it out.
“Those luncheons in town appear very influential.”
“You know about our luncheons?”
“Heard about them and have seen women on the sidewalk after attending them. I figured not all the talk would be about the weather, children and latest dress designs.”
“I’m going to like you Vic, I can see that. You’re a man who actually has something between his ears. I’m president of the Ladies Town Club which holds those gatherings you are alluding to. Although I’m only fifty-six I’m considered the matriarch by the younger women because I went to university and headed the school here before Alan arrived on my doorstep and wouldn’t leave until I accepted his proposal. He stayed three nights before I caved in, losing my puritan reputation in the process. I’ll have great pleasure inducting your partner into the club.”
“Her name is Nina.”
“I know that Vic; I’ll call her that after I’ve been introduced to her.”
They shook hands and Vic was stepping into the cab when she called softly, “Oh Vic?”
“Yes Trinity.”
“Be very careful. There’s a rumor about you and a certain real estate lady.”
Vic’s mouth dropped, not that mattered as he had no reply to that comment.
He looked up to give little more than a weak grin – hopefully with an innocent edge – to Trinity but she was already walking away. He sat in the cab of the vehicle, mopping his forehead. Finally he smiled – he was safe providing they were never caught actually going at it and he was save from Nina’s wrath because she suspected. That could change if she caught them at it. Best that Nina kept away from that stupid women’s club.
* * *
Nina had awoken from her nap beside Vic when he shook her, having great confidence in his driving, and as they arrived was delighted to see Kate and Shaun on the porch waiting for them. Of course, they would have spotted the dust plume of the incoming vehicle.
She jumped out and the two women rushed each other, the two men grinning.
Shaun circled the vehicle and gave his opinion: “Nice wheels, makes you look like a rancher.”
“Which I’m not.”
“Give it time. Outward appearances fool most people,” Shaun said, digging in under the tray cover to pull out a grip. “You guys travel light.”
Vic sighed: “Nina’s stuff is all on the other side.”
Shaun looked at the uncovered bags and packs. “We’ll be all night carrying this lot in. I think we should just toss a match on to it and go onto the porch for a beer.”
“Leave it,” Kate said brushing Shaun aside. “I shall attend to my guest’s necessities. She won’t have brought a single thing she didn’t require.”
“A toothbrush, hairbrush, lipstick and a couple of pairs of knickers are all that’s required for a few night’s stay,” Vic alleged, earning two pink tongues poked in his directions from Kate and Nina plus a violent thrust of fingers airwards from Kate.
“Er, beer on the back porch I reckon Vic. We are edging into deep shit being here.”
Ninety minutes later came the call from upstairs: “Shaun, are you two washed up?”
“Come on,” Shaun said, kicking aside beer bottles as he stood up. “That’s Kate fully revved up which is something not to be ignored.”
