Page 41 of Savage Secrets

Gracey nodded. “I’ll think on it. I know the land that my ancestors curated for me and my children would be in good hands with you. That’s more important to me than money.”

“All I can ask for right now is your consideration, and I thank you for it.” Zach extended a hand. He needed the bond of a handshake with the man who’d taken a chance on him at the lowest point of his life.

Chapter Eleven

When Opal heard the knock at the front door, she glanced into the living room to check on Rainie before she went to answer it. Her daughter sat in front of the TV, watching her favorite show. On the floor in front of her was a bowl of dry Cheerios.

As Opal looked on, her daughter reached into the bowl without moving her eyes from the cartoon character on the screen teaching her the ABCs.

Hurrying to answer the door, she spotted two men standing on her front porch. One she knew. One she recognized.

She slapped a pleasant expression on her face. “Mr. Brooks. Thank you for coming by today.”

The older gentleman in business casual attire smiled at her. “My pleasure, Miss Vale.”

“Come in please.” She waited for the man to enter the house before meeting Ledger’s gaze. He’d been watching over her while Zach was away. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

At his response, she gave a small jolt. So very odd, but she’d been waiting to hear Zach’s usual “no problem.” Her heart gave a flutter as she thought of him.

Ledger thumbed the brim of his Stetson and walked away. She glanced in at Rainie again before inviting Mr. Brooks to sit. The attorney was cordial and made small talk about how he often did home visits in these parts.

She offered him some lemonade, which he accepted with a smile and nod. Then he set his briefcase on the table and they got down to business.

Instead of sitting in an office filled with books on dusty shelves, Opal was put more at ease in her own surroundings. The days were growing shorter as winter drew near. As a ranger, she was used to the new dangers that came to the mountains as visitors came to snowmobile and even ski.

If she chose not to stay on the ranch, her life would be very different.

Mr. Brooks gave her a pointed look through his glasses. “So, you’re looking to protect the Springvale.”

“That’s right. Since my father passed, I want to make sure the property stays in my family. It’s important to me.”

“I understand completely. It’s the wishes of a lot of my clients in similar situations. First, you said there’s an insurance policy. May I read over that?”

“Of course.” She got up from the table to fetch the papers. When she did, Rainie caught sight of her and came bouncing into the kitchen.

She stopped in her tracks when she spotted Mr. Brooks at the table. Instead of being shy and clinging to Opal, her precocious daughter moved over to the stranger’s side.

“Hi! Do you like tea?”

Mr. Brooks sputtered over his answer, and Opal quickly picked up Rainie. “This gentleman is having lemonade right now. He can’t have tea with you. Why don’t you finish watching your show?”

Her daughter gave a big, toothy grin. “Okay!” She wiggled to be set down and then took off running for the living room.

They returned to their talk about placing the deed in Opal’s name.

Mr. Brooks made notes and voiced other suggestions about bank accounts, wills and more. The man was matter-of-fact andverythorough. Soon her mind began to spin.

She shook her head. “I thought this would be simple. But it’s not, is it? There are so many choices to make.”

He offered her a sympathetic look. “It can be a very confusing time, Miss Vale.”

She sliced her fingers through her hair. “We aren’t trained on this stuff. Nobody prepares you for all the legalities. And my father didn’t want me to even live on the ranch, let alone take over!”

At that moment, she heard the back door open and close. Before she could get up to see if Ledger had entered, Zach walked in. His gaze fell on Opal as if making sure she was okay, then shifted to Mr. Brooks.

Relief sputtered in her veins.

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