Bentridge Magic Chapter 2

Reid pulled his truck to a smooth stop in front of his new home. He climbed out, and walked around to look at the house. He really liked the old ranch house but that hadn’t been the deciding factor in his buying this property in Wyoming. It had been a combination of the land, rich and fertile for cattle and the crops he wanted to grow, and the people he’d met in the nearest town thirty miles south. They had been warm and friendly, almost eager to have him become a part of their community. Bent Ridge was a small town even as small towns went, but to Reid, who had spent a great amount of time in big cities, it drew him like a magnet.

He sighed now as he looked at the house. It was too bad it had to go. His first thought had been to completely renovate it, but after the estimates and reports on the work that would have to be done, it was better in the long run to tear it down and start fresh. This old house would need new electrical wiring, all new plumbing, and an entire new roof to say nothing of the work needed on the inside.

“Hey, boss man, glad to see you made it.”

Reid turned to see his ranch foreman striding towards him. He’d met Cody Brown several times over the past two weeks and had yet to see the older man without a smile on his face. Reid’s own smile was automatic as he held out his hand. “Made it here with time to spare. And you don’t know how happy I am that I won’t have to be leaving for quite a while.”

“Well I’m sure glad that you’re gonna’ be here when they tear down that house. Flo is still going on about missing the old home.” Florence was Cody’s wife who worked as cook for the men. Reid had tasted her cooking and understood why the same hands had been working here for so long. If she ever left, they would probably follow her.

“The construction crew should be here sometime late tomorrow morning. By this time next week they’ll be working on the new house. Hope that doesn’t upset Flo too much,” Reid said arching a brow at Cody.

“Nah, she just has a sentimental streak about a yard wide. Once she sees the new place, she’ll love it even more than this old dump. It should have been retired ten years ago,” Cody said and then grimaced. This was his new boss he was talking to.

Reid laughed. “Well, as long as I’m not going to get into a range war about replacing the old house, that’s what matters.” He started walking towards the front door. He’d been through the house several times now and just wanted one more last look. The former owners hadn’t lived there for almost three years now and while Flo had dusted and swept each week, it still had a musty unoccupied smell.

The rose print wallpaper in the front hall had faded as well as the hardwood floors. The small living room off to the right had only one piece of furniture and the dining room to the left was vacant. Straight-ahead was the kitchen which he knew had been striped bare and off the back of that was a bedroom. Three more empty bedrooms and the bathroom were upstairs.

Cody had followed Reid into the house. “The only furniture left in the house is that desk in the living room,” he told Reid. “I’ll get it moved over to our house first thing in the morning. Appreciate your giving it to Flo. She always liked that desk.”

“It’s a nice old piece and needs someone who will take care of it. Glad to know it’s going to a good home.”

“We fixed up the second bunk house for you so you can put your things in there when you’re ready. Flo said to tell you that you can take your meals with us or she’ll make up a tray and bring it to you.”

“Cody, I don’t expect Flo to cook for me. Is there a stove in the bunk house?” Reid asked.

“Well, sure there’s an old stove. But you know how to cook?” he asked looking surprised that someone like Reid would even consider such an idea.

“I can cook. Nothing fancy, but I’ll survive. Not that I wouldn’t appreciate one of Flo’s meals from time to time,” Reid said remembering her apple pie. And her pot roast was the best he’d ever eaten. “Okay, maybe more than one meal,” he amended.

Cody chuckled. “Didn’t think you’d turn down her cookin’. After you get settled in, Tom Stoner would like you to call him. Said it wasn’t important, just wanted to be sure you arrived safely. Now, I got some chores to attend to before supper. We eat at six on the spot, so be there or Flo will come looking for you,” Cody said as he turned to leave.

“What’s for supper?”

“Smells like roast chicken and her special biscuits.”

“I’ll be early,” Reid laughed as he followed Cody outside. He’d get settled get a shower and call Tom before supper.

A week later, Reid was comfortably settled into the bunkhouse. It wasn’t elegant but it felt more like home than anyplace he’d lived in a very long time. He’d shipped his personal items from his apartment in Los Angeles and the few he had at the ranch in Montana. They’d arrived yesterday and were being stored in the tractor barn.

The day after he’d arrived, he’d met Tom Stoner in town for lunch. Reid had met Tom on his first trip to Bent Ridge and liked him on sight. Since then he’d met his wife and family. Tom and his wife Fran had three boys and a little girl. She was a little angel and it was plain she had her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Reid didn’t envy Tom when Brie reached her teenage years. She was going to have the young guys flocking to her door.

Reid had also met two of the other Stoner brothers, Sam and Nathan. There was another brother, Wade, and a sister that he hadn’t seen yet. But he and Tom had run into Tom’s parents yesterday in town. T. J. Stoner was a big man, still lean and rugged and Reid knew that he had to be in his sixties but sure didn’t look it. And Amanda Stoner was a gracious attractive woman. When she’d learned that he was new to the area, she insisted that he come to dinner on Sunday with the rest of the family.

It turned out that T.J. and Amanda were his closest neighbors. Now as he pulled up in front of their house, he whistled. That was some house! It was a sprawling two-story log house that he guessed must have about fifteen rooms. It was similar to the one he had planned. This gave him a chance to see what his new house would look like and how it would compliment the countryside.

Reid rang the bell and less than a minute later Amanda answered the door. “Come in Reid. I’m so glad you could come for supper.”

“Thank you for having me.”

“Supper won’t be for another twenty minutes. The men are out in the back with the kids. It’s baseball season and they’re practicing with the boys.”

As they turned to go towards the back of the house, a small old woman came around the corner. Reid didn’t think she could be even five feet tall. The top of her head only reached the middle of his chest. Her hair was snow white and she appeared so fragile that her bones might snap at the lightest tap.

She craned her neck up to look at him. “Who are you?” she demanded in a surprisingly strong voice.

“Aunt Frieda, this is Reid McAllister. Reid this is my aunt, Frieda Hartman,” Amanda said smiling at the older woman.

Before Reid could acknowledge the introduction, a bony hand reached up to grab the bottom of his tie. One quick jerk and he was face to face with this tiny woman. “Come down here, youngster, where I can get a good look at you. You’re built just like the rest of the male redwoods around here. Person can get a stiff neck trying to talk to you.” Her tone was gruff but Reid noted the twinkle in her gray eyes.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said trying to keep a grin at bay. He bent over a little more to accommodate her. He was a bit disconcerted as she stared deeply into his eyes. It was as if she were reading his soul.

“You the one who bought the old Putnam place?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. It’s about time someone took that property and made something of it. You’re not married,” she said. “I can see it in your eyes.”

“No, I’ve never married,” Reid said not sure where this conversation was going.

Aunt Frieda smiled. “Interesting. I think you’ll do just fine.” And with that parting shot, she turned to retrace her steps back down the hallway.

Reid straightened. Do fine for what? he wondered.

“She quite a character, isn’t she?” Amanda asked smiling fondly as her aunt walked away.

“I bet she was really something in her younger days,” Reid laughed. He liked her. She was direct and said what she thought.

Amanda laughed. “Oh, she was that and more. She’s never married but has had a long list of suitors. She says that the only man she ever considered giving up her freedom for died in a plane accident. Aunt Frieda was a nurse for fifty years and loved every moment of it. She’s ninety-two now and just as feisty as she was when I was a child. Please forgive her directness. At her age she feels she’s earned the right to say and do pretty much what she pleases.”

“She’s a formidable little thing,” Reid said grinning. “And there’s nothing to forgive. I like her. I have a feeling you’ll always know where you stand with her.”

“This is true,” Amanda agreed as she led him through the house into the kitchen where the aroma of something cooking set his stomach rumbling. A woman of uncertain age with gray hair stood at the stove. “Ida, this is Reid McAllister. This is Ida Mayer, our housekeeper and the best cook in the state of Wyoming,” Amanda said beaming fondly at the other woman.

“Hope you brought your appetite, young man,” Ida said her blue eyes dancing with pride.

“Something sure smells wonderful. I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” Reid told her truthfully. He’d eaten his own cooking the last two days and was in dire need of a reprieve.

Amanda opened the door that led out to a wood deck. “Thomas! Reid is here,” she called out.

“Hey Reid! Come on over here,” Tom said waving. “How about helping out here. You throw the ball while I work with Kyle on his batting stance.”

“You got it,” Reid said. He’d always loved sports and did pretty well in high school and college. But he didn’t seem to have much time the last few years to watch any games let alone go to one. Baseball and football were his favorites but he was good at basketball too. “Do you play on a team Kyle?” he asked the nine-year-old.

“Yes, sir. We’re the Bobcats,” he said grinning. Our uniforms are green and white and they’re great!”

“I bet they are,” Reid said smiling. “What position do you play?”

“Short stop or catcher. I really like catching.”

“But what we need to concentrate on now is batting,” his father laughed. “Once we straighten out his hitting, he’ll be slamming them over the fence. Now they tend to go straight up in the air, don’t they?” Tom said ruffling the boy’s hair.

“But next Saturday I’m going to hit a home run. That’s why I have to practice.”

“Okay, champ,” Reid said. “Show me your stance.”

They spent the next twenty minutes hitting balls. Tom worked with Kyle while Reid threw to him. Wade Stoner arrived with his family and joined in the practice session. By the time Amanda called them in for supper, Reid could see an improvement in the boy’s swing already. Kyle was a determined little boy and it showed.

Supper was a warm but noisy time. And Reid loved it. It was apparent that these people cared deeply about each other. The kids were well mannered and obviously knew they were loved, especially by their grandparents. Reid had never had a brother or sister and felt a twinge of regret at having missed out on something. For that matter, he’d never really had a father. Not like the type of father that Tom and Wade seemed to be to their kids. His father, Franklin McAllister, had been too wrapped up in his work to have any time for his son, or his wife.

Reid mentally shook himself to get out of that rut as little Brie placed her hand on his arm.

Mr. McAllister, are you married?” she asked seriously, her big brown eyes earnest.

“No, Brie, I’m not,” Reid said behind a smile. She was adorable. He had no doubt that Tom and Fran were going to have their hands full when she grew up. Brie was a charmer and the boys would be calling in droves.

“Good! Then can you marry me? You’re nice,” she said adoration shinning in her eyes.

Reid grinned. “Well, sugar, I’m kind of old and by the time you’re old enough to get married, you might just want someone younger.”

Brie cocked her head to one side to study him. She placed a forefinger against her cheek in concentration. “Yes, you’re pretty old. What’s a hunk? Mommy and Aunt Kate said you’re one of them.”

“Brie, I think that’s enough,” her mother, Fran, said hoping that her face didn’t match the red shirt she was wearing. Why was it that kids couldn’t hear you when you told them to clean up their rooms or to take a bath, but they sure could hear private conversations and repeat them word for word. Her daughter wasn’t called ‘little big ears’ for nothing.

“But what does it mean?” Brie pursued stubbornly.

“It means that he’s handsome,” Tom stated then hid a smile behind his hand.

“Oh! I guess you are one then. Hey, Aunt Gabby’s kind of old too. And she’s not married either. You could marry her, then you’d be my uncle. I’d like that!” Brie didn’t usually warm up to strangers quickly but she’d taken an immediate shine to Reid. It was obvious that he cared for children and they recognized this.

“I don’t think your Aunt Gabby would like you arranging a marriage for her, princess,” Tom told his daughter.

“Why not? She doesn’t have a boyfriend. And if she married Mr. McAllister, she’d have to stay home with us.” She turned to face Reid. “Oh, she’s so pretty and really really nice. Come on, I’ll show you her picture.” They were done with supper and just sitting around the table so Brie had no qualms about slipping out of her chair.

“She sounds fascinating,” Reid acknowledged with a grin.

Brie took this as agreement as she clasped one of his large hands with both of hers.

“Oh, she’s terrific,” young Kyle chimed in. “She helped us build our tree house and takes us down to the river fishing when she’s home. She even baits her own hook!”

This was said with such awe that Reid had to laugh. “This paragon of virtue I’ve got to see,” he said letting himself be pulled out of the chair.

Brie led him down the hall to the formal living room. Reid hadn’t seen this room before. On the wall to the left hung a large arrangement of eight by ten pictures. He recognized T. J. and Amanda, Tom and Fran and Wade and Kate. The others must be Sam and his wife and Nathan.
Then his eyes lit on one to the far right and he froze. By God, it was her! He hadn’t been able to find her at the hotel before he’d checked out and thought he’d never see her again. But she kept creeping into his thoughts at the oddest moments, much to his aggravation. Now, here was her family! Now he could find out all about the woman who had made such an impression on him to the extent that he hadn’t been able to get even remotely interested in any other woman. And several had shown an obvious interest in the short time he’d been in Bent Ridge.

“That’s her there,” Brie said pointing to the picture that had captivated Reid. “Isn’t she pretty?”

Reid could only stare. It was the picture of a beautiful young woman wearing a sea green sequined evening gown that clung lovingly to her soft curves. The dress had short sleeves and a high mandarin collar, but to Reid, it was the sexiest gown he’d ever seen. Her strawberry blond hair was piled high in an elaborate style with soft curls dangling by her ears.

Kyle came to stand by Reid’s side. “Aunt Gabby doesn’t usually dress up like that. Grandma made her do it when they had their pictures taken last Christmas.”

Reid shifted his attention to the picture above Gabby’s. It was Amanda. He didn’t know her exact age but knew that she had to be close to sixty. She was a strikingly beautiful woman with a complexion that showed very little age. Her hair was medium brown streaked with gray. Her gray-green eyes were as bright and as warm as her smile. It was apparent that Gabby took after her mother in looks and stature.

Reid glanced down at Kyle. “What does Aunt Gabby usually wear?” he asked intrigued to learn all he could.

“Oh, you know…jeans and shirts,” Kyle said as if it were something everyone should be aware of. “You can’t ride or climb trees in a dress.”

“She climbs trees?” Reid asked openly smiling now.
“Course she does. And she can whistle real good too,” Kyle said with pride.

Apparently Aunt Gabby was a treasure trove of talents. Reid smiled. He couldn’t wait to finally meet this woman who climbs trees and knows how to fish. As Reid stood studying the picture, Tom came to stand by his side handing him a cup of coffee.

“All the kids think the sun rises and sets with their Aunt Gabby,” Tom said taking a sip of his own coffee. “Whenever she’s home, they all want to spend every minute over here.”

“She doesn’t live here then?” Reid asked hoping to learn more.

“Yes and no. She has a room here but she travels a lot so she’s gone more than in residence. She’s a writer and photographer so we never know where or what she’s up to a lot of the time. Mom and dad worry about her traveling like that all alone. But the shrimp is so stubborn that no one can talk any sense into her.” Secretly Tom wished that she’d fine someone and settle down and get married. But then he didn’t know if that would keep her in one place or not.

Reid smiled as Tom described his sister as a shrimp. He remembered how small she was standing in front of him and acknowledged that the name suited her. He didn’t know if he should own up to Tom that he’d met Gabby very briefly in Los Angeles. He didn’t know when she was due home but he didn’t want her aware of his presence until he was face to face with her. But he couldn’t lie and pretend he didn’t know her.

The kids went up to the loft to play computer games. Tom, Wade and Reid went out to the deck to finish their coffee. After they were seated, Reid cleared his throat. “I have a confession to make. I didn’t know it until Brie took me to see the pictures but I met your sister in Los Angeles.”

The two brothers exchanged looks. “You met her but you didn’t know her name?” Wade asked frowning.

“We weren’t exactly introduced,” Reid admitted reluctantly. He went on to give a brief description of their encounter then waited for their reactions.

Wade hooted with laughter followed by Tom’s chuckle. “That’s our Gabby,” Wade managed to say. “She might be a shrimp but she’s feisty as hell.”

“I can’t wait to see her face when she finally meets you,” Tom said laughing. “You actually fell into the pool?”

“Fully clothed,” Reid said smiling. He could laugh about it now, especially with the object of his thoughts eventually coming home. “When do you expect her home again?”

“Sometime the end of next month, I think. She’s usually home for the summer. She spends a lot of time with the kids and some time up at her cabin,” Wade told him. “I think we should keep this information just between the three of us. It isn’t often we can get one up on her and this is too good a chance to pass up.”

“You’re right,” Tom agreed. “But we’ve got to be there when she finally meets him. I owe her for the time she set me up as a dance instructor at the PTA spring festival.”

“She sounds fascinating!” Reid said smiling as he sat back to enjoy his coffee.

Before Tom could agree, Fran came out handing him a cordless phone. “Tom, Susan Barnes is on the phone for you.”

“Hi, Sue. What’s up?”

Tom’s expression changed to one of concern. “Is he okay?”

The others looked at each other noting that obviously something was wrong. After a few minutes, Tom turned off the phone.

“Something wrong?” Wade asked worriedly.

“Dan Barnes broke his leg this afternoon. Sue says he’ll be laid up for at least two months,” Tom said shaking his head. “He’s in the clinic but should be home tomorrow afternoon if all goes well.

“Doesn’t he run the barber shop in town?” Reid asked.

“Yes, that’s him. Luckily he has old Harry still working for him. At least he’ll be able to keep the shop open,” Wade said. “We can go by to see him in the morning and see if there’s anything we can do to help.”

“Good idea,” Tom agreed. “We have another issue to address. The Bobcats will need a new coach. Those kids have worked hard and we can’t disappoint them half way through the season.”

Wade rubbed his chin with the palm of his hand. Then he looked at Reid and smiled. “You did real good earlier working with the boys. How’d you like to coach a baseball team?”

“Me?” Reid asked in surprise.

“Sure, why not? Like Wade said, you did great this afternoon. The kids really liked you and you seemed to enjoy it,” Tom said.

“Well, I guess I never thought about anything like that,” Reid said somewhat taken aback. He really had enjoyed working with the boys. And he loved baseball. He’d never spent that much time around kids before but found himself drawn to these kids more and more as time went by.

“Look, the boys already know you. And Kyle and the others are a great group of kids,” Wade said seeing Reid’s hesitation.

Reid ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, why not! Will someone be able to introduce me to the other members of the team and their parents?”

“Consider it done,” Tom said grinning. “Wade and I’ll be glad to help get you settled in. “I’ll give Sue a call and tell her. She said that Dan was more upset about disappointing the boys than he was about his own pain.”

Wade slapped Reid on the back. “Welcome to Bent Ridge little league, Coach McAllister.”

Reid grinned and it felt good!