ENTANGLED 15

cassie didnt ask where zanes mother and sister lived. she knew it was on a small ranch accros the valley on the other side of town. when they drove into town zane pulled into the parking lot of the bank. cassie waitted in the truck while he went in. when he came out he had a hand full of cash. they then drove down town to a western wear store. he and cassie went in and with cassie helping he bought a few things for his mother and sister. then it was back on the road headed out of town. cassie was haveing a ball. she was for once feeling like someone actually liked her compaany.and with each passing hour zane seemed more comfortable being with her. the road they were on made a sharp turn at the base of the mountains that bordered the town. but a dirt road continued straight ahead up into the mountain. zane herded the truck up onto the dirt road and they roared ahead. five miles up into the canyon a ranch entrence appeared on their left. zane spun the wheel and turned into the drive way, bouncing over the cattle guard. up ahead cassie could make out a white house and a set of corrals. when they drove up in front of the house she saw it had a clean yard and floweres planted around the yard fence line. zane sat there a moment then looked at cassie. "it isnt much but its what dad left us." cassie turned to him" it looks like plenty to me, it looks like your mom must work herself hard keeping it up." "emily home schools, so she helps a lot. come on, lets go see whats for lunch." zane opened the door only to be met by a blue murel colored dog wagging its tail" this is jack, he s in charge of security" zane was rubbing jacks ears . when cassie got out of the truck jack walked around her sniffing. then settled down and followed them to the door of the house. just as zane got there with his arms full of packages the door flew open.a tall thin girl with brown hair stood there, " this is emily, my sister.em, this is cassie" zane introduced the two girls. emily smilled a brilliant smile and started takeing packages from zane " moms out horse back checking the cows. she should be in any time. come in? the house was spotless tho not furnished very well. emily placed the packages on a table went in the kitchen. " ill start lunch" caaie followed her and asked " can i help?"zane could see these two girls were going to get along well. he hoped it went this well with his mother when she got in.

ENTANGLED 14

the day afer they worked the last of the cattle travis was loading his horses in his trailer. zane stood by as he did. when the last horse was loaded and the end gate shut leo came out the door and walked up to travis and handed him a check. " you had a rough start lad but you made a hand before it was over. i appreciate your help. next time your through this part of the country stop in and see us." travis looked at the check then said" i ought to be paying this to you for the education you gave me ime sorry for the problems i caused. but if you will have me ill be back." leo turned to zane and handed him a check" i bet your mom will be glad to see you come home" " yeah she might be reunnin short on grub i appreciate al you have done for me. i need to get home and check our cows. our outfit is just a hundred cows but its in a rough part of the country."zane shook leos hand. from off the porch cassie came steppin. she was washed and beaming she walked up to travis" you drive careful going to those rodeos" she shook his hand. travis smiled and ducked his head " i will, good by" he waved to mollie standing on the porch and got in his truck and drove off down the drive way to the hiway. zane had turned and started to his truck. he waved to mollie who smiled at him and waved. when he reached his truck and opened the door cassie stepped up behind him and pushed the truck door shut. "your not leaving here with out us haveing a talk cowboy."she said. zane turned slowley," what do you mean?" cassie threw her arms around zanes neck and pressed her body to his and kissed him long and deep. "thats for starters. do you understand what ime saying? or do i need to explain it again?" she was right up in his face. zane stood there in shock" well i might have not got the full meaning of your statement" he grined. cassie repeated her statement but maybe a bit longer." i want to make sure you find your way back here. if i ride along with you today will you bring me back tonite?" "if i leave my horses and trailer ill have to huh?" zane stepped to the trailer jack and started unhooking the rig. cassie took his horses to a corral and turned them loose. " if i have to ill lein those horses for the feed they ate. and put in for a abandoned title on the trailer that ought to keep you around ."cassie was grinning as she slid into the cab of his truck. " mom and sis first, then we will see where you fall into things. our little out fit done even suppot us unless i work out side the ranch. just so you know." zane turned the key to his truck and fired the engine. as they drove past the house leo stood there with his mouth ajar. mollie stepped up " you never know huh?" " i only know one thing, and she is right here" leo slipped his arm around mollies waist.