Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:17:00 +0100 (BST)
From: ukwriter12@yahoo.com
Subject: Moonside Manor Part 1  - Chapter 7

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places
and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events
or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied.

This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or
electronically download without my express permission.

If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then
please leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look
again as you'll not find any here.

Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com
_______________________________________________________________________

CHARACTER LIST
--------------

Jared Exley --
Uncle Leon Exley -- Guardian of 13 year old Jared
Davy - Was Jared's partner, Diane's best friend
Dirk Tobias Matthews - Jared's partner

Peter Barrington -- Steven's cousin and partner in the law firm

CJ -- Jared's grandson / adopted son
Christopher Matthews -- Jared's adopted son
Mason -- Jared's grandson -- Myles and Ed's adopted son
Myles -- Peter's 19 year old son,
Ed -- Myles' lover

Mikey -- CJ's twin

Mary Gibson -- Matriarch of the family
Steven Gibson -- Mary's husband
Paul Gibson -- Mary's son and chief of police
Jake Gibson-- Mary's youngest son and police officer
Dr. Darren Cartwright -- Jake's partner and Jared's doctor.

Judge James Haroldson -- Mary's brother
Jennie -- Mary's sister
Diane Gibson -- Mary's sister -Exley HR Director - Steven's ex-wife.
Kathy -- Diane's partner
Stacy --Diane and Steven's daughter.
Tracy -- Peter's secretary

Sheila Miranda Easby -- Jared's Aunt
William Webster -- Jared's Grandfather
John McNicolls -- Sheila's adopted son

Mavis Pratt -- Stephen's wife
Bryan Patterson -- Exley and Webster Chief Operating Officer
Natalie Walters -- Exley and Webster Finance and Controls Director'

Cody James	- Overseer and ranch operation manager
Ella-Mae James -- Cody's wife -- Davy's friend.


Carl Davidson -- Jared's security
Sean Pearson -- Jared's security
Mike Pearson -- Jared's security

There are various other ancillary characters, such as the Pratt family
that do not play a major part in the story and so are not listed above.

_______________________________________________________________________

An effort has been made to only hint at the area that it is set in so
it allows you to use your imagination... Chicago is mentioned, but
then again so is Gary Indiana so we know the area it is based in.
Other than that we simply know that it is based in a city and most
cities have the basic things in common.
_______________________________________________________________________


MOONSIDE MANOR

Chapter 7 -- The Tour...

No matter how much we tried Myles and I felt as if part of us was
missing and there was nothing that we could do about it. Peter was
gone and that was all there was to it. He'd made his decision. As my
old grandmother used to say `You make your own bed, then you have to
lie on it; no matter what.' Never realised what that was really about
till now, but Peter had made his own bed.

The RV that we purchased was an American Eagle and looked fantastic
both inside and out. We had requested the colour and it was burgundy
and gold and silver swirls along the side; with a few adjustments
before it was delivered and at the expense of a little luxury we had
increased the sleeping capacity and could now accommodate everyone,
including a travel crib for Mason.

The boys had the only bedroom which basically was just one extra long
king size bed that could easily sleep five young boys. Along both
walls leading to the boys room were the bunks, three high and the
kids thought it was great especially when Jake told them that this is
what people slept in on submarines. There was not much space, but more
than enough for sleeping and the living area could be changed to a
sleeping area as well. At the front of the vehicle was the living
area, basically seating, dining, entertainment and the necessities.

I decided not to look at the price as I saw the price of the standard
version was sure this beauty would cost well over $1,000,000 as this
had been remodelled to our design.

Grandfather's estate had a huge ranching operation which specialised
in both cattle and horses and the animals were renowned throughout
America. People came from far and near to purchase our stock and to
use our stud services as they would rather travel for quality than
make do with what could cost them a lot in the long run. Then there
was the Texas operation which was basically cattle ranches where oil
had been found. When grandfather bought them he was thinking of moving
to Texas, the oil had not been found at that time; that was an
accident and just kept on growing.

I think there are at least six ranches, but maybe more. I was thinking
about expanding this side of things as well as it would be nice to
have a dude ranch or two that city people like me and also Brits as
well could come and work on a ranch just to get the experience.

The other businesses in Food, metal and Transport are all operated
out of the headquarters in Gary Indiana. I had agreed with Bryan that
he and Natalia would be the ones to fly out to the oil ranches during
the first month to carry out a simple audit of the operation and that
I would attend if required as I could easily get a flight, but that
would be the last option.

I wanted to attend at a different time when things had settled down
so that I could spend some time there getting to know the business.
Natalie knew that I would be expecting a full report that would tell
me exactly what I needed for to know for that trip.

Anyway we were all excited about visiting the ranches and decided that
we would get the visit to Gary Indiana completed first. Then we would
concentrate on the ranching side of the business and also have a
little bit of a holiday. The only business that was not with the rest
was Webster Construction so I decided that we would visit that at a
different time. We might even have work for them with the gallery
soon.

Having completed a tour of my other businesses first as I knew that
there was no problem with them. I amazed myself at just how many there
were as we also visited my investment advisers and introduced the kids
to them as they might want to use their services eventually as I
planned to set each of them up with a substantial college find that
would need to be invested until required.

Anyway we headed to Gary Indiana, not too far away. This was to visit
Webster's head quarters. Even though this was to be a business visit I
decided to take everyone as I wanted to have the kid's perspective on
Webster's and also because Sheila ran her own successful business so
would be a good advisor to have around. She was actually considering
a joint venture with Webster and Easby retail.

When we arrived at Gary we were shocked by what we saw. There was not
just one building with several floors, but a custom built campus of
buildings under the title of `Webster'.  As you drove into the car
park you passed the massive open wrought iron gates the name `Webster'
was hanging above you. The entrance was quite an ornate structure.

As we approached the main building there above the huge welcoming
doors was that single word again, `Webster'. Remember this was a
campus of related buildings, so as you walked through the doors there
was information boards hanging on the walls. Firstly I was impressed
when I saw a picture of the family and a cloud around it introducing
all of the family members, but leaving Peter blank. It was the picture
taken at the school and the way that they had used it worked really
well with the rest of the reception.

On all of the other boards had similar information, but central to the
board was a map of the campus with one building highlighted and a
history of how it became Webster and then a family tree of that
particular business.  They called the reception the `The Family room'.
I liked grandfather's way of thinking as Exley was my family.

At the far end of the family room was the information desk that would
have been Stacy's desk in Exley. As Marcy, the receptionist introduced
herself she asked for the opportunity to take an updated photo and
voiced the fact that it was a shame Peter was not with us as they were
hoping to get his take on a couple of issues. Of course Stacy was
right on the phone to Steven.

I like this `Family Room' because as Marcy directed you to the correct
building the campus opened up to you through a glass wall behind her
desk.

Even though it was a surprise visit, Marcy the receptionist had a main
board meeting organised within thirty minutes and Steven would even be
there. The meeting was to be at 2:00pm so we had plenty of time for
the tour and a family conference to discuss what was found and how we
felt. Marcy was efficient, but both CJ and I felt that there was just
something about her.

We were treated like royalty and everyone had time to show us their
part of the operation and new ideas that they were working on. I must
admit that I felt there was something out of place and could not put
my finger on it.

This was just too good. So we requested that the kids be shown around
separately making the excuse that we would concentrate on different
things, but I knew if anything was amiss then CJ would spot it right
away. We insisted that they be given access to anywhere they wanted
and anything that was locked had to be made accessible and all
questions answered.

As they were walking around the complex it was as if we all were being
deliberately kept away from one specific block and twice CJ had been
pulled away from it. CJ being CJ though insisted that they be shown
around. Their guide tried to explain that was not possible, so he
simple pulled out his cell phone and called us all over.

As we arrived, this secretary was getting rather flustered trying to
move everyone on, with CJ standing his ground insisting on access to
the building. "Is there a problem Amanda?" Marcy asked.

"Well, they're asking for access to the Oil block. You know that we
can't at the moment."

"Why?" I demanded as Marcy looked away embarrassed over something and
then Amanda stated without realising the implications.

"The owners have stated that no one should be allowed to have access
and that they would have laid everyone off if we had not redeployed
them." Marcy rolled her eyes and just turned away in disgust. I was
beginning to dislike her.

CJ looked and smiled, "How did you know that they are the owners
please? Oh and who was it that let them in?"

"Well Marcy of course and they had evidence that Mr Jared Exley had
sent them."

"Marcy we will talk about his when Steven arrives later as you should
have informed us as soon as we arrived." Stacy stated.

Amanda was now confused, "Why who are you anyway? Just visitors that
little boy told me."

"Amanda, I'm the sole owner of Webster. Don't you ever go through the
family room?"

"Well no, not really."

"Well I am Jared Ian Exley and I demand to have access to that
building now or I'll have the police and independent auditors
crawling in here faster than you can blink your eyes and we will go
through everything like a dose of salts. Do you understand me?"

"We have been told by Mr Silas that..."

"Sod Mr Silas I've had enough of this!" and with that Stacy pulled
out her phone and dialled a number. "Diane Contingency 303, Websters
with immediate effect."

Amanda looked on and asked "What was that all about?"

I looked at both her and Marcy and stated "That my dear was telling
my people to call the FBI and Police and get them here as soon as
possible. I would have called the police, but as we're in a different
state to Exley and it will have to go through the FBI. They already
know of the Exley scandal sand will send their team here and if I am
not mistaken they will be here any minute now."

I was correct soon we had the FBI crawling all over the place and
locking down the campus so no one could leave. They bought with them
not only the police form this state but Paul as well.

Having secured the site they were pretty sure that the problem would
be on campus and that the ranches were purely operational. Just in
case though we explained to Bryan and Natalie what was happening and
they immediately flew out with security to audit the whole operation
from the Ranches in Texas.

Once everything was in place we accessed the premises. "Can I ask why
you are trying to access this building when we told you all that it
was out of bounds?" This older gentleman asked as we walked in.

"Mr Silas I presume?" An FBI agent said and flashed his identity.

"...and you would be?"

I stepped forward and paused, "Doesn't matter who he is, but this may
tell you and will confirm at the same time that I am your worst
nightmare sir. Or should I say Uncle Silas Pratt, my father's older
and far more stupid brother. I never did like you. I ought to have
known that you'd have crawled out of the woodwork and been involved
somehow."

With that he pulled a gun, but before he got chance to shot Jake shot
it out of his hands and the bullet went right through his palm. The
kids were pulled back by Stacy and Sheila to make sure that they were
safe.

"Marcy, do we have auditors on site? If so I want them here, now. If
not we will have our own here within the day. Better still, Stacy call
Natalie and ask if she has one of her team that she can send to
Webster's to lead the audit." I looked at Marcy; "I want it top to
bottom." looked around and recognised at least ten distant family
members. "Why? Why is it you all hate me so much?"

From the back of the office came an almost inaudible whisper, "We
don't Ian," it was my cousin Mark. I had not seen him for years. "We
were told that you asked us to help you take control of all of this.
To be honest we have not been able to do anything that Silas told us
to do so I was seriously wondering what was happening, but did not
know what to do. All of your accounts are locked unless you have the
security code for them and none of us can break the code. Believe me
we were told we were helping you." I looked around and several were
in tears.

"OK Mark. I used to trust you when we were young. Who can I trust now
and who is working with...Silas?"

"Ian ..."

"Ian, who the hell is Ian, this is Mr Jarred Exley-Gibson sole owner
of Exley and Webster." Marcy stated.

"Sorry Marcy my original name was Ian Pratt and Mark was my best
friend when we were young."

"I always wondered what happened to you mate, but we moved over here
and never had contact with the family until recently."

We'd catch up over the next few hours and I just knew that I now had
someone in Webster that I can trust. It ended up where we had four out
of the ten that Mark insisted were true to me. Many even remembered
what my father did and hated him for it.

Just then the FBI leader stepped forward and informed us that they
had been watching the transactions from here ever since they tried
to breakdown grandfather's security codes and alarms had been set in
motion.

"Sir I must ask you if I was to say anniversary, what is the security
code." Without thinking both Sheila and I took the agent to one side
and quoted the date grandfather married his Etta. With that all the
Pratt family were taken away, except Mark and the ones that seemed to
be honest.

"Agent from now on Sheila Exley and I will be the only ones who can
enter that code into anything, is that understood and we would like
the code changing..." With that we discussed what needed to be done
and the security code became my mother's birth date. "Please note that
we would also need it to be changed every six months and a change can
only be made by Sheila or me."

"Yes sir access already updated."

"Marcy where are the ones that used to work in this office. We want
it back up and running as normal as soon as possible. Oh and we want
a Business Continuity Plan in place, with Contingency Plans for all
scenarios." Stacy stated.

"All of the staff were allocated to other blocks Miss and overall we
have a continuity plan already, we just need to develop the
contingency Plans though."

"Very well we will work on the contingency plans, but why wasn't the
BCP activated when Silas arrived? Never mind for now, let's just get
back to normal operations please. Do you need any other staff because
of this? If so we'll contact HR director at Exley, Diane Gibson, to
initiate the search. In the future all staffing matters will be
controlled by her. Oh and be prepared a root cause analysis will have
to be completed to ascertain how everything broke down and the BCP
failed. Mr Exley-Gibson will want answers"

Marcy started to understand that she was no longer `Queen Bee' ... I
had my own team and Webster in the future, although a separate entity,
would be run together with Exley as Exley and Webster. People were
going to have to work with me in order to survive, but I still sensed
that she was hiding something and told Natalie and Bryan that I wanted
Webster closely watching.

Stacy took complete control and I turned to Mark, "Mark would you all
like to stay? There will be extra security and you won't be working in
any of the finance offices. I was thinking of marketing as you could
sell ice to an Eskimo when you were a kid. The others we'll find
places for as well if they want to stay."

They all agreed as they had nothing back in the UK or anywhere else
for that matter. We invited Mark to join us all for lunch as the board
meeting was looming and the kids were claiming to be abused as we were
starving them.

AS we discussed things that we had observed there was a general trend
beginning to show. Basically that this was run like a well oiled
machine and everyone knew exactly what their roles were, but I still
felt un-nerved by Marcy for some reason.

The board meeting went off without a hitch. The major change was that
as far as the company was concerned it would be looked on as Exley and
Webster, until we could decide if we would go inc which I did not want
at the moment. Diane was now HR director for Exley and Webster and
Mark was assistant Chief Operating Officer for both. Bryan being voted
in as the COO in Webster working with Mark, it was a good team and
proved over the years to be one of the best decisions that I ever made.

Mark insisted, in order to try to rebuild my trust in him that he be
audited on a regular basis by Natalie and not always planned audits,
but that Natalie should have the ability to run surprise audits as
required.

Steven insisted that he be appointed as the company attorney and sit
on the board, so that he knew exactly what was happening and I
extended the reach of the new Finance and Controls Director so that
each business would now have a controls department. I specifically
asked Natalie to look at Marcy to see why CJ and I had this feeling
about her.

All in all I was really pleased with how things had gone and long
after everyone had gone back to the RV Mark and me sat around the
conference table talking about when we were young in Yorkshire. We
were friends long before my family made everyone hate me. We were
friends in the old National Primary school, when we were five years
old, younger than CJ. The school was no longer there and neither were
all of the mines that we grew up around.

We could remember the times when we would go out to play. We never
had bikes or skateboards or anything like that; we had coal mines and
slag heaps, with railway lines cutting across the roads from coking
plant to coalmine. We laughed as we remembered how we went out clean
and came home covered in coal dust. We used to time our coming home
in the evening so that it was with our fathers because then we all
looked as black as soot. Mother walloped me many a time for that, I
can tell you.

Eventually Mark had to get home to his wife and new born baby boy and
I found that I was glad that we were in contact again as I had really
missed him. I thought that he had turned against me as well; I never
knew that his family had moved to America.

I was touched when he looked embarrassed and told me that they had
called their son Jared Ian after me. What touched me more was that
he asked if they could name me as the baby's guardian if anything
was to ever happen to them.

Just as Mark had to get back to his family, it felt good when I
realised that I needed to get back to mine and that I was missing
being with them all. On the way back to the RV both Jake and I were
deep within our own thoughts.

I sat in the back of the BMW as Jake drove to the RV camp site,
memories of a time when I was truly happy started going through my
mind. Mark had been a real friend and tears fell as I remembered
those boyhood days. They also fell again wondering why everyone was
trying so hard to ruin me. I could understand one person, or even
Susan and the kids. Everyone though? Also, I had trusted Peter and
he deliberately hurt me which to me was just as bad as what my own
family were doing. He was no different.

I made a vow then and there in the BMW when everything went down that
I would never let anyone hurt me like that again. Soon time was to
challenge that though and I would meet the cowboy that would steal my
heart and love me until the day he died. When that happened all I
could think was `Cowboy Take me away'.

When we got back to the RV, I went in and was awarded with hugs from
everyone and a very tasty meal. Now that we had completed this leg of
the tour the next stop was `Headland', followed by `Etta Mae', and
`Circle R" ... In total we would visit with five ranches and they were
all within commutable distance of Moonside Manor. The others on our
list were `Lazy Q' and finally `Mustang Central'. In total the ranches
were called `Headland Horse and Cattle Company'.

Bryan and Natalie had already had a positive response from everyone in
Texas at the `Crazy T', `Miss Penelope' and `Triple D' ranches. These
were the oil producing ranch fields that bred Texas Longhorn cattle.

We set out early the next day and it was mid afternoon when we pulled
into the drive leading up to `Headland'. Saying it was a drive seems
totally wrong as it was almost a mile long and was all laid out neat
and tidy and was more of an approach road.

The surface was laid and solid and the sides had curbs on them that
allowed any walkers to stand out of the way of any approaching
vehicles. The sides were well kept and planted with seasonable plants
that ensured a clear view of all the cattle and horses in the fields.
This seemed to be a close run operation and one that said `Welcome' as
you drove up to it.

As Jake and I got down from the RV we walked up to what appeared to
be the Ranch house. There above the door was a picture of me with the
heading "Jared Ian Exley-Gibson Proprietor." To say that I was
impressed would be not giving this place the credit that it deserved.

I knocked on the door and it took some time, but it was eventually
answered by an early fifty something looking cowboy. He was so busy on
the phone selling several of the new foals that that he hardly looked
at me.

What did impress me was that we were approached by a ranch hand "If'n
you want attention round here you ring the dinner triangle out back
coz'n everyone answers that. Otherwise we're mighty busy."

What I did not know at the time when that voice was heard on the RV
there was a set of eyes that were glued to the window. "Un'ca Dirk?
No it can't be... He told me he was dead." CJ moved to him and hugged
and Chris just stared sobbing saying `Un'ca Dirk you left me alone!'
over and over again.

"Sorry, but we're looking for the boss." Or eyes met and he just
looked at me. "My name is..."

"Jared... Oh my god you're him. I have been dreaming about you every
night for a week now and I don't know why. I just knew who you were
and that we would meet, one day. My names Dirk Matthews, pleased to
meet you sir."

Chris screamed from the RV and looked at CJ as he heard what was said
and said, "It is Un'ca Dirk CJ ... It is my Un'ca Dirk." Next thing
the sobbing Chris flew from CJs arms and was running from the RV
shouting "Un'ca Dirk! Un'ca Dirk! Oh my god really is ... He said you
were dead! Why would he do that? Un'ca Dirk! It is you it has to be
you, please Un'ca Dirk please" and he ran...

Dirk spun around and saw Chris running to him ... As they reached each
other Dirk scooped him up in his arms and they both buried their heads
and cried. Chris just said, "Dad told me you were dead Un'ca and never
to talk about you."

"Cody James," He held out his hand, "Manager of your ranches out here,
all five of them, but this is my base" and we shook hands. "Looks like
Dirk has finally found little Chris. Boy has that man wept since he
heard what his brother did to that boy."

"So he's the boy's uncle?"

"Yep and pretty much what happened to the boy, his brother did to him
as well when he was just new out of university. Beat him to within an
inch of his life. At the time his roommate and lover was my son so he
bought him over here and he stayed, even when my own kid moved on."

Dirk came back to me with the most beautiful smile that I had ever
seen. Put out his hand grabbed mine and said, "Sir you do not know how
much I owe you. You have given me my `Little Kis' someone that I
thought I would never see again. I never thought that it would ever
happen."

CJ tugged on his sleeveless shirt, "Little Kis?" Chris blushed.

"Yep he is my Little Kis no matter how old he is." He kissed his head
and continued, "When he was little he couldn't say Chris so called
himself Kis and to me that's what he'll always be."

"Well Dirk if you have your little Kis is there one there for me as
well?" Now, where the hell did that come from? Why the hell did I say
that?

He put Chris next to CJ and CJ shouted "They're going to do it!" At
which point Dirk turned to the kids and winked and said "Should I?"

"Yes!" they both shouted.

He took me in his arms swept me off my feet bending me backwards like
you see in the films and gave me the most beautifully passionate kiss
I had ever had. Electric shocks ran through my body. "You know that I
know you are the one for me don't you?"

I nodded, where was my vow to stay single when I needed it?

We kissed again. Cody shouted "Park the RV up and come inside there's
plenty of rooms for all of you. We've eight bedrooms; it used to be
used as a holiday home for Mr Webster when my father managed the
ranches for him.

"You're the son of Brody James?" said Sheila in awe of the man.

"Yes ma'am did you know him?"

"He was the best man at my father's wedding to Etta."

"Since I know Mr Jared's dear mother is no longer with us I assume
you must be `Little SheShe' as he called you."

Sheila was in tears. Cody stepped forward "Come on in and meet the
wife she'll be in the kitchen if'n I know her, getting yous all eats
a ready."

"You two..." Cody looked at Dirk and me... "Go on into Ella-Mae see
what she's planning and then saddle Boy Blue and Dancing Queen for a
ride and show Jared the ranch Dirk. Dare say there may even be a
saddle bag with a picnic for the two of you if'n I know Ella."

Ella-Mae was Cody's wife and the family soon were all adopted by them
both. What's more Myles took me to one side and said, "Jared I can
tell you're holding back with Dirk as if you're scared to be happy.
Of all the people that I know, you deserve to be happy more than
anyone. So if he can make you happy I say go for it. He seems like a
really nice guy."

After a short stop with everyone Ella-Mae handed Dirk a saddle bag
declaring if we did not get out to Peeke's Point soon then everything
would ruin. Dirk held out his hand and just smiled at me. I looked at
the family and they just nodded their approval. Even Mason who was in
Ella-Mae's arms being fed. So I took his hand and kissed it and then
bowed to everyone smiling. Now he blushed. Jake went to stand, but
Ella-Mae sat him back down declaring that this ranch was the safest
place on earth and to let nature take its course.

Boy Blue and Dancing Queen were magnificent creatures. Blue was so
black it appeared almost blue he was just magnificent. Dancing Queen
was a Dapple grey horse and they looked great together. Dirk was 6
foot 2 inches and good four inches taller than me. He had the body of
a god. I know they say not to explain how people look, but he is
stunning especially on Dancing Queen; she had her grey mane flowing
in the wind and he had his pure black hair flowing as well.

I don't know how long we rode, but he explained the main tour would
be tomorrow with everyone. This was for us to get to know each other.
"Dirk I'm so scared of what could be happening that I don't know what
to do. I almost feel that I ought to jump on the RV and ride off into
the sunset." He jumped off his horse and held out his hands as I slid
down to him I melted in his arms. "I'm scared and yet you feel so
right."

"Cowboy I don't know what's happening, but let's take it slow and
then we will see what happens. I'll tell you now that I will not take
Chris away from you, but I want to be around him as he grows. On top
of that I would like to get to know you. I felt something back there
Cowboy, when I saw you and then when we kissed. Please don't turn me
away."

He kissed me again. We were laying on a blanket now. I do not know
what came over me, but I had to see him without his shirt on so I
pulled it over his head. Soon we were lying on the blanket shirtless,
looking out over my land, in each other arms. "I want to make love to
you Jared. I know that I said we would go slowly, but I am falling in
love with you Cowboy."

For the first time since my Davy I felt that I was loved for me. Not
who I am or what I have or even what I can do for someone, but for me
and it made me feel whole something I had not done in a long time.

We lay on the blanket just looking out over the land wondering how
many miles we could see. "You know everything that you can see you
own. If'n I had stars in my eyes I'd say that I could fall for you
just for that, but I know what you have been through and I will not
let that enter into anything. To me you will only ever be my Jared.
Mind I may call ya cowboy occasionally. Yes sir... you sir is
definitely my cowboy."

"Don't be daft my good fellow I am English through and through. How
can I be a cowboy?"

"Don't know, but you are my cowboy and I intend on keeping you Mr
Jared. Yes siree Mr Jared I do." His grin was enough to make my heart
melt and I just felt warm and safe in his arms.

"Dirk Matthews goodness only knows why, but I want to be yours. I want
to be owned by you. I want to be your cowboy. Will you have me?" He
kissed me again and this time it was so tender that we ended making
love out in the evening air.

About an hour or so later we rode back to the house still shirtless
with huge grins on our faces. The earth had stood still like never
before as he had taken me to heights that I had never expected
possible."

We walked in to the house and Cody just looked up and said, "If'n you
want a shower there is a large one in the master bedroom. You two
smell like a whore's bedroom. Dinner will be an hour" and he laughed
as he walked in to the living area.

The shower felt good, but this time it was me that showed him how much
I loved him. Afterwards, when we had washed all over again I said,
"Dirk what are we going to do if you are here and I'm in city? Then
we'll be separated and I could not live like that."

"Shush now ..." He held me to him and I buried my head into the hair
on his chest I loved the feeling of safety that it gave me. "I have a
degree as a veterinary physician, but have never taken it to start my
own practice. Since I have been here I have been the ranches vet and
have loved it. I want to move back to city and open a practice so that
I can be with my Cowboy and Chris. I have some money saved and with a
loan that I could get..."

I sobbed hearing that. "Shush now...you have been so hurt in the past
I can feel it in you. Well no more I am going to make that heal. No
one will ever hurt you or your boys again. I promise."

We stood there for some time and then I realised what he had said,
"What do you mean you'll get a loan? Nonsense we'll set you up and
..."

"Stop that right now. I know you're rich beyond my wildest dreams,
but you have to believe me that it means nothing to me. Only you are
important. I will not be bought and I want to do this by myself."

I refused to be hurt as I could see where he was coming from and
agreed with him. This money is all new to me anyway. I thought for a
moment and then it came to me, "You're right. I'm sorry. I want us to
be a family without worries coming between us." We sat on the bed
drying ourselves as we chatted. "Ok. What about this. You're already
an employee of `Exley and Webster' anyway. They'll set you up with a
loan on favourable payments terms. Then when you're up and running
your practice can pay the loan back."

He thought for a moment, "That would work, but interest would have to
be charged."

"Ok then you deal directly with my COO Bryan or even Natalie my
auditor that way it's not me agreeing the loan. Then even though
technically it is Exley-Gibson money it wouldn't be me, but a valid
business transaction that will benefit us all."

"You know I could grow to love you. You know that?"

I kissed him as we headed for the kitchen "Oh I am banking on it Mr
Matthews!"

Ella-Mae and Sheila were just putting everything out on the table as
we entered the dining room. "Was I right son?"

"Pardon?"

"Jared, Ella-Mae listened about the dreams I have been having and how
I saw you in them. It was her that said that it was most likely the
man meant to be my partner coming to me. Yes you were Ella-Mae. He's
my Cowboy."

I just had a huge grin on my face. There were congratulations from all
of the family and Cody dryly chirped up, "Guess I'll need me a new vet
then and oh hell all the hassle of finding a new ranch hand." He
thought and said, "I can find the ranch hand no bother, but no way in
hell is I losing me my vet as well. You can damn well travel out here
when I need ya."

"I'll be opening a practice in the city so will be able more than
willingly. I love you guys like parents. You know that, you have been
more to me than mine ever got chance to be and definitely more family."

I asked everyone if they minded me just going for a walk by myself
after we had eaten. Dirk and Jake looked at me. "It's ok there is so
much that has gone on recently I just need to talk to someone."

"OH son I talks to him all the time" said Cody.

"Sorry Cody when Davy was alive we used to talk about everything and
spend hours talking. When major things happen in my life I still run
everything by him and it helps things to settle and gel in my head."
I stood at the back door and looked out for some time and then with
tears in my eyes I turned to Dirk and said, "I sorta feel like I need
to tell him that I have met someone and I hope he approves."

I walked out in to the dark and then followed the trail to the stables
where I knew my Davy would have loved as he was a big horse man, but
sold his parents ranch when we got together as he didn't have time so
manage it. Hold on ... It was around here. What was its name? Oh my
goodness it couldn't be. He always said that it would come back to me
some day.

I ran back to the house as I had to find Cody and ask him. "My my son
where's the fire?"

I stood gasping for air as I had run several fields as I had found
myself walking the fields with Boy Blue talking to him. When I needed
to get back we had run alongside each other and we both loved. As I
put him in his stall for the night he nuzzled me.

Gasping I looked at Cody and blurted out, "When did you get `Lazy Q'...
I need to know when you bought it."

"Let's see we bought it from some city bloke called..."

"Davy. His name was Davy I remember going over to the ranch with him.
Hell I tried to get him to see me so that we have some fun together he
was a real looker as well. You know he just looked at me and said
`Thanks, but that would break my Jared's heart.' Oh my God he was your
Davy yes?"

"He sold the Ranch when we needed money to expand the business and he
insisted it would all be mine one day anyway. He also said that the
farm as he called it would come home to me." I slumped to the floor
and Cody caught me.

"Come on in and sit down. If'n you are the one that he was talking
about I have something for you." He walked out to the den and came
back with a folder marked `The Lazy Q'.

As I opened the file there was a picture of Davy when he was younger
sitting on a fence by the sign for the Lazy Q. Behind it there was a
letter in an envelope and the envelope was simply addressed Jared.


I handed it to Sheila and asked her to read it for me.

She read, "My Darling Ian...

If you are reading this letter then the Lazy Q has come home and here
it will stay for I know that you will love it. What I never told you
was that I grew up on the Lazy Q" Ella-Mae gasped,

Sheila just continued, "My Ma and Pa owned it and it was a real grand
place to grow up, but I never wanted to be a cowboy. I loved the city
and what I had built up for myself. Attached to this letter is the
name of the other thing that I own that you never knew about. This is
my baby and I think you will love it just as much as I do. Cody will
have looked after it, but they are now yours. We never talked about
having kids, but know that you will make a great father..." there were
cheers all around, "and I will be watching over you just like I always
have done.

"Know that I have always loved you. Your Davy."

I looked at the list and it simply said, "Lake Condor and Holiday
Cabins".

I looked at the Cody and he said, "I also manage the holiday resort of
"Lake Condor with all of the holiday cabins and holiday trails and
B&B... Now I know it is yours as well we will have a day over there
so that you can see what Davy has left you. You will also have to get
your accountant to make sure it is all transferred official like."

I was just so shocked that I clung to the letter and wept.

Dirk picked me up and carried me to our room asking Cody and Ella-Mae
to make sure everyone had a room to sleep in.

As we were heading out to the stairs I looked at Ella-Mae and asked
"Why did you gasp when we were listening to the letter?"

"I grew up near the Lazy Q and my baby brother's best friend was Davy
who sold us the ranch for Headlands. Davy also had brothers and I know
one was called Mitch, but they had not seen each other for years I
think there had been a big falling out or something. I do know that
Davy said that he felt Lake Condor would find its way home and that it
would be yours one day." For some reason I just felt that she was
hiding something, but if she was it was something that I would never
know.

_______________________________________________________________________


That's all for now folks ... I love chapter seven but wait until chapter
eight when we see have great happiness followed by even greater sorrow
and we meet a canine superhero.

If you enjoy reading the stories on nifty consider donating to the
siteto help with costs - http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html

Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com because you keep
us going and give us the determination to keep posting. For those of
you that do contact me I will always try to reply.

A little about myself ... I'm from the UK and would you believe born
in Yorkshire. I have always loved writing and hope you enjoy...Let me
know!!