The Rancher's Reunion. Tina Radcliffe

families.”

      Will turned to face the older man. Tall and blond with silver shot through the temples, he had one obvious thing in common with his wife. Ed Reilly was accustomed to getting what he wanted.

      “Sounds like she’s negotiating a business deal,” Will observed.

      “Take some advice from a fellow who has been around the block, Will. A good partnership can lay a solid foundation for a long-term relationship. Don’t rule it out.”

      “I’ll give that some thought, sir.”

      While he said the appropriate words, Will knew he wasn’t interested in Ed’s definition of a long-term business arrangement. Fact of the matter was he believed in love. Hadn’t seen much of it, but somewhere in the back of his heart he knew that if the Huntington’s wasn’t a block in his road of life and he was in the position to consider marriage, he wouldn’t consider it for anything less than love. A forever and ever, all-encompassing love.

      “Nice party,” Will said.

      Ed chuckled, knowing he’d been sidestepped. “That it is. A fine party, indeed. Hope the good food and fellowship encourages folks to dig deep into their wallets. We’re supporting a very worthy cause tonight.”

      “I’m sure they will. Tulsa is a generous town.”

      “You’re right, Will. Tulsa is a generous town. There is always someone willing to lend a helping hand.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      “My wife tells me everything is moving along well for the youth retreat.”

      Will nodded.

      “I’ll be out of town next week, but I know you two can handle things.”

      “I appreciate your confidence in me.”

      “You’re doing a great job. Give it a year, eighteen months, and you’ll start to reap the fruit of this venture.”

      “I hope so. Don’t mind telling you I’ve spent more than a few sleepless nights.”

      “Success is not without risks. But you’re motivated, a hard worker and a Godly man. Rare combination these days. Before you know it Sullivan Ranch will be bigger than you dreamed.”

      “From your lips to God’s ears,” Will said.

      Ed chuckled.

      Both men turned as the patio doors burst open and Margaret stood silhouetted against the lights of the party inside.

      “Are you two hiding?” Margaret asked.

      “Not at all, darling,” Ed said. “Just mixing a little business with pleasure.”

      She nodded, unconvinced. “Will has a phone call. You can take it in Ed’s study.”

      Margaret led Will across the carpet and down the hall. Her heels clicked a sharp staccato pattern on the imported Mexican tile as she led the way to the study, opening the massive oak doors. “I do hope you’ll hurry,” she said, as she left him alone in the room. “The party isn’t over yet.”

      He reached for the receiver on the desk. “Sullivan here.”

      “Will, I’m so sorry to bother you.” Annie’s voice overflowed with emotion. “I tried your cell first.”

      Will fumbled in his pants pocket for his cell. He must have left it in the truck. “What’s wrong?” he asked, prepared for the worst.

      “Rose. She fell. I’m certain she broke her hip. The ambulance is taking her to St. Francis Hospital.”

      Chapter Four

      Annie fidgeted in the uncomfortable waiting-room chair. She’d watched the frantic activity in the busy E.R. for the past thirty minutes, wishing she could step in and help.

      Her stateside hospital experience had been a med-surg unit after graduation, right before she left for the medical mission position. Boring compared to what she’d observed here. The staff certainly had a formidable challenge. The traffic in and out of the automatic doors seemed heavier than the large medical clinic outside Dadaab. If anything, being on the outside looking in made her anxious to return to nursing.

      When Will came through the glass doors she grabbed her cane and stood.

      In a suit and tie he took her breath away. Her heart sped up and she had to will herself, as always, to act normal. She knew she was fooling herself if she thought she’d ever be blasé where Will was concerned.

      Apparently she wasn’t the only one. Several nurses looked up and continued staring, their admiring gazes following the tall handsome rancher as he moved with purpose through the lobby. A worried frown on his face, he inspected the room. His glance connected with Annie and in several quick strides he was at her side.

      “How’d you get here so fast?” he asked. His concerned eyes were more charcoal than blue, reflecting the dark gray suit he wore.

      “I drove the Jeep.”

      “The Jeep? That piece of junk is held together with two rubber bands and a piece of duct tape.”

      She laughed. “It did fine.”

      “How’s your leg?” He stepped back and urged her to sit. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t read me the riot act for asking.”

      “Who, me?” She slid into the chair, resting the cane across her legs.

      “Uh-huh.”

      “Sorry if I was irritable. The leg really is okay.”

      Will nodded. “What’s happening with Rose?”

      “X-ray. I got an update from one of the nurses. She thinks they’re going to admit her soon.”

      “Surgery?”

      “I imagine so, but I haven’t heard anything definite yet.”

      “She hurting?”

      “Not anymore. They gave her a nice shot.” Annie smiled slightly. “Rose was reciting her apple pie recipe in her sleep by the time they came with the gurney to take her for a CAT scan and then to X-ray. The staff was standing around taking notes.”

      “You’re kidding.”

      “A little. You need to relax, Will.”

      “I wish I could.” He shook his head. “We need to call her sister. I don’t know if Rose told you Ellen moved back to Catoosa last year.”

      “I already called. Ellen is in the billing office now, filling out paperwork.” Annie leaned over and pulled Will’s cell phone from her hobo bag and handed it to him. “I borrowed this. You left it on the kitchen table. I hope that was okay?”

      “Of course.”

      “Ellen happened to be in town and made it here about the same time I did.”

      Will’s eyebrows rose. “Good deal.” He yanked the striped tie off his neck and shoved the fabric into his suit coat pocket. “Tell me what happened again.”

      “Rose swears it was that barn cat. She’d gone outside to put scraps on the compost pile and the cat was trying to catch birds. She shooed him off, turned too fast, tripped and fell.”

      “That’s all? How could she break a hip like that?”

      “It happens. She got herself up and back in the house, but she called me because she was in pain. When I checked, one leg appeared a bit longer than the other and the hip hurt to touch. She couldn’t bear weight, so I called an ambulance.” Annie paused. “You know how she always complained about her hip when the weather changed. Maybe she has some arthritis or osteoporosis? I don’t know, but broken hips are always a risk for someone her age.”

      “Her age? How old do you suppose Rose is?”