Free The Reluctant Rancher~Badlands (Contemporary Western Romantic Suspense) by J.D. Faver Page B

him.”
    “Not anymore,” Eldon said cryptically. “I want him gone and be sure you get all the keys and information from him. Change all the security after he’s gone.”
    E.J. had never fired anyone in his life. He considered Leon Harwell a formidable man. Grim and tough, the ranch hands answered directly to him and seemed to respect him greatly. “But, Dad…I don’t think I know how to run the ranch without him.”
    Eldon scowled at him. “Hire someone else. You have that fancy MBA. Didn’t they teach you anything about hiring and firing people?”
    E.J. nodded. “I know about human resources. What I don’t know much about is running a ranch.”
    Eldon shook his head, sadly. “I’m to blame for that. I let your mother keep you in those snooty private schools, when I should have brought you out here to live on the land. It’s entirely my fault.”
    E.J. wanted to defend his mother, but bit his tongue. “Well, I didn’t turn out so bad, did I?” He silently cursed himself when he heard the tremor in his own voice.
    Eldon regarded him with a sorrowful expression. “No, son. You turned out fine. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to guide you.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Mom didn’t do such a bad job, and she always loved you.” E.J. watched a transformation come over his father. The thick glass partition kept him from reaching out to this usually unreachable man.
    Eldon dropped his face into his hands and appeared to be weeping. “I loved your mother every day of her life, even if I wasn’t there for her. She was way too good for me.” His shoulders shook as he silently grieved. “I’m just glad she didn’t live to see me like this.”
    E.J. felt powerless to help. “Dad !...Are you all right?”
    Eldon mopped at his face with the sleeve of his orange jumpsuit. “Sorry, son. I’ve made a mess of things. I just want you to be safe and have a good life. I want to know  everything I’ve worked for my whole life has given you a place in this world.” He straightened his shoulders and regained his eagle-eyed glare. “Just don’t waste it. Manage the ranch and all the holdings. Dig in. Stop lolling around.”
    “Yes sir.” E.J. knew he had let his father down by resisting an active involvement in his business, but he made a silent vow to make things right. “I won’t disappoint you.”
    Eldon nodded. “Did you get to talk to Camryn Carmichael?”
    “Ryan, Dad. She married Breckenridge Ryan.” His father cringed at that. “Yes, and she said she would come up on Wednesday afternoon.”
    Eldon let out a huge breath, seemingly relieved that she was coming. He nodded. “Good.” He pressed his lips together as though he might say too much if he spoke.
    E.J. took his leave and drove back to Langston, his brain racing with the things his father had told him; reliving the rare display of emotion; wondering how he was going to handle the firing and replacing of Leon Harwell.
    ~*~
    Sara Beth was having a good day at the store. Perhaps people had heard about the troubles at her home and wanted to help out. She sold that beautiful old lead crystal decanter she had gotten from the Brady estate along with the four little cordial glasses that went with it. Also a quilt she had taken on consignment from a lady who lived so far out in the country she just came to town once every couple of months. She would be happy to let her know that the quilt had found a good home and pay her for her efforts. But her customers paid with a credit card and a check. No cash in hand. It was probably just as well. She didn’t have anything in the cash box to make change anyway.
    It was getting close to lunchtime. Sara Beth had brought along bottles for Cami Lynn, but hadn’t felt comfortable asking her hostess for food for herself. She usually just made a sandwich or brought some soup to heat in the ancient microwave in the storeroom…but not today.
    The sheriff confiscated her emergency money, but she looked in her