Jane's Long March Home by Susan Lute

close on his heels.
    “Yes, Sir.”
    She followed them out, stopping at the edge of the porch, enjoying the view of the Doc’s long strides eating up the distance to a heavy duty truck parked by the corral. Gus was already there talking to a lady.
    “Take care of yourself, Gunny. And, make sure my nephew doesn’t turn into a hermit out there.”
    Russell motioned for Bobby and Abby to stay back.
    “I don’t think there’s much chance of that, Sir.”
    “Good. Keep me apprised of your progress.” The line to her old life disconnected.
    She idly wondered what the Colonel was up to, but didn’t have time to figure it out. She was more curious what was going on between the woman and Russell as they squared off.
    After returning the phone to the kitchen, she joined the kids. “What’s happening?”
    Abby grabbed her hand. “That’s Mr. Russell’s neighbor.”
    The woman was dressed in well worn jeans and a practical western shirt, sleeves rolled up her to elbows, boots worn and dusty. A straw hat covered most of her short hair.
    It didn’t look like it was the state of the union they were discussing.
    The gal’s chin hitched to a stubborn angle. The anger in her voice carried. “I’m not here to sell you horses. I wanted to try one more time to persuade you to sell me your ranch.”
    So, this was Russell’s lady . The one he was in negotiations with to sell him horses.
    “Now Maxine-” Gus placed a placating hand on the woman’s shoulder.
    The bits of hair poking out from beneath her hat were salt and pepper gray. The crow’s feet at the corners of her shrewd eyes cut deep, her skin tan and weathered like she’d spent a lot of time out in the elements. Maxine Connor was older than the contained energy her wiry frame hinted at. She visibly melted at Gus’ touch.
    A sprig of envy shot through Jane. Russell’s neighbor was in love. With Gus. At an age, when it seemed as though that illusive emotion should have stopped screwing around with the old girl’s heart.
    “Gus honey, you know this is ranch country, not a playground for bored city folk.”
    “Ms. Connor, I’m not selling.” Russell ground out, his determination to stay put bringing up a longing Jane shouldn’t be having.
    “You’ll change your mind,” Maxine said, then spun around to head for her vehicle.
    His thick, white brows slamming together, Gus followed after her. “Maxine, now wait a darn minute.”
    The older woman climbed into her truck, waved jauntily at Gus, then drove off. Her tires kicked up gravel on the way out.
    “That went well,” Russell muttered, placing a hand on Bobby’s shoulder when he joined him.
    For the first time in her career, Jane found herself disagreeing with a superior officer. Hermit or not, Russell belonged on this ranch. With these kids. Bobby and Abby looking up at him like he was their hero suited him.
    Deep down in her heart sprang a secret wish that she belonged here, too. That somehow she’d managed to find her own hero.
    She went absolutely still. Okay, that was way off base. Maybe she wasn't doing as well as she thought.  
    *
    The next morning, Chase crossed his fingers that his long time friend Beth Greeley would see things his way. How many times in the course of their Human Psychology studies in college had they debated the merits of the current social services structure, agreeing that more community involvement could only make the system better?
    After graduation, with her optimism and drive to make lasting changes, Beth had gone to work in the Department of Human Services, working her way to the top rung. Now his study buddy headed up the Crook County Child Welfare Department. She was the only one who could help Bobby and Abby.
    After spending a restless night, between dreams of taking up where he and Jane had left off at the lake, and worrying about what to do with Bobby and Abby, he woke up early to see if he could talk Beth into letting him keep the kids at the ranch. At least until a