Manny’s Mission (Broken Wheel Ranch #7)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Ann looked over at Manny and sighed silently. He was in the passenger side of the vehicle, sound asleep. She had taken over driving a couple of hours ago, and it made her happy that he had finally decided to get some sleep.

“I’m awake,” he said, but didn’t open his eyes or turn to look at her.

“Okay,” she chuckled, and continued to drive. Five hours later, she slowed down to pull into a gas station, and after she parked, she gently reached out and laid her hand on his bicep. “Manny.”

“Yeah?”

“I stopped for gas. Would you like anything?”

“I’ll get it.” His eyes popped open, and he stretched as much as he could in the front of the cab of the truck. He got out and stretched again, and Ann smiled as she heard a lot of creaking and popping from his body. After he scrubbed his face with both his hands, he looked around, then at her. “Where are we exactly?”

“Just outside of Yellowstone. We should get to Carter’s office in about two hours. I’m basing that on traffic and weather conditions.”

“Okay, do you want anything?”

“I’ll take a coffee.”

“Black?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’ll get the gas, I’ll pay for that first before I get coffee.”

“Got it.” She watched him walk away and admired not only his strong back, but also his tight backside. She watched him and when he gave her the thumbs up from inside the store, she took that as the signal that she could pump gas. She had just put the pump back where it belonged when Manny rejoined her and handed her a steaming cup of coffee. She took it, but before she could climb into the cab, Manny asked if she wanted him to take over driving. After a couple of seconds, she nodded and went around to the passenger side. She didn’t see that he pulled a plastic bag from his back waistband of his jeans and put it in the toolbox in the bed of the truck. Ten minutes later they were driving down the road to their destination.

“Ready?” Ann asked Manny four hours later as they exited the truck and headed toward the offices of Brotherhood Protectors, Yellowstone. They had stopped a few miles back to eat breakfast and were now ready to see if Ann could be released from her duties of protecting Cole Mercury until everything could be handled at The Double A Ranch.

“Yes.” Manny held out his hand and they entwined their fingers as they approached the front door. Instead of knocking, Ann knocked twice, twisted the knob, and walked in. She smiled when Carter Manning turned from the coffee pot with a scowl on his face.

“Ann? Is everything okay?”

“We think so,” Ann said as she took the chair offered her, and after they settled down with fresh cups of coffee, Ann explained why they were there and what had transpired. Carter sat there in stunned silence for several minutes after both Ann and Manny had told him everything.

“Damn, so everyone is safe?”

“Yes, and the FBI took possession of The Double A until after the trials. All the animals, equipment, and vehicles for the ranch are over in Colorado.”

“What about Cole Mercury?”

“He too is in Colorado getting the horses settled at New Double. As far as everyone is concerned, the case is closed. At least until the proper people do what they have to for the upcoming trials.” She paused to look at him intently. “Benson Alcott, Percy Biggins, and Wyonna Coulter are all in FBI custody.”

“How did Wyonna get involved with kidnapping Clark and Naomi?”

“Her lawyer downplayed her involvement with the charges against Benson and Biggins and the judge let her out on bail. Apparently, with what Clark and Naomi reported, and her going off on Naomi after being arrested the second time, it seems like she might have been the ringleader all this time, if not with Biggins, then she definitely controlled Benson Allcott. At least that’s my take on things. Coulter revealed some things that have to be substantiated yet, but we all think it’s going to be bogus.”

“May I ask what they are?”

“She says that her mother is a woman by the name of Missy Brennen and that is also Naomi’s mother. Naomi admitted that she would have to look at her birth certificate to see who her mother was. It’s a long story. Anyway, Coulter is saying that because she’s Missy’s daughter, The Double A is her birthright.”

“But didn’t the Alcotts start the ranch?”

“They did, and Naomi informed her of such. Naomi also said that even if they had the same mother, it didn’t mean anything if Benson wasn’t Wyonna’s father. I was under the impression that Wyonna had no clue what that meant.” Ann looked at Manny with raised brows as she passed her hand over the top of her head, like something flew over it as she referred to Wyonna’s reaction to Naomi’s speech.

“Yes, that was my take also. When Naomi asked for a DNA sample Wyonna refused saying she didn’t need it, but when she tried to attack Naomi, Ann here used some shooting stars to stop her. We were able to get her blood on them, and Manchester took it and will be getting DNA from it. Before he left, he made sure to do a cheek swab for Naomi. I know this doesn’t mean shit, but in my own personal opinion, I think Wyonna had been fed lies by someone and she believed that because she’s this Brennen’s daughter, she’s entitled to The Double A.”

“That’s the word here, entitled ,” Ann said. They sipped their coffee, then Ann looked directly at Carter. “I’m here to update you on what happened, then to ask you a question.”

“Thank you for the update, what’s the question?”

“Is my obligation to Brotherhood Protectors satisfied, and if it is, may I leave to go to Colorado?”

“Yes, and you may. Do you have anything over in Montana that you need to get?”

“No, when Hank sent me to The Double A, I had all my possessions with me. If you need me for anything, I will be at Erin’s Way in Fool’s Gold, Colorado.”

“Okay, then I wish you luck in your life. I would like to ask this though, Sanchez, how are you doing? Last time I saw you, you were in rough shape.”

“I’m good. I still get tired at times, but my body is healing nicely.” Manny shook his head and smirked at him. “No open wounds.”

“That’s a good thing.” Carter stood and held his hand out to them. They stood and shook his hand, and it shocked Ann when he hugged her. As they went to leave, he asked one more question.

“Have you heard from Gould yet?”

“Only once, he said he had found Patrick Clemmons and was on his way home to Colorado with him. I’m hoping he’ll already be there by the time Ann and I return.”

“Okay, one more question. Is there enough work for you at Erin’s Way?” Carter stared at them in shock while both of them threw their heads back and laughed. “What’s the joke?”

“I don’t know everything in depth, but it’s my understanding that the original ranch is Erin’s Way, where they have stud stallions. Since becoming the sole owner, Erin started an on-line stud service where ranchers from all over the world can purchase sperm from her stallions, legally, and with veterinary help. Then she started The Broken Wheel where she rescued horses and where people like me and Manny can work with those horses. They have yet to bring in clients on a full-time basis.”

“Wow, that’s a lot.”

“That’s not all,” Manny laughed at his expression. “There is now what we are calling the New Double, which is all of Naomi’s horses from down in Wyoming. Those are racehorses, along with some horses they breed for rodeo stock, then there will be a section where parents and family members of the clients can stay while their loved ones are being rehabilitated on the horses. Along with those, there will also be office buildings where there will be physical therapists that will work with the clients, as well as have their own patients. I forget what all else is going on there, but that last section still needs to be built, so yes, there is plenty of work to be done.”

“Don’t forget the cabins.” Ann laughed at Manny’s look. “It’s complicated, you’ll have to come over one of these days.”

“I was there once when I told Naomi about the bounty on her head, but it was dark and I didn’t go to what you call Broken, I only made it as far as Erin’s Way.”

“Well, I’ll tell Erin to invite you when everything is done.”

“Great, I’ll look forward to it.” Carter shook their hands again, and told them that if they needed anything at all to not hesitate to give him a call. “I know you have Jake Cogburn just down the road, but remember, I’m here as well, and we all work for the same person.”

“Got it,” they said, and took their leave then. Outside in the cab of the truck they looked at each other, and it was Manny who looked at her with a raised brow. “What now?”

“Now, if you agree, I’d like to head for home, which in my book is Erin’s Way. We can drive until we get hungry, pull off to eat, then either drive more, or find a hotel for the night. I know we shouldn’t push ourselves with driving straight through.”

“I agree, and you’re okay with me driving?”

“I am, but only on the condition that you tell me if you get tired, and for God’s sake, pull over to the side of the road if you find yourself stiffening up. I know you’re healing, Manny, but don’t push it. If it takes us three days to get there, it takes us three days. I know you slept most of the time I was driving, because you didn’t say anything. But I was texting Erin last night with our plans. She’s fine with us taking the time we need to make it back there safely.”

“Got it,” Manny said as he started the truck, put it in gear, then backed out, and started down the road.

Several hours later, Manny looked over at Ann, and instead of saying anything to startle her, he reached out and took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just thinking on what my life in Colorado will be like.”

“Let’s hope that it will be a new beginning for both of us. I don’t know what Erin will have you do, besides working at New Double, but I’m hoping I can help Ryan and Clark with overseeing the buildings that need to be erected. Maybe I can be on the cabin project, leave Ryan on New Double, and Clark back to what he had been doing.”

“I’m hoping I can work at New Double like I had been at The Double A. I really liked the horses, and Cole taught me a lot about them. The only thing I see that might have to be built there is maybe a test track.”

“What’s that?”

“A horse racetrack. You do realize that the Alcott ranch bred and raised racehorses, right?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? Wait, I thought they raised rodeo stock.”

“It means that the horses will have to be exercised on a track. They’ll have to have practice, and be tested before they can enter a race or even be sold. The track at the previous ranch was on the other side of the barn, way out of the way of any daily ranch traffic.”

“Got it,” Manny said, and thought about what was to come. When he started seeing signs for food, and gas, he used their combined hands and pointed to them. “Want to stop?”

“Sure, I’m getting a little hungry. Maybe we can fill up, get a meal, then get a room.”

“I was thinking the same.” They left their hands entwined until Manny took the exit. The first thing they did was fill up the truck with gas, then find a restaurant. It surprised them about the choices they had. They settled on a sit-down restaurant instead of a national fast-food chain. After using the facilities, they were quickly seated by the hostess. They both remained silent as they looked at the menu, then grinned when they ended up ordering the exact same thing.

The couple had a leisurely dinner, and afterward, they walked around the small park across the parking lot. When they were ready, they hopped into the truck and drove a few miles down the road to a hotel. Together they grabbed their go bags and went inside to get a room. Twenty minutes later they walked into the room on the fourth floor, and after making sure it was safe, they looked at each other with a grin.

“Dibs on the shower,” Ann laughed as she went to her bag for some clean clothes.

“Unless I decide to join you,” Manny said with a wolfish grin.

“Do you have condoms?”