Falling For The Silver Fox Rancher

Maya stood in the aisle of a grocery store on a late evening Friday. It was two weeks after she left her cheating boyfriend, Nolan. She had gone to get some groceries for the weekend. Karen, her best friend who she was staying with for the meantime, had gone home to Austin for the weekend.

She had wanted Maya to come with her, but Maya had refused. She knew she wouldn't be any good company to her friend in her state of mind. So she refused. Maya moved along the aisles with her eyes scanning the shelves for the best deals.

She picked a can of beans, a box of pasta, and moved to the shelves stacked with different brands of tuna. Her fingers traced the grooves of the labels, searching for the cheapest option. Knowing she had to be cautious about her expenses until she could get a job.

She picked four cans of the cheapest brand and added them to her cart. She wheeled around, picking other items here and there, and then went to the checkout point.

Nolan used to be everything to her; the love of her life. He had taken her under his wings the moment they started their relationship over two years ago.

He changed her life completely. He stopped her from working as a waitress at the restaurant where they met. She had enjoyed every good thing money could buy in the last two and a half years of her life. She had Nolan to thank for that. The only problem she had with him was his cheating.

He always promised to change, but he never did. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she remembered the good times they had together. She had to take the hard decision to leave him because her life was already in danger. The rich girls he was cheating on her with would always come to threaten her. Sometimes they would beat her asking if she thought Nolan, a billionaire heir would marry her a poor orphan like her.

Maya beat down a sigh and went to pay at the checkout point. Clutching her bags of groceries close, she walked the short distance back to Karen's apartment.

It was getting dark by the time she got to Karen's apartment ten minutes later. A hand grabbed her from nowhere before she got to the front door.

She knew whose hand it was. "Leave me alone, Nolan," she shouted. "What do you want from me?"

"It's time you come back home," he growled with anger. "I have given you enough time to cool off your anger. Let's go home."

She wasn't surprised at Nolan's attitude. He was one spoiled rich kid who liked to have things his own way at all times. And being the heir to his parents, he always got whatever he wanted. "But not this time," Maya thought to herself. She'd had enough.

"No, I am not going back with you," she tried to push him away. "It's over between us. I am done with you, Nolan. Go back to your rich girlfriends. I can't do this again, you are constantly putting my life in danger."

"Bullshit!" Nolan smirked. "You know you can't survive without me. If you don't come now, I won't take you back when you come begging later."

She kept on struggling, "leave me alone, I'm not going with you. I will survive without you."

He kept dragging her. She was no match for his strength as she struggled fruitlessly with him.

"Help!" she yelled, desperately. "He's trying to hurt me!" But no one came to her rescue.

"No one is going to save you," Nolan mocked her.

Suddenly, a shadow walked towards them in long strides. "What is happening here?" The man asked.

"None of your business, buddy," Nolan spat back. "She's my girlfriend."

"No...no," Maya protested. "I am not your girlfriend anymore. It's over between us."

"Leave her alone," the stranger pushed Nolan away. "You heard the lady."

"What if I don't leave her, old man?" Nolan shouted.

"Then, 'am going to call the police. He brought out his phone from his pocket and held Nolan by the pants. "What do you say, young man...?"

Nolan looked into Maya's eyes, "this is not over. I will come back for you, Maya. Trust me." He said angrily and shuffled back to his car, muttering under his breath.

"Thank you...," Maya said with relief flooding over her features. "I don't know what would have happened if you didn't show up."

"It's fine," the man gave her a reassuring smile. "Do you live around here? Let me walk you home."

"That's my apartment," she pointed to Karen's door. "But...but..." She was still afraid she wouldn't put it past Nolan to come back in the middle of the night to drag her away.

"I don't think I can stay here tonight," she said, gripping the man's hand.

"I understand," he said. "Where do you want me to take you to...a friend's house or your family's...?"

"I don't have anyone," she burst into tears. "My friend traveled. That's the only person I know."

The man thought for a moment and asked, "would you mind coming with me? I stay in Sawyer Ranch, it's just about twenty-five minutes' drive away. You can stay there until your friend returns."

Maya looked up into his eyes with a flicker of doubt.

"You know what?" he put his hands in his jeans pocket. "Call your friend. Let her know where you are."

Maya nodded slowly and did what he asked her to do. He also spoke with Karen.

"Now, go pack a bag," he said after the phone call. "I will wait for you here."

Maya's legs, still heavy with fear, walked to the door, opened it and went inside. She dropped the shopping bags she had with her on the cabinet in the kitchen and went ahead to pack a bag for the weekend.

The stranger was still there when she walked out with her little bag.

"Here let me have that," he took the bag from her and they both walked to where he packed his car.

"My name is Hank, by the way," he said, smiling at her after he put her bag in the back seat of his car and opened the front passenger door for her. "Hank Sawyer."

Realization dawned on her. Her knight in shining armor was the owner of the nearby ranch.

Her eyes widened in astonishment, and she said his name, "Hank Sawyer." She couldn't believe that a big man had come to this shanty part of the town today of all days and he had rescued her. "Thank you so much once again. You didn't know me, but you came to rescue me from that monster." She claimed into the car.

"It's okay, and you are welcome." He flashed her a smile. "I heard your shout of distress and I couldn't just drive away. I came here to see one of my ranch hands who is sick." He closed the door.

Hank turned around and went to the driver's seat.

"So, what is your name?" He asked as he fastened his seatbelt.

It was then Maya took a close look at him. He wasn't a young man. She put his age between late forties to early fifties.

"Maya Delgado," she replied. "I am a student of the nearby Greenville College."

"That's fine, you are safe now," he said, looking at her hands that were still shaking. "Just try to relax."

She nodded as he drove away from her scene of her near abduction.

Once he started the car, Hank didn't utter any word again. His focus was entirely on the road.

Finally, they pulled up to the ranch entrance. The security men on duty called out their greetings to their boss. And Maya opened her eyes and sat upright.

One of the men opened the gate and Hank drove through. After a short drive, he stopped the car in front of a magnificent cottage.

"Wow," she thought. She had never been on a ranch and didn't know what she was expecting. But the big and beautiful edifice in front of her was a surprise.

"This is where I live," he said and killed the car engine.

She opened her door when he opened his and they both climbed out of the car. He helped her with her bag and led the way inside into his cozy living room. He placed her bag on a side table and led her to the kitchen.

"Sit," he pulled out a chair for her. "Thank you," she sat down.

"I will make you some herbal tea to calm your nerves." He moved around the kitchen, opening cabinets and drawers to bring out a mug, a teaspoon, and a pack of tea bags.

"This will make you relax and sleep well later," he raised the tea pack up and made a big cup of tea for her. He added a generous amount of honey and set the cup in front of her.

"Thank you so much Hank," she stirred the tea and tested the temperature. It was just right. "I am so grateful for your kindness. I don't know what would have happened to me if you didn't come to my rescue."

"Stop thanking me," he chuckled. "If you do that one more time, I'm going to send you back to your boyfriend." He winked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Okay, I will stop." Maya couldn't help herself, smiled too. "But you saved me, Hank," she protested, her voice, stillp a little shaky. She raised up her hands. "Okay, I'm going to drink my tea and stop thanking you."

"That's better," he said. "What would you like for dinner?"

"I don't think I want to eat anything," she said. The tea had made her completely relaxed. "I just want to sleep."

"No, you've got to eat," he protested. "You know what? I will make a sandwich for you. "What about some minced beef sandwich? I have pre cooked minced meat in the fridge."

"That will be fine," she nodded with a smile.

He made a sandwich for her and himself in no time. It was obvious he was a domesticated man, moving around with finesse in the kitchen.

"I take it you and your boyfriend had a fight," he said when he finally placed two plates of sandwiches on the table and he pushed one to her.

"Not really a fight," she glanced up into his eyes. "I caught him in bed with another woman on our bed. He's a perpetual cheater who wouldn't change."

"Huh huh," he nodded and turned around to bring a large bottle out of the refrigerator, the amber liquid shimmering in the soft light of the evening. He brought out two glass cups and filled them with the amber liquid.

He placed hers down beside her plate. "homemade ginger ale. You will like it." he winked at her and sat down to his food.

"I packed out of his apartment and I haven't seen him since until this night. He didn't even try to stop me the day I left and he never called to apologize. And now he wants me back." She heaved a heavy sigh as she finished.

"It's okay," he bit into his sandwich. "You know what you want. Just follow your heart."

Maya cautiously lifted the glass to her lips. A delicate scent of ginger, sweet and spicy, tickled her nose. She took a sip, the fizz dancing on her tongue. The ginger's warmth spread through her, a comforting hug from the inside out.

"This is good," a smile bloomed on her face. "It's delicious, Hank. Did you make it?"

"No," he sipped from his drink, too. "My housekeeper made it."

"I like it." She took another long sip. "Everybody does, Patricia is good with things like that."

They both fell into silence for a moment as they ate their sandwich. Before he looked into her eyes and said, "I presume the two of you were living together, right?"

"Yes," she bit into her sandwich. "We met over two years ago when I first got into town to start college. He immediately asked me to leave the apartment I was sharing with some girls from work and move in with him. I'm on a scholarship, and he's been taking care of my other needs."

He looked straight into her eyes, and said, "I'm sure this can't be an easy decision for you."

"Not at all," she shook her head. "But I will get through this," she affirmed and gave a wry smile. "I only need a job now," she shrugged. "To feed myself and to get an apartment or pay for a dorm room on campus. I am twenty-two. I need to start earning my keep by myself."

"What about your parents?" He asked, his brows furrowing.

"They are both late," she said.

"Oh, I am so sorry," he reached out and squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, everything is going to be alright."

They lapsed into silence, they each concentrated on their food. Until he spoke again.

"What are you studying in school?" He asked her with his gaze fixed on her.

"Accounting and Business Management." "Wow, that's a nice course," he said. "Would you mind workin..."

The phone in the corner of the kitchen shrilled, cutting him short.

"Yeah, Calvin," Hank snapped into the phone the moment Calvin, his lawyer, picked the call on Monday, not bothering to acknowledge Calvin's greetings. "Do you have any news for me already?" His tone was clipped, and impatient as always.

"I'm afra...," Calvin said cautiously, his voice trailing off. "The..."

"Get to the point, Calvin," he growled, his voice a low rumble that echoed the state of his grumpiness this morning.

"Hank," Calvin cleared his throat. "I'm afraid...I am still on it, not yet through with the land deal."

"What the hell do I pay you for, Calvin?" Hank Sawyer shouted back at Calvin as he paced around his office. He needed to buy the land bordering his vast ranch to expand his operations yet again.

"Why did I hire you? You can't close a deal for a piece of land?" He demanded, walking to the window. His brows furrowed as he listened to Calvin's response.

"Those are excuses!" He bellowed. "You know I hate excuses. I want results by the end of the week." He started walking back to his desk. "If not, you will get fired, I'll get a better lawyer."

He ended the call as he rounded his desk and tossed the phone down against his massive desk, his face a mask of displeasure. He had been counting on this deal. It's already delaying his plans for the purchase of some machines he hoped to bring on the ranch for meat processing.

"Damn it!" He growled, running a hand through his thick, salt and pepper hair in frustration. "Those Savage bastards!"

He knew he couldn't afford to let this deal fail. Hank had to convince those landowners to make them see the value in his offer. He just had to find a way to win them over.

"And there is that title brat, Carol," he muttered under his breath. As he sank in his chair; the leather cracked under his weight.

Calvin had been at it with the family who owned the land for over one year, which was unusual. He had a feeling that Carol Savage was trying to sabotage the deal. Now, it seemed, his plans were in jeopardy. Carol Savage, the daughter of the owner of the land had set her designs on him for a very. Ever since his wife died. The woman was too lousy for his liking, he would never have anything to do with her.

He knew Calvin was a damn good lawyer, but he knew what Carol could do. He just had to pour out his frustrations on Calvin.

Forty-eight years old Hank had built his ranch from the ground up by sheer hard work. He started out as a ranch hand in one of Texas's old ranches and grew through the ranks, even when he was attending college. He established his own ranch a few years after college. Now, he was the richest rancher on this side of town.

He powered up his laptop and started typing a letter to his financial advisor. The phone on his table rang as he finished sending the mail. He snatched the receiver up, wondering why his secretary didn't pick up.

"Hank," the voice of his mother floated into his ear.

"Mama," he whispered and leaned back in his seat. He knew it was going to be a long call.

"Good morning to you too," Mrs. Sawyer said, sounding unhappy. "Why didn't you go for dinner last night?"

Hank's eyes narrowed. "Mom, I never said I would go."

His seventy-nine years old mother and his younger sister were always in the habit of trying to pair him up every now and then with those they thought were suitable to be his wife, and it was getting on his nerves already. Both of them thought a woman and kids would change his life. But he didn't think so, at least not anymore.

"Why are you doing this, Hank?" His mom asked, her sadness was palpable over the phone. "You need a wife...you need to have your own kids. I want to see my grandchildren before I go to meet your father."

"Mom," he said exasperatedly, knowing he had to stop her now. If not, she would go on and on. "I'm in the middle of something. Let me call you back."

"Make su..."

Hank cut off the line. He was done with love and marriage. "Marriage, children, my foot," he muttered under his breath and rose from his seat. "I am done, I don't want that bullshit anymore!"

He walked to the other side of the room and reached for a bottle of whiskey from his liquor cabinet. Hank poured himself a generous measure, the amber liquid swirling in the glass. He took a long swallow, the burn a welcome distraction from the gnawing frustrations of the day.

Hank got married at twenty-four to the love of his life, Mandy. They were married for seven years before she and their then four years old daughter were knocked over by a drunk driver on their way home from the grocery store. Both of them, along with the drunk driver, died before they got to the hospital.

Hank's life took a new turn the day his most precious gifts died. The light of his life waned, he became a man of few smiles, his good moods became rare. He was always grumpy, always finding fault, a stormy cloud perpetually hovering above his head.

He remarried five years ago after his mother's persistence but his new wife claimed she didn't feel loved. Truth be told, he never opened his heart to her. He only married Ashlyn to make his mom happy. She divorced him a year after the wedding and the only thing he felt was relief. He just wanted to be left alone.

*********

When he returned to the cottage later in the evening after the close of work, he was expecting to be greeted by the usual quiet solitude of his house, but to his dismay, Patricia, the housekeeper, who was also a distant relative was in there. The familiar smell of cleaning supplies and the soft hum of the vacuum cleaner greeted him.

Hank never liked being around during cleaning. He hated the smells and sounds of house cleaning. "Patricia," his face scrunched up in irritation, and he asked, "Why are you just cleaning up by this time?"

Patricia, who was always gentle and caring, replied, "Didn't I tell you I had an impromptu dentist appointment this afternoon? I told you Mary Ann couldn't get a space for me except at two o'clock."

"You would have left it until tomorrow." Hank grumbled under his breath and stomped into the kitchen to get some water to drink. To his dismay, he found that Patricia had rearranged everything inside the refrigerator when he opened it. His favorite yogurt carton was tucked away in the back, and the milk was on the top shelf, at the back, making it difficult for him to reach.

"Patricia! What is wrong with you? You know I hate when you reorganize things!" he shouted, his patience wearing thin.

Patricia, who was used to Hank's outbursts, shouted back, "Stop whining, Hank! I'm just trying to do my job here. Now, let me finish up, and I'll be on my way."

"You don't talk back to me!" Hank snapped back. "I am your boss."