Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 1

"You certainly have grown up, Charlie. Fine beautiful filly you've become, honey. You're Gramps would be so proud of you." Pops said as he envelopes me in a tight hug. I'm so not used to being touched like this. I awkwardly pat him on his back and step back giving him a tight smile. Why am I so awkward with people that knew me from a lifetime ago? "I got the truck out here, sweetheart."

Truck? Shit! I think to myself and look down at what I'm wearing. I don't know if I can get into the truck much less get out of it in this. It's completely appropriate for travel in any city in the United States, but not for farm land. I'm wearing a white silk blouse with pearl buttons, a black pencil skirt and four inch black patent leather heels. My shoes will be ruined as soon as I step out of the truck. $500 shoes down the drain. I'm taking them off before I get out. Thank goodness I packed jeans and boots. I did remember what to wear on the ranch and I don't wear this every day, it's just I had a meeting with my father this morning before I left and didn't have time to change.

We hurried out to the Ford F-350 and I stood for a moment before Pops laughed and came around to me. "Come on kiddo just like when you were little, huh? Boost it is."

How embarrassing! He turns me to face him, I'm still only tall enough that the top of my head reaches his chin. He grips under my arms and heaves me up into the cab of the truck. He nods and smiles at me remembering how many times he has done that for me as a child. Circling the hood of the truck he climbed in and off we headed for the ranch.

"Jose sent a message said Little Miss is birthing right now. Ryan has his hands full with her." Pops tells me as we travel along. Little Miss was my horse when I lived here.

"She's still..? Isn't she too old for that?" I ask I've been gone a long time granted she was a yearling when I left but still.

"It's her last one, honey. Ryan would never breed her to hurt her. He loves that mare probably more than you do. She's been his baby ever since he took over." Pops goes on. "Not to brag, but he's got a good head on his shoulders, Charlie. You should listen to him. He knows the ranch as well as your Gramps did."

"I'm sure he learned most of it from you. You were amazing as manager." I smile and take his hand and squeeze. He was always wonderful. "Can we stop by the stable first. See the foal?"

"Ha! Ha!" Pops laughs "That's my girl! Of course we can!" He grinned as he turned down the dirt road and drove over the cattle guard.

We drove straight to the stable. By the time we got there it was pouring rain and pitch dark. The lights were on inside the barn, we knew they were still inside. Pops came around and helped me out. I had pulled off my shoes and landed in a mud puddle, the wet mud mushing up between my toes. Racing through the rain we pushed open the door and shook the rain from our hair. I must look like a drowned rat because all four of the ranch hands turned around and their mouths dropped looking at me. My long blonde hair was wet and plastered to my face, and I'm sure the white blouse was all see through now and my white satin bra was in full display.

"You're catching flies boys, close those mouths." Pops told them as we walked over to the stall. I got up on my toes and peeked over, there laying in the hay was my Little Miss, hunkered down at her rear was a cowboy in a black hat helping her give birth.

"Can I help?" I ask Pops softly. It's been a long time since I've done anything like this.

"Do you remember, sweetheart? Why don't you, sit up with her and soothe her while I help Ryan. He might need a bit more muscle than you have for this one." Pops opens the gate slowly and I slip in with Pops right behind me.

Kneeling down, I stroke her nose and neck started cooing to her softly. Ryan looks up once briefly at me, then to his father, grumbling under his breath before he goes back to work with the foal. Pops joins him. It's a struggle for another hour. Ryan's hat is tossed aside, my sleeves are pushed up, my silk shirt ruined and the three of us bring in the most beautiful foal I've ever seen.