Making Changes

Making Changes

By

Bridgitte Lesley

Version 1

Published by

Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

Making Changes

Copyright © 2013 Bridgitte Lesley

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

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Making Changes

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CHAPTER 1

Gary sat at the dinner table and quietly ate his meal. He was the only son in the family that was quiet. He never spoke for the sake of talking. He spoke when he was spoken to. He was very serious. The ranch was his life. He looked at his family. He had three brothers who were all younger than himself. He was the oldest. He looked at his mother and father. I don’t want to discuss this. The ranch is now in my name. I have bought it from Dad. I will be making many changes. Not because I disagree with what Dad was doing and how he was running it. But because I want to.

Butch nodded and looked at the boys. I wanted to keep it in the family. Gary offered to buy me out. It means that we still have a roof over our heads and the ranch is still in the family. They all nodded. Gary knows the land better than I do. I know he can make a profit. I am set in my ways. I don’t like to instigate changes because it makes me feel uncomfortable. But if Gary wants to make changes then I will adapt. Lynne smiled and nodded. We were lucky Gary could come up with the money. Otherwise we would have had to sell to a stranger.

Andrew nodded. Gary. Okay. This is a weird question. Uhm. Gary smiled. Andrew nothing changes. This is the family home and that is how we keep it. This has always been your home. That is not going to change. As a family we carry on as normal. The only difference is that the costs are now covered by me. Not Dad. What if you get married Gary? Me? Gary pointed to himself and grinned. He shook his head. Andrew I think you three have a far better chance than me. Andrew smiled. But what if? What if? Gary looked up to the ceiling and smiled. Then I would bring her home and she would live here too. But I don’t think that is going to happen. Do you? Andrew smiled and shrugged.

Gary smiled. This is our home. We carry on as if there is no change. The only difference is that Mom and Dad can now relax a little. Butch and Lynne both smiled and nodded. And us? Gary smiled. No you won’t be sitting back and relaxing. Gary chuckled. But that was a nice try. They all grinned and nodded.

Gary got up from the table. Thanks for supper Mom. See everyone in the morning. They all nodded as Gary got up and walked towards the front door. He walked out of the house and walked down the gravel road. He looked around and smiled. He had grown up on the ranch. He walked down to the water tower and hopped up on to the wall of the reservoir. He took out his pack of cigarettes and lit a cigarette. He allowed himself one cigarette every evening after supper. He turned and looked at the reservoir. The comment that Andrew had made about him meeting someone made him smile. Gary had never really had anything to do with women. He was always on the ranch. He didn’t go down to the pub much either. He didn’t have a lot of friends and he didn’t go out. His life was the ranch. He was always on the ranch and he never got to meet anyone. He had never been with a woman. Not held a woman’s hand or even kissed one. The chances of him meeting a woman were very slim.

He finished his cigarette and started walking back to the house. Gary looked up at the stars and smiled. It was a pretty sight. He stopped and looked up. His thoughts had veered off in a different direction. It would be so nice to be with someone admiring the stars. He shook his head. Andrew’s comment had triggered little thoughts which had never entered his head. He walked inside and walked down the passage. Gary heard the phone ring. He knew someone would answer it.

Lynne answered the phone. Mrs. Lincoln. Could I have a word with Gary please? Bart let me call him for you. Thanks I will wait. Lynne walked down the passage. I have Bart on the phone for you Gary. Coming. Gary walked down the passage and sat down and lifted the phone. Hey man! How in heaven’s name are you! Bart roared with laughter. I am well. What is news your side? Things are looking up. Bart I am going to give you my cell number. You have a cell phone? Gary chuckled. Got it a while back. Need it when I am out on the ranch. Right. Have you got a pen? I do. The family all sitting there and listening to every word you say? Yes Sir. He chuckled as he wrote. He repeated the number. Give you a call in ten minutes. Then it doesn’t look too obvious. Excellent. And you keep well too. He smiled as he put the phone down. Gary walked to his bedroom and shut the door. He lay on the bed for a while.

He smiled as Bart phoned him on the cell phone. Save my number. I am calling from my cell phone. Will do. I guess there is a reason for your call. I have a huge favor to ask. I have been trying to get accommodation for my sister. Sort of on the quiet. And have you come right? That is the problem and the reason for my call. I haven’t asked anyone outright. Just delved a little. And it seems no one has any space. So explain the situation and let me see if I can help.

Gary my little sister needs a place for three months. She needs somewhere where no one knows her. She is an agent. Hell. That isn’t the problem. So what is the problem? She is blind. Only temporarily. But she is. She was struck on the head and she has lost her sight. It isn’t permanent. There is no damage to her eyes but the doctors seem to think the shock has something to do with it. Hell Bart! Look. Here is the deal. All I need is accommodation for her. She wants to be in a little cottage on her own. She can look after herself. She cooks in a microwave. She has that under wraps. Looking after herself. But she needs to be hidden. For her own safety. Far away from her normal surroundings where everyone knows her. I can offer you the cottage. And I will take it. I will drop her off. Dad and I. She has her own set of rules. Just leave me alone. Gary chuckled. And we will. Yes of course Bart. So we have to keep this quiet. Yes. I don’t really want anyone to know where she is. No problem. When? Tomorrow evening? Sure. Gives me time to get the cottage cleaned. What time? Six? Works for me. See you then. See you.

Gary saved Bart’s number and walked through to the lounge. Guys. Everyone looked at him. I have agreed to let the cottage to someone for the next three months. There is a catch here. I do not want anyone to know that someone is staying there. They all nodded and looked at Gary. I am very serious here. The person that is going to be moving in needs to get lost from the world. Can I have your word? They all nodded. Why Gary? I don’t know all the details John. But I agreed. I will get the cottage sorted out and cleaned. Tomorrow. Lynne smiled and nodded. Who is this person Gary? Family of Bart’s. She nodded and smiled. I didn’t realize you know his family. Gary nodded. I don’t. He smiled as he walked down the passage. He had his shower and went to bed.

Gary spent the day sorting the cottage out. He made sure everything was clean and tidy. He checked the fridge. He made sure everything was working. The bed had been made with fresh bedding and the cottage smelled nice and fresh. He had made a space for her microwave. The counters had all been cleared and everything was in the drawers. Out of the way. The coffee table in the lounge had been moved from the middle of the floor to the side.

It was six in the evening. Gary walked down to the cottage and opened the door. He heard two vans pull up to the cottage. He walked outside. Gary! Good to see you. This is my father Duke. Duke Bentley. Duke shook his hand. Thank you for helping my daughter out. No problem Sir. Bart got out of his van. He walked over to Gary. He bear hugged Gary. Thanks. I hope we are not putting you out. Not at all. He looked at the van as the door opened. He saw the sneakers and the skin tight jeans and slowly looked all the way up as she slowly climbed out of the van. She wore a biggish T-shirt that hung loosely. He smiled as he looked at her. She had a baseball cap on and a pair of aviator sunglasses. No one would have thought there was anything wrong with her.

Bart walked over to her and slipped her hand in to the crook of his arm. She smiled a wide smile. Gary I would like you to meet my little sister. Beverley. Please call me Bev. My friends do. Thank you for going out of your way Gary. I hope I am not putting anyone out. Gosh no. She followed his voice and knew he was standing right in front of her. She put out her hand ever so slow. He put her hand in his and as he touched her he felt the little sensations darting up his arm. He shook her hand. Nice to meet you Ma’am. She smiled and slowly withdrew her hand from his. He looked at her mouth. Oh he knew she had felt the same little sensations. Well come on through. Have a look around.