The Runaways

Chapter One

The Runaways

By

Tessa short

Rocking R Series

Trail of Deceptions (Sam and Jake)

Haunted by the Past (Alyssa and Dusty)

Her One Desire (Blythe and Nate)

An Unexpected Marriage (Edwina and Steve)

Chapter One

Providence, Texas

"When did you grow the mustache?" Luke Wilson asked John Calhoun bank president and mayor of Providence, Texas when he went to the bank. It had been a while since Luke had been to town busy on Nate's ranch and purchasing his own.

"About a month ago," John responded. "What do you think?"

Luke looked at John and his pencil thin mustache for a little while. "I wouldn't have thought it but it suits you John."

"I thought so too. When are you moving to that new ranch of yours?" John asked.

"I am moving today as a matter of fact I want to get settled before Sam and Jake's big Fourth of July shindig at their ranch next month. Nate has promoted one of his men, Grady Hopkins, to take my place as foreman so nothing is holding me back now. I have a lot of work to do since the place has been left abandoned for several years after the owner died and before the heir decided to put the ranch up for sale."

"I hope you don't move your bank account to Scottsville," John told him. He would hate to see that large of an account leave his bank. Maybe it was time to branch out and see about purchasing the bank there he thought.

"I won't move it all but I will need to open one there soon to purchase what I need in Scottsville since it won't always be convenient to come to Providence for supplies," Luke replied. The ranch was about a thirty minute ride to Scottsville a pretty piece of nearly twenty thousand acres had fallen into his lap thanks to Sam. He was surprised she didn't purchase it to add to her already huge ranch since it did bordered her property. "I have Martha and Henry filling up a wagon as we speak to take to the ranch with most of what I'll need for now. I have already placed an advertisement in the newspaper there for a few hands along with a cook that should be in tomorrows Scottsville newspaper, Sam said she would sell me some cows, a bull and horses to get started with. I also hired Josh Ryder as my foreman, he's one of Sam's men and she gave her approval."

"Sounds as if you have seen to just about everything," John replied smiling at his friend. It was amazing how things had changed once Jim Harrison and his men moved here after Jake marrying Sam and Jim Sam's mother Julie. A woman he had courted and lost out to Jim Harrison.

"I hope so. I'll miss Providence but this was too good to pass up once Sam let me know about it."

"I saw Steve and Edwina in town the other day and that boy of theirs is really growing already a hand full now that he's walking," John said thinking how much he wished he could find a bride and have a family of his own.

"Yes Rand sure is," Luke replied. "Well I better see if the wagon's loaded I'd like to make it to the ranch before dark and I have to meet up with Josh at the Rocking R. It's a good thing Sam and Jake are friends of mine and allow me to cross their ranch land to get to mine."

* * *

Rocking R Ranch

As Luke drove the wagon up to the Rocking R ranch house he saw that Josh was waiting on the long front porch with his horse tied to the hitching post with a bundle on the porch near him of Luke guessed his belongings. The man had a large grin on his face once he saw the wagon coming.