Willow Valley (Frank Adler AU) 18+

8

With the ranch just days away from opening for the summer season, Frank could have done without the stress that was his never ending list of jobs, checking to make sure everything was up and ready for the guests. He had to admit that Hassie had been getting stuck in, doing her fair share of jobs to help her parents, ensuring that the cabins and lodges were prepared, and so on. Etta had told him that her daughter would be helping out as well in the Wagon Wheel Saloon, which was the ranch's bar and restaurant. Everything was locally sourced and they'd never had any complaints.

On Saturdays there was a rodeo throughout the summer, and then on Sunday nights was the ranch BBQ night.

As the foreman, of course if anything went wrong then he was in the shit. Frank had arrived after the summer season had ended, but had been there for the when they'd opened in the winter. Mary had loved the sleigh rides through the snow - and had even learnt to ski. Even Frank had needed to learn but still didn't really like it. Still, Christmas had been better than all the others they'd shared.

Two black SUV's now drove into the ranch and stopped, a man getting out along with a few others. Frank (who was busy repairing a fence) looked over and frowned, then getting up and walking over - keeping his hammer to hand just in case. "Can I help you?" He asked as the guy who was looking around now acknowledged him.

"Yeah actually, is Hassie here?"

Frank realised where he'd seen the guy before and now had to make a decision. Piss the superstar off even more or actually not be a dick. "Who's asking?"

The guy now let out a laugh and looked at him as though he was mad. "Me?"

Scanning Keaton Slade up and down, Frank raised an eyebrow. "And I'm supposed to know who you are?" If the security guards with him weren't enough of a giveaway then he didn't know what was.

Keaton now stuck out a hand. "Keaton". He introduced himself.

Staring at the hand, Frank reluctantly shook it. "Frank, what do you want with Hassie?"

"Work related, I'm gathering she's here considering her housekeeper in LA told me she wasn't there". Keaton just waved it off and still looked around for any possible sight of his ex wife.

"Well, it might be a wasted trip. I haven't seen her this morning".

Keaton put his hands on his hips and nodded to himself. "Right. Well could you go ask around. It's important".

"Have you tried a thing called a phone? Texting?"

"Believe me, I wouldn't be here if I hadn't".

Oh Frank believed him alright.

"I'll tell her you stopped by, she's probably in town or something. We're busy getting this place ready for opening..." He slowly trailed off as he saw Hassie coming back down one of the pathways with a clipboard, most likely doing the checks of the cabins. "Well wouldn't you know, here she is now..."

Yep. She was going to murder him for sure if the look she was now giving him was anything to go by.

Turning away, she went to walk back up the path but Keaton went after her. "Hass! Hassie!"

Balls. This wasn't going to be pretty.

"What the fuck are you doing here!" He heard her yell and decided to try and occupy himself by continuing to fix the fence. "As if calling me isn't enough, you have to track me down?!" He was definitely going to be murdered by her for sure, and probably Keaton at this rate. Instead he cursed and went over to them. "I told you that we'd go through that in Nashville. Please, just go - I've got work to do". Hassie was now telling him before she threw Frank a look of daggers. "Can you at least make yourself useful and escort Keaton off the premises?"

He nodded. "Probably for the best considering she looks like she could beat you to death with that clipboard".

Keaton just chuckled. "Hass, I didn't come here to cause trouble".

"No, but you came here all the same. Look, we'll talk later, but please kindly fuck off back to wherever you're heading next. I get into Nashville a few hours before the show. It's enough time for us to go through the song then - my manager and yours have sorted it, isn't that enough for you?"

He looked at her and sighed. "Ok..."

"I've gotta get on, Frank will see you outta here".

She walked away as Keaton went to open his mouth again, but Frank now stopped him. "If I were you? I'd take the easy way out and choose living - trust me".

Keaton just looked at him and then turned, nodding to his security guards and heading back to the cars. As they pulled away, Etta came out and over to frank, watching the SUV's pull out.

"Was that Keaton?!"

"Yep". Frank replied, popping the 'p'.

"Why the hell was he here?"

Frank looked at the hammer that was still in his hands. "Funnily enough he got conveniently lost..."

Etta shook her head. "Did Hassie see him?" And then saw Frank grimace. "Damnit! Where is she?"

"No idea, she went off in a rage somewhere that way - probably gone to cabin". He replied. "I'll go talk to her, she wanted me to see Keaton on his way anyway - and considering it was my fault for kinda giving away she's here, I need to apologise".

She smiled at him kindly. "If you don't come back then I'll tell Earl to go see if she's drowned you in the creek".

"At this point she's welcome to. Might solve all the shit".

"Frank! Don't you dare say that! You've got Mary to think about".

"Just my dry humour coming out. You know that". He reassured her. "But seriously if I don't return then look in the creek".

Etta just shook her head with a small smile while Frank went to find Hassie to tell her that Keaton had finally left.