Willow Valley (Frank Adler AU) 18+

25

The months rolled by, and soon the ranch closed briefly in preparation for winter season. Hassie had been dividing her time between her new home and the Willow Valley Ranch, in between that she was writing, selling her LA house and had been spending as much time with Frank and Mary as possible.

She'd left them both back at her ranch where they were painting the porch, and had gone to grab the tool box that Frank had stupidly forgot earlier that morning. Of course Earl and Etta had been more than happy to know that the pair were official - and it now had become normal to see the couple out in town or around the ranch.

Frank felt like for once his life was getting back on track since Diane had died. Mary was happy, she could ride, line dance, was learning how to rope, her schoolwork was the best it had ever been. She loved the environment, and she loved being with Frank and Hassie  - the latter especially. Aside from Etta and Roberta, she needed a mother figure to look to, someone younger, and Hassie had proved to be that someone. Already the jokes were starting as to when they would get married, but the pair had shot them down. They'd already agreed that they simply enjoyed being with one another and didn't need the official commitment. Especially after everything with Keaton.

"There it is". Hassie said to herself, finding the toolbox and taking it out to her truck.

"Excuse me". A voice sounded as she now looked up and saw a well dressed woman walking towards her. "I wonder if you could help me, I understand that there is a man called Frank Adler living here?"

Hassie's protective instincts kicked in and she narrowed her eyes. "Frank? Geez I didn't think I'd be hearing his name again".

The woman blinked. "So...he's not?"

"Hell no, I ain't seen him since last summer - came here with a kid, stayed a couple of months - enough time to get into my panties - then they just took off.  No explanation, no goodbye, nothing!

The woman looked her up and down in distaste. "I see? So they were here?" She produced a picture from her bag and showed her. It was indeed of Frank and Mary.

"Yep, ain't anymore". At this point Hassie was almost convincing herself and getting pissed off for real. "I'm guessing you're his mother". It was now her turn to look at the woman with distaste. "He told me about you, not much though, but enough to see why he'd probably take off with no explanation".

"Did he say about where he was going?"

Hassie sighed. "No. But he said the only place left was probably overseas considering you were chasing him from state to state".

Evelyn's lips tightened. "He wouldn't take her out of the US".

"Any desperate man would if it meant getting away from a toxic mother".

"You don't know the story".

"I do. You still keep fighting for a kid who was happy, who probably still is. She don't need no complicated books, or to be locked away studying. She needed freedom, to be a kid. She had that while she was here".

Evelyn scowled. "She is wasting good talent!"

Still Hassie kept up the facade. "She's how old? Seven? Probably eight by now - do you really think she wants to end up like her Mama?" Evelyn's face dropped at this. "That's right. I said what I said. She's a child, a little girl who will always remember her best years of being a kid. And if you leave her be, then perhaps one day she may come find you, hell she may even come back and find me".

Evelyn was gagged, that was for sure. "She..."

"Needs to be left alone. Both her and Frank. If you love that little girl enough then you'll accept she's with the better option, and she'll respect you for letting her enjoy her best years before she decides to commit to whatever job she may ever have".

Evelyn now eyed Hassie, but it was with a look of admiration. "You must have really adored her, to think that after so little time spent with her". 

She nodded. "I did. I still do".

"Frank may have made the right decision for Mary, but you? I hope for both your sakes he knows what's good for him. He needs someone like you".

"He won't come back. He's a stubborn ass".

"Then that's his loss".

Turning away, Evelyn walked to her car and got in, pulling out of the ranch.

It was over, and now Hassie needed to go and give Frank and Mary the news.

They no longer had to run...