No Easy Way Out

Chapter 22

Once back at the ranch, Beth gave John the printed copy of the email she had received as well as told him what Doug had told her.

"I agree with Doug on one thing," said John.

"About Hendricks-Smith always being one step ahead of us?" asked Beth. John nodded.

"He won't stop, Beth," said John. "That scares me if I'm being honest."

"I know, Daddy," said Beth. "It scares me too."

"You know very well how determined I am to keep this place going so that the next generation can have it," said John. Beth nodded.

"I know," said Beth sadly. "I just wish Carter was a part of this."

"I know, honey," said John sympathetically. "You & Rip were going to adopt him when his snotty ass aunt & uncle came into the picture & took him to Wyoming."

"Rip & I tried so hard to have him stay here, but the aunt warned us that if we fought them any further in court, they would break us financially," said Beth.

"Well, I did fire the judge who ruled in their favor," said John. "His bias was the reason why."

Beth just nodded as she held back the tears. She just missed Carter so much.

From the moment she had found him, Beth felt a connection with the young boy. He reminded her so much of Rip, who eventually overcame his own personal reservations, when he first came to the ranch. She knew that Carter deserved better than a drug addicted father who would eventually pass away & a life as a ward of the state.

Now Beth was feeling very emotional because she missed Carter, whom she & Rip loved dearly & had come to see as their son.

Those thoughts were then suddenly interrupted by Rip coming into John's office.

"Look who came by," he said smiling as he moved out of the way.

Standing there in the doorway was none other than Carter.

Beth felt herself choke up as she saw him standing there in jeans, a t-shirt, & a cowboy hat. She went to him & embraced him with tears going down her face.

"Hi, Mom," said Carter with a smile. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, buddy," said Beth as she looked at him.

"We all did, Carter," said John with a smile as he hugged him next.

They then all gathered in the huge living room.

"So why are you here? Life not treating you good in Jackson Hole?" asked Beth as she took a sip of water.

"You could say that, Mom," said Carter as he reached for the backpack Rip had given him one time for Christmas.

"What's in there, Carter," asked John.

"The reason why Adam & Beatrice wouldn't allow me to stay in contact with all of you," said Carter referring to his aunt & uncle, Adam & Beatrice Harding.

Carter unzipped the backpack & pulled out multiple letters & cards that were stamped but had never been mailed. He gave Beth one of them.

Everyone in the room was stunned.

"You never sent these, son?" asked Rip. Carter nodded.

"Adam & Beatrice wouldn't let me, Dad," said Carter. "They told me that I would get my ass kicked if I did. They are such control freaks."

"They've been treating you like shit, haven't they, Carter?" asked a concerned John.

"Yeah they have," said Carter. "Besides refusing to let me mail off these letters & cards, everyone there at that estate are so fucking loyal to them. I would get in trouble if I was seen doing anything that they didn't like. In fact, one time Beatrice slapped me for trying to help saddle the horses. Her & Adam would make fun of me all the time & call me a stupid ranch hand."

Beth felt the tears roll down her face while Rip could feel the rage going through him.

"How were you able to get here?" asked Beth who was wiping her eyes with a tissue.

"Adam & Beatrice fired this one guy named Drake, & he decided to help me escape," said Carter. "He sneaked me out of the house, & we left. We got as far as Billings. Thankfully Colby & Teeter were in town at a gas station filling up before heading back here. They saw me & had me ride with them here."

Rip found himself smiling, grateful to two people who were not only trusted ranch hands but also good friends of him & Beth for bringing Carter back to them.

"I'm just so happy that you're back, son," said Rip with a smile.

"I am too, Dad. All I could think about was you & Mom & meeting Sophia," said Carter with a smile of his own.

"Do you want to meet her?" Asked Beth. Carter nodded excitedly.

John went to grab Sophia, who was just waking up from her nap. He came back to the living room with his granddaughter.

"Hi, baby girl," said Beth happily as she took her daughter in her arms. Sophia smiled & said,"Mama."

"Do you want to meet someone?" Asked Beth. Sophia gave her a big smile.

Carter got up from the large leather couch & walked over to Sophia, who smiled at him & said "Hi."

"Hi, Sophia," he said as he stared at the beautiful little girl.

"This is your brother Carter, Sophia," said Beth.

Sophia started to squirm in her mother's arms. Rip noticed & chuckled.

"I think she wants Carter to hold her, darlin'," said Rip.

"Can I, Mom? I promise to be careful," said Carter.

"Absolutely you can," said Beth as she gently handed Sophia over to Carter.

Sophia giggled as Carter took her in his arms. He began humming a little tune he had Rip hum many times before.

"I think she likes me," said Carter smiling.

"I think so too," said Beth who was simply in awe over seeing the little boy she had brought to the ranch bond with her daughter.

As everything beautiful unfolded at the ranch with Carter back, trouble was brewing in the distance,