Page 48 of Chance

“What?” she asked, uninterested in anything except them and their magical world.

“I just got a text from Ms. Connie. She said if you are feeling okay, she wanted to meet you at Hamilton Ranch. I told her I’d ask you first.”

This news had her perking up. “At my grandparents’ ranch? Is she feeling okay?”

They’d spoken to her at the hospital, and the older lady had already been checking out, saying that nothing could keep her down and the great spirits had protected her.

Chance nodded. “She said she’s right as rain. Do you want to go? Or should I have her come here?”

“Let’s go.”

It wasn’t hard to climb into the old truck with Chance. He was careful with her, and she was healing. She no longer wore the bandage over her eye, which was nice, because she could see better.

They drove up to her grandparents’ old ranch. It had “Hamilton” written at the top of the entrance, and the gates were open. Aside from the missing animals, everything looked the same. The large yard was even in order.

They walked to the front steps, and she could almost envision her grandma and grandpa still there. Her emotions got the best of her. “I miss them, Chance. I miss them so much. I should never have left.”

Chance took her hand and squeezed it.

Ms. Connie opened the door and welcomed them in. “You’re looking so much better,” she said as she hugged Kelly.

The moment was surreal, like nothing had changed. Kelly almost wondered if Grandma and Grandpa would come out at any moment. Even when she had come for the funeral, the place hadn’t looked so nice. “Where are the owners?”

Ms. Connie gestured to the table. “Let’s drink some herbal tea. I made a concoction just for you, the kind your grandma used to make.”

Kelly sat and stared at the familiar cup. She tasted the orange zest concoction that her grandma used to make anytime she was sick. “I don’t understand.”

Reaching down, Ms. Connie heaved a large metal box onto the table.

Kelly recognized that box. “That’s Grandma’s.”

Ms. Connie nodded. “Kelly, you remember how I used to come out on Sundays?”

Kelly nodded and took another sip of tea. “Of course.”

Ms. Connie opened the box and pulled out what looked like a deed for the ranch. “It was decided long ago that if you didn’t want the ranch, I would buy it. For you.”

Kelly nearly dropped her tea. “What?” She reached for the piece of paper.

Ms. Connie pointed to the document. “I did, in fact, sell some of it, but I sold it to—”

“Me,” Chance said, sounding amazed.

Ms. Connie laughed.

“I thought it was the new owners I was buying it from.”

She just smiled. “I know.”

None of this made sense. Kelly’s hand started to shake. “So you bought it for me and put it in my name? But you sold some of it to Chance?”

Ms. Connie nodded. “In fact, I had an agreement with your grandparents that I would make sure you got the land and the house if you came back. When you came back. They knew you would, and that I would make sure you got it.” She grinned at them. “But when I heard Chance wanted some of the land, well, let’s just say I hoped my gut was right about you two.”

Tears formed in Kelly’s eyes. “I can’t believe it.”

“Wait, you knew we would be together?” Chance asked.

Kelly’s heart raced. “Grandma knew?”