"I'm Lachlan Blaecleah. Ma wanted me to come and make sure you have everything you need."
"Oh, uh, yeah. I'm good. The cabin was very well stocked. Thank you."
The man's smile grew. "You should have seen it when Da first built it. It wasn't anything more than four walls and a floor."
"Did you live here?"
Lachlan nodded. "I was about six months old when Da convinced Ma to run away to America with him. My brother Rourke was born in this cabin. We added onto it over the years as the others came along, but we mostly just use it if we want a little time away from the hustle and bustle of ranch life."
"Hector mentioned something about a ranch." Honestly, he hadn't been paying that much attention.
"We raise Black Angus cattle, but ours are from the line out of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, so they are a bit different than American Black Angus."
Wilson lifted an eyebrow. "Is that a good thing?"
"I think it makes better beef. They're a heartier breed, but I'm sure you could find a rancher raising American Black Angus that would disagree with me."
Wilson chuckled. "Probably."
"Hector explained to Da who you are, Senator, and the trouble you're having seeing Will. Da wanted me to tell you that the cabin is yours to use whenever you want it. Just give us a call so we can make sure it's stocked up."
Wilson was equal parts grateful and confused. "Why are you doing this for me?"
Lachlan shrugged. "That's what the people of Cade Creek do. We look out for one another."
"But I'm not from Cade Creek," Wilson insisted.
"No, but your son is."
Huh.
"Can I ask you a question and have it go no further than us?" he asked.
"Of course."
"I've been giving some thought to relinquishing my seat in the Senate and getting out of Washington. I want to spend some time with Will. I missed too much already. Do you know of any places around Cade Creek that might be up for sale?"
Lachlan leaned against the porch railing. "Well, that kind of depends on what you're looking for. Do you just want a house, a house and some acreage, or a ranch like we have?"
Wilson snickered. "I guess I haven't thought that far ahead."
Lachlan chuckled. "That would be a good place to start. There are a few places I can think of off the top of my head. A couple of houses and a horse ranch on fifty acres. There is a nice building in town if you just want to rent until you find something. It's owned by Chester and Jack Helmond. Jack is our local fire chief."
Wilson smiled. "Nice to know I have options."
"Cade Creek is a good place. If you decide to settle down here, let me know. I'm sure I can find you more than a few options."
"Well, I certainly like what I've seen so far, which hasn't been much."
"My husband and I would be happy to show you around."
"No, but thank you. I'm trying to stay out of the public eye at the moment."
"I doubt anyone in Cade Creek will make anything of it even if you walked naked down the middle of Main Street. You might get a few offers, but beyond that…" Lachlan shrugged. "We tend to not be real impressed with gossipmongers."
Wilson could only dream of a place like Lachlan was describing. As much as Lachlan talked Cade Creek up, Wilson had his doubts a place like that existed, and he'd been all over the world.
"There's no hurry," Wilson said. "I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do. I've been a senator for a very long time. I'm not sure I know how to be anything else."
