The Ranch – Chapter 5 (Jack) [Plot Building Chapter]

I waited with Jake until the cops arrived. He wasn’t going anywhere. I just wanted to ensure the police had the right version of the story. Luckily for me, a few witnesses had heard Jessica’s screams as well and saw the whole thing. Jake was loaded into an ambulance, and the cops said they would be by the ranch to get statements from Jessica and Corey.

By the time I made it back to the bunkhouse, the first bit of sunlight was breaking over the horizon. I wanted to check on Jessica. Her Blazer was parked by the front of the house, and I was grateful Corey and her had made it back alright.

I parked Corey’s Dodge in front of the bunkhouse and went inside. He was sitting at the small dinette drinking coffee. “How is she?” I asked.

“As good as can be expected. Physically she’s fine.” I nodded my head, grateful for that, at least. “The old man wants to see you.”

“He’s awake?”

“Wouldn’t you be?” Corey had a point. I turned around and went back outside, crossing the dusty field to the main house. I took a deep breath before knocking on the door. I wasn’t sure what was waiting for me on the other side.

Me. Bell opened the door, and I could tell from the look in his eyes he had been up for a while. The kind of look that said he was scared to death but grateful at the same time. “Come on in,” he said. “You want coffee?”

“No thanks,” I replied. I didn’t want anything other than to know that Jessica would be alright. My stomach had been in knots since I saw her being drug across the ground, fighting desperately to escape Jake.

Mr. Bell and I sat at the dining room table. Leaning against his chair was a rifle. The news would call it an AR-15, but I recognized it as a Smith and Wesson MP15. Accurate and reliable. Mr. Bell saw me glance at it. “Yeah,” he said with a heavy sigh. “An hour ago, I was planning on using it. Still might. I suppose I owe you a thank you.”

“You don’t,” I said. “If anything, I wish I would have got there sooner. How is she?”

“Hard to tell. Her physical injuries are superficial, but she just now stopped crying. Her mother’s up there with her right now. Hopefully, she can get some rest.” An uneasy silence filled the room. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say. Neither of us did. “Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. I owe you more than you know. That little girl has been my world from the moment I first laid eyes on here.”

“I can imagine,” I said. My feelings for Jessica were obviously different than her father’s, but she had been the center of my thoughts for a short time as well. I could t imagine how he felt.

“Did you grow up in a small town, Jack?” asked Mr. Bell. I shook my head. “Small towns are a bit different than the big cities. The people around here mostly like to keep to themselves. That Williams boy didn’t fall too far from the damn tree. His father’s a snake and just as twisted as his son. Hell, probably worse.” He reached into his waistband and pulled out a pistol. He set it on the table and slid it across to me.

“What’s this for?” I asked, not touching the weapon.

“You might need it. Sherif Williams is into some bad shit with connections to the worst kind of folk. He doesn’t bother me much. These ten-thousand acres are mine, and to Hell with the rest of it. I’m sorry to tell you this, but I don’t have a clue what’s going through his head right now. I think it would be best if you just stayed around the ranch for a while. I’ll get you whatever you need. Just until things die down.”

I stared down at the weapon. A part of me hoped he was right. My blood was still boiling, and if anyone wanted problems, I would damn sure give them one. A quick whoop of police sirens sounded outside, breaking the silence. “That was fast,” said Mr. Bell, grabbing the rifle as he stood up. I followed him out to the porch but left the pistol inside.

Two police cars with Sherif in big black letters on the side sat parked with their lights swirling. A man who looked a few years older than Mr. Bell and wearing a tan shirt with tan slacks stood in front of the vehicle. He was flanked by two deputies.

Mr. Bell threw the rifle over his shoulders as he took the few short steps from the porch to the gravel below with me by his side. “Marcus,” said the Sherif.

“Floyd,” replied Mr. Bell.

“I’m guessing your, Jack Tanner. You’re gonna need to come with me, son.”

I started to defend myself, but Mr. Bell spoke first. “He ain’t going anywhere.”

“Is that right?” Asked the Sherif, taking a long pause as if he was thinking the situation over. The deputies looked jumpy, and that made me nervous. “He put my son in the hospital, Marcus. It’s out of my hands.”

“Bull shit. Your shithead, son, got what he deserved.”

“I guess I could say the same about your daughter. Almost anyway,” said the Sherif, brandishing a shit-eating grin as though he wanted Mr. Bell to do something stupid. My fists clenched, and I began calculating how many steps it would take me to reach Floyd.

Mr. Bell’s finger moved to the trigger of his weapon, but he didn’t bring it down off his shoulder. “I’m gonna give you to the count of three to get the fuck off my ranch, or the coyotes will be having some fine dining tonight. You understand me?” asked Mr. Bell.

“Are you sure that’s how you want to play this, Marcus?”

“Never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Alright then. I tried to do this the easy way. Don’t forget that.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t forget anything.”

Sherif Williams spat on the ground and gave his deputies the signal to load up. They killed their flashing lights and disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a dust cloud. “You should get some rest,” Mr. Bell said, turning towards me. You’re gonna need it.”

Source: reddit.com/r/Erotica/comments/12ko1yb/the_ranch_chapter_5_jack_plot_building_chapter