For a time, they drove in silence.
Jason glanced down at the GPS screen. “McBride tells me that if Jack offers us his chili or a steak, we can’t say no. He says the Cimarron is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
Winona couldn’t deny that she was curious. “I’ve never been there, but from the stories I’ve heard, Zach is right.”
* * *
Jason foughtto keep his eyes on the road. “McBride wasn’t kidding.”
“Holy smokes!”
The Cimarron sat in an open valley surrounded by white-capped peaks, the mountainsides gold with aspen. Nestled in the middle of the valley was perhaps the largest family home Jason had ever seen. Constructed of stone and logs, it had a steep, multi-gabled roof, high cathedral windows, and a portico driveway accented by a colonnade of polished logs.
“It looks like a Swiss chalet that grew up, married rich, and became a mansion.” There was a note of awe in Winona’s voice.
Jason laughed. “Good description.”
“Can you imagine living here?”
“Hell, no. For most of my childhood, our house didn’t have plumbing or electricity.”
Off to one side stood several large outbuildings, including horse barns, a bunkhouse, an enormous riding hall, and several corrals.
Jason followed Jack’s pickup around to the back and parked. “Check that out—a five-car garage.”
Jason climbed out and met Winona at the back of his truck.
Jack walked up to them, hand out. “Welcome to the Cimarron. I’m grateful to both of you for coming up today. What do you say we head inside so you can refresh yourselves after the drive? Then we can talk.”
Jason and Winona followed Jack through a heated garage into a mudroom and then down a hallway into a spacious, modern kitchen, the mingled scents of coffee, cinnamon, and something tangy and savory making Jason’s mouth water.
“Make yourselves comfortable. We’ve got coffee and fresh-baked cinnamon rolls if that tempts you.” He pointed to a large pot. “I’ve got my world-famous chili heating up for lunch.”
Winona glanced over at Jason. “We’ve heard about your chili.”
Jack grinned. “It wouldn’t be world-famous if you hadn’t, now would it?”
Winona sat at the table. “I’d love some coffee and a cinnamon roll. Thank you.”
“Milk or sugar?” Jack asked.
“Milk, please.”
Jason took the seat across from her. “Just coffee for me, thanks—black.”
From upstairs, came the happy sound of children’s laughter.
“Where’s Emily?” Winona filled Jason in. “She’s Jack’s oldest grandchild.”
“She’s at school—second grade now.” Jack handed Winona her coffee first, then poured Jason’s. “My wife, Janet, would love to meet you both, but at the moment, she has her hands full with our grandson and daughter, both in their terrific twos. My daughter-in-law Megan is in court this morning with a client. I’ll tell you what—I never thought I’d welcome a child and a grandchild three weeks apart.”
While they drank their coffee and Winona savored her cinnamon roll, Jack gave them the whole story. “Six weeks ago, we lost a steer. Nate found only its skull, the bones picked almost clean. Other than blood in the grass and a few wolf tracks, there was nothing else—no bones, no hide. Nada.”
“Would a wolf take down something as large as a steer?” Jason had no idea.
Winona dabbed her lips with a napkin. “Yes, but wolves typically stick with wild game and only go for livestock if other prey isn’t around.”
“A month ago, it happened again. No remains apart from the head. There were lots of canine tracks in the area, including a couple of prints the size of my hand.” He held up a callused hand, fingers splayed. “It sure looked like a wolf to me.”