When Dreams Collide by Brenda Sinclair

information, she’d almost high-fived him but caught herself.
    “Thank you for firing Dusty, Mr. Branigan, and separating him from the persistent Ms. Penny Snyder,” whispered Susan aloud. “In the off chance a relationship develops between us, with our dreams at such odds, we’ll need all the help we can get.”
    Just then her telephone rang, jolting her out of her musings.
    “Ellis Bank. Susan Sanders. How may I help you?” she greeted the caller.
    “Susan, this is Amanda. Jeremy just called the ranch for an update with Dusty. Penny Snyder filled us in on what happened.”
    “Can you believe Arthur fired him?” Susan sighed. “The news almost knocked me over. I never expected such a negative reaction from him.”
    “Jeremy’s in shock. Because Arthur would do such a thing, not that Dusty is buying his own ranch. Jeremy’s so excited for him. He’s been trying to call Dusty, but his cell phone is dead, or shut off, or something. All of his attempts to make contact just go to voice mail.”
    “Dusty just left here for the realtor’s office to search for suitable ranch property. We’re driving to Bozeman tomorrow to look at a possibility, but I know Dusty wanted something closer to this area.”
    “We?”
    “Yeah, he asked me to come along.” Susan laughed, nervously.
    “So, if this ranch is down in Bozeman why even look at it? Doesn’t he want something closer to us?”
    Susan sighed. “The realtor painted a favorable picture. The place sounds perfect for Dusty’s needs and it’s one of the few listings that he can afford.  He might have a problem getting a mortgage without a sound income.”
    “I’ll fill Jeremy in and tell him to keep trying to contact Dusty.” Amanda chuckled. “We’re having a wonderful time. Don’t you dare tell anyone where we are, okay?”
    “That will not be a problem. I don’t know where you are, remember?”
    “We’re up in Canada at a resort near a place called Banff. It is so beautiful here! Seems like a million tourists are wandering around the place, but we spend a lot of time in our room.”
    “I bet you do.” Susan chuckled.
    “Oh, yes, the air-conditioning is lovely. So much more comfortable than being outside.”
    Susan snorted. “If you think I believe that story, you’re delusional.”
    Amanda laughed. “I gave it a good try. Seriously, we’re having a ball here. But I’ll be happy to get home again, too. See you in a week or so.”
    “Bye, girlfriend. Have a good time.” Susan hung up the phone and scoffed, “Air-conditioning my foot.”
    *
     
    Dusty strolled out of the realtor’s office and dug his cell phone out of his jeans pocket. The damn thing had been ringing every five minutes for a half an hour, but he’d been so absorbed in his property search that he’d just ignored it. He checked the caller ID.
    “Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?” Dusty smiled in spite of his annoyance with anyone named Branigan. “Or has Amanda wised up and sent you down the road already?”
    “She still loves me. Sorry to disappoint you.” Jeremy added, “Speaking of sent down the road, I hear you got yourself fired by a guy who considers you his third son. Now, that takes talent.”
    “Not when you piss him off by being an ‘ungrateful piece of shit’. I’d relate all the details of my fall from grace, but I’d waste too much air time on my cell account.”
    “I’m sorry Dad reacted the way he did. The old fart can be downright unreasonable sometimes. If you repeat that to anyone, I’ll deny saying it.” Jeremy chuckled. “Penny filled me in on your little unexpected announcement. Congratulations, Dusty, on giving it a go on your own. That money you expected from your ma’s estate must have been a pretty substantial inheritance.”
    “Yeah, well, I haven’t got the check yet. But remember that five grand I said I won in the lottery? Actually, another hundred ninety-five thousand came along with it that I didn’t mention.