Chapter 370

The truck pulled up to a large metal gate with the words "Cloud Ranch" in metal over the top. Pearl took a deep breath as the gate opened and Dylan drove her through it. When they got to the main house, Pearl opened the door and looked around. The view was breathtaking. The ranch spanned for miles and the mountains were so close, it looked like you could touch them. There were horses being rounded up into a large barn and she noticed two men tipping their hats to them. The sky was so big, she was sure the stars at night would look like they were falling on you. There were several outbuildings and equipment. They turned and pulled down a short path to the main house. It was landscaped pristinely and looked like something in a movie.

"Jesus." She whispered under her breath.

"Like I said, heaven." Dylan said, grabbing her bags and leading her up to a large porch. A women with long, dark red hair and dirty jeans turned the corner and walked up to them. "This her?" She asked. "I heard we had another woman coming."

"Yes. This is Pearl. Pearl this is Cheyenne. Chey is part of the program here and is kicking it's ass." Dylan said with a smile. She smiled back shyly.

"I am on my fourth DUI. The judge said this or jail time. So, here I am. Shoveling shit and saying thank you for it." She said.

"I'm happy you are doing well." Pearl said.

"I'm happy too." She said. "Welcome." She tipped her hat and walked off the porch and down a walking path.

"She seems nice." Pearl said.

"She's a hot mess. But we love her. She's been here a month. Wild as hell, likes fighting, thinks she's one of the boys. Had to practically force her to stay out of the men's bunks because she felt she should be treated equally. I told her that with a sex addict here, that was a hard no." He said.

Sex addict. Erik. Pearl looked down.

"He's here. You know he's here. And he's going to be fine." He said. "The program works."

They stepped up and opened the front door to the main house. It was built like a log cabin, the largest one she has ever seen. A massive fireplace took up one entire wall in the main living room with windows and sliding doors taking up the other. A lofted second floor walkway curved around the back wall into bedrooms and baths. It was all open and decorated as she imagined a ranch should be. The kitchen was large and set up like a restaurant with a service line counter and industrial appliances. There were at least 5 bedrooms and 6 baths, all decorated splendidly. It gave off the feeling of home. A cozy night in front of the fire, peaceful. Warm.

"This is incredible." She said.

"I'm glad you like it. Come on, I will show you to your room." He said, carrying her bags up the staircase and around the open walkway to a room on the very end of it. Inside was a large four post bed with red and black plaid bedding that looked like it was stuffed with down. A fireplace was on the far wall.

"It gets cold out here. Gotta stay warm at night." He said with a smile.

"Good to know." She said. He put her bags down and showed her the bathroom.

"Dylan."

"Yes." He said, turning around and facing her.

"I came here for help." She said.

He put one hand on his hip and looked at her.

"I know." He said.

She felt her heart drop. He knew. He knew this entire time why she came.

"Get some rest. Dinner is in an hour. Tomorrow we start early." He said as he began to leave.

"One more thing." He said, turning back to her.

"What's that?"

"You have to be willing to be helped." He said, closing the door and leaving her standing there.