THE RANDELL BROTHERHOOD

Coming home to take a bride!

A home. A family. A legacy of their own.

Mustang Valley has long been home to the brotherhood. United by blood, trust and loyalty, these men fight for what they believe—for family, for what’s right, and ultimately…for love.

Now there are newcomers in their midst. Two gorgeous new Randell brothers are back to reclaim their heritage, find their family, and just maybe discover the women of their dreams…

In March, Brady’s back! He’s fought for his country; now he’s fighting his heart… He thought no woman would tame him—but sweet, courageous Lindsey Stafford is like no woman he’s met before!

Don’t miss:

THE REBEL HEIR’S BRIDE

Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, Patricia Thayer was the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed west. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her family’s numerous weddings and births.

Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself, accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-six years. Together they have three grown sons and three grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty books. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA® Award. Her book NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE won a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewer’s Choice award.

She has been a guest reader at elementary schools and lectured aspiring authors. A long-time member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

Dear Reader

I’m so pleased that I have the opportunity to return to Mustang Valley and revisit the Randell men. You will want to find out what Jack Randell’s boys, Chance, Cade and Travis, have been up to. Along with their half-brothers, Jared Trager and Wyatt and Dylan Gentry, they have all adjusted to the valley. I’m here to say that they’re all doing well, including Hank Barrett, the adopted patriarch of the family.

My inspiration for this series and Hank’s character was my dear friend Hence Barrow, a West Texas rancher. He’s the one who taught this city girl all about ranching. You see, his family had been doing it for over a hundred years. I’m sorry to say Hence passed away this last year, at the age of 97, but I’ll never forget his stories and his love of the land. It was an honour and a privilege to know him, and to be called his friend. I’ll miss you, Hence.

In this series I bring Jack’s brother Sam’s sons, Luke and Brady, to the valley. In the first story Luke, a real estate tycoon, wants to take his estranged father’s inheritance and sell his share of the Rocking R. It’s the Randell cousins who step in and teach him about family and tradition. His pretty blonde ranch foreman, Tess Meyers, teaches him to love. And one little five-year-old girl steals his heart.

There are many more surprises. Hope you enjoy it.

With regards

Patricia Thayer

THE BLACK SHEEP’S PROPOSAL

BY

PATRICIA THAYER

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To Hence,

Thank you for sharing your life, the wonderful stories

and your family. I’ll miss you, friend.

1909–2007

CHAPTER ONE

HE’D sworn he would never come back here.

Luke Randell hadn’t been left with a choice. He released a long breath and climbed out of his BMW. His gaze swept the area that had once been his childhood home. The Rocking R Ranch.

Large oak trees shaded the green lawn. A concrete walkway led to the wraparound porch of the big, well-kept Victorian house. A recent coat of white paint covered the two-story house where he used to live, more than twenty-seven years ago. A rush of feelings—sadness and a lot of bitterness—hit him as he glanced toward the large barn, outbuildings and corral. They, too, had been well cared for.

Not what he’d expected when he’d left Dallas to return to San Angelo, Texas. A warm breeze brushed against his face, and he caught a whiff of the ranch’s earthy smells, causing a flood of more memories—memories of his pony, Jazzy, then his horse, Bandit, the chestnut gelding he’d been given for his fifth birthday.

Damn. He’d loved that horse.

Tightness gripped Luke’s chest as he thought about the painful day his daddy had sold the animal…. That same day everything had changed. No more perfect family. For a six-year-old kid it had been the end of the world.

He quickly shook off the foolish sentiment and walked along the path to the porch, then up the steps. His gaze caught the wrought-iron branding symbol of the Rocking R nailed next to the door.

Another memory hit him before he could push it away. He couldn’t keep doing this. Not if he was going to live here in his childhood home. The heavy oak door had been opened inward, leaving a wood-framed screen door to keep out intruders. He shrugged. It was the country, not downtown Dallas.

“Hello… Anyone here?” he called.

He waited for an answer. When none came, he walked inside the large entry hall. The hardwood floors were polished, showing off their honey color. The front parlor, as his mother used to call it, also sparkled with polish and a lemony scent. There were several antiques, but the dark brocade sofa and chairs still looked uncomfortable.

Who cares? he asked himself. With any luck, he wouldn’t be here that long. Right now he needed to find Ray Meyers. Suddenly a sound interrupted his thoughts. On the open staircase that led to the second floor he found a black kitten with white paws.

“Well, at least someone’s here to welcome me.”

He got another meow as he walked over and picked up the kitten. “Maybe you can tell me where everyone is.”

The cat meowed again just as muffled voices came from upstairs. “Looks like I got my answer.” He started up the steps, carrying his new companion. He walked along the hall past several rooms, one of which used to be his. He ignored it. No sense stirring up more memories.

Luke continued on toward the open door to the master bedroom. Once across the thresh-old, he found the source of the voices. He leaned against the doorway and enjoyed the view.

A woman was on her hands and knees with her head buried under the large four-poster bed. He couldn’t help but notice how well she filled out her fitted jeans. Next to her was a little girl not more than four or five.

“Mommy, we have to find Jinx. She gets scared when she’s all alone.” The child’s long, blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her worried look didn’t take away from her cute features. Just then the woman’s head appeared, and Luke’s heart shot off racing. The little girl definitely got her good looks from her mother.

Her wheat-colored hair was pulled back in a ponytail, also, and was a shade darker than the child’s. Her profile was near perfect, along with her creamy complexion. He cursed silently for noticing, and cursed again for wanting to see more.

“Excuse me,” he said.

The two females swung around toward him. Okay, both mother and daughter were gorgeous. Somehow he managed to find his voice. “Could this little guy be who you’re looking for?”

“Jinx!” The small child jumped up and ran to him. “You found my kitty.”

Luke handed the furry bundle to her. “I think it found me.” He brushed his hands off and glanced at the woman.

Tess didn’t like being caught off guard. Over the last several months her entire life had been turned upside down, and she suspected this stranger was the big reason.

He walked toward her and extended a hand. “Luke Randell.”

She climbed to her feet. “Tess Meyers.” She shook his hand. It was not rough like a rancher’s, but his grip was strong.

“This is my daughter, Olivia.”

Her daughter looked at Mr. Randell. “But everybody calls me Livy, and this is Jinx.”

“Well, hello, Livy…and Jinx.”

Tess drew his attention back to her. “We weren’t expecting you for a few more days, Mr. Randell.”

“My plans changed.” His gaze bore into hers. “Is there a problem?”

“None whatsoever,” she lied. “I just wanted to make sure the house was ready for you.” No way was she ready for this man with his dark good looks and silver eyes. Just what San Angelo needed. Another handsome Randell man.

He glanced around. “I didn’t expect any of this, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“Outside of needing linens on the bed, the house should be livable.”

He nodded toward the fresh sheets on the bare mattress. “I think I can manage to make up a bed.”

She nodded. No doubt he could mess up a bed, too. She groaned. Where had that come from? “Oh, I plugged in the refrigerator, but I’m afraid there isn’t any food in the house.”

“Not a problem. I stopped by the grocery store and bought some staples.”

She couldn’t help but stare at the man dressed in his knife-pressed jeans, navy polo shirt and topsider shoes looking like the last person anyone would expect to take over a cattle ranch—a ranch she and her father had put a lot of work into, which, there was a good possibility, could be taken away from them. She had to be very careful. This man held her future in his hands.

“Okay then, I guess we’ll be going and let you get settled in.” She started for the door. “Come on, Livy.”

“But, Mom, I didn’t ask him yet.” She stood rooted in the middle of the room, gripping her kitty. “Do you have any little girls I can play with?”

The new owner looked surprised by the question, but finally he said, “No, sorry, I don’t.”

“Oh…” Livy looked disappointed. “That’s the reason I got a kitty because I don’t have anyone to play with.” She held up Jinx. “Mommy said she wasn’t going to have any more babies…and I got him so I won’t get lonely.”

“Olivia Meyers,” Tess said, mortified. “It’s time we let Mr. Randell move in.”

“Okay.” Her daughter complied and walked to her mother. “Goodbye, Mr. Randell.”

“Goodbye, Livy…Jinx.” He looked at Tess. “Mrs. Meyers.”

“It’s Miss Meyers.” She didn’t know why she corrected him. “Ray Meyers is my father, not my husband.”

Livy chimed in once again. “Yeah… Mommy doesn’t have a husband, and I don’t have a daddy.”

Thirty minutes later, Tess sat at the kitchen table in the foreman’s cottage.

“I was mortified, Bernice,” Tess said.

Her aunt shook her head. “The child sure has a mind of her own.” She carried their lunch plates to the sink. “Now, tell me, is Luke Randell as handsome as his cousins?”

Bernice was her dad’s younger sister. In her late fifties, she’d lost her husband a few years ago. When Ray Meyers first took ill last year, Bernice didn’t hesitate to come and help out.

Tess shrugged. “If you like the preppy look. He’s definitely not a rancher. I doubt he’s capable or has any desire to run this place.”

“He could learn,” Bernice told her. “My goodness, he has six cousins who do some sort of ranching. It’s in his blood.”

“What if he doesn’t want to ranch, but instead sells the Rocking R?”

Those soft hazel eyes met hers. “Doesn’t he have to wait for his brother to show up before he could do anything?”

She nodded. “They do own it jointly.”

She’d been notified of Sam Randell’s death by the lawyer, who also let them know that the ranch had been left to his two sons, Luke and Brady.

“Maybe Brady Randell wants to sell, too. He’s a pilot in the air force. Why would he want a ranch?”

With a shrug, Bernice filled the sink and added some liquid soap. Tess picked up a towel to dry. “And maybe those boys will decide to continue to lease the Rocking R to you.”

“Sam Randell leased the land to Ray Meyers. And we both know Dad can’t run this place any longer.”

Sadness crept in as Tess leaned against the counter in the small kitchen. She’d grown up in this house. Back then it had been just her and her dad. Now it was pretty crowded with Bernice and Livy added into the mix.

That’s why Tess had moved into her daughter’s bedroom. It was more convenient for everyone to have Bernice move into Tess’s room.

She knew this setup was only temporary. His disease was progressing, and his good days were becoming fewer. He hardly ever left his room. It made her sad to think of her father’s mind slowly erasing memories of his life…and that he was not always able to remember his daughter, or his granddaughter.

Tess shook away the sad thoughts. “I need to talk to Mr. Randell. I need to know what he’s going to do, so I can make some plans.” She was hopeful she could stay on and continue to lease this house, along with barn space for the horses. She needed to make a living for her family. And there was her father’s cattle operation. Although small, she didn’t want to sell the calves yet. Roundup wasn’t for another few months.

But if the worst happened and they had to leave, she’d get another place. She doubted she could find as good a setup as the Rocking R Ranch. Her father had built several of the horse stalls in the barn. The large corral had been Ray’s handiwork, too. That had been the reason the lease agreement was so cheap; her dad had also been the caretaker.

They’d had such big plans as partners. The Meyerses were going to breed and train quarter horses. And her bay stallion, Smooth Whiskey Doc, was going to be their cutting champion. So far she had made something of a name as a trainer and rider. But she wanted and needed the money that her future champion stallion could bring in. She wasn’t thinking about herself, but Olivia. She was her sole parent.

Her aunt’s voice brought her back. “What?”

“Go work Whiskey,” Bernice said. “That always calms you.”

She shook her head. “Dad will be up from his nap soon.”

“Go. I can look after Ray.” She turned her niece around and nudged her toward the door. “Take a break, Tess. You need it.”

Tess didn’t argue, just headed for the door. She found Livy on the porch playing with her dolls and the kitten.

“Hey, sweetie, I want you to stay on the porch. It’s too hot to go out in the sun.”

“Mommy, can I go see Grandpa? I’ll be quiet. I promise.”

It was so sad. Livy and her grandpa Ray had had a close relationship since the day she was born. Now most of the time he couldn’t speak to her. “I think he’d like that. But maybe you should leave Jinx in the box in our room.”

“I will, Mommy. I know Grandpa doesn’t mean to, but he sometimes squeezes too hard.”

She knelt down in front of her daughter. “You know Grandpa’s sick. He doesn’t mean to squeeze too hard.”

Livy’s blond ponytail bobbed up and down. “I know, Mommy. I wish he wasn’t sick.”

“So do I, sweetie.” Tess had to fight her tears. “You’re my best girl.”

Livy smiled. “And you’re my bestest mom.”

They exchanged a kiss and then Tess started off, but her daughter called to her. “Are you going to go see Mr. Randell?”

“No, honey, Mr. Randell is busy. I’m going to work with Whiskey.”

Livy’s eyes narrowed. Tess knew her daughter was cooking up something else. “He’s a nice man. Maybe we should bake him a cake to welcome him home.”

Butter up the enemy. That was an idea. “We’ll talk about it later. Remember, don’t leave the porch.” She turned and walked toward the barn, knowing that ploy wasn’t going to work for long. She had to come up with something to keep Livy from intruding on Luke Randell.

Putting her wide-brimmed cowboy hat on her head, she glanced toward the large Victorian house. Perched on a hill with a grove of pecan trees lined up on either side for shade and protection from the elements, it was a sight to behold.

She’d heard stories that Mrs. Sam Randell had been so humiliated when her husband’s brother, Jack, had been sent to prison for cattle rustling, she insisted they leave the area. It had been twenty-seven years since anyone had lived there.

“Your father did a wonderful job with the upkeep,” a man’s voice said.

Tess swung around to find Luke Randell. “Oh, Mr. Randell…”

“Please, call me Luke.”

“Luke, and I’m Tess,” she said, a little breathless.

He’d changed into a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of boots. Cocked on his head was a worn cowboy hat, giving him a rugged look.

“Do I fit in a little better?”

Tess was tall at five-nine, but had to look up at him. Stand back was more like it. “You fit in dressed like you were before, but this is more practical for the ranch.”

“Especially if I’m headed for the barn.” He smiled, and it caused her pulse to race. Great. She was acting like a teenager.

“You want to see the barn?”

He glanced around. “Actually, I was looking for your father. Is he around?”

Oh, no. She wasn’t ready to discuss her father’s… situation yet. “I’m sorry, but he isn’t feeling well right now.” She rushed on to say, “I’m sure I can answer anything you want to know.”

“I just wanted to let him…and you—know that my arriving early isn’t meant to disturb your operation. You still have another two months on your lease. As the lawyer informed you, I’m just living in the house until a decision is made about the property.”

A decision? “What about your brother?”

Luke still had trouble getting used to that term…for Brady. “Half brother,” he clarified. “Brady is a pilot in the air force, and the only information I’ve gotten from the military so far is that he’s overseas. I left word for him to contact me here.”

“So your plans are to sell the ranch?”

Luke sighed. If only he could, it sure would solve his immediate problems. “There are a lot of things to consider when or if this place goes on the market.” His gaze locked with her rich blue eyes and it caused him to get temporarily distracted. He quickly glanced away. He wasn’t about to let that happen…again.

“I know you and your father need more information than that,” he told her. “But it’s all I can give for now.”

She nodded. “Of course, Dad and I would love to continue the lease arrangement we have now.” She gave him a sideways glance as they started walking toward the barn. “Are you considering staying on…and running the ranch?”

He frowned. “Technically I’ve never ranched before. I was just a kid when we moved away.”

“But you still have a lot of family here. I’m sure they’d help out.”

They came to the barn and he slid open the large door. “So you know the Randells?”

Tess nodded. “There’s something else. The lease arrangement your father had with my father could continue…or if you’d like to raise cattle under your own brand, we could stay on as the foreman.” She shrugged. “It’s just something to think about.”

Not waiting for an answer, Tess walked into the cool interior. Although the barn was clean and well organized, the smell of hay and horses was prevalent, and she liked the earthy scent. She headed down the concrete aisle, passing several empty stalls. She was hoping to have them filled by now, but without her father’s help she couldn’t board any more horses.

There were two quarter horses here she’d been working with, but her main focus was still on Whiskey. Taking the time, she greeted the valuable equines before she reached the last stall. Her bay stallion greeted her with a soft whinny, and he nuzzled her hand.

“How’s my favorite guy?” she crooned. “You ready to work?” He bobbed his head.

“This is Smooth Whiskey Doc. He’s the future cutting champion.”

With an ease that surprised Tess, Luke walked up to Whiskey and stroked him. “Hey, fella, how you doing?” Whiskey took to the attention and moved closer to the stranger. “You sure are a beauty.”

“Don’t give him too much praise. It’ll just go to his head.”

“So you breed horses?”

She nodded. “Been working on it. I’ve had a lot of help from Chance Randell. He also breeds quarter horses. I’ve done some training and competing with my mare, Lady. I helped out Chance with training, in trade for his stallion, Whiskey Pete, to breed with my mare, and as a result we got Smooth Whiskey Doc.”

“You’re partners?”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Hardly. Chance doesn’t need me. He’s made quite a name for himself on his own. He just did me a favor.” She patted the horse’s neck. “And I appreciate it. As neighbors we all kind of help each other out.”

“So you and your father aren’t running cattle any longer?”

“There’s just a small herd now.”

Here was her opportunity. “Cattle isn’t our main focus anymore. Like I said, we’ve been breeding and training cutting horses for competition. And if for any reason, you and your bother decide to stay, I’d—we’d like to continue to rent the foreman’s cottage and rent barn space to board the horses.”

Luke Randell just stood there for a long time, then finally spoke. “I can’t say one way or the other what will happen now. I have no plans to ranch at this time. To be honest, I never planned to come back here…ever. So as soon as it’s possible for me, I’ll be leaving.”

Tess was angry. “And the hell with us.”

He blinked at her bluntness. “You have two months to relocate.”

The man didn’t have a heart. “The Rocking R has been my father’s and my home for well over twenty years. My daughter hasn’t lived anywhere else.” She hated that she sounded so desperate. But she was. “It isn’t so easy to move a family and livestock.” Or a father who barely remembers his name, she added silently. She studied the stubborn look on his face. “Besides, how can you be so anxious to sell land that’s been in your family for generations?”

Luke Randell stiffened, then glanced away, but not before she saw a flash of emotion. “Maybe because that family deserted me a long time ago.”

CHAPTER TWO

AN HOUR later, Luke leaned against a post on the back porch. He held a long-neck bottle in his hand as he watched Tess Meyers work her quarter horse in the corral.

Impressive. He took a thirsty drink of beer. She looked strong astride the powerful stallion, and the two together were as graceful as a ballet, moving in perfect unison in their performance.

There were a half-dozen steers in the pen, and she and Whiskey easily separated a calf from the others, then drove it back into the herd. Even from a distance, he caught her smile as she patted the horse’s neck affectionately after he completed his task.

Once again his body stirred. For the second time in hours this cowgirl had him wondering about things he had no business thinking about.

Luke sat on the porch swing and propped his booted feet on the railing. What the hell was he doing here? He never wanted to come back to this place. The home he’d once loved, where he’d been part of a family. That had ended when his parents divorced, his dad went back into the military and his mother took him to live in Dallas.

He closed his eyes and he could still hear the fights late at night. Doors slamming, his dad starting the car and driving off. The worst sound was of his mother’s crying. He hated his father for that. Most of all he hated Sam Randell for deserting them.

Now, all these years later, he had no choice but to come back here. The perfect scenario would be to sell the place, make some money and start over.

He doubted he could go back to Dallas. Thanks to a bad deal, his reputation had been destroyed in the real estate business. Because of a woman, Gina Chilton, he’d gotten involved with the wrong people. Her daddy, Buck Chilton, had invested money in his real estate venture.

In the end Luke had barely escaped criminal charges, and it had cost him everything. His employees hadn’t fared much better, but at least he’d been able to give them a severance package. That meant there’d been nothing left for him. Everything he’d worked so hard to build was all gone now. Just some personal things, his clothes and the car remained. And he had to sell the luxury vehicle so he’d have some money to live on.

Well, at least he had a roof over his head… for now.

“Hey, mister. Are you sleeping?” a young voice said.

Luke opened his eyes and saw little Livy Meyers standing on the porch step. She was wearing jeans and a ruffled pink blouse, holding her kitten.

He dropped his feet on the floor. “No, just doing some thinking.” He glanced around to see if Tess Meyers was around. “Does your mother know where you are?”

Looking sheepish, the child moved to the top step. “Kinda.” She shrugged. “She said not to bother you ’cause you were moving in. Are you finished?”

With what was left of his furniture in storage, he had only a few suitcases to empty. “Yes, I’m moved in.”

She smiled at him, and something tightened in his chest. She strolled to the swing and sat down. “I’m glad. And I’m glad you came here to live, too. You want to hold Jinx again? He likes you.”

“You think so, huh?” He couldn’t help but take her offering. He doubted many people could resist her big blue eyes and dimples. The kitten immediately curled up against his chest and closed his eyes.

“Hey, mister, see he likes you.” She studied him. “So do I.”

“Well, I like you, too. Maybe you could call me Luke.”

She frowned. “Mama says I can’t call big people by their first names ’cause it’s not ’spectful.”

“Respectful,” Luke corrected gently.

She nodded. “Yeah. Maybe I can call you Mr. Luke.”

Luke wasn’t used to being around kids. But Livy Meyers didn’t seem to notice. “Sounds like a good idea.”

Her smile widened, and he saw the resemblance to her pretty mother. But the smile suddenly disappeared when someone called Livy’s name.

They both turned to see Tess coming out of the corral. “Oh, no. I gotta go.” She grabbed her kitten and went to the edge of the porch. “I forgot to ask you something.” She came back. “What’s your favorite flavor of cake?”

He blinked. “I guess it would be chocolate. Why?”

Livy leaned forward and whispered, “It’s a surprise.” Giggling, the little nymph ran off toward her mother.

Tess approached her daughter, and he didn’t have to hear to know that the child was getting a lecture. With a nod, Livy started for the foreman’s house while Tess headed his way.

Luke stood, feeling a little rush of excitement on seeing her graceful strides, and those long legs encased in jeans and covered with worn leather chaps. She wore a Henley-style shirt and her battered cowboy hat on her head. Suddenly he couldn’t remember why he swore off women. He adjusted his own hat and went to meet her.

“I want to apologize for Livy bothering you,” Tess began. “It won’t happen again.”

“She wasn’t a bother. She asked if I was busy. So please don’t let her think I’m some sort of ogre.” Why did he care what a five-year-old thought?

“Well, she still shouldn’t have come here. I told her to stay on the porch.”

“Technically she was on the porch.”

Tess jammed her hands on her hips and frowned. “Not her porch. And with you living here now, she especially needs to know boundaries. There are too many things that could happen to her around a ranch.”

“I understand.” He nodded. “But there’s also no reason for us to avoid one another.”

“Of course.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Randell—”

“Please, it’s Luke.”

Tess hesitated. She didn’t want to get too friendly with this man. “Luke… It’s just that there’s never been anyone living in the house.”

“Like I said, it’s temporary. And I don’t want or plan to disturb your operation.”

“So you aren’t giving any more thought to staying and going into ranching?”

Not in the last hour. “I’ve never given any thought to staying permanently,” he said stubbornly.

Tess couldn’t understand how he could walk away from this incredible property. “Maybe you should talk to your cousins before you make a decision.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah, the notorious Randell brothers.”

She didn’t miss the resentment in his voice. “Your family runs several successful businesses. There’s the guest ranch…along with horse breeding and a cattle operation. Not to mention being a supplier of rough rodeo stock.”

“Don’t forget my uncle who was arrested for cattle rustling and cousins who were juvenile delinquents. My uncle and my daddy were well-known womanizers.”

Tess tried not to react, but it was hard. “Those are old stories. Chance, Cade and Travis have all but erased that bad reputation with their work in the community. You should give San Angelo a chance.”

He blew out a long breath. “That still doesn’t make me a rancher.”

Here was her chance. “But I am. I could run this place for you.”

He stared at her for a long time. “You’re asking to be my foreman?”

She fought the blush coloring her cheeks. “It’s not as crazy as it sounds. I’ve worked alongside my daddy as soon as I could climb on a horse. I was three years old when we first came here.”

Tess recalled her father’s stories about how he’d used her mother’s life insurance money to buy the first herd. She thought about her father now and she grew sad, knowing he was going to have to leave here, anyway.

Luke’s gray eyes filled with mischief. “So you think you can make a rancher out of me?”

Her pulse raced as she looked him over. “You are a Randell, so I’d say it’s already been bred into you.”

Two mornings later Luke was still thinking about Tess Meyers. She’d managed to interrupt his thoughts sporadically in the past forty-eight hours. Although he’d spent most of the time in solitude, and his meals had consisted of frozen dinners he put into the small microwave he’d brought with him, he still wanted to eat in peace. The crazy thing was, he actually had thought about her offer…all of thirty seconds.

Luke sipped his coffee and leaned against the kitchen counter. The room was huge with built-in cupboards that lined the walls. The countertops were a golden-hued Mexican tile, and the floor was covered in terra-cotta brick.

He smiled. He remembered it vividly since he used to eat breakfast here as a child. The very same table was placed by the row of windows that overlooked the barn and corral. Back then there were ranch hands around, helping his father run the place. Sam had gotten out of the military…and he was finally home with his family.

Luke had just turned five and gotten a new horse for his birthday that summer. He rode Bandit every day until he went off to kindergarten. Life could have been better, but it could get a lot worse. Parents could fight and decide to end a marriage…destroy a family. And a boy might never see his dad again.

Luke shook away the thoughts. Damn. Stop it. He was an adult now. He’d gotten over all that long ago. He’d moved on. Or had he?

There was a knock on the door, pulling him back to the present. He looked through the screen and saw Livy and an older woman.

Surprisingly he was happy to see her. “Morning, shortcake. You came back.”

“It’s okay, I’m ’posed to be here now.”

“I’m glad.” He opened the door. “Who’s your friend?”

Livy giggled. “She’s not my friend, she’s my aunt Bernie.”

“Bernice Peterson,” the older woman said, and offered a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her hazel eyes. “Please call me Bernice.”

“Nice to meet you, Bernice. I’m Luke. Would you come in?”

Both females walked into the kitchen. “I hope it’s not too early, but I wanted to bring you some biscuits while they were still warm from the oven.”

“Of course it’s never too early if you bring food,” he said. “You must have heard my stomach growling all the way to your house.” He took the basket, placed it on the counter and dug out a soft, steaming biscuit. He took a bite and groaned. “Delicious. I could get used to this.”

“Thank you.” She grinned. “I do appreciate a man with an appetite.”

“And I appreciate home cooking. Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you. We need to get back to the house.”

“Yeah, we can’t leave Grandpa by himself,” Livy told him. “And Mommy’s in the corral working Whiskey. He’s gonna be the NCHA champion some day,” she announced proudly.

“Olivia, it’s not nice to brag,” Bernice said. “Now, ask Mr. Luke before we wear out our welcome.”

“My mom, Aunt Bernie and me want to invite you to supper tomorrow night.” The child’s eyes widened. “Will you come? Aunt Bernie is making our favorite, pot roast with those tiny potatoes. And there’ll be a surprise…”

This child was a charmer. So different from her mother’s no-nonsense attitude. “Well, how can I turn down an invitation like that? I’d love to come. What time?” “Say six o’clock,” Bernice said as she started for the door. “Come on, Livy, we need to get back to Grandpa.”

“I hope Mr. Meyers feels better soon.”

Livy looked up at him, her eyes sad. “Grandpa is really sick. He doesn’t even read me stories anymore.” Her gaze widened. “Do you read stories, Mr. Luke?”

Tess stood in her father’s bedroom. “It’s okay, Dad. I can do it for you.”

“No,” Ray Meyers argued, pushing her hand away. “I can button my own damn shirt.”

Tess stood back, but watched protectively as her aging father worked at the simple task. Today was one of his more lucid days. And she was grateful.

His fingers were clumsy but he managed the job. The sixty-five-year-old one-time rodeo cowboy, horse trainer and rancher looked used up. She brushed a tear from her eye. His thinning hair was more white than gray. His lined skin was liver spotted and his blue eyes were tired…and sad. To her he was the most wonderful man in the world. And soon he wouldn’t remember her…or his granddaughter.

“Hey, Dad, you want to sit outside today? It’s not too hot yet.”

“I don’t want to sit on the porch…I need to check the herd.” He glanced at Tess and a strange look came over him. “Mary Theresa, why aren’t you in school?” he asked, suddenly agitated “You don’t want me to get into trouble again do you?”

“No, Daddy. I don’t.” She knelt down next to his chair. “You know I love going on roundups with you.” She wanted to store up all the memories she could, no matter if they were decades old.

“And I love you with me, too, baby girl. But you need to go to school.” He brushed his hand over her head and cupped her cheeks. “You’re so pretty…just like your mama.”

A tear ran down her face. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too.” Then the look in eyes changed to confusion and Tess knew she’d lost him.

“How about if I turn on the television and you can watch The Price is Right?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she pressed the remote to the game show, then left the room.

Bernice looked up from her crossword puzzle at the kitchen, but Tess didn’t want to talk right now. She needed an escape for a few hours. She turned to Livy who was playing with her cat on the back porch.

“Hey, sweetie, how would you like to go riding?”

It was late morning, and the August sun was beginning to heat up by the time Tess saddled the horses. Her dad’s gelding, Dusty, was ready for Livy. The old buckskin hadn’t been ridden much lately, and the exercise would be good for him. She led Whiskey and Dusty out of the barn. That’s when she looked up and saw Luke pull his car up at the back of the house and get out.

“Mom, look it’s Mr. Luke.” Before she could stop her daughter, the child took off running. “Hi, Mr. Luke,” she called.

“Hey, shortcake,” he called back and started toward the corral. He was in a pair of faded jeans and a chambray shirt and boots. He sure didn’t look like a businessman.

Tess watched her daughter beam as she approached him. “We’re going riding.”

“Seems like a nice day for it,” he said as he caught up to the child. His gaze met Tess’s and offered an easy smile.

Ignoring the funny tingle, she touched her finger to her hat and nodded. “C’mon, Livy. We need to get going.”

The child seemed hesitant, then said, “Mommy, can Mr. Luke go with us?” She turned back to the man in question. “You can ride Dusty…he’s real gentle.”

It wasn’t a good idea. “Livy, Mr. Luke probably has a lot of things to do today.”

The girl looked up at her new hero. “Do you?”

Luke slipped his hands into his pockets. He wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to sit around the house all day…again. He shrugged, but felt his excitement grow. “No. I’m free. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little of the ranch.”

The child grinned. “See, Mommy. He wants to see the ranch.”

He watched Tess struggle with her decision. He couldn’t blame her, he was a threat to her family’s future.

She finally said. “Okay, you can ride Dusty, and, Livy, you’ll have to double up with me.”

Livy jumped up and down. “Oh, boy.” She grabbed Luke’s hand and nearly pulled him to the corral.

Tess tied the reins to the railing. “You’ll need to adjust the stirrups.”

“I think I remember how.”

He went to work as she boosted Livy up on Whiskey. Then she went around to the other side of Dusty and helped him with his task. Finished with the one stirrup, Luke came around to the other side. Standing next to her, he caught the soft scent of soap and shampoo. He stole a quick glance at her face to find her skin scrubbed clean of any makeup, revealing a dash of freckles across her nose. She looked like a teenager.

“That should do it.” She squinted up at him. “Just give Dusty his lead, and he’ll do the rest.”

Luke nodded, happy to have something else to concentrate on. He jammed his boot into the stirrup, grabbed the horn and boosted himself onto the horse.

Excitement went through Luke as he walked the buckskin away from the corral gate and tested some basic commands.

“How does it feel?” Tess asked.

“Good.” He glanced at her and smiled. “Real good.”

“Okay, let’s go,” Livy said.

“Hold your horses,” Tess said as she climbed up behind her daughter.

The child giggled. “That’s funny, Mommy.”

Luke couldn’t take his eyes off Tess. She easily handled the stallion. The animal danced away, but she got him under control with expert hands and soothing voice.

They started off toward the south. Once in the open meadow, Livy turned to her mother. “I want to go faster, Mommy,” the child urged her.

Tess smiled. “You do, do you? How fast?”

“Really, really fast.”

She gave a sideways glance at Luke. “We’ll be right back.” She made a clicking sound with her mouth as she squeezed the horse’s sides. Whiskey shot off in a run, then gradually began circling the pasture.

Luke didn’t like being left behind, and neither did Dusty. “What do you think, boy? Should we try to catch them?”

The horse bobbed his head. The instant Luke touched the heel of his boot against the animal, he took off. Awkward at first, Luke soon found the rhythm as he followed the female duo.

Tess spotted Luke coming toward them. He didn’t look bad on a horse and more than capable of handling Dusty. She also couldn’t help but notice his broad shoulders and taut body. So the hotshot businessman was playing cowboy.

She pulled on the reins to slow Whiskey so the other horse and rider could catch up.

“Mommy, let’s show Mr. Luke the ponies.”

“The mustangs? They still around here?” Luke asked, pulling up beside them.

Tess nodded. “They are.” It wouldn’t hurt to show him what he was giving up. “Are you up for the ride?”

“Sure.”

About fifteen minutes later, they reached the edge of the Rocking R property, a large section of land called Mustang Valley. There were three other ranches that bordered this area, too. She slowed her horse, and Luke rode up next to them.

“You did pretty well,” she told him, and patted Dusty’s neck. “And this guy sure needed the exercise.”

Luke pulled off his hat and wiped his forehead on his sleeve. “Yeah.” He blew out a long breath. “But I think I’m a little out of shape, too.”

No way. Then Tess chided herself for noticing. “Riding takes a lot more stamina than people think.”

“I’m learning that the hard way.”

“We have to be very quiet, Mr. Luke,” Livy warned as her voice lowered. “So not to scare the ponies.”

“Okay, I’ll be quiet.”

They continued over the rise down to the creek and Luke couldn’t help but look around at this special oasis. Vague memories flashed back to him as they passed through the large grove of aged oak trees, shading their journey. When they reached the bottom he heard the sound of water. Soon he saw the creek that ran along the edge of the trees. Tess stopped and climbed down, then helped Livy. He followed, and together they led the horses to the water, allowing them to drink.

“You can drink, too,” Tess said. “The water is very good.”

Luke crouched down, cupped his hands into the stream and drank the cool refreshing water. When he glanced up he caught sight of a small buckskin mare. Her mane and tail were long and shaggy, but she was a beauty.

Whiskey sounded off with a loud whinny and began to dance around nervously. Tess immediately gripped the reins to hold on to the horse.

“Whoa, boy. Slow down.” Luke went to her aid as the stallion reared up. He came behind Tess and grabbed hold of the reins closer to the horse’s mouth and held on tight. The powerful animal fought, desperate to answer the call of nature.

“Whoa…fella,” Tess crooned, her voice low and sultry.

Luke kept his mouth shut, knowing Whiskey was her horse. Finally the cries softened as did the fight. But it was Luke’s turn to feel the excitement. Tess’s body was pressed against his, and their arms still entwined. Her hat had fallen off, and his face against her ear.

Damn, she smelled good.

Suddenly Whiskey’s whinny brought him back to the present and the situation.

The buckskin answered back, but she wasn’t alone. Off in the distance was a gray stallion. Even from far away, Luke could easily see the battle scars on the animal’s hide as he pranced around nervously. Then suddenly rearing up on his hind legs, he gave a piercing whinny that echoed through the silence valley. There was no doubt who was the alpha male in the herd. The little mare turned and ran off toward him. Whiskey gave one last neighing sound, then slowly calmed down.

“Sorry, fella,” Luke said. “I think she’s already taken.” He glanced down at Tess. “You okay?”

She looked up at him with those deep-blue eyes. “I’m fine. Thanks for your help.”

“Glad to be of service.” He nodded to Whiskey. “I’d hate to see anything happen to this animal.”

Taking full control of the reins, she stepped away. “That buckskin has…been around many times. But I’ve never seen Whiskey so…excitable before. She must be in season.”

Luke couldn’t help be grin. “By the attitude of the gray stallion I’d say so.”

“Mommy. The pony is running away with the other ponies.”

Whiskey had settled down enough, she tied him to the tree. “That’s her family, sweetie.”

“Oh…I thought she wanted to play with Whiskey and Dusty.”

“Not today. Remember when we talked that there are times when horses mate…and make babies?”

The child nodded.

“Well, see that big gray stallion? That’s the buckskin’s mate. And if I let Whiskey go out there, they would have fought and one or both might have gotten hurt.”

Livy seemed satisfied with the answer. She wandered down to the creek and walked along the edge.

“That was interesting.”

She absently rubbed the stallion’s neck. “I didn’t expect to find a mare in season, or a stallion eager to fight.”

Luke glanced around. He didn’t remember too much about this place, but it was beautiful. A five-year-old did most of his ride around the corral. “I’ve heard stories about the alpha males in the herd. How sometimes they fight to the death.”

“That’s how it is in the wild. And I also think that’s what makes this place so beautiful… so untouched…”

“And why you don’t want to leave it,” he finished.

“Can you look at this beautiful place and tell me that it should be destroyed. Homes constructed…roads built…and the traffic—”

He held up his hands. “Wait a minute, I never said anything about developing this land.” There wasn’t anyone in the business that would give him the time of day, let alone invest any money in another project with his name on it.

She turned her back to her daughter and glare at him. “You’re in real estate,” she said, her voice low and controlled. “Isn’t that why you’re so eager to sell it?”

“I was in real estate,” he said. “Besides, I can’t do a damn thing right now.”

“You haven’t even tried to make a go of the Rocking R. I’d say that’s giving up before you give it a chance.”

“But I’ve never ranched before in my life.”

She crossed her arms over her breasts. “So, you could hire people.”

“Meaning you and your father?”

Something flashed in her eyes, then it was quickly masked. She shrugged. “It’s just something to think about.”

He studied her for a long time. He couldn’t help but think back to another persuasive woman, one who ended up making a fool of him.

“All I’m thinking about right now is finding my brother…”

He paused when he saw two riders coming over the rise from the other side of the creek. They must be friends because Livy was waving at them.

Tess sighed. “Well, looks like it’s time you met some of the neighbors.”

“Who?”

“Well, Randells of course. Looks like your family has come to welcome you home.”

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