The Rancher's Legacy (Red Dog Ranch Book 1)

by Jessica Keller

  He stared at the phone again. Should he call Uncle Travis? He closed his eyes. His uncle would tell him to make his dad proud or utter something along those lines. Give Rhett a one-way ticket for a guilt trip he hardly needed, considering he was already good at taking that trip on his own time.

  His phone vibrated. Hank.

  Rhett answered immediately. “Thanks for calling me back. Were you able to review the files I sent?”

  Hank chuckled. “Well, hello to you too, buddy.”

  “Sorry. It’s just—”

  “Kidding with you, Rhett. Lighten up.”

  Rhett used his free hand to rub at a kink on the back of his neck. “Words one rarely hears from a lawyer.”

  “Oh, now, we’re not all bad. You wouldn’t be calling me if you thought we were.”

  “True.” Rhett had trained Hank’s German shorthaired pointer, Riptide, who had gone on to title in the American Kennel Club’s National Hunt Test. After Riptide’s training was complete, Hank and Rhett had remained in touch, becoming friends. Being an intellectual property lawyer, Hank had assisted Rhett with trademarking his business.

  “I will say—” Hank blew out a long breath “—that’s one hefty will.”

  “I really appreciate you taking the time to look at it for me.”

  “No problem.”

  “I haven’t had any guidance on it,” Rhett confessed. “My family doesn’t understand the risks involved.” He paused but when Hank didn’t jump in Rhett kept speaking. “Tell me you found a loophole in it. There’s a way to get out of the part about the extra programs if I need an out, right? I would think the part about serving foster children could be interpreted in different ways.” Rhett knew he was rambling but he couldn’t help it. Uncle Travis had said the terms of the will were very clear: Red Dog Ranch had to continue being used to serve foster children or Rhett lost the inheritance—meaning his family would lose their home.

  The floor above him creaked, making him glance upward. The beams supporting the kitchen and mess hall floors had to hold quite a bit of weight. All the machinery and sometimes hundreds of people. If something broke—how much would it cost to fix any issues? Even replacing pieces of flooring and subfloor here and there added up. The camper cabins all needed work before the camp session, as well. The horse barn had some long-standing issues he needed to address. Maintenance was a constant. More money. More needs.

  Rhett’s chest felt tight.

  “If I need to prove the financial burden or whatever it takes, I can certainly do that.”

  The fingers on Rhett’s free hand had fisted, resting on his knee. He deliberately uncurled each finger. Relax.

  “Slow down.” Hank spoke in a calm tone Rhett had heard him use before when he was in lawyer mode. “I looked over everything and at first glance it seems fairly binding. However, as you know, this isn’t my wheelhouse.”

  Rhett’s gaze bored into the gray cement wall opposite him. How had that comforted him minutes ago? Now it reminded him of a cell. Trapped. Cold. Alone. “So you don’t think there’s a way out for me?”

  “Now, I didn’t say that.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying lawyers know lawyers. I have a friend from college—he specializes in estate law,” Hank said. “I haven’t spoken to him in a few years, but let me reach out to him and see if he’s willing to take a look at it for us. I can’t promise you anything but I’m certainly willing to try.”

  “I owe you.” Rhett asked about Riptide and Hank promised to call if he heard back from his friend. Rhett shoved his phone into his back pocket and rose. He was too tall to stand straight in the basement so he had to crouch somewhat. It was time to get on with his day. He rounded the corner and came toe-to-toe with Macy. His boots shuffled back a step. Loud and clumsy on the floor.

  Macy’s dark hair hung over her shoulder, free of its usual ponytail, and Rhett couldn’t help but stare. Other than at his father’s funeral, lately she had worn it up. Even under the dim basement lights it had a shine to it, like a raven’s wing in the sun. Rhett had the odd desire to tuck her hair behind her ear just to know what it felt like.

  Instead, he shoved both hands into his pockets.

  When he finally met her gaze her left eye twitched.

  Rhett’s mind raced back through his talk with Hank. How much of his conversation had she overheard? He swallowed, trying to find words. Why was he having a hard time speaking?

  But all she said was, “Found you.”

  Rhett forced his shoulders to relax. “You always could.”

  She cocked her head and studied him for the space of a few heartbeats. “Physically, yes.”

  He scuffed his boot on the floor, a nervous habit. All the long days, all the years spent with Macy, and he had never been flustered around her.

  He cleared his throat. “Remember when we used to play hide-and-seek all the time?”

  “I do. You never could find me.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  He sighed. “I guess you were just too good at hiding.”

  She shrugged, but he knew her too well to miss the tense set of her shoulders and her inability to maintain eye contact for more than a few seconds. Macy was keeping something from him.

  “Maybe you should have looked harder,” she said.

  They weren’t talking about a child’s game anymore, were they? Was it foolish to hope she was talking about their kiss? About what might have happened between them? Rhett hedged with, “Next time, I will.”

  The barest hint of something that looked as if it wanted to be a smile played across her features.

  Moving on.

  “How long have you been standing there?” Had she pieced together he was enlisting legal help to outsmart his father’s will? If she had, Rhett expected her to be furious. But Macy didn’t look upset. Maybe a little confused.

  Her brows furrowed. “I was hoping I could convince you to drive into town with me.”

  He rubbed at the back of his neck. She hadn’t answered his question. “There are calls I have to make and I need to check the pole barn and do you know we still haven’t hired a veterinarian since Lyle retired?”

  Tentatively, she touched his forearm. “Those things will all be waiting for you this afternoon. I promise. We could split up those calls. Divide and tackle together.”

  “I don’t know.” Had Macy missed him as badly as he’d missed her that first year? How many times had she picked up her phone to call him, finger hovering over his contact? Because he’d done so daily for longer than he would ever admit. He had grieved their friendship.

  Grieved what could have been if only he had realized he loved her sooner.

  But she had been fine, hadn’t she? Happy here with the people and place she had chosen.

  She hadn’t mourned their friendship. At least, that’s what he told himself.

  All Rhett knew was after the kiss he’d called her at least twenty times and she had called him once during the three years.

  Once.

  Letting her in—even for a morning together to do errands—was a risk Rhett wasn’t sure he was willing to take. Then again, what could it hurt? It might help if he could get a better sense of her—understand her passion for the foster programs and maybe see them in a light other than what it had done to his relationship with his father.

  “Trust me,” she said. “Take a leap and trust me on this.”

  Curiosity made his resolve waver. He crossed his arms. “Persistent much?”

  “You know it.” Macy tugged keys from her pocket. “We’re going into town to secure donations for the egg hunt. When we decided to go forward with the event you agreed we’d do this together, remember?”

  “I did, didn’t I?” And there went his resolve completely.

  She popped a hand onto her hip. “I’m
not taking no for an answer.”

  “Now that right there. That’s the Macy I know.” He pointed at her. “I know that’s true.” He rolled his shoulders. “All right, let’s head out.”

  * * *

  Macy fiddled with the buttons that controlled the radio station.

  “How about I do that so you can watch the road?” Rhett’s fingers brushed against hers as he reached for the controls. He stopped on a popular country song being played on the local station.

  As Macy scanned the road, she could see her scar in her peripheral vision where her hand rested on the steering wheel. Rhett’s fingers had just traced against that scar. Did he ever think about the day he saved her from the copperhead?

  “I saw this guy in concert last year,” Rhett offered. “He sounds this good in person.”

  The voice on the radio came from Clint Oakfield—one of the biggest touring country-western stars at the moment. His first album had gone platinum and the next two had obtained the same distinction even faster than the first.

  “It would be great if we could rope someone like him into donating toward the egg hunt.” Rhett’s statement was delivered in just a matter-of-fact manner; Macy did a quick double take to be sure he wasn’t joking. He wasn’t. Who was this guy, dreaming big? He almost reminded her of the boy who had once been her best friend.

  “How huge would that be?” Macy whispered.

  Rhett’s laugh was warm and welcoming. “If anyone could do it, you could.”

  Macy made a mental note to go to Oakfield’s website when she got back to the office and see if there was an option to contact his agent or whoever handled his publicity. People had successfully reached out to celebrities on social media before, as well. What would it hurt to try? If he said no they would be no worse off than they were now, but if he said yes? If Clint Oakfield helped in any way at all...it could be a game changer for Red Dog Ranch and all the foster programs. Even if he donated some signed merchandise that they could raffle off, that would be helpful.

  “Speaking of donations.” Rhett held the clipboard with the list of businesses Macy had wanted to stop in and talk to. He ran a finger down the first section of the list. “All right, we’re six for six on places promising donations. Should we try for seven before heading back?” He caught her eye and the grin he sent her way made her stomach somersault. For the last hour in the car he had been her buddy again, joking, smiling and seemingly excited about the challenge of winning over business owners.

  A few of the businesses had promised monetary donations; another two were going to donate candy and small prizes to use in the egg hunt. Yet another promised to rally volunteers to help man the event.

  Macy glanced at the clock on the dashboard and her heartbeat ratcheted. Fifteen minutes until she was supposed to meet the Donnelleys at Scoops and Sons for lunch.

  And she had yet to inform Rhett about the meeting.

  Hence the erratic heart.

  She snuck a glance at him. Okay, the man’s jawline and eyes alone could cause her heart to go out of control, but that wasn’t today’s reason. Besides, Rhett had already made it clear that he should never be the reason for anything in her life.

  The Donnelleys had two adopted children and two foster kids. Often they had more. Mr. Donnelley had grown up in the foster system and had been a teenager when Red Dog Ranch launched many of its programs. They were supporters of the ranch, but more than that, they were friends.

  Last night springing a lunch date with the Donnelleys on Rhett had sounded like such a good idea. Now? Not so much. Especially not after they’d stopped by a few local businesses and worked as a team to secure donations.

  She and Rhett—a team again.

  Macy’s mouth felt dry. She needed to tell him. Had to be honest.

  Suddenly, Kodiak stood in the back seat and pressed her muzzle into Rhett’s ear. Rhett had insisted on bringing her along. Supposedly she didn’t do well if she was apart from him for too long, and she had already been outside alone for a chunk of the morning.

  Macy couldn’t fault Kodiak there.

  However, she had the distinct impression that the dog wanted to place herself in between Macy and Rhett as often as she possibly could.

  Macy probably should have held her tongue, but she had never been particularly good at doing so. “Ever afraid she might nip you?”

  “This brute?” Rhett chuckled and gently nudged Kodiak so she would lie down across the back seat again. “I’d trust her with my life.” He held up a hand. “And let’s say—theoretically—she did accidentally nip someone. Chessies aren’t like other dogs. They’re known for their gentle jaws.”

  “Gentle jaws...on a dog?”

  He nodded. “That’s why they’re perfect birding dogs. They can carry a duck back to you without getting a scratch on it. In fact, a Chessie can be trained to carry an egg in their mouth without breaking it.” He jutted his thumb toward the back seat. “Kodiak can.”

  Macy flipped on the blinker, turning the car in the direction of Scoops and Sons. “You’re serious?”

  “Of course.” His blue eyes lighted with excitement. “With Cassidy’s permission, Kodiak has started to learn how to do a water rescue on Piper. She can take an arm or a part of Piper’s clothing in her mouth and tow her back to shore. It’s pretty amazing. I mean, we only got to try it twice before Piper got hurt. But Kodiak had trained with a dummy at our old place.”

  Macy couldn’t hide the smile that crept onto her face. Rhett’s enthusiasm was palpable.

  “Okay, you’re right. That is amazing.” It was great to see him so animated.

  “Of course, all that’s on hold now. We can’t do it again until Piper’s cast is off.” He frowned. “But I’ve been having Kodiak practice with other objects.” He unbuckled his seat belt without looking toward the restaurant. “She’s stronger than she looks—able to haul a lot while she’s swimming.”

  “About Piper.” Macy sucked in a sharp breath as she parked the car in front of the tiny restaurant. “I haven’t had a chance to apologize for what happened.” She twisted in the seat to face him. “I’m sorry she got hurt and I take full responsibility for what happened.”

  “Are you trying to convince me to reinstate the interns? Because—”

  She touched his wrist. “It was my fault. Mine alone.”

  “While I appreciate you saying that,” he said, shifting the clipboard onto the dashboard and then scrubbing his hand over his face, setting his hat off balance, “I think the fault rests with me. I shouldn’t have tried to keep my business going. I should have known continuing to train dogs would only divide my time and attention. I should have been there overseeing the interns. I shoved off that duty—”

  “Onto me.” Macy pressed her hand against her chest. “And I failed you.”

  “I doubt you could ever fail me.” His voice was so low, so full of emotion, it stirred feelings in Macy’s heart she had convinced herself she was doing a good job locking away.

  Apparently not.

  While Rhett’s words threatened to unbind a piece of her heart, she couldn’t let that happen. They weren’t true. Rhett hadn’t wanted her.

  He shouldn’t say such things.

  Her mind suddenly latched onto something else he had said. “Wait. You said you ‘shouldn’t have tried to keep your business going.’ Does that mean—”

  “Yes.” He tugged his hat off and shoved a hand into his hair. “I have to give up Straight Arrow Retrievers. I don’t see any other way around it.”

  She twisted in her seat, grabbing his arm. “Look at me. You are not giving up your business. You care about it too much. It’s your passion, Rhett.”

  “Well, it’s not humanly possible to run the ranch, the foster programs, and manage my family and Straight Arrow Retrievers at the same time. Not well. Not successfully. Something has to give and I don�
�t see what else I can cut.” He tipped his head back against the headrest.

  Her heart went out to him. If only she could convince him to share his burdens. He didn’t have to manage everything alone. He wasn’t alone at all.

  “You have a staff, Rhett. Delegate the ranch duties. We can make this work.”

  He turned his head in her direction. “You know, you make me believe it could almost work. That’s dangerous, Mace.”

  She smiled. “I’ve never been a fan of safe.”

  * * *

  Rhett swallowed hard. While they’d been able to make progress for the egg hunt, spending time alone with Macy was messing with his head. Oh, he wanted to keep talking with her. Wanted to keep making her smile and laugh. Wanted to keep hearing her encouragement.

  That was the problem.

  Friendship with Macy was far too risky.

  Macy was determined and hardworking and positive. She was passionate about important things and was willing to fight for what mattered to her. She was beautiful, but then she always had been. He had simply been too bullheaded to allow himself to notice for fear of what it would do to their friendship.

  How many things had he lost because of choices made from fear?

  But fear—caution—kept a person safe. In the horror movies it was always the brave person who went out to investigate a noise who got the ax first, not the vigilant ones hiding inside. They were smart. They stayed safe. Alive.

  Walls and hiding were good things. No one could tell him differently.

  Because the truth was Rhett could very easily lose his heart to Macy for good if he wasn’t careful. So he would be careful. He had to be. He had too much to juggle, too much riding on his shoulders without additional complications.

  Besides, she had rejected him before.

  He had to keep reminding himself of that. It was the one thought that could protect him. He stole a glance at her as she used the rearview mirror to fix her hair.

  Perhaps the only thing.

  He looked through the window, finally taking in where they’d parked: Scoops and Sons, a great diner off the beaten path of town. While out-of-towners more than likely assumed the place was simply an ice cream shop, it was so much more. Scoops was a mom-and-pop eatery that served up some of the best brisket sandwiches and corn cobbler Rhett had ever eaten.