The Rancher's Family Secret

by Myra Johnson

  “When my mom and stepdad get here, I’m hoping they’ll help me haul stuff out of the chapel and decide what’s worth keeping—if there’s anything after rats and insects have been in there for who knows how long.”

  “Always happy to help with the heavy lifting.” Spencer gave a quick nod as he turned in the direction of the Navarro ranch.

  “Before you go...” Lindsey moved in front of him. “Maybe I don’t really want to know the answer, but something you said right before you left yesterday has been bugging me.”

  Spencer massaged the palm of his right hand, the same one he’d been holding hers with yesterday. Her fingers tingled at the memory. “Oh, yeah? What’d I say?”

  “You told me not to give up. No matter what. Like you knew there could be a reason I’d consider giving up.”

  He looked away, lips downturned in a thoughtful frown. “I’m coming to believe my grandfather would do almost anything to get his hands on this place. But if you’re able to pay off the back taxes and avoid the foreclosure sale, that will never happen.” His gaze locked with hers. “You have to believe I’m on your side in this, Linds. I’ll do everything I can to help you keep this ranch in the McClement family.”

  She studied him. “Why, Spencer? Why wouldn’t you want this land for the Navarros?”

  Removing his hat, he sidled a few steps away. “Maybe I’m not being the loyal son and grandson I should be, but...it seems wrong. The greed. The bitterness. I don’t think even gaining possession of this land would be enough to erase my grandfather’s discontent.”

  * * *

  Spencer hoped his suspicions were unfounded and that Tito’s business in town yesterday had nothing to do with making a bid for the McClement ranch. He meant what he’d said to Lindsey. His grandfather didn’t need more land. He needed a change of heart.

  At church the next morning, Spencer prayed for exactly that. With Christmas only days away, how could Tito not grasp how his spiteful grudge against the McClements was hardening his heart toward the Prince of Peace?

  Afterward, as they filed out of the sanctuary, Spencer’s mother wrapped her arm around his waist. “You looked so serious all through worship. What’s on your mind, son?”

  He slowed, allowing his father and grandfather to move farther ahead. “I hope I’m wrong, but... I’m worried Tito’s planning to make trouble for Lindsey.”

  “This isn’t only friendly concern, is it?” She cast him a smile fraught with meaning. “Your dad and I have noticed how much time you’ve been spending next door—and not just to take care of your rescue horses.”

  His stomach tensed. “I’m doing my best to stay on top of my work with the quarter horses.”

  “And your dad knows that. He may not be so good at showing it, but he’s proud of what you’re doing with the rescues—more than you know. But he walks a fine line between honoring your grandfather’s legacy and planning for the day when Navarro Quarter Horses will belong to you.”

  They paused in the narthex, and Spencer glanced to where Dad and Tito stood chatting with a couple of other ranchers. Guess he’d been so focused on getting the job done each day that he hadn’t given much thought to the future. Not smart, considering Tito was nearing ninety and wouldn’t be around too many more years. And Dad, at sixty, might already be thinking toward retirement. When the time came, did Spencer even want to take over the family’s quarter horse operation?

  Not unless the Navarro-McClement feud had been settled once and for all. And definitely not if gaining his inheritance meant Lindsey had to lose hers.

  Mom patted his arm. “Didn’t mean to get you fretting over all that right now. It’s almost Christmas.” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Oh, honey, with Samuel here for a few days, it’ll be like old times having you two boys and Lindsey together again.”

  “Yeah, should be fun.” More like a mixed blessing. Spencer looked forward to having his brother home for Christmas. But the idea of competing with his silver-tongued twin for Lindsey’s attention? Not so fun. Besides, he was already dreading the arguments sure to arise when Tito and Dad started in on Samuel again for choosing a real estate career instead of the family business. Spencer respected his brother for following his own path, but did Samuel have any idea how his leaving had doubled the pressure on Spencer to live up to their father’s and grandfather’s expectations?

  With an impatient scowl, Tito waved at them. “Let’s go home. I’m hungry.”

  Spencer and his mother hurried over, and Dad hustled them out the door. “He’s in a mood today,” he murmured. “Let’s not make it worse.”

  “What’s going on with Tito, anyway?” Spencer asked.

  His father answered with a grim shake of his head. “Guess we’ll all know soon enough.”

  Passing the McClement ranch as they arrived home, Spencer noticed an unfamiliar gold sedan parked in front of the house. A thin, gray-haired man leaned into the trunk and hauled out two suitcases. Lindsey, her mother and Audra were heading up the porch steps, each of them laden with gifts wrapped in shiny Christmas paper. Even from this distance, Spencer could see the joy in their faces. His hand clenched in a pang of envy, because no matter what ultimately happened with the McClement ranch, Lindsey’s family would stick together, loving and supporting one another through good times and bad.

  As for his own family? Loyalty was one thing. Clinging to the past, something else entirely. If the tables were turned and the McClements were trying to take back Navarro land, Spencer hated to think what his grandfather might do in retaliation. He’d likely destroy the last remnants of respect any of his children and grandchildren had for him.

  Such disconcerting thoughts reminded Spencer that he’d been out of touch with his twin for too long. After helping with kitchen cleanup following Sunday lunch, he carried his phone out to the front porch and called Samuel. Might be wise to give his brother a heads-up about the current situation before he got to town.

  “Hey, Spence!” Samuel’s typical high-energy greeting sounded slightly forced today. “How’s it going, bro?”

  “Pretty good. You?”

  Samuel didn’t reply right away. “Okay, I guess.”

  “That didn’t sound convincing.”

  “Right. About as convincing as your ‘pretty good.’” Samuel gave a humorless laugh. “We may not see each other much anymore, but our twin connection’s still pretty strong. So spill.”

  Spencer wouldn’t be cornered so easily. Besides, his brother’s mood shift had him concerned. Samuel had gone through a rough patch a year or two ago, and Spencer hoped he hadn’t fallen back in with the toxic singles crowd he’d been hanging with. “Uh-uh. You first.”

  Another pause. “Got time to meet me for coffee later at the Cadwallader Inn?”

  “You’re in Gabriel Bend?” Stunned, Spencer pushed up from the porch step and took several strides across the lawn. “Since when?”

  “Got in last night,” Samuel replied sheepishly. “Took the whole week off for Christmas but couldn’t make myself go straight to the ranch. Don’t tell anyone, though. Promise?”

  “You know Mom’s gonna kill you when she finds out.”

  “Won’t be the first time. So, can you come to town or not?”

  “Be there in half an hour.”

  Telling his mother only that he’d forgotten something he needed in town, Spencer headed to the Cadwallader. In a quiet corner of the inn’s upscale restaurant, he found his brother sipping decaf from a fancy china cup. Now that Samuel had started growing a beard, seeing him was almost like looking in a mirror.

  Samuel rose to greet him with a manly hug and a couple of rough slaps on the back. “Good to see you, Spiny.”

  “You, too, Slam.” It had been a long time since they’d used their childhood nicknames, bestowed when they were too young to correctly pronounce each other’s given names.

&nbs
p; As they took chairs opposite each other, Samuel signaled a server. Amused by the young man’s double take upon seeing his customer’s identical twin, Spencer ordered decaf for himself, then let Samuel run with the small talk until the server returned with another cup and saucer along with a thermal carafe for the table.

  Grinning, Samuel topped off his coffee. “I can always tell when you’re done with the chitchat. Ready to tell me what’s really going on with you?”

  “Wait, you were supposed to go first with the true confessions.”

  “Never agreed to that. Anyway, since Mom already sort of filled me in, you might as well fess up.”

  Spencer nearly choked on a swallow of decaf. “What exactly did Mom tell you?”

  “That you’ve been spending a lot of time with a certain attractive McClement.”

  Fighting for composure, Spencer mopped his lips with a napkin. “Lindsey and I are working together on a couple of projects, that’s all.”

  “I’ve seen your horse rescue website. Mom sent me the link. Nice going, by the way. But stabling your horses at the McClement ranch? How’s that going over with Tito?”

  Not a subject Spencer wanted to get into. “I’m sure you can guess.”

  “Right. So tell me more about Lindsey.”

  Those old familiar prickles crawled up Spencer’s spine. “Since you’re so interested, why don’t you go out there and see her?”

  Leaning away, Samuel raised both hands. “Easy, bro. Not trying to move in on your girl.”

  “She’s not my—”

  “It’s okay, Spiny.” Samuel shifted forward, forearms resting on the table. His expression softened into a sympathetic smile. “I’ve known you were sweet on Lindsey since junior high.”

  “But I always thought you—I mean, the way you were always flirting with her—”

  Samuel scoffed. “Because you weren’t. And it wasn’t really flirting. Not seriously, anyway. Lindsey was just fun to be with.”

  “Still is,” Spencer murmured, gazing toward the window but seeing only a pair of shimmering brown eyes.

  “Yep, my brother is smitten.” Samuel sat back with a satisfied smirk. “And it’s about time you finally admitted it.”

  Chapter Eight

  Lindsey had helped Audra set out a few Christmas decorations over the past week, but with ranch business taking precedence, they hadn’t gotten around to putting up a tree. After carrying in all the gifts her mother and stepdad had brought, Lindsey suggested they go into town that afternoon and pick one out.

  “The best tree lot’s next to Jim’s Food Mart,” Audra said. “Y’all go find us a nice one, and I’ll have the lights and ornaments ready when you get back.”

  Driving Audra’s ancient blue ranch truck, Lindsey headed into Gabriel Bend with her mother and Stan. This close to Christmas, many of the best trees had already been claimed, but they found a nicely shaped six-foot Douglas fir perfect for a corner in Audra’s living room. Stan insisted on paying for it, and while he and the lot attendant secured it in the truck bed, Lindsey jogged to the food mart to pick up a few things Audra needed for supper.

  As she approached the self-checkout with her basket of cherry tomatoes, salad greens and dinner rolls, the person ahead of her had just finished bagging his purchases. When he turned slightly, she saw it was Spencer—and wearing a long-sleeved polo and khakis much nicer than his usual attire. “Hey, stranger,” she said with a laugh. “Almost didn’t recognize you without your jeans and Stetson.”

  He pivoted to face her, his mouth spreading into a grin. “Hi, Lindsey. Don’t tell me you still can’t tell my brother and me apart.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Samuel?”

  Grocery bag looped over one arm, he gave her a quick hug with the other. “Been forever, huh? How are you?”

  “I—I’m good. You’re home for Christmas?”

  He squeezed one eye shut in an embarrassed grimace. “The fam’s not expecting me till Christmas Eve. I needed a couple days to myself, so I’m staying at the Cadwallader.”

  “They don’t know you’re in town?”

  “Only Spencer. And I’d like to keep it that way...for now.”

  “No worries.” Her smile stiffened. “I’m not exactly on speaking terms with your dad and grandfather.”

  Samuel gave his head a disgusted shake. “This whole Navarro-McClement thing stinks. What it’s done to my family is a big reason I left home in the first place—and why it’s so hard to come back even for a short visit.”

  His admission made her sad for him and even angrier about the feud. “Well, I know Spencer will be glad to see you.”

  “He met me for coffee at the inn earlier. We had a good talk.” Samuel winked. “Actually, we mostly talked about you.”

  Heat rose in Lindsey’s cheeks. At someone’s emphatic throat-clearing behind her, she apologized and hurried to scan her groceries. Samuel bagged them for her and waited while she ran her debit card, then walked her out. By then, her stepdad had moved the truck to a parking space near the exit doors.

  “Well, I should go,” she said, still feeling the warmth of her blush. “We’re decorating our tree this afternoon.”

  “It’s good to see you again, Lindsey. For my brother’s sake, I hope you stick around Gabriel Bend for a long, long time.”

  His statement awakened a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. What exactly had Spencer told him? With an uncertain smile, she said goodbye and strode over to the truck.

  When she climbed in on the passenger side, her mother asked, “Was that Spencer?”

  “No, it was Samuel.” Lindsey explained his request not to mention his arrival in town. Not that Mom and Stan were any more likely to speak with Arturo or Hank Navarro than she was. But when Mrs. Navarro learned Lindsey’s mother was visiting, she’d probably pop over to say hello in spite of her crusty old father-in-law.

  At the ranch, Lindsey helped Stan carry the Christmas tree inside. Audra had the stand ready, and soon they were stringing lights and hanging ornaments. Discovering they needed an extension cord, Audra sent Lindsey to the storage closet to find one. On her way back to the living room, she drew up short at the sight of her mother and stepdad stealing a kiss. The tender gaze they shared brought a lump to Lindsey’s throat. She couldn’t be happier that Mom had found true love again, and with such a kind and gentle man.

  Just as quickly, those tender feelings evaporated as her thoughts jumped to her father. He didn’t deserve happiness, much less the forgiveness Mom had long ago chosen to give. Lindsey couldn’t forgive him and never would.

  “There you are, honey.” Mom’s cheeks glowed as she eased out of Stan’s embrace. “Let’s get these lights plugged in, shall we?”

  For the remainder of the day, Lindsey put her negativity aside and let herself enjoy this time with her family. Mom and Stan were enthusiastic about Lindsey’s ideas to generate other sources of income for the ranch and promised to pitch in with some of the cleanup and fixing up during their stay.

  The next morning, after helping Audra with the barn and livestock chores, Lindsey decided the mild, sunny weather was perfect for starting to clear out the chapel. “Who knows? There might actually be something worth salvaging in there.”

  Mom peered through the open door. “It’ll be like a treasure hunt. And you know how I love antiquing.”

  “Watch for snakes and spiders,” Audra cautioned as she donned a pair of leather work gloves. “You’re right, though. Several years ago I helped my parents move some ancient boxes and furniture down from the attic that the original owners had left behind.”

  By noon, the area outside the chapel was strewn with rotting cardboard crates, an antique trunk with rusty hinges and an assortment of mismatched furniture, some of which showed signs of rodent damage.

  Lindsey groaned as she surveyed the piles. “So much for finding anything
of value.”

  “Don’t give up so quickly,” Mom said, already riffling through the trunk. She lifted out an old book, then sat back on her heels and gingerly turned to the flyleaf. “This looks like a first-edition Mark Twain novel, and it’s still in pretty good shape.”

  Stan stooped to examine the page. “If you’re right, it could be worth several hundred dollars. Maybe thousands.”

  “Are you serious?” Heart pounding, Lindsey hurried over to peer inside the trunk. “Are there more?”

  “A few, but they don’t look as well preserved as this one.” Mom handed the book to Stan, then lifted out another volume. “We need to get these appraised.”

  Audra joined them, her eyes wide with interest. “I know an antiques dealer in town.”

  Ready to burst with excitement, Lindsey drew her aunt into a hug. “I have a good feeling about this. Can we call him right now?”

  “I’ll go find his number.” Audra started toward the house.

  “Bring some tissue paper back with you,” Mom called. “We should carefully wrap each book until a professional can tell us for sure what we’ve got.”

  As Lindsey knelt to see what else the trunk held, she glimpsed Spencer ambling toward the barn. Seeing them, he changed direction and headed over. “You’ve been busy.”

  “Seemed like a good day to get started on the chapel.” Lindsey stood and brushed debris from her knees. “You remember my mom.”

  “Sure. Hi, Mrs...”

  “Aaronson,” Lindsey’s mother supplied. “And this is Stan, my husband.” She laughed lightly. “We thought for a second we’d seen you at the grocery store yesterday, but it turned out to be your brother.”

  Spencer cast Lindsey a nervous glance. “You saw Samuel?”

  “Don’t worry. He told us not to say anything.”

  “Uh...good. Thanks.” His distracted reply made Lindsey wonder if he had other reasons to be concerned they’d run into his twin. “Just came over to check on my rescues. If you need help hauling this stuff off later, let me know.”