Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series

by Natalie Bright

  “Is Carli going with you? Is that the best place to raise a child?” This coming from Travis. Leave it to his little brother to make the situation worse.

  Temper flared inside Nathan. “There is no baby. Carli and I are friends.” His voice boomed louder than he had meant, so he took a calming breath. “I know it sounds crazy, but I have an opportunity in Santa Fe that I can’t turn down. I’ll be able to work and learn from some of the best artists in the Southwest.”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard," his father said. "We’ve got branding soon. Long days in the saddle and flanking calves will get you to come to your senses. I don’t know what’s going on with you, Son, but you’ll get through this. We’ll get through it together.”

  “My mind is made up. I’m giving you my notice, Dad. I’m not working at the Rafter O any longer.”

  “This ranch doesn’t run on its own. You are lucky to have the kind of life this place provides for you, and now you’re throwing it all away.” Skip Olsen met his son’s stare eye to eye, his face red. “Generations before you, hardworking people, gave their sweat and tears to make the Olsen ranch a reality. You’re stomping on all of their memories, on our legacy.”

  “Over and over and over, I’ve heard you say that a million times. I’m not stomping on anything. I’m well aware of how this ranch operates. I know how lucky I’ve been to grow up here.” Nathan didn't want to hurt his family but he felt a strength inside him building.

  “I said no.” Skip’s voice came out hard, low and mean. His word was final at the Olsen house.

  “Dad. I’ll help you.” Angie stepped in between them, laying a hand on her father’s arm. “I’m here. And Travis is here. We're not going anywhere.”

  “She’s more of a cow man than I’ll ever be,” Nathan said. “Angie never misses a count. She can tell you where each one of those bulls came from and what year they were purchased. Travis is the best roper and flanker in the county. He’s always been better than me. You have a good crew here, Dad.”

  “Listen to the children, Hon.”

  “You don’t need me.” Nathan put an arm around his mother as she wiped a tear from her face. "Mom, Dad, you always taught us that God gives us the desires of our heart. I believe this is what's happening for me. You had my life planned out to run this ranch, even before I was born. But I can't do it. God gave me this dream and ability. It's the one thing that makes me happy."

  Skip Olsen looked at his firstborn son, nodded his head. And quietly said, “I’ll consider it, Nathan.”

  Stubborn to the very end, his father, but at least he gave an inch although he’d be the last to admit it. Nathan knew he had won. Maybe not the war, but perhaps this battle.

  “Thanks, Sis.” Nathan gave Angie a big hug. “Finish your desserts everyone. And you’re all invited to my first gallery showing in Santa Fe one day.”

  Applause erupted from the guests.

  “I call dibs on Nathan’s horse and saddle.” Travis sat down and shoveled an oversized bite of cobbler into his mouth, chewed, and then looked up. “Mom, can I move into his room?”

  Without saying a word Nathan turned and grabbed Travis into a headlock, dragging him out of his chair.

  “Don’t wrestle in this dining room, boys,” Mrs. Olsen said. They all laughed.

  Nathan knew he would miss these moments more than anything in the world, but the world was waiting for him and he was ready to get started.

  Chapter Forty

  Thanks to the friendly convenience store attendant a couple miles back, Carli finally saw the rodeo arena up ahead. But before she could get through the gate to parking, the sounds of a siren interrupted her thoughts as an ambulance blared behind her. She had to pull to one side and let them pass.

  At the entrance she ignored the greeting of the gatekeeper, instead dug in the bottom of her purse for money to cover the parking fee and shoved it into his hand.

  Finally, she parked her truck in a grassy lot, hopped out, and weaved her way through the cars, trucks, and livestock trailers. She had to find Lank and set things right with him. The notion that he thought badly of her caused her stomach to twist in knots. He had to know the truth.

  Wandering through the dust and noise that rose above the crowd, she took a moment to peek at the arena. Team roping was underway, so she turned and searched the sea of cowboy hats for Lank’s face. Up in the stands, more cowboy hats on guys and girls, smiling faces but no one familiar. Wandering past the concession stands, she made her way towards the holding pens. Taking note of every face shaded by a hat, bodies perched on railings. She walked through the middle of several clumps of cowboys. Some tipped their hat to her, some casting friendly, interested smiles her way, but she didn’t pause long enough to engage in conversation. With a disappointed sigh she turned and walked back the way she had come.

  “Vera!” Finally, a familiar face. Carli saw her neighbor Crazy Vera standing at the concession stand. She towered over everyone around her, most especially from the tall hat and feather. The older woman turned at the sound of her name.

  “Carli, girl. Want something to drink?”

  “No, thanks. Have you seen Lank?”

  Vera handed over her money before answering. “You just missed his ride.”

  Carli followed her towards the stands. Vera stopped and turned to her, a frown on her face. “It didn’t end well.”

  “I need to talk to him.”

  “He’s gone by now. The ambulance left about ten minutes ago.”

  “Ambulance? I pulled over to let it pass.”

  “That’s the one and Lank was in it.”

  “What? Was he hurt bad? Where’d they take him? Do you know?” Fear crept over her causing her throat to close. She felt dizzy.

  “So many questions. Easy, girl. You’re as pale as a ghost. You don’t need any stress in your condition. He’ll be okay, but I can’t believe he tossed aside his promise to his momma and climbed back on a dang bucking horse. His poor momma must be rolling over in her grave, God rest her soul.”

  “Vera! Are they taking him to the hospital in this town?” Carli walked closer and grabbed her neighbor by both shoulders. Her first instinct was to shake the living daylights out of the woman until she could find out what she wanted to know. But Vera had her on size and weight. It would have been like trying to budge a Sequoia.

  “Maybe your blood sugar is too low? I’ll buy you a snack. You need to keep up your strength. You’re eating for two, ya know.”

  “There is no baby. Nathan is moving to Santa Fe. The rumor about us started at the coffee shop based on parts of an overheard conversation and then the Dixon town gossip train ran full speed and out of control. Dependable form of news, but not always accurate. Listen to me! I have to talk to Lank.”

  “How does Lank play into this? What has you so upset?”

  “I think I love him.” Carli let out a breath. There. She’d blurted it out without even thinking. What a disaster this was going to be, no matter how things might work out. Vera’s eyes widened and then a slow grin covered her face.

  “Come with me.” Crazy Vera grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt and half ran, half dragged her towards the parking lot. As they approached Vera's truck, Snot the bloodhound raised a droopy-eyed face up from the back and wagged his tail at Carli. Vera opened the back of the truck bed and Snot jumped out and walked around to the passenger door.

  “Get in. You’ll have to ride in the middle because Snot always sits by the window.” Vera shouted as if Carli wasn’t just on the other side of the truck. “And hold my drink.”

  Carli held Vera’s soda and with her other hand pushed the dog away to avoid a slobbery tongue on her cheek. They roared out of the parking lot, turning into a residential area, Vera weaving right and then left. “I’m taking a shortcut. Now they may have just taken him to the local hospital, but if they took him on to a larger medical center we’ll find out.”

  What would she say to Lank when she saw him? Ad
mitting your undying love to an employee is hardly appropriate, and what if he didn’t feel the same? They couldn’t ever work together once those three words escaped her lips. It would be torture seeing him and knowing he didn’t love her back. What a mess. She’d have to fire him. Again.

  The notion that he might be seriously injured slammed into her brain and caused tears to bubble up in her eyes. Houses and yards and traffic passed by blurry in her vision. She absentmindedly laid an arm across the bloodhound in the seat next to her, pulling him closer. The thought of sobbing into his neck crossed her mind but she concentrated on breathing in and out to get a check on her emotions.

  Vera practically jumped out of the truck before it stopped rolling under the portico, and Carli followed still holding Vera’s drink from the rodeo concession. "Emergency" blinked bright red next to the sliding glass doors.

  “Was that cowboy brought here?” Vera asked, her voice booming in the sterile, orderly space. A nurse looked up from behind the counter. “Yes. Room 35, but are you family?”

  “You’re dang right we are!” The nurse raised curious eyebrows but didn’t argue. Vera turned to Carli. “Go get your cowboy.”

  “You bet I will.” She passed the drink to the big woman with frustration, not knowing why she was still carrying it around, and looked at the nurse who pointed a finger towards the hall behind her.

  Walk, don’t run, she reminded herself, but she couldn’t stay calm. She busted around the corner, swerving to miss an orderly who pushed an empty wheelchair, and barreled through the door without even knocking.

  Lank appeared to be asleep, but breathing, his chest rising and falling as the air made a wheezing noise. One arm was in a sling and one eye was swollen shut. His cheek and forehead marked with deep purple bruising. Peaceful. He looked so serene and Carli was filled with joy, giddy and sharp, at the sight of his face. She froze and stared, memorizing every line weathered by the outdoors. A black curl covered one side of his forehead and dark stubble shaded his handsome face. She stepped closer and couldn’t help but reach out and caress his jaw. She let her hand trail down his good arm and then clasped his hand in hers.

  After a moment he slowly opened one eye, saw her face, and lifted his good eyebrow. She smiled at him.

  “I need to tell you something, Lank Torres,” she murmured.

  He turned his face into the pillow. “Go away.” He jerked his hand back.

  Carli drew in a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy. He was so ornery he'd make it difficult. But she had to tell him how she felt, even if they could never be a couple. Even if he hated her.

  “You just listen. I’ll talk.” She leaned over him so in case he did open that one good eye again, she’d be in his line of vision. “You left the Olsen’s before you heard my news.” She poked him on the shoulder. “There is no baby.”

  He kept his eye shut. “So? What has this got to do with me?” he mumbled.

  “I wanted you to know.” She eased onto the bed next to him.

  “I’m sure you and Nathan will have many long years together. Don’t send me an invite to the wedding.”

  “That would be an interesting marriage since he’s moving to Santa Fe and I’m staying here. There’s no wedding. There’s no baby. Can you drop the arrogant attitude for once and just listen?”

  Lank turned his head and finally opened his good eye. She met his gaze, couldn’t think of what she needed to say so she leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on his lips. For once this smart-mouthed cowboy was speechless. She giggled.

  “I know I said we needed to keep it professional, employer and employee and all that, but I've changed my mind. When I moved to Texas, I wasn’t looking for a new relationship. I just wanted to learn about cattle ranching and find out about a family I never knew. I didn’t expect to find love. But here you are. Whether you feel the same or not, I think we should be honest with each other.” A tear slid down her cheek. She’d laid bare her heart and soul. They were in his hands now.

  His hand gently caressed the side of her face and his thumb wiped the tear away. “I’m just the ranch hand. A dirty, rotten, tough cowboy is what my momma always said. I don’t have ambition to be anything else. But if I’m being honest, I have loved you from the first moment you climbed out of that truck with the Georgia license plates and started ordering me around.”

  “You seemed furious with me that day. I had no idea you were interested. And then today, I saw the anger and hurt on your face when you looked at me. Why did you come to the Olsen’s today?”

  “No matter how much I hated the thought of you and Nathan building a life together, there’s no way I’d miss a meal at the Olsen’s,” he said with a sheepish smile and shrugged.

  Carli laughed. “Promise me one thing.”

  “Anything,” he said as he reached for her hand.

  “We have to communicate. No more conflict between us. But I might have to dock your pay for this latest stunt. Why would you climb on the back of a bronc again and risk life and limb?”

  “It seemed no one cared if I lived or died. You and Nathan were starting a life together. When I’m on the back of a bronc I can forget. I only have to focus on that moment. It’s the rush.”

  “Like I said, I might have to dock your pay for being so stupid.”

  “Will there be a bonus since I’m dating the boss?”

  “A bonus? What kind of bonus?”

  Lank sat up in his hospital bed, a muscled arm pulled her closer. “This.” His lips covered hers, firm and demanding, and she was helpless to control the flutter in her heart and that tingle that spread through her like a heat wave reaching all the way to her toes.

  When she finally came up for air, she mumbled, “I love you, Lank Torres.”

  “I know you do, boss lady.”

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to the cowboys and cowgirls, ranchers, farmers, and countless busy, hardworking folks who have crossed my path, both past and present, and who continue to inspire me. Their stories of joy, heartache, and unwavering faith prove that the human spirit undeniably endures.

  Thanks to Lauren Bridges and the CKN Christian Publishing team for the opportunity. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

  To my co-author Denise. There is no doubt in my mind that God sometimes steers us in new directions and places certain people in our path. Thanks for your creative spirit, dedication, and willingness to travel along this challenging and rewarding journey. Here’s to the work and words behind us and hoping there are many more to come.

  - Natalie Bright

  For the most part, writing is a solitary endeavor. But there are still many who contribute to the production of turning ideas into words, into stories, into books. Heartfelt thanks to: A holy and loving God for creating each of us with unique talents and for staying by our side; my wonderful co-author Natalie Bright for her expertise and treasured friendship; many friends connected with the Western Writers of America; Wolfpack Publishing and CKN Christian Publishing; and so many others.

  Award-winning bronze sculptor Chris Navarro was the inspiration for characters in this book, Follow a Wild Heart, who are driven to follow their passion of creating art. At a young age, Navarro was eager to learn about sculpting, much like our character Nathan Olsen and his mentor. Please visit Navarro's website: https://www.chrisnavarro.com.

  Another bronze sculptor, Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, was the inspiration in our first book in the Wild Cow Ranch series, Maverick Heart. The sculpture of the cowgirl that our character Carli Jameson loves so much is actually in the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Please see Deborah's website: https://www.fellowsstudios.com/deborah-fellows.html.

  Amy Wilmoth Watts is another artist who follows her passion. In addition to her paintings appearing in a Santa Fe, New Mexico gallery, and the Booth Western Art Museum, she is a for-real cowgirl, a cattle rancher with her husband James in Statham, Georgia, and dog, cat, and horse mom. Amy has a heart as big as the planet for people a
nd animals, and I am thankful to count her as my friend. See her art at: https://www.instagram.com/amy.watts.art/.

  And be sure to visit the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, when you get the chance. https://boothmuseum.org.

  Thank you, Dear Reader, for spending time with us on the Wild Cow Ranch.

  - Denise F. McAllister

  Your FREE eBook

  Join the CKN Christian Publishing mailing list for information on new releases, updates, discount offers and your FREE copy of Why Does a Mockingbird Sing?

  Thank you for taking the time to read Follow A Wild Heart. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author's best friend and much appreciated.

  Thank you.

  Natalie Bright and Denise F. McAllister

  If you liked this, take a look at

  A Place Called Destiny by Emma Easter

  Twenty-five-year-old Rachel, nearing the end of her pregnancy, makes an urgent dash to flee her polygamist husband Mike Caldwell and his embittered first spouse Olivia. Pregnant with her first child, a product of her troubled forced spiritual union with Mike, Rachel knows if she doesn’t escape her unholy relationship both her and her child will never be free.

  She has been unable to accept this way of life and feels it is not right for her to act as a barrier to Mike and Olivia and the sanctity of their marriage. Her escape plan fails, due to Fallow Creek, the polygamy commune she lives in, employing a security detail of young men who guard against escape.