Second Chance Ranch

by Leann Harris

  “I’ve got good news for you, Sophie,” Zach began.

  “So you decided to show up?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Where were you yesterday? Ollie’s in the hospital. When I came home, I found the paramedics loading him into an ambulance and all the volunteers shaken up, telling me how they found him.”

  Zach’s face lost its color. “How is he?”

  “He’s out of intensive care. The hospital is optimistic.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the major who watched her outburst.

  “This is Major Dale Grant. I was in Washington yesterday, trying to get approval for us to run a program here.” Zach ran his fingers through his hair. “Dale and I wanted you to know the good news. We got the contract. He also wanted to see the ranch for himself after hearing my glowing reviews. He and I go back a long way. He’s also a horseman.”

  She stood there frozen, feeling overjoyed and excited that their dream was coming true. And—stupid. Stupid and petty for her comments.

  The major stepped close, offering his hand.

  She shook it, her face blazing with color. “I’m sorry, sir, for my outburst. My only excuse is it’s been a terrible thirty-six hours.” She glanced at Zach, her heart in her throat. “I couldn’t get the loan, so your efforts might be in vain.”

  Before he could respond, another car drove up. It was her father’s car. What was happening? Sophie wondered. Much to her amazement, her parents stepped out of the front seat, and her grandmother out of the backseat.

  Cindy McClure walked up to Sophie. Her mother smiled, but her lips trembled. “After you left yesterday, I thought about what you said. I never wanted you to die instead of your brother. Forgive me.”

  Sophie couldn’t believe her ears. She wondered if she was still asleep in Prince Charming’s stall.

  Cindy glanced at her mother. “When Mom came to the house yesterday, we decided that there have been too many times when hurt feelings have kept us apart. And we also decided to put that property up for you as collateral. Your father called his banker last night and we were given the loan.”

  Tears silently flowed down Sophie’s cheeks. “Oh, Mother.” Sophie slipped into her mother’s arms. She felt her father wrap his arms around both of them. The wall surrounding her heart just shattered. The love and approval she’d longed for from her parents was just given.

  After a moment, Jim released them and Sophie turned to the major. “It looks like that program will be implemented.” She glanced at Zach. He stood there watching. There was something in his eyes that told her of his feelings. She wanted to ask him—

  Before she could say anything, more cars drove into the parking lot—a half dozen to a dozen. Doors slammed, and Beth appeared among the parents and kids who were part of the therapy program. Excitement raced through the air.

  Andy’s mom appeared. She looked around, then turned back to Sophie. “Yesterday Zach told me about what happened.”

  She glanced over her shoulder to where Zach stood. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled as if to say, you should have trusted me.

  Andy’s mom continued, “I told him I wanted to help, so he and I called a lot of people. I told my church and we collected money. All the other students and parents gave, too. We’ve collected close to five thousand dollars for you to use as a down payment on the ranch.” She handed Sophie a check.

  Sophie’s hands shook as she looked down at the check. She felt Zach move beside her.

  “You have a lot of grateful parents.”

  She nodded through her tears.

  A tug on her jeans brought her gaze down.

  “I helped, too,” Andy added. “I stacked the money.” His chest puffed out.

  “Thank you.” She turned to the crowd, fighting the tears and overwhelmed with gratitude. “I want to thank everyone for your generous hearts. This tells me that this ranch is as important to you as it is to me.”

  “We love you, Miss Sophie,” Andy called out.

  Everyone clapped.

  Another car drove up and parked. Austin Stillwell got out. The crowd quieted.

  Austin walked to where Sophie stood. “We need to talk.”

  Before Sophie could respond, Zach said, “I think whatever you have to say to Sophie you can say in front of her family and the people she serves.”

  Zach stepped closer and Sophie took courage from his presence.

  Austin’s mouth flattened with rage. His eyes narrowed as he focused on Sophie. “Do you have my money?”

  “I do. We can go to the bank and have the check cut. Name the time.”

  He didn’t look happy. “One o’clock this afternoon at First National.” He whirled and strode to his car.

  As he drove off, boos and hisses followed him.

  Sophie turned to the crowd. “Thank you for all your work. Your support means so much to me. For today, lessons are cancelled.”

  Laughter filled the air.

  Before the crowd could disperse, Zach raised his hands. “Wait.”

  People stopped and turned back to him and Sophie. No one said a word.

  Zach offered up a prayer for wisdom. Last night, once they got the approval, Zach knew what he wanted to do the instant he got back home. Sophie’s initial reaction threw him, dampening his hopes for their future. But he knew he had to gamble, take the risk of showing his heart to her. He had to take a leap of faith. He’d planned on talking to her in private, but something told him now was the right time and place,

  Zach caught Sophie’s hands. “I want to tell you what an amazing woman you are. Your vision has set me on the right road, but it’s also become my vision. This is what I want to do to show others how to overcome whatever life throws at them. You have a strength and courage that awes and humbles me. You saw me as the man God wanted me to be and I want to be involved with this therapy program—”

  She opened her mouth to respond, but his finger came up and he lightly pressed it to her lips.

  “The position I want, Sophie, is as your husband. I love you and have loved you since I stomped into my parents’ kitchen wet and disgruntled all those years ago. You took my breath away and still do. I hope you’ll take pity on this beat-up cowboy and say yes. I’ve found my true purpose in this life and my true love.”

  Not a sound came from the gathered crowd.

  “What do you say, Miss Sophie?” Andy asked, breaking the silence. “I like him. Besides, he’s got a neat leg that makes him special.”

  The crowd laughed.

  “He’s right. I do have that extraspecial leg,” Zach whispered.

  Joy welled up in her eyes and her smile reflected it. “Yes.”

  The cheers surrounded them, but her eyes never left Zach’s face. Pulling her into his arms, he sealed the deal with a kiss.

  Epilogue

  Sun filtered through the windows as Sophie sat at the kitchen table. Her mother and grandmother fussed over her hair, putting yellow and white daisies into the curls pinned on the back of her head. Her father stood on the porch, talking to Ollie. The last two weeks were like a dream—she’d talked with her parents, telling them all about the things in her heart, her dreams, her time in college and Iraq. Both her father and mother had listened and questioned her about a dozen different things. And they made sure she knew how proud they were of her. They even shared memories of Matt.

  Both her parents had come to the ranch and trained to be sidewalkers. She’d even seen her mother smile at one of the little girls who had Down’s. Molly adored her mother. Her mother blossomed giving to others. Sophie discovered her mother’s marvelous talent for organization, taking the volunteer lists and perfecting a new schedule. Her father helped with the veterans. They had two soldiers in the program and would get another couple next week. Her grandma had accompanied her mother several times and worked in the office.

  Zach’s parents also visited frequently, helped with chores and started training another horse to be used by the sol
diers.

  “That’s it,” her mother declared, patting Sophie on the shoulder. “You look wonderful.”

  Sophie looked down at the white lace top and white tiered Western skirt and turquoise-and-coral Western belt. Her new boots had an edge of turquoise around the tops and the tips of the boot. She stood and hugged her mother. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I’m glad, too,” Cindy whispered.

  Her grandmother beamed at Sophie over Cindy’s shoulder.

  Her dad opened the front door. “You ladies ready?” he called.

  “We are.”

  When Sophie appeared on the porch, only her father stood there. He offered his arm. Her mother and grandmother walked ahead of them.

  People filled the bleachers and spilled out between the rings and the shade trees beyond. Tables stood behind the group, filled with a wedding cake, buñuelos, fruits and punch. She saw Zach standing under the trees, Ethan and Prince Charming with a silver-concha studded halter beside him.

  Zach. He looked like her dream in a white Western shirt, starched jeans and boots.

  Sophie and her father stopped at the entrance to the stable. Beth held Sam’s reins, daisies and pink cornflowers woven into her halter. Beth handed Sophie her bouquet, which was composed of the same flowers and flowing ribbons.

  “You ready for this?” Beth teased. “You ready to hitch yourself to that ornery brother of mine?”

  Sophie looked at her intended. “I’ve been ready for this since I saw him standing in your parents’ kitchen, mad as all get-out that he’d ruined his new boots.”

  Beth laughed. She led Sam out into the sunlight. She stopped by Andy. “You ready for your part?”

  “Yes.”

  Guitars began the wedding march.

  Andy proudly walked down to Zach, waving at his mother and friends in the audience. Zach pulled the young man to his side. Prince Charming nudged Zach on the shoulder. Zach glanced at the horse, then his brother. Ethan laughed.

  Beth walked down the path, leading Sam. The gathered crowd rose as Sophie and her father walked to Zach and the preacher.

  Zach’s heart skipped a beat when Sophie came into view. The sunlight danced off her hair, giving her a heavenly look. She was so beautiful, inside and out. He never would’ve imagined the changes to his life, and never would’ve thought of this turn. Lord, thank You.

  She is a woman of great virtue.

  He didn’t know how he’d been blessed with her. Out of horror came joy and hope.

  Sophie stopped beside him. Her feelings of joy and gratefulness were clearly reflected in her eyes. He returned her sentiments. Her father kissed Sophie’s cheek, gave her hand to Zach and stepped back.

  Zach squeezed her hand and she squeezed back, sealing their joy.

  The preacher—their preacher—opened his Bible, and a butterfly landed on the daisy in Sophie’s hair. The photographer captured the picture.

  “I think we’ve been sent a blessing from above,” Zach murmured.

  “Amen,” Sophie answered.

  Dear Reader,

  When I read in our local newspaper about an equine therapy ranch in the area, I was hooked. They worked with children, but wanted to work with wounded veterans. Since then, I learned about NARAH and their national website (www.narha.org/Horses%20For%20 Heroes/NARHAHorsesforHeroes.asp).

  On their website I found an article about how horses are being used to help the wounded veterans. “I Will Never Leave a Fallen Comrade” was the title of an article from the 2006 Fall edition of Narah’s Stories. The work they do is amazing and inspiring.

  Both Sophie and Zach are ex-soldiers who love horses. They are two wounded souls who have to learn how to trust God again when the plans for their lives have been blown up. It is a journey of faith. It is a journey of hope. I pray you enjoyed their journey.

  Leann Harris

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  When we first meet Zach, he has yet to deal with the reality of his life. Do you think his actions were justified?

  Do you think Sophie’s tough-love approach to Zach was the right way to go? What about how his parents dealt with him?

  Ever had a time when you didn’t know how to handle the situation like Zach’s parents? What did you do when you felt helpless?

  Was Sophie’s reaction to Zach’s interest in her valid? Do you think her doubting his feelings were justified?

  When Sophie brought the light saber to the exercise ring, were you surprised? Have you heard of the unit in the army that is old-fashioned cavalry?

  Have you ever doubted the direction of your life as both Sophie and Zach did? How did you deal with it?

  Was Ollie’s desire to keep his illness from Sophie the right thing to do? Should he have leveled with her?

  Margaret’s son was jealous of Sophie’s relationship with his mother. Why do you think he felt that way? Was it reasonable?

  Were you surprised with how much equine therapy is used? Is it a smart thing to do?

  Sophie overheard her parents’ grieving over her brother’s death. She thought they blamed her. She blamed herself. Was her reaction over-the-top? Was she justified in her feelings?

  What did you think of Sophie’s mother’s handling of her son’s death? Her father? Have you known a relative or friend who got stuck over an incident and can’t go beyond that? How did you handle that?

  How do you feel about Sophie’s refusal to use Zach’s town house for collateral?

  Were you surprised by Sophie’s parents’ reaction to her asking for the collateral to buy the ranch?

  What was your reaction to Zach’s meeting his old girlfriend and her reaction to seeing him?

  What do you think of Zach’s solution to the bank’s refusal to give Sophie the loan?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-7994-4

  SECOND CHANCE RANCH

  Copyright © 2011 by Barbara M. Harrison

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

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