WESTERN ROMANCE: A Ranch to Call Home (Texas Romance, Mail Order Bride Romance, Clean Romance, Christian Romance) (Clean and Wholesome Romance)

by Grace Warren

  They fed the pony another apple and continued their song out of the barn and back to the house. By the time they entered the kitchen they were singing in a round and at the top of their lungs. Each one’s face lit up with delight.

  “Olivia Ashley McCain!” a stern voice shot out from a back room off the kitchen. “How many times have I told you not to sing that?” Vanessa emerged from the pantry, her features so tense she looked hard as stone. Her hands were filled with canned goods and her eyes shot daggers when she saw Lucy standing behind Olivia with a protective hand on her shoulder. “Oh, I didn’t realize…” Vanessa trailed off.

  “I’m sorry Vanessa; we didn’t mean to disturb you.” Lucy apologized, although she was confused as to why Olivia was being admonished.

  “Olivia, run down to the stables and tell your father and brother lunch is served and wipe that stuff off your mouth” Vanessa directed.

  “Yes Ma’am.” The girl ran off without another word.

  Vanessa stirred a pot of soup that was simmering on the stove top. “That one there has a stubborn streak a mile long. Mind you, give her an inch and she’ll take a mile.”

  “Oh she was sweet as can be. I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm.” Lucy tried to help by arranging the stack of bowls and silverware that sat on the kitchen table.

  “You’re sure are you? You come in here less than a day, let a child make her face up like a harlot and you want to tell me about raising children you have just met?” Vanessa restacked the bowls and carried them out of the kitchen to a separate dining room. “We eat as a family in the dining room here, or would you like to change that as well?”

  Lucy stood there speechless, her jaw slack and her eyes wide with wonderment. How could she feel so guilty for something she hadn’t done?

  Chapter FOUR

  After a week had passed, Lucy had met the ranch hands, the dog Rufus, Orange Kitty and the local Post Master. She had spent every afternoon with Olivia and Galen, playing games, reading and singing outside or in the barn, anywhere but near Vanessa. Nash had kept his distance. He was up before the sun rose and went to his own bedroom early every evening leaving Lucy to her own devices. Lucy had used her time to unpack, text her few friends back east and learn the layout of the house and ranch.

  Vanessa still arrived early every morning, made breakfast, lunch and dinner. She continued to do laundry and care for the children by making certain they bathed, cleaned up after themselves and went to bed at a “proper” time. She had a knack for making Lucy feel less than adequate and took every opportunity to condemn her just for being in her presence. Nash never witnessed this, he was either out in the fields or conveniently unavailable.

  If Lucy were being honest, she had enjoyed her time on the McCain ranch so far, but she was beginning to feel antsy and a little bit like a “moocher”. She wanted to feel useful, and more than anything she wanted Nash to see that she wanted to be a part of his family. In the seven days she had spent here she had fallen head over heels in love with his children, they were polite, funny and pure joy to be around, even when they were arguing about who’s turn it was to sit next to her at meal times. Her only negative emotion, beyond Vanessa’s unexplained loathing of her, was that she had not spent any real time getting to know Nash. She understood their set up was one of convenience. She had agreed to take care of the house and the children and he had agreed to support her, but in the back of her mind Lucy had hoped for more.

  When Nash came in for breakfast, Lucy decided to loosen her tongue and take the bull by the horns. “I think it’s about time I started doing more around here. I’m not on a vacation, nor am I guest by our arrangement.”

  Vanessa’s spoon of oatmeal clattered into her bowl, splattering warmed oats over the tablecloth. Nash set his coffee cup down, rested his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers under his chin. He looked from Lucy to an annoyed Vanessa. “I think that is a mighty fine idea. Don’t you Van?”

  Vanessa grumbled and stood up, collecting up empty dishes to bring back to the kitchen.

  “What do you think you’d like to start with?” he asked, ignoring the rudeness of his sister in law.

  “Well,” Lucy started off slow; she wanted to choose the right words. “Perhaps I could go out with you this morning and learn some of the ranch chores and then this afternoon,” she paused and swallowed back the anxiety as she spoke her next statement. “This afternoon I could consult with Vanessa and begin taking on some of the housework or the evening meal.”

  There was a huge shattering noise that resounded from within the confines of the kitchen. And the party of four froze for a brief moment at the dining room table.

  “I’d better attend to that.” Nash excused himself without making comment to her suggestion.

  Lucy looked to each of the children and gave them a reassuring smile. “You two finish up, I’m going to go with your father this morning and we will play a game together after lunch, okay?”

  Olivia and Galen agreed and Lucy ran upstairs to change her clothing and prepare to head out with Nash.

  Dressed in pink, primrose printed Wellies, jeans and a tank top; Lucy tied her hair up off her neck and walked down to the kitchen to find Nash. Vanessa was chopping vegetables for their noon time meal. “Vanessa, did you see which way Nash went?”

  “I am not his keeper. Isn’t that your new position?” She slammed the knife down on the cutting board and walked away at a swift pace. Lucy stood there dumbfounded.

  The truck was gone from the driveway. Lucy turned a slow circle, shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight. Had he really left without her? Her heart sank. Maybe this was not the right choice. As much as she adored the kids she was beginning to feel they were the only ones that truly wanted her around. She took a deep breath of air, set her jaw in determination and headed off along the running fence to find Nash. If he wasn’t going to take her seriously then they had a lot to discuss regarding the future of this agreement.

  An hour and a half later Lucy was windblown, dusty and her tank top was damp with perspiration. She needed a drink and a bit of shade. Off in the distance she could see the blue Ford truck and several men on horseback corralling a herd of cows. She hoped Nash was with them. The closer she got the more she was able to tell that none of the riders were Nash. Squinting she saw a ranch hand working to repair a fence. His back was to her and she admired his shirtless form, following the glistening line of his muscular torso to the waist band of his faded jeans. His muscles rippled as he swung a hammer against the new wooden post that had replaced a broken one, which now lay at his feet.

  Lucy walked up, drinking in the fine visual specimen. She felt a small twinge of guilt, but she was a woman after all. “Excuse me, can you tell me where I might find Mr. McCain?’ she managed to squeak out over her parched tongue.

  The man took of his hat and wiped his forehead on his bare arm before turning around. His chest was tanned dark and silky smooth, and his abdomen hard form long hours of strenuous work. “How can I help…”

  Both Lucy and Nash stood there stunned, starring at one another until Lucy had to grab the fence to stop from falling over with a sudden wave of light headedness. Nash lunged forward to steady her.

  “What are you doing out here? Did you walk?” he asked, holding her up by her shoulders.

  “Wow, it’s hot.” She shook the dizziness from her senses. The action made her head swim more and she toppled backward. Nash caught her and scooped her up in his arms with no effort at all. He carried her to the truck and set her down on the front seat, reaching in a cooler and popping the top of a chilled bottle of water from behind the seat.

  “Drink this.” He ordered.

  Lucy took a sip and went to speak. He tipped the bottle towards her lips again. “Drink all of it, please.”

  She didn’t question him and downed the entire contents of the bottle. Her eyes never left his face. She saw him smile when she pulled the empty bottle away with a satisfied sigh.

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nbsp; “Better?”

  Lucy nodded.

  “Now tell me why in the blue blazes are you out here?” his brow furrowed with concern and a small hint of annoyance. “Didn’t Van tell you it was better for you to stay close to the house and work? It’s too hot for you out here.”

  Lucy was caught between being angry at Vanessa for not saying anything and offended that Nash thought she was too fragile to handle the Texas heat. She jumped from the truck and crumpled to the ground, her ankle twisted in a dip in the ground beneath her. Nash reached for her and she swatted his hand away. “I’m fine.” she snapped.

  Nash took a step back and watched her struggle to get up. She limped several feet away from him before the tears of frustration fell from her eyes. A gentle hand grasped her upper arm and turned her around. Nash towered above her, his green eyes soft. He wiped at the tears that had stained her flushed cheeks. “Come on, Dusty. I’ll drive you back to the house.”

  The two arrived back at the drive way, the few minutes it had taken were bathed in silence. Nash helped her from the truck and held her arm guiding her up the stairs and putting her in a rocking chair on the porch. “Stay put.”

  He disappeared into the house, a moment later Olivia appeared with a bag of ice wrapped in a towel. She assisted Lucy with pulling off her Wellies and then rested her foot on a stool placing the ice on her ankle. Galen walked gingerly with a tall plastic up of lemonade through the front door, handing it to her at a snail’s pace so as not to spill any.

  “Daddy says drink this.” Galen gave her a strict look. “I gotta make you.”

  “You have to make me.” Lucy corrected.

  Galen picked up the cup an extended it up to her lips, tipping it so she had to quickly take a drink before it spilled in her lap. She took the lemonade from him and ruffled his hair, laughing. “Good job, Galen.”

  He beamed with pride. There were shouts and slamming of doors in the house and the children looked at each other with surprise. Lucy rocked forward to look though the screen door. Vanessa shoved the door open with force, stopped long enough to drop her apron in Lucy’s lap and stormed down the stairs. Nash came out after her.

  “Van, don’t be so pig headed.” He called after her as she opened her car door. “Van, please.”

  Vanessa slammed the door and drove away, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake.

  Chapter FIVE

  Three days had passed before Vanessa showed up at the house again. Lucy had managed to make all the meals, keep up with the laundry and entertain the children. She had limped about the house, dusting, sweeping and polishing. When Vanessa walked in and found them all seated at the kitchen table indulging in fried eggs and sausage she had no words to offer.

  The children sprang from their chairs and ran to her. “Aunt Van!” they yelled and hugged her. She kissed the tops of their heads and wiped the corners of their mouths with the pad of her thumb.

  “Welcome back, Van.” Nash said.

  “Humph” the woman added and set off toward the laundry room.

  Lucy got up and started to clear the table. She was happy for the children, but she was less excited for herself that Vanessa had returned. Spending the day cooped up with her was not her ideal day.

  “Lucy,” Nash interrupted her thoughts. “Do you think that ankle is good enough to go out with me to the stables?”

  Lucy’s face lit up. She wouldn’t have to deal with Vanessa right away after all. “Yeah, it’s perfect.” she lied.

  “Great. Kids behave for Aunt Van. Lucy and I will be back for lunch.” He got up from the table and waited as Lucy hugged each child and followed him out to the truck, trying with all her effort not to limp.

  Nash drove them down to the lower barn. He slid the large door open and a dozen horses stomped and whinnied at their sudden presence. Nash pulled a few sugar cubes from his pocket and handed them to Lucy. “Have you ever ridden?”

  Lucy shook her head, popping a sugar cube into her mouth. Nash tilted his head and eyed her with amusement. “You do know those are for the horses?”

  Lucy blushed. “Oh yeah right, of course I do.”

  As they walked together through the center of the barn, Lucy saw each horse had a name on a carved plaque, similar to the one on Jasper’s stall. “Who did these?” she asked, tracing over several on their slow journey.

  “I did Ma’am.” He answered.

  “They are beautiful. You are talented,” she complimented.

  “Thank you.”

  They stopped next to a black spotted appaloosa. The plaque read “Georgia Pines”. Nash took a sugar cube from his pocket and held it out in the flat palm of his hand. The mare curled her lips around the sweet treat as Nash stroked her neck. “Give it a try. She’s very gentle.”

  Lucy lifted the cube up in her fingers, holding it out to Georgia. Nash wrapped his hand around hers. He opened her fingers and placed the square piece in the center of her palm, silently showing her the proper way to feed the horse. The lips tickled her hand as they lifted the cube away. Lucy dared to reach out and pet the mare’s nose. “She is a beautiful creature.”

  Nash had stepped away to retrieve a saddle and bridle. He climbed into the stall with easy and fitted Georgia with the equipment. “You want to give it a try?”

  They had gone a few miles when it started to rain. Nash guided them to a tree and tethered the horses to a low branch helping Lucy from her saddle. She rubbed at her thighs and bottom. Nash looked so natural up on his horse; she felt like a fool bouncing all over and trying not to fall flat on her face. He had promised she’d pick it up in no time, but Lucy felt it would be years before she would look graceful and would be better suited to keep her own feet on the ground.

  They stood under the boughs of several trees on the outskirts of the open field they had crossed. Lucy looked over the afternoon sky seeing the shelf of clouds and rain fade off over the horizon. Droplets of water dripped from her bangs and the tip of her nose. “It’s so beautiful here Nash, so very different from the noises and crowds and heavy air of New York. Every day I wake up an am amazed all over again.” She looked over to Nash and her heart caught in her throat. He was standing there starring at her. She crossed her arms over her rib cage and hugged herself, suddenly self conscious. “Your children are wonderful.” She wanted to end the uncomfortable moment.

  Nash touched her cheek and her words stopped. He turned her face towards him and lifted her chin. His lips were soft and his skin smelled clean and fresh like morning dew. He kissed her and time stopped. She hadn’t been prepared for it. When he pulled away her heart sank to her feet. “I’m sorry.” He whispered.

  She was confused. “Why?”

  “It stopped raining, we should get back. Van will have lunch waiting.” Nash untied the horse, helped her get back on Georgia and rode off ahead of her without another word.

  As he stored the tackle, and walked the horses back to their stalls giving them water and food, Lucy stood by the truck. Neither of them had said another word the full way back to the barn. She was confused. He had kissed her, she hadn’t initiated it and it felt right. So why was he sorry? Nash emerged from the barn and walked to the truck opening the passenger door for her. She hesitated. “Nash, you have to talk to me. Why did you kiss me?”

  He stood by the open door for a full minute before he opened his mouth. “I thought it was time we had that moment over with. Are you getting in?”

  It was Lucy’s turn to stand silent for a minute. “I think I’ll walk.” She needed to calm down.

  “Lilly, don’t be like that.”

  “I’m Lucy.”

  Nash blushed a deep red that filled his cheeks and traveled down his neck. He didn’t say a word, closed the door and walked to the driver’s side. Lucy stood there in silence and watched the truck drive away.

  Chapter SIX

  The smell of bacon and waffles wafted up the stairs and seeped under the door to Lucy’s room. She had no appetite. Her mind was heavy and her heart f
elt hollow. She had lain awake all night hashing out how she was going to afford to return to New York. She knew she could stay with a few of her friends for a short time, but she’d need to get couple of jobs and try to find an apartment or a roommate situation. After the kids were outside and Nash was sure to be out in the back pastures she would pack her belongings and contact her bank to see if she could draw on an overdraft for a short amount of time.

  Looking out her window she could see Olivia dashing off to care for Jasper. Galen and Rufus were not far behind. She would miss them and already felt the sorrow in the pit of her stomach. The truck was gone and when she opened her door she could hear the clanking of dishes as Van cleaned up after the morning meal. Venturing out, she walked on tip toe down the hallway, past Olivia’s room and beyond Galen’s room. Nash’s bedroom door had been closed.

  In the spare room at the opposite end of the hallway Lucy moved to the computer that set on an old roll top desk. She logged into her bank account and sent out a request. Then she tapped out the website address for the train station. Lucy sat there and starred at the screen. The schedule showed the first available train, without overnight layovers, taking the most direct route back to New York was not available for another five days. Lucy sighed and researched plane tickets, her budget could not afford it. She sat there and considered talking to Nash, telling him this was a mistake and if he could lend her the money she would return it as soon as she could. This would be difficult, but she felt she had no option. Her email flashed one new message. Her bank had refused her.

  She leaned back in the desk chair and cursed into the empty room. Walking out of the room she saw the picture for the first time, just inside the door off to the right was a built in shelf, a silver frame sat below eye level. She hadn’t noticed it before, but with the sun glinting off the glass she took note. Nash stood in front of the house holding a small blue bundle, a vision of pride. Olivia clung to his leg, a brand new golden retriever puppy at her feet. Standing on his opposite side stood a petite woman with golden hair. She was the same height as Lucy with blue eyes as well. The bundle must be Galen. They were happy. How long did they have from that moment in time before their lives had been devastated?