The Rancher Next Door

by Betsy St. Amant

  “I’d like that.” Brady’s husky voice warmed her to the core. “Are you sure, Caley?”

  “Positive.” Peace flooded her senses. For once, the thought of staying put didn’t bring anxiety and a desperate itch to get moving. Nonie had been right. It was time for her biggest adventure yet. And she couldn’t wait.

  Rubbing her thumb over Brady’s knuckles, she smirked. “Something else I know for sure—I’m telling Chief their response time is pretty unacceptable.”

  “I heard that.” Chief Talbot appeared beside the half-closed curtain, his smooth-shaven face turning up in a smile. His teeth shone bright against his tanned face. “Guess it might be time to rethink my rule about volunteer gear remaining at the station, right, Ms. Foster?”

  Caley fought her jaw threatening to drop in surprise. Brady edged a little farther from her on the bed, but didn’t let go of her hand. She clung to it. “Chief. I was joking, I—”

  “No, you’re right. It was unacceptable, and lives were in danger.” Chief rocked back on his heels, thumbs hooked casually in the pockets of his uniform pants. “The crew was working another brush fire on the far edge of the district when your call came in. We had to request backup, but our men left that fire to come to you as soon as they got word.” He shook his head as he peered over Caley at Ava’s sleeping form. “I’m just glad things worked out the way they did. You’re a hero.”

  She glanced at Ava, more grateful than she could put into words. But the urge to be a hero didn’t consume her anymore. Instead, the feeling was replaced by a maternal desire, to nurture. Grow. Be a rock for someone else, instead of floundering to find one to stand upon, herself. “Thank you, Chief.”

  “I came by to offer you the job.” Chief cleared his throat, jingling the change in his pockets. “It’s yours, Ms. Foster. You’ve already earned it, but tonight just further proves how much of an honor it’d be to have you on the department.”

  The job was hers. Did she still want it?

  Brady let go of her hand to rub her shoulder. “Congrats, Caley! That’s great.”

  But instead of the expected rush of joy and excitement, she felt nothing but a steady assurance prompting her to listen to her heart. And her heart wasn’t in it. As much as she loved firefighting, it was time to put aside her own dreams and focus on the people she loved. She owed it to Brady—and more than that, she wanted to.

  It was time for a change. And this time, the risk would have the biggest payoff yet.

  Drawing a breath for courage, she forced a smile at the chief. “I’m honored, too, sir. But I respectfully decline.”

  “What?” Brady and Chief Talbot’s voice mixed in surprised unison.

  Her gaze darted between both of them before landing on Brady. “I’ve found my true purpose right here.”

  “Caley. You don’t have to do this for me. I told you, I understand now.” Brady lowered his voice, and the chief stepped a few paces back in a vain effort to give them privacy. “I trust you. More than that, I trust God.” His grin morphed into a wince. “Or at least, I’m trying to.”

  “You can’t change everything overnight, Brady. I know you’re still uncomfortable with my job, no matter how much you’re trying to convince yourself you’re not. Listen—

  I pick you and Ava.” Caley reached up and touched his stubbled cheek. “It’s time for me to land.”

  “But you don’t have to choose.” He covered her hand with his own, searching her gaze for a long moment. Then he stood to address the chief. “Sir, I wouldn’t dare dream of speaking for this woman...” He shot Caley a wink. “And she did say no. But I’m pretty sure that she’d love to continue to volunteer for your department as often as she can.”

  “Brady McCollough, was that a compromise?” She narrowed her eyes at him—the rancher next door, the thorn in her side. The love of her life.

  “I believe it was.”

  “Works for me.” Chief folded his sturdy arms across his chest. “But if you change your mind, Ms. Foster, please let us know. I hope to see you around the station once you recover.”

  “You can count on it, sir.” She nodded, and he lifted one hand in a wave to them both before slipping around the curtain and disappearing into the hallway bustle.

  Brady joined her back on the cot. Beside them, Ava stirred in her sleep, a soft moan in the back of her throat. She was probably dreaming. “I’m sure you’re both ready to get home.”

  “What home?” Caley snorted. The peace of making the right decision for her future temporarily faltered at the memory of what she’d already lost. She squeezed her eyes shut. God, I know we’re a team again. And I know you have a plan. But this still hurts.

  “Actually, you have a pretty awesome home waiting for you.” Brady shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s a little rough around the edges, needs a woman’s touch. And there’s this kid that lives upstairs who keeps her room pretty messy.” He trailed one finger lightly over her wrist. “But it’s got plenty of room.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Caley leaned in, and his mouth covered hers in a lingering kiss, full of hope. Promise. And adventure.

  “Dad.”

  They broke apart, turning in surprise to see Ava awake. She propped halfway up on her elbows, hair ruffled from sleep. Despite her weary expression, her eyes shone. “Come on. Propose already.”

  Caley laughed, and Brady grinned before kissing her again. “Sounds like the best idea I’ve heard in a while.”

  He knelt down on the hospital floor and took her hands in his. She slid to the edge of the cot before him, her injuries fading to a dull ache as she took in the love in his eyes. Her heart thudded wildly. Talk about an adrenaline rush.

  “Caley Foster.” He took a deep breath. “You can’t cook. You make me more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. And I’m pretty sure you’re responsible for the gray hairs I found under my hat the other day.” He gripped both of her hands in his, holding them like a lifeline, and his grin faded to a serious expression. “But if there’s anyone who’s going to lie on the roof and count stars, run into a burning house or help me lasso a runaway bull, it’s got to be you. I need you in my life. We need you.” He nodded at Ava, who grinned so wide her face seemed to glow. “Will you marry me? Marry us?”

  Tears filled her eyes again, but this time, they weren’t born of pain or injury. Rather from hope. Joy. Happiness. “Of course I will.” She lunged forward, temporarily forgetting her IV and her burns and her smoke-scented hair, and straight into his arms.

  He stood up just in time to catch her, hugging her and lifting her off the ground. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She pulled back just far enough to kiss him and seal the deal, while Ava cheered from her cot.

  She was finally home.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Rancher's Refuge by Linda Goodnight.

  Dear Reader,

  The Rancher Next Door combines two of my favorite careers—ranching and firefighting. There’s something so heroic about a fireman risking his life on a regular basis to run into the flames that most would run away from. And there’s something just as heroic about a cowboy maintaining and protecting his animals, land and the people he loves most.

  Both firemen and cowboys have a reputation of being attractive stereotypes, but as the wife of a fireman/cowboy, I wanted to write this story to show the other side—the pain they experience, the burdens they bear, the struggles they face
. Under every cowboy hat lies a set of shoulders loaded with responsibility, and beneath every oxygen tank lies a soul ready to give his life for the greater good.

  In this story Brady, a rancher, and Caley, a firefighter, must learn to compromise and share their burdens not only for love of each other, but for young Ava. This means starting from scratch and digging to the depth of the real issues they each face—issues of guilt and regret and the attitude that only they can do it all. At this depth lies a fissure in their faith, born from various reasons and more dangerous than any stampeding bull or roaring fire. They each have to come to terms with how God is truly a consuming fire—and what that means to them personally.

  My prayer is that this story will ignite a spark in your own faith, wherever you are on the journey—and prompt you to hug a hero today.

  Blessings,

  Questions for Discussion

  Brady lets what he views as failure to keep his wife safe in the past determine how he overprotects his daughter. Would you react in the same way under similar circumstances? Why or why not?

  Ava isn’t a typical girly-girl and longs to be outside on the ranch with her father. Do you think Ava just wanted to be around the animals or do you think part of her reasoning was to spend time with her dad any way she could? Explain.

  Caley is used to moving from city to city, place to place. Are you more of a homebody, or do you prefer going and doing constantly? Why?

  As a female firefighter, Caley is used to a lot of sexist jokes and tension in the workplace. Do you think females in male-dominated career fields are still subject to this? Has America made significant progress in this area of treatment? Why or why not?

  Brady married young and had a tumultuous first marriage, which also hangs heavily on him after his wife’s accident. Do you think marrying young and quickly increases the odds for divorce in today’s time? Why or why not?

  Why do you feel Ava and Brady’s relationship was so strained? What could they have done before Caley’s involvement to improve it on their own?

  Have you ever had a child meddle in your love relationships via matchmaking? Did it work? Why or why not?

  Caley returned to Broken Bend to restore her relationship with her grandmother, Nonie. Would you ever move somewhere you didn’t want to be in order to be there for a family member? Why or why not?

  Despite Caley’s detachment to people and places, she always carries Scooter with her almost everywhere she goes. Have you ever let an animal replace a human friendship in your life? Do you think this is healthy? Why or why not?

  Caley and Ava have a lot in common—both lost their mothers in different ways at an early age. How do you feel this affects a child during their childhood? How does it affect them into adulthood?

  Brady and Caley both have their own issues with God—Brady because he felt God wasn’t in control after all after his wife’s accident, and Caley because she received a negative view of what being a dad meant. She confused her earthly father with her heavenly father. Do you think it’s common for women from broken homes to do this? How can they maintain a more accurate view of the God who loves them unconditionally?

  Nonie, despite her fragile health, provides a steady stream of wisdom for Caley during her time in Broken Bend, and is also the source of Caley’s coziest memories of childhood. Who has been a mentor for you growing up or made your childhood memories fond?

  Ava wants Caley to be her stepmother so badly, she risks getting in trouble to set up a special dinner between Caley and Brady. Would you have punished her under the circumstances, or reacted as Caley prompts Brady to react?

  Caley has been unknowingly running all her life from the past, afraid to let the regrets catch up to her and consume her completely. Have you ever had a relationship go unreconciled until it was too late? How did/do you handle the pain?

  Brady fears ranch life is too dangerous for his young daughter, Ava. Do you think he’s right or do you feel there is a middle ground he and Ava could have reached a lot sooner?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

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  Chapter One

  Left hand riding lightly on his thigh, Austin Blackwell held the reins with the other and picked his way through the thick woods above Whisper Falls, Arkansas. If one more calf strayed into this no-man’s land between his ranch and the cascading waterfall, he was putting up another fence. A really tall one. Barbed wire. Electrified. Let the folks of the small Ozark town whine and bellow that he was ruining the ambience or whatever they called the pristine beauty of these deep woods. They just didn’t want to lose any tourist money. Well, he didn’t want to lose any cattle money, either. So they were on even playing field. He’d never wanted to open the waterfall to tourism in the first place.

  Now, every yahoo with an itch to climb down the rock wall cliff and duck behind the curtain of silvery water traipsed all over his property just to mutter a prayer or two. Wishful thinking or pure silliness. He’d made the trek a few times himself and he could guarantee prayers whispered there or anywhere else for that matter were a waste of good breath.

  Something moved through the dense trees at his left and Austin pulled the horse to a stop. Cisco flicked his ears toward the movement, alert and ready to break after the maverick at the flinch of his master’s knee.

  “Easy,” Austin murmured, patting the sleek brown neck while he scoped the woods, waiting for a sight or sound. Above him a squirrel chattered, getting ready for winter. Autumn leaves in reds and golds swirled down from the branches. Sunlight dappled between the trees, although the temperature was cool enough that Austin’s jacket felt good.

  He pressed his white Stetson tighter and urged the bay onward in the direction of the falls, the direction from which the movement had come. Might be the maverick.

  “Coyote, probably.” But black bear and cougar weren’t out of the question. He tapped the rifle holster, confident he could handle anything he encountered in the woods. Outside the ranch was a different matter.

  The roar of the falls increased as he rode closer. Something moved again and he twisted in the saddle to see the stray heifer break from the opposite direction. Cisco responded with the training of a good cutting horse. Austin grappled for the lariat rope as the calf split to the right and crashed through the woods to disappear down a draw.

  Cisco wisely put on the brakes and waited for instructions. Austin lowered the rope, mouth twisting in frustration. No use endangering a good horse in this rugged, uneven terrain.

  At least the stray had headed in the right direction, back toward the ranch.

  “Yep, I’m puttin’ up another fence.” He patted Cisco’s neck with a leather-gloved hand. Somewhere along the meager stretch of old barbed wire the calves had found a place to slip through. Maybe in one of the low places or through a washout from one of the many creeks branching from the Blackberry River. Finding the break
across three miles of snaggy underbrush would be a challenge.

  But Austin liked it up here on the grassy, leaf- and hickory-lined ridge above Whisper Falls. Always had, especially before the stories started and people came with their noise and tents and plastic water bottles. Before the name changed from Millerville to Whisper Falls—a town council decision to attract tourists. He understood. He really did. Ruggedly beautiful, this area of the Ozarks was isolated. Transportation was poor and there was little opportunity for economic growth, especially since the pumpkin cannery shut down.

  The remoteness was why he’d come here. The economy was why he ranched.

  Those were also the reasons the little town had changed its name and started the ridiculous marketing campaign to attract tourism. Whisper Falls. Austin snorted. No amount of marketing moved God to answer prayers.

  He shifted in the saddle to look toward the ninety-feet-high waterfall.

  Here, the Blackberry River tumbled faster than near the ranch, picking up speed before plummeting over the cliff in a white, foamy, spectacular display of nature’s force and beauty.

  The solitude of the woods soothed him, helped him forget. Nature didn’t judge the way people would. He could be himself. He could relax.