A Delivered Heart

by Brenna Welles

  As they turned a corner in the road and entered a small town, Allie couldn’t contain the sharp gasp of surprise.

  Mount Rainier loomed over them, a massive structure of white glaciers and gray rocks, elegantly framed by tall cedars flanking the road. Allie’s breath caught in her throat, struck by its beauty.

  “Told you the view would get better,” Morris said quietly.

  A short time later, they turned into a narrow dirt drive, wide enough for two cars, though only one set of worn tire tracks defined the road. A large green and white sign boasting “Greene Pastures Sanctuary” stood tall by the entrance, along with a smaller sign hanging beneath that said, “Welcome.” Not too far ahead, Allie spotted a series of buildings: the main farm style house painted a pale, sunny yellow, and two large white buildings, adorned with green trimming. Fencing lined the entire property, dividing the land into sections filled with dirt or grass. Most of the vehicles occupying the makeshift parking lot were old pickups, but a small white hatchback and a newer-looking SUV sat closest to the house.

  Morris swung the truck into a space near the house. Allie felt her heart pound and her mouth go dry. In moments, she was going to meet her father, a man she hadn’t known had wanted anything to do with her until yesterday. And her half-sister. She had always wanted a sibling. Now was her chance.

  She hoped they liked her.

  As Allie opened the door and slipped out of the truck, a woman raced around the side of the house and headed straight for them. Allie stopped, stunned.

  She stood close to Allie’s height, about five-foot-five, and had a slim build. Her own, inky brown hair stood in a high pony-tail, threaded through the back of a blue ball-cap. She wore a loose green t-shirt over dark, dirt smeared jeans and a pair of cowboy boots. A wide smile spread across her heart-shaped face as she jogged forward.

  It was like looking in a mirror into an alternate universe. An alternate version of herself.

  Allie felt a strong pull for this woman, though she knew next to nothing about her.

  This could only be her sister, Paige.

  “Allie, welcome!” Paige drew near and extended her arms out, enveloping Allie in a light squeeze. Out of habit, Allie dropped a couple of air kisses around Paige’s cheeks. Paige grabbed her hands as she pulled away. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there at the airport. Penelope went into labor and it was an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ situation.”

  “It’s alright,” Allie said, having no idea who Penelope was. “I hope she’s alright? Did she make it to the hospital?”

  Chuckling, Paige shook her head. “Sorry, sorry, Penelope is one of our mares. Her previous owner couldn’t afford the accidental pregnancy, so he gave her up to us. He was devastated, but he still comes around regularly to visit with her.”

  “Oh, um,” Allie smiled, shoving aside her nerves. “Congratulations! Can I see? Boy or girl?”

  Paige’s eyes brightened. “Absolutely! He’s a beautiful boy and already causing excitement. Come with me.” Her eyes drifted lower and narrowed at the shoes on Allie’s feet. “Do you have other shoes you don’t mind getting dirty?” she asked.

  Allie bit her lip and shook her head. Morris snorted behind them.

  “That’s alright. I have some galoshes out back you can use.” Paige turned to Morris who hefted Allie’s bags from the back of the truck. “We put her in the Sunset room.”

  “Oh, goodness,” Allie turned to Morris, face flaming. “You don’t have to take those inside. I can handle it.”

  Morris simply lifted one eyebrow, eyes drifting pointedly to her outfit.

  Allie huffed. “Just because I’m dressed as a business professional doesn’t mean I can’t lift my own luggage. How do you think I managed at the airport? I’m not helpless.”

  “Nobody said you were, dear,” Paige said. “But the man clearly wants to show off his muscles for you. Why don’t you let him?”

  Allie watched Morris direct a glare at Paige before he grabbed both bags and marched toward the front door of the main house without a word.

  “Not even in Washington for two hours and you have already caught the attention of the elusive Mr. Rowland,” Paige teased, looping her arm through Allie’s. “I’m impressed.”

  “I’m not trying to get his attention, believe me,” Allie protested as they walked around the side of the house.

  “And why not?” Paige asked, then spotted the pained wince on Allie’s face. “Oh. Someone else?”

  Allie shook her head. “Not anymore. But I’m definitely not ready for anything else at the moment.”

  Paige nodded, guiding Allie up the stairs of the back patio, grabbing a filthy pair of galoshes, holding them out to her. Allie winced. “Here you go. You can sit on the rocker. Size sevens?”

  “Thank you,” she said as she took the shoes. She slipped off her pumps. Oh, if some of her ‘friends’ could see the fashion statement she was about to make. Slipping her feet inside, she was surprised to feel them fit like a glove. “Wow.” She wiggled her legs before standing and taking a few experimental steps.

  “Thought they’d fit. We are surprisingly alike,” Paige said. Then she jumped down the steps. “This way.”

  Allie mentally agreed that they looked very much alike, but she could already tell, that’s where most of the similarities ended. Paige was outgoing, a go-getter and the life of the party. Allie wasn’t.

  They made their way down the dirt path toward the first long barn, Paige explaining that it was the original set of stables. They had built the second not too long ago. Secretly, Allie was grateful for the distraction, not quite prepared to meet her father just yet. She never saw a horse so close in person except the NYPD Mounted Unit.

  The scents of dirt and hay hovered inside the barn when they entered. Allie heard the grunts and huffs of animals. Heart quickening, Allie rushed forward, excited to see what was inside.

  The tiny, unbelievably thin horse stood on spindly, shaky legs. He gave a few tentative steps, not heading in any particular direction. His wet coat was a deep brown color, like melted chocolate and he had a little white spot on his forehead. While Allie watched, the foal tossed his head and stepped toward the mother.

  So enamored by the new foal, Allie hadn’t paid much attention to its mother. She stood by a fresh pile of hay, chewing methodically, watching her foal, her own beautiful coat still sheening with sweat. Allie couldn’t imagine giving birth, then standing and eating like nothing had happened in the next minute.

  Talk about miracles.

  “Ah, there you are,” a masculine voice called. Allie turned and saw a tall, handsome man striding toward them, the picture of cool confidence in his faded jeans and long sleeved checkered shirt. A cowboy hat sat on his head, and his skin was an attractive brown, speaking of many days in the sun. Then he paused, hesitating as his gaze landed on Allie.

  “Who’s this?” the man asked, giving Paige a hard look.

  Allie stiffened.

  “Don’t give me that look,” Paige muttered, her voice low, but not low enough that Allie couldn’t hear it. Then she smiled. “Cam, this is my sister, Allison Blanchard. Allie, this is our veterinarian, Dr. Cameron Beckett.”

  Cameron tipped the cowboy hat on his head. He made the hat look so natural, like he was made simply for the act of wearing one. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” The words were polite, but Allie got the distinct feeling he might not have meant them fully. He spoke with a thick drawl, which Allie had always assumed came from Texas. Was she wrong? “I’d shake your hand, but you probably don’t want to touch them right now.” He gestured toward the stall before he went ahead and stepped over to it.

  “The pleasure’s mine,” Allie muttered at his back.

  Paige gave Allie a pained wince, then rolled her eyes in Cameron’s direction. Allie bit her lip to stifle the giggle.

  “How are they?” Paige asked, stepping up beside Cam to look inside.

  “About as perfect as they could both be,” Cameron said. “Ke
ep an eye on Penelope, though. I don’t expect anything to go wrong, but she is a little older. We can never be too careful.”

  Paige nodded. “Do you know where Max went?”

  “Paige—” Cameron began, a warning in his voice. Allie frowned. Did the man have something against her? Her presence? Why?

  “It’s too late now, isn’t it?” Paige said, frustration heavy in her tone. “Weren’t you the one who once told me that sometimes it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission?”

  “This is not what I meant and you know it!” Cam’s voice rose to fill the space, clearly exasperated.

  Allie cleared her throat. “Perhaps I should go, leave you two to discuss your disagreement.” Turning on her heel, Allie strode away. She was tired, she could use a shower, then bed.

  It had been a long couple of days.

  Paige called out as a man stepped in front of her, cutting off her exit and startling her back a couple steps.

  “Pardon me, miss-” the older man met Allie’s gaze, his own emerald eyes a near perfect match for Allie’s, despite the crow’s feet extending from them. They widened in surprise. The harrowing feeling deep in Allie’s stomach grew.

  “Dad!” Paige called, jogging up to them. “Um, surprise!”

  Allie’s gaze whipped to Paige’s. “Surprise?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Morris muscled his way into the bedroom, Allie's suitcase heavier than he had anticipated. He placed the bags near the foot of the bed, situated in the center of the large room, head against the wall next to the door he just entered. The west and south facing walls were composed of mostly windows, to let in the beautiful view of the setting sun. Hence its name, the Sunset Room. It gave a light, open atmosphere to the room. Morris had been in every room in the house at one point or another, helping with repairs and remodels, and he had no qualms saying this room was his favorite.

  What he wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in those stables right about now. He had known it would be a bad idea to bring Allison Blanchard here without warning Max, but Paige had insisted. If he had known about it even a few hours earlier, he would have made it a point to warn Max. But he hadn't. Paige had called in him a panic exactly three hours ago, begging him to rush off to the airport to pick up her sister.

  He had been too curious to refuse.

  They had all found out about Max's daughter just a few months ago, when Paige had been cleaning out the attic and ran across a box full of letters and pictures. Turned out, Max hadn't even known about his daughter before she had turned eighteen. At that time, Julianne Blanchard had sent a bundle of letters and pictures, detailing exactly what Max had missed in those eighteen years. It was a special kind of cruelty. When confronted, Max had been adamant that they do not reach out to Allison in any way. Max had believed that it would only hurt her, only disrupt her perfectly good life, if he reached out to her and asked to get to know her. Apologize to her for not being there.

  Morris understood where those feelings came from, even if he disagreed with it. Still, he respected Max's wishes and had hoped everyone else had, too.

  Now she was here. And Morris was sneaking her luggage into their guest room like some bandit in the night.

  It was an uncomfortable feeling.

  When he had spotted her in the airport, he could hardly believe his eyes. She looked so similar to Paige, there was no doubting they were sisters. Though they had different mothers, they both sported Max's dark brown hair and bright green eyes, both had his strong, stubborn jaw and lean frame, though more feminine. There were differences of course, Allie held herself tall, with proper posture, while Paige was more relaxed. Their sense of style were at exact opposites, Allie being the quintessential city slicker and Paige having grown up on the farm.

  Still, Morris couldn't stop the pull of attraction he felt deep in his gut. It had annoyed him the whole trip back to Greene Pastures, the light scent of her flowery perfume, the prim and proper way she sat in his passenger seat. All he wanted was to ruffle her up.

  But he couldn't allow himself to think those things, let alone act on them. He had his own ranch to run. A ranch that took up all of his time as it was. And besides, she was an urbanite. They would get on like oil and water, which was to say, not at all. Just because she was one of the prettiest things to come his way in a long time, didn't mean she would be any good for him.

  Morris shook his head, staring out the westward facing windows. The sun was just beginning to set, casting long shadows across the land and painting the sky in pinks and purples. He knew judging a book by its cover wasn't the thing to do, and it wasn't very Christian-like behavior, but Morris had been bitten before by a pretty face. He didn't care to repeat the experience.

  No matter what God might have in mind.

  Shaking himself from his thoughts, Morris turned away from the window and exited the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He made his way down the hall, toward the stairs, making a mental list of the things he still needed to get done by the end of the day.

  He may be burning the midnight oil.

  The sound of a door slamming caught Morris' attention a moment before Allie stormed through the house. She was barefoot, her dainty feet clad with panty hose. He could see the stark red polish adorning each toe. The sight left him weak at the knees.

  Where were her shoes?

  Allie rushed to the staircase, stomping her feet up the stairs as much as her petite frame would allow. If Morris hadn't been warring with himself over how inappropriate his thoughts were, he would have laughed at the sight.

  "Something the matter?" he drawled, cocking his hip and folding his arms across his chest, effectively blocking her path. He had meant to be teasing, but the sight of tears gathering in the corners of her eyes sent a bolt of shock straight through him.

  Lowering his arms, Morris extended a hand. When Allie flinched away, Morris clenched his jaw tight, telling himself it wasn't personal. Something had obviously happened. She was probably feeling vulnerable.

  "Your room is this way," he said, keeping his hands to himself. He lead the way back up the stairs and down the hall toward the Sunset Room. Opening the door for her, Morris stepped back as she rushed inside.

  She stopped dead, staring open mouthed at the windows.

  The sunset this evening was turning out to be a spectacular one. The pinks and purples had deepened, mixing with the bright oranges and red that had appeared. Morris' mother would call these kinds of sunsets "Hawaiian Sunsets." He hadn't had a chance to find that out on his own, yet. It was on his list.

  "Wow," Allie whispered, stepping closer to the windows. "You don't get to see views like this in the city."

  "I expect not," Morris agreed. He shifted on his feet, wondering what he could say to help ease her mind. Something had troubled her, and she hadn't even been at Greene Pastures for an hour. "I would say it's a good omen. A welcome present, if you will."

  Allie shook her head, turning away from the view and heading toward the bed. She sat on the homemade quilt, made of hundreds of smaller rectangles in oranges, reds and yellows. Sunset colors. Eleanor had made it. She had made one for all her children as well as one for each guest room. Morris suspected she had already made a few for her future grandchildren.

  "Do you think you could take me back to the airport?" she asked, looking down at the wringing hands in her lap.

  What had happened?

  "Tonight?" he asked, frowning. He walked toward her, taking a seat on the bed. He hoped he wouldn't smear any dirt on it. "Why?"

  Allie inhaled deeply. "Turns out Max didn't know I was coming. I don't want to be an unwelcome guest in his home."

  Morris nodded, wondering exactly what had happened out there. "Did he say you were unwelcome?" he asked.

  Allie shook her head. "Not in so many words. But between him and Dr. Beckett, it's pretty clear that I shouldn't be here."

  Anger flared, brief but hot. Cam had no right to behave so rudely to Allie, all because of what
ever was going on between him and Paige.

  Standing, Morris paced away from the bed and walked back. He waited until Allie looked up at him, tears still glistening but none having fallen.

  She looked beautiful.

  What was wrong with him? Thinking a poor woman, on the brink of tears was beautiful? She clearly needed some help, some support, and he was standing there like an idiot.

  Morris cleared his throat. "No."

  Allie blinked, surprise blooming over her face. "What?"

  "No, I won't take you to the airport," Morris said. "I think you should stay here and give everybody the chance to adjust."