Fresh-Start Ranch

by Leann Harris

  Later that night, Ethan sat down with his parents and told them his secret. Neither parent seemed surprised. His dad nodded his head.

  Ethan looked from his mother to his father. “Is that your only reaction?”

  “What do you want us to say?” his mother asked.

  “You’re not shocked or disappointed?”

  “Son,” his mother said, “we knew something had happened but didn’t know what. I wanted to talk to you, but your father wouldn’t let me. We prayed for you, that God would shine His grace in the situation. He did. Doc brought you up short.”

  Ken rubbed his chin. “Why are you telling us now?”

  “I knew if William Moore was hanging around Kevin, he had a gambling problem. I saw him one day in town, and talked to him. I ended up taking him to his first couple of Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Tessa saw me and followed me into the meeting. She is very anti-gambling and confronted me. I explained why I was helping William but ever since then she hasn’t been sure she wants to continue seeing me.”

  Ken and Lynda traded looks.

  “Did you explain that you’ve not gambled again?” his dad asked.

  “I did.”

  “And?” his mother asked.

  “She doubted me.”

  Lynda stood and kissed Ethan’s cheek. “Then she doesn’t know you. If you want to talk, get a woman’s perspective, I’ll listen.” She left the room.

  His dad continued to sit at the table.

  “I can’t believe you knew and didn’t say anything,” Ethan muttered.

  “It wasn’t easy for your mom, but I kept her from pushing you about it. We just didn’t know exactly what your secret was. When you announced that you would work for Doc that summer I talked with him, asked if there was anything I needed to know. Doc assured me things were fine. I don’t doubt if you hadn’t turned around, Doc would’ve come to your mother and me.” His eyes locked with Ethan’s. “What I think is you now have to let go of the guilt, son. It’s time to forgive yourself.”

  The words struck a deep chord in Ethan. “I—”

  “We all foul up and get it wrong. Stop beating yourself up. Remember, God has forgiven and forgotten those sins. So should you. And I think maybe Tessa shares that trait with you. She needs to forgive.” His father stood and walked around the table, rested his hand on Ethan’s shoulder and squeezed.

  As Ethan watched his father walk out of the kitchen, a sense of relief washed through him. He hadn’t realized how much keeping that secret had crippled him. But was it true that he hadn’t forgiven himself for his mistake?

  “Okay, Lord, I’m going to give You this guilt. And I forgive myself.” He remained still, his soul finding a wellspring of peace.

  His head dropped forward. “Thank You, Lord.”

  Having the load lifted from his shoulders, he prayed that Tessa could find her footing among the new truths she’d learned.

  * * *

  Tessa wrestled with her feelings all through the night. Seeing Ethan yesterday had been both joyous and painful. She’d wanted to reach out to him, talk to him about Doc, the rescue horses they transferred and half a dozen other things. Suddenly, there was someone in her life she could freely talk to. And yet, he’d gambled.

  When she woke the next morning, her lack of sleep showed on her face. Doc took one look at her and volunteered to drive them to church. She didn’t argue.

  During the song service, Tessa kept looking across the sanctuary to where Ethan was sitting with his family.

  When the congregation sat for the message, Tessa felt a longing in her heart. As she prayed, she heard the pastor talking about the Prodigal Son.

  “Who suffered more in the end?” the pastor asked. “The son who came back and repented or the son who stayed and was mad his father forgave his brother?”

  The words pierced the last remaining layer of ice around her heart and feelings flooded her chest. Was she that older son, the son who remained, who couldn’t forgive? She glanced over at Ethan. He turned his head and met her gaze. She was the first one to look away.

  Then Doc’s phone vibrated with an incoming text. He showed it to Tessa—he was needed at an emergency. They slipped out of the sanctuary and went to Doc’s truck.

  On their drive back to the clinic, Doc glanced over at Tessa. “I’m surprised that you and Ethan didn’t burn up several of the pews in the sanctuary.”

  Tessa, still thinking about the sermon, turned to Doc. “What?”

  He smiled and glanced at Tessa. “Remember, I was between you and Ethan. More looking I’ve not seen in a long time. I thought I’d have to duck not to get scorched by the flames.”

  Rubbing her arms, she looked down at her lap.

  “Tessa, I don’t want to see you repeat the same mistake that your mother and I made.”

  Her eyes widened. “I’m not pregnant.”

  “No, I didn’t think you were, but I think you might be blaming Ethan for the sins your stepfather committed.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but knew Doc was right.

  “Although I’ve not been around for most of your life, I wanted to talk to you as a friend. I think you can trust Ethan not to repeat his mistake.”

  She wanted to believe that. Could she? Was it that simple? “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

  * * *

  Tessa waved goodbye to Doc, grabbed her Bible and her notes from the service and walked into the stables. Odd, how much clearer she could think in the midst of the horses she loved. She looked up the scriptures Pastor had used and reread the story of the Prodigal Son.

  Was she blaming Ethan for the sins of her stepfather? After several moments of facing the truth, she knew that that’s exactly what she’d done.

  The truth of her actions made her ashamed. Was she judging her mother in the wrong light, too? And what about Doc? Wasn’t he completely innocent in the situation?

  Her behaviour over the past week came back to her, shaming her. “Okay, Lord. I’ve been wrong. Forgive me.” As she prayed, she thought of all the people she’d hurt over the past few days. She had a lot of folks she had to talk to so she could make amends. And even if she couldn’t contact him directly, she had to include her stepfather in that forgiveness.

  As she walked into the kitchen, the clinic phone rang. There was an emergency at the Cousinses’ place. They needed her to come right away. As she hung up the phone, Tessa knew she’d have to make a lot of things right.

  Oddly enough, she looked forward to it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I wonder why Doc and Tessa left early,” Beth commented as the family sat down at the dinner table.

  Zach shook his head. “I don’t doubt that there was an emergency.”

  “So why did Tessa leave with Doc?” Beth asked.

  “Maybe they came in one vehicle,” Tyler, Beth’s husband, answered.

  “Go and see the woman,” Zach encouraged Ethan. All conversation stopped.

  “I’m not sure she wants to talk to me.”

  Zach choked on his tea, nearly spitting it out. Setting the glass down, he stared at his brother. “Are you kidding me? I saw those looks you two were exchanging during the message. I thought you might make up and kiss in the lobby of the church. I think Pastor might have been tempted to halt his sermon, call you two to the front and start a wedding ceremony.”

  Ethan glanced around the table. Every head nodded in agreement.

  Ethan’s gaze scanned each face. He saw encouragement from everyone. Before their meal, Ethan had told Beth and Tyler of his gambling problem. His family stood squarely behind him.

  He stood. “You’ve convinced me.”

  “You gonna call first?” Beth called out.

  “Nope. Why give her a chance to say no?”
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  Beth stood and raced around the table and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks, sis.” He turned to leave.

  “And if she gives you any static, call me. I’ll straighten her out.”

  Ethan just shook his head. If he let Beth get to Tessa, there would be no hope. “Thanks, but I think this is something I need to do myself.”

  * * *

  When Tessa returned to the clinic after the call she made, she saw her father’s truck parked in the clinic’s parking lot.

  Her father.

  The shock of that thought robbed her of breath. Doctor Vince Adams was her father. The thought still astounded her.

  She pulled in next to Doc’s truck, turned off the engine, and stared out the front windshield.

  Deep in her spirit, she knew calling Doc “Dad” was the right thing.

  Dad.

  Before she could open the truck door, Kevin Raney pulled his truck and horse trailer behind hers and Doc’s trucks.

  Tessa scrambled out of the vehicle. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

  Kevin shot out of the cab. “Shut up.” The man looked as if he’d run into a wall, with a black eye and split lip. He had a crowbar in his right hand.

  “Who do you think you are?” Tessa stopped and glared at him.

  “I’m the man who’s going to take his horses.”

  Kevin reached for Tessa’s arm. She tried to dodge him, but she turned her ankle on a piece of gravel. Kevin caught her and jerked her close. “I’m through fooling around with all you do-gooders, messing with my horses. All you’ve been is a pain for me and my associates. That filly is mine and, for my time and the hassle you put me through, I’m taking the mare, too.”

  Tessa didn’t doubt his bruised and battered face had something to do with his attitude.

  Doc appeared at the kitchen door. “Whoa, what’s going on here?”

  “Back off, Doc. I’m here to take my horses.”

  Doc nodded toward the crowbar. “Horses don’t respond well to that.”

  “True, but people do. Now let’s all go into the stables and get the horses.”

  Tessa’s eyes went to Doc’s face. He appeared calm, not cowed by Kevin. “You in trouble?” Doc asked.

  “I’m not here for socializing or for you to try to figure me out. I came for my horses.”

  His hands up in surrender, Doc answered, “Fine, let’s go and get the horses, but I don’t think you need to drag Tessa into the stables that way.”

  “She’s my insurance.”

  Doc’s gaze met Tessa’s. Kevin pushed Tessa toward the stable’s door. As they neared where Doc stood, Kevin became more agitated. When Doc lunged for the crowbar, Kevin drew his arm back and hit Doc in the head. He went down hard.

  “Dad,” Tessa cried out, trying to lunge out of Kevin’s hold.

  She didn’t break his hold, but was jerked back.

  “Dad?” Kevin’s brow shot up. “Dr. Adams is your father?”

  Tessa’s chin came up and she glared at him, but didn’t respond.

  “That puts a whole new spin on things, don’t it?” He looked from Doc to Tessa and his eyes narrowed. “If you don’t want to see me hit him again, let’s go and get my horses. When I drive out of here, then you can tend to the old man.”

  Tessa’s gaze left her father and met Kevin’s. His battered face and determined look left no doubt in Tessa’s mind that Kevin was desperate enough to follow through on his threats.

  “Okay.”

  Kevin hauled her into the stables, leaving Doc bleeding and unconscious on the ground.

  * * *

  As Ethan drove to the clinic, he prayed that Tessa’s heart would be ready to embrace a new future with him. He might not win her trust, but he had to try. He shook his head at the irony.

  What he wanted was a chance with the remarkable woman he’d come to know. And every family member supported his decision. Apparently they recognized the truth—that he and Tessa belonged together.

  As he turned down the short drive to the clinic, he saw two people out in the parking lot. One person was trying to load Lady into a horse trailer.

  Ethan stopped at the end of the driveway, blocking the way of escape, and got out of his truck. Kevin and Tessa stood at the back of the trailer. Tessa held Lady’s lead reins. Ethan didn’t say anything, but observed Doc lying very still on the ground, his arms splayed and his forehead bleeding.

  “Well, lookie here. It’s our hero riding to the rescue.” Kevin had a crowbar and kept beating it into his hand. The moment anyone moved, Ethan didn’t doubt that Kevin would bash in Doc’s head.

  “What’s going on here?” Ethan knew exactly what was happening, but he needed to divert Kevin until he could come up with a plan.

  A satisfied grin crossed Kevin’s face. “Please, Ethan. It’s obvious what’s going on here. I’m getting my horses—” Ethan opened his mouth to answer, but Kevin continued on “—and no one’s going to stop me.”

  From Kevin’s battered appearance, it was obvious that the man’s creditors weren’t happy. Ethan’s first priority was to keep Tessa safe. Raising his hand, he said, “Hey, no problem.”

  His answer didn’t win over Kevin. “I don’t believe you. You’ve always got to be the hero, don’t you? Things were going great and suddenly Mr. Hero appears and saves William.” A bitter laugh escaped his mouth.

  Tessa’s gaze flew to Ethan’s. He saw the surprise turn to gratitude in her expression. “Look, Kevin, the quicker you’re out of here, the better for you. You know as well as I do that things don’t stay quiet around here for long. And I have the sneaking suspicion that my family’s going to show up soon.”

  The words worried Kevin as he looked toward the dirt road. “Why don’t you get back in your truck and park it beside Dr. Grant’s car, then give me the keys.”

  Ethan’s main goal was to get Kevin away from Doc and Tessa. “All right.” He walked back to his truck and backed up. As he did, he grabbed his cell phone and called for help. The operator replied and as quietly as he could, he relayed the situation. “And don’t call back or he’ll know.” Before the woman could ask any more questions, he cut off the phone call and shoved the cell under the front seat.

  Ethan left the truck and handed his keys to Kevin. “I’ll help Tessa load the horses so you can get away from here faster.”

  “I don’t think so.” Kevin thought for a minute, then changed his mind. “Let’s do it this way. I’ll have the lovely doctor stand over here with me while you finish loading the trailer with both the mare and her filly.”

  Ethan didn’t like the idea of Tessa in range of Kevin’s anger, but Kevin didn’t let him close enough to yank the crowbar away. Slowly Ethan walked to Tessa and took the lead reins from her. He gave her a reassuring smile. Tessa whispered, “Thank God you’re here.”

  “Cooperate,” he whispered back.

  She gave him the reins and their hands briefly lingered.

  “C’mon, Dr. Grant, unless you want me to hit Doc Adams again with the crowbar.”

  “I’m coming.”

  Ethan made sure Tessa was okay before he finished walking Lady into the horse trailer. After he secured the horse in the trailer, he walked back out.

  “Now, go get my filly.”

  Given no choice, Ethan complied and quickly got Hope out of her stall and put her into the trailer. “Now, you’ve got both horses, why don’t you drive out of here.”

  Scratching his chin with his left hand, Kevin appeared to think about it. “I don’t know. Taking Dr. Grant would insure that you’d behave.”

  “Taking Dr. Grant would mean that law enforcement could charge you with kidnapping, not just the misdemeanor of stealing the horses. And with your reco
rd, the misdemeanor would be easier for law-enforcement officials to swallow.”

  Anger filled Kevin’s face and Ethan tensed, ready to lunge to disarm Kevin before he could harm anyone. “Stand over there by Doc Adams.”

  Ethan moved to stand above Doc. Kevin dragged Tessa with him to the driver’s side of the truck. “Open the door,” he instructed her.

  She did. He pushed her away and jumped into the cab of the truck, turned on the engine and pulled around in the parking lot. Tessa hurried to Ethan’s side. His arms wrapped around her and Ethan felt some of the tension in his gut ease.

  As Kevin finished his U-turn and started out of the parking lot, a sheriff’s vehicle pulled into the drive, blocking Kevin’s way of escape. The sheriff immediately got out and pulled his gun.

  “Stop,” Joe Teague yelled.

  For an instant, it looked as if Kevin wasn’t going to stop. Finally, after a moment of hesitation, he did.

  “I want to see your hands, Kevin,” Joe commanded.

  Kevin put his hands up. Ethan went to the truck and opened the driver’s door.

  “Get out, Kevin, and walk toward me,” Joe ordered.

  Ethan stood ready to wrestle the man to the ground if he tried anything funny. Kevin complied.

  “Put your hands on the hood on my car,” Joe instructed.

  While Joe cuffed Kevin, Ethan turned toward Tessa. She knelt at her father’s side.

  “Dad,” Tessa said as she checked the older man. Looking up, she said, “Help me roll him over.”

  Together they gently rolled Doc onto his back. A large gash skirted the older man’s hairline. She jumped up and ran to her truck, grabbed her medical bag and was back, kneeling at his side.

  Doc moaned and brought his right arm up to his eyes.

  “Take it easy, Dad,” Tessa murmured. She grabbed a sterile gauze pad and lightly blotted his forehead. Doc grimaced.

  “I’m sorry,” Tessa whispered.

  Doc’s eyes fluttered open and he turned toward her. “I’m okay, but I’ve got a humdinger of a headache.”

  Sitting back on her heels, Tessa gave her father a watery smile. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Why?” Doc whispered.