by Zoe Matthews
Having Brooklyn had helped somewhat. Holding her newborn baby girl in her arms for the first time had made her feel ten feet tall and capable of handling anything the world threw at her.
When she looked up and saw Hunter’s eyes, she sighed and groused out, “Brooklyn. Her name is Brooklyn.”
“Brooklyn,” he repeated and smiled at the name she had chosen for their daughter. “Does she…I mean, she’s three now, so does she ever ask…”
Hunter looked down and Sadie felt a strange rush of embarrassment for how mean she was being. She sighed. “She’s fine, Hunter. She’s a normal little girl.”
She kept waiting for the sarcasm and patronizing tone of voice to appear, the way he had talked to her after she had told him about her pregnancy, but it didn’t come.
“I want to see her.”
Sadie shook her head, firming her lips before she told him, “No.”
“She’s my daughter, Sadie.”
“A daughter you didn’t want.” A mother and wife you didn’t want either.
“I’ve already said I was sorry. All I want to do is see her.”
Sadie shook her head again. “She doesn’t know who you are.”
“She doesn’t have to know who I am. I know who I am. I’m her father and I want to see her.”
Sadie started to refuse him again, but then she recalled how Hunter had been when she’d known him before and he hadn’t gotten what he wanted. He’d been ruthless and willing to do whatever was needed to get his way. It didn’t matter to him who he had to hurt or destroy in the process.
What if he tries to press the issue in the courts? He divorced me, but he didn’t sign away his rights to Brooklyn. He has every right to meet his daughter.
Sadie hated what she was about to say, but she did it anyway. She dug in her pocket and pulled out a scrap of paper. “Write your number down on that and I’ll contact you soon. I need to think.”
Hunter eyed her, but dutifully took the scrap of paper and withdrew a pen from his pocket. He scribbled his cell phone number on the paper and then handed it back to her. “I’ll be waiting for you to call.”
Sadie took the paper and then turned and left. This meeting was over and she couldn’t get home fast enough. She needed to hug her daughter!
Chapter 3
Sadie drove for several miles back towards the ranch almost blindly, just driving and trying to keep her mind from going crazy with everything that had just happened. As she neared the mountain where her father had been killed several months earlier, she couldn’t help but let her mind turn to everything that had happened to change her future.
Her father, Richard Collingsworth, had been killed while flying his plane in this very mountain range. She’d been living at home since before Brooklyn’s birth, and even though her father hadn’t been an overly affectionate man, she still missed his presence.
She still remembered her father’s response when she’d told him that she was going to have a baby. He’d looked at her, asked where the father was, and when she’d told him the father had left her, he simply nodded his head once and then left the dining room.
He’d never criticized her, but he hadn’t offered her any sort of comfort either. He hadn’t been that kind of man. He hadn’t even come to the hospital to see her daughter after she’d been born. He had sent her a bouquet of roses, and he’d dutifully held Brooklyn a time or two, but Richard Collingsworth was more about business than family. He had been the same with Sierra’s twin daughters, Ashley and Elysha.
The housekeeper, Kathy, and her cattleman husband, Jed, had been instrumental in helping keep the Collingsworth children, and grandchildren, happy and healthy. She didn’t know what they would have done if Kathy and Jed hadn’t been around. The couple still played vital roles and were surrogate grandparents to the children in the family.
Her mind drifted off to other memories and then it stalled on the fateful meeting with her siblings in the attorney’s office for the reading of her father’s will.
She’d assumed that Sheridan, being the oldest, would inherit everything, and she’d been comfortable knowing that she and her daughter would always have a home with him. Sheridan had made sure she knew that before the day of the meeting.
But what had happened in that attorney’s office had changed her, and her siblings, futures forever.
“Now that everyone is here, let’s get started,” Blake Anderson said to the six siblings sitting around the law office. They all quickly learned that their father had somehow managed to put away three million dollars. The sum was to be split between the six siblings, but there was one condition.
They each had to come home to live at the ranch for six months. Together! That hadn’t really been an issue for her, but she knew some of her other siblings had been forced to give up their jobs and living accommodations in order to make the trip back to the ranch for six months.
Her father had said it was to force them to learn to rely on each other. Sadie wasn’t sure how that was going to turn out, but she has enjoyed having all of her siblings under one roof. Her daughter had really enjoyed getting to know her various aunts and uncles.
As she began the last ten mile stretch before reaching the ranch, her thoughts drifted back to the letter she’d received from the attorney. Her father had written a private letter to each of her siblings, and while some of them had waited to open their letters, Sadie hadn’t been one of them. She’d waited until she reached home that night and then opened it in the privacy of her own bedroom.
She’d waited until after putting her daughter down to bed, just wanting a few minutes to be alone with her thoughts and whatever her father had thought was important enough that he’d written it down –
My Dear Sadie:
If you are reading this letter, then you will already have attended my funeral. I am sorry for the sorrow you and your daughter have felt on my behalf. Please know that your mother and I have now been reunited and rejoice in that, rather than grieve.
As you have probably already been informed, I am leaving the future of the ranch in Sheridan’s capable hands. I want you to know that he is probably going to be making some major changes around the ranch. He told me about these, but I regret I never took the time to seriously consider them. They will be good changes. Help him make them a reality.
I know you are probably wondering why I’ve insisted your siblings come home for a full six months in order to collect your inheritance. It pains me to realize that during a time in your life when you could have really used their support, none of your siblings gave you more than a passing worry.
I blame that on myself and this is my last act to try and correct that. I hope that when the six months are up, you and your siblings will have a different relationship with one another. I also hope that you will start to heal.
I know I never took the time to find out what happened between you and Brooklyn’s father, but Sadie – you have so much to offer this world. Please don’t blame every man you meet for the wrongs done to you by only a few.
You’ve closed yourself off from almost everyone, and the little girl I used to watch run and play and laugh seems to have completely disappeared. I want you to learn to let yourself relax and have fun again. I hope that by getting to know your siblings better, you will find your childhood once again as well.
I want you to know, I love you very much. I love my granddaughter and I will regret not watching her grow up. Please share with her your love of the outdoors and love her every moment of every day. She is your greatest accomplishment to date, and I know you will have many more in the future.
You are as much a part of the mountains as the ranch itself is. I know helping with the finances of the ranch was not to your liking, so do what makes you happy. Smile. Love. Relax. Live in the moment. But most of all, learn how to share your life with those around you. No matter what happens in this life, you should always be able to depend upon your family. Trust them enough to let them see the real you.
>
And lastly, don’t be afraid of love when it comes to you. Don’t be afraid of getting hurt, or giving of yourself. Human beings need connection and to share themselves with others. So do you. Everyone deserves a second chance and everyone deserves to be happy, just like your mother and I were for so many years.
Love, your father
Chapter 4
Back at the ranch, Sadie parked her car and then headed for the corrals. Her mind was still reeling with everything that had happened in Pinedale, and she realized she needed another moment or two before she went inside and saw anyone.
She was gazing out over the pasture watching some horses graze when she felt someone come to stand next to her. She turned to see Sheridan leaning with his forearms on the fence line.
“You’re back early,” Sheridan commented.
“Yes, something happened and I wanted to come back home,” she admitted.
Sheridan looked sharply at her. “Is everything okay?”
Sadie nodded, but she didn’t tell her brother that she had seen her ex-husband. She didn’t want to talk about what happened. She changed the subject.
“The ranch is coming together,” she commented, looking into the distance where the new lodge for the guests was almost finished.
“Yes, it is. Have you finished your plans for the adult activities?”
“Almost. I’ve mapped out trails for hiking, horseback riding, and even a few trails that will lead the guests to the different rock climbing venues. I’d still like to go up to the lake and see what needs to be done to accommodate overnight guests, if they wanted a camp out experience.”
“That sounds good.” Sheridan took a breath. “I have someone coming tomorrow. A man. He’ll be interviewing for the same job you’re going to be doing.”
“What?! I don’t need any help.”
“I disagree. Sadie, I trust you in the wilds, but you need to face facts. There is a strong possibility that we may have guests that are not comfortable entrusting their safety to a female. We also need a male capable of guiding the adult guests on these types of adventures.”
“Sheridan…”
He shook his head at her. “It’s not something that’s up for discussion.”
Sadie saw the determined look on his face and finally nodded her head. “Fine. But I want the final say so over the person you hire.”
Sheridan paused for a moment and then nodded. “Okay. He’s coming to the ranch to meet with me tomorrow at 10:00 in the morning. Why don’t you come to my office around 10:30 and meet him?”
Sadie let her brother know she wasn’t happy with the idea, but she agreed. “10:30. I’ll be there.”
*****
At 9:15 Sadie’s cell phone rang and she paused in helping Brooklyn put on her shoes to glance at the caller I.D.; then she frowned.
She grabbed the phone, holding it with her shoulder while she finished the job of shoe tying. “Sheridan?”
“Hi, Sadie. I know it’s a little earlier than we discussed yesterday, but could you come to my office now?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Uhm…well, okay. I will need to run Brooklyn down to Kathy first, but I’ll be right there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks.”
Sadie shook her head, wondering what had precipitated an earlier meeting. Sheridan normally kept to his schedule. Maybe the guy who was supposed to show up isn’t coming? Or maybe he showed up early?
“Momma, I’m hungry,” Brooklyn announced, pulling on her jean clad leg.
“So am I. Let’s go see what Miss Kathy has for you to eat in the kitchen.”
“But I want to eat with you,” Brooklyn whined.
“None of that now. Uncle Sheridan needs to talk to me and then I’ll come find you and maybe we’ll go for a hike.”
“Yippee!” Brooklyn headed for the bedroom door and darted down the hallway.
“Walk!” Sadie hollered after her with a small grin. Brooklyn had one speed most mornings, and it was fast. Fast to wake up. Fast to eat. Fast to get started on the day.
She followed her down to the kitchen to see her already standing on the stool Kathy kept there just for that purpose.
“Sadie, we’re making pancakes. Would you like some?” Kathy asked with a smile as she looked up.
“Not right now. Can you watch her for a few minutes? Sheridan needs to see me.”
“Sure. She’ll be fine here, and if your meeting with him takes longer, she can help me in the garden.”
Sadie saw the look of joy on her daughter’s face and nodded, “Thanks.”
She headed up the stairs and down the hall to Sheridan’s office. She tapped on the door once before turning the handle and stepping inside. The image that met her eyes had her seeing red. In anger!
Hunter sat in a chair before Sheridan’s desk, looking completely relaxed and unconcerned with what his showing up here might make her feel. Of course. Why would he start thinking about anyone but himself now?!
Chapter 5
“Sheridan,” she asked through clenched teeth. “Could we have a word? In private?”
Sheridan looked at her, confusion written on his face. When he started to make the introductions, Sadie turned abruptly on her heel and stepped back out into the hallway.
She heard Sheridan excuse himself. “Sorry. I won’t be a minute.” He stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him. “Would you care to explain what just happened in there?”
Sadie looked at him and then paced some more.
“Sadie?”
“Do you know who that is?”
“Hunter Armstrong. Why? Do you know him?”
Sadie nodded her head and then crossed her arms, hugging herself tight in an effort to keep it together. “He’s Brooklyn’s father.”
The look on Sheridan’s face was priceless. He looked towards the closed office door and then back to Sadie. “Hunter is Brooklyn’s father? You…”
“Let me give you the short version. We met in college, we got married, I got pregnant, and he dumped me. I saw him in Pinedale yesterday. He obviously had this planned so he can force me to let him meet Brooklyn.”
“Sadie, I didn’t know. I mean, you didn’t exactly tell us what had happened. I overheard you talking to dad one night, telling him you’d gotten married, but that it had been too quick and hadn’t worked out. I mean, you’ve never even shown any of us a picture of him or told us his name.”
“I realize that. I just wanted to forget that part of my life,” she said as she tried to explain why she never told any of her siblings about Hunter.
“Kind of hard to do with that little girl of yours around,” Sheridan commented.
Sadie looked at him, but didn’t see any judgment on his face. Just truth. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“So, did you two talk?” Sheridan wanted to know.
“For a few minutes yesterday afternoon,” she admitted.
“And are you going to let him see Brooklyn?”
“I don’t know. I wish I could tell him to take a hike, but the divorce papers didn’t take away his rights to Brooklyn.”
“So, you’re going to let him meet his daughter?”
“I guess I don’t have a choice. But I can control when. He’s here because he’s trying to force my hand.”
Sheridan shook his head. “I don’t think so. He applied for this job several weeks ago.”
Sadie didn’t look convinced.
“All things considered, I still want to hire him.”
Sadie shook her head furiously. “No!” There was no way she was going to allow him to be around her and Brooklyn all the time.
“Yes! I’ve been advertising for several weeks now, and he’s the only one who has applied that has any experience. To be honest, his skills are exactly what we are looking for. We open in less than two months, and whomever is hired needs some time to familiarize themselves with the area.”
“Not him!” Sadie was still hugging herself, and
the stress of the situation could be heard in her voice.
“Look, it’s obvious you two need some more time to talk. You’ve heard my feelings on this matter. But, I also understand your position and your anger. Talk with him.”
“Do you still intend to hire him?” Sadie asked, still holding herself.
Sheridan gave her a measuring look and then shook his head. “I told you that you had final say, and I’ll honor that. But for the record, I think Hunter could be a real asset to this project. I think we should hire him.”
Sadie watched Sheridan walk away and then she stood outside the door, trying to muster up enough courage to kick Hunter to the curb. It was what he deserved, no matter how many times he said he was sorry!
Opening the door, she stepped inside and walked around to sit in Sheridan’s chair. She needed the barrier of his desk between her and Hunter for this upcoming conversation.
Steeling her spine, she looked at him and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Applying for a job.”
“Why here?”
“Why not?”
“I don’t understand what you hope to gain from coming here.” She wished she could just close her eyes and that he would disappear from her life, like he had done three years ago.
“I told you last night. I want a chance to make reparations for the past mistakes. I want a chance to get to know my daughter. I’ve changed.”
It would appear so! The old Hunter would have never thought of putting himself in this position. He would have never tried to get a job where he would have had to work under someone else. “Hunter, this isn’t a game to us. This is my family…”
“I would never do anything to hurt you or your family,” he interrupted her. “I love what you all are trying to do here and want to be a part of it.”
