The Rancher's First Love

“It’s through the state. He’s only six weeks old and he’s living in a foster home in Houston. We’re going to see him next week.”

“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Me, too.” Lilly glanced back at the barn. “So, where did you get the dog?”

“I found her in town.”

“Oh, that’s the dog that my dad was talking about. The stray that he’s going to have to do something about.”

“He said that?”

“You know how guys are,” Lilly said, rolling her eyes.

“Yes, I do know how guys are. And he isn’t going to do anything about this dog because she’s mine now.”

Lilly just shrugged. “So, I’m out of school and bored.”

Sam laughed. “I’m sure you are. What are you going to do with your summer?”

Lilly shrugged and Sam got the feeling there was more she wanted to say. They kept walking, though, back to the house. Sam hadn’t been here when Oregon and Lilly showed up a few years ago. When Duke learned that the precocious girl across the street was his daughter. But she was here now. And she loved being an aunt.

“So?” she prodded her niece. “Give it up. I know you have more to say. Or something to ask.”

“Okay. Dad said you were the best barrel racer in the county. I’m not the best. But I want to be. I’ll be thirteen soon and I don’t want to have to compete with the little girls.”

“Gotcha. So we have some work to do?”

Lilly nodded. “Please. I mean, Dad tries to help me, but he’s a guy. He can rope. He can train a horse.”

“But he isn’t a barrel racer.”

“Right.” Lilly stepped through the door Sam opened.

“That works for me, because my new gelding needs some practice.” Sam followed her niece inside. The kitchen felt cool after being outside. It was not quite nine o’clock and already hot and humid. “Want breakfast?”

In answer Lilly headed for the cabinet, helping herself to cereal bars. She and Oregon had lived in this house for a time. The girl knew her way around more than just the house. She knew how to be a part of the Martin family. Sam envied that. Sometimes she felt like the outsider, as if she was the one who didn’t know how to be a Martin.

“Are you going to eat?” Lilly poured herself a glass of milk and dunked the cereal bar.

“Not yet. I need at least another cup or two of coffee.” She poured herself a cup and leaned against the counter next to Lilly. “About this horse business. I have to work this evening, but I can help you this morning. We might even trailer the horses over to the rodeo grounds. I always found it helpful to get away from the ranch arena.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Of course. You’re my niece and we have a tradition to continue in this family.”

Lilly popped the last bite in her mouth, and then drained the glass of milk. She wiped her mouth with a paper towel and put the glass in the sink. “So, you’re going to barrel race this summer?”

“We’ll see how things go.”

“Do you think we should go check on your dog?” Lilly glanced toward the barn. “Have you named her?”

“Not yet. I don’t want to name her if she belongs to someone and she’s just lost. I’ll put up some posters and see if anyone claims her. As a matter of fact, let me get my phone so I can take a picture.”

They were on their way to the barn when Jake pulled up. Sam waved at her brother, but she and Lilly kept walking. She knew he’d follow. She also knew he’d have something to say about the stray dog.

As she and Lilly leaned over, watching the mama dog and her litter of six, Jake stepped into the barn.

“What do we have here?” He sidled next to her and groaned when he saw the dog and puppies. “A stray?”

“No, she’s not a stray. She either belongs to someone or she’s mine. She’s not a stray.”

He cleared his throat. “She’s a mutt.”

“Jake, I don’t have to ask your permission to get a dog.” She wouldn’t argue with him. Not in front of Lilly.

She wanted to tell her brother that what she did was no longer his business. He didn’t get to make decisions about her life, her career, who she dated. Not that she had dated since she’d come home. But he definitely got no say in what animals she brought home. He’d made decisions for her when she was younger and hadn’t asked her opinion. No more.

“You’re right. You don’t,” he said just as quietly. “I just wanted to let you know, Breezy isn’t feeling too great. The baby is fussy. I think they’re both going to need a trip to the doctor.”

“I can watch the twins for you,” she was quick to offer.

“Marty has them, but if she needs a break, can she call you?”

“You know she can.”

Lilly glanced at Jake, then at Sam. “Do I need to leave so you two can argue?”

Sam laughed a little and Jake looked uncomfortable.

“You stay put, kiddo. Aunt Sam and I will step outside.”

Brothers. She gave Lilly a quick wink and the girl shook her head, as if she got it. Because even though she didn’t have brothers, she had Duke for a dad.

“Back in a minute, Lilly,” she assured her niece.

“If you need me to rescue you, the code word is help.”

Sam laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

Jake was waiting for her outside. They walked to the fence, neither saying a word. Sam leaned her arms across the top rail and watched her new gelding, a pretty palomino, as he trotted across the field, his buttery gold coat soaking up the sunshine. Standing next to Jake, she felt small. And young. She exhaled her frustration, but he didn’t react.

“Nice horse,” Jake commented.

“What do you want, Jake?”

“I ran across Remington. He was at the feed store.”

“Yeah, he lives here now.”