The Rancher's Homecoming

“I’ve hired a construction contractor to remodel the Gold Nugget.”

“Remodel it!”

“Into a working cattle ranch. One where the guests can enjoy the full cowboy experience, not just go on rides.”

“Full cowboy experience?”

“Yeah. Herd cattle, vaccinate calves, repair fences, clear trails, clean stalls if they want. I’m also planning monthly roping and team penning competitions for the adults and gymkhanas for the kids.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “What person would want to clean horse stalls on their vacation?”

“You’d be surprised.”

He understood her reservations. All of the local businesses had depended on the wedding trade. Florist shop, tuxedo rental, wedding boutique, caterers, photographers. Not to mention restaurants specializing in romantic candlelit dinners or those with large banquet rooms for receptions.

A guest ranch would have been a ridiculous idea and unnecessary if not for the fire. The same fire that Sam and his crew of Hotshot firefighters had fought and failed to prevent from ravaging the town.

Not his crew. He alone was responsible.

His stomach still clenched at the memory of that day. His anger at his commanding officer, his fear for the citizens’ safety, the helplessness he’d felt when the wind changed direction and the fire leaped the ravine. The sorrow for all that was lost and could have been saved.

“There are only a handful of really great working guest ranches in this part of the country. Add to that the popularity of The Forty-Niners, and I think the ranch will be booked to capacity year-round.”

“No, it won’t. Sweetheart is where people come to get married. We perform a hundred wedding ceremonies every month.”

“Where people did come. How many ceremonies have been performed since the fire?”

She clamped her mouth shut, saying nothing. No need for it; they both knew the answer. Zero. A measly six weeks had passed and already Sweetheart was dying on the vine. Without a miracle, it would wither away into nothing.

Sam wasn’t about to let that happen and possessed the drive and the resources to prevent it.

“I can change that. Bring the tourists back. I’ll also be able to provide jobs for some of the locals. From what the real estate agent tells me, there’s plenty who need work.” His gaze involuntarily strayed to her work shirt and the NDF badge sewn on to the sleeve.

She noticed, and her posture straightened. Pride wasn’t something Annie or any of the Hennessy women had in short supply.

“Why do you care?”

“Sweetheart was once my home.”

“For two years.” Her voice broke. “Then you left.”

All this time, and she was obviously still hurting. Sam would give anything to change that.

“I came back for you.”

“Not soon enough.”

True. And he’d paid the price. So, apparently, had she. “We were young.”

“That sounds like an excuse.”

“I take responsibility for what happened between us, Annie. I’d say I wish things were different but then we wouldn’t have our children. Neither of us would change that.”

“You’re right.” Her stiff posture had yet to relax. “If you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to head home.”

“You’re angry I bought the ranch. I get that.”

“For starters.”

He placed a hand on her arm, and then removed it when she glared at him. “Please, Annie. Help me help Sweetheart.”

“What about your job in California?”

“My foreman is covering for me the rest of the summer. Lyndsey and I will head home before school starts the first of September. After that, I’ll fly here as often as needed. Lyndsey’s grandfather will watch her.”

Annie sucked in a sharp breath. Sam had hit a nerve.

After he’d left her that last time, he’d returned to California and within a matter of months wed his boss’s daughter. Annie must have been devastated when the whole reason he’d accepted the job in the first place was because he wasn’t ready for a commitment.

“I am sorry about your wife’s death,” she said.

“It was rough.” Only Sam’s father-in-law knew how rough. Sam would move heaven and earth to make sure Lyndsey never learned the entire circumstances of that terrible accident. “I’m in Sweetheart to start over and to get this town on its feet.”

He couldn’t tell her the real reason he was here, of his part in the fire or how often he’d thought of her during the past nine years. She’d never speak to him again.

“Why did you have to buy the Gold Nugget?” she asked.

“Ranching is my livelihood. What I know best.” He intentionally omitted his volunteer firefighting. “And, honestly, I figured if you hadn’t bought the Gold Nugget by now, you must have changed your mind.”

“I didn’t.” Turning abruptly, she started toward her SUV.

“Annie, wait.” He hurried after her.

She didn’t stop until she was almost to the driver’s door, and then not because of him. She’d spotted Lyndsey, who emerged from behind the house.

“Daddy,” she called.

Sam could have kicked himself. He usually watched his daughter like a hawk. Today, he’d forgotten all about her. “Over here, sweetie.”

“Look what I found in a hollow log behind the barn.” She held the hem of her pink T-shirt out in front of her, the weight of whatever she carried making it dip in the middle.

Annie stood there frozen, observing Lyndsey’s approach. He tried to imagine what she was thinking. Despite his daughter’s girlish features, she resembled Sam, enough that most everyone who saw them together commented on it.

Not only had he married soon after that final parting with Annie, he’d fathered a child almost immediately. He wouldn’t blame her if she hated him.

“What have you got?” Sam asked when Lyndsey neared.

The young girl eyed Annie with caution. Once outgoing and at ease with adults, she’d withdrawn since her mother’s death. Leaving her home and friends and beloved grandfather behind for the summer hadn’t helped, either. She’d been determined not to like Sweetheart from the moment Sam had announced they were going there.