The Lonesome Rancher / Finding Happily-Ever-After: The Lonesome Rancher

Jade nearly groaned. What was he doing here?

“Hey, Merrick,” Matt said. “How’s it going?”

There wasn’t any handshakes exchanged between them. It was more of a standoff. “Not bad,” Sloan said as he glanced at Jade. “And it’s getting better by the second. You?”

“Working hard, and just trying to stay out of trouble.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Louisa spoke up. “Sloan, please tell me you haven’t been following me.”

He shook his head. “I came into town to pick up my order at the feed store. I saw Miguel and thought I’d stop and say hello.” He tipped his hat. “Ladies, I’m sorry to interrupt.”

They all smiled. This was the last thing she’d expected. For a small town there sure was a lot of testosterone floating around.

Then Sloan’s gaze went to Jade, causing her breath to catch. What was that about?

He finally turned to Louisa. “Mother, just don’t overdo it.”

“Not a chance of that with everyone hovering.”

Again he nodded. “I’ll leave you all to your lunch.” He started to leave, then paused and said, “Hey, Rafferty, I need to talk to you about the roundup.”

Matt said goodbye, but his gaze lingered on Jade. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”

Jade wasn’t sure what to say, so she nodded.

Sean was the only man left now. “I take it you ladies all want the barbecue lunch special?” With their nod, he said, “And a pitcher of iced tea.”

“That’s perfect, Sean,” Louisa said. “Thank you.”

When he walked off, Beth spoke up. “I’ll pick up the check today, Louisa. I haven’t had this much entertainment in years.” She glanced at Jade. “Don’t look now, darlin’ but looks like you caught a couple of live ones.”

Louisa had a smile on her face, too.

“I’m not here to catch a guy,” Jade stressed. “I’m here to help Louisa.”

“It doesn’t look like you have a choice.” Liz sighed. “Oh, I remember those days when my Randy used to chase after me, trying to get my attention.”

With their nods, they watched as Sean went behind the bar.

“Isn’t he something,” Beth said.

“Don’t let Millie hear you saying that,” Liz said. “She’s had a thing for Sean for years.”

“A lot of good it does her,” Beth told her. “The man hasn’t dated much. Do you think he has someone in San Antonio?”

“Who cares?” Lisa said. “I think we have more love budding closer to home.” She smiled at Jade. “Two men. And to think I thought life was getting boring around here, and then you come to town.”

CHAPTER FOUR

TWO hours later, Jade brought Louisa home from town and talked her into taking a nap. Even though she insisted that she wasn’t tired from her outing, the older woman fell right to sleep once she lay back against the pillow.

Jade stayed a few minutes to make sure she was truly asleep, then left. She would have gone to her own room to relax, but found she was too keyed up to stay inside. She had had a great time with Louisa and her friends today, until Sloan showed up. Did he follow them? Did he not trust her?

Going down to the kitchen, she asked Marta if she would listen for Louisa.

When the housekeeper agreed, Jade walked out the back door to the porch to enjoy the late afternoon fall day. The sights and sounds of the operation were evident. She watched the ranch hands on horseback shout commands as they moved cattle into large holding pens.

This was her father’s life. He’d been born and raised on this ranch. Yet she’d been denied this life. Kathryn chose not to tell Clay about her. As a child Jade had daydreamed about a father. She never got the chance to know any more about Jim Hamilton than that he never wanted anything to do with her and left the marriage.

Would Clay have accepted her as his daughter if he’d known about her? Did he know about her and walk away anyway? She couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like to come here to live.

She sighed. She couldn’t think about that. She hadn’t had a perfect life growing up but there was never a doubt that Mother loved her. Still the past few months had been difficult, trying to grasp the fact that her identity had all been a lie. She wasn’t a Hamilton, and there was a good possibility she was a Merrick. Was it crazy to want to know where she’d come from? To discover who she was.

Curious about ranch life, she was itching to go out and experience it all. But she didn’t want to get in anyone’s way, especially Sloan’s. Even though he was only a stepson, he was truly Clay’s son. They had a special bond.

What would happen when he learned the real story? The man didn’t trust easily. She’d probably be run out of town.

No. She couldn’t let anyone find out yet, if ever. Not before she talked to Clay. She was pretty sure how they’d react and right now she’d settle for a little piece of Clay Merrick’s life. She stepped off the porch, and headed toward the barn. She decided she wanted to see the filly again.

She walked through the double doors, and found Bud talking with one of the hands. “Well, hello, Jade.”

“Hi, Bud. Is it okay to visit the filly?”

His smile turned into a grin. “I don’t see why not. Come on, I’ll go with you.” Together they walked down to the last stall. Immediately Polly came to the railing to greet them.

Bud spoke up, “Hello, Mama. Look who I brought by to see ya.”

The horse made a nickering sound and moved toward Jade. Jade tensed at first, but slowly began to relax recalling their connection during the birthing. “Hi, Polly.”

The horse pushed her muzzle against her arm. Jade reached up and began petting the large animal. Polly was eager for some affection. “Hello, girl. How’s your baby today?”

The animal bobbed her head and blew out a loud breath.

“Now, that’s one happy mama,” Bud teased and they both laughed.

“I guess I missed the joke.”

They both turned to see Sloan standing in the aisle. He didn’t look any happier than he had at Rory’s.

“Hey, Sloan,” Bud said. “Jade came out to check on Polly.”

With one look from Sloan, Jade felt as if she was doing something wrong. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not as long as you don’t go wandering around by yourself,” he told her. “You aren’t used to ranch life.”

She felt a sudden anger. That wasn’t her fault. “Then I guess I should learn the ins and outs, so I won’t get caught in a cattle stampede or something.”