Chance's Joy

Joy watched as a tall, sturdily built woman with short gray hair walked to the table. She was dressed in dark jeans and a plaid shirt.

“Hi, I’m Ella, the Circle B’s housekeeper. Sorry to intrude so early.” She smiled at Joy. “We were hoping to have your breakfast ready before you came down.”

Embarrassed, Joy held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Joy. It’s nice to meet you. I’m the one who should be sorry. You and the other ladies have been so kind to me.”

“But good intentions can be overwhelming,” Ella said. “We’ll leave.”

“Oh, please stay,” Joy insisted. “You haven’t even seen the baby.”

The older woman smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t mind hanging around for a peek just in case she wakes up. And Chance here can finish your breakfast. Don’t worry, he’s a good cook, he learned long before he came to the Circle B, and before I could do any damage.”

Joy smiled as soft cooing sounds came over the monitor.

Ella’s eyes lit up. “You sit down and have your coffee and I’ll go check on the baby.”

Reluctantly Joy nodded and sat down at the table. She sipped her coffee and watched Chance work efficiently at the small stove that looked as if it had been purchased some time around the Second World War. “So your mom taught you how to cook?”

He shook his head. “Hardly. My mother died when I was young. My brothers and I pretty much had to fend for ourselves.” He removed the bacon, then cracked an egg on the edge of the skillet and dropped it into the grease. “I figured if I wanted to eat, I’d better learn.”

Joy shook her head. “I’m dreaming. A man who can cook.”

He glanced at her again. “I didn’t say I liked to do it on a regular basis, but I figured you needed something to eat.”

“I’m feeling much better this morning. In fact, I just gave Katie a bath and plan on heading to the shower myself. Just as soon as I finish breakfast.”

Chance scooped the eggs onto a plate and carried it to table. “Then dig in.” He returned with toast, then sat down with some coffee.

Joy started on the bacon. “You aren’t having anything?”

“I ate hours ago.” He took a sip from his mug.

She felt weird. Most of her life she’d had to fend for herself. Now she had a rugged cowboy who wouldn’t go away. But she couldn’t let him hang around. He was only being nice because he wanted her home. “Don’t feel like you have to stay. Really, Chance, I appreciate everything, but I feel I’ve been taking you away from your work.”

“It’s not roundup yet, so I have the time. I understand if you want to be alone.” He stood. “But you should have someone around for awhile. Your closest neighbor is five miles up the road. So if not me, let Ella stay, at least while you take a shower.” He poured his coffee into the old chipped sink, and set his mug on the counter. “Don’t be too proud to accept help.” He walked to the door.

Joy felt like a heel. She almost called him back. But she couldn’t. She had to do this on her own. She had to prove to herself and to the Spencers that she could raise her child. And having a man around only reminded her of what she’d lost and what she would never have again.

Someone who cared for her. Someone to love.

Chance rode Ace hard, all the way to the outskirts of the ranch to Mustang Valley. He needed to vent his frustration. As they came to the edge of the creek that ran through a grove of trees, he pulled on the reins to slow the animal. The horse danced along the shore, eager for a well-deserved drink.

Angry with himself, Chance climbed down and dropped the reins to the ground, knowing Ace would stay put. Pulling off his gloves, he crouched and cupped his hand in the water and drank until he’d cooled off some. But it didn’t work and wouldn’t any time soon. Not until he stopped seeing red. Every time he thought about Joy Spencer he saw red.

Then there was a whole slew of feelings she stirred in him. Just looking at her pretty face and her long blond hair wild and sassy, made desire surge through him. Damn, he couldn’t think of her that way, she’d just had a baby. But his thoughts went to yesterday when he walked into the bedroom and found Joy nursing. The picture of the tiny infant suckling at her creamy breast had kept him tossing and turning all night.

With a string of curses, he marched to the shade tree and leaned against the huge oak. A breeze brushed his face as his gaze traveled over the lush valley, and calmness moved through him. Although the rain had been light this year, it had been enough to keep things growing. But was there enough grazing land to enlarge the herd? There could be if he could get the Kirby Ranch.

He pulled off his hat and smoothed back his damp hair. Closing his eyes, he tried to push away the fear that plagued him. Why couldn’t he have this one thing? Why couldn’t he have something that was his? Hadn’t he worked hard enough? Hadn’t he paid enough?

Suddenly ugly memories of his childhood surfaced. He’d never been able to put away the past. His life on the small family ranch; how his daddy tried to make a go of it. He also remembered how many times Jack Randell failed. Too many.

Even as a boy, Chance had known his dad had always looked for the easy way out. Hard work had been foreign to him. He couldn’t even keep the ranch that he inherited from his daddy from going under. Couldn’t keep it long enough to hand it down to his sons. With the drought and sinking cattle prices, Jack ended up owing everyone. Then, while other ranchers were selling off their herds, things were only getting better for the Randells. But as the sheriff soon learned, Jack had been rustling cattle.

At fourteen, Chance should have been able to look up to his father, instead he felt nothing but shame. By the time their daddy had been sentenced to prison, the ranch was gone, and the three boys were on their own. The brothers were shunned by everyone, and years later, some people still couldn’t forgive any Randell, even if the sons had been innocent.

It had taken a long time, but Chance had built a name for himself, a good name as a rancher and as a horse breeder. But that didn’t mean everyone had forgotten who his father was. They probably never would.

Chance opened his eyes and looked toward the far end of the valley. About fifty yards away, he spied the familiar herd of mustangs. About a dozen of them wandered cautiously toward the edge of the stream. A mare guarded her new spring colt as the proud buckskin stallion led the group.

Most of the ponies were a mixed breed now, but the Spanish bloodline was rich through these remaining few. A lot of people thought the mustangs were a nuisance, but Hank had taught Chance and his brothers to respect the animals.

Chance had always felt a connection to the horses. He loved to watch these wild creatures. How hard they fought to be free, and finally banded together to keep safe. This valley was a refuge for the mustangs, and a comforting reminder for him that it was home for all misfits, including him and his brothers.

He belonged here. This was where he felt at home. And with the Kirby Ranch he would be able to fulfill his dream of his own place. Now he just had to convince one stubborn city woman to sell.

Chapter Four

An hour later, after a leisurely shower, Joy felt much better. A little makeup helped hide the dark shadows under her eyes, but nothing could help her get into her pre-maternity clothes. She ended up putting on a loose gauzy skirt and an oversized blouse. She fed Katie again, then came downstairs to have some decaffeinated tea with Ella.

“You’re going to like it here in San Angelo,” the Circle B housekeeper said. “It’s a nice area, and for the most part, good people. And don’t hesitate to ask for help. At least until you get back on your feet. There’s plenty of women around here who would love to get their hands on that precious baby upstairs.”

Joy smiled. “Everyone has been so good to us.” Her thoughts went to Chance Randell, wishing she hadn’t been so rude to him. How could she have practically thrown him out? But his motives weren’t completely generous. He wanted her ranch.

“Well, a woman alone has to be careful,” Ella said, then took another sip of her tea.

“I thought you said I was safe here. Aunt Lillian lived alone here, and she was never bothered. Was she?”

Ella smiled. “Naw, but your Aunt Lil was an expert with a shotgun. And everyone around here knew it.”

Joy shook her head. “I’ve never fired a gun. I don’t much care for them.”

“Well, you should learn, even if it’s just to run off coyotes.”

Joy’s heart began to race. Coyotes! She was alone here and…with a baby. She remembered how pitch black it had been outside her window last night. Luckily, her aunt had installed security lights on the property, and Joy could see all the way to the barn.

“It’s okay, Joy. Just stay in touch with your neighbors. We depend on each other a lot. And I suggest you get a dog. In fact, Betty Campbell’s son’s dog had a litter of pups over a month ago. They should be ready for homes.”

“A dog?” She’d always wanted a dog when she was growing up, but her mother wouldn’t let her have one because they’d lived in a apartment. Joy’s interest was definitely piqued. “What kind of dog?” she asked.

“I hear they’re a Labrador mix. Great dogs. Good around kids.”

“You think I could buy one?”

Ella nodded. “And I bet it’s at a price you can’t pass up, too.”

Joy didn’t want Ella to know how uneasy she really felt. She was out of her element here. How could she handle everything: a baby, a dog, a ranch? And what if the Spencers found…?

No, she wasn’t going to get discouraged. She pushed away the negative thoughts. The Spencers weren’t going to find her. They hadn’t any idea where she’d gone. Joy had been careful not to leave a trail. Only her friend Terri knew of her plans.