The Black Sheep's Proposal

He closed his eyes and he could still hear the fights late at night. Doors slamming, his dad starting the car and driving off. The worst sound was of his mother’s crying. He hated his father for that. Most of all he hated Sam Randell for deserting them.

Now, all these years later, he had no choice but to come back here. The perfect scenario would be to sell the place, make some money and start over.

He doubted he could go back to Dallas. Thanks to a bad deal, his reputation had been destroyed in the real estate business. Because of a woman, Gina Chilton, he’d gotten involved with the wrong people. Her daddy, Buck Chilton, had invested money in his real estate venture.

In the end Luke had barely escaped criminal charges, and it had cost him everything. His employees hadn’t fared much better, but at least he’d been able to give them a severance package. That meant there’d been nothing left for him. Everything he’d worked so hard to build was all gone now. Just some personal things, his clothes and the car remained. And he had to sell the luxury vehicle so he’d have some money to live on.

Well, at least he had a roof over his head… for now.

“Hey, mister. Are you sleeping?” a young voice said.

Luke opened his eyes and saw little Livy Meyers standing on the porch step. She was wearing jeans and a ruffled pink blouse, holding her kitten.

He dropped his feet on the floor. “No, just doing some thinking.” He glanced around to see if Tess Meyers was around. “Does your mother know where you are?”

Looking sheepish, the child moved to the top step. “Kinda.” She shrugged. “She said not to bother you ’cause you were moving in. Are you finished?”

With what was left of his furniture in storage, he had only a few suitcases to empty. “Yes, I’m moved in.”

She smiled at him, and something tightened in his chest. She strolled to the swing and sat down. “I’m glad. And I’m glad you came here to live, too. You want to hold Jinx again? He likes you.”

“You think so, huh?” He couldn’t help but take her offering. He doubted many people could resist her big blue eyes and dimples. The kitten immediately curled up against his chest and closed his eyes.

“Hey, mister, see he likes you.” She studied him. “So do I.”

“Well, I like you, too. Maybe you could call me Luke.”

She frowned. “Mama says I can’t call big people by their first names ’cause it’s not ’spectful.”

“Respectful,” Luke corrected gently.

She nodded. “Yeah. Maybe I can call you Mr. Luke.”

Luke wasn’t used to being around kids. But Livy Meyers didn’t seem to notice. “Sounds like a good idea.”

Her smile widened, and he saw the resemblance to her pretty mother. But the smile suddenly disappeared when someone called Livy’s name.

They both turned to see Tess coming out of the corral. “Oh, no. I gotta go.” She grabbed her kitten and went to the edge of the porch. “I forgot to ask you something.” She came back. “What’s your favorite flavor of cake?”

He blinked. “I guess it would be chocolate. Why?”

Livy leaned forward and whispered, “It’s a surprise.” Giggling, the little nymph ran off toward her mother.

Tess approached her daughter, and he didn’t have to hear to know that the child was getting a lecture. With a nod, Livy started for the foreman’s house while Tess headed his way.

Luke stood, feeling a little rush of excitement on seeing her graceful strides, and those long legs encased in jeans and covered with worn leather chaps. She wore a Henley-style shirt and her battered cowboy hat on her head. Suddenly he couldn’t remember why he swore off women. He adjusted his own hat and went to meet her.

“I want to apologize for Livy bothering you,” Tess began. “It won’t happen again.”

“She wasn’t a bother. She asked if I was busy. So please don’t let her think I’m some sort of ogre.” Why did he care what a five-year-old thought?

“Well, she still shouldn’t have come here. I told her to stay on the porch.”

“Technically she was on the porch.”

Tess jammed her hands on her hips and frowned. “Not her porch. And with you living here now, she especially needs to know boundaries. There are too many things that could happen to her around a ranch.”

“I understand.” He nodded. “But there’s also no reason for us to avoid one another.”

“Of course.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Randell—”

“Please, it’s Luke.”

Tess hesitated. She didn’t want to get too friendly with this man. “Luke… It’s just that there’s never been anyone living in the house.”

“Like I said, it’s temporary. And I don’t want or plan to disturb your operation.”

“So you aren’t giving any more thought to staying and going into ranching?”

Not in the last hour. “I’ve never given any thought to staying permanently,” he said stubbornly.

Tess couldn’t understand how he could walk away from this incredible property. “Maybe you should talk to your cousins before you make a decision.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah, the notorious Randell brothers.”

She didn’t miss the resentment in his voice. “Your family runs several successful businesses. There’s the guest ranch…along with horse breeding and a cattle operation. Not to mention being a supplier of rough rodeo stock.”

“Don’t forget my uncle who was arrested for cattle rustling and cousins who were juvenile delinquents. My uncle and my daddy were well-known womanizers.”

Tess tried not to react, but it was hard. “Those are old stories. Chance, Cade and Travis have all but erased that bad reputation with their work in the community. You should give San Angelo a chance.”

He blew out a long breath. “That still doesn’t make me a rancher.”

Here was her chance. “But I am. I could run this place for you.”

He stared at her for a long time. “You’re asking to be my foreman?”

She fought the blush coloring her cheeks. “It’s not as crazy as it sounds. I’ve worked alongside my daddy as soon as I could climb on a horse. I was three years old when we first came here.”

Tess recalled her father’s stories about how he’d used her mother’s life insurance money to buy the first herd. She thought about her father now and she grew sad, knowing he was going to have to leave here, anyway.

Luke’s gray eyes filled with mischief. “So you think you can make a rancher out of me?”

Her pulse raced as she looked him over. “You are a Randell, so I’d say it’s already been bred into you.”

Two mornings later Luke was still thinking about Tess Meyers. She’d managed to interrupt his thoughts sporadically in the past forty-eight hours. Although he’d spent most of the time in solitude, and his meals had consisted of frozen dinners he put into the small microwave he’d brought with him, he still wanted to eat in peace. The crazy thing was, he actually had thought about her offer…all of thirty seconds.

Luke sipped his coffee and leaned against the kitchen counter. The room was huge with built-in cupboards that lined the walls. The countertops were a golden-hued Mexican tile, and the floor was covered in terra-cotta brick.

He smiled. He remembered it vividly since he used to eat breakfast here as a child. The very same table was placed by the row of windows that overlooked the barn and corral. Back then there were ranch hands around, helping his father run the place. Sam had gotten out of the military…and he was finally home with his family.

Luke had just turned five and gotten a new horse for his birthday that summer. He rode Bandit every day until he went off to kindergarten. Life could have been better, but it could get a lot worse. Parents could fight and decide to end a marriage…destroy a family. And a boy might never see his dad again.

Luke shook away the thoughts. Damn. Stop it. He was an adult now. He’d gotten over all that long ago. He’d moved on. Or had he?

There was a knock on the door, pulling him back to the present. He looked through the screen and saw Livy and an older woman.

Surprisingly he was happy to see her. “Morning, shortcake. You came back.”

“It’s okay, I’m ’posed to be here now.”

“I’m glad.” He opened the door. “Who’s your friend?”

Livy giggled. “She’s not my friend, she’s my aunt Bernie.”

“Bernice Peterson,” the older woman said, and offered a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her hazel eyes. “Please call me Bernice.”

“Nice to meet you, Bernice. I’m Luke. Would you come in?”

Both females walked into the kitchen. “I hope it’s not too early, but I wanted to bring you some biscuits while they were still warm from the oven.”

“Of course it’s never too early if you bring food,” he said. “You must have heard my stomach growling all the way to your house.” He took the basket, placed it on the counter and dug out a soft, steaming biscuit. He took a bite and groaned. “Delicious. I could get used to this.”

“Thank you.” She grinned. “I do appreciate a man with an appetite.”

“And I appreciate home cooking. Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you. We need to get back to the house.”

“Yeah, we can’t leave Grandpa by himself,” Livy told him. “And Mommy’s in the corral working Whiskey. He’s gonna be the NCHA champion some day,” she announced proudly.

“Olivia, it’s not nice to brag,” Bernice said. “Now, ask Mr. Luke before we wear out our welcome.”

“My mom, Aunt Bernie and me want to invite you to supper tomorrow night.” The child’s eyes widened. “Will you come? Aunt Bernie is making our favorite, pot roast with those tiny potatoes. And there’ll be a surprise…”

This child was a charmer. So different from her mother’s no-nonsense attitude. “Well, how can I turn down an invitation like that? I’d love to come. What time?” “Say six o’clock,” Bernice said as she started for the door. “Come on, Livy, we need to get back to Grandpa.”

“I hope Mr. Meyers feels better soon.”

Livy looked up at him, her eyes sad. “Grandpa is really sick. He doesn’t even read me stories anymore.” Her gaze widened. “Do you read stories, Mr. Luke?”

Tess stood in her father’s bedroom. “It’s okay, Dad. I can do it for you.”

“No,” Ray Meyers argued, pushing her hand away. “I can button my own damn shirt.”

Tess stood back, but watched protectively as her aging father worked at the simple task. Today was one of his more lucid days. And she was grateful.

His fingers were clumsy but he managed the job. The sixty-five-year-old one-time rodeo cowboy, horse trainer and rancher looked used up. She brushed a tear from her eye. His thinning hair was more white than gray. His lined skin was liver spotted and his blue eyes were tired…and sad. To her he was the most wonderful man in the world. And soon he wouldn’t remember her…or his granddaughter.

“Hey, Dad, you want to sit outside today? It’s not too hot yet.”

“I don’t want to sit on the porch…I need to check the herd.” He glanced at Tess and a strange look came over him. “Mary Theresa, why aren’t you in school?” he asked, suddenly agitated “You don’t want me to get into trouble again do you?”

“No, Daddy. I don’t.” She knelt down next to his chair. “You know I love going on roundups with you.” She wanted to store up all the memories she could, no matter if they were decades old.

“And I love you with me, too, baby girl. But you need to go to school.” He brushed his hand over her head and cupped her cheeks. “You’re so pretty…just like your mama.”

A tear ran down her face. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too.” Then the look in eyes changed to confusion and Tess knew she’d lost him.

“How about if I turn on the television and you can watch The Price is Right?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she pressed the remote to the game show, then left the room.

Bernice looked up from her crossword puzzle at the kitchen, but Tess didn’t want to talk right now. She needed an escape for a few hours. She turned to Livy who was playing with her cat on the back porch.

“Hey, sweetie, how would you like to go riding?”

It was late morning, and the August sun was beginning to heat up by the time Tess saddled the horses. Her dad’s gelding, Dusty, was ready for Livy. The old buckskin hadn’t been ridden much lately, and the exercise would be good for him. She led Whiskey and Dusty out of the barn. That’s when she looked up and saw Luke pull his car up at the back of the house and get out.

“Mom, look it’s Mr. Luke.” Before she could stop her daughter, the child took off running. “Hi, Mr. Luke,” she called.

“Hey, shortcake,” he called back and started toward the corral. He was in a pair of faded jeans and a chambray shirt and boots. He sure didn’t look like a businessman.

Tess watched her daughter beam as she approached him. “We’re going riding.”

“Seems like a nice day for it,” he said as he caught up to the child. His gaze met Tess’s and offered an easy smile.

Ignoring the funny tingle, she touched her finger to her hat and nodded. “C’mon, Livy. We need to get going.”

The child seemed hesitant, then said, “Mommy, can Mr. Luke go with us?” She turned back to the man in question. “You can ride Dusty…he’s real gentle.”

It wasn’t a good idea. “Livy, Mr. Luke probably has a lot of things to do today.”

The girl looked up at her new hero. “Do you?”

Luke slipped his hands into his pockets. He wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to sit around the house all day…again. He shrugged, but felt his excitement grow. “No. I’m free. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little of the ranch.”

The child grinned. “See, Mommy. He wants to see the ranch.”

He watched Tess struggle with her decision. He couldn’t blame her, he was a threat to her family’s future.

She finally said. “Okay, you can ride Dusty, and, Livy, you’ll have to double up with me.”

Livy jumped up and down. “Oh, boy.” She grabbed Luke’s hand and nearly pulled him to the corral.

Tess tied the reins to the railing. “You’ll need to adjust the stirrups.”

“I think I remember how.”

He went to work as she boosted Livy up on Whiskey. Then she went around to the other side of Dusty and helped him with his task. Finished with the one stirrup, Luke came around to the other side. Standing next to her, he caught the soft scent of soap and shampoo. He stole a quick glance at her face to find her skin scrubbed clean of any makeup, revealing a dash of freckles across her nose. She looked like a teenager.

“That should do it.” She squinted up at him. “Just give Dusty his lead, and he’ll do the rest.”

Luke nodded, happy to have something else to concentrate on. He jammed his boot into the stirrup, grabbed the horn and boosted himself onto the horse.

Excitement went through Luke as he walked the buckskin away from the corral gate and tested some basic commands.

“How does it feel?” Tess asked.

“Good.” He glanced at her and smiled. “Real good.”

“Okay, let’s go,” Livy said.

“Hold your horses,” Tess said as she climbed up behind her daughter.

The child giggled. “That’s funny, Mommy.”

Luke couldn’t take his eyes off Tess. She easily handled the stallion. The animal danced away, but she got him under control with expert hands and soothing voice.

They started off toward the south. Once in the open meadow, Livy turned to her mother. “I want to go faster, Mommy,” the child urged her.

Tess smiled. “You do, do you? How fast?”

“Really, really fast.”

She gave a sideways glance at Luke. “We’ll be right back.” She made a clicking sound with her mouth as she squeezed the horse’s sides. Whiskey shot off in a run, then gradually began circling the pasture.

Luke didn’t like being left behind, and neither did Dusty. “What do you think, boy? Should we try to catch them?”

The horse bobbed his head. The instant Luke touched the heel of his boot against the animal, he took off. Awkward at first, Luke soon found the rhythm as he followed the female duo.

Tess spotted Luke coming toward them. He didn’t look bad on a horse and more than capable of handling Dusty. She also couldn’t help but notice his broad shoulders and taut body. So the hotshot businessman was playing cowboy.

She pulled on the reins to slow Whiskey so the other horse and rider could catch up.

“Mommy, let’s show Mr. Luke the ponies.”

“The mustangs? They still around here?” Luke asked, pulling up beside them.

Tess nodded. “They are.” It wouldn’t hurt to show him what he was giving up. “Are you up for the ride?”

“Sure.”

About fifteen minutes later, they reached the edge of the Rocking R property, a large section of land called Mustang Valley. There were three other ranches that bordered this area, too. She slowed her horse, and Luke rode up next to them.

“You did pretty well,” she told him, and patted Dusty’s neck. “And this guy sure needed the exercise.”

Luke pulled off his hat and wiped his forehead on his sleeve. “Yeah.” He blew out a long breath. “But I think I’m a little out of shape, too.”

No way. Then Tess chided herself for noticing. “Riding takes a lot more stamina than people think.”

“I’m learning that the hard way.”

“We have to be very quiet, Mr. Luke,” Livy warned as her voice lowered. “So not to scare the ponies.”

“Okay, I’ll be quiet.”

They continued over the rise down to the creek and Luke couldn’t help but look around at this special oasis. Vague memories flashed back to him as they passed through the large grove of aged oak trees, shading their journey. When they reached the bottom he heard the sound of water. Soon he saw the creek that ran along the edge of the trees. Tess stopped and climbed down, then helped Livy. He followed, and together they led the horses to the water, allowing them to drink.

“You can drink, too,” Tess said. “The water is very good.”

Luke crouched down, cupped his hands into the stream and drank the cool refreshing water. When he glanced up he caught sight of a small buckskin mare. Her mane and tail were long and shaggy, but she was a beauty.

Whiskey sounded off with a loud whinny and began to dance around nervously. Tess immediately gripped the reins to hold on to the horse.

“Whoa, boy. Slow down.” Luke went to her aid as the stallion reared up. He came behind Tess and grabbed hold of the reins closer to the horse’s mouth and held on tight. The powerful animal fought, desperate to answer the call of nature.

“Whoa…fella,” Tess crooned, her voice low and sultry.

Luke kept his mouth shut, knowing Whiskey was her horse. Finally the cries softened as did the fight. But it was Luke’s turn to feel the excitement. Tess’s body was pressed against his, and their arms still entwined. Her hat had fallen off, and his face against her ear.

Damn, she smelled good.

Suddenly Whiskey’s whinny brought him back to the present and the situation.

The buckskin answered back, but she wasn’t alone. Off in the distance was a gray stallion. Even from far away, Luke could easily see the battle scars on the animal’s hide as he pranced around nervously. Then suddenly rearing up on his hind legs, he gave a piercing whinny that echoed through the silence valley. There was no doubt who was the alpha male in the herd. The little mare turned and ran off toward him. Whiskey gave one last neighing sound, then slowly calmed down.

“Sorry, fella,” Luke said. “I think she’s already taken.” He glanced down at Tess. “You okay?”

She looked up at him with those deep-blue eyes. “I’m fine. Thanks for your help.”

“Glad to be of service.” He nodded to Whiskey. “I’d hate to see anything happen to this animal.”

Taking full control of the reins, she stepped away. “That buckskin has…been around many times. But I’ve never seen Whiskey so…excitable before. She must be in season.”

Luke couldn’t help be grin. “By the attitude of the gray stallion I’d say so.”

“Mommy. The pony is running away with the other ponies.”

Whiskey had settled down enough, she tied him to the tree. “That’s her family, sweetie.”

“Oh…I thought she wanted to play with Whiskey and Dusty.”

“Not today. Remember when we talked that there are times when horses mate…and make babies?”

The child nodded.

“Well, see that big gray stallion? That’s the buckskin’s mate. And if I let Whiskey go out there, they would have fought and one or both might have gotten hurt.”

Livy seemed satisfied with the answer. She wandered down to the creek and walked along the edge.

“That was interesting.”

She absently rubbed the stallion’s neck. “I didn’t expect to find a mare in season, or a stallion eager to fight.”

Luke glanced around. He didn’t remember too much about this place, but it was beautiful. A five-year-old did most of his ride around the corral. “I’ve heard stories about the alpha males in the herd. How sometimes they fight to the death.”

“That’s how it is in the wild. And I also think that’s what makes this place so beautiful… so untouched…”

“And why you don’t want to leave it,” he finished.

“Can you look at this beautiful place and tell me that it should be destroyed. Homes constructed…roads built…and the traffic—”

He held up his hands. “Wait a minute, I never said anything about developing this land.” There wasn’t anyone in the business that would give him the time of day, let alone invest any money in another project with his name on it.

She turned her back to her daughter and glare at him. “You’re in real estate,” she said, her voice low and controlled. “Isn’t that why you’re so eager to sell it?”

“I was in real estate,” he said. “Besides, I can’t do a damn thing right now.”

“You haven’t even tried to make a go of the Rocking R. I’d say that’s giving up before you give it a chance.”

“But I’ve never ranched before in my life.”

She crossed her arms over her breasts. “So, you could hire people.”

“Meaning you and your father?”

Something flashed in her eyes, then it was quickly masked. She shrugged. “It’s just something to think about.”

He studied her for a long time. He couldn’t help but think back to another persuasive woman, one who ended up making a fool of him.

“All I’m thinking about right now is finding my brother…”

He paused when he saw two riders coming over the rise from the other side of the creek. They must be friends because Livy was waving at them.

Tess sighed. “Well, looks like it’s time you met some of the neighbors.”

“Who?”

“Well, Randells of course. Looks like your family has come to welcome you home.”

CHAPTER THREE

HANK Barrett had lived along the Mustang Valley all of his seventy-plus years. And he’d been a neighbor of the Randell family for that same amount of time. Three of the now-grown boys, Chance, Cade and Travis, were like sons to him. Hank had been lucky enough to raise them after the loss of their mother, and their daddy had been sent to prison.

He slowed his horse as he caught sight of the couple across the creek on Rocking R property. He recognized Tess Meyers right off, and her young daughter, Livy, playing by the creek. The tall, well-built man was a stranger, although nothing made him think she was in danger as the two stood by their horses.

A closer look had Hank seeing more. The familiar way the man carried himself, the slight tilt of his hat. He smiled. So Sam’s boy had returned to the valley.

Chance rode up beside Hank. “Who’s that with Tess?”

Hank gave him a sideways glance. “Take a closer look.”

Chance’s eyes narrowed. “From a distance I’d say he looks a little like Travis. But he’s in San Antonio to interview a new veterinarian.”

“I’d say it’s Sam’s boy. Your cousin.”

Chance smiled, and tiny lines fanned out around his eyes. That was about all that gave away his age of forty. The expert horseman was in top shape. He needed to be to keep up with his young family, his lovely wife, Joy, and two young daughters, Katie and Ellie, and his baby son, Jake.