The Black Sheep's Proposal

“That’s Luke? That skinny kid who looked like he’d cry if you said anything to him?”

Hank looked back at the couple across the creek. “I’d say that was because you and your brothers did your share of intimidating that youngster.”

Chance rested his forearm on the saddle horn. “So you think he’s going take over the ranch?”

Hank shrugged. “Not sure, but as head of the family, you should welcome him back.”

Luke barely remembered any of his Randell cousins. Only that he was too young to hang around with them.

“Who’s the old guy?”

Tess smiled. “Hank Barrett. And you better not let him hear you call him that.”

Luke recognized the name. “Isn’t he the one who took in my cousins?”

“And raised them. He’s also your neighbor. The Circle B Ranch borders the other side, but now it’s owned by Chance, Cade and Travis.”

Tess smiled and waved as the two rode across the creek. “Hello, Hank. Chance.”

“Tess. How are things going?”

She stood alongside a calmer Whiskey. “Can’t complain.”

Hank climbed down, along with the other rider, and removed his hat. Sparse patches of white hair covered his balding head. He had a friendly smile and clear hazel eyes.

“Hank, Chance, I’d like you to meet Luke Randell.”

Hank was the first to respond as he offered a hand. “I knew you had to be Sam’s boy.” His smile disappeared. “Sorry to hear about your daddy’s passing.”

“Thanks.” Luke shook the hand.

Next came Chance. “It’s been a while, cuz.”

Luke nodded. These people were strangers to him. “I’ve been gone a long time.”

“Sorry about your father. Was he sick long?”

“I wouldn’t know, I hadn’t seen him in years.”

“Sorry to hear that, too,” Hank said, then glanced at Chance. “It’s nice that you’re back.”

“Mr. Hank! Mr. Chance!”

They turned to see Livy come running toward them. The child couldn’t get there fast enough.

“Well, if it isn’t the prettiest five-year-old girl in the valley,” Chance said.

Livy blushed. “What about Kate and Ellie?”

“Well, Katie is eight, and Ellie is almost six.” He reached out and touched her nose. “So that leaves you.”

The child turned shy and leaned into her mother. “Did you know that Whiskey almost runned off with that horse?”

“So that’s the commotion we heard,”

Hank said, he turned to Tess. “Was it that little buckskin?”

“Yeah…that little tease,” Tess said. “She finally went back to the herd. We had a devil of a time trying to calm Whiskey.”

“Yeah, he bucked and whinnied but Mommy and Mr. Luke held on tight.”

Chance walked over to the bay quarter horse and rubbed his neck as he looked him over. “Man, he’s a good-looking son of a gun. How is he working out?”

“He’s a great horse, Chance,” Tess told him. “Easy to train.” She paused. “Come by the ranch and see for yourself. And I wouldn’t mind some advice.”

He smiled at her. “I got plenty of that, not sure if it’s any good though.”

For some strange reason Luke was feeling as territorial as that alpha stallion. That was crazy.

“I wouldn’t even have Whiskey if it wasn’t for you…and your generosity,” Tess told him.

Chance pushed his hat back. “Okay, then pay me back by winning the NCHA title.”

“I’m working on it. But with Dad sick, my time been limited.”

“If you need any help with the herd, let us know,” Chance told her. He exchanged a glance with a nodding Hank.

“The boys have taken over running things,” Hank said. “These days I mostly sit around. So I’ve got nothing but time. I could move the herd, or help with the roundup.” The old guy looked at Luke. “Son, I bet you could help some, too.”

“Sure,” Luke agreed. “I wouldn’t mind helping out.”

Chance grinned. “So city living hasn’t made you soft, Luke.”

For some reason the teasing rubbed Luke the wrong way. “Maybe some, but then again, I’m a lot younger than you are.”

Hank burst out laughing. “You definitely are a Randell.” He nudged Chance. “Come on, old man, let’s get you home to your rocker.” He waved, then tossed over his shoulder. “We’ll stop by when you’re settled in, Luke.”

“Mr. Chance, will you bring Katie and Ellie to come see me?” Livy called.

“Sure, they’d like that.” The men climbed on their horses and rode back up the rise.

Livy looked at her mother. “Oh boy, I get to play with Katie and Ellie.”

Tess needed to calm her daughter’s excitement. “Yes, honey, but Chance and Joy are pretty busy. I’m not sure how soon they’ll be able to stop by.”

The girl’s smile disappeared. “I never have anyone to play with.”

Tess knew it was lonely growing up on a ranch, but she couldn’t let her daughter feel sorry for herself. “Isn’t that why you got to go to the animal shelter and get Jinx?”

“I guess,” the child admitted.

“And in a few weeks, you’ll be starting school. You’ll make all kinds of friends.”

She brightened. “Will Katie and Ellie ride the bus, too?”

“I’m sure they will. And there will be other five-year-olds going to kindergarten.”

Livy glanced at Luke and smiled. “And I got to go riding today. Did you have fun, Mr. Luke?”

“Yes, I did,” he told her. “Thank you for letting me ride your horse.”

“He’s not mine, he’s Grandpa’s.” She shook her head. “He can’t ride anymore.”

Tess saw the curious look on Luke’s face. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope he gets better soon.”

“So do I. I miss him.”

Tess didn’t want to do this now…if ever. “Livy, we should get back to the house.”

“Yeah, I’ve gotta help Aunt Bernie with the…surprise for tomorrow. You’re still coming for supper, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Luke assured her.

The child beamed. “I’m glad. And you know what else? I’m glad you came to live here, and I can see you every day.”

The next day, Luke paced the kitchen, his cell phone against his ear. He’d been on the phone with Hill Air Force Base in Utah for the last twenty minutes. After getting the runaround, he’d finally reached his brother’s commanding officer.

“What do you mean that you can’t tell me where my brother is? Don’t you know?”

“That’s affirmative, sir. We know the location of Captain Randell. Since it’s a…sensitive mission, he can’t be reached at this time. As soon as he returns we’ll give him the information.”

Luke sighed. “Please, tell him it’s a legal matter and urgent that he contact me. You’ve got my number?”

“Yes, Mr. Randell, I have it. Good day.” Then the line went dead.

Luke cursed. He was tired of getting nowhere with the military. Why couldn’t they just tell him his half brother was on a mission…and when he’d be back? What was strange was Brady had been notified about inheriting the ranch. Didn’t he care enough to make a simple phone call?

Luke went to the window. Well, they had to settle this somehow. Was this land valuable enough for a profitable sale? Would the other Randells be interested in buying the place? Surely they’d want to keep the Rocking R in the family.

He blew out a breath. He’d never had much family to rely on. Just his mother…and she’d had so much bitterness over the divorce, it had made him gun-shy. Sam hadn’t cared much about fatherhood. Luke couldn’t help but wonder if it was just being his father?

There was a soft knocking on the screen door. He turned to find Livy standing on the porch. She had on a bright-yellow print sundress, white sneakers and ruffled socks. Her hair was up in a ponytail tied with matching ribbon.

“Mommy said I can come and get you.”

“Well, hello.” He held open the door, allowing the child inside. Livy didn’t have a father in her life. “Mommy has no husband, and I have no Daddy,” she’d told him the day he arrived.

“My, don’t you look pretty as a June bug. So you’re my date for the evening.”

She giggled. “I can’t date. Mommy said I can’t until I’m older. Aunt Bernie said I’ll be ready when I don’t want to play with my dollies anymore and I get breasts like Mommy.”

Too much information, Luke thought. “How about we just pretend for tonight?”

“’Kay. Let’s go.”

Luke picked up the flowers and wine off the counter. “Here, you can carry these,” he said as he handed the bouquet to the wide-eyed girl.

“Oh, they’re pretty.”

“You can share them with Bernice and your mother.”

They headed for the foreman’s cottage as Livy chattered away. It was amazing how much the child could talk. What he noticed the most was how happy she seemed with her simple childhood. What about the girl’s father? Did he ever visit her…or her mother? Did Tess still love the man?

Luke glanced at the simple white house the Meyers lived in. It was small, but well kept with a neatly cut lawn and colorful flowers edging the porch. Several years back another bedroom and bath had been added onto the structure. Still, it had to be crowded for four people.

“I helped Aunt Bernie plant those flowers,” Livy said as they reached the front door.

“And they sure are pretty.”

Livy looked up at him with those big blue eyes. “But your flowers are pretty, too.”

They stepped into the living room that looked lived in, with a worn, comfortable sofa and chair. In front was a coffee table with magazines neatly stacked on the top. There was a small television in the corner.

“C’mon, Mr. Luke.” She waved him on.

At the kitchen entry he was hit with mouthwatering aromas, and his stomach growled. A long table was set with simple stoneware, and steaming food was already arranged for the meal.

“Aunt Bernie, we’re here.” She rushed to her aunt. “Look, Mr. Luke got us flowers.”

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