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

He motioned for her to walk in ahead of him. Mistake. He tried not to stare at her shapely backside, but lost the fight and enjoyed the view as they made their way down the aisle toward the last pen. It was quiet and that was how he liked things. Polly spotted him and blew out a long breath in greeting. “How are you doing, girl?”

The chestnut made her way to the gate and let Sloan rub her muzzle. “You had quite a day, Mama.” He glanced down at the filly. “Well, hello to you, too, little one.”

He lowered his hand, but it was Jade who got the attention. The filly with the white star on her forehead came toward her. “I guess you females stick together.”

Jade knelt down and coaxed the filly with her hand. “It’s my voice. It’s softer. Oh, she’s so cute.”

That wasn’t the only soft thing about Jade. He glanced away from the soft skin of her cheeks, only to catch the generous curve of her backside. He released a frustrated breath. He needed to get out more and get away from a certain pretty nurse, or he might be in some big trouble.

CHAPTER THREE

THE next morning, Sloan was out of the house and on his way to the barn before dawn. Over the next two hours he worked alongside the other hands to feed livestock and set up the work schedule for the day before he finally came in for breakfast.

Five years ago after college, he’d moved out of the main house. He’d built his own place just up the road about a quarter of a mile. The one thing he did was come by occasionally and share breakfast with his mother. After her stroke and his father’s return to Washington, he’d stayed over, temporarily, when his sister was out of town.

Now there was Nurse Jade on the premises so he could go back to his place. In truth, Jade Hamilton was a distraction. He couldn’t even walk past her bedroom door this morning without pausing, hoping to see her again. Still, he told himself he needed to wait a little longer to see how things worked out. He’d stay here a few more nights.

A pretty woman arriving in Kerry Springs sent up several warning signals for him. Although the feelings had gone cold, the bad memories were still raw. The difference this time from the last, he planned to keep his distance.

He wasn’t the only one who’d been intrigued by the nurse. He’d seen how the ranch hands had watched her yesterday in the barn. It was not what he needed right now with the fall roundup coming soon. All ranch hands needed to focus on their jobs.

That included him. This was the future of River’s End. His chance to prove to Clay that he could make the ranch thrive. His way.

He headed up the porch steps to the back door. After scraping his boots, he walked in and hung his hat on the hook. He found Marta at the stove and greeted her, but before he could ask about his mother, he heard voices coming from the garden room. As he entered, he saw something he hadn’t seen in a while.

A happy Louisa Merrick. Then his attention went to her companion.

Jade looked fresh and pretty this morning. Her hair was pulled back from her face, exposing her creamy skin, pert nose and delicate jaw. Then she smiled and it caused his heart rate to accelerate.

“This is crazy,” he mumbled and walked in.

His mother saw him first. “Sloan, I was wondering where you were.”

“I was working. Remember, there’s a ranch to run.”

His mother frowned. “Someone is grumpy this morning. I told you, son, you need more leisure time. You can’t let this place consume you.”

He glanced at Jade. At least he could be cordial. “Mornin’, Jade.”

“Good morning, Sloan,” she answered in a soft voice.

He dished up eggs and hash browns onto his plate. “Maybe I’ll feel better once I have some breakfast.”

“You always were grouchy when you were hungry.”

He swallowed a big bite. “Well, that should be fixed soon.” He wanted to change the subject. “What are your plans today?”

Louisa looked proud of herself. “We’ve already been working. Jade talked with my therapist when she came by earlier, so she can help me with my daily exercises.” Louisa glanced at Jade. “And since I’ve been such a good patient, after breakfast we’re going into town. I have a hair appointment in an hour.”

He nearly choked on his food. Hadn’t the family been trying for weeks to get her into town? “A hair appointment?”

“Don’t you think it’s about time I do something with this mess?” She pointed to her dark hair streaked with gray pulled back into a ponytail.

He shot a look at Jade, wondering how she’d talked Louisa into this. “You always look beautiful, Mom, but I agree this will make you feel better.”

“Good. So don’t expect us home for lunch because we have more plans. And we may just stop by the Blind Stitch, too.”

He shook his head. “Whoa, I don’t think you should overdo it. It’s been a while since you’ve spent the day out.”

Louisa studied her son. “I know you’re concerned, but I’ll let Jade know if it’s too much for me. Now I need to go upstairs and get ready.”

Jade immediately got up as did Sloan.

“No, both of you finish your breakfast. I can manage.” Louisa reached for her walker. “Besides, I’m sure you have questions for Jade. Don’t bully her.”

They watched her leave, then Sloan motioned for Jade to sit down.

Jade braced herself.

“Don’t you think you’re moving too fast?”

“I wouldn’t do anything without checking with your mother’s doctor,” she said confidently. “Dr. Carstairs returned my call about thirty minutes ago. He agrees it would be good for Louisa to get out of the house. In fact he’s been suggesting that to her for the past month.”

Sloan continued to stare at her. “Seems you’ve worked a miracle.”

She cocked her head. “Are you upset because you’re worried about your mother, or that I’m the one who got her to go into town?”

He seemed to relax a little. “Maybe both. She hasn’t exactly been in an agreeable mood lately.”

She nodded. “Yes, your mother is stubborn. I’ve come to realize sometimes it’s easier for a person to confide in a stranger, than ask help from family.”

“My mother can be a handful when she wants to be.”

“Perhaps she enjoys the attention?”

“That’s Mom.” He sighed. “A lot of people envy her, but she hasn’t had a perfect life. Being married to a political icon hasn’t been easy. Although, she’s never been a fan of D.C. lifestyle and all the politics. She was born and bred in Texas. It’s her home. She’s always been more comfortable on the ranch with her family around her.” He studied Jade. “All in all, she’s a private person. Alisa and I are, too.”

Jade couldn’t help but hear a little animosity in his voice, she was also distracted about the possibility of having a half sister. So far she’d only seen a few pictures of Alisa Merrick up in Louisa’s bedroom. She wanted answers to so many things, but Sloan wasn’t the one to ask.

All she needed to do now was her job. Already, she’d gotten more involved with this family than she should, or had any right to. But she found a glimpse had made her want more.

That didn’t seem to keep her from asking, “Doesn’t the senator usually come home on the weekends?”

He nodded, but there was the suspicious look. “He’s staying in D.C. now because of an important vote coming up. He’ll be home in another week. I handle ranch business and any family business. Why? Is there a reason he should come sooner?”

Jade shook her head. “No. Only that it might lift your mother’s spirits.”

“Being apart from her husband is something my mother has had to deal with during their entire marriage.” He took a drink of coffee. “Merricks have been in public service for years. We should have all moved to D.C. years ago.

“Why didn’t you?”

He glared, then finally answered, “Because our mother didn’t want to take me and my sister from a normal life with our friends and school.”

She studied him for a moment. If anyone belonged here on the ranch, it was Sloan. “I can’t see you living in Washington, either. You seem to love this place too much.”

He smiled and she felt a warm rush. It quickly died. “Not everyone feels that way.”

Jade put down her fork. She wasn’t hungry any longer. She was itching to dig for more information. To get insight into her father. Instead she decided to only let Sloan talk if he wanted. “Isn’t your father happy that you’re running the ranch?”

He shook his head. “What made you think it’s my father?”

She opened her mouth to deny it, but couldn’t come out with the words.

“You’re somewhat right. Dad hasn’t taken much interest in ranching in a long time. Since I inherited my section of land on the ranch, I’m raising my own free-range cattle. I’m also experimenting with a drought-tolerant grass, which can stand up to our brutal Texas summers.”

She raised an eyebrow. So he wasn’t just a good-looking cowboy. “I’m impressed.”

He shrugged, then seemed to realize that he’d opened up to her. “Just testing right now.”

“Would I get fired if I said I don’t eat beef?”

His eyes narrowed. “It’s a free world.”

“I thought that would be a capital offense around here.” She tried to joke, but he didn’t seem to think it was humorous.

She stood and carried her plate into the kitchen, came back with the coffeepot and filled his mug and hers. “Sloan, you can be assured of one thing, I will always put your mother’s needs first.”

Jade sat back down. “Her stroke has been a big hit to her pride. She’s lucky. She should recover fully and lead a normal life.”

He shook his head. “Oh, Jade, why would she start now? Louisa Cruz Sloan Merrick never has before.”

Two hours later while Louisa was having her hair done at Sissy’s Scissor Salon in town, Jade took off to the drugstore to buy some personal items. Then to the general store where she purchased two pairs of jeans, some cotton blouses and T-shirts.

Since she’d been hired on the spot yesterday, she hadn’t had time to prepare for anything. Not for moving into the Merrick home, or having Louisa take her in as if they were long lost friends. At this point, she wasn’t sure how things would turn out. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Honestly, she was a little afraid to know the outcome.

Thirty minutes later, she’d taken the shopping bag back to the black town car that Sloan insisted they take for their outing. The driver was Marta’s husband, Miguel, who was sitting on a bench in the shade.

With a smile, the middle-aged man took her purchases and placed them in the trunk. It amazed her how the Merrick family lived. It was so different from how she grew up in the small rental house in Dallas.

She couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been altered if Clay knew about her? Whoa, was she even his daughter? Yet, even though she didn’t have any proof, everything led her to believe she was a Merrick.

So would the state’s favorite son be forgiven for his past indiscretions? As far as she could tell, no one had a bad word to say about Clay or the family. Over the years, he’d helped pass legislation that had been beneficial for the state, especially the ranchers.

Was the man still a womanizer? Her own research hadn’t brought up a single story of him being unfaithful, or doing anything unethical. Of course, she knew otherwise.

Jade walked back to the salon and found Louisa sporting a new short haircut, her face glowing with a subtle amount of makeup.

“You look amazing,” Jade said.

The thirty-something hairdresser and owner, Sissy Henderson added, “I’ve been trying to talk Miss Louisa into this cut forever. Doesn’t she look years younger?”

Louisa made a groaning sound. “The cane kind of gives away my age.”

“That’ll be gone soon,” Jade told her.

She’d talked Louisa into leaving the walker at home and using the cane today. She’d handled it right off. “With the way you’re attacking your exercises, I’ll give it a few weeks.”

That brought a smile. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

They started for the door. “I bet the senator is going to flip over your new look. If so, you owe me a big tip.” Sissy winked and gave a wave as they walked out.

Sadness showed on Louisa’s face as they headed for the sidewalk. “It would be a first in a long time,” she murmured.

Jade caught the words and didn’t react to them. “Where to next? The Blind Stitch.”

Louisa hesitated. “Maybe that isn’t a good idea today.”

Jade was concerned about her change of heart. “Are you feeling okay?”

“A little tired.”

“They’re your friends, Louisa. They love you and miss you. And I think you miss them, too.”

“I do.” They made their way down the street and ended up at the quilt shop’s storefront. “It’s just that things have changed. I’ve changed.”

“Not inside. You’re still the same in your heart. That’s what they love about you.”

Suddenly the shop door opened and Jenny appeared. “Louisa Merrick, don’t you dare walk by without stopping in.”

Louisa’s face lit up. “Well, Jenny Rafferty, I guess you weren’t going to let me even if I tried.”

“You got that right.” The young woman hugged Louisa. “You look wonderful. Oh, my, I love the new do.” She nodded toward her hair. “So youthful.”

Louisa laughed. “I must have looked like an old hag.”

“Oh, you couldn’t if you tried.” She turned to Jade. “Hi, Jade. Thank you for bringing her by.”

“You’re welcome.”

Louisa waved a hand. “Wait a minute. Have I been set up?”

Jenny opened the door wider. “As if we could get anything past you. Come on in, the girls are anxious to see you.”

Louisa relented and made her way inside. Jenny led them through the store and into the connecting room where at a round table in the corner there were four women. “Ladies, look who’s here.”

With a squeal, the group of women got out of their chairs and hurried toward them. After several hugs and a few tears, Louisa composed herself, then introduced the group. “Jade, this is Beth, Liz, Lisa and Caitlin. The girls from the Quilters’ Corner. Jade is my nurse.”

They exchanged greetings with her, then someone asked, “Do you quilt, Jade?”

She shook her head. “I mostly watched my mother, and that was years ago.”

Another woman walked over. “Then we’ll have to get you involved with us.” She smiled at Jade. “Hi, I’m Millie, and I work here. I could get you started on something simple. Louisa can bring you in.”

Jade shook her head. “I think I’m staying pretty busy right now.”

“Yeah, Louisa is a handful, all right.”

Everyone laughed, including Louisa who said, “I can see how much you girls missed me.”

Beth stepped up. “You can’t believe how much. Dang, woman, I’m so glad you’re back.”

“I’m not back exactly. I still have a bum hand. I can’t make a stitch worth a darn.”

Jade could see how hard that was for her to admit.

“Come anyway, and sort fabrics, stamp blocks, use the cutter,” Millie said. “We just want your company.”

Jade could see that Louisa was touched. “You do need someone to keep you all working. How are the hospital baby quilts coming?”

“We’re a little behind. And there’s two babies due at the end of November.”

Louisa turned to Jade. “We make quilts for all the newborns born in the area.”

“Oh, my, how do you keep up?”

“We aren’t a big community,” the woman named Liz admitted. “But I have a feeling that Jenny and Evan aren’t going to wait too long before they add to our town’s population.”

With that said Jenny’s face reddened. “We’ve only been married a few months.”

Beth spoke up. “I see you eyeing those babies that come in here. You want one, and when a woman wants a baby, a man doesn’t stand a chance.”

Jenny blushed so badly that Jade felt sorry for her. “Just put in your order for the color so we can get started early.”

The bell over the door sounded and Jenny let out a breath. “Thank you, I need to go back to work. Nice to see you again, Jade. Hope you’ll come back so we can visit longer.”

“I’d like that,” she said, and discovered she wanted to get to know her.

Jenny made her escape as Louisa announced, “We were going to lunch. Who wants to go? My treat.”

“We all do,” Beth joked. “And I vote for Rory’s Bar and Grill. Sean Rafferty is working today. That’s Jenny’s good-looking father-in-law.” She raised an eyebrow. “As my granddaughter would say, he’s some ‘eye candy.’”

The women laughed and Jade wondered if she could keep up with these ladies. She’d soon find out.

With a wave, Jenny called out, “Behave. And enjoy yourselves.”

They headed down the street only about a block. Jade kept a close watch on Louisa, but she seemed to be doing fine. They crossed with the streetlight and filed into the restaurant.

The inside was dim and there were several patrons seated along the long oak bar. But the women took interest in the one male behind the bar, a tall man with thick white hair, an easy smile and a twinkle in his light eyes. He waved and the women giggled.

Beth directed them to a large circular booth toward the back. After they filed in, Jade situated Louisa on the end, then got a chair and sat down at the head of the table.

“Did you see him?” Liz said.

“Of course we did,” Louisa said. “Sean’s a big man.”

Everyone turned as the man in question walked over toward them. For his age of about sixty, Sean was handsome and kept himself in shape.

“Saints preserve us, I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Sean said. “What did I do to be blessed with you lovely lassies today?”

And charming, Jade thought.

“It’s just your lucky day, Sean Rafferty,” Louisa said.

“My, oh, my. The lovely Louisa.” Concern showed on his face. “It surely is good to see you out and about, and looking so well.”

Louisa nodded. “Living a good, clean life.”

He flashed a quick wink. “I’ll have to talk to the senator about that.”

That brought a hoot from the girls.

Jade found she was enjoying this. No wonder the women liked this man.

“And who is this lovely?” The big Irishman took her hand. “I’m Sean Rafferty, at your service.”

“Jade Hamilton.”

“She’s just arrived in town,” Louisa said. “She’s staying with me out at the ranch.”

“A pretty name for a pretty woman. I believe I have someone who would be interested in meeting you.” He glanced toward the bar and motioned to a guy. As the younger man strolled toward the group. Jade saw the resemblance right away. The difference was in the younger cowboy’s coloring. He had dark hair and killer bedroom eyes. Oh, and a wicked grin.

“Jade, this is my son, Matthew. Matt, Jade Hamilton, she’s just arrived in town. And you know all the other ladies.”

Matt was polite, and greeted the older women first, then turned his attention to her. “Jade. It’s definitely a pleasure to meet you. I hope you enjoy Kerry Springs enough to stay around for a while.”

“From what I’ve seen, I do like it here.”

“That’s wonderful news. And if you need anyone to show you around, I’m definitely available.”

“Thank you, Matt.” She was nervous with everyone watching her. “I’m going to be pretty busy for the next few weeks.”

“Yes, she’ll be working,” a familiar voice answered. Everyone turned to see Sloan.

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.