The Forest Ranger's Child. Leigh Bale

her as she gazed into the animal’s intelligent brown eyes. How she wished she could ride him.

       Dad reached into his pants pocket and withdrew a single peppermint cube. He handed it to Lily. “It’s not good for him, so I only give him one a day. But he loves it.”

       Lily stared at the peppermint resting on her open palm, stunned that Dad would surrender it to her. Peg nudged her shoulder, eager for his treat. Lily laughed and lowered her hand so the horse could nibble the candy. She wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes, but after the horse swallowed, he waved his head in pleasure. A low nicker came from his throat and he nudged her arm, as if begging for more.

       “Well, look at that. He’s taken to you already,” Dad said.

       Lily blinked, unable to explain the sudden rush of emotions cascading through her. Funny how much the acceptance of a mere animal meant to her. She’d always been better with animals than with people.

       Together, they patted the stallion. Sharing this special moment with her father did something to Lily. Whenever they’d worked with horses, she’d been at peace with Dad. It was their one common ground. Something they both loved and enjoyed. How she wished they could be friends in other areas of their lives, as well.

       Tears fogged her vision and she turned away so Dad wouldn’t see. She never used to be a crybaby, but that had been before she’d almost ruined her life. Before she’d turned her back on her father and the Lord. It wouldn’t be easy, but she was determined to mend all her broken fences.

       “Wait until you watch him work,” Dad said. “He’s quick and needs very little guidance. I trained him myself. I spent so much time with him that I almost ignored the rest of the ranch.”

       Was that why the place seemed in such disrepair? That didn’t make sense. If Dad was so busy, there ought to be some ranch hands around to do the other chores.

       Dad jutted his chest out in pride. A pleased smile curved his mouth and Lily couldn’t help wishing he’d look like that when he spoke about her. She’d just need to show him that she could be a person he could be proud of.

       “Which event?” she asked.

       “Reining.”

       “Has he won anything yet?”

       Dad chuckled. “Oh, yes. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to the horse that won the Limited Open Reining World Championship and the Intermediate Open Reserve World Championship two years ago.”

       Her mouth dropped open. Dad never kidded about things like this. “So, he’s a world champion? Are you serious, Daddy?”

       He glanced at her, his stern mouth barely twitching with a smile. “I certainly am.”

       Awe seeped through every pore in her body. Her father had a world champion reining horse living in his stable. Amazing!

       “Are you boarding him? Who’s his owner?”

       Dad coughed again, covering his mouth with one hand. “I am, darlin’. He belongs to me.”

       Darlin’. He’d called her that name when she’d been young. During the few times when he’d shown her affection.

       “A horse like this would also make a good cutting horse. He needs cows to chase,” she said.

       “You’re right. Now you’re here, we’ll get some cows as soon as we can.” He took several deep inhales, as if he couldn’t catch his breath.

       “Dad, are you all right?”

       He lifted a hand, brushing her concerns aside. “Of course. I’m fine.”

       She shook her head, trying to make sense of this. “I don’t understand. Where did you get Peg?”

       “I bought him just after you left. His previous owner was lazy and didn’t realize Peg’s potential. I worked with Peg and took him to a lot of competitions. We lived on the road for almost a year, driving from event to event. Peg’s a great traveler. I sold most of my livestock and hired a hand to take care of the ranch while I was gone. Peg won almost every event I entered him in, but the ranch didn’t do quite so well. Remember when you called several years ago, I told you I had a sweet horse I wanted you to meet?”

       No, she didn’t remember, but she’d been selfish and wrapped up in herself back then.

       “Well, here he is. Pegasus. The best horse I’ve ever seen or had the pleasure to own.”

       She whistled low beneath her breath, proud of her father’s accomplishment. And a lot of regret that she hadn’t been here to share it with him. No wonder the ranch looked run-down. Dad had been on the road with his horse. But why hadn’t he fixed the ranch up since he’d returned? “To be the world champion in reining, Peg must be worth a pretty penny.”

       “He is. About two hundred thousand dollars worth. I’ve got a number of colts and fillies sired by him that I’ve been working with and several quality mares expecting his foals in a few months. And he’s yours now.”

       “Mine?” Confusion filled her mind.

       “If you’ve got the gumption to stay this time, I’ll give him to you, Lily. I figure we can turn Peg to stud. Now you’re here, we can build Emerald Ranch up again like it used to be when your mother was alive.”

       She froze, her mind racing. In spite of everything, Dad wanted her to stay. To help run the ranch. And from the looks of things, he needed her help. Badly.

       His request touched her like nothing else could. And yet, she knew it was futile to think of staying. Maybe Dad loved her in his own way but he didn’t like her much. They just didn’t get along. They never had. She couldn’t stand to spend the rest of her life arguing with him. “But you can do that, Dad, can’t you?”

       He shook his head. “If you’re not here, I have no reason to work the ranch anymore.”

       His words shocked her. He loved Emerald Ranch, just as she did. “But Emerald Ranch is your whole life.”

       “No, Lily.” He looked at her, his hazel eyes piercing her to her soul. “The ranch isn’t my life. You are. And now that baby you’re carrying.”

       She’d never expected to hear such words from her father. He hadn’t said he loved her, but he couldn’t put his feelings more bluntly. Her heart gave a powerful squeeze.

       “I’ve been a bit under the weather lately,” he said. “I’m getting old and my body’s wearing out. I just can’t do it alone anymore.”

       Something was wrong here. Something she didn’t understand. Was Daddy ailing? She’d speak with Dr. Kenner when she went in for her next prenatal appointment. He’d been the family’s doctor since she was born. Hopefully he knew something about Dad’s hacking cough and why he didn’t seem to have as much energy anymore. And in that moment, she felt so selfish. Dad had always been here, waiting. Bigger than life. Too tough to ever die.

       Or was he?

       He stared at her, not quite smiling, his eyes aglow with expectancy. “Well? What do you think, darlin’? It’ll take a lot of work, but once you have the baby, you can start training horses again. We can make a go of this together. Mom would be so happy if she were here.”

       He talked as if he expected her to stay. As if he expected her to keep the baby. “Dad, I think we should talk about this a little more. I’m not sure I can—”

       “Hello?”

       Lily turned and found Nathan Coates standing behind them. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, blocking the sunlight, his warm eyes cast in shadow. The moment Lily saw him, her pulse sped up into triple time.

       “Nate! I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” Dad walked toward the forest ranger, his hand extended.

       Lily remained where she was. Why was Nate