The Black Sheep's Proposal. Patricia Thayer

to be their cutting champion. So far she had made something of a name as a trainer and rider. But she wanted and needed the money that her future champion stallion could bring in. She wasn’t thinking about herself, but Olivia. She was her sole parent.

      Her aunt’s voice brought her back. “What?”

      “Go work Whiskey,” Bernice said. “That always calms you.”

      She shook her head. “Dad will be up from his nap soon.”

      “Go. I can look after Ray.” She turned her niece around and nudged her toward the door. “Take a break, Tess. You need it.”

      Tess didn’t argue, just headed for the door. She found Livy on the porch playing with her dolls and the kitten.

      “Hey, sweetie, I want you to stay on the porch. It’s too hot to go out in the sun.”

      “Mommy, can I go see Grandpa? I’ll be quiet. I promise.”

      It was so sad. Livy and her grandpa Ray had had a close relationship since the day she was born. Now most of the time he couldn’t speak to her. “I think he’d like that. But maybe you should leave Jinx in the box in our room.”

      “I will, Mommy. I know Grandpa doesn’t mean to, but he sometimes squeezes too hard.”

      She knelt down in front of her daughter. “You know Grandpa’s sick. He doesn’t mean to squeeze too hard.”

      Livy’s blond ponytail bobbed up and down. “I know, Mommy. I wish he wasn’t sick.”

      “So do I, sweetie.” Tess had to fight her tears. “You’re my best girl.”

      Livy smiled. “And you’re my bestest mom.”

      They exchanged a kiss and then Tess started off, but her daughter called to her. “Are you going to go see Mr. Randell?”

      “No, honey, Mr. Randell is busy. I’m going to work with Whiskey.”

      Livy’s eyes narrowed. Tess knew her daughter was cooking up something else. “He’s a nice man. Maybe we should bake him a cake to welcome him home.”

      Butter up the enemy. That was an idea. “We’ll talk about it later. Remember, don’t leave the porch.” She turned and walked toward the barn, knowing that ploy wasn’t going to work for long. She had to come up with something to keep Livy from intruding on Luke Randell.

      Putting her wide-brimmed cowboy hat on her head, she glanced toward the large Victorian house. Perched on a hill with a grove of pecan trees lined up on either side for shade and protection from the elements, it was a sight to behold.

      She’d heard stories that Mrs. Sam Randell had been so humiliated when her husband’s brother, Jack, had been sent to prison for cattle rustling, she insisted they leave the area. It had been twenty-seven years since anyone had lived there.

      “Your father did a wonderful job with the upkeep,” a man’s voice said.

      Tess swung around to find Luke Randell. “Oh, Mr. Randell…”

      “Please, call me Luke.”

      “Luke, and I’m Tess,” she said, a little breathless.

      He’d changed into a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of boots. Cocked on his head was a worn cowboy hat, giving him a rugged look.

      “Do I fit in a little better?”

      Tess was tall at five-nine, but had to look up at him. Stand back was more like it. “You fit in dressed like you were before, but this is more practical for the ranch.”

      “Especially if I’m headed for the barn.” He smiled, and it caused her pulse to race. Great. She was acting like a teenager.

      “You want to see the barn?”

      He glanced around. “Actually, I was looking for your father. Is he around?”

      Oh, no. She wasn’t ready to discuss her father’s… situation yet. “I’m sorry, but he isn’t feeling well right now.” She rushed on to say, “I’m sure I can answer anything you want to know.”

      “I just wanted to let him…and you—know that my arriving early isn’t meant to disturb your operation. You still have another two months on your lease. As the lawyer informed you, I’m just living in the house until a decision is made about the property.”

      A decision? “What about your brother?”

      Luke still had trouble getting used to that term…for Brady. “Half brother,” he clarified. “Brady is a pilot in the air force, and the only information I’ve gotten from the military so far is that he’s overseas. I left word for him to contact me here.”

      “So your plans are to sell the ranch?”

      Luke sighed. If only he could, it sure would solve his immediate problems. “There are a lot of things to consider when or if this place goes on the market.” His gaze locked with her rich blue eyes and it caused him to get temporarily distracted. He quickly glanced away. He wasn’t about to let that happen…again.

      “I know you and your father need more information than that,” he told her. “But it’s all I can give for now.”

      She nodded. “Of course, Dad and I would love to continue the lease arrangement we have now.” She gave him a sideways glance as they started walking toward the barn. “Are you considering staying on…and running the ranch?”

      He frowned. “Technically I’ve never ranched before. I was just a kid when we moved away.”

      “But you still have a lot of family here. I’m sure they’d help out.”

      They came to the barn and he slid open the large door. “So you know the Randells?”

      Tess nodded. “There’s something else. The lease arrangement your father had with my father could continue…or if you’d like to raise cattle under your own brand, we could stay on as the foreman.” She shrugged. “It’s just something to think about.”

      Not waiting for an answer, Tess walked into the cool interior. Although the barn was clean and well organized, the smell of hay and horses was prevalent, and she liked the earthy scent. She headed down the concrete aisle, passing several empty stalls. She was hoping to have them filled by now, but without her father’s help she couldn’t board any more horses.

      There were two quarter horses here she’d been working with, but her main focus was still on Whiskey. Taking the time, she greeted the valuable equines before she reached the last stall. Her bay stallion greeted her with a soft whinny, and he nuzzled her hand.

      “How’s my favorite guy?” she crooned. “You ready to work?” He bobbed his head.

      “This is Smooth Whiskey Doc. He’s the future cutting champion.”

      With an ease that surprised Tess, Luke walked up to Whiskey and stroked him. “Hey, fella, how you doing?” Whiskey took to the attention and moved closer to the stranger. “You sure are a beauty.”

      “Don’t give him too much praise. It’ll just go to his head.”

      “So you breed horses?”

      She nodded. “Been working on it. I’ve had a lot of help from Chance Randell. He also breeds quarter horses. I’ve done some training and competing with my mare, Lady. I helped out Chance with training, in trade for his stallion, Whiskey Pete, to breed with my mare, and as a result we got Smooth Whiskey Doc.”

      “You’re partners?”

      She couldn’t help but laugh. “Hardly. Chance doesn’t need me. He’s made quite a name for himself on his own. He just did me a favor.” She patted the horse’s neck. “And I appreciate it. As neighbors we all kind of help each other out.”

      “So you and your father aren’t running cattle any longer?”

      “There’s