The Rancher's Heir. Sara Orwig

arms around his neck. Laughing, he hugged her and she stepped back, smiling at him.

      “I’m so glad you’re home.”

      He looked into her deep blue eyes, so like his own, and smiled. “I’m glad to be home.”

      She turned to greet the rest of the family, crossing the room to kiss their dad’s cheek, going to brush her mother’s cheek with a kiss. “This is a celebration,” she said.

      Noah laughed. Some things never changed, and his little sister stirring up the whole family with her grand entrance was one of those things.

      And some things did change, he thought. Like his parents.

      As they all sat and talked, he realized how good it was to be home. Nothing was more important than family. This was what he’d wanted at some point in his life. The moment that thought came, so did memories of Camilla and, with them, an unwanted pang that shocked him. After all this time, how could he still miss her? They had broken up three years ago and he didn’t want to still miss her. He didn’t want to picture her when he thought of having his own family. But he did. She was his wife and the mother of his children in all such fantasies.

      But it had to stop. Now.

      Banishing those tormenting images, he turned to his father and tried to pay attention to what the man was saying. It wasn’t until ten that night, when his folks said good-night and retired for the evening, that he was alone with Ben and Hallie and Stefanie.

      “C’mon, Stefanie. Come with me. I’m going to find a book to take home,” Hallie said, dragging his sister to the library down the hall.

      Noah looked at Ben. “I know the folks usually tell us good-night and leave, but Hallie has left for a reason besides getting a book to read.”

      “Yeah. Let’s go into the study,” Ben said, and Noah realized it was something serious. He followed his brother.

      Ben switched on the lights and Noah glanced around the familiar room that served as his dad’s home office. Then his attention shifted to Ben.

      “What’s up? I have the feeling there’s something you’ve been waiting to tell me.”

      “There is. I told Mom I would tell you and you can talk to them about it tomorrow, but she can’t talk without crying.”

      “Oh, damn,” Noah said, sinking into a leather chair. Instantly he remembered his dad’s pallor and quiet manner. “It’s Dad, isn’t it?”

      “You noticed. I figured you would. He—he has heart problems. Since you’ve been gone, he’s had a heart attack and he’s had bypass surgery.”

      Noah felt as if he had been punched in the chest. He hurt and he looked down, remembering his dad in earlier years. “Dammit.”

      Ben took a seat beside him. “Dad isn’t strong any longer, but he walks on a treadmill several times nearly every day.”

      Noah looked away, remembering moments as a kid when he’d had fun with his dad, playing ball, swimming.

      “That’s a hell of a thing to come home to,” he told Ben. “How’s Stefanie handling it?”

      “She’s hovering over him, which seems to make them both happy. Mom, too. Between work and her social life, Stefanie keeps busy, so she’s okay. She’s running the north Dallas Grant Realty office and she’s very good at it.” He shook his head as if amazed at how well she handled the family’s real-estate business. “I thought she was too much a social butterfly to be a sharp businesswoman, but I was wrong. Last spring, she spent a month in our south Texas home and had it all done over. And I think she has plans for the Colorado home this fall. I don’t know where she gets the energy. Even with all that on her plate, she moves in social circles and supports several charities. I’ve got about three I devote time, effort and money to, while Eli has about five. You know how Dad taught us all we need to give back to the community, so here we are, doing what he expected.”

      “I’m sure he’s proud of you all.”

      Ben looked at him squarely. “We’re all proud of you serving in the Army in the Rangers.”

      Noah shrugged. “Our dad served. Our grandfather. Our great-grandfather. It’s a family tradition. But one from this generation is enough. Don’t you go sign up.”

      Ben held up his hands, palms out. “No danger of that. I have my hands full here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “When Dad had to step down, I took over the main real-estate office. You know, it might be a good thing if you come in about once or twice a month just so you know what’s going on and you’re able to take over if I’m away.”

      “Okay, but I’m sure you have some vice presidents who can step in.”

      “Oh, yes. I just want you to know about the business since Dad is out.”

      “And in turn you’ll come out to the ranch and spend a couple of days per month.”

      “Noah, ranching is your deal and maybe Eli’s occasionally. I would be lousy—”

      Noah laughed and waved his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m kidding. You barely know a horse’s head from its rear, so I don’t think you’d be of much help anyway.”

      Ben sat back, looking relieved. “Don’t scare me like that.” Then he sobered. “Back to Dad. I told him I’d tell you about his heart. He said he has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and they’re running some tests. He said to give him a couple of days and then come by. I think those doctor appointments wear him out. So much that he doesn’t even venture into the office any longer.” Ben leaned forward. “Don’t panic, Noah, but I’d really like you on the board.”

      “The ranch is my life. I’ll be on the board, but I won’t take an office job.” He got up and paced the den. “You know, when you leave home, you think you’re coming back to the same life, but you never do,” he said. “Well, hell, this one hurts and it’s just going to hurt more as the days go by.” He stared into space a moment, lost again in memories of his dad. He turned to Ben. “Thanks for telling me.”

      “Yeah. I hated to have to tell you.”

      “I’m glad I didn’t know it over there. Losing Thane was hell enough. We’ve been friends since we were schoolkids. His wounds were too bad and they couldn’t save him. How’re things with you?”

      Ben shrugged. “Business is good. On the home front there have been some tense moments—” He paused to look at Noah. “Hallie and I have tried since we first married to have a baby. Especially since Dad’s heart problems. We wanted him to know his first grandchild.” Ben shook his head and glanced at the closed door. “The docs say we’re both okay, to just relax, that pregnancy will happen. It would give Mom and Dad so much pleasure.” He paused a moment as Noah resumed his seat, then met his brother’s eyes. “I hate to ask, but...have you seen Camilla?”

      At the mere mention of her name, his insides knotted. “No, but I will. Thane asked me to take gifts to her and to her baby.”

      “She was only married two, three months at most. Then the guy was gone. He was there long enough that she has a baby. He left town before their divorce and I’ve heard he doesn’t have any interest in the kid.”

      “Doesn’t matter. It’s over between us,” Noah said, his stomach tightening even more. “I’m too much the alpha male for her, which is the pot calling the kettle black, to quote the old saying. And she loves Dallas and won’t even visit my ranch.”

      “Sorry. You two seemed close.”

      They had been once. They’d dated for a year before he joined the Army. “Not any longer.” Noah stood. “I better go and let you get home.”

      They walked back to rejoin the others. He glanced at Stefanie. “If I know you, you’re just getting ready to start your evening. You’re probably meeting friends.”

      Smiling,