The Rancher's Homecoming. Anna J. Stewart

she could never tolerate anything less.

      Which was why this job, this ranch, meant everything to her. She didn’t have anywhere else to go, and if she looked, she’d probably have to start at the bottom. It might be the twenty-first century, but the idea of hiring a female foreman still didn’t sit well in the male-dominated world of ranching. Besides, she didn’t want to go anywhere else. This was her home, her...everything. And the Blackwells were her family. Which was one reason why she’d been willing to help Big E.

      “This plan of yours better work...and fast, Big E,” Katie whispered into the breeze. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep going.”

      She’d keep going as long as she had to, Katie told herself. She didn’t have a choice. Everything was falling into place just as Big E predicted and planned. All the Blackwell brothers were home now. She only hoped things worked out before someone learned the truth.

      Rosie let out a sleepy sigh that had Katie smiling. The little girl had Maura’s spirit, her enthusiasm and vivacity. And her propensity for being easily bored. That “bring on life ’cause I can take you” attitude oozed out of every pore. The tiny dimple in Rosie’s chin? That was all Chance, as was her nose. The poor kid had been saddled with a double dose of stubbornness from both sides of her gene pool. Katie could only hope Chance would be as amenable to Rosie seeing her grandfather as he’d been letting Katie take her for a ride.

      By the time she reached the stables, Rosie’s weight was taking its toll. Katie’s arms ached as she called Conner, her main stable hand and trail leader, over for help in handing her niece off so she could dismount. She removed her gloves, stuffed them into her pockets and picked up her hat before taking back Rosie, a sliver of love winding through her as Rosie linked her arms around Katie’s neck and settled into sleep. She whistled for Hip, who bounded dutifully over to escort them back to the house. Beyond the braying of the miniature donkeys, she heard the bleeting of Billy the goat in the distance. That little guy always knew when Hip came home.

      “Right tired one there, Katie.” Connor tipped a finger to his hat and grinned. “You’re hiring them awful young now, aren’t you?”

      “Start them early, you know that, Conner.” Katie laughed. “Everything good here?”

      “Yes, ma’am. Chuck and Dally are heading out to check on a bull we think might have broken through the fence line. Nothing serious. We’ll get it taken care of.”

      “Great. I’ll be heading home soon. Need to check on Dad. I should be back around after dinner.” There were some minor repairs that needed doing on the guesthouse and the activity calendar needed filling and updating. Ranching was a 24/7 occupation. What downtime came, chances were it wouldn’t last long. There was always something that needed tending to. Not that Katie had any idea what to do to relax. She was one of those people incapable of sitting still when there was work to be done.

      Katie hummed as she made her way across to the main house. Funny how a seemingly little girl weighed more than a newborn calf. As she rounded the corner she saw Chance standing on the front porch, lounging against the post by the stairs.

      Katie’s boot caught in the dirt and she tripped, catching herself before they both toppled to the ground. It wasn’t seeing him there so much that startled her, but the unusual tingling that electrified her heart and had her catching her breath. The way he stood, looking out over the land, sipping a glass of Hadley’s lemonade tea, made Katie think of what it would be like to come home to someone like him after a hard day’s work on the ranch. Would he turn his head, smile at her and be happy to see her, even covered in mud and grime and smelling of cows, horses and worse? Would he hold out his arms to welcome her home, take the child from her and hitch her into his own grasp and kiss them both hello?

      Katie gasped, guilt sweeping the thoughts from her mind. This was Chance she was thinking about. The man who had—to hear Lochlan tell it—destroyed their family. What was she thinking putting Chance in any role other than that of Rosie’s father? And her late sister’s widow.

      She was thinking she needed a tall drink and long hot bath. She needed to get her head screwed back on straight. Now was not the time for muddled thinking or distractions. She had to be on top of her game now that Big E had gone from man with a plan to overconfident. She had to be prepared for anything. And anything could not include Chance Blackwell.

      She shifted her path and made a show of coming into view. Katie knew the instant he saw them. He went from relaxed contemplation to a soldier at attention. He set his glass on the porch rail and walked down to meet her.

      “She okay?” Chance reached for Rosie with firmness and care.

      “She’s just pooped.” Katie shook out her arms and laughed. She stopped herself when she realized the sound echoed falsely in her own ears. “I’m not sure she’s as enamored with ranch life as she once was.”

      “Good.” Chance winced. “Sorry. Didn’t mean that to sound quite so—”

      “Rude?” Katie tried not to be offended. Of course Chance didn’t want Rosie liking this place. The only reason he’d come back in the first place was because Ty convinced him he didn’t have a choice. “Don’t worry. I’ll get used to it.”

      “I’m sorry.” Chance rubbed a hand up and down Rosie’s back. “You’re right. That was rude. It’s hard. Being back here.” He shifted to look out onto the Rocky-tipped horizon. “I keep expecting her to come riding along, hair flying, those ridiculous boots of hers barely clinging to the stirrups.”

      “The purple-and-blue boots Dad special-ordered from Bozeman?” Katie’s heart flipped. “She almost wore out those things. Bugged him for months until he gave in.” She reached up and caught one of Rosie’s curls around her finger. “I know you don’t want to be here, Chance. I know you hate us. But that doesn’t stop me from being grateful you brought her here.”

      “I don’t hate you, Katie.”

      “Just my father.” Didn’t he know that hurt her just as much. “I know he’s a difficult man, Chance.”

      “Understatement of the century.” Chance cradled Rosie’s head in his hand. “He did everything he could to control your sister’s life and yours. He could never accept Maura choosing me over him. Or that she left.”

      “No, he couldn’t.” Katie shook her head. “I know that. Just as I’ve always known I came in second where she was concerned.”

      “Katie.” Chance’s gentle admonishment wasn’t something she wanted to hear.

      “You think I don’t know?” Katie asked around a too-tight throat. “You think I don’t know she was the one he wanted to follow in his footsteps? That she was the one he doted on, spoiled and loved?” She looked into Chance’s face, part of her wanting him to correct her, to tell her she was wrong. As much as it hurt when he didn’t, she was grateful he didn’t lie to her. “I know he cares about me in his own way. I can only hope he’s proud, but I won’t count on that. I’m all he has now. Even if I’m not what he wants.”

      “That’s the saddest thing I’ve heard in a long time.”

      “That better not be sympathy I hear in your voice, Chance Blackwell.” Katie stepped back and pointed an accusing finger at him. “I wouldn’t trade my life for the world. This place is everything to me. It’s where I belong. It’s where you all have made me always feel like family.”

      “You are family, Katie.”

      She forced a smile. If he only knew. Family didn’t lie to one another. Family didn’t deceive and manipulate. “I appreciate that. I need to get back and make sure Dad eats something. And I think you should probably get her into bed.”

      “Which pink cloud shall I choose?” Chance asked. “That place is...”

      “Hideous.” Katie would give anything to have seen his face when he first walked inside. “Yep. I am well aware. Just imagine Rosie’s face when she wakes up