Redemption Ranch. Leann Harris

“I never found anyone who could live up to my standards. I have a wonderful, generous father who is perfect.”

       “True. But you have a couple of brothers with flaws.”

       “I won’t argue there.”

       “But you never—”

       The direction of this conversation made Beth uncomfortable. Back then, the lack of a boyfriend had been intentional. “You know, your pregnancy is making you want to mother everyone.”

       Sophie leaned across the table and took Beth’s hand. “Be careful, friend. Remember, lots of our soldiers return to civilian life with baggage, and Tyler has his share.”

       Beth jerked her hand away. “I know that. Remember who hauled Zach here.”

       “True, but I see something in your eyes, Beth. Please be careful.”

       Sophie’s comment cut too close to the truth. “Sophie, I understand the man has issues. I’m not sure he can carry on a conversation. I’ve only heard one-word answers or grunts.” Beth’s mind flashed to the conversations she’d had with Tyler. Those were exceptions, she told herself.

       Sophie laughed, making Beth chuckle.

       “You’ve got that nailed, but there’s something—” Sophie shook her head.

       Beth opened her mouth to protest, but Sophie held up her hand.

       “I’m just warning you.”

       Beth couldn’t hold her friend’s words against her. She came around the table and kissed Sophie’s cheek. “Thank you.”

       “You’ll pay attention to my warning?”

       “I will.”

       Later that night as Beth drifted off to sleep, she tried to tell herself that because Sophie was pregnant she was seeing things.

       Deep inside, Beth knew Sophie had been right.

      Chapter Three

      It had been the longest ten days of Beth’s life. She used to love to travel for work, seeing different cities, flying off at the drop of a hat, but this last trip to London, then to Dallas, had been more than tedious. Her heart had stayed at Second Chance Ranch with a silent man, his dog and a troubled boy. In the quiet of morning when she had her coffee and read her Bible, she found herself praying for Tyler and Riley and longing to see how things were progressing with them.

       It occurred to Beth that this was the first time since her disastrous relationship with her high school boyfriend ended that she found herself overwhelmed by attraction. She tried to chalk her feelings up to compassion for a hurt child and an emotionally wounded soldier. Would she be that intense with each new military rider? She ignored the uncomfortable question.

       What had happened in Tyler’s life that caused him to be put into foster care? That question rumbled around her brain the entire time she was on her business trip and she planned to see if Zach knew about Tyler’s past.

       Parking in the ranch’s lot, she planned her strategy—corner Zach and put the screws on. When she reached the ranch office, she found no one there. After changing, Beth walked to the stables. Two riders were out in the two rings. Sophie supervised one rider and Tyler was in the second ring, walking beside a new boy who looked terrified. Observing from his regular perch by the door sat Riley.

       Beth stopped by Riley’s side. “How’s it going?”

       The boy shrugged.

       Hadn’t they got past this? “Where’s Dogger?”

       Another shrug.

       “Do you know the boy Tyler’s helping?”

       “No.”

       What had happened to put Riley back to square one? She walked into the stables, hoping to find Zach. Two other volunteers were inside working on different horses. She waved to them, and then spotted Ollie coming out of the tack room. He’d just about finished his chemo, and he was looking good and starting to gain back some weight.

       “Ollie, have you seen Zach?”

       “He’s out back with Ethan, checking out the new horse the ranch got.”

       “That’s good news. Where did we get it?”

       “Ask your brother.”

       “Which one, Zach or Ethan?”

       “Zach.”

       What she needed to do was to talk to Sophie to know what was really going on at the ranch instead of wasting time trying to get info from Zach. “You’re looking good.”

       “I’ll say I don’t feel like dirt no more, so that’s an improvement.”

       “Quit charming me with your words.”

       “Get out of here.” Affection laced his words.

       Stepping out the side doors of the stables, she saw Zach on a new horse, riding the gelding around the corral. The bay had a black mane and tail and black stockings on all four feet. Ethan stood at the fence, watching.

       “Where’d you get that handsome horse?” Beth called out.

       Ethan turned and smiled at Beth. “Hey, girl. Good to see you home.” He opened his arms, and she walked into them.

       “I’m glad to be home. What are you doing here? Is this your day to volunteer?”

       He shook his head. “Zach called and wanted me to see our newest mount. To evaluate him.”

       “So, where’d the horse come from?”

       Ethan turned back to watch Zach. “You want to tell her, Zach, since the guy talked to you?”

       Zach brought the horse up to the gate. “A rancher in the west of the state read about our new program for veterans, and since he’s a Vietnam vet, he wanted to help. He thought Dusty here would be perfect. He dropped him off yesterday.”

       “He’s a good-looking horse. Perfect for the soldiers.”

       Zach dismounted easily. If you didn’t know the man, you would never guess his right leg was artificial. “You’re right.”

       Beth watched him for a minute, then asked, “What’s with Riley?”

       Zach threw his brother a look, opened the corral gate and walked the horse out.

       She knew Zach had ignored her question about Riley. “Why’s Riley sitting outside on the bench pouting again? Did something happen?”

       Rubbing the horse’s nose, Zach glanced at her. “Nothing that I know about.”

       “That doesn’t make sense.”

       “Sis, he’s a thirteen-year-old boy,” Ethan answered. “He doesn’t need a reason to glare and have a bad attitude. You should know, having grown up with brothers.”

       Beth looked from one brother to the other. “True enough, but I thought we got over that hump.”

       Ethan grinned. “I think that’s my cue to leave. I wanted to tell you all that the doctor got a bad kick from one of the horses he was examining on our last horse rescue. He’s limping badly. Pray for him.”

       Doctor Adams had been the vet for her parents’ ranch for the past twenty years. He was the only vet for the ranches around that part of the state. He also came out to Second Chance to care for the horses. “I’m sorry to hear that. Has Doc thought about getting a new associate? I mean Doc doesn’t move as fast as he did twenty years ago and can’t dodge the kicks from the stock as quickly as he once could.”

       The brothers exchanged an unvoiced message.

       “It’s the truth,” Beth defended herself.