The Rancher's Daughter Read Online Free Page A

Heath cussed.  Josey went back to the bell to ring it for lunch.  Heath followed behind her.  “Looks like I came home just in time.” “What do you mean?” Josey asked.  “Nothing really, I just owe that worm something.  That’s all.”  Heath said.  Josey cut her eyes toward him and gave him questioning look, but he didn’t supply any answers.  They walked in the kitchen and took their seats at the table, followed by everyone else. They sat across from each other.  For some reason they kept sneaking glances at each other.  Every time she looked up she found his eyes on her and it made her feel like a teenager again.  She honestly didn’t know how much more she could stand.  Just being near him, made her body pull in his direction.  She couldn’t get him out of her thoughts and she needed a clear head.  The bank was trying to take her family’s ranch from her.  She had to think about that but he was in her every thought. 
                  Everyone bowed their heads and Sam said a prayer.  He thanked God for bringing his son home and for providing them with an answer to help save the ranch.  He thanked him for the food and everyone said Amen.  They all dug in and Heath was a little surprised to learn that Josey had cooked the meal herself.  Before he left there was a cook on the ranch but he was told that Cook retired some time ago and that Hilary and Josey shared in the cooking.  “I always wanted to be a homemaker anyway.” Hilary said.  “But there ain’t a thing that could have taken me away from my horses.  I just wouldn’t be me without them.” She said.  “It bothers me to see them treated as if they’re worthless. People just abandoning them where they please.  All the sale barns are closing or switching to cattle and other forms of livestock to stay afloat.”  The whole table grew quiet for a minute.  J.W broke the silence.  “Who was our visitor earlier, Josey?” 
                  “That weasel of a banker.  He heard about the rodeo and came to investigate.  Heath sent him on his way though.”  She said.  Heath spoke up.  “The same guy was in West Texas a few years ago.  He went after every ranch he could get his hands on.  A lot of the neighboring ranches got word of it and sent him packing.  I should have known he’d end up here.” He straightened in his seat and continued.  “That weasel would show up if you got behind one month.  My boss had me run him off more than once.  He never threatened him the way he did Josey today. I expect he was a little terrified of him, being a lawyer and all.  Guess he thinks he can bully women, picked the wrong woman though.”  He laughed at his joke, and the rest of the men joined in.  Each, and every one of them, had something good to say about Josey.  They all had a tale, about something she did that would have shocked most women.  They were all proud of her.  They all loved her too.  It was in all their faces, good friends who had become a family. 
                  Heath thought about that word.  He really had missed this.  This was the only family he had ever known.  He and Josey nearly had their own little family once.  If only he’d stayed, maybe they still would have.  They would have gotten back together and he would have asked her to marry him.  He pictured what his life would be like married to her.  He pictured little girls and boys running around calling him daddy and her mommy.  That was the life they should have had.  He wished he could have it all back.  There was no changing the past.  Maybe, he thought, just maybe they could have a future, though. 
                  The conversation continued with all the sounds of forks scraping their plates and ice clinking in tea glasses.  Soon everyone was standing up and putting their plates in the sink.  Josey started washing them but Hilary shooed her away saying she would do it since she