The Rancher's First Love Read Online Free Page B

having company.
    â€œHey, what’s up?” A loud, chipper voice burst into the moment.
    Lilly. Sam turned to greet her niece, Duke’s daughter. The surprise, as Sam liked to call her. Duke hadn’t known about his daughter until just last year. Sam loved the bubbly, energetic twelve-year-old. She secretly hoped the girl would keep Duke on his toes.
    Sam held up a finger, and then pointed to the stall. “Shhh.”
    Lilly silently tiptoed forward, her eyes going big when she looked inside and saw the dog. And now, five puppies.
    â€œWe should give her some privacy,” Sam said. “Let’s have breakfast.”
    As soon as the two of them walked out of the barn, Lilly’s carefully contained energy uncorked. “Where did you get her? What’s her name? And did you know my mom is going to adopt a baby?”
    Sam blinked a few times. Okay, this was news. And probably not the way Duke or Oregon wanted it announced.
    â€œI’m not sure what to say, Lilly.” Sam cleared her throat. “You know, your parents might not want everyone to know.”
    â€œMom said I could tell you.”
    â€œOh, well that’s good. I didn’t know and I’m excited for them.”
    â€œIt’s through the state. He’s only six weeks old and he’s living in a foster home in Houston. We’re going to see him next week.”
    â€œThat’s amazing. I can’t wait to meet him.”
    â€œMe, too.” Lilly glanced back at the barn. “So, where did you get the dog?”
    â€œI found her in town.”
    â€œOh, that’s the dog that my dad was talking about. The stray that he’s going to have to do something about.”
    â€œHe said that?”
    â€œYou know how guys are,” Lilly said, rolling her eyes.
    â€œYes, I do know how guys are. And he isn’t going to do anything about this dog because she’s mine now.”
    Lilly just shrugged. “So, I’m out of school and bored.”
    Sam laughed. “I’m sure you are. What are you going to do with your summer?”
    Lilly shrugged and Sam got the feeling there was more she wanted to say. They kept walking, though, back to the house. Sam hadn’t been here when Oregon and Lilly showed up a few years ago. When Duke learned that the precocious girl across the street was his daughter. But she was here now. And she loved being an aunt.
    â€œSo?” she prodded her niece. “Give it up. I know you have more to say. Or something to ask.”
    â€œOkay. Dad said you were the best barrel racer in the county. I’m not the best. But I want to be. I’ll be thirteen soon and I don’t want to have to compete with the little girls.”
    â€œGotcha. So we have some work to do?”
    Lilly nodded. “Please. I mean, Dad tries to help me, but he’s a guy. He can rope. He can train a horse.”
    â€œBut he isn’t a barrel racer.”
    â€œRight.” Lilly stepped through the door Sam opened.
    â€œThat works for me, because my new gelding needs some practice.” Sam followed her niece inside. The kitchen felt cool after being outside. It was not quite nine o’clock and already hot and humid. “Want breakfast?”
    In answer Lilly headed for the cabinet, helping herself to cereal bars. She and Oregon had lived in this house for a time. The girl knew her way around more than just the house. She knew how to be a part of the Martin family. Sam envied that. Sometimes she felt like the outsider, as if she was the one who didn’t know how to be a Martin.
    â€œAre you going to eat?” Lilly poured herself a glass of milk and dunked the cereal bar.
    â€œNot yet. I need at least another cup or two of coffee.” She poured herself a cup and leaned against the counter next to Lilly. “About this horse business. I have to work this evening, but I can help you this morning. We might even trailer the horses over to the rodeo