A Ranch to Call Home Read online

  “I won’t let you steal my ranch.”

  But will this rancher steal her heart?

  Laura Lee is devastated when Jesse Creed arrives claiming that her new, perfect house doesn’t belong to her absent fiancé, but to him! Until he can prove it, however, Laura isn’t going anywhere. But living side by side with the alluring rancher is temptation itself. And suddenly this house starts to feel an awful lot like the home she’s always longed for...

  “This book is well-written, well-populated and full of action.”

  —RT Book Reviews on The Rancher’s Inconvenient Bride

  “Readers will be charmed by the spirited heroine and her love-struck cowboy [...] wonderfully written.”

  —RT Book Reviews on The Cowboy’s Cinderella

  “I will not allow you to steal my ranch.”

  “It isn’t yours for me to steal.”

  “Oh, no? Look around. What here belongs to you?”

  “The walls, the floors, the windows.” Rain pummeled overhead. The hiss of two people breathing heavily wound Laura Lee’s nerves tight. Any second now she was going to snap like an overtaut string on a violin. “The roof.”

  “No one lived here when I moved in. And all of a sudden, you claim it’s yours?”

  Glancing down, Jesse looked surprised to see that he was touching her. He let go, straightening his fingers slowly, one by one.

  “Whose chair did you put that ruffled pillow on? Whose hay was in the hayloft?” He dipped his head, his nose within inches of hers while those green, dark-lashed eyes stared at her unblinking. “Whose bed were you sleeping in?”

  Author Note

  Thank you for picking up a copy of A Ranch to Call Home. Laura Lee Quinn is anxious to get to know you and share her story. In fact, she has been tapping her toes in anticipation all through The Cowboy’s Cinderella, where she worked in the kitchen of the Lucky Clover Ranch, and The Rancher’s Inconvenient Bride, where she ran away to join the circus with Agatha Magee.

  Within the pages of those books she believed her path would lead straight to her happily-ever-after...to a home of her own and a man to raise babies with. There was nothing in life she desired more.

  Well, along came A Ranch to Call Home and she found her path did not, in fact, lead to happily-ever-after. As life’s paths sometimes do, it took an unexpected turn. The man she was to marry was not the hero she had thought him to be. The ranch he had given her as a wedding gift was not his to give.

  Like we all must do at times, Laura Lee bandages her bruised heart and chooses a new path. The trouble is, new paths can be daring, frightening even, but more often than not they lead us to where we ought to have been all along.

  Laura Lee’s wish for you, dear reader—and mine, too—is that the unexpected turns in your life always lead you home.

  CAROL ARENS

  A Ranch to Call Home

  Carol Arens delights in tossing fictional characters into hot water, watching them steam and then giving them a happily-ever-after. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, beach camping or lounging about a mountain cabin. At home, she enjoys playing with her grandchildren and gardening. During rare spare moments, you will find her snuggled up with a good book. Carol enjoys hearing from readers at [email protected] or on Facebook.

  Books by Carol Arens

  Harlequin Historical

  Rebel with a Heart

  Dreaming of a Western Christmas

  “Snowbound with the Cowboy”

  Western Christmas Proposals

  “The Sheriff’s Christmas Proposal”

  The Cowboy’s Cinderella

  Western Christmas Brides

  “A Kiss from the Cowboy”

  The Rancher’s Inconvenient Bride

  A Ranch to Call Home

  The Walker Twins

  Wed to the Montana Cowboy

  Wed to the Texas Outlaw

  Cahill Cowboys

  Scandal at the Cahill Saloon

  Linked by Character

  Rebel Outlaw

  Outlaw Hunter

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

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  To Caitlyn Iaccino

  The world is a kinder place because of your sweet smile.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Excerpt from A Kiss Away from Scandal by Christine Merrill

  Chapter One

  September 1883, Forget-Me-Not, Texas

  A frizzle of unease teased Laura Lee’s stomach. She rolled up the newest edition of the Ladies’ Home Journal and Practical Housekeeper tight in her fist.

  The elegant wedding gown that she had stitched with her own blistered fingers fell in lacy waves to the boardwalk, where she stood in front of Auntie June’s boardinghouse waiting for her very own prince to arrive and carry her off to the preacher.

  The pocket watch tucked within the secret pouch stitched into her petticoat marked time against her hip.

  Tick, tock, tick... Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes crept up on half an hour.

  As a distraction, she watched the breeze pluck golden leaves from the trees and blow them over the rooftops of the main street of Forget-Me-Not. One leaf fell on the brim of a man’s Stetson. He brushed it off, then went inside the bank.

  At forty-five minutes, with Johnny nowhere in sight, she reminded herself she had nothing to fear. Her groom had no doubt been delayed by something that was far beyond his control.

  Any moment now, dust would stir at the end of the street... Johnny urging his horse to a gallop through a veil of falling leaves. He would be wearing an expression of apology on his dashingly handsome face.

  And truth be told, it wasn’t uncommon for Johnny to be late. Once they were married, she would be able to help cure him of that habit.

  Tick, tock, tick. Ten more minutes slid past. She gripped the Ladies’ Home Journal and Practical Housekeeper tighter.

  “Curse it! Where are you, Johnny Ruiz?” She loosened her hold on the precious magazine—her guide to all things domestic and wonderful.

  As soon as the impatient words left her mouth, she regretted them. Ordinarily she was sweet tempered, the very soul of composure.

  “Howdy, miss,” came a deep male voice. Boot steps thumped on the boardwalk, bringing the speaker within feet of her. “May I be of assistance?”

  She spun toward him and looked up...and up at a tall man wearing a black duster, a Stetson dipped over his brow. It was the man who had flicked the leaf from his hat and gone into the bank.

  “Why, no.” She had thought Johnny to be handsome but this man... Well, my word. It took all of a second to feel ashamed of the thought. Johnny was her true love and would forever be the most handsome man in her heart. “Thank you, but I’m fine as can be.”

  “Name’s Jesse Creed, ma’am,” he said, dipping his dark hat in greeting. “Couldn’t help but notice you’ve been standing in this spot for a good long time now. I reckon that fellow you just mentioned might not show up.”

  He might assume so since she had blurted it out. Which did not mean it was any concern of his.

  “Perhaps I simply enjoy taking in the morning sunshine.” In a wedding gown.

  It cut her heart that this stranger thought her to be abandoned, given that was the very fear that had plagued her for the past ten minutes...as ridiculous a fear as it was.

  Johnny loved her. Nothing could keep him from being here unless something horrible had happened. What if he’d been injured...or worse?

  “It’s not my business but—”

  “Just so. It is not.” She unrolled the magazine and pressed it flat to her chest. “And just how do you know how long I’ve been standing here, sir?”

  “I’ve been to the bank, the livery and the blacksmith. Passed in front of you three times.”

  She’d been so intent on watching for Johnny that she had only noticed him once.

  “Well, you may go along your way knowing that I am perfectly fine.”

  “Good day, then.” He tipped his hat and continued down the boardwalk.

  One shop down, Jesse Creed stopped, turned. His olive green gaze settling upon her was more than a bit distracting...the sound of his voice far too appealing. In fact, it stirred her in a way she didn’t understand. “If you find you do need something, Auntie June is the one to ask for help. Here in town she’s everyone’s honorary aunt.”

  Was that handsome fellow a married man? she wondered before she could stop. She chastised herself for wondering, given that she was an engaged woman.

  A very lucky engaged woman. Johnny was dark-eyed and dashing...fun loving...passionate.

  And striding out of the front door of the hotel across the street.

  * * *

  Jesse Creed would have laid a wager that the pretty woman’s “Johnny” was not going to show up. That she was as aband oned as her expression said she was.

  Looks like he’d have lost that money. Just as he mounted the steps to the general store, a cowpoke, spiffed up and looking swank, sauntered out of the hotel. The lady rushed across the street and into his arms.

  What she did not seem to notice was that another woman drew aside the curtain of a second-story window. She peered down at the couple with resentment contorting her mouth, narrowing her eyes. A red robe drooped off her bare shoulders.

  The bride-to-be, and clearly she was that, was not going to find life an easy path with that faithless fellow as her husband.

  Sometimes Jesse wished that he didn’t notice so much, but his former career as a bounty hunter made him take note of details that many folks would not.

  Hell, the woman’s future was none of his business. He didn’t even know her. Still, he’d go on his way easier if he didn’t guess what her future held in store.

  In the end, he knew she would not welcome his observation if he told her. She probably wouldn’t believe him. There was nothing to do but continue on his way to the general store. It was a shame, though, a pretty thing like her headed for such trouble.

  Coming up the steps of the store, he nearly smacked into Auntie June on her way out. Carrying a sack of what he guessed to be sugar, she wasn’t looking where she was going, but up the street instead.

  Her short, pillow-like body listed left, but he caught her by the forearms and righted her.

  “Jesse Creed! I do declare I ought to watch out where I’m going. But I can’t rightly say I mind being rescued by such a dashing fellow.”

  “Always a pleasure, Auntie June.” And it was. The woman was one of the kindest souls he had ever met. It had been Auntie June who had convinced Corum Peterson to sell his ranch to Jesse, when he had been a stranger in Forget-Me-Not.

  “I’m just relieved to see that her young man showed up.” She turned her attention again to the couple kissing in the middle of the street. “She sewed all night long on that wedding gown.”

  “Looks like it was worth the effort,” he answered, meaning that she looked fetching in it, not that he thought the man deserved the trouble she had gone to.

  “I hope so.” She glanced back at him, brows arched over honey-brown eyes. “I’m not convinced.”

  “Seems like she is, though.”

  “Yes...and I do remember what it’s like to be blinded by love.” She stroked the bag of sugar with one finger, shaking her head. “The light of day was a harsh thing to face, I can tell you.”

  “Whoever the fellow was who broke your heart, he was a fool.”

  “What a pity you weren’t born forty years sooner. I turned many a head back then.” Reaching up, she patted his cheek. “I’d best get on my way if I want to get this pie baked in time for supper.”

  Jesse stood for a moment, watching the good-hearted lady walk away. In his opinion, she still could turn heads. After she turned aside into the dressmaker shop, he entered the general store.

  “Mornin’, Thomas,” he said, walking past a display of frilly yard goods. The scent of coffee on the simmer hit him like a welcome home.

  And home he was. After a lifetime of living here and there, often without a roof to keep out the night, he’d purchased a ranch and settled down in the sweet town of Forget-Me-Not.

  “Say, Jesse! Bingham’s nearly busting with excitement. I’m mighty grateful you hired him to come along with you to pick up your horses.”

  “No thanks needed. He’ll be earning every bit of his pay.”

  “Grateful for that, too. The boy was headed for trouble, taking up with the Underwoods like he was. Good honest work will give him something to be proud of.”

  Jesse understood that. He’d earned a lot of money as a bounty hunter but the profession had darkened his soul. Ranching was something to feel honorable about...to let him lay his head on his pillow at night and sleep without regret.

  “I’ll take good care of your boy, don’t you worry, Thomas.”

  “I won’t. Or not overly. I’d rather see him bucked off a stallion than spend an hour with Hoodoo and his brothers. Those young men grow wilder by the day.”

  For the large part, Forget-Me-Not was a peaceful place to lay down roots, but every town had its problems. Most folks waited anxiously for the day that the Underwood boys left home and went looking for adventure that couldn’t be found in this tranquil place.

  In Jesse’s opinion and with what hard experience had shown him, those five hoodlums’ quest for adventure would land them in prison or dead.

  Something, cans he guessed, clattered to the floor in the storeroom. A series of clanking sounds indicated that they were being set to rights. Heavy boot thumps crossed the floor. Something else rattled but didn’t fall.

  The curtain separating the rooms fanned out and Bingham Teal burst into the room, his saddle pack slung over his shoulder.

  “I’m ready to go, Mr. Creed.” A grin as wide as sunrise split the kid’s face. He rushed out the front door of the store, his hat nearly brushing the frame, hurrying away without a goodbye. His father raised his arm as if to call him back but then let it fall to his side.

  All at once, Bingham charged back into the store, took his father’s hand and pumped it up and down. “See you in two weeks, Pa!” He stepped toward the door again but spun about and wrapped his father in a great hug.

  Once again, Bingham hurried out of the store.

  “Mind your manners!” Thomas called after his great, lurching offspring. “If you catch a whiff of jasmine along the trail, Jesse, it’ll be his mother watching over him. I reckon she’s bursting her heavenly buttons over what a fine boy he grew into.”

  “I’ll bring him home safe, two weeks...three at most.”

  Thomas lifted a blanket from behind the counter. “Never know when the night might turn bitter cold.”

  Jesse took the heavy wool cover, tipped his Stetson in farewell, then followed the boy outside.

  While this was a great adventure for Bingham, it was more so for Jesse. He’d moved onto his ranch only a month ago. There had been enough time to make repairs to the barn and paddock, but being anxious to pick up his herd of horses, he’d neglected fixing up the house.

  No matter. It was something he could do over time. He’d lived in worse conditions than a slightly run-down home.

  Today he was bound for Cartersville to get his breeding stock. Bringing them home would fulfill the dream of a lifetime.

  No, not fulfill, but begin.

  * * *

  It felt like the sun came out from behind a big black cloud, seeing Johnny walk out of the hotel. What a silly duck she had been to worry.

  And truly, this was not the first time she’d been a little restive over his loyalty to her. But on those few occasions, he had handily put her anxiety at ease. From all the way across the street, she felt how much he loved her...saw how he was committed to her by the joyful turn of his smile.

  Within an hour, she would be Mrs. Johnny Ruiz. She would be free to show him how much she loved him...in all the ways a woman could show her man.

  She hugged him, squeezed her eyes shut tight.

  “I thought the night would never pass,” she whispered against his collar.

  He must have dabbed on cologne. His neck smelled like a bouquet. What a sweet gesture for their wedding day. He didn’t normally wear cologne.

  “I didn’t sleep all night, baby doll.”

  Opening her eyes, she spotted a couple of fellows coming out of the hotel. One of them shot her and Johnny an odd glance. Could he really be smirking at them?

  No doubt he was jealous over the affection they felt for one another. Clearly the fellow had never been in love and didn’t understand the way it was between nearly married folks.

  Uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Laura Lee pushed away from her intended but did not let go of him.

  “I love you so much, Johnny!”

  He lifted a dark brow. The corner of his mouth ticked up. “I am a dashing fellow. All the ladies say so.”

  She gently swatted his arm with the Ladies’ Home Journal and Practical Housekeeper. “And such a tease.”

  “I love you, too, Laura Lee.” He kissed her on the mouth, right there in the middle of the street for all to see.

  Well, in a few more minutes it would no longer be improper.