The Rancher's Second Chance: Rock Creek Ranch (Parker Ranches, Inc. Book 1) Read online

  THE RANCHER’S SECOND CHANCE

  Parker Ranches, Inc., Book 1

  Maddie James

  Copyright © 2020 Maddie James

  The Rancher’s Second Chance

  ISBN: 978-1-62237-510-3

  Release: December 2, 2020

  All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work, in whole or part, by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, is illegal and forbidden. This is a work of fiction. Characters, settings, names, and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination and bear no resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, places or settings, and/or occurrences. Any incidences of resemblance are purely coincidental.

  Published by Sand Dune Books, Maddie James dba Jacobs, Ink, LLC., PO Box 20, New Holland, OH, 43145.

  Table of Contents

  THE RANCHER’S SECOND CHANCE

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Epilogue

  CALLIE—Chapter One

  ABOUT MADDIE JAMES

  THE RANCHER’S SECOND CHANCE

  Parker Ranches Inc., 1

  When John Rankin’s wife Annie dies, leaving him with two children to raise, he’s not quite sure how he can do that and run a working cattle ranch, too. Annie’s domain was home and hearth, and her dying put a hole in his day-to-day rancher lifestyle—far beyond the one she left in his heart.

  But his heart is only one of his problems when ten-year-old Callie rebels. Missing her mom and unsure how her life is unfolding, Callie pushes back at every turn and John is unsure how to help her. Then his friend, Buck McGinnis, introduces him to Abby Cooper. Buck thinks John should seek the counsel of a woman for advice dealing with a moody pre-teen female. Suddenly, life becomes even more complicated.

  The Parker Ranches, Inc. series launches with this short novella, The Rancher’s Second Chance, establishing the patriarch of the family, John Rankin, and his second chance at love and healing his family.

  ****

  The Parker Ranches, Inc. series is a contemporary western romance series written by award-winning and bestselling romance author Maddie James.

  Linked by strong family relationships, these stories take place in multiple ranch settings in Montana, South Dakota, Texas, and Kentucky. The Parker and Rankin families—Montana ranchers for generations—anchor the series and provide the foundation for stories to come. As families grow, forming new ranch partnerships, you’ll also meet the South Dakota MacKay and the Texas/Kentucky Remington families.

  Parker Ranches, Inc. books are first and foremost romance stories with happily-ever-after endings. Some are sweet, most are steamy, and a few are erotic. These novels and novellas always feature cowboy heroes and the women who love them—often with complicated relationships and external challenges that require time and attention to sort out.

  Welcome to Rankin’s Rock Creek Ranch.

  Chapter One

  May 1996

  Rankin’s Rock Creek Ranch

  John Rankin looked down on the freshly covered gravesite, swiped his nose with the back of his hand, and wondered how in the hell he was going to raise two kids without their mother. He stared at the granules of Montana sand shifting over the grave and held the moment steady in his heart for as long as he could, because when he turned around and got into his truck where his children, Parker and Callie were waiting, and then headed back to the ranch, things were going to be different.

  Inhaling deep, he lifted his gaze to look out over the family burial plot and beyond. Situated high in the hills behind the ranch, this piece of land was the spot where Anne Parker Rankin’s family rested. And where his wife, Anne, now rested too.

  Annie. His beautiful Annie.

  “Oh, Annie-girl, how am I going to do this without you?”

  He’d fought for her love and had to prove to her father he was worthy. He’d married later than a lot of men his age, but when the sweet and young Anne entered his life, she hooked him with the power of her love. He was ten years her senior and became smitten the first day he laid eyes on her, right here on this ranch.

  The ranch, known then as the Parker Ranch, was owned by Tom Parker, Sr., Annie’s father. The old man had given him a rough row to hoe that day—when he’d come looking for a job—but John had taken it and then some, because he figured he’d be lucky enough to sneak an occasional peek at the rancher’s daughter if he stayed.

  She was nineteen when they married. He was twenty-nine. Parker was born the next year. Callie took a little more time coming. He and the kids were her life, and she was theirs.

  Annie loved him with all her heart, although he didn’t know why. He could be a gruff, stubborn man, ignoring her for days on end while he tended to the ranch and the animals. Nothing he could help. It was their livelihood, and Annie understood that. She’d been content to see to the house and the children, home and hearth. And he’d never had to worry about her running around behind his back.

  Life was wonderful.

  Until she found the lump.

  Tears stung his eyes as John Rankin peered down at the ranch house he’d built for her on the family land. Annie’s grandparents had deeded them a portion of the ranch when they married. Later, when her folks passed, the rest of the Parker land came to them.

  That’s when they changed the name of the ranch to Rankin’s Rock Creek Ranch—sometimes referred to as the Triple R Ranch. And that’s when the ranch became his and he finally felt like he was at home and settled for the first time in his life.

  After a life of heartache growing up, and a couple of decades of working ranches from Wyoming to South Dakota, he’d finally settled down and had never been happier. A ranch of his own, a beautiful wife who loved him, and a son and a daughter he adored.

  How in the hell was he going to step one foot away from this grave, and another closer to the rest of his life? How was he going to go on without his Annie?

  He didn’t know.

  Chapter Two

  Three Months Later

  “I will not!”

  Ten-year-old Callie Rankin stood hands on hips in the center of the Rankin family kitchen and shouted to her father. John did a double take, staring at his daughter and wondering what in hell was wrong with the girl. She had never in her life raised her voice to him. Not like this, anyway.

  “Callie, you’re not wearing that make-up to school. Go do what I said, now, and take it off.”

  “No!”

  Dumbfounded, John shook his head again and took a step toward his daughter. He reached out to grasp her arm but realized how angry he was and stopped himself. Get a grip. She’s just a little girl and you are the adult here.

  He stepped away turning his back, then strode over to the sink and began rinsing dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. Where in the hell did she get make-up, anyway? He should probably be making eye contact with her but at this moment, he couldn’t.

  “Then you’re staying home from school today.”

  “Awesome.” Callie raced off for the sofa in the great room.

  Hell, that wasn’t the right response either.

  “If she doesn’t have to go, then you know I ain’t going either.”

  John shoved another glass into the dishwasher, glad it was plastic, and looked to his sixteen-year-old son, Parker. “You are going to school today and so is she. Get your stuff together because we’re heading to the bus stop in five minutes.”

&nbs
p; Parker rolled his eyes and retreated up the back stairwell. John heaved a sigh, hung his head a bit, and glanced into the great room. Callie sat there with her feet propped up on the coffee table, remote control in hand, scanning through channels. He dampened a paper towel under the faucet, squeezed out the excess water, and moved determinedly into the room. Taking the remote control out of her hand, he said, “Stand up.”

  “Hey!” She jumped to her feet. “Give me that.”

  John grasped her hand that was groping toward the remote control. “Callie, stop it right now.” He didn’t do anything but hold her arm, but she twisted and pulled so that he let her go, fearing she’d fracture a bone if he didn’t.

  And then where would they be.

  Callie burst back. “I hate you!”

  “No, you don’t, Callie.”

  “I do.”

  He expected her to run away but she didn’t. She stood right there in front of him, in defiance. He lowered his voice. “You don’t hate me, Callie. You’re just missing your mama.”

  Her face turned red and she started shaking. “Why do you think I wanted to wear Mommy’s make-up.”

  Ah, shit.

  She melted into tears. John caught her up in his arms and held her against him. “I love you, baby girl. It’s okay. I know this isn’t easy.”

  He was exhausted. This was not the first meltdown since Anne had died. Probably wouldn’t be the last. He’d be glad when school was out for fall break—at least they would avoid that morning fight for a week.

  “I…love you, Daddy.” She sobbed and John just held her.

  “I know.”

  Parker bounded down the stairs and into the great room. John investigated his son’s questioning face. “No one’s going to school today. We need a day off.”

  ****

  John paced ten feet one way and then the other, raking his fingers through his thinning hair. “I just don’t know what to do with her, Buck.”

  Buck McGinnis, his ranch foreman, chewed a piece of hay, one foot propped up on a bucket. “Kristin says Callie is having some trouble at school.”

  “Yes. And at home. I’m about at my wit’s end.”

  Buck and his daughter, Kristin, had lived on the ranch for a several years. They’d moved into the apartment over the bunkhouse after John asked Buck to oversee the work of the ranch hands and wranglers, freeing him up to focus on other aspects of the ranch. Buck soon became one of the best ranch foremen around and a trusted friend. Kristin was Callie’s age, which was nice for his daughter. John had been glad, especially lately, that the girls had each other, growing up around all the boys and men on the ranch.

  “What else does Kris say?”

  Buck shook his head. “Not much. Just that Callie’s still taking Anne’s passing hard.”

  Nothing John didn’t already know. “I thought I knew my girl but she sure is pulling a switch on me.”

  Buck stood. “She’s at that age, John. Kris pulls some drama queen acts on me from time to time. I think it’s those hormones.”

  John jerked his head up to look at Buck. “Hell no. The girls are too young.”

  Buck shook his head. “Naw. They’re not, John. Seriously. There is a lot going on with girls this age, or so I gather.”

  John stared at him. “How’d you get so smart?”

  He shrugged. “I just ask questions. When Kris’s mom left us, I got good at asking other women what to expect. Get their advice. I try to remember what they tell me.”

  John thought about that. “What do you think is going on with Callie?”

  Buck didn’t immediately answer. “John, I can’t say for sure. Maybe you need to talk to someone at the school. Maybe she needs some counseling. Someone to talk with about dealing with her mom not being here. Maybe some professional help.”

  That thought struck John in the heart like a dagger. No. No. “I don’t think so, Buck.”

  Buck exhaled. “Well then, maybe you need to go out and find you a woman to talk to. Maybe even more than talk. If you don’t know where to find one, just let me know.”

  John balked at that. “The last damn thing I need, Buck, is a woman.”

  Standing up straight, Buck hitched up his Wranglers. “I don’t know, John. What’s it been, a few months since Anne passed? I mean no disrespect, and I also know that’s not been an awfully long time, but maybe some occasional companionship with someone soft and willing would cure what ails you, too.”

  “Shit, Buck. I don’t have ails.”

  “The hell you don’t. And it’s okay if you need a temporary reprieve from the daily grind around here.”

  “We’re talking about Callie, not me.”

  “Could be one and the same.”

  Staring at his friend, John cocked his head to the side. “What are you saying?”

  “You’re still grieving, John. But it’s also okay to give yourself a time-out occasionally and get away from the ranch, and even your family. For your health and sanity. The kids have seen how hard this is on you, and you can’t keep up the pace you’ve set for yourself and raise your family too. I’m not saying you need to fall in love. I’m just saying that some adult time—whatever that turns out to be—couldn’t hurt occasionally.”

  Adult time. Hell. That was something he’d not had in a very long time. Not since before Annie got sick. He wasn’t sure he could do it. “Seems far-fetched to help Callie.”

  “You have to help yourself first, John, before you can help your girl. I can set you up with a date if you want. Just say the word.”

  “Not sure the kind of women you hang with will be much help with a little girl.”

  Buck chuckled and shrugged. “I’m not talking buckle bunnies or barflies—although if that’s what you’re in the market for, I can hook you up there too. You might be surprised that I know a few people who don’t hang around in saloons or at the rodeo.” He laughed, turning toward a stall. Reaching into his pocket for a quarter apple, he fed it the Palomino stalled there. “I actually do know a couple of women—one in particular—who might be interested in conversating with the rancher John Rankin.”

  “That’s what scares me most.”

  Laughing, Buck stroked the horse’s muzzle. “Nothing you can’t handle.” He stopped, catching John’s eye and staring. “But hell, John, you have to do something. If not for you, then for Callie. Just let me know and I’ll make the call. Her name’s Abby Cooper and she works at the library over in Livingston.”

  John raised a brow. “You know a librarian?”

  Buck pushed away from the stall, chuckling. “I do read.” Heading down the center aisle of the barn, he added, “Kris is a bookworm. Her library card has saved me a hell of a lot of money on books the past couple of years. Not ashamed to say I’ve checked out a few myself.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned.”

  Buck stopped and turned back. “I’m heading over there tomorrow. Let me test the waters and I’ll get back with you.”

  Shit. John nodded. “Fine.”

  Chapter Three

  A few weeks later, in the wee hours of the morning, John drove in silence toward the Triple R. Every mile took him farther away from Livingston, and with each passing mile marker, he ticked off all the reasons the last eight hours had been an extremely bad idea.

  On one hand, he’d known Buck was right—time away from the ranch and the kids was a probably a good idea. Why wouldn’t an occasional adult evening spent in the company of a smart, beautiful woman be okay? He was well past the age of having to answer to anyone for his actions. He was not married any longer, and Annie, God rest her soul, had even told him to find a woman after she passed. Not that he wanted any woman to move into his life and onto the ranch. He could never see that happening. But an evening out occasionally wasn’t a bad thing.

  Was it?

  What if it turned into more? That’s when things could turn sticky. Callie was a handful now, still missing her mama something awful. What would she do if another woman came
into the picture?

  And what about Parker? At sixteen, was his moodiness and random outbursts of anger normal, or was more working on him, too? What would his son think if there was a woman in his old man’s life?

  Not a good idea. Any woman he dated… Well, he’d have to be discreet and keep any knowledge of her to himself.

  He stared ahead through the windshield, watching the sun peek up over the horizon with water-color strokes of orange, pink, and yellow bursting from the brown-green earth.

  He’d left early. Told her—told this Abby Cooper—that he needed to get back to the ranch. And of course, he did. He hoped like hell he could sneak in before the kids were up. Since it was the weekend, he was counting on them sleeping in. Anyone else he could handle.

  Abby Cooper. He found it odd that he’d never seen her around. He knew many people in Livingston. Turned out she lived on the far side of town from where his ranch sat, thirty miles away. Of course, John didn’t frequent the library, so why would he have met her prior to last night?

  But good ol’ Buck—he’d set the whole “meet” up and volunteered to stay at the house with the kids so he could go out.

  Abby was pretty, bright, and divorced, with a thirteen-year-old son who was with his dad for the weekend. She seemed comfortable enough having a drink at the bar of an expensive restaurant in Bozeman Buck had suggested. She seemed even more comfortable later that evening as they shared a takeout pizza and beer in her living room—their boots kicked off and feet propped up on the coffee table, while watching a movie. When he’d made his move to say goodbye, she’d countered him with a soft, sweet kiss on his lips, and asked him to stay.

  So he did.

  His brain quieted for several minutes as he rolled on. By the time he pulled onto the dirt road at Rock Creek, he was ready to get on with the day. Then, like a bolt of lightning, Abby’s face burst into his mind’s eye. Quarreling emotions of guilt and pleasure rippled through his torso as he remembered her soft features, her open eyes gazing up at him. He’d not been with another woman since he’d met Anne, and they’d been together for nearly eighteen years. His need to bore deep into Abby and satisfy his physical urges, conflicted with the remorse hammering at his heart.