Read Online Finally Home by Dawn Michele Werner - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Dawn Michele Werner
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us yesterday ‘bout how you and he owns the ranch together now ‘cause of the will,” Amos noticed another cowpoke approaching on horseback. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I hafta go now. Luke’s needin’ some help with checkin’ the fence lines. See ya around.”
Amanda was still puzzled after Amos left. Puzzled as to why Noah would gather together all of the ranch hands and announce her as a new owner. That was pretty considerate of him, she thought. But as usual, it was also confusing. Around her, Noah didn’t seem very accepting of her new role at the ranch. So, why would he make a public announcement of his new partnership with her? If she could only understand him! Sighing, she kicked a rock with her shoe, rubbing her hands over the sleeves of her sweater.
She was so deep in thought about Noah, she didn’t notice Mr. Ellinger walking toward her. “Miss Brookfield, you are making a foolish decision.”
Caught off guard, Amanda stammered. “W-What do you want? Where’s N-Noah?”
“ Probably wishing he never knew you,” Mr. Ellinger hissed. “You are ruining everything for him. Not to mention, for me!”
She regained her composure, tilting her chin upward. “How dare you speak to me this way. You should leave right now.”
“ Ha, do you think you can dismiss me that easily? I get what I want, Miss Brookfield.”
“ That’s the same thing you said to your...um, financial advisor. I heard you that day in Randall’s General Store. You said you would do whatever it takes to have the ranch.”
“ You are a very nosy girl,” his beady eyes narrowed, his lips forming into a tight line.
“ No, a lucky girl … to be given this ranch. So be assured that you will never get it, Mr. Ellinger.”
Pivoting on the heel of his snakeskin boot, Mr. Ellinger turned away from Amanda, his trench coat swirling around his angular form.
She shivered and watched him go, hoping she would never see his face again.
********
Amanda’s sheets were twisted around her legs when she abruptly woke from a very light sleep. Untangling the plaid covers, she sat up in bed. Something wasn’t right. She had been thrashing and turning since she crawled into bed. Rubbing her eyes, she patted a hand on her tangled hair and moved from the bedroom into the hall. Her eyes began to adjust to the dark, as she entered the kitchen and went to the cabinet for a glass. The cool water from the faucet soothed her dry mouth, refreshing her senses. But as she placed the empty glass in the sink, she stared out the kitchen window in panic.
Her eyes widened at the sight of smoke and flames coming from the valley below her. Coming from Moonlight Ranch. Urgently, she dashed to her room to grab a housecoat and some shoes, not caring if the shoes matched.
Running through the night, down the grassy hill that led to the ranch, Amanda tried to see where the fire was located. Her worried eyes scanned the bushy oak trees and buildings, spying drifting smoke in the distance. When she reached the main house, she was relieved to find it still standing and not crumbling from lapping flames. Realizing the source of the fire must be somewhere beyond the house, she turned to continue her frantic search but bumped into a hard body.
“ Go back to your house, the fires out.”
She tilted her head upward, her heart beating madly. “What h-happened Noah? I w-woke up and saw fire...”
A large cowboy hat threw shadows over his eyes, but Amanda knew they were an angry hazel. Noah wiped his perspiring brow and sighed roughly. “The barn, by the north fence...burned to the ground.”
“ How?” she squeaked, feeling vulnerable and tired. Lack of sleep was catching up to her.
Noah moved from her, stepping onto the front porch of the house, his pace slow from exhaustion. “I don’t know,” his dirt stained hands began to unbutton his shirt.
Feeling a chill, Amanda joined him on the porch. “It just caught on fire? There has to be an explana--” she
Amanda was still puzzled after Amos left. Puzzled as to why Noah would gather together all of the ranch hands and announce her as a new owner. That was pretty considerate of him, she thought. But as usual, it was also confusing. Around her, Noah didn’t seem very accepting of her new role at the ranch. So, why would he make a public announcement of his new partnership with her? If she could only understand him! Sighing, she kicked a rock with her shoe, rubbing her hands over the sleeves of her sweater.
She was so deep in thought about Noah, she didn’t notice Mr. Ellinger walking toward her. “Miss Brookfield, you are making a foolish decision.”
Caught off guard, Amanda stammered. “W-What do you want? Where’s N-Noah?”
“ Probably wishing he never knew you,” Mr. Ellinger hissed. “You are ruining everything for him. Not to mention, for me!”
She regained her composure, tilting her chin upward. “How dare you speak to me this way. You should leave right now.”
“ Ha, do you think you can dismiss me that easily? I get what I want, Miss Brookfield.”
“ That’s the same thing you said to your...um, financial advisor. I heard you that day in Randall’s General Store. You said you would do whatever it takes to have the ranch.”
“ You are a very nosy girl,” his beady eyes narrowed, his lips forming into a tight line.
“ No, a lucky girl … to be given this ranch. So be assured that you will never get it, Mr. Ellinger.”
Pivoting on the heel of his snakeskin boot, Mr. Ellinger turned away from Amanda, his trench coat swirling around his angular form.
She shivered and watched him go, hoping she would never see his face again.
********
Amanda’s sheets were twisted around her legs when she abruptly woke from a very light sleep. Untangling the plaid covers, she sat up in bed. Something wasn’t right. She had been thrashing and turning since she crawled into bed. Rubbing her eyes, she patted a hand on her tangled hair and moved from the bedroom into the hall. Her eyes began to adjust to the dark, as she entered the kitchen and went to the cabinet for a glass. The cool water from the faucet soothed her dry mouth, refreshing her senses. But as she placed the empty glass in the sink, she stared out the kitchen window in panic.
Her eyes widened at the sight of smoke and flames coming from the valley below her. Coming from Moonlight Ranch. Urgently, she dashed to her room to grab a housecoat and some shoes, not caring if the shoes matched.
Running through the night, down the grassy hill that led to the ranch, Amanda tried to see where the fire was located. Her worried eyes scanned the bushy oak trees and buildings, spying drifting smoke in the distance. When she reached the main house, she was relieved to find it still standing and not crumbling from lapping flames. Realizing the source of the fire must be somewhere beyond the house, she turned to continue her frantic search but bumped into a hard body.
“ Go back to your house, the fires out.”
She tilted her head upward, her heart beating madly. “What h-happened Noah? I w-woke up and saw fire...”
A large cowboy hat threw shadows over his eyes, but Amanda knew they were an angry hazel. Noah wiped his perspiring brow and sighed roughly. “The barn, by the north fence...burned to the ground.”
“ How?” she squeaked, feeling vulnerable and tired. Lack of sleep was catching up to her.
Noah moved from her, stepping onto the front porch of the house, his pace slow from exhaustion. “I don’t know,” his dirt stained hands began to unbutton his shirt.
Feeling a chill, Amanda joined him on the porch. “It just caught on fire? There has to be an explana--” she
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