Read Online The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler - Free Book Online Page A

took a deep breath. “I’ll go with you if you’re looking to increase your herd, but I’m going to wait a while.” He resisted the urge to say, “Like I told you before.” He knew his parents had his best interests at heart with their offers of vacation and their urgings to buy cattle. But they didn’t understand.
    “You know, son, when they discovered natural gas on our place down south, I thought we were the luckiest people in the world. You and I agreed that we could finally live our dream of moving up here and having adjoining cattle ranches.”
    Jeremy had heard it all before and knew exactly where his dad was going with this, but he just stared out at the rolling hills of his land. The new green grass was undisturbed for as far as he could see.
    “In order to be a cattle ranch, it has to have cows.” His dad’s chuckle was forced. “A year ago, you were ready to fill this land with livestock. It’s time to make that dream a reality.”
    “Ten months ago, everything changed. I told you and Mom then that I didn’t want to be tied to a working ranch, that I was going to wait until I found Beka before I went ahead with my business plan. You know that financially I can afford to do that.”
    His dad looked down at the ground and scuffed at a rock with his boot. “We’re not talking about finances, son. We’re talking about you having a life.”
    “I have a life.” Finding Beka. And putting one foot in front of the other until that day came.
    “We just thought you might...”
    “Give up?” Jeremy could hear the anger in his voice and he tried hard to rein it in. “Is that what you want me to do?”
    His dad’s tan face paled to a sickly gray. “Everything changed for us, too, when Lindsey took Beka,” he said. “And we would never give up on bringing that sweet baby home. You know that.”
    “I know. We will find her,” Jeremy whispered, the lump in his throat not permitting anything louder.
    His dad put his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder and squeezed. “I believe that. I just hate to see you in limbo until that day.”
    “No more than I hate to be here. But in the meantime, I’ll help you. And I’ll help the McCords. And I’ll keep looking for Beka every chance I get.”
    His dad nodded. “I’ll let you get back to what you were doing, then.” He turned to walk to his truck, suddenly looking older than Jeremy had ever seen him.
    Jeremy squeezed the keys in his hand. “Holler if you want me to go with you to the sale barn.”
    “We’ll save that for another time.” His dad climbed in his truck and left as quickly as he’d come.
    Jeremy stood for a minute and watched him drive away. In spite of his attacks of doubt, he did believe what he’d told his dad. They would find Beka. And when they did, he’d fill this ranch with cattle. But until that day, he would avoid complications and stay focused.
    Crystal McCord’s face immediately popped into his brain and he chuckled, the tightness in his chest loosening a little. How would she feel to know that the word complications brought her to mind?
    ***
    “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Crystal barely stopped short of stomping her pointy-toe high-heel boots on the wooden floor of the barn office. “Hello? I was raised on this ranch. Do you really think I need a babysitter?”
    Aaron smiled and shook his head. “C’mon, sis. You know better than that. But Jeremy needs to stay busy right now. And helping you get your ranch legs is the best way I could figure out to make that happen. I told him to stick close to you for a week and then he’ll let you manage things on your own, if you want.”
    She frowned. “You’re not trying to play matchmaker, are you? I know how newlyweds are, but Aaron, I assure you, I couldn’t be less interested in a relationship right now.”
    He raised an eyebrow and fiddled with a notebook on his desk. “So you and Brad are over? I figured, but you never really said.”
    She gave him a terse nod.