A Family for the Rancher by Louise M. Gouge

Author:Louise M. Gouge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Edmund took his time returning home. Since buying his ranch, he hadn’t spent much time out on the road by himself, so this was his chance to do some thinking without having to be busy with some chore, like cleaning his guns or oiling harnesses. Besides, he liked to linger beneath the stars and enjoy the moonlight over the Texas prairie. It reminded him of his days alone after he’d left his cousin’s home when he spent many a night sleeping outside, those stars his only companions.

Because “home” had never been a happy or even a safe place for him, he’d learned long ago to treasure his solitary life. Not only was it all he’d ever known, but it was pointless for a man to grieve for what he never could have. Even during his years with Old Gad, they’d respected each other’s times of solitude. Trouble was, after hanging around Lula May and her children, Edmund felt an odd hankering for a loving family of his own. Putting those sleepy young’uns to bed, seeing their absolute trust in their ma...in him...had melted some of the self-protective shell he’d built around his heart since before he could remember. They made him want to be a better man. A family man. It was getting harder to shove away those feelings.

Speaking of protection, after today, he was even more certain the Lord wanted him to keep watch over the Barlows. Something wasn’t quite right about Floyd Jones. Something peculiar was going on at the horse ranch. Edmund just wasn’t sure how he could dig out the truth, especially since Lula May insisted that everything was “just fine.” Stubborn woman. No matter. She could reject his attempts to help her all she wanted to. He would keep checking up on her for her own good. A man had to obey the Lord, not some bossy female.

Good thing Jacob had the idea to continue the Young Ranchers’ Club. That would make it easy to visit Lula May every day, assuming she’d want to continue feeding him in gratitude for his spending time with her son. While none of the other parents felt the same obligation, nor did they need to, her insistence on repaying him would make it easier for him to obey the Lord.

Edmund chuckled, and Zephyr perked up his ears. Edmund leaned down and patted his neck. “Yep, old boy. I’m going to enjoy some of that nice cooking again. Don’t worry. I’ll try not to eat too much. Wouldn’t want to get too heavy for you.”

Zephyr snorted and pranced along the dusty roadway, probably trying to prove himself stronger than Edmund gave him credit for.

But just how strong was Edmund? Would he be able to protect Lula May and her young’uns without letting go of his solitude? His privacy? And most of all, his heart?

* * *

In spite of her older sons’ grand, heart-melting gesture, in spite of being bone weary, Lula May lay awake for some time pondering her long day and trying to sort things out.

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