A Family for the Rancher by M. K. Stelmack

Author:M. K. Stelmack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-11-07T14:21:38+00:00

* * *

HALEY PLUNKED A plate of scrambled eggs in front of her dad. “Breakfast is served.”

Her dad eyed the yellow mass that was crispy in parts. “You couldn’t have negotiated a better deal with Mateo? A half dozen calves in return for breakfast?”

“You don’t like it, cook it yourself.” Haley was bluffing. They both knew that the only thing worse than her cooking was her dad’s.

“I don’t know why things had to change at all,” her dad grumbled, as he had every morning since the new deal had gone into effect nearly two weeks ago.

“That would be a question for Mateo,” she said, taking a seat before her own clump of eggs. She picked up her fork and sawed away.

“Since the therapist won’t allow me anywhere where the ground isn’t like a golfing green, I can’t go to him. And since he’s not coming here anymore, I guess it’s a question for you.”

“And I told you I don’t have the answer. Can we move on?”

Her dad usually did take the hint, but not today. “I don’t know why you still hold a grudge against him.”

“I don’t. He wants more out of the partnership than I’m willing to give. That’s it.”

“What’s wrong with him? He’s a far sight better than that ex of yours.”

“He is.” She took in a mouthful of rubbery eggs.

“And he’s good with Jonah. You don’t often get men happy to raise another man’s kid.”

Haley wasn’t in the mood to contest her father’s old-fashioned views.

“Where’s the little guy, anyway?”

“Sleeping in, after being up half the night complaining about his teeth.”

Her dad grunted. “I can relate.” He moved his eggs around and finally pushed away his entire plate. He really was put out if he was turning away good food. Well, food. “You should mend fences. It’s not too late.”

“Dad, you’re the one holding a grudge against me. You blame me because you want your cook back.”

Her dad’s bright blue eyes flashed like summer lightning. “What I want is your mother back, alive and well and cooking breakfast for all of us.”

Haley stared. In the ten years since their mother had passed, it had been taboo for Haley and Grace to talk about her in front of their dad. Such a look of pain and regret would cross his face when they did that they’d learned to exchange memories out of his earshot. She wasn’t the only one who couldn’t let go of the past, but out of respect, she kept her thoughts to herself.

“Since she’s not,” he went on, “I only wish for you and Grace to get yourselves set up with your own families.”

Another old-fashioned view, this one borne of love and worry. “I get it, Dad. Just... Now’s not the right time. Maybe later.”

“Don’t put me off like I’m a kid asking for candy. You don’t put off something good for later. Because good things are snatched up. And that boy is a good thing.”

“Dad, you liked Trevor, too, no matter what you say about him now.

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