Pregnant with the Rancher's Baby: Reclaimed by the Rancher

Author:Kathie DeNosky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

Seven

When Jaron dropped by the following afternoon, Nate took him to see the new herd of Black Angus cattle he and his men had moved to the south pasture a couple of weeks ago. “I’ll be adding a herd of working horses after the first of the year.” Nate propped his forearms on the gate as they watched the stock graze on the thick Bermuda grass.

“You’ll need them,” Jaron said, nodding. “When we were helping you stretch new fence last spring, I noticed you have a couple of places on the eastern side of the ranch that are so grown up with scrub and downed trees they’re only accessible on horseback.”

“Yeah, over the years storms have taken down a lot of trees and the previous owner wasn’t all that interested in cleaning them up,” Nate explained. “I’ve got clearing those areas on the to-do list for next spring and summer.” He shrugged. “That’s if there’s enough time to get to them between cutting and putting up hay in the barn for next winter and everything else that we’ll have to do.”

“You know who to call if you need some extra hands to get it all done,” Jaron stated. It didn’t surprise Nate that Jaron had volunteered himself and the rest of their brothers to help out. All any of them had to do was pick up the phone and they would be there in a heartbeat to lend a hand.

“What about rodeo?” Nate asked. “The summer schedule is the busiest time on the circuit. How are you going to juggle competing and helping me get all this stuff done?”

“I’m going to cut way back on the number of events I enter this next year—if I compete at all.” Shrugging one shoulder, Jaron gave a half smile. “The competition is getting younger, the bulls are meaner and I’m looking at getting out before I get hurt too bad to enjoy my retirement.”

Nate knew what his brother meant. He was thirty-three and Jaron was thirty-four. Once a rough stock rider turned thirty, the clock started to tick. Between the inevitable injuries, and the wear and tear of competition taking a toll on a rider’s body, he had five or so years left that he would be healthy enough to compete at the world-championship level. As with any other highly physical professional sport there were exceptions to the rule. But not all that many.

“I’ve been giving it some serious thought the past week or so myself and I’m thinking about hanging up my chaps and spurs after the finals this year,” Nate said, staring out across the pasture. “I figure I’d rather go out a winner than a has-been.”

Jaron nodded. “That’s what I’ve been thinking. I’ll bet Jessie’s happy about your decision. I know she was pretty upset when you got roughed up in Amarillo.”

“I haven’t told her yet,” Nate said, shaking his head. “But I don’t think she’ll be sorry to hear it.” They were silent for a time before Nate admitted, “Finding out that I’m going to be a daddy has been a game changer for me.

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