The Rancher's Family Secret by Myra Johnson

Author:Myra Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-10-09T15:05:22+00:00

* * *

Spencer was right—Lindsey had focused so closely on the day-to-day details that she hadn’t looked too hard into the future. Much as she loved the ranch, staying on permanently had never been her intention. Not to mention that doing so would be totally unrealistic. She was a finance professional, not a rancher. And definitely not an experienced event coordinator.

She looked up at Spencer and sighed. “I need a better plan.”

The front door opened, and her mother joined them. “How’d the meeting go?”

“They’re interested,” Lindsey said, pushing tiredly to her feet. “Now I have to figure out how to coordinate a spectacular June wedding when I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“June? That’s months away.” Mom waved her hand. “You’ve got this, Linds. Besides, you told me you’d already talked with Holly and Joella about your event venue ideas. They’ll give you all the advice you need.”

“What I need is for them to move to Gabriel Bend ASAP so I can hire them to take over and run the show.” She winced at how whiny she sounded.

Spencer’s frown said he’d heard it, too. He shuffled backward. “I should get going. Y’all have a lot to work out.” He turned to go, then paused and looked straight into Lindsey’s eyes. “Whatever happens, whatever you need, I’ll be here.”

His reassurance pierced her heart. Before she could find the words to thank him, he was halfway across the field.

“I’ve always liked him,” Mom said, then added under her breath, “despite his grandfather.” Brightening, she reached for Lindsey’s hand. “Come on inside, honey. Audra’s antiques expert called back a few minutes ago.”

All other thoughts vanishing, Lindsey followed her mother to the kitchen, where Audra stirred a pot of soup on the stove. “What did he say?” Lindsey blurted. “Is it good news?”

“Let’s put it this way.” Audra cast an enigmatic smile over her shoulder. “It’s not exactly disappointing.” She stated the figure she’d been quoted.

Lindsey staggered to the nearest chair. “That—that’s nearly half of your back taxes.”

“And he’s only talking about the book that’s in the best condition. The others have value, too, although not nearly as much.” Taking a stack of soup bowls from the cupboard, Audra went on, “Alan knows someone who may be interested in buying the books, but he won’t be able to reach him until after the holidays.”

Mom hugged Lindsey. “See, honey? Have faith. Things are looking up.”

Thoughts spinning, Lindsey pulled herself together enough to help get lunch on the table. This close to Christmas, she wouldn’t make much headway with the county tax office. After the first of the year, though—and if Audra’s antiques friend came through for them—maybe Lindsey could convince the county to accept a big enough partial payment to forestall the tax sale proceedings and grant them a little more time to pay off the balance.

Time to turn the ranch into a moneymaking event venue. Time to hire the right people to keep it running.

Time to figure out where her life was headed.

Have faith? If only it were as easy as Mom and Audra and Spencer implied.

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