CHAPTER 33
Travis sat down, draping an arm around his wife. Elaine snuggled into him and covered a yawn. “Tired?”
She smiled, eyes aglow. “We can sleep in tomorrow.”
Kissing her head, he glanced around the table filled with the last of their friends. At the far end of the table, Colton sat playing tic-tac-toe with Dax. They locked eyes over the boy’s head. He was a man now. Filled out and broad. It shouldn’t shake him, but it did. The last time they’d seen each other, Colton had been four inches shorter and half a man slimmer. There was a hard edge to him now, too. To the uneducated eye, he looked relaxed next to Dax. But Travis could sense the tension in him, coiled and ready to spring. He’d own his share in that, as soon as they could manage a little one-on-one. They’d hardly shared two words in the chaos. But the fact Colton was here, meant everything. They’d sort out their differences. He’d make sure of it.
Elaine squeezed his hand as if reading his thoughts. “It’s enough that he’s here. Save your talk for tomorrow.”
His throat squeezed tight, stealing his words. She was right. Colton had come home, and that was what mattered.
Weston leaned in, swirling a glass of bourbon. “Have you given anymore thought to Resolution Ranch?”
Brodie perked up. “What’s this?”
“Nothing.” Travis waved him off. “Just a harebrained idea of Weston’s to get the ranch running again and turn it into a place to help veterans land on their feet.” Right now, he wanted to celebrate with Elaine. Everything else could wait.
“Using animal husbandry, like what Hope does, and working with a counselor I know,” answered Weston.
Hope leaned in. “You know, I’ve been thinking along those same lines. Using what I’ve been teaching you with others. Would you be interested in collaborating?”
“Heck yes,” Weston said enthusiastically.
“Not so fast, Tex.” Travis turned to Hope. “There are a lot of logistics to overcome. We don’t have space yet, so we’d have to spend time building a complex of bunkhouses, not to mention acquiring livestock, and figuring out an income stream or three to keep the ranch in the black.”
“Maybe you could start a non-profit?” suggested Hope’s husband, Ben. He was usually pretty quiet, but rumor had it he was the reason Sinclaire & Sons ranch did so well.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” considered Weston, eyes lighting.
Travis shook his head. This was spinning out of control, just like running for sheriff. “We still need more capital than my nest egg will afford.”
Emma Sinclaire’s head popped up. “I’d be happy to volunteer my time working on your PR and helping connect you with sponsors. I could even organize a big fundraiser.”
Brodie Sinclaire chimed in. “Take her up on that, Kincaid. Emma works for one of the biggest marketing and PR agencies in Kansas City.”
“I know I’ll get razzed to death for even thinking of helping a Navy boy,” added Cassie. “But you should talk to Sterling Walker. Sterling was good at everything in high school, and his parents mentioned the other day he might be coming home. I’m sure he’d be an asset to the ranch. And I’ll vouch for Dr. Munger. He’s been very helpful to me too.”
It was a nice idea, Resolution Ranch. But he couldn’t see it getting off the ground without a significant influx of capital. Together, he and Elaine could handle a small operation if they hired seasonal help from town. Anything bigger would have to wait.
“I’d be willing to invest a portion of my earnings,” Colton offered quietly.
Travis’s stomach dropped as he locked gazes with his brother. “No way. I can’t let you do that.” All eyes swung from Colton to him, then back to Colton. He coughed, trying to clear away the shock that stopped up his voice. “I appreciate the offer. But you only just got home. I don’t even know how long you’re staying.”
“Silent partner only. I’m not ready to settle down yet,” Colton countered firmly, mouth thinning into a determined line.
Travis recognized the set of his brother’s mouth. The ‘once Colton decides on something don’t even think about stopping him’ expression. Some things never changed. But if Colton was serious… maybe the ranch could become a reality.
Elaine squeezed his hand again, and placed a kiss on his jaw. “You know I can help with managing the books, among other things.”
Anticipation thrummed through his veins as he surveyed the excited faces around the table. The kind of energy he’d only ever felt before big missions. “Are you sure?” He turned to his wife, amazed at her enthusiasm. “It would be asking a lot. Seven days a week. Fourteen-hour days. No time off. Always something that needs fixing.”
“I already work like that now. I’d much rather do it with you.”
His heart swelled to bursting as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. His strong, beautiful wife. He’d never tire of calling her that.
Elaine gestured down the table. “And we wouldn’t be alone. We’d have a family with us.”
The nodding faces of the Sinclaires, Hansens, and Graces overwhelmed him. She was right. Together they could bring Resolution Ranch to life. Together they could overcome any obstacle.
Weston lifted his glass. “To Elaine and Travis, may your love infuse this ranch with new life, and bring second chances to those who need it most.”
Travis bent to take her upturned mouth. “I’ll seal that deal with a kiss.”
THE BEGINNING OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER
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Want more?
A HERO’S HAVEN – Cash Aiken & Kaycee Starr (Coming 2018)
A HERO’S HOME – Jason Case & Millie Prescott (Coming 2018)
A HERO’S HOPE – Braden McCall & Luci Cruz (Coming 2018)
The town superstar has just met his match
When retired Army Captain and Prairie’s favorite son, Sterling Walker, returns home to join Restoration Ranch, he finds himself face to face with his biggest rival – Emma Sinclaire, the sole daughter of Prairie’s oldest family – all grown up, gorgeous, and glaring daggers at him.
Will it be winner take all in this battle of hearts?
A rising star at Kansas City’s internationally acclaimed Royal Fountain Media, Emma agrees to personally oversee the marketing and fundraising campaign for Resolution Ranch. But she never expected to come face to face with her high school nemesis, Sterling Walker, let alone have to work closely with him. As they face off across the boardroom, she can’t deny her attraction to the smart, sexy, soldier who engages her in battle at every turn.
When a moment of carelessness threatens to shut down the fundraiser before it starts, Sterling will put everything on the line to protect Emma’s reputation. Will it be enough to win Emma’s heart for good? Or will the fallout be the ruin of Resolution Ranch?
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: THE COWBOYS OF THE FLINT HILLS SERIES
PRAIRIE DEVIL – Colton Kincaid & Lydia Grace (coming in 2018)
PRAIRIE FEVER – Gunnar Hansen & Suzannah Winslow (coming in 2018)
PRAIRIE BLISS – Jarrod O’Neill & Lexi Grace
PRAIRIE REDEMPTION – Cody Hansen & Carolina Grace
COMING IN APRIL 2018 – PRAIRIE DEVIL
He’s the Devil she shouldn’t want
Colton Kincaid has a chip on his shoulder. Thrown out of the house when he was seventeen by his brother, Travis, he scrapped his way to the top of the rodeo circuit riding broncs, and never looked back. Until a chance encounter with hometown good girl Lydia Grace leaves him questioning everything and wanting a shot at redemption.
She’s the Angel he can never have
All Lydia Grace needs is one break. After having her concepts stolen by a famous shoe designer, she returns home to Prairie to start a boot company on her own. But when her break comes in the form of Colton Kincaid, Prairie’s homegrown bad boy and rodeo star, she wonders if she’s gotten more than she’s bargained for.
They say be careful what you wish for
To get her boot company off the ground, Lydia makes Colton an offer too good to refuse, but he ups the ante. Will the bargain she strikes bring her everything she’s dreamed of and more, or did she just make a deal with the devil?
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