Page 6 of Her Second Chance Cowboy

Emma walked Jenna to the door, shaking her hand once more before watching her drive away. She stood on the porch for a long moment, her eyes fixed on the distant mountains.

She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be long days and hard work, frustrations and setbacks. But for the first time since she’d arrived at the ranch, Emma felt a sense of purpose, could see a clear path ahead of her. A difficult one, but one she knew she could walk.

She was going to do this. She was going to sell the ranch, to honor her father’s memory in the only way she knew how, by letting someone who could truly embrace this way of life carry it forward. And then she was going to return to her life in the city, to the career she’d worked so hard to build.

But even as she told herself that, a small, quiet voice in the back of her mind whispered that maybe, just maybe, there was another path. A path that led not away from the ranch, but deeper into it, into the heart of the life she’d left behind so long ago.

Emma shook her head, pushing the thought away. She had work to do, and dwelling on impossible dreams wouldn’t get it done any faster.

With a sigh, she turned and went back into the house, ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring.

Chapter Four

The sound oftires crunching on gravel pulled Emma’s attention from the stack of papers in front of her. She glanced out the window, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Cody’s familiar blue truck pulling up beside the house.

She pushed back from the kitchen table, smoothing her hair and straightening her shirt as she made her way to the front door. She told herself she was just being polite, that it had nothing to do with the way her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing him again.

Cody was already out of the truck by the time she stepped onto the porch, his boots kicking up dust as he made his way towards her. He had a coil of rope slung over one shoulder and a toolbox in his hand, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled up at her.

“Morning, Emma,” he called, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. “I thought I’d come by and see if you needed any help with the horses or the cattle today.”

Emma felt a rush of gratitude, mixed with something else she couldn’t quite name. “That’s really kind of you, Cody,” she said, stepping down to meet him. “I could definitely use a hand.”

Cody’s smile widened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes that gave Emma pause. “I saw a woman leaving as I was driving up,” he said casually, setting his toolbox down on the porch steps. “Everything okay?”

Emma hesitated, her stomach twisting with a sudden sense of unease. She knew she needed to tell Cody about her plans to sell the ranch, but something held her back. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, his eyes filled with a warmth that made her feel like she could tell him anything. Or maybe itwas the fear of seeing that warmth turn to anger, or worse, to disappointment.

“That was Jenna Lawson,” she said finally, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears. “She’s a real estate agent.”

Cody’s eyebrows shot up, his mouth tightening into a thin line. “A real estate agent?” he repeated, his voice carefully neutral. “What for?”

Emma took a deep breath, steeling herself for his reaction. “I’m selling the ranch, Cody,” she said softly, looking down at her hands. “I can’t keep it. It’s too much work, and I have a life back in the city, and I just...”

She trailed off, feeling a sudden rush of tears threatening to spill over. She blinked them back, forcing herself to meet Cody’s gaze.

To her surprise, there was no anger in his eyes, only a deep sadness that made her heart ache. “I understand,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion. “It’s a big decision, Emma. I know it can’t be easy for you.”

Emma shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “It’s not,” she admitted. “But it’s the only choice I have. The ranch needs so much work, Cody. I don’t even know where to start.”

Cody’s expression softened, his hand coming up to rest on her shoulder. “Show me,” he said gently. “Show me what needs to be done, and I’ll help you figure it out.”

Emma felt a rush of relief, mixed with a sudden, irrational surge of hope. She led Cody into the house, spreading the papers out on the kitchen table.

“Jenna gave me a list of repairs that need to be done before we can put the ranch on the market,” she said, tapping the top sheet. “It’s a lot, Cody. The roof needs to be replaced, and the plumbing and electrical systems are shot. And that’s justthe house. The barn needs work, and the fences are falling apart, and the pastures are overgrown...”

She trailed off, feeling overwhelmed all over again. Cody leaned over the table, his eyes scanning the list of repairs and the estimates Jenna had provided.

Suddenly, he let out a low whistle, his eyebrows drawing together in a frown. “These prices are way too high, Emma,” he said, his voice tight with anger. “You’re being taken advantage of.”

Emma felt a flicker of doubt, mixed with a sudden surge of defensiveness. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice sharper than she’d intended. “Jenna said these were standard rates for the work that needs to be done.”

Cody shook his head, his jaw clenching. “Standard rates, my foot,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I know people who can do this work for half the price, Emma. And I can help with a lot of it myself, if you’re willing to stick around for a while and pitch in.”

Emma stared at him, her mind reeling. The thought of staying at the ranch for longer than she’d planned made her stomach clench with anxiety. The longer she stayed, the greater the risk to her career back in the city. Other people might land the clients she’d been chasing, spearhead the campaigns she’d been building. But the idea of saving money on the repairs, of getting the work done faster and more efficiently, was tempting.

“I don’t know, Cody,” she said slowly, biting her lip. “I have a job back in the city, and I can’t just drop everything...”

Cody’s expression softened, his hand coming up like he wanted to cup her cheek before he let it drop again. “I know,” he said gently. “But think about it, Emma. This is your father’s legacy. Don’t you want to do right by him, to make sure the ranch is in good hands before you let it go?”

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