Page 14 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

“Stick your hand up an animal’s back side this week?” Danny asked Rick.

“How many smelly feet have you had to wrap this week?” Rick shot back.

The two of them fought like the proverbial cats and dogs but actually got along pretty well. Instead of letting them get into a groove of bantering, my dad cleared his throat.

A chill of anticipation ran through me.

Was this it? Was Dad going to retire and let me take over the ranch?

My heartbeat sped up.

I’d imagined this moment a hundred times in the past few years.

Dad put his arm around Kathline, and his smile was bigger than I’d seen since my mom had passed away five years ago.

I sat up straighter.

“Kids, as you know, I’m getting older.”

“You’re ancient, Grandpa,” Xavier said.

Dad glared at him for a moment before laughing. “It’s true.” Then he turned his gaze on me. “Brooke, you’ve worked harder than anyone else on this ranch, and I’m grateful to you.”

My insides warmed.

His attention slipped to each of my brothers. “The rest of you have been patient with me as I’ve tried to decide what to do now that I’m all grown up.”

That got a laugh from everyone.

Dad, once again, smiled at Kathline. “We’ve decided we want to travel the world.”

She beamed, her blue eyes bright and her dark red hair in a ponytail.

This is it.

I tried to straighten again but found I hadn’t slouched.

Dad’s attention returned to me. “Kids, I’m retiring from the ranch.”

A big old yee-haw sounded in my head, but I managed to smile and nod.

My plans unpacked in my mind, and I could see where the ranch would be in five years. Then ten. It would be different but built on the same principles my dad had taught me.

“So, with my retirement, I’m announcing the sale of the ranch.”

I would bring on more horses. Maybe some racing studs so we could breed here. Then I’d…

Wait, had Dad said something about selling the ranch?

My dad’s lips continued to move, but the sound became muffled like I was under a mound of blankets. My brothers nodded. The kids looked sad.

What were they sad about?

I forced my eyes to my dad and watched his face until my brain began processing his words.

“This has been a long time coming, and I’m happy to say the sale will set us up for the rest of our lives.” He paused and grinned. “It will also provide a hefty inheritance for y’all.”

Inheritance?

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