Page 77 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Then what do you suggest I do? I love her so much, Leah. I only want her safe.”

She turned a humbled glance toward Sadie. “Call her bluff. Walk away. I think once she sees you’re done with these useless demands, she’ll sing a different tune.”

But Sadie knew that was a risk. Dorothy had a pattern of doing the opposite of what one would think she’d do. “What’s the alternative?”

Leah rubbed a kink out of her shoulder. “You could always get married and see if Dorothy’s a woman of her word.”

Sadie gasped. “That seems extra.”

Patting Sadie’s shoulder, Leah stood, picking up her leather satchel. “If you get married in the next few weeks, let me know.” She winked. “And if you want me to get you on the adoption registry, I’d be glad to help. There are many kids who need a loving home like yours.”

Sadie sat alone on the bench, recovering from the new stipulation. Dorothy couldn’t possibly be thinking clearly. As much as Sadie wanted to disregard her cousin’s insane expectation, Sadie also remembered what Ruby meant to her, and what the child was exposed to living with her mother.

Sadie knew in her heart she’d be willing to do anything, marry anyone…

Her cell phone buzzed, and she read the screen. Channing had sent her a message.

“Are we seeing each other tonight?”

She started to put away her phone when a thought came to her, then she tapped into the keyboard…“Are you at the ranch? I have a friend who loves horses. Can we drop by?”

A minute later, he answered,“Sure.”

Sadie didn’t have time to think over her actions, but at that moment she had an idea.

*

Channing was almost asleep in the hammock hung from the branches of an old shade tree, his hat pulled low over his eyes, when he heard tirescrunchon the gravel. He pushed up the rim of the Stetson and slitted one eye. Sadie. He’d been taken by surprise when she asked if she could stop by the ranch with a friend.

Slowly standing, he stretched his arms high above his head and watched her slide out of the driver’s side. She looked good enough to eat. The low neckline of the tank showed off the tops of her breasts that jiggled with each step. He felt a stirring behind his zipper that disappeared the instant he saw her company. A pint-sized girl with pigtails and a smile that revealed missing teeth.

“Hey there, Channing,” Sadie said as she approached.

The girl stopped short when she saw him, and her smile faded some. He didn’t know a lot of kids, but most liked him.

“So, who do we have here?” He adjusted his hat higher on his forehead.

“This is my friend, Ruby, who loves horses.”

The old Blue Heelers jumped up from their resting spots in the grass and sauntered their way to the girl. Her smile quickly returned.

“Hello, Ruby.” Channing hadn’t seen the dogs this energetic in over a year.

She shyly looked up at him and continued petting both dogs, one for each hand. “I like your dogs.”

“It appears Jimmy Shu and Jinx like you too.”

“Ruby, this is my friend, Channing. He owns many horses,” Sadie said.

“Are you a cowboy?” Ruby’s voice was so soft he had to strain to hear it.

“Most days.”

“I like your hat.” Ruby stood and wiped her hands on her jeans. That’s when he saw the prominent scar on her cheek, but he made sure he didn’t stare. “Can I ride a horse?”

“Well, we have one rule ‘round here. If you are going to get on the back of one of the horses, you must be first inducted into the cowboys of the round table.” The little girl just stared. He slipped off his hat and dropped it on her tiny head, but the pigtails kept it from slipping over her face. “Looks like my hat’s a bit too big, but it’ll do for a moment.”

“How do I get to be at the table?” Her eyes were wide and twinkling. Her mouth was thin.

---