The Ranger's Rodeo Rebel (17 page)
Read The Ranger's Rodeo Rebel Online
Authors: Pamela Britton
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by Amanda Renee
Chapter One
“I want to go home.”
Lucy Travisonno tightened her grip on Carina's little hand as they stepped out of her cousin Nicolino's truck into the mid-afternoon Texas sun. Dust from the dirt drive churned behind them. Her eight-and-a-half-year-old daughter's words echoed her own thoughts. The town of Ramblewood had been a reprieve from her overly strict Italian family since she was fourteen. And while she might have dreamed of visiting the Bridle Dance Ranch again one day, she'd never imagined returning out of desperation.
Ella, Nicolino's wife, waved to them from the front porch of their sun-shower yellow Queen Anne farmhouse. Five children barreled down the steps toward them, causing Carina to tuck herself behind Lucy. Even though the children were Texas born, each of them greeted Lucy and Carina in Italian while shaking their hands.
“It's wonderful to see you. I can't believe it's been ten years.” Ella's melodious Southern drawl and welcoming embrace warmly enveloped Lucy. “Let me get a good look at you.” Ella withdrew, holding her at arm's length. “Still as pretty as ever. How are you holding up, honey?”
“We're surviving.” Lucy guardedly observed her daughter's reactions to her new second cousins and then lowered her voice. “Carina's having trouble accepting all of this and I feel like I'm failing as a parent.”
“My heart aches for the both of you.” Ella smothered her with another hug. “I can't even imagine what you've been through, but you're with family now and we'll take good care of you.”
“Thank you.” Ella's compassion intensified the pressure welling in Lucy's chest. Her divorce from Antonio had been difficult enough for their daughter to accept, but his death had left Carina inconsolable. “That means the world to me. I don't know if she'll ever get past losing her father.”
“She will in time. Moving from Italy to Texas is a big adjustment. And just so you know, we only told the children about Antonio's death.” Ella squeezed her hand. “We didn't feel the rest was theirs or anyone else's concern.”
The past few months had been a nightmare for Lucy, but they'd been hardest for Carina. Antonio had been so deep in debt at the time of his death that everything they'd owned had been seized shortly afterwardâincluding their daughter's beloved horses. Lucy hoped Carina would begin to heal now that they'd moved away from the constant reminders of what they'd lost.
“I appreciate Nicolino giving me this job opportunity and your aunt Kay's generosity in renting us one of the cottages until we're back on our feet. I was a bit of a troublemaker when I used to visit. I'm surprised she's allowing me to stay on the ranch.”
“You were a cakewalk compared to her boys. Believe meâwe're all happy you're here. Would you like to come in and have some sweet tea or a cup of coffee?”
Lucy glanced at her daughter, who couldn't have looked more miserable if she tried. “Would you mind if we passed? I feel grungy. We've been traveling for over twenty-four hours and I'm anxious to show Carina our new home.”
“Of course.” Ella smiled down at the little girl. “She's the spitting image of you. Give me one second and I'll get you the keys to the cottage.”
Lucy brushed the hair from Carina's face. “How are you doing,
mia gattina
?”
She'd affectionately called her daughter
my kitten
since the day she was born. Three months premature, Carina had never cried loudly as a baby. It was always more of a mew.
“I can't understand them,” Carina said in Italian. “They don't speak much Italian and their English doesn't sound like the English I know.”
Lucy had feared her daughter's thick accent compared to everyone else's Texas twang would make conversation difficult at first. “Give it a chance. Before you know it, you'll understand everything they're saying. The more you speak English, the easier it will become.”
“I don't want to be here, Mamma.” Carina pushed away, continuing in Italian, “This is your family. I want to go back to our house and my friends.”
Lucy's stomach knotted. “Sweetheart, you know we can't do that. None of those things belong to us anymore and this is very much your family, too.”
“Why did Papà have to die?” She folded her arms tightly across her chestâher walls up once again. The pain reflected in Carina's eyes gutted Lucy. Her fun-loving daughter hadn't laughed or smiled since before Antonio's death. Now, four months later, she appeared harder and much older.
Ella returned with multiple keys and handed them to Lucy. “This is for the cottage, this one's for our house in case you ever need something and we're not home and this last one is for my car. I'm not using it, since Nicolino bought me an SUV, so please take it for as long as you need.”
“Thank you, Ella.” Lucy fought back the tears that threatened to break free. She'd managed to remain strong for Carina's sake and refused to show any weakness now.
“Follow me over to your place and then I'll leave you be. Do promise to join us for dinner tonight. I've stocked your kitchen, but we planned a small gathering to welcome you to Texas.”
“We wouldn't miss it,” Lucy answered for the two of them, knowing Carina wanted nothing to do with it. She also had the feeling Ella and Nicolino had prepared a feast rather than an intimate family meal.
After Ella had shown them around the cottage and left, they were alone for the first time since they'd departed Italy. Carina's brows lifted in anticipation of Lucy's next words.
“I know you were hoping for more, but this is the best I can do.” It had taken every penny to send ahead what belongings they had left and to pay for their plane tickets and the bare necessities. “I promise you, we will get through this together.”
Carina didn't argue; she didn't cry; she didn't say a word, and it had become increasingly frustrating. Lucy wanted to help her daughter, but she no longer knew how. Antonio had been Carina's confidant, and that had suited Lucy just fine. She'd wanted them to maintain a close relationship. Even after the divorce, which had been amicable, Antonio had made a point to see Carina almost every day. He'd been the one helping her with her homework while Lucy earned her master's degree. He'd also been her dressage instructor, grooming her to be a champion one day. When he died, Carina's dreams had died with him. And there was no convincing her that it was all right to continue pursuing those dreams in memory of her father.
Lucy glanced around the tiny two-bedroom cottage. Okay, so it was a long way from their eighteenth-century luxury villa in Parma, but the house was cozy, and for the first time in months she felt secure. Worn oak planks replaced the marble-and-parquet flooring they were accustomed to. There were Sheetrock ceilings above instead of ornate coffered ones and rustic hand-me-downs in place of her elegant furnishings.
The cottage was tidy and freshly painted inside and out. Ella had taken care to add personal touches such as handmade quilts and family heirlooms that Lucy suspected were special to her and Nicolino. Outside, freshly mulched beds filled with vibrant late-summer flowers lined both sides of the front walkway. The strawberry-colored cottage with its white trim was quaint and inviting. No, it wasn't luxurious, but it was clean, and more important...it was theirs.
“This is what they call shabby chic.” She knew Carina had already popped in her iPod earbuds and drowned out her words, but Lucy feared if she stopped moving or talking, she'd think about the last time she was in Ramblewood.
“It's in the past.” Lucy dragged her suitcases into the bedroom. “And it needs to stay there.”
They might have lost almost everything they'd owned, but Ramblewood was their chance at a fresh start, and she'd do whatever it took to ensure it was successful. The sooner she and Carina developed a new routine, the sooner they'd rebuild their lives and their relationship. After dinner she'd insist on starting her new job tomorrow. Nicolino would understand. Having emigrated from Italy to Texas almost twenty-five years ago, he'd begun a new life on this very ranch and worked his way up to general operations manager. Now it was her turn, and Lucy refused to allow anything to get in the way.
* * *
L
ANE
M
ORGAN
LEFT
the bunkhouse before sunrise. He could barely contain his excitement as he made his way to the Bridle Dance Ranch stables. The rumor was Nicolino Travisonno had gathered many of the ranch employees to announce Lane's long-awaited promotion to barn manager. He'd known the day was coming, but he hadn't expected this much fanfare.
He had worked beside the last barn manager on the quarter-of-a-million-acre paint and cutting horse ranch since he was a teenager. An after-school job had turned full time once he'd graduated high school. When Curly had announced his retirement last month, Lane had expected Nicolino to offer him the position then. Curly's last day had come and gone over three weeks ago, and Lane continued to wait. He'd been doing Curly's job ever since and at this point an official announcement was only a formality.
“Today's the day.” A ranch hand slapped him on the back. “You deserve it.”
That he did. Lane hadn't been fortunate enough to attend college full time the way many of his friends had, but he'd managed to take night classes as time permitted. At twenty-eight, he still had another two years to go until he earned his bachelor's degree, and he was determined to do it. Curly wasn't college educated, but he'd been the best barn manager anyone could've hoped for. Lane had apprenticed under the man, studying everything equine and stable related he could find. Curly had groomed him for this promotion, and Lane was confident it was his.
Along with everyone else, Lane filed into the country French stone and stucco stables. The building had been nicknamed the Horse Mansion due to its rivaling the size of a football field.
“May I have everyone's attention, please?” Nicolino's voice boomed as the crowd converged in the timber-framed center area. They quieted down, leaving only the sound of an occasional horse neigh to break the electrified silence. “As you're all aware, Curly's retirement left a vacancy in the barn manager position.”
The hair on the back of Lane's neck rose in anticipation. He heard somebody whisper “Good luck” behind him. Nodding silently, he focused his attention on Nicolino.
“Today I'm proud to award the position to Lucy Travisonno.”
“Who?” someone called out from the other side of the room.
Lane lifted his eyes to the front of the crowd. He swore his heart stopped beating at the sight of her. His first love and the woman who'd vanished from his life without so much as a word.
Time had treated her well. She was more beautiful than he rememberedâher light olive complexion appeared illuminated by the morning sunlight filtering in from above through the large Craftsman-style windows. Her hazel-green eyes met his and for a brief moment he thought he saw her waver, as though she was as surprised to see him as he was to see her. Quickly recovering, she squared her shoulders and looked at her attentive audience. She'd always had the ability to captivate people.
“I'm very excited to be here and I look forward to meeting every one of you.” Lucy scanned the room, but seemed to avoid the area where he stood. “When you see me around, please say hello and introduce yourself. But be patientâthere are a lot of you and I'm not always great with remembering names. Although I do recognize some of you from many years ago.”
Lane wasn't sure which to react toâthe fact that Lucy was back in town or that she'd stolen his promotion. At the very least, Nicolino could have told him privately. He of all people knew how this would affect him. The sound of everyone talking at once roared in his ears.
Lucy stepped down from the small raised area and Nicolino began speaking again. Lane couldn't concentrate on the words. He needed fresh air.
Outside, he took a few deep breaths. Most people knew when to avoid him and this was definitely one of those times. As everyone filed out of the stables, a few glanced his way, but most steered clear. When he saw Nicolino, he quickly caught up to the man.
“What gives?” Lane demanded. The ranch hands and grooms within listening distance turned toward them.
“Not here.” Nicolino motioned to the small outdoor stable office near the main corral. Following him inside, Nicolino closed the door. “I know you're surprised to see Lucy again.”
Lane snorted. “Well, there's that and the fact you gave your cousin my promotion. What experience does she have?”
“Lane.” Nicolino held up his hands. “It was never your promotion. I considered you as a candidate and I decided on Lucy. I applaud your enthusiasm and continuing your education, but I have to put this business first. I'm sorry, but you don't have the skill set it takes to be barn manager of a ranch this size. Lucy does. She has a master's degree in equine science and will probably earn her doctorate in the near future. You can learn a lot from her, providing you put what happened between you two in the past.”
Lane's shoulders slumped as he attempted to digest Nicolino's words. The last he'd seen of Lucy, she'd been a party girl with absolutely no direction in life. The little she knew about horses back then had come from what he'd taught her during the summers on the ranch. He'd worked with horses all his life and had been her teacher. How could she be better suited for the job than him?
“It shouldn't just be about education. Practical experience should carry more weight.” Lane's jaw tightened. “You knew all along you would never promote me to barn manager, didn't you?”
Nicolino lowered his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. “When Curly announced his retirement, I immediately thought the job would be perfect for Lucy. That's not to say I hadn't considered you, too. And before you say itâno, I didn't choose Lucy because she's family. I chose her because she's better qualified.”