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Kentucky Cowboy

By Marlene Worrall

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Chapter One

Dana’s cell rang just as she was settling into her office and enjoying her morning coffee. A number she didn’t recognize flashed on her screen. I bet it’s a call on my new listing...Sugarbush Stables.The sign just went up but I know it’s a hot listing. “Dana Lockhart, Raystar Realty,” she chirped, putting a smile into her voice as she spoke.
“Graham Saunders. I’m calling about Sugarbush Stables. I was driving around and I just spotted the new sign.” The man’s voice was husky and powerful. Whoever he was, she would bet he was a force to be reckoned with.
“I’d like to view the property at your earliest convenience.” His voice seemed to waiver somehow, though, and it made him sound almost vulnerable.
Dana played by the rules. Ever since an acquaintance of hers had been murdered at a showing on a remote ranch, she was cautious. Roger usually accompanied her on showings, but when he was out-of-town, like he was now, she usually went solo but always left a phone number, location and the time she expected to return to her office. She shook her head. Lame. If something ever did go wrong, tracking her down after the fact would be a useless exercise. It would probably be too late. Still, none of life came with a guarantee; that was a certainty.
Since giving her heart to the Lord a few years back, she prayed every morning for wisdom, leading, guidance and protection. “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” She was proud to say that she lived by that adage.
“Please come into my office if you would, Mr. VanRensellier.” She glanced swiftly through her appointment book. “Should we say 3:00 this afternoon?”
Silence. Soon the rich, powerful voice was back on the line. “That works, Ms. Lockhart. If there are any other horse farms in your area, perhaps we could view those as well.”
“How soon do you need to get in?” Dana was a born closer. She never lost an opportunity to inch closer to a sale.
Silence again. When he finally spoke, his voice seemed sad. Distant. “I...I guess as soon as possible, because my boys need to get settled into a local school before September.”
Bingo. This guy’s a serious buyer. But what about his wife? There had been no mention of her. Women’s intuition told her not to go there.
Dana walked out of her office and into the receptionist area. Georgia sat there with her short skirt, filing her long, red fake nails and alternately admiring them. She was a clever girl, but overly fixated on her nails and hair. The dye jobs changed with regularity. Currently the hair was bouffant with red and blond streaks. Still, she was by far the best assistant she and Roger had ever had.
“Georgia, Hon, would you pull the file on Roger’s listing─Pale Horse Ranch? You know, his new listing out on Langley Road.”
“Sure. Isn’t it on computer?”
“It’s an exclusive, Hon. It’s that eccentric owner that lists every couple years and then changes his mind again. One of these days he’s going to sell and we’ll be right there to bring him a buyer and collect the commission.”
“I’m surprised you put up with him.” Georgia shook her head, as she pulled the file from a nearby cabinet.
“Well, Hon, we both know how difficult it is to get good listings. Everybody wants to buy...nobody wants to sell ranch land right now... and when they do, they want big bucks...”
Georgia handed Dana a copy of the exclusive listing. She took it back to her office, studied it and called for an appointment. She would plan to show Sugarbush at 3:00 and Pale Horse Ranch around 4:30 to 5:00. She always left ample time between appointments when showing ranch properties; between the time needed for viewing and driving, she was often late even at that.

Dana and Georgia munched corn-beef sandwiches at their desk. A few other realtors came into the office, went into the Bull Pen, worked on the computer and checked the blackboard for new listings, made a few calls and left the office. Roger had a small office of twelve realtors and he liked it that way.
Betty’s Burgers across the street made wonderful soup and really good sandwiches. Georgia fetched and Dana paid. When Roger was in town, she fetched and he paid. Truth be known, Dana liked the power that went with running the office in Roger’s absence. She was glad she’d studied and earned her Broker’s license. Being in control of things came natural for her. Too bad she wasn’t in control of her love life. That was some fiasco, after that last beau.
Dana took care of some personal business on the phone and then settled down with her sandwich and coffee to review the details on both ranch listings in preparation for the meeting with the new client and the showings.
Dana glanced out her office window and saw a man swing his late model or new Jeep into the parking lot in front of the office.
Dana glanced at her watch. 1:45. Mr. Van Rensellier was fifteen minutes early. This was a good sign. He’s a serious buyer. I feel it in my gut. She’d learned fast how to ferret out the “Looky-Lou’s” from the “Real McCoys.” Something told her Graham was definitely in the latter category.
He stayed in his car a few minutes. Soon, a sassy-looking, tawny-haired boy jumped out of each door in the back, almost in synchronicity. A tall, broad-shouldered man in a short sleeved sports shirt stepped out of the Jeep and herded his sons to walk like young gentleman.
What a hunk, Dan thought, as the man, she assumed was Mr. Van Rensellier, and his two sons, strode into the real estate office together. Dana watched from her vantage point in her office through louvered blinds, undetected from the outside. She would wait in her office until Georgia announced her 2:00 PM client had arrived.

Graham was apprehensive about uprooting his sons; though he’d carefully thought through the plan to start a new life here in horse country. The only way he could emotionally move on and heal from the traumatic years of watching his beloved Myrna slowly ebb away; was to remove himself from everything and everyone that reminded him of her. If he threw himself into the work on the ranch, as well as raising his sons, he would get through it one day at a time. “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking from you.” The words of the song rang in his heart and mind, encouraging him.
How does anyone get through this life without God? If he could not lean on the Everlasting Arms, he wouldn’t make it through another day; that much he knew.
He’d owned race horses that were kept on a ranch in Kentucky. His dream was to have a winner. He and Myrna had travelled every year to the Kentucky Derby, and now that she was gone, it seemed like all that was left were his love for horses, horse country and his sons. It was only good sense to move here.
Two high-stakes winners to his credit were a start. He’d owned many thoroughbreds that were farmed out here over the years. Currently, he just had one farmed out in the area. He frequented the Stakes races in Keenland. A couple years ago, he brought his sons to the races and they’d become bitten by the horse bug, also. Would they become ranchers? Would they eventually become involved in the stakes races at Keenland like he did? Only one way to find out. He had to give them exposure. Move them onto a ranch. He was burnt out as an investment banker and knew it was time to move on.
Horses were in his blood and his sons seemed to have inherited that passion. Yes, moving from Texas to Kentucky was the right decision. It was July and the weather was hot and sultry. He wore a short-sleeved floral shirt as a change of pace from his polo shirts─and, jeans, of course.
Georgia noted the man stood well over six feet, his broad shoulders practically bursting out of the shirt. He wore a large diamond ring on his wedding finger; which struck her as incongruous somehow. Further, he sported a gold cross at his throat. His vivid blue eyes were intelligent, piercing. Something told her the man was deeply suffering.
What a powerful presence the man had. When he walked into a room, he filled it. Georgia flashed a professional smile. “Graham Van Rensallier, right?” It was touch flirtatious and Georgia knew how Dana hated it when she did that, but Dana wasn’t here. She was coyly waiting in her office to be notified that her client had arrived. Relax, girl, there’s doubtless a little woman somewhere. Guys like him are never single. Give your head a shake.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Van Rensallier. I’ll let Dana know you’re here.” She smiled again at him, all quite unnecessary she knew. Georgia thought the man looked out of place with his long legs stretched out in front of him. He was much too large for the club chair he occupied. The man did not look real comfortable. His sons were apparently fascinated by the goldfish in the tank. They stood riveted to the tank. Something about the way the sons dressed and conducted themselves caused Georgia to think they were all extremely affluent.

Dana Lockhart smiled as she strode across the room and extended her hand in greeting to Graham Van Rensallier. “I’m Dana Lockhart. So nice to meet you,” The greeting was routine; but what wasn’t routine were the powerful emotions welling up in her upon the impact of meeting him.
The impact on her was startling─frightening, even. He was by far the most appealing, striking man she had ever encountered. His vivid blue eyes seemed to look right through her. She caught a slight whiff of shaving lotion or some other male scent; perhaps a hint of a masculine cologne.
He jolted her. It was as though she’d just been aroused from a deep, long sleep. His presence was downright powerful. I hope I can concentrate on showing property and not on him!
Twenty-nine wasn’t old. But Dana wanted to be married like her best friend, Sue Chalmers, was. She had met and dated a fair number of guys since turning eighteen; but she had never met one like this guy. She almost had to give her head a shake. Oh right, he’s here to do business. He’s going to buy a ranch from me, I hope. And, of course his wife just can’t be bothered looking at the ranch. I bet it’s a second or third property anyway, by the looks of this guy.
“Please, Mr. Van Rensallier, come into my office, won’t you.” She was almost shaking with the intensity of the impact the man had on her.
Soon Graham was seated across from her in a leather chair in her office. She sat at her desk and began her usual qualifying process. The sons stood protectively by their Dad. Well-behaved. Silent
She had to focus on the task at hand and forget about the tremendous appeal of the man. She wouldn’t be gosh enough to inquire about his status. That would come up soon enough.
It did.
Graham started talking to her as though he’d known her for ages. “Mah wife died...jest under a year ago...I want to start a new life here with mah sons...I want to raise them on a ranch and teach them to love horses...like ah do.”
“Do you have a property to sell before you can buy?” Dana asked, determined to qualify the man, and not be deterred because of his obvious good looks and charm.
“No, Ma’am... I’ll be keeping the house in Houston.”
“How soon do you want to get settled on a ranch?” Dana’s eyes travelled over him and she had to admit she loved what she saw. Was he looking at her with interest, too? Or was that just wishful thinking on her part?
“As soon as possible. I want to get my sons settled before school starts in September.”
“Okay, so you need to be reasonably close to the elementary school. That would be Langley Road School. It’s not too far from either of the ranches we’ll be viewing today. There’s a new sports centre near the Langley school, as well. I’m sure that would be of interest to you and your sons.”
Dana wasn’t going to waste another minute qualifying him. He was the real deal. They didn’t come any better than this guy. Or was she missing something? Was it all too good to be true?

Sugarbush Stables was spread out over fifty-five acres of green, rolling hills. The property was mostly fenced and consisted of corals, a twenty stall horse barn and an old Southern mansion that needed some work. It was Colonial, and complete with pillars in the front. The property also had a two-bedroom guest house.
Dana cruised her white Mercedes SUV down the long road leading to the rambling old mansion and buildings. Graham, in his Jeep with his two sons, followed behind. The sound of horses neighing and a pair of Shepherd dogs barking greeted her, as she stepped out of her vehicle. She loved ranches and everything that went with them.
Dana spotted a couple of Quarter horses milling around near the long, white fence. An Appaloosa grazed near them. Beyond the long white fence, which faded into the distance, were a dozen or more horses grazing on the rolling, green hills of Bluegrass country. It was a sultry, warm day.
Sidney Shaw, owner of Sugarbush, was commiserating with one of his Thorougbreds behind the fence, as she drove up. Dana stepped out of her vehicle. “Good afternoon, Mr. Shaw, so nice to see you.” She shook his hand, smiling.
“Likewise, Dana. You look mighty fine. Already bringing me a buyer? You work fast. I’m impressed.”
A God-incident, no doubt. Dana didn’t believe in coincidences. Everything existed from the hand of God. Every blessing was from the Almighty.
Graham had stopped the jeep. His precocious sons jumped out of the vehicle. Dana made the introductions.
“How about if I tag along on the showing, Dana? There’s bound to be some questions. The ink is barely wet on the listing, after all.” Sid Shaw grinned.
“I was hoping you would say that, Sid. Nobody knows this ranch better than you do.” Dana smiled at her new seller. He was already heading toward the sizeable barn. The group followed him.

Well over an hour later, Graham and his sons had had the grand tour. “Thanks so much for all the information. I appreciate it,” Graham said, shaking hands with Sid.
“I love this ranch. It would be so cool to learn to ride those Thoroughbreds, Will,” Jay grinned at his brother.
“They’re not all thoroughbreds, you know,” Will was adamant about it. “Some of ‘em are Quarter Horses and... I spotted an Appoloosa.”
“You don’t know anything about horses.“ Jay kicked some small rocks on the ground. “Anybody can spot an Appoloosa, they’re so..like...distinct, with that light mottled coloring of grey and white...”
“How much you wanna bet I’ll learn more about horses faster than you do?” Will challenged his brother.
“You’re on Will.” Jay smirked.
Sid Shaw snickered. “I think the young lads are smitten with the horses.” Sid grinned. “The wife and I are gettin’ a little old to work a ranch of this size. We’re goin’ to retire to about five acres closer to the city.”
“How many ranch hands do you have? We only saw one.” Graham asked.
“Well, they come and go. We had two just last week. Phil was a drifter─a good man, but he never stays in one place very long. Yup, we git some real interesting types out here on these ranches.” He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the edges. The man had a real deep tan. You sure could tell he was an outdoors man.
“Thanks fer lookin’ at the place, Graham. It’s a real good ranch. If you decide to put an offer and we can make a deal; I’d be real happy to give you hand gettin’ into the routine of ranchin’─since, as you say, you’re new to this game.”
“Well, I might just take you up on that. That’s a mighty generous offer...and one I won’t rule out.” Graham and Sid shook hands and went their separate ways. Sid headed to the old mansion and Graham to his jeep─after first yanking his precocious sons away from peering at a couple of goats behind a coral.

Sid Shaw and Graham Rensaillier definitely clicked, Dana decided. That’s a good start. I’ve known of more than one deal that went sour because the owners just didn’t want the new buyer to live on their ranch. Folks get real emotionally involved when they spend years building a fine ranch like this one. I know all about it.
“Okay─ onward to Pale Horse Ranch. I’ll lead the way.” Dana jumped into her vehicle.
Graham stood by the driver’s side of her SUV. “Odd name... Pale Horse Ranch... wonder how that name came about...?”
“There’s a little story behind it...”
“Well?” His sons were still peering at the animals with fascination. Graham stood outside the window of the driver’s seat of her SUV. She occupied the driver’s seat. “The former owner was part Indian. He bred and raised Palominos and Cremellos. Cremellos are champagne colored with blue eyes, as you may know.” She glanced toward the two boys who stood protectively next to their dad and listened intently as Dana spoke.
“We know how Palaminos look,” Will said, proudly. “They’re golden colored... with white tails and manes.”
“That’s absolutely right.” Dana smiled. “The new owner continues to breed those pale-colored horses, so the name stuck.”
“Makes sense. So, between both breeds, how many horses does he have?” Graham asked.
“Twenty two.” Dana said. “He has a thirty stall barn. The ranch is a little over sixty acres.”
A unique goat nuzzled up to the fence. It was brown with white blotches and had an odd, curly horn.
.
Dana stopped her RV in the driveway of Pale Horse Ranch. Graham parked his Jeep behind her. She glanced over at the vast, rolling green acreage, the white fenced fields and dozens of horses scattered throughout the area. She was glad she’d had her hair colored. It was a bright blond instead of the natural ash color. Lord, never in my life did I want to look as good as I want to look now. Graham caused her pulse to quicken whether she needed it or not.
“Good-afternoon, Mr. Connors,” Dana shook Jake Connor’s hand.
Jake was an enormously tall, rangy man. A Cherokee Indian. Long black hair and long-limbed, he wore cowboy boots, jeans and a red shirt made of some suede fabric. He was maybe close to sixty...perhaps older. The house was a rambling rancher. It had been updated but Dana knew it wasn’t desirable in many respects.
Though Jake’s wife was attractive, she was oddly silent. Too silent. Even when the listing had been signed, she’d served everyone coffee but did not speak. Dana had tried to strike up a conversation with her on several occasions, but had failed. His wife wore the same colors he did. She remained in the kitchen quietly sipping coffee from a large mug, while Dana toured Graham and his sons through the house, and Jake appeared and disappeared as though nervous or apprehensive about the showing.

Back at the office, Graham sat opposite Dana in her office. She could feel his wheels turning.
“There’s no comparison. Sugarbush with that great, old colonial house is far superior to Pale Horse ranch─though I certainly see your point about the beautiful property. Frankly, I wouldn’t be happy living in the house; nor would mah sons.”
I knew he was rich and spoiled. That statement proves it.
“So...do you want to put an offer on Sugarbush?”
“I do,” Graham said. His face was sombre.”I’m just not sure how much I should offer.” Dana guessed it was an emotional time for him, based on everything he’d told her.
“I can certainly help you there. In fact, I just happen to have a file with comparable listings that have recently sold, with similar properties. The file was on her desk, ready to be perused by her client.
She turned the file toward Graham. “The first property sold three months ago and it is probably the best comparison...as you likely know, a comparable consists of a similar property, similar in acreage, area, buildings and the main house. There is a separate file for the horses and the details of the breeds. That, of course, is the most complex aspect of the sale of a horse farm. And, of course, no two horse farms are identical. Unlike houses which might be very similar if they are in the same subdivision.
However, you will see what the owner paid on Wild Horse Ranch which sold three months ago. Keep in mind the house was nowhere near as marvellous as the stately colonial on Sugarbush...”
Dana hadn’t expected Graham to be so tough. She had expected that since he was new to the area and had never owned a horse farm, he would rely heavily on her judgement. She soon discovered how wrong she was.
“I’m not so sure the grand house at Sugarbush is a plus...I mean, generally, in the market. I admit it is for me, because I intend to have some staff...like a nanny and maybe a cook. If I get involved with horses to the extent that I’d like to...”
“I won’t tell you you’re wrong. Graham. Most folks don’t want or need a house that large...and one with a guest house. By the way, what do you plan to do with the guest house? Rent it out?”
“I guess so. Though I’m not sure how easy it would be to rent. What do you think?”
“There’s a buyer for every property. And there’s a renter for every rental. I’m just not sure how soon you would find a renter that would suit you...”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”
Graham studied the comparables. Dana studied him. Gorgeous. The man is really gorgeous. An absolute hunk.

Specializing in ranch properties, Dana had settled on her daily attire. Growing up on a ranch, she had been a professional horsewoman; both a jumper and trainer. But after her younger brother was killed doing a Show jump, she was traumatized. She stopped jumping overnight. She was never able to resume her passion for training horses, either. Something inside her died that day, along with Chuck, her dearly beloved younger brother. She’d quit and gotten into real estate then. That was four years ago. But restlessness was settling in. She longed to be back in the saddle again. Needed to live on a ranch, the way some people needed air to breathe.
SHE SHOULD TELL GRAHAM THIS. PUT INTO CONVERSATION.
Her well-worn cowboy hat was a throw-back to the horsey activities she’d been involved with since her early teens. The hat had been expensive, just like her rust-colored leather jacket and designer jeans. Okay, so she had about ten pairs of similar jeans in her closet. A girlfriend once asked her why she had so many pairs of identical jeans. “Who would know whether you’re wearing the same pair or another pair from your collection?” she’d asked. “I would know,” Dana had replied, without skipping a beat. She’d grinned at her friend, Clara. Clara just shrugged. She didn’t get it. That’s okay.

Dana’s cowboy boots had seen better days, but they were so comfortable that she just kept right on wearing them. She stood about 5’ 7” and God had blessed her with a willowy figure, which she was determined to keep.
The pricey white linen shirt she wore, tucked into the belted jeans, had become akin to a uniform. She’d worn a scarlet jacket and white breeches during her years as a Show Jumper. Now, specializing in the sale of horse farms, she’d devised the equivalent of a uniform; a closet stuffed with white shirts with a few pink linen ones thrown in. That was her summer wardrobe. In winter she stayed with the same colors in sweaters. Shopping was not her thing and this kept her life simple and organized, she never had to worry about co-ordinating clothing.
When Dana got home, she phoned Danielle, her Mom. They’d always been close. “Mom, you’re not going to believe this, but this really great guy from Houston put an offer on Sugarbush. There’s a guest house there and he suggested I rent it and move my horses onto the property.That would be heaven. But Mom, I’ve got a big crush on him...and sometimes his sons seem to resent me...like whenever he pays me too much attention, for instance. I told him I wouldn’t consider it for professional reasons. For starters, Roger, my business partner would go ballistic...”
“Have you prayed about this? Have you asked God what his take is?”
She felt foolish. She couldn’t lie to her mom. “No...”
“Well, honey, that’s the whole reason you don’t have any peace about this. You won’t until you settle it with God.”
“It sounds like a fit of circumstances made in heaven.” Danielle chuckled.
“Well, that’s just it, Mom. It’s too easy...and I don’t like the idea of being in such close proximity with him either...”
“Why not? What are you afraid of? That you might fall in love?”
“Mom, I honestly don’t know what I’m afraid of. I guess, if the truth be known, I don’t like the idea of being so available...by the fact of being in such proximity.”
“You know what I think?”
“No, but I bet you’re goin’ to tell me.”
“I think you’re smitten with this dude and you’re afraid the two of you might fall deeply in love...”
“Oh, Mother. Give it a rest. Besides, he would be a big waste of time, because he’s already declared that he will never remarry; and he has this incredible loyalty to Myrna, his deceased wife.”
“Guys have been known to change their mind, despite earnest resolves”
“Not this guy. I’ve never met a man as stubborn as he; nor as adamant about not getting involved with another woman or remarrying. He insists he’s going to throw himself into the racehorses and raising his sons, to the exclusion of everything except God.” Dana was saddened as she imparted this news to her mom.
bring myYthe minute the owner toured them through the guest house, Dana was struck with a bizarre and unique idea. She hated where she currently lived. The small rented cottage on the outskirts of town was nice enough, but she missed the acreage her Mom had sold when her Dad had died. Mostly, though, she desperately missed grooming and training and jumping...everything she thought she could live without. Everything she had walked away from after her little brother’s fatal accident. Yup, horses were in her blood, not having them was akin to stopping breathing.
Though she’d given up the demanding life of a trainer and Show jumper, she yearned to be back on a ranch again. Riding was in her blood. She’d thought she could shake it off and move on. It had been three years since her brother’s fatal accident and her passion for horses had not subsided and in fact, had begun to dominate her mindset. She had to live on a ranch again.
She dreamed about getting married one day and living on a ranch with her hubby. Maybe she could rent the guest house and give riding lessons to Graham’s sons. Surely, he wouldn’t want to leave the guest house vacant. Despite his apparent wealth, he probably wouldn’t want to waste resources, or leave the guest house empty.
Nostalgia triggered fond memories as she watched the horses graze while touring the enormous acreage and buildings with the owner, Graham and his fiesty sons.

Back at the office, Graham made an offer on Sugarbush. He didn’t like Pale Horse Ranch and it was considerably further from the school his sons would attend. Also, despite thinking about beautiful the Palominos were, he wanted a traditional farm with racehorses. He planned to hire some seasoned help. Dana drove back to the ranch and presented the offer that night. Sid countered. No surprise here. Negotiations went on for four days. Finally an accepted offer was in place.
Graham was in Dana’s office when the deal was finalized. She shook hands with him and gave him a copy of the accepted offer. “Congratulations, Graham. You bought yourself a really great ranch! I must say, your timing was superb. Sugarbush would not have stayed on the market for long. I know at least two other buyers that have had their eye on that property. I would have called them if you hadn’t moved so quickly on this. Real estate is all about timing. Yours was superb.”
“Or more accurately, God’s timing. Truthfully, I felt led to travel here at this particular time. Aside from the fact that my sons just got out of school for the summer; I just had a hunch that I should get on down here and look at horse farms. I know how popular Bluegrass country is.”
Graham’s sons were clearly restless. “Hey, Dad. We’re hungry. Can we go somewhere and eat?” Will glanced at his dad, expectantly. Graham grinned. “Sure we can.” He paused for a moment, glancing in Dana’s direction. “Dana, will you join us for lunch? A celebration is definitely in order. Are there any good restaurants near here...some place you would recommend?”
“Absolutely. There’s a decent Italian restaurant not far from here. I bet you and your sons would love the food. Real good home cookin’ The Romeros have had the place for ages.”
“Do we need a reservation?” Graham asked.
“Not really. But I’ll make one, anyway.” She punched in the numbers by memory.
His sons were stirring, anxious to go. They milled around the reception area, brimming over with energy. They hovered over the goldfish in the glass case. Still, Graham’s sons were well behaved. Dana sensed they were restraining themselves. They had been taught.manners.

The Italian restaurant was homey and delightful. Dana glanced at the menu. Soon, one of the Romero sons stood by. “I recommend the lasagne, or Veal Parmesiana. Those are the specials,” the young man glanced around the table at the group.
“I’ll have the lasagne, please,” Dana said. “Sounds good. I’ll go with that. Boys?” He glanced at his sons. “Veal Parmesiana, please” WIll said. “Lasagne...” It was served with home-made bread, pesto and a crisp salad.
After lunch, they enjoyed coffee. The young server hovered nearby. “Would y’all like to try the Key Lime Pie for dessert?” She glanced from Graham to Dana and then at the boys. Dana could sense the boys restraining their responses.
Graham grinned over at them. “Go ahead boys..Dana, will you have a piece? That happens to be my favorite and I won’t even try to resist it.”
“Yes, please.” Dana said. If truth be known, she would have nodded at almost anything he said. She was smitten.
As they finished their pie, Dana glanced over at Graham. “Would you like me to find a renter for the guest house?”
“Nah. I’ll just leave it vacant. Some of my friends from Houston might come and visit at some point.”
“You’re sure that’s what you want to do?”
“I think so...for now at least. Why do you ask?”
Here goes. “Uh, well...I...I’m in the market for a rental on a ranch, but there isn’t much available at the moment. I could teach your sons how to ride. I’m a professional equestrian. I’m a trainer and I used to do show jumping.”
“Did you? Why’d you give it up?”
“Sad story. I don’t think this is the time. Maybe I’ll share it with you sometime. The thing is...horses are in my blood... I grew up on a ranch...after Dad died and Mom sold the ranch, I farmed out my two thoroughbreds on a horse farm, and I rent a cottage in town...but I miss having my horses near me...”

For a moment, Graham seemed to like the idea of her living on the ranch. He quickly vetoed it though. “Well, I guess if you really can’t find anywhere else to rent where you could bring your horses...I guess you maybe could live in the guest house...how would you boys feel about having a professional equestrian around to teach you how to ride?”
The boys looked at each other and then back to her. “You used to be a Show Jumper? Like...that’s pretty cool. Did you ever win?” Will’s eyes were big as saucers.
“Yes. I won first place Show Jumping at Keenland three years ago─and then quit the business.”
Jay glanced at Will. “She must be an awesome rider.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Will agreed. “So, why did you quit jumpin’?”
Here goes. “My...younger brother, Dave...was a show jumper, also. He was killed doing a jump, a couple years ago. I quit the business after that.” She turned her face from the boys. “I knew it would never be the same again.”
Graham glanced over at Dana. “I’ll talk it over with the boys...regarding your renting the guest house. I’ll get back to you in a couple of days.”
“Sounds good.”

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