Sweet Talking Rancher (The Millers of Morgan Valley #5) - Kate Pearce Page 0,4
to see you all.”
“We’re delighted to see you, too. Ron’s really hoping you’ll want to settle down here.” Her mother shut the door. “Do you need to wash up and change before you meet Jenna?”
Faith glanced down at her muddy boots and grimaced. “Sorry, I should have come through the back with Dave.”
“Like we haven’t seen our fair share of mud on these floors. That’s why we went for so much tile.” Her mother smiled and motioned with her hand. “Go on up. Dinner will be ready when you are.”
Faith automatically turned right at the top of the stairs and headed for her old room. Thankfully, after she’d left, her parents had converted it into a guest bedroom, and it no longer felt like her space, which was a good thing. She’d agreed to sit down with her dad after dinner and go over his plans for the practice and the financials and she was looking forward to it. Even with Jenna working up at Morgan Ranch there was still plenty of scope to expand and improve the existing business. The thought of being given a free hand to put into practice all the lessons she’d learned over the years was exciting.
Faith paused at her bedroom door. If it hadn’t been for the whole Danny Miller thing, she probably wouldn’t even be considering her options, but would’ve jumped at the chance. She sighed. But if it hadn’t been for Danny Miller, she wouldn’t have left Morgan Valley in the first place and gained all this great experience to run a successful veterinary business.
Her cell buzzed and she glanced down to see a text from Dave, which was weird as she’d just been talking to him.
Fyi
Faith frowned as she scrolled down to reveal the second text Dave had forwarded on to her.
Hey, any chance we could meet up in private? I think we should talk. Danny.
She dropped her phone like it was on fire and then fell to her knees hoping desperately she hadn’t broken the damn thing.
Nope, there was his message, loud and clear and just as terrifying. Faith stared at it for at least a full minute before gently placing her phone on her bedside table and plugging in the charger. She’d take a quick shower, get changed, and go and meet Jenna and Blue. When she’d done all that, maybe she’d be in a better place to deal with the unexpectedly early intrusion in her new life from Danny Miller.
Chapter Two
After sending his text to Dave, Danny checked his phone at regular intervals, but there was no reply from either of the McDonalds. His mom had a strict no phones at the table rule, so he ate his dinner, talked ranch business with his brother Evan and his father, and tried not to second-guess his decision to grab the bull by the horns and reach out to Faith.
Evan had turned up late for dinner and wasn’t in a good mood, which was unusual enough for Danny to ask him what was up when they reached the coffee stage.
“It’s those damn Brysons again. Their lower fence is down and about thirty of their cows were in our field. I corralled them in one corner and called Doug, but he said he didn’t have time to come get them.”
“He’s always been a jerk just like his father,” Jeff chimed in. “I never liked him, either.”
“I told him I didn’t have time to drive them back onto his land and that he should fix his damned fences and stop relying on us to do it for him.” Evan took a slug of coffee.
“What did you do with the cattle?” Danny asked.
“I left them where they were.” Evan finally grinned. “If he wants them, he’ll have to figure out a way to get them back because I did fix the hole in the fence.”
“I expect I’ll be hearing from him tomorrow morning, then,” their father said. “He’s never been one to keep his thoughts to himself.”
Jeff looked quite pleased at the thought of a confrontation, which didn’t surprise Danny in the least. His father loved a good fight and he was bored to tears stuck at home.
“I don’t know how Doug stays in business.” Their father was still talking. “And, there’s only his sister up there with him. I bet she won’t stick around.”
“How do you know?” Danny and his Mom asked at the same time, and then high-fived each other. “Women can run ranches. She can do whatever she wants.”