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“Horses are ready when you are.”

Sally, one of Lucky Ranch’s veterinarians and an old family friend, peeks her head into the office. “I took a look, Cash. They are fine animals in perfect health. Beck, y’all have your reputation for a reason.”

Beck Wallace heads the horse breeding program on his family’s ranch about twenty or so miles from here. They’re famous for producing some of the best ranch horses this side of the Rockies, which is why we recently purchased two quarter horses from them. Beck is here to deliver the mares.

He smiles, wrapping an arm around Sally’s shoulders when she steps up beside him. “Why, thank you, Miss Sally. High praise indeed, coming from Hart County’s rising star.”

Sally grins. “Aw, Beck, stop. You’re makin’ me blush.”

“What’s wrong with that? I’m just givin’ credit where credit is due.”

Sally recently returned to Hartsville after going to collegeand veterinary school, followed by a years-long stint doing a residency. Her dad, John B, is an insanely talented vet in his own right, but Sally’s already giving him a run for his money.

Wonder what he’d think of this little flirtation between his daughter and Beck Wallace. Beck’s a good guy, but he and his brothers have a bit of a reputation. They get around, as my mama used to say.

I turn around to open a desk drawer. “I’ll bring the checkbook. Meet y’all out at the barn?”

“Sounds good.” Beck opens the door and motions Sally through it. “After you, sugar.”

Goody chuckles once the door is closed. “Well, that was…something.”

“As long as it ain’t Wyatt giving her that look, I’m fine with it.”

Patsy and John B are like family at this point. Really, the only family we have left. I don’t want to risk losing them if Wyatt does what he always does with girls and breaks Sally’s heart.

“I feel like everyone still thinks Sally’s seventeen. She’s a grown woman now. She wants to have some fun, I say let her.”

Goody eyes me as she reaches for the door. “Ever thought of taking your own advice?”

“Sure have.” I dig a pen out of the drawer and shove that in the back pocket of my jeans, along with the checkbook. “I’m about to have a lot of fun with City Girl.”

“I’m serious, Cash. You’d be smart to make Mollie an ally, not an enemy.”

Jogging to the door so I can open it for Goody, I hold out my arm. “After you,sugar.”

Goody chuckles again. “Allies. Please.”

I tell myself I’m only taking Goody’s advice as I make plans to give Mollie Luck averywarm welcome to Lucky Ranch indeed.

CHAPTER 6

Mollie

COME ON, SNAKES, LET’S RATTLE

Green.

It’s everywhere. In the canopy of giant oaks that border either side of the ranch’s entrance and in the grassy stubble that covers the ground. Green cacti, shaped like enormous ears, spike up from the pale-yellow earth. Even the letters and logo stamped in the massive beam overhead are green:Lucky Ranch Est. 1902.

Considering how barren the landscape has been for the past two hundred miles, all this green is a shock to the senses.

A pleasant shock. But a shock nonetheless.

Lucky Ranch is a literal oasis. How? Why? And why does the sight of the simple but lovingly tended entrance, its stone supports weathered with age, cause a strange stirring inside my chest?

I don’t remember the ranch being this green or the oaks this grand. Then again, it’s been twenty years since I stepped foot on this land. A lot has changed since then.

Taking the right, I pass underneath the arch and continue down an unpaved but tidy road. My tires crunch on the dirt and gravel. This is Hill Country, so the road climbs and dipsoften. It goes on for longer than I remember, hinting at the grand scope of the property.