Her Second Chance Cowboy: Contemporary Western Romance Novel (Brothers of Miller Ranch Book 1)

by Natalie Dean

  Eventually the bell had rung, and they had gone their separate ways, but the next day she couldn’t help but wonder if he would be there again. Against all hope, she had slid into her usual seat in the library with a book in front of her, only to have him slide into the seat across from her.

  From there they had basically been inseparable in their free periods. After a month or so of that, they ended up in Mathletics together. At first most of the team had been surprised by Ben’s appearance. He was a popular kid and had a lot going for him, and most people assumed he was taking over the lucrative Miller Ranch, so he certainly didn’t need the college credits. Strangely, he had insisted on only being partnered with Chastity for their pre-competition practices, because, apparently, she was “the only person that he really knew”—or that was what he’d said.

  At first, she had wondered if it was some sort of elaborate scheme, especially when he wasn’t really that great at math, but after long enough it became clear that he had joined just to spend time with her. So she let herself relax and then their after-school hours were filled with each other too. Then they started hanging out even after that, taking turns going to each other’s houses for dinner.

  But it wasn’t until she was fifteen, a year after they had met, when her parents finally gave her permission to date him.

  That was a whole lot of history. Countless nights holding hands and staring up at the sky, dreaming together, confiding in each other. Chastity’s father had always joked about how he was the best son-in-law he could have asked for.

  So how could Mom not remember?

  But then another person was stepping forward and pulling her into a hug. Chastity barely paid attention, going through the motions as she watched her mother react.

  Her mom was still teary, and Chastity didn’t think that would stop for a while, but she responded to almost everyone by name and seemed to know who they were. Perhaps she too only thought of Ben as Benny, and since she was so stressed, her mind wasn’t making the connection.

  Yeah, that was plausible.

  …right?

  Chastity found herself wishing she had been around her more, because then she would know if this was normal or not. Three years was far too long to have left her parents alone, and she wondered for how long that guilt would plague her by manifesting as other things. Such as the paranoia that she was feeling right now.

  But try as she might to dismiss it, a shiver went down her spine. Something in her gut was telling her that something wasn’t right. There was no way her mother could forget about Ben, the man who had held Chastity’s heart during her most formative years. The man who was her first kiss. And her first heartbreak. The man she had built so many dreams with, only to have all of them amount to nothing.

  Goodness knew Chastity couldn’t forget.

  7

  Chastity

  “Mom! Are you ready?”

  Chastity looked up the stairs as she called out, glancing at her watch for the tenth time that morning.

  Three days since the wake, and it seemed like life hadn’t stopped spinning yet. From the moment the wake had ended, she and her mom had to deal with getting all the food home, picking up her father’s ashes, and handling tons of well-meaning phone calls.

  Chastity worried that perhaps she was being cold. She hadn’t cried since the wake, and she’d spent most of her time attending to everything that needed to be done. But how could she give herself time to mourn when there was so much to do? She tried to remember if she had ever had to deal with a death in the family before, wondering if this was maybe just how her mind mourned things, but the only person who she remembered passing was a grandmother who lived on the reservation. It had been a sad affair, but Chastity had only met her once. Apparently, the older woman didn’t like that her daughter had married someone not from the tribe and had never really gotten over that.

  Huh. It seemed strained familial issues ran in the bloodline. But Chastity tucked those negative thoughts away and tried to focus on the good things while she cleaned the house. It really was amazing how much food the town had poured out for them. Even after three days, the fridge was stuffed to bursting with all sorts of perishables, ranging from pies to casseroles, to fresh roasts. Chastity was sure she had even seen a couple of different types of pulled pork in there.

  It didn’t stop there. On the shelves was all the stuff that didn’t need to keep cool, like dozens of cans of vegetables, bags of potatoes, applesauce, chips and other guilty snacks, cans of soup, and all sorts of dried fruits. It seemed the town really wanted to make sure that Ruby didn’t go hungry or cook for herself until she was ready.

  But while all of that was good, wonderful even, there was something else that wasn’t so great.

  Mom never ended up remembering Ben, and several strange things she did the day after the wake had bothered Chastity. She couldn’t really say why, she knew that there was something… off.

  Thankfully, on Monday, she was able to call right at nine in the morning and get a doctor’s appointment for the next day. Sometimes there really were perks to living in a small town.

  But now that it was finally time for her appointment, her mom was being a bit stubborn.

  “I’m telling you, this really isn’t necessary.”

  “I know, Mom,” Chastity said gently, going to the top of the stairs and offering her arm to her mother. Her seemingly fragile mother took it, and they slowly went down the steps. “But I haven’t seen you in three years, so please humor me. Consider this just making sure we start my visit on the right foot.”

  “Yes, because the death of your father is the right foot.”

  Chastity blushed a bit at that. Her mother certainly had a point. But even though it was a gentle chide, it was good to hear her mother’s quick—yet subtle sense of humor return. “You know what I mean.”

  “Yes, I do.” She reached up to pat Chastity’s head, and they headed out the door. Just like everything else in town, it was only about a ten-minute walk to wherever they needed to go.

  “I’m going to miss him so much, Maryanne.”

  Chastity almost stopped dead in her tracks but managed to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

  “Pardon me?”

  “Charlie. He’s gone now, and I’m just… not sure what to do. We’ve been together for so long, I can’t imagine a life without him, Maryanne.”

  There it was again. Part of her mind was torn in the direction of her poor mother missing Father so terribly, but the other was wrapped up in why the heck her mom was calling her by her grandmother’s name?

  “Do you think I’m Maryanne right now?” Chastity asked cautiously, trying to sound casual, which was difficult considering that the sliver of uncertainty that had been niggling around her mind was now a full-blown cold feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “Of course. Who else would you be?”

  “That’s right,” she licked her lips, trying to pick her words carefully. “I’m Maryanne.” Another pause before she took a deep breath. “Where’s Chastity, by the way?”

  Now it was her mother’s turn to sigh. “In the city. I don’t think she’s ever coming back. Sometimes I don’t know if we’re even from the same world. I want to understand her, but… but sometimes it seems like I can’t. I just want her to be happy. And to be safe. The city is so dangerous!”

  Ow.

  Chastity’s heart throbbed, and it took everything in her to keep her breath from catching. There was something utterly disarming about hearing her mother confess to how tenuous their relationship was. It seemed that they both wanted to love each other but had no idea how.

  “Oh look, we’re already here.”

  Chastity looked up to see the familiar front of the doctor’s office. Somehow it looked completely untouched by time, as if a single day hadn’t passed since she’d gotten her checkup before she rushed off to college. The handymen who kept up the place must have been exceptionally on-task over the years for it to still look
so good.

  They strolled inside, and from there, they waited in the reception area. Chastity’s mind went to all the memories that were woven into the walls around her. She had been treated for strep here, and the flu, and then that incredibly unpleasant bout of meningitis. So many coughs, gags, and weary wheezes.

  Eventually, the nurse called her mother’s name, and Chastity rose automatically to go with her. However, Ruby seemed to have some other ideas, because she turned and sharply regarded her daughter. “What are you doing?”

  “Going with you.”

  “I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself.”

  And with that she was off behind the doors with the nurse.

  Chastity’s teeth worried at her lip as she watched the door like a hawk. How was she going to explain what was going on with her mother if she wasn’t in the room with the doctor? She was sure that this was some sort of HIPAA violation.

  Chastity’s phone buzzed. She looked at the screen to see a text from her agent. When are you coming back to NY?

  She fired off a quick response. Not sure. There are complications. Why?

  The response made her heart sink. Open auditions for a new show next week.

  Chastity frowned as she responded. Shoot. Won’t be able to make it. Taking care of my mother.

  The sound of a door opening caused Chastity to look up, and she was surprised to see that same nurse there. “Miss Parker?”

  Chastity found herself on her feet instantly, trying to keep her expression neutral. She was afraid that if she emoted, all of the worry within her would burst out at once.

  “Yes?” she managed to squeak out without sounding like a terrified mouse.

  “Mrs. Parker has you added as her power of attorney, correct?”

  “Yes,” Chastity answered, swallowing hard.

  Those were words she hadn’t heard in a long time. Her mom had designated Chastity to make medical decisions on her behalf if she were ever to become too sick or mentally unfit to declare her own desires. Why on earth would that be relevant now?

  “We’d like to talk to you, if you don’t mind.”

  Chastity nodded and followed after her, being led into the back. The nurse took her to a patient room, leaving her there with a comment that the doctor would be in soon.

  Why did they have her in here? Why was she separate from her mother? Why did they ask about the power of attorney?

  Finally, the doctor stepped in, calmly shutting the door behind him. He was just as she remembered him, but with white touching his temples. Perhaps he had crow’s-feet, whereas he had none before, but other than that it was like stepping into a time machine.

  “Ms. Parker?” he asked, even though he had to know who she was.

  “Yes,” Chastity answered automatically, still struggling to keep her voice steady. “Did you need something? I have my mom’s insurance card.”

  “No, no, Ms. Parker, it’s not that.” He paused, as if considering exactly how to phrase the next sentence out of his mouth. “Your mother is sick, Ms. Parker. I can’t exactly be sure with what, as we don’t have the right things here to test her. I’m recommending that you take her to a doctor in the city who has the appropriate equipment to diagnose and treat her.”

  “Sick?” Chastity repeated, her eyes going wide. “With what? Do you mean cancer?”

  “No, no nothing like that.” The doctor took off his glasses a moment and rubbed at his nose before placing them back on. “But still serious. I don’t like throwing these words around lightly, but I believe she is exhibiting signs of dementia, or Alzheimer’s. I’m recommending you to this doctor, so they can distinguish which, but also because they specialize in treatment regarding elderly mental care.”

  “Dementia.”

  It seemed like the world had curled itself into a spiral, shrinking down to a spinning web of awful. Chastity could hear her heart in her ears, thundering through her veins, and suddenly she felt so very alone.

  “There is a chance that it could be something else. I’m by no means an expert in this area, but the symptoms point me in this direction. I really, really urge you to make an appointment.” He handed her a card, and Chastity took it in her shaking hands. “She may resist. She thinks she’s fine, but it’s important that you don’t listen to her. I’m sure you’ve already noticed the signs, and her probable denial of them.”

  Chastity nodded, and he stepped aside to open the door. “She’s in the room across the way if you want to collect her and head out. Of course, take as much time as you need.”

  Chastity couldn’t speak, so she only nodded dully as she stepped out into the hall. The doctor made a polite gesture to the opposite door then walked to the front, giving her a bit of privacy.

  Which she sorely needed.

  Chastity slumped against the wall, her world still spinning. Her mother was sick? She had hoped that the suspicious feeling in her gut had only been paranoia, but now that those fears had been proven true, she didn’t feel any better.

  She had just lost her father and was still struggling with how she felt about that. She couldn’t lose her mother too. Nor could she watch her mom slowly waste away as whatever illness she had ate away at what made her…well, her.

  While Chastity hadn’t had any direct experience with dementia or Alzheimer’s, she knew people who had. They were cruel, debilitating diseases that stole away memories, personalities, and happiness until there was little left.

  She didn’t want that for her mother, so she prayed that whatever was going on with her was something else entirely.

  Steadying herself, she took a deep breath then headed for the door, knocking slightly.

  “Hey there, you ready to head home?” she asked, looking over to her mother.

  The woman brightened, smiling at her daughter, and Chastity couldn’t help but return the smile. She had been looking forward to trying to repair her strained relationship with her remaining parent, but what if that chance was stolen away before she even had the opportunity to make amends?

  Was this her punishment? Had she done something wrong? Because she had taken her parents and her hometown for granted, were they going to be ripped from her forever?

  “Something wrong, Maryanne?”

  “Not really. I’m just—” Chastity stopped, catching the comment. “Am I still Maryanne?”

  “You ask the silliest questions,” Chasity’s mom stated before she stood and offered her an arm. “Let’s go home, shall we?”

  “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

  Chastity offered her arm, stomach through the floor, as they headed out again. Her mother kept up a good conversation the entire short walk to their house, but not once did she ever use Chastity’s name.

  It was upsetting, and Chastity did her hardest not to show it, but her mother seemed to sense something was amiss. Once she was in the door, her mother spoke of needing a nap and then headed up the stairs.

  Chastity was pleased to see that she could still get up there on her own, but it was a very small victory. Once her mother was out of sight, she went back outside onto the porch to call the city doctor.

  Of course, she was on hold forever, and when she finally did get to speak with a secretary, the woman told her that the doctor wasn’t accepting any new patients for a year. That had nearly cut Chastity through, and she had to hold all of her emotions inside of herself not to blow up on the phone.

  She dropped the referring doctor’s name and mentioned that her mother needed testing for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. That seemed to do something, and the woman stated they would call her back after speaking to the referring doctor. It didn’t take long, and the doctor must have sounded convincing of her need for treatment, because the lady offered a round of appointments the next day for all the tests she needed. She also told Chastity that her mother needed to fast overnight for a blood test.

  Chastity told her thank you and wrote down the appointment times, but when she hung up a whole new set o
f problems alighted on her.

  She didn’t have a car, and neither did her mother. She had to get her mom a ride into the city, but it was thirty miles away. There wasn’t even a bus that ran that way and taking a train there would certainly be expensive. Too expensive for her budget, and she wasn’t sure of her mother’s yet.

  Perhaps her mother had a friend that could take them?

  Going back into the house, Chastity went over to her mother’s desk, rooting around for something that might help. She wasn’t sure how much time she wasted going through drawers when she finally spotted an old address book on one of the higher parts of the desk.

  Oh.

  She grabbed that and went through it page by page. She recognized several of her mother’s old friends but knew that a few of them had already passed away, just like her father.

  Finally, she came upon a name she recognized. Annie. It had a pleasant sort of ring to it, so Chastity guessed that she probably knew who this person was, from when she was younger maybe.

  Picking up the phone, she dialed the number. It rang twice, then a gentle voice came over the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Oh, hi. Annie?”

  “This is she, who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

  “This is Chastity, Mrs. Parker’s daughter.”

  “Oh, Chastity! Hello! I remember you.”

  Oh. How awkward. Chastity could only vaguely remember that she might have known a Mrs. Annie at one point. “Really? Well, that makes this easier. I was calling to ask a favor of you.”

  “Of course, dear. I’m so sorry about your father’s passing. I know how much he and your mother were in love.”

  “…yeah. They were.” Chastity took a deep breath, wondering if she was violating her mother’s privacy. But she didn’t see much of an option. “Well, the reason I’m calling is because my mother needs to go to a doctor in the city for some specialized tests and neither of us have a car.”

  “Oh goodness, tests? Is she all right?”

  Chastity’s stomach did that drop again. She hated it. “I don’t know.”