Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  Kelsey had spent three of the twelve weeks left of school at her father’s house. Even if she stretched it out and played her cards right she would still surely be sent there to live the summer with her father before college started or worse they would tell she had to attend college in the city.

  Kelsey had been considering the option of not attending college for many months now. Running the ranch and keeping everyone in line was hard work. Yet both her parents, even with their lack of parenting, demanded she go to college.

  Kelsey had decided to call her mother before she had got on the plane and alerted her to when the plane would be landing. She would need a ride home. Her mother would not be able to pick her up which wasn’t a surprise but to her surprise the person who stood there waiting for her was her Uncle James.

  “Hey kid.” James smiled as he shuffled his five year old son around on his hip.

  “Hi sissy.” Toby squirmed until James put him down. He ran to his cousin and hugged her.

  Kelsey smiled and returned the hug. “Hi buddy. Are you going to bring me home to my horsies?”

  “We stay live with horsies.” Toby replied.

  Kelsey looked up at James. “You’re staying at my house?”

  “Yeah, helping with the herd until you choose some new stable workers. Your mom’s been busy at the office.” James told her, though it was only partially true. James and his wife Karen had been fighting and James left.

  Of course her mom had been busy at the office. She always was. Kelsey had been accustomed to being at home alone with only the ranch hands. That was how she got so close to Duff… he had helped out one summer, and one summer was enough for both of them.

  “Oh, of course she’s busy…” Kelsey said dryly. “I’ll get some new hires as soon as I can.”

  The ride through the countryside was comforting. Her ranch had been miles from the city in any direction and she felt free here. That was probably one reason her mother was always busy at the office, she had rented a room at the hotel in town for those nights that she didn’t get out until late.

  “Take your time love. We are glad to have you back. I bet your brother, father, and friends, though, will be missing you. Have you found a boy yet?” James questioned.

  He thought it was odd that Kelsey had not found a fella yet. Many of the kids around here married young, generally right out of high school and worked their parents’ farms or bought their own. Yet, Kelsey had inherited the farm from her grandfather when he passed. Ryder had a choice between having part of the ranch or receiving a trust fund being the city boy he had taken the money.

  “No.” Kelsey chuckled but groaned inwardly. She hadn’t chosen a ‘fella’ yet, not really. She wasn’t interested right now in finding a guy. She had bigger things to worry about such as the pregnant horse, cows ready to drop if there were any, the summer cattle drive which was coming soon, and a few fields which needed cutting soon.

  The ranch had been self sufficient; her grandfather had made sure of it before he signed it over to his granddaughter. They were one of the main working ranches for beef cattle and horses in the area. They had kept hogs and chickens for the farm’s purpose. Kelsey had many dogs and cats but only for the fun of having puppies and kittens from time to time.

  “You’re such a strange girl. You know there aint any single women who own ranches in the state…” James commented.

  “James,” Kelsey groaned. “We all know I have a lot of work to do and bringing a man into the mix is just going to mess everything up right now.”

  “See that’s where you’re wrong, love. Bringing in a man might just lessen some of the load. Especially, one of the good country boys around here who’s just itchin’ to get your attention.” James chuckled.

  This was the exact reason Kelsey had avoided the last family gathering, and begged her mother not to host it. Once she had turned sixteen the relatives had began bothering her about dating and she was overly annoyed. Even now over two years later, she had tried her hardest to remain single.

  “Let’s not talk about this right now.” Kelsey rolled her eyes turning her head to the back and focusing on Toby. “Hey buddy, getting sleepy?”

  “No.” Toby yawned. He had been so good in the back seat that Kelsey had almost forgotten he was back there.

  “If you leave him be, he’ll take a nap.” James all but whispered.

  “Ah and what fun would that be?” Kelsey giggled as she turned back around and began to pester the little boy.

  “You’ll see once we get back.” James hissed. He could only hope that his niece would someday have a child to pester her as much as Toby did him, especially, if she wouldn’t let him have his nap.

  After what seemed like forever they arrived at the large wooden arch of the Lodge Ranch. The arch had their name carved above it and a large set of long horn bull horns above it. The sign had been kept up but it was still the sign from when Kelsey’s great grandfather had originally put on the farm so many years ago.

  “Oh, how I missed this place.” Kelsey smiled as she turned and watched her land pass by. James had picked up the speed only slightly. They still had five miles to get to the house but they were so close now.

  “Is my mom going to be home?” Kelsey asked.

  “Uh, no sweetheart. She’s been staying in town nearly every day of the weeks now.” James looked to the road avoiding saying what Suzie should be telling her daughter.

  “Oh. So it’s just us and the hands for dinner?” Kelsey asked.

  “Yeah, Annie has dinner on the stove and ready by six every night just as when you left. There really are only around twenty people at the ranch right now.”

  “What!?” Kelsey hissed. There was usually almost thirty.

  “Your mother tried to stop them but when Julio left some of the guys wanted to leave with him. Why I don’t know. They probably wouldn’t be that hard to get back though see as you are back now.” James shrugged.

  “Well I’ll have to find out who left and I will need to evaluate everything before I make my discussions, I guess.” Kelsey groaned.

  James nodded. He slowed the truck to a stop at the front of the main house. It was just how Kelsey had left it. The tall old farm house in desperate need of some new white paint sat surrounded with the grass yard on either side of it and a few good shade trees surrounding. As she stepped from the truck the dogs came running and howling all in the same.

  “Gunner” she called crouching down to except the Labrador in her arms. The dog barked then rammed into her, licking at her face.

  “I’ll be in the house,” James told her.

  Kelsey stood up and pulled the phone from her pocket remembering she promised she would call when she landed. Her brother picked up the call after only the second ring. “Kelsey?” He questioned.

  “Hey Ry.” Kelsey said.

  “Oh thank goodness!” Ryder sighed in relief.

  “Sorry. I forgot to call.” Kelsey cringed slightly.

  “Well finally I guess is better than never. So how is it…?” Ryder asked.

  “I have a lot to evaluate at the moment but I think I’ll be here for a while. Probably finish the school year here at home.” Kelsey said hoping her brother wouldn’t argue. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to go back. She hadn’t packed much of her things. Nor had her truck but she could always ask her brother if he could pack them and drive them out to her…

  “What?” Hannah snapped. Kelsey looked at her phone for a moment wondering if she had crossed her lines.

  “Hannah?” Kelsey asked.

  “Shh…” she heard Ryder hiss and she giggled.

  “Ryder is Hannah there with you? Isn’t it like really late there?” Kelsey scrutinized.

  “Yeah, fine. I give.” Ryder groaned. “She is here. We’ve been hanging out…”

  “I see, one girl kind of man?” Kelsey smirked.

  “Don’t get the wrong idea.” Ryder told her then yelled, “Ouch! Come on Hannah! Fine. Here.”

&n
bsp; Hannah’s voice came on the phone now. “Hey Kels,” Hannah spoke.

  “Hey,” Kelsey replied. “So you and my brother, yeah?”

  “I didn’t come on the line to talk about me. You left him without much, Kels… The poor guy’s been going crazy.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kelsey questioned.

  “PJ…” Hannah dragged. “Hey!” Hannah screamed into the phone.

  “Hannah? Hannah, are you okay?” Kelsey worried.

  “She’s fine. I just had to cut off that conversation. Anyway, I will let you get to work. We miss you sis. Maybe I can bring your truck and things out sometime.” Ryder said.

  “I would like that. See ya both later.” Kelsey hung up the phone shaking her head. She had to clear her thoughts and get down to business.

  Kelsey made her way inside and greeted everyone who had begun to gather at the tables for dinner.

  When she finished she dragged her bags up to her room and flopped on to the very familiar bed.

  Chapter 20

  While Kelsey took on the difficulties of running her ranch everyone back at the cabin had packed up and went back home. “Are you ready to go?” Ryder asked.

  “Yeah, I think everything’s packed.” PJ said as he climbed inside the truck. He sat in the back and allowed Hannah to sit next to her new boy toy. “So are you two an item now?” PJ asked.

  Ryder stiffened and Hannah turned to look at Ryder with a sad half smile. She didn’t want to speak first. Ryder wasn’t sure though either if he could speak first either.

  PJ chuckled “Well I guess we all have things to talk about. So where did Kelsey run off to, I didn’t really get to spend much time with her.”

  “Back to the ranch and I doubt you’ll have your chance now because she’s not coming back for a while.” Ryder said nonchalantly. He didn’t really care that his friend was ticked right now. He would get over it. Now his sister was far away and there was no chance of the two getting together now.

  “Damn it!” PJ yelled as he punched his fist into the center seat. “I got to get her phone number. I need to talk to her.”

  “You may be my friend man but that isn’t going to happen. You’re not her type and I am sure she’s not interested. That’s probably why she ran in the first place.” Ryder lied. He turned his gaze on Hannah and gave her a stern look, which said you better not tell him.

  The rest of the ride was silent. Everyone met back at the house, divvied up their cars and supplies then left to their own homes.

  “I’ll see you at school.” PJ ground out. He was not sure what to think of his friend right now and he was going to work on Hannah.

  “See ya at school.” Ryder and Hannah both nodded before leaving together.

  Chapter 21

  As soon as he entered his home Parker scrounged through his contacts. He had talked with Hannah before Ryder had come back. He was hoping that she could convince him to calm down regarding Kelsey.

  He walked up and took a shower in his room then crawled into bed trying to think up a plan. The next morning Parker had a hard time getting out of bed. It wasn’t until his mother came up stairs and told him to get a move on.

  “You’re late MacKay!” the coach yelled as he saw Parker making his way to the field.

  “Sorry coach.” Parker yawned.

  “Ten laps!” the coach hollered out. Parker groaned but began trotting around the field.

  Ryder rolled his eyes. He could tell his friend had a late night, he figured he probably had called a girl over once him and Hannah had dropped him off. “Garhh… and he thought I would let him go after my sister.” Ryder snarled not paying attention as someone tackled him to the ground.

  “Get your head in the practice!” the coach yelled.

  Ryder groaned and pushed himself up shoving the guy who had tackled him. “Get off me.”

  Parker chuckled even through his tiredness as he looked over at his friend. Parker finished his laps and rejoined the field. When he lined up Ryder huffed. He had a plan to take Parker down.

  “Okay, I’ll toss the ball to Brandon. Break!” Ryder chuckled to himself. After the ball was hiked and tossed to Brandon everyone’s eyes were across the field on the man running, Ryder crouched low and tackled Parker.

  “Get off me!” Parker snorted pushing at his friend.

  “Opps, didn’t see you there.” Ryder lied.

  “Yeah” Parker commented.

  The next round Ryder openly rammed Parker. “What the hell man?” Parker yelled as he pushed Ryder away.

  “Opps again. Sorry.” Ryder chuckled dryly. Parker was getting sick of the crap he was receiving from his friend. This time he was solely going to pay attention to Ryder. As the ball hiked Ryder came barreling down the field. Ryder crouched low and when he was about to collide, Parker sidestepped causing Ryder to slam into the ground.

  “Opps.” Parker chuckled. “Didn’t see me did you?” He rolled his eyes.

  Ryder growled as he pushed himself up from the ground “What the hell’s your problem?!” Ryder snapped.

  “My problem. You are the one that’s been out for me since I walked onto the field today!” Parker yelled back.

  Ryder yanked his helmet and tossed it to the ground. He could see better and breath better that way. “You want to know what my problem is!” He yelled. “My problem is you trying to go after my sister then go out and have some long night with another girl!” Ryder hissed as he pushed Parker ‘s chest.

  Parker took a menacing step forward. “I haven’t gone out with any girl since that night at the club with your sister!”

  It was Ryder that took the first swing, but once that happen everything was a blur. The two guys were rolling around punching each other while the other members of the football team either cheered them on or tried to pull them apart. The coach was yelling and running toward the scene, Hannah sat in the bleachers awestruck.

  She could clearly hear the fight since it was only a short distance away. She hopped from the bleachers and raced down to the guys.

  “Ryder! Parker! Come on cut it out!” She screamed but it was too late. Ryder wasn’t paying attention when he threw his punch at Parker, nor when his fist took out someone else. Hannah went tumbling down in the mist of the fight.

  There was only seconds that happened between her falling and one of the guys pulling her out to safety but Hannah had already accrued a cut just below her left eye.

  “Break it up!” The coach yelled. He gripped Ryder by the back of the shirt and tugged him back tossing him to the guys to hold while he pushed Parker to the other side of the group. They were in deep now.

  “Do you to Neanderthals want to explain yourselves?” the coach asked.

  “He’s trying to sleep with my sister!” Ryder yelled.

  “I am interested in her not just for sex!” Parker hollered back, for the first time he was admitting it out loud to himself and his friend.

  Ryder looked shocked for a moment then withdrew the expression adding “She’s too good for you!”

  “That does it!” Parker snarled as he launched himself at Ryder once again.

  “In my office NOW!” the coach yelled. “PJ hit the shower I will talk to you after I am done with Mister Lodge!”

  The coach was pissed. He finally noticed Hannah on the ground a few feet away within Sam’s arms nursing the cut on her face. “Crap.” He sighed. “Sam, help her into my office. I’ll get that fixed up.”

  “But coach that’s …” Sam argued.

  “Tell them to keep their pants on, a girl’s in the lockers.” The coach barked.

  After the coach had attended to Hannah’s wounds he had Sam escort her to the office to get a pass to class. He sat down at his desk his head in his hands, shaking it in disbelief.

  “Ryder, I am ashamed of you. What were you thinking? No wait, I don’t even want to know what you were thinking. I heard what you were thinking when you yelled at PJ about your sister. I know it’s new for you to have your si
ster here but you’ll have to figure it out eventually. She’s a big girl. She’s going to be interested in guys at some point. If this happens again, I will be forced to bench you. I know you and PJ can work this out. You two have been friends for a very long time. Make up and don’t let this happen again.” The coach demanded.

  Ryder looked down at his hands in his lap. He had smudges of blood on them and he wondered if it was his or PJ’s. He really didn’t want to hurt his friend. He was just angered by him. “Get out of my office and take a shower, you stink. Class has already started and don’t think for a moment that I won’t make you work off that extra energy at practice.” The coach told him.

  Mindlessly Ryder stood, slowly walking from the coach’s office to the showers. He dropped his practice clothes as he went. Standing naked in the showers he let the cool water refresh his mind.

  Parker took his turn in the coach’s office. He got practically the same scolding. Yet the coach added “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, son. So you better learn to get along with your friend if you’re interested in the girl. Don’t let the girl ruin your friendship with Ryder and loose both of them. I know you didn’t start it but I want you to be the bigger man and finish it. Now go get to class.”

  Parker had already showered so he stood, offered his apologies to the coach and made his way to class.

  Chapter 22

  The next morning after Kelsey ate her breakfast she walked toward the main barn. It was the one that housed the horses. She entered through the main doors which were open past the office and her trophies. Sweetie, Tornado, and Morning Star were inside. She peaked into each horse’s stall patting them as she passed and continued toward the back.

  “Hello?” She called out. The large outdoor arena was where she found the person she was searching for.

  “Hey there,” Nick called before yelling “whoa.” The horse he had been training came to a slow walk but continued to move. “Whoa.” He called again this time tugging the rope until the horse shook its head.