Libby’s arms pulled him closer. Jacob wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest, never wanting to let her go. When the kiss was over, they both stood in each other’s arms, content to stay close.
Jacob was shaken by the knowledge that Libby loved him. He could see it in her eyes and feel it now by the way she clung to him in his arms. His own feelings for her were desperate in the love he felt. But now, he felt a responsibility toward her more than friendship. It was almost a sacred thing to be loved. He tenderly held her. He cherished her and dreaded the real possibility of losing her. His life was a mess. How could he possibly have a future with her? All these thoughts pulled at him, stealing some of the joy he was feeling. He loved her more than anything in his life. How could he possibly keep her?
That night changed everything about their relationship. It unlocked emotions that he didn’t know he had, and the last two weeks were spent declaring their love for each other. They carved their initials in the tree behind the cabin. It was the day after they had promised to love each other forever that the police officer came around looking for kids on the run.
After Libby said good night and walked back up to her house, Jacob didn’t feel like turning in. He was troubled and decided to take a walk along the creek inlet. As he was contemplating how to change his life to be worthy of Libby, he heard voices. Someone was moving through the woods on the other side of the creek. They had a powerful flashlight. Jacob stooped down and listened to try to figure out who they were. As he peered into the woods, he could see someone leading a group of men. One of the men said, “The kids are over there on the other side of the creek on the Perkins ranch.”
Justin stood up and ran back to the cabin. “Men are coming. That’s it, Michael, we’re going to have to leave here now. Someone must have seen us and reported it to the police.” He took a notepad and left a note for Libby and put it in the secret compartment under the floor rug.
Dear Libby,
We have to make a run for it. Men are coming up the path from the river as I write this. Someone must have reported us. I hope we can find each other again one day.
That was four years ago, and here she was, looking very fine and very sophisticated with her fiancé. While Libby had been living her very wealthy life, Jacob and Michael had been scratching out a living until they ran into Carson at a truck stop in northern Texas.
They were sitting at the counter waiting to order. Carson walked up to the counter and sat next to them. “Howdy, you two look like you could use a good job. Know anything about ranching?”
“Yes, sir, that’s what we’ve been doing. Our father was a ranch hand all his life.” Michael smiled and sat up straighter.
“I run a dude ranch down outside of Houston, and I need a couple of good workers to help me run the place.”
They hired on, and it was the best decision they’d made to that point in their lives. Jacob was happy, and it was a good move for Michael. Raelyn, Carson’s wife, mothered him, and he needed it.
One day, after they’d been working there almost two years, Carson stopped by to talk with them. “Raelyn wants you both to come to dinner tonight, twenty minutes.” They were invited to eat with Carson and Raelyn about once every month. She had encouraged them to get their GED online. After the monthly dinners, she would check on their progress.
Raelyn had married Carson three years ago. Jacob didn’t know the whole story, only that they had been friends for years, and they had met again in Rio. The two of them acted like parents.
Jacob didn’t think he needed it, but Michael sure did. Michael walked over. “What’s up?”
“Carson wants us to come to dinner.”
They both headed over to Carson’s ranch house and met Raelyn on the front porch.
“Dinner’s almost ready, but I thought it would be fun to chat out here on the porch while we wait. Carson’s not up to the house yet.”
Michael walked over to the bench swing and sat down.
After they had lemonade on the porch, they both followed Raelyn into the house and washed up. Michael and Jacob sat down at the table in their normal spots, wondering what was the occasion.
Raelyn sat across from them, looking them over for a minute. Her face was kind and hopeful. “You two boys finished your high school classes in record time. You could do anything you wanted in this life with your intelligence and work ethic.” Jacob could feel her concern and love, and he knew Michael did as well. “I think you should both enroll in college. Maybe you could start taking some online classes first to see what you might be interested in.”
“We need to work, ma’am. We can’t be taking off to go to college. I’m getting a little old to be starting college, but Michael could go, I’m saving up our money.”
Raelyn touched his shoulder. “What I’m trying to say is there’s a way that you could both go. Carson needs your help with this ranch for sure. But even if he didn’t, I think you know how we feel about you.” Jacob smiled. They had been at the Rio Lago Ranch for almost two years now. He had thought many times that it was a great blessing to him and Michael. Mary and Henry, the owners, were very kind as well. Mary always had some amazing cookies she saved for them. And Henry taught them how to shoot and took them hunting now and then. It was the family they had been missing since their dad died.
As they ate dinner that night with Raelyn and Carson, the subject of college came up again, but with Carson this time. He sat down and poured some cider into his glass. “Now, boys, we have some funds tucked away that we normally donate to charities for tax purposes. Raelyn found that if that money went for education, we would also get a tax break. You’d be doing us a big favor if you’d allow us to provide college classes for you both.”
They both sat there, silent. Jacob didn’t know what to say. Finally, he blurted out, “What will we do about our work here at the ranch?”
Carson laughed. “Don’t think you’re going to get out of that. If you attend one of the universities in Houston, you can do both and live here. Nowadays, some of your classes will be internet classes, and those days, you won’t even have to drive in.”
Michael leaned over to Jacob. “What do you think, Jacob?” Jacob could see the excitement in his eyes.
“I think it’s a great idea, and we’d be foolish not to take this opportunity, but we can’t do it unless we work the ranch for free.” He looked over to Carson and Raelyn. “I know that wouldn’t even slightly cover the expenses of a university education. I’ve been looking online, and it’s expensive.”
Raelyn got up to get the pie she had made. “Don’t you worry about that. We would love to help.” Her eyes clouded up, and she walked back to the sink. Michael wiped his eyes as well, and Jacob felt his heart swell with a love they had been missing. It was obvious they were loved at this ranch.
Carson passed the rolls to Jacob. “Once we start filling out applications, you’re going to need to put your real names on them.” Carson raised his eyebrows. “Is that going to be a problem?”
Both Jacob and Michael looked down and shook their heads. Michael replied, “Not anymore.”
Raelyn handed them all plates of pie and ice cream. “Let’s move into the living room to eat our pie and hear your story.”
Jacob did most of the talking.
Raelyn picked up the plates. “Do you have any other family?”
Michael helped her take the plates to the kitchen. “We have a grandfather somewhere who I guess hates us.”
“Okay, we’ll do some research and see what we can find out. You could say we have expertise in that area.” Raelyn smiled and patted Michael’s shoulder. “So what’s your last name?”
“Sperry. Jacob and Michael Sperry.” They both sighed. It felt good to be honest with Carson and Raelyn.
As they walked back to the bunkhouse, Michael wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “I love them, Jacob. They’re family.”
Jacob came back to the present as Michael came out of the shower, whistling as
he dried his hair. “I’m so happy that Libby is here. I know things are going to work out, Jacob, even if you don’t.”
Jacob remembered he needed to borrow some of Michael’s hair gel.
“I’m sure we’ll stay friends, Michael, but I don’t think it will work out the way you want it.”
After Michael finished dressing, they both stood up and looked in the mirror. “Man, you can sure tell we’re brothers.” Michael laughed. “You could be pictured on one of those cowboy romance books too.” Michael punched Jacob’s arm. “Libby was looking you over. I think she liked what she saw.”
“Whatever, Michael. Just don’t get your hopes up or say anything foolish.”
“Like, ‘why do you want to marry this guy?’”
“Exactly.” As they walked through the stables, they stopped to wait for Libby and Chad who were standing by the picnic tables.
“Howdy, y’all. It’s a nice evening.” Jacob smiled. Libby had put on a sundress, and she looked amazing. Her hair was pulled back and up with one curl hanging down. Chad was wearing Dockers and a collared shirt. He looked irritated.
“This will be so nice to get to know Carson’s wife. It was very nice of her to invite us over. I don’t imagine many guests to this ranch get invited to their home.” Libby’s eyes stood out in her blue sundress. She also had a small blue ribbon hanging down with one of her curls.
“None, most guests don’t even know there’s a house up there on the hill, it’s so far back in the trees. You can’t see it from the ranch. They just built it, and it’s nice to sit on the porch when the afternoon gulf breeze blows. They have some amazing artwork from South America in there.” Jacob touched Michael’s arm. He was talking nonstop.
“They’ve been very nice to us here. It’s a great place to work.” Jacob turned to Libby and smiled.
Chad looked over and sneered.
Oh brother, it’s going to be a great night.
As they walked up the porch steps, Raelyn came out with a tray of lemonade. “Let’s sit here while Carson barbeques the steaks.”
Jacob introduced Libby and Chad to Raelyn.
“Chad, can I get you to set this tray on the table over there?”
Chad looked at Raelyn like she’d just asked him to sit in a cow pie.
Michael rushed over. “Here, let me do it. Thanks, this is my favorite.” He set the tray on the table and took one of the glasses. “Why don’t y’all sit on the bench swing? It’s a great view down toward the lake.”
“Thanks, Michael, that would be lovely. Raelyn, this is such a lovely location. Thank you so much for inviting us up.” Libby sat on the bench next to Chad.
“It’s always fun to have a dinner party. I was happy to do it. How did y’all meet?” Raelyn sat on the other bench swing, and Michael and Jacob leaned back against the porch railing facing the benches.
Libby related how wonderful it was to meet the boys and how much fun she had as they shared a month together that summer long ago. They all laughed as she related stories from their time together.
Carson walked out onto the porch. “The steaks are ready, shall we?” He opened the door, and everyone followed Raelyn into the dining room.
At the dinner table, the conversation was going well. Raelyn was very good at drawing Chad out, and they all heard about his football glory days. Everything was going well until Chad started talking about his time working at the university stables.
Michael sat up and leaned over to see Chad. “You worked with horses?”
Jacob couldn’t imagine that either since he obviously didn’t like them.
Chad leaned back in his chair and laughed. “Everyone knew the rich girls all brought their horses to school with them.” He choked when he realized what he’d said, and there was an uncomfortable silence at the table.
Libby looked down and folded her napkin in her lap. Jacob wanted to knock Chad out of his chair. He had basically admitted he was after Libby’s money. She must feel humiliated.
Carson stepped in. “What type of horses were the most common at the university?”
“I saw every famous breed in the world. We had students from Arabia as well as Africa. The horses were all award winners of some kind or other. Of course, Olivia is special on her own.”
“Of course, I can see that,” Raelyn added. “Let’s move to the living room for dessert.”
As they all got up, Michael helped Raelyn clear the table and Michael reached for Chad’s glass and dumped it over on his lap.
Chad jumped up, brushing off the liquid from his pants. “What an idiot.”
“I’m so sorry, here, let me help you.” He handed Chad a napkin.
“It was an accident, Chad.” Libby handed Chad another napkin.
“I can’t sit here in these. We’ll have to leave, come on, Olivia.”
“Why don’t you head back, Chad. I’d like to sample some of that dessert.” Libby turned and walked into the dining room.
Chad walked out the door and down the stairs. Michael was wiping up the lemonade from the floor and stood, smiling at Jacob.
“Seriously, did you have to do that?” Jacob leaned over, picking up the glass.
Michael looked up. “Yes.”
They all settled in the living room while Michael and Raelyn brought in the apple pie and ice cream. With Chad gone, everyone relaxed and told stories from their past. It was a warm and enjoyable evening.
Jacob walked Libby back. “It’s so nice to see you again, Libby.”
“You didn’t come back to find me, Jacob? I waited and hoped.”
“If I’d known about your parents, we would’ve found a way to come. I’m sorry. We were on the run, we had some hard times, Libby, it got worse before it got better.”
They walked along in silence, listening to the sounds of the night. An owl was overhead in the high branches of the live oak tree they were under. The cicadas were singing, and in the far distance, a pack of coyotes had just made a kill. Their frenzied yapping gave Jacob a chill. He wanted to take her in his arms and just hold her. He looked down at her, but she turned and walked toward the ranch house.
“Thanks, Jacob, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Chapter 4
Chad helped Olivia out of her chair from lunch. “Hey, let’s take a walk around the lake. We haven’t spent much time together here yet.” Olivia sighed, thinking, I don’t want to spend that much time listening to you explain to me how my life is going to be now that you’re planning to take over.
“Okay, Chad, that sounds nice.”
Mary walked over with a tray of cookies. “Would you both like to take a cookie or two with you?”
Chad shook his head. “No, we’re watching our waistlines here.”
You might be watching your waistline, Chad, but I’m not, nor do I need to watch mine.
“Thank you, Mary, I would love one. In fact, I think I’ll take three.” Olivia smiled tartly, and Mary winked at her, which made her laugh.
Chad looked shocked and a bit peeved. So be it. Truly, the nerve of him. If she were to marry him—which was a big if, at this point—she’d end it immediately if he tried to control her right down to her diet.
As they walked down the stairs, Chad reached for Olivia’s hand, but she moved it away. “It’s hard to eat my cookies holding hands.”
“I’m sorry; you can certainly have a cookie once in a while.”
“Whatever, Chad, I can have a cookie whenever I want one.”
“Olivia, you’re changing so much.” Chad wrinkled his brow.
“Well, if you mean I’m not as needy as I once was or if you mean I’m regaining my independence after a long spell of grief, then yes, I’m changing.”
Chad was silent and seemed to be pouting. Was he truly thinking of giving her the silent treatment? He is about to silent-treat himself right out of a fiancée.
“Chad, why were you meeting with my financial advisor last week?”
“Well, since we’re going to be married
, I needed to see how the finances worked and if we needed to make any changes.” Chad looked down, not meeting her eyes. “Did you meet with him as well?”
“Not yet, but I plan to when we get back from this trip.”
Chad wiped the sweat from his brow.
“And, Chad, if you want to meet with him again, I think it should be as a couple. After all, they are my finances at this point, not yours.”
“I didn’t want to burden you with it, Olivia. It’s the man’s job to handle the finances in the family.” Chad reached for her hand again, but Olivia was feeling less and less like holding hands, so she moved away.
“Chad, even if the man is making the family money, he and his wife come together to make the decisions on budgeting and everything else about the money. They set goals together. Surely, you know this.”
“That’s not how it was in my family. My mother kept herself busy with the kids, the house, and the cooking. She didn’t have time for anything else, and she liked it that way.”
“Well, Chad, I will have maids and cooks to handle all of that. So naturally, I will want to be involved in all that we do as a family, financially and otherwise, just as my mother did, and that is the way she liked it.”
Chad started walking faster. As they got to the bench at the halfway point, Olivia sat down. “Chad, why don’t you go on ahead? I think I’ll sit here for a while and enjoy nature.”
As Chad kept walking, Olivia got out her phone and dialed the number for her financial advisor. “This is Olivia Perkins, is Mr. Stanton in?” Olivia planned to have a word with him. “Hello, Mr. Stanton, I understand you had a meeting with Chad Weymouth, my fiancé, recently. Have you been meeting with him regularly? What did you discuss?” As Olivia listened, her anger turned to concern. “He has not given me any paperwork to sign, Mr. Stanton, and until you hear from me, you will not be making any of the changes that he suggested. I would prefer you discontinue meeting with him without me.”
Olivia hung up and fumed. Why in the world would Chad want to make a portion of her wealth liquid? He had asked that a special account be set up with four million in liquid funds.
Lost Billionaire Heir: Billionaire Cowboy Sweet Romance (Texas Ranch Romance Book 8) Page 3