The Rancher's Daughter

by Pamela Ladner

  It was the same as the night before, after that. Everyone concentrated on the rodeo. They applauded when someone rode, they gasped when someone got hurt and clapped when they walked away. Little girls got excited when the barrel racers came out. Little boys got excited over the bull riding. The parents enjoyed watching the excitement too, but not as much as they enjoyed watching, their little ones get excited.

  Josey was again on pins, and needles, when Heath’s name was called in the bull-riding event. She rubbed her leg with the palm of her hand and sat on the edge of her seat. She stood up and gripped the rail once more, ticking off the seconds in her head. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, she heard the buzzing sound and held her breath as Heath jumped off the bull. He ran to the nearest railing for safety while the guys on horseback herded the bull out of the arena. Heath kneeled down and thanked God for his ride, waved his hat in the air then crossed the arena to the rail where Josey stood. He climbed up and kissed her again. He knew he had just won big. He was full of excitement and didn’t care who knew it.

  Josey ran to meet him behind the chutes. He was doing an interview, and she waited. Once again the reporter, wanted to talk about his love life. “So, Heath, I guess congratulations are truly in order. You’ve just won big and you’re celebrating your marriage to one of barrel racings greatest. What have you got to say for yourself? I hope you know you just broke a lot of ladies, hearts.” Heath laughed, then he pulled Josey in front of the camera with him. “Well, all I know is I’m one lucky son of a gun.” He wrapped his arm around Josey’s waist and the reporter laughed at his joke before cutting. She congratulated them and Heath made his way to the winners circle with Josey in tow.

  The winners circle contained the winners and their whole families. Some of them, holding their kids while others, stood by themselves. Josey stood beside Heath as he accepted his buckle and his check. The awards ceremony wound up being a lot of handshakes and smiles. Pictures were taken so many times, Josey was sure she would go blind from all the flashing.

  When it was all over and done with, Heath took Josey back to the hotel and made sweet, sweet love to her. They stayed in their room for two days without coming out. When they got hungry, they ordered room service.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A year had passed since, Heath and Josey said their I do’s. They were now expecting a baby girl. Josey rubbed her back once more. She had been having back pain all day and she could not get comfortable. Her big protruding belly kept her from lying on her stomach, and nothing seemed to help. Heath was hard at work on the ranch running things and J.W and Hilary had finally taken a vacation even if it was only to see Hilary’s crazy family.

  Josey was not due for two more weeks and everyone promised to be back for the delivery. She was working on the nursery in Sam’s old house. They had moved into it since he’d moved in with his uncle. Sam had retired and Heath now filled his father’s shoes. He and Josey didn’t always agree on things, but they worked it out. The ranch was their livelihood and it would become their daughter’s future.

  She grabbed her back as a sharp pain hit her so hard it put her to her knees. She felt something wet between her legs and she panicked. Her water had just broken and no one was around. She reached for the phone and called up to Heath’s office. It rang several times and no one answered. She grabbed her bags, and put them by the door and called the office again. This time someone picked up on the fifth ring but it was not Heath. She asked him to get Heath and told him it was an emergency. There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. Then Heath was on the phone, breathing heavily. “What is it?” He breathed into the phone. “Get down here now, my water just broke, we’ve got to go.” She didn’t even finish the words before the phone hit the floor. Heath was out the door running.

  He crashed through the front door and fell over the bags. Josey was standing in the hallway, clutching her belly and breathing heavily. Sweat was dripping down her face. Heath grabbed the bags and helped his wife to the truck. He called ahead to the hospital to let them know they were coming. As he drove, he made one phone call after another, letting everyone know that the baby was coming.

  Josey lay across the seat breathing heavily and grunting in pain. Heath wiped sweat from her forehead and told her to breathe. She concentrated on breathing the way they’d taught her in lamas’ classes. Then she told him to go to hell and continued to scream.

  They made it to the hospital in the, nick of time. A wheelchair was, rolled out for her and a nurse took her to labor and delivery. Heath stood by her side and held her hand as she screamed in pain. When it was all said and done it was worth it.

  They held their beautiful baby girl for the first time. Her hair was jet black and she was screaming loudly. She was so precious. Heath’s heart melted. He sat on the bed and kissed his baby girl on the forehead then kissed his wife on the lips.

  Sam was the first one to the hospital, followed by Unc, carrying a big stuffed animal, he must have bought downstairs at the gift shop. J.W and Hilary were on their way back from their vacation and All Hilary’s brothers were coming with them.

  Some of the ranch hands were waiting in the waiting room and Sheriff James came along too. The phone was ringing off the hook with well-wishers. Heath took the baby and let Josey rest. He decided to show her off to the guys in the waiting room.

  Once visiting hours were over Josey was finally able to rest. Heath took care of the baby so that she could sleep. It was one of the only hospitals in the county, which left the baby with the parents instead of taking them to the nursery.

  Visiting hours began again at nine in the morning and there was a pile of people waiting outside the door once more. Hilary and J.W had finally made it. Sam was back and all of Hilary’s brothers were there too. Heath looked at J.W and Sam fighting over who was going to hold the baby. He turned to Josey and whispered, “I think our daughter is going to be spoiled rotten.” Josey laughed then said, “not if I can help it.”

  “Ok, you two that’s enough. You will both play nice and take turns or you won’t get to hold the baby at all.” Hilary said. She took the baby away from both of them. “Well Josey, what did you decide to name our sweet precious baby girl?” she asked. “We named her Elizabeth Lynn.” “Oh, that’s pretty, I like it.” Hilary cooed to the baby girl, “well my pretty little Elizabeth, I don’t think you are going to stand a chance in this family. Grandpa and Pappy are going to have you spoiled rotten.”

  Epilogue

  “Mommy, can I have a pony?” “Elizabeth Lynn Jenkins, eat your dinner and we will discuss a pony later,” Josey said. “But Mommy, I’m three years old. Grandpa said you had a pony when you were three.” Heath walked in on that note, “He did, did he? Did Grandpa also tell you, that pony tried to bite her and he sold it after a week?” “No!” she said. “No, what,” Heath scolded. “No, sir,” Elizabeth said, propping her chin on her fist.

  There was a knock at the door and Heath yelled for them to come in. J.W walked through the door and asked them to come outside. “Sam and I have something for Liz.” He said. Heath and Josey exchanged looks and got up from the table.

  They stepped outside and Sam stood holding the lead rope of a small palomino gelding, complete with a brand new saddle and tack. Elizabeth ran out the door in all her excitement and nearly tripped and fell down the porch steps.

  “A pony,” she screamed. “Whoa, there munchkin, you never run up to a horse, yelling. You could get hurt.” Sam said. “Sorry, Pappy, I’ll walk real slow, and be extra careful.”

  Sam reached down, picked up his granddaughter and put her in the saddle. He adjusted the stirrups and lead her around. She squealed with excitement. “Daddy, look at me!” Heath smiled at his daughter. “I’m watching sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around Josey, and whispered in her ear, “she has them wrapped around her little finger.”

  Hilary joined Josey and Heath on the porch. “I can’t believe how fast she’s grown. Those two have bee
n spoiling her rotten since the day she was born.”

  Elizabeth sat in the saddle, with a natural seat. She’d been on horses since she was a baby but always with an adult. The ranch hands gave her rides every chance they got. On her birthday each year she got everything she wanted. “Dad, her birthday party is this evening, y’all couldn’t have waited until the party?” Josey asked. J.W shook his head and said, “We didn’t want anyone to get mad at us for showing them up by getting her the best present. You know how the men make it a competition each year to outdo the other.” He smiled.

  The party that night consisted of the ranch hands and their families, and a pile of kids. Elizabeth received gifts that ranged from new boots to a kids lasso. She got a new hat, new clothes, and a pink grooming kit for her new horse.

  Even the cake was horse themed. Hilary made and decorated it herself. It was a green cake with a fence around the side and horses on top, complete with bushes, and rocks.

  Hilary went overboard on the party. There were cookies, cupcakes, homemade ice cream, and chips and dip. There were chilidogs, burgers, and even steaks. The yard was decorated with birthday decorations and there was even a pony ride.

  Still Elizabeth was not happy. She wanted something else all together. She wandered into the house where Josey was washing dishes. “Mommy, I didn’t get what I really wanted.” “What do you mean, sweet heart? You got the horse you wanted.” Josey said. “I know Mommy, but what I really want is a baby brother.” That threw Josey for a loop. “A what, oh honey, it’s not as simple as that. Mommy and Daddy, have to make a baby, and then it takes a whole nine months, before a baby gets here.” “Well make one, please,” Liz said. Josey was scratching her head. Sometimes kids did that to you. They would stick you with a question that, you just didn’t know how to answer.

  “I tell you what, I’ll talk to Daddy about it, ok.” “Ok, Mommy, I can’t wait” she ran outside and shouted, “Mommy and Daddy’s gonna make me a baby brother!” Josey sighed. “Oh Lord,” she said.