Her Hidden Legacy

by Danica Favorite

  “Have a seat,” she said. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  His throat was tight, his mouth parched, and even though he knew water wasn’t going to fix it, he said, “I’d love some water, please.”

  RaeLynn walked to the small kitchen area and returned with two glasses of water. The place was so small and cramped. But he supposed she didn’t need much room for just her. Hopefully, they could find a place they could all compromise on. If she’d have him.

  He took a sip of the water. As he suspected, it didn’t help anything, but he took another sip just in case.

  “So tell me why you’re here,” she invited him, sitting catty-corner to him. “You didn’t answer my question about everyone being okay.”

  He set the water on the end table. “Sorry. Everyone is fine. Everyone, that is, but me.”

  The concern on her face gave him hope.

  “I’m not sick or dying or anything,” he said quickly. “Unless you can die of a broken heart. I miss you. I love you. And when I told you I would work with you to make a relationship work, I meant it. Which is why I’m here.”

  He couldn’t read her expression, so he continued. He had to get it all out before she could object and break his heart further. He at least wanted to say everything he’d come to say.

  “If your dream is being here, then I’ll be here. I told you I want to support your dreams, and I meant it. I’ll find a job here in Denver, and we’ll see what we can do to make it work. Even though your mom said she was going to move back to the ranch, she promised me that if I come to Denver with the kids, she’ll stay here, too, and she will always be here to help. She says she owes it to you after everything you did to help her.”

  RaeLynn’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t understand. You’re a rancher, and you hate the city. What would you do here?”

  Hunter shrugged. “Anything. I’m a hard worker, and there are plenty of jobs for someone who’s willing to work hard and put in some effort. Yes, I love ranching, but I love you more.”

  His throat felt almost like it was closing up, so he took another sip of water. It didn’t do anything more to help than the first one. He’d known it wouldn’t, but at least it had given him something to do as he watched the expressions play across RaeLynn’s face.

  “I know I said people shouldn’t give up their dreams for the people they love, but I’ve realized that my love for you is stronger than any dream I’ve had. Those dreams mean nothing without you. As much as I blamed myself for my late wife’s unfulfilled dreams being the cause of her death, we had many other problems in our marriage. I would never have given up ranching for her, but I will for you without question.”

  He watched as RaeLynn closed her eyes for a moment. Was she praying? He hoped so, and he prayed that God would give them both the guidance they needed.

  When she opened her eyes, she said, “I’ve never asked you to give up ranching.”

  He nodded. “I know. But if that’s what I need to do to be with you while you pursue your dreams, I’m willing to do so. And like I said, your mom has already committed to living wherever we do so that we’ll have her help with the kids whenever we need it.”

  Tears streamed down her face, and he didn’t know what that meant. He held out his hand to her, hoping they were happy tears. Healing tears. Something that meant they had a chance.

  “Please tell me we can work this out together,” he said.

  RaeLynn took his hand as she nodded. “I’ve missed the ranch so much. I hate the silence in my apartment. I was so scared of losing everything I’ve worked for.” She shook her head. “But right now, getting everything I want doesn’t feel like winning, either.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Then, let’s figure out a way to win together. I’ve been doing fine with the kids on my own, but it feels better with you by my side. When we’re a team.”

  RaeLynn got up and reached for him, putting her arms around him. “Then, let’s make this work. The truth is my dream is empty without the people I love beside me. I kept wanting to call you and talk to you the way we used to, to share all of these moments and accomplishments. Without you, success felt like just another check mark on my to-do list.”

  He held her tightly, breathing in her warmth and the smell of her citrusy shampoo. He liked that she didn’t smell too girlie, and he breathed deeply, hoping there would be more of this in his future.

  She pulled away, sat next to him and took his hands in hers.

  “Does this mean you love me as much as I love you?” he asked.

  RaeLynn nodded. “Yes. If you look in my bedroom, you’ll see I have a bag already packed to go back to the ranch. I was working up the courage to do so, and now I want to pack up my whole apartment.”

  Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath. “Do you think my mom meant it when she said she’d come and help take care of the kids?”

  He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “You can call her if you like. Ricky said that family supports each other in chasing their dreams. Your family wants to support you. The question is will you let them?”

  Tears streamed down her face again. “I didn’t know what it was like to have support until I came to the Double R. Now that I know what it’s like to be supported, I don’t want to live without it.”

  He pulled her close to him. “Then, don’t. Come home. Marry me. Let’s be a real family.”

  She pulled away and looked up at him. “Did you just propose to me?”

  He laughed. “Well, I didn’t mean for it to come out quite that way. I’ve got a ring in my truck, and I was going to take you to a nice restaurant and do it properly. You know, like they do in the movies. It just felt right to do it now, to express my commitment to you. This isn’t me saying I want to date you and see if we can make it work. This is me telling you I want to marry you and do whatever it takes to make it work. There’s no question about if it’s going to work out, just me telling you we will make it work. I’m willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for that to happen.”

  She hugged him tightly, and the tension in his throat finally relaxed. He could feel her warmth and love and strength when she looked up at him.

  “I want that, too. Yes, I’ll marry you.” Then a twinkle came to her eye. “But you know that kiss we said was a mistake, the one we didn’t want to happen again?”

  He nodded.

  “I want a lot more of those, including right now.”

  When he bent to kiss her, she met him more than halfway. This kiss was way better than their first because it was filled with hope and the promise of a commitment to a lifetime of love, support and chasing their dreams together.

  Epilogue

  “It’s today! It’s today!” Phoebe’s excitement brought a smile to Hunter’s face. They’d had the kids for just over a year, but today was the day they got to go back to live with Sadie permanently.

  During her time in jail, Sadie had gone through counseling. And, while they all would have helped her had it been the case, she was not expecting another baby. She’d also developed a relationship with Christ. Upon her release, she’d worked with social services to do everything she needed to get the kids back in her life permanently. She was sober now and had a job.

  She’d been just a few credits shy of getting her beauty degree when she’d gotten pregnant with Phoebe. She’d worked in the prison hair salon and learned more hair techniques, and after her release, she’d gotten those last remaining credits to earn her cosmetology license. The salon in town had hired her, and she was one of their most devoted employees.

  RaeLynn hugged Phoebe to her. “I know you’re excited, but go do one last check of your room to make sure you got everything.”

  After they got married, Ricky had offered them a larger cabin on the property, closer to RaeLynn’s mom’s ranch. Though the two older girls still shared a ro
om, they’d been able to put Tucker and Bella into their own rooms, and RaeLynn had a home office.

  Hunter looked around the large family room where they spent most of their time. It was going to feel mighty empty when Sadie’s three kids left. But she was their mom, and this was the whole reason he’d taken the kids in. They were family. They belonged together.

  Lynzee, Phoebe and Tucker all ran into the room.

  “She’s here,” they all shouted together. Phoebe turned to Bella, who had been sitting in the corner of the room playing with her blocks. “Come on, Bella. Mom’s here.”

  Bella picked up a block and threw it at her. Then she got up and toddled over to her sister. While the kids raced out of the room to go to the front door, RaeLynn hung back. Hunter turned to her. “What’s wrong? This is what we’ve been working toward.”

  The front door slammed, and Hunter knew it was because the kids had all run out, even though they knew it was against the rules. He couldn’t blame them, though. They were all so excited to finally be reunited with their mother.

  “It’s already too quiet in here,” RaeLynn said. “I know they were never ours, but I’m really going to miss them.”

  Hunter held her tightly against him. “I know. It’s not like we’re never going to see them again. Sadie has been at all the family events, and she’s promised to continue doing so.”

  RaeLynn pulled away. “It’s going to be so quiet in our house with just us and Lynzee.”

  He pulled her close again and kissed her. “With all the kids on this ranch, our house will never be empty.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes wet with tears. “I know I said I never wanted a family of my own, but am I allowed to change my mind on that? I’m going to miss having a baby in the house, and now that I know what a joy family can be and that I won’t be doing it on my own, I’m wondering how you’d feel about trying for one.”

  His heart did a double backflip. “How I’d feel?” Hunter grinned, feeling like his smile was going to split his face. “I’ve been praying for the day you would ask. Ever since I saw how hard Sadie was working to get the kids back and I knew they would inevitably leave, I’ve been praying that God would see fit to fill our house again. If you want to have a baby, count me in.”

  As he pulled her into his arms, the sound of the kids laughing and yelling with Sadie filled their ears.

  Maybe theirs wasn’t a conventional family, but God had given them something even better.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this story, be sure to pick up

  the rest of the books in Danica Favorite’s

  Double R Legacy miniseries:

  The Cowboy’s Sacrifice

  His True Purpose

  A True Cowboy

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Father He Deserves by Lisa Jordan.

  Dear Reader,

  I pray that by the time this book comes out, COVID season will be behind us, and our lives will all be in a much better place. This has been one of the most difficult seasons of my life for a variety of reasons, but to have to manage everything during a global pandemic has made it even worse. I would not have been able to write this book without the loving support of friends and family.

  When I came up with the idea for this book, I never imagined I would be living my own version of needing help from others. But that is what true love and friendship is: being there for those who need you and accepting help from others.

  Regardless of what season of life you’re in, I pray you have loving support to carry you through. And, if you’re able, that you can be that support for someone else. We all need each other, so let’s do what we can to be there for one another.

  I love hearing from my readers, so if you want to keep in touch, please contact me at DanicaFavorite.com.

  May you and your family continue to abide in God’s love.

  Danica Favorite

  WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM

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  The Father He Deserves

  by Lisa Jordan

  Chapter One

  Evan hated returning home a failure.

  He wanted nothing more than to hole up in his restored 1970s RV, dubbed the Water Wagon by his River Rats teammates, watch his favorite paddling channel on his laptop, and drown his sorrows with a dripping burger and greasy fries, but that wasn’t the Holland way. Especially since he’d driven through the night to surprise his dad for his sixty-fifth birthday. Maybe with the early-evening backyard barbecue going on, he could dodge questions he had no desire to answer.

  For a few hours, at least.

  After coming up the back side of Holland Hill, Evan parked his RV on the other side of the barn, pocketed his keys and gave River, his rescued yellow Labrador retriever, an affectionate pat. “Ready to go to a party?”

  River’s tail thumped against the cushion on the passenger seat and he lifted his nose into Evan’s hand. Evan exited the RV, rounded the front and opened the passenger door. After releasing River from his seat belt harness, he clipped a leash onto his collar and stepped back as the yellow Lab jumped to the ground. Evan turned and nearly whacked his elbow on the open door. His muscles tensed and pulled across his back. Muscles still recovering from the traumatic kayak flip and dunking that had jeopardized his paddling career.

  “Come on, River. Let’s go find Dad.”

  The Holland Family Farm sat atop Holland Hill on the outskirts of Shelby Lake in northwestern Pennsylvania. The early-August heat blanketed Evan. A breeze brushed his face, carrying the scent of freshly cut and rolled bales of hay drying in the fields.

  Evan breathed deep.

  As he passed along the barbed wire–fenced pasture, black-and-white cows eyed him, then returned to eating grass and swishing away flies with their tails. Rows of corn stood tall, ready for harvesting, the corn silk on the ears having turned from a gold to a dark brown.

  “Knee high by the Fourth of July” had been the mantra for as long as he could remember.

  Looked like it was going to be a good harvest this year.

  The farm deserved it.

  They strode past the barn, which still caused his insides to clench, and the cars and pickups lining both sides of the country road. He followed the music and laughter to the backyard.

  Curls of smoke from the grill spiraled through the air, sending scents of seared meat straight to his gut.

  His stomach rumbled.

  When was the last time he’d eaten? Probably the Snickers bar he’d bought a couple of hours ago after crossing the state line and stopping for gas.

  Rounding the corner of the farmhouse that had been home for the first couple decades of his life, his focus zeroed in on locating a burger of some sort.

  He collided with a soft body with enough of a jolt to his left arm—pinned in a surgical sling—that he sucked in a sharp breath. “Oof.”

  He dropped River’s leash and shot out a hand to steady the person wearing a navy baseball hat and sunglasses. “Sorry. Are you okay?”

  The person looked up. Despite the oversize frames shielding her eyes, he’d recognize that heart-shaped face in a lineup.

  His heart shuddered to a stop.

  “Nat.” Her name wheezed out as his eyes widened.

  Her dark brown hair had been pulled into a ponytail and looped through the back opening in her hat. She wore a pink T-shirt printed with the word LOVE, a paw print replacing the O. Her cuffed navy shorts exposed long legs.

  Looking as gorgeous as ever.

  She removed her sunglasses slowly and assessed him with those bot
tle-green eyes, hard as glass. “Evan.”

  She took in his rumpled olive T-shirt emblazoned with Go Big or Go Home—the irony not lost on him, faded jeans with a threadbare patch on the thigh and worn leather flip-flops. Maybe he should have changed into something more presentable. At least he’d had the foresight to get his mop chopped and shave the six-week growth from his face.

  Her eyes settled on River, heeled at his side, her lips lifting into a smile. Then she shifted her attention to Evan’s left arm, the smile giving way to a frown. “What happened?”

  “Arthroscopic shoulder surgery.”

  “Sounds painful.”

  “Yeah, the last few weeks haven’t been the most pleasant.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” She took a few steps toward the driveway. “Listen, I was just heading out, so I can’t really chat.”

  He reached forward and touched her elbow. “It was...great to see you again. Maybe we can grab coffee soon or something. Catch up. You know—for old times’ sake.”

  “Maybe.” She returned her sunglasses to her face and shot him a brief smile, then turned and hurried across the freshly trimmed grass to climb into a royal blue SUV.

  Natalie Bishop.

  Not so much the one who got away.

  More like the one who pushed him away, wrecking his heart.

  No matter how much he had tried to convince her Ben’s accident was just that, she’d continued to blame him for her brother’s death.

  A loud and slightly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” sounded from the backyard.

  Forcing his attention away from Nat’s taillights disappearing quickly over the hill, Evan turned and reached for River’s leash. He edged his way through the crowd, then dropped his right arm around his dad’s shoulders and chimed in on the last few words.

  Dressed in an untucked light blue short-sleeved button-down shirt, khaki shorts, and his ever-present white socks and white sneakers combo, Dad turned. Tall and thin with short, graying hair and weathered skin that showed his love of the outdoors, a huge grin split his face. “Evan!”