The Rancher's First Love by Brenda Minton Page A

I’ve thought and thought about the right way to tell you. But...” There had never really been a right way.
    Dusk was settling when he pulled up to her place. The sky was hazy and bees swarmed as she got out of his truck. She stood there with the door open, looking in at him. He had every right to be hurt. She knew his pain, knew it because she’d experienced it ten years ago.
    For him, it was fresh and new.
    â€œWhen you’re ready to talk about it,” she said, gesturing to the cottage she now called home, “I’m here.”
    â€œI’m not sure when I’m going to be ready to talk.”
    â€œOkay,” she said, backing away from the truck to close the door. She paused, still standing in the opening. “Rem, I hope someday you’ll forgive me.”
    â€œI’ll forgive you, Sam. I just need time to process this. It isn’t every day that a man finds out he could have been a father.”
    She closed the truck door and walked across the lawn, avoiding the house and heading for the barn, to the dog Lady and her puppies. As she watched them together in the stall, she heard a vehicle pull up. She stepped outside, groaning when she saw her brother Brody getting out of his truck.
    She was blessed with three brothers, and they all had some say in her life. At least Brody, just a few years older, was easier to deal with.
    â€œHey, sis,” Brody called out as he headed her way.
    Her gaze dropped to his uneven walk. He was limping again.
    â€œHey, Brody. How are you?”
    He gave her a long, steady look. “Better than you.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with me?”
    â€œYou never could cry pretty like some women. Your face is red and your eyes are puffy. Does this have something to do with Remington Jenkins?”
    She shook her head and headed for the house. “No brotherly interference, please.”
    â€œThen do you need a shoulder?”
    When he got closer, she leaned her head on his shoulder for a few seconds. He gave her an awkward pat, and then hugged her.
    â€œOkay, thank you. Now I’m good.” Surprisingly, it did help. “I told him.”
    â€œAbout the baby?”
    â€œYes. It was never right to keep it from him.” She continued walking toward the house, Brody following next to her.
    â€œNo, it wasn’t. How’d he take it?”
    She opened the back door and stepped inside her air-conditioned house. The cool air felt good after the humidity outside.
    â€œAs well as expected. I’m sure he’ll never speak to me again. And that’s fine. We’re too old to take up where we left off. Also, he’s a little too much like my brothers.”
    â€œHey! What’s wrong with your brothers?” he asked.
    â€œThey’re bossy, overprotective and...” She looked up at him. His cowboy hat was pushed back and his blue eyes were kind. She loved him. “They’re the best. But I don’t need that. I don’t want to go back.”
    She was ready to move forward. She had a home, a new job and a life and relationships to rebuild in Martin’s Crossing.
    â€œI don’t blame you. But sometimes our past somehow ends up in our future.”
    â€œJust because it happened for you doesn’t mean it will happen for me.” She loved her brother and his new wife, Grace. That didn’t mean she was destined for the same happy ending.
    â€œWe all have a story, Sam.” He poured himself a glass of tea and headed for the kitchen table.
    â€œHelp yourself.”
    â€œDon’t mind if I do.” He eased himself into a chair and waited for her to join him. She worried that his rheumatoid arthritis was flaring, but she wasn’t going to ask.
    â€œOkay, you’re drinking my tea and sitting at my table. What do you really want?”
    He set the glass down on a napkin. “I’m going up to see our mom. I thought you might like to come.”
    â€œShe isn’t my