Ready to trust, p.1
Ready to Trust, page 1
Proving he’s a changed man could be his biggest challenge yet.
Rancher Reece Rainbolt’s shocked to learn he’s inherited half of Claire Ballard’s family farm—and that he’s a father. Now Claire’s determined to break ties with the man who once left her behind. But Reece will buy her half only on one condition: she must stay in town to help with the harvest...and let him get to know his little girl.
“This must be your daughter?”
Reece frowned as his gaze assessed Zoe.
Claire tensed. This was the moment she’d played over and over in her head. The moment Zoe met her father. In her carefully orchestrated daydreams, she somehow imagined she’d be in control of the situation.
“Zoe, this is Mr. Reece.”
Her daughter peeked out from behind Claire. She pushed a strand of hair from her eyes and stared at Reece, her dark blue eyes curious.
“Can you say hello?” Claire prompted.
“Hello.”
“Hi, there.” He knelt and offered Zoe a smile. “I’m thinking you’re the same age as one of my nephews.”
“I’m five,” Zoe said proudly.
“Five, huh? Almost ready to start school.”
“Uh-huh,” Zoe said with a proud nod of her head.
Reece blinked as if processing the information. He stood and looked at Claire. Looked at her long and hard before he turned to Zoe again. A chill passed over Claire as she realized he was doing the math.
Not now, not here in front of Zoe. Please.
Tina Radcliffe has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the US Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her past careers include certified oncology RN, library cataloger and pharmacy clerk. She recently moved from Denver, Colorado, to the Phoenix, Arizona, area, where she writes heartwarming and fun inspirational romance.
Books by Tina Radcliffe
Love Inspired
Hearts of Oklahoma
Finding the Road Home
Ready to Trust
Big Heart Ranch
Claiming Her Cowboy
Falling for the Cowgirl
Christmas with the Cowboy
Her Last Chance Cowboy
The Rancher’s Reunion
Oklahoma Reunion
Mending the Doctor’s Heart
Stranded with the Rancher
Safe in the Fireman’s Arms
Rocky Mountain Reunion
Rocky Mountain Cowboy
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
Ready to Trust
Tina Radcliffe
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
—Lamentations 3:22–23
A big thanks to wranglers Alysha Worthen and Heather Pickett for naming Tucker’s twins, Hazel and Ginger. And to the lovely and humorous Ronda Tumberg for sharing the name Reece with me. I think all Reeces must be heroes.
Thank you to my editor, Dina Davis, who ensures that each book is better than the last by helping me to grow as a writer and putting up with my growing pains.
As always, thank you to my agent, Jessica Alvarez, who not only is in my corner but answers emails faster than a speeding bullet.
Finally, I thank the Lord for His unconditional love and all He has given me, especially Tom, Timothy, Michael, David and Amy.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Excerpt from The Orphans’ Blessing by Lorraine Beatty
Chapter One
Reece Rainbolt stepped into the Rebel, Oklahoma, law office of Edwin P. Sanders, Esquire. The scent of polished wood, new leather and fresh coffee stirred up memories of the last time he’d been in this particular office.
Sixteen years.
He’d just turned twenty-one, and his big brother Mitch had accompanied him to sign off on the paperwork that would grant him part ownership in Rebel Ranch. Fast forward sixteen years and Reece now managed his family’s prospering guest ranch on the outskirts of town. These days he did all his legal business in Tulsa—far from the small-town gossip mill.
He removed his cowboy hat and nodded to the smiling middle-aged receptionist. “Morning, ma’am. I’ve got an appointment with Mr. Sanders at nine.”
“Yes, Mr. Rainbolt. We’re waiting for the other party.”
“Other party?”
“Mr. Sanders will explain.” She nodded toward the expensive-looking leather chairs.
“I’ll stand, thanks.” He cleared his throat. “The letter I received was fairly vague. Have any idea why I’m here?”
“I do. And Mr. Sanders will discuss the details with you soon.” She offered a pleasant smile that revealed nothing. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you.” He paced back and forth a few times before he caught himself and stopped. Three hundred things on his to-do list at the ranch on a Monday morning, and here he was, all dressed up in a collared shirt and tie, waiting on a lawyer.
A moment later, the entrance door opened, and a woman took one step into the room. Her tote slipped to the polished oak floor with an echoing thud.
Reece reached for the leather bag, neatly scooping it up.
When he straightened, his gaze connected with the cool blue eyes of Claire Ballard. He did a double take as a roller coaster of emotions socked him in the gut.
Yep. Claire Ballard all right. There was no mistaking the proud tilt of her chin or the waves of chestnut hair that tumbled over her shoulders. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Time stood still as Reece offered Claire her bag. As if in slow motion, she accepted it and clutched the leather pouch to her chest.
She stared at him for a long moment, her face reflecting not only stunned surprise but something else he couldn’t identify. Annoyance? Concern? Whatever it was, it was no doubt something he deserved.
He hadn’t seen the woman in six years, and they hadn’t parted on good terms. In truth, everyone who’d crossed his path six years ago probably came away praying to never run into him again.
Before Reece had the opportunity to pick his jaw up from the ground, the door of the attorney’s office swung open and Edwin Sanders strode into the reception area. The silver-haired lawyer offered a benevolent smile as his gaze moved between Reece and Claire.
“Good to see you both,” Sanders said with his slow-as-syrup Okie drawl. “Have you two met?”
“Yes.” Claire said the word quickly without a glance in Reece’s direction.
Confused, Reece looked from Sanders to Claire. She was the other party they were waiting for? What was going on?
Sanders turned to the receptionist as he ushered them into his private office. “I don’t want to be disturbed.”
Reece waited to be seated until Claire had settled in a wingback office chair, her legs demurely crossed and her hands clutched in the lap of her pencil skirt. She looked good, and he did his best not to keep verifying that fact when he eased into the chair next to hers.
The attorney sat and adjusted his suit coat before he opened a thick file on his desk. “I’ve asked you here today because Davis Ballard has made provisions for both of you in his will.”
“My father’s will? Both of us?” Claire’s voice trembled and Reece blinked, his mind scrambling to be certain he’d heard the attorney correctly.
Sanders offered each of them a sheaf of papers. On the top was a topographical map of Ballard Farm that appeared to divide the property in two.
Ballard Farm consisted of one hundred and fifty acres of fruit and pecan trees and several greenhouses for fresh produce. Not only had Davis launched and managed the Rebel Farmers Market for as long as Reece could remember, but his farm also invited pick-your-own produce options to the public. A Rebel landmark, the orchard’s pumpkin patch was the highlight of the fall season.
Why would Reece be mentioned in his neighbor’s will? The question rolled through his mind as he assessed the papers in his hand.
“I don’t understand, Mr. Sanders. When did my father change his will?” Claire asked.
“If you’ll flip to the cover sheet beneath the map, you’ll see that the will was amended only two months ago. April sixteenth.”
Claire released a soft gasp. Her face paled and her lips became a taut line.
“Are you all right, Claire?” Reece asked.
“I’m fine.” The words were a rote utterance that belied Claire’s appearance as she stared past Sanders and out the window behind him. When she turned to Reece, he met her gaze and flinched at the raw pain in her blue eyes. Something about the attorney’s answer had shaken her to the core.
Sanders stood and left the room, returning with two bottles of water, each moist with condensation. He handed one to Claire and the other to Reece.
Claire held hers to her forehead before removing the cap and taking a deep swallow.
“Do you want to continue?” the attorney asked. “We could reschedule. You’ve only recently buried your father. I know this is a difficult time.”
“No. Please. Continue,” she said. “I’m just tired. I drove here from Tulsa after working a night shift at the hospital.”
Sanders nodded. “As you can see, Ballard Farm has been divided in half per your father’s request.”
“Are you telling me that Reece inherited half of the farm?” Claire sputtered.
“That is correct.”
What? Half the farm? He could honestly say he was as shocked as Claire was.
The ticking of the grandmother clock was the only sound in the room for a long moment as both Claire and Reece examined the map.
“According to this division, I have the family house on my side.” She paused to study the map even closer. “It appears that the orchards are split right down the middle. That can’t be right.”
“Technically, the peach trees are on your side and the apple trees and pecans are on Reece’s side,” the attorney said.
Though Reece listened to the exchange carefully, the entire conversation left him with the unshakable feeling that he was missing an important piece of information. Information that might make sense of this meeting. Ballard Farm sat directly to the east of Rebel Ranch. Davis had been his neighbor, and he’d considered the man a friend. Close enough of a friend to leave Reece half his property? Probably not.
Why then?
Claire turned to Reece, her face a stormy mask as she white-knuckled the paperwork. “Did you know about this?”
He raised his palms. “No, ma’am.”
His answer seemed to agitate her even more. Great. He hadn’t seen the woman in six years, and they’d parted on uneasy terms. Now here she was grieving and vulnerable and he’d managed to make things worse. All without even trying.
“I know this isn’t what you expected,” Sanders said to Claire. The words were gentle.
“No, it isn’t. I’d planned to sell the property.”
“Sell your inheritance?” The words shot out of Reece’s mouth before he could lasso them back. He couldn’t help his strong feelings about land and family. Selling Ballard Farm to strangers wasn’t right.
Claire stiffened and she pushed her long hair away from her face. “There’s nothing to prevent me from doing that. Am I correct, Mr. Sanders?”
“Yes. However, if you’ll check page fourteen, you will note that Reece has inherited the water and mineral rights to Ballard Farm.”
Reece cringed at the additional information.
“What?” Claire’s single word was laced with a hint of desperation as she shuffled through the papers. “I have the land, but no water?”
“That is also correct.”
“You’re telling me Reece inherited the other half of the orchard, the pond, the road, as well as the mineral and water rights?”
The attorney offered a solemn nod. “Your inheritance also includes the north barn, the utility building and the animals.” Sanders slipped his glasses back on and assessed the paperwork. “One henhouse, two burros, and Blue.” He frowned and looked up. “What’s a Blue?”
“A dog,” both Claire and Reece said at the same time.
Claire’s face flushed pink, and she turned away from him.
A tense silence followed.
“Why would my father do this?” She massaged her forehead with her fingers. “I’m his only child.”
“He was very specific about his wishes, Claire,” Sanders said.
“And if I contest the will?”
“There are no solid grounds for contesting. Your father was of sound mind and in relatively good health and was not unduly influenced in his decision to amend the will.”
“Relatively good health?” Claire’s eyes rounded in alarm as she skirted to the edge of her seat.
“Aside from his longstanding cardiac condition.”
She released a soft gasp. “What longstanding cardiac condition?”
“I may have overstepped here.” Sanders flinched and shifted his gaze back to the paperwork. “I assumed you had privilege to your father’s medical information since you’re a nurse.”
“He never said a thing.”
“Claire, I’m sorry, but I don’t have the authority to discuss that topic further. Perhaps his physician can give you more insight.”
The room was silent as Sanders sorted through the paperwork. Reece allowed himself a glance at Claire, regretting that their friendship had deteriorated. He didn’t have the right to take her hand and offer even a small gesture of comfort.
“If you’ll turn to page sixteen,” the attorney continued, “you will notice that your father provided a healthy trust fund for your daughter.”
Reece blinked and jerked back his head at the words. Claire had a child? His attention moved immediately to her left hand.
No ring. He knew better than to make snap judgments or assessments. However, that didn’t keep him from being confused. While Claire had proven successful at avoiding him for the last six years, the fact that Davis never mentioned a grandchild raised yet more questions. If Claire had a child, all the more reason the estate should go to her in its entirety.
“How is Zoe?” Edwin Sanders asked.
Claire’s affect softened and a smile lit her mouth. “She’s wonderful, sir.”
“What happens if I don’t want the inheritance?” Reece asked the question without preamble, causing Claire to turn and stare at him.
“If either of you declines the bequest, the entire inheritance reverts back to the estate, where it will be sold at auction. The proceeds will go to the City of Rebel.”
“You must be kidding,” Claire burst out.
“No, Claire, I’m very serious. You must accept the terms of the will as presented before you may entertain selling your share.”
“You’re saying Reece and I must claim our portion of Ballard Farm. Then we’re free to sell?”
“Correct.”
“That makes no sense. I can’t sell if Reece owns valuable assets that affect my half of the property.”
The attorney had no response to her legitimate assessment. But as Sanders reviewed the rest of the file, Reece remained silent. There wasn’t anything he could say that would fix this situation he seemed to be knee-deep in. He didn’t even understand all the dynamics going on today. What he needed was time alone with the attorney.
Another sixty minutes and half a dozen signatures later, the appointment was over. Sanders shook their hands and ushered them out of his office.
Reece held back, waiting for Claire to leave the building.
“You have a question, Mr. Rainbolt?”
“I sure do. Why did Davis leave me his land? We were neighborly, but that’s as far as our relationship extended.”
The attorney’s face gave away nothing as he pondered the question for a moment. “I asked Davis the same thing. He told me you’d figure it out.”
“Not exactly what I hoped to hear,” Reece muttered.
No answers and plenty of questions. That’s what the appointment had stirred up.
Hat in hand, he headed to the parking lot. Claire was only steps ahead of him, but her long legs moved like a filly being pursued. As if sensing his presence, she turned, opened her mouth and then shut it again. A phone began to ring, and she pulled a cell from her bag.
Reece hesitated. Should he wait? Clearly, he and Claire needed to talk, but he couldn’t very well stand in the parking lot and eavesdrop.
“Everything is in the suitcase. Yes. I’m sorry. I should have gotten it out before I left this morning, but I was running late.” Claire shook her head. “I’ll be at the farm shortly.” She paused. “Are you sure? I can skip my errands if you need me.”
A June breeze kicked up, ruffling her hair, and Reece once again tried not to stare. He’d known her all his life, but the majority of that time only in passing, because he and his siblings were from the south side of Rebel, and that made him not good enough for someone like Claire. Someone who lived in the big house at Ballard Farm.
Running into each other in Tulsa six years ago had been at a low point in both of their lives. It was collective grief that made them unlikely allies. He’d lost his little brother, Levi, at the same time that Claire was mourning the passing of the mother she’d only just reconnected with. Reece had walked away from his short-term relationship with Claire before she came to her senses and realized she was slumming. Yeah, he had made the first move before his heart had a chance to argue with his brain. Claire was a heartache in the making. No way would she settle for a broken rodeo cowboy with dreams bigger than his bank account.
