WESTERN ROMANCE: A Ranch to Call Home (Texas Romance, Mail Order Bride Romance, Clean Romance, Christian Romance) (Clean and Wholesome Romance) Read Online Free Page A

get back on Georgia and rode off ahead of her without another
word.
    As he stored the
tackle, and walked the horses back to their stalls giving them water and food,
Lucy stood by the truck. Neither of them had said another word the full way
back to the barn. She was confused. He had kissed her, she hadn’t initiated it
and it felt right. So why was he sorry? Nash emerged from the barn and walked
to the truck opening the passenger door for her. She hesitated. “Nash, you have
to talk to me. Why did you kiss me?”
    He stood by the
open door for a full minute before he opened his mouth. “I thought it was time
we had that moment over with. Are you getting in?”
    It was Lucy’s turn
to stand silent for a minute. “I think I’ll walk.” She needed to calm down.
    “Lilly, don’t be
like that.”
    “I’m Lucy.”
    Nash blushed a
deep red that filled his cheeks and traveled down his neck. He didn’t say a word,
closed the door and walked to the driver’s side. Lucy stood there in silence
and watched the truck drive away.

Chapter SIX
     
    The smell of
bacon and waffles wafted up the stairs and seeped under the door to Lucy’s
room. She had no appetite. Her mind was heavy and her heart felt hollow. She
had lain awake all night hashing out how she was going to afford to return to
New York. She knew she could stay with a few of her friends for a short time,
but she’d need to get couple of jobs and try to find an apartment or a roommate
situation. After the kids were outside and Nash was sure to be out in the back
pastures she would pack her belongings and contact her bank to see if she could
draw on an overdraft for a short amount of time.
    Looking out her
window she could see Olivia dashing off to care for Jasper. Galen and Rufus
were not far behind. She would miss them and already felt the sorrow in the pit
of her stomach. The truck was gone and when she opened her door she could hear
the clanking of dishes as Van cleaned up after the morning meal. Venturing out,
she walked on tip toe down the hallway, past Olivia’s room and beyond Galen’s
room. Nash’s bedroom door had been closed.
    In the spare room
at the opposite end of the hallway Lucy moved to the computer that set on an
old roll top desk. She logged into her bank account and sent out a request.
Then she tapped out the website address for the train station. Lucy sat there
and starred at the screen. The schedule showed the first available train,
without overnight layovers, taking the most direct route back to New York was
not available for another five days. Lucy sighed and researched plane tickets,
her budget could not afford it. She sat there and considered talking to Nash,
telling him this was a mistake and if he could lend her the money she would
return it as soon as she could. This would be difficult, but she felt she had
no option. Her email flashed one new message. Her bank had refused her.
    She leaned back
in the desk chair and cursed into the empty room. Walking out of the room she
saw the picture for the first time, just inside the door off to the right was a
built in shelf, a silver frame sat below eye level. She hadn’t noticed it
before, but with the sun glinting off the glass she took note. Nash stood in
front of the house holding a small blue bundle, a vision of pride. Olivia clung
to his leg, a brand new golden retriever puppy at her feet. Standing on his
opposite side stood a petite woman with golden hair. She was the same height as
Lucy with blue eyes as well. The bundle must be Galen. They were happy. How
long did they have from that moment in time before their lives had been
devastated?
    Lucy’s heart was
being strangled in her chest, Nash was in pain. How could he not be? He had
lost his love, the mother of his children. Lucy was an intruder in her home,
learning to take over her duties with her children. She had been selfish,
thinking of only herself and her situation. She needed to find Nash and
apologize.
    “Vanessa,” She
called