"I wanted you to be happy." There are tears in Mel’s eyes. "You work all the time. You never smile anymore. And Granny Tallulah said there was someone perfect for you, someone who could make you happy again, and when I saw Ms. Anita's profile, I knew she would love our ranch."
"You tricked me into signing a marriage contract." His voice is low and dangerous.
"A cohabitation agreement," Mel corrects. "For one year. Then you can decide if you want to get legally married or go your separate ways. Mom left because of me. I have to help you be happy again."
“Ah, sweetheart, your mom leaving isn’t your fault. We’ve talked about this,” Chance tells Mel, but I can tell she isn’t convinced.
My heart is pounding so hard I feel dizzy. This is a disaster. I'm standing in the middle of a family crisis, and I have nowhere to go. The agreement I believed existed between me and Chance is fake.
"Please don't leave," Mel says, and I realize she's talking to me now. Her brown eyes are desperate. "Dad needs you. I know this is messed up, but please talk to Dad."
"That's enough, Mel," Chance says.
But I'm seeing the pain beneath the girl’s bravado. The loneliness. The desperate desire to fix something that's been broken. And I'm thinking about my loneliness this past year. About Grumps and the dreams I gave up and the cage I was living in back in the city.
I came here for a fresh start, horses, open land and the kind of life I've been craving. Looking at this ranch, breathing this air, feeling the way my body responded to Chance's eyes on me—maybe this is still a chance. Maybe it doesn't matter how unconventional the beginning is.
"I can be a ranch hand," I hear myself say.
Both of them stare at me.
"I grew up around horses. My dad worked as a horse caretaker at a country club. “I’ve worked part time on a ranch." I square my shoulders. "As a secretary and a certified bookkeeper, I can help with invoices and other paperwork. I can also help with house chores, cooking, anything you'd need from a wife without the relationship part. Let me stay for the year, like the agreement says. If it doesn't work out, we end it and go our separate ways."
Chance studies me, and I force myself not to fidget under that intense gray gaze. There’s exhaustion in the set of his shoulders. His eyes drift to the ranch like he’s weighing options.
"I need help," he admits finally. "Been stretched thin since my brother left."
"Then let me help."
Silence stretches between us. I'm aware of Mel holding her breath, of the black horse nuzzling Chance's shoulder, of my heart hammering against my ribs.
"One year," Chance says. "We'll see how it goes."
Relief floods through me so intensely my knees almost buckle. "Thank you."
Mel launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. I stiffen in surprise and then slowly relax into the hug. She smells of sunshine, youth and hope. It’s hard to be mad at her.
When I look up, Chance is watching us. His throat works as he swallows.
"I'll show you to your room," he says gruffly and carries my suitcase like it weighs nothing.
Mel releases me and grabs my small bag.
"You're going to love it here," she chatters as we head toward the house. "Duke, remember that’s Dad’s horse, is so smart. And my horse Dottie is a sweetheart.
I let her words wash over me, following her up the porch steps. At the door, I glance back. Chance is still standing there, watching me with an expression I can't quite read.
What have I gotten myself into?
And why does it feel like I've come home?
2
Chance
Ilieinbedstaring at the ceiling, my mind racing too fast for sleep.
She's here. In my house. In the room down the hall.
