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Can they survive a gold digger’s scheming to discover their perfect match?

He’s an heir to a ranch. Her heart is as sweet as her music

By Amy ProebstelPublished 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago 8 min read
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She knows he's hiding out in the old barn

Part 3

Hearing the news about Katy getting ready to leave and then actually watching her depart was one of the best feelings Becky ever knew. When the unwanted woman stepped into the limousine, the house felt lighter, as if the ominous presence cleared out. She stood at a side window, remaining unseen by anyone outside, just making sure the woman actually left and didn’t just pretend to go.

As soon as the car went far enough out of sight, Becky did a little happy dance at having the place back to normal. With a grin plastered on her face, she turned to head back to the kitchen to get lunch started. Already planning, she would get things well on their way before retrieving Randy from the old barn. While she did not know for sure if that were where he went, she had a pretty good suspicion of it being correct.

“You look mighty pleased,” Mabel commented to Becky.

“Yes, the viper has left.”

“And we didn’t even have anything to do with it.” Mabel chuckled.

“What would you have done?”

“Oh, I had a few things going through my mind, but nothing actually planned yet. So, are you going to go get Randy back from the stables?” Mabel kept her eyes downcast to the biscuit dough she was kneading.

“How’d you know that’s where he was?”

“I’ve known him all his life. Go on, girl, I’ve got lunch in hand.”

Giggling like a schoolgirl, Becky threw off her apron and called out, “Thanks,” as she flew out the back door and down the steps. Her feet kept propelling her forward, hardly even touching the ground as she felt lighter than air in her happiness.

The closer to the barn she got, the more she questioned if Randy planned something to get Katy to leave. She wouldn’t put it past him, but she couldn’t be sure until she actually saw him. Her steps slowed as her mind raced along this line of thinking.

Before she knew it, she was standing outside the stables, her eyes quickly spotting the abandoned Mule. She noticed the four-wheeler was parked much farther into the barn than usual. Another indication that Randy attempted to hide his location from Katy. Mentally shaking her head at what he went through made her wish she could erase all of the heartaches he experienced lately.

Nodding to herself about her correct guess of his location, she entered the shaded, cool interior. Immediately, the smells of leather, hay, and horses enveloped her. She breathed in deeply, her mind whirling back to all her childhood horse riding lessons she had taken.

The horse is her friend--and his

She let the murmuring of a man’s voice lead her to the stall, where she saw Randy with his favorite horse. Just seeing him pour his love into every brushstroke made her heart skip a beat. This gentle man deserved so much better than Katy could ever give him. She hoped he would come to the same conclusion before he made the mistake of asking Katy to marry him.

Not that it’s any of my business, she thought to herself. After all, I’m only the hired help. She cleared her throat, bringing herself back to the task at hand. When he looked over at her, an almost comical combination of fear and relief crossed over his features.

Deciding to let him off the hook promptly, she said, “I thought I’d let you know Katy got called away for some emergency. You can come out of hiding now.”

“How’d you know where to find me?”

“It wasn’t hard to put two and two together. What better place to go where Katy would never step foot? C’mon, I’m sure you’re hungry.” Watching the tension immediately leave Randy’s posture confirmed her suspicion of Randy’s involvement in Katy’s abrupt departure. “It seemed rather suspicious that she would get called away so suddenly. You wouldn’t perhaps know something about it, would you?”

“Me?” he asked, entirely too innocent to be believable.

Hearing him admit to his part in the tactic gave her hope for Randy seeing through the woman’s scheming. Seeing this playful side of Randy also showed that he was recovering from the shock of his parents’ sudden demise. Thinking of her own mother’s passing still broke her heart, she could only imagine how losing both parents at the same time would be pretty devastating.

Hearing his stomach growl at the mention of food only confirmed her suspicions further. “See, your stomach’s agreeing with me. You can drop off the brush in the tack room on the way out. I’ll ride back with you on the Mule if you don’t mind.”

“Sure, I’d never make you walk all that way.”

Following him to the tack room, she noted how he lost weight in the last six weeks, even with her best efforts to entice him to eat food. Maybe now, with everything resolved once and for all, he could begin the mending process.

Hearing him tell her about Katy’s disclosure the night before made Becky’s blood boil. It was bad enough for the woman to show up unannounced, but to boldly declare her desire to have all his money was low even for Katy. Thankfully, Randy seemed ready to distance himself from her for the time being. Hopefully, he’d make it permanent.

When Randy got to the part of his story about wishing for someone like herself, Becky could have jumped for joy. “Randy, are you hitting on me?” she teased, grinning to keep the conversation light, but her stomach fluttered with the unexpected compliment. Maybe she had a chance with him after all. Why else would he say something like that?

“What?”

Randy’s cheeks reddened slightly, but Becky noticed he didn’t deny her accusation.

“I’m sorry, Becky. That wasn’t fair for me to spring that on you like that. I really do like you, Becky. You’ve been an amazing friend to me since—”

“I know, Randy. I’m glad you think of me as a friend.” I think I have a chance of it becoming something more than that, she thought to herself. Keeping her voice calm, she asked, “Do you want to eat in the kitchen as usual?”

“I’d really like that. Thanks, Becky.”

Deciding to let the conversation go, for now, Becky kept her gaze anywhere but in Randy’s direction. The beautiful landscape surrounding them gave her such a wave of inner peace. Did Randy appreciate it on the same level as she? Something inside told her he must since all of his childhood stories were so colorfully told while reminiscing over the land’s changing seasons.

Rather than parking in front of the house, Randy pulled the Mule around to the back door. After parking, he waited on his side for Becky to catch up. She promptly jumped out of the vehicle and rounded the back of it to walk up the stairs with him. He seemed rather eager to eat. “How’s your head this morning?”

“Ugh, don’t ask. I should’ve had a lot more water last night or this morning, but—”

“I know; you had to hide out for a while. I’ll make sure you get plenty to drink with breakfast.” She glanced at her watch before amending, “Lunch, actually.”

“I feel like it’s been a month since my last meal.” He held open the door for Becky before following her inside. “Where’s Mabel?”

“I don’t know,” she answered, spying the two plates laid out on the island. She narrowed her eyes at what the old cook was up to. “I’ll go check on her. Go ahead and get started.”

Becky veered off to the right into the servants’ quarters, barely pausing after knocking on Mabel’s door. Hearing the woman inside telling her to enter, Becky opened the door and peered inside. “What’s going on?” She could see a plate of food on the tray over Mabel’s lap.

“My hip started hurting, so I thought I’d take a little rest while eating lunch. Go ahead and enjoy your time with Randy.” The glint in Mabel’s eyes spoke more than her words.

Knowing Mabel planned all of this wasn’t lost on Becky, but she didn’t object to it either. After all, Mabel knew Randy all his life, and she wanted him happy. On more than one occasion, Mabel said how good Becky would be for him; this must be her way of setting things up for the two of them. “Thanks. I’ll let Randy know you’re okay.”

Author's Note:

Read more of this series on Vocal:

Part 1: The Old Barn is His Sanctuary and Her Nightmare

Part 2: The Old Barn Holds a New Secret

Part 3: Can they survive a gold digger’s scheming to discover their perfect match?

Part 4: Can they see past their differences to lasso happily ever after?

Part 5: Flirtations with Cake, Coffee, and Good Company

If you enjoyed this story, please click the heart below.

This is an excerpt from the first book in the Billionaire's Venture Romances series. If you want more of Randy and Becky, you can read their full story in A Cowboy's Recipe for Romance.

If you like endearing heroes, scheming villains, and Lone Star love stories, then you’ll adore Amy Proebstel’s sweet ride into the sunset.

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About the Creator

Amy Proebstel

USA Today bestselling author, Amy Proebstel, writes fantasy, and sweet romance.

When she's not busy writing about heroines and dragons saving the world, she spends her time with her husband watching YT and playing with their 4 Pomeranians.

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