The Black Sheep's Proposal. Patricia Thayer
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THE RANDELL BROTHERHOOD
Coming home to take a bride!
A home. A family. A legacy of their own.
Mustang Valley has long been home to the brotherhood. United by blood, trust and loyalty, these men fight for what they believe—for family, for what’s right, and ultimately…for love.
Now there are newcomers in their midst. Two gorgeous new Randell brothers are back to reclaim their heritage, find their family, and just maybe discover the women of their dreams…
In March, Brady’s back! He’s fought for his country; now he’s fighting his heart… He thought no woman would tame him—but sweet, courageous Lindsey Stafford is like no woman he’s met before!
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THE REBEL HEIR’S BRIDE
Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, Patricia Thayer was the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed west. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her family’s numerous weddings and births.
Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.
When not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself, accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-six years. Together they have three grown sons and three grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.
Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty books. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA® Award. Her book NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE won a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewer’s Choice award.
She has been a guest reader at elementary schools and lectured aspiring authors. A long-time member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.
Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.
Dear Reader
I’m so pleased that I have the opportunity to return to Mustang Valley and revisit the Randell men. You will want to find out what Jack Randell’s boys, Chance, Cade and Travis, have been up to. Along with their half-brothers, Jared Trager and Wyatt and Dylan Gentry, they have all adjusted to the valley. I’m here to say that they’re all doing well, including Hank Barrett, the adopted patriarch of the family.
My inspiration for this series and Hank’s character was my dear friend Hence Barrow, a West Texas rancher. He’s the one who taught this city girl all about ranching. You see, his family had been doing it for over a hundred years. I’m sorry to say Hence passed away this last year, at the age of 97, but I’ll never forget his stories and his love of the land. It was an honour and a privilege to know him, and to be called his friend. I’ll miss you, Hence.
In this series I bring Jack’s brother Sam’s sons, Luke and Brady, to the valley. In the first story Luke, a real estate tycoon, wants to take his estranged father’s inheritance and sell his share of the Rocking R. It’s the Randell cousins who step in and teach him about family and tradition. His pretty blonde ranch foreman, Tess Meyers, teaches him to love. And one little five-year-old girl steals his heart.
There are many more surprises. Hope you enjoy it.
With regards
Patricia Thayer
THE BLACK SHEEP’S PROPOSAL
BY
PATRICIA THAYER
To Hence,
Thank you for sharing your life, the wonderful stories
and your family. I’ll miss you, friend.
1909–2007
CHAPTER ONE
HE’D sworn he would never come back here.
Luke Randell hadn’t been left with a choice. He released a long breath and climbed out of his BMW. His gaze swept the area that had once been his childhood home. The Rocking R Ranch.
Large oak trees shaded the green lawn. A concrete walkway led to the wraparound porch of the big, well-kept Victorian house. A recent coat of white paint covered the two-story house where he used to live, more than twenty-seven years ago. A rush of feelings—sadness and a lot of bitterness—hit him as he glanced toward the large barn, outbuildings and corral. They, too, had been well cared for.
Not what he’d expected when he’d left Dallas to return to San Angelo, Texas. A warm breeze brushed against his face, and he caught a whiff of the ranch’s earthy smells, causing a flood of more memories—memories of his pony, Jazzy, then his horse, Bandit, the chestnut gelding he’d been given for his fifth birthday.
Damn. He’d loved that horse.
Tightness gripped Luke’s chest as he thought about the painful day his daddy had sold the animal…. That same day everything had changed. No more perfect family. For a six-year-old kid it had been the end of the world.
He quickly shook off the foolish sentiment and walked along the path to the porch, then up the steps. His gaze caught the wrought-iron branding symbol of the Rocking R nailed next to the door.
Another memory hit him before he could push it away. He couldn’t keep doing this. Not if he was going to live here in his childhood home. The heavy oak door had been opened inward, leaving a wood-framed screen door to keep out intruders. He shrugged. It was the country, not downtown Dallas.
“Hello… Anyone here?” he called.
He waited for an answer. When none came, he walked inside the large entry hall. The hardwood floors were polished, showing off their honey color. The front parlor, as his mother used to call it, also sparkled with polish and a lemony scent. There were several antiques, but the dark brocade sofa and chairs still looked uncomfortable.
Who cares? he asked himself. With any luck, he wouldn’t be here that long. Right now he needed to find Ray Meyers. Suddenly a sound interrupted his thoughts. On the open staircase that led to the second floor he found a black kitten with white paws.
“Well, at least someone’s here to welcome me.”
He got another meow as he walked over and picked up the kitten. “Maybe you can tell me where everyone is.”
The cat meowed again just as muffled voices came from upstairs. “Looks like I got my answer.” He started up the steps, carrying his new companion. He walked along the hall past several rooms, one of which used to be his. He ignored it. No sense stirring up more memories.
Luke continued on toward the open door to the master bedroom. Once across the thresh-old, he found the source of the voices. He leaned against the doorway and enjoyed the view.
A woman was on her hands and knees with her head buried under the large four-poster bed. He couldn’t help but notice how well she filled out her fitted jeans. Next to her was a little girl not more than four or five.
“Mommy,