Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) by P. J. Belden Read Free Book Online

horse ranch.  I love their beauty.” Looking down twisting my hands in my lap embarrassed.  “Silly, I know.”
    “ I don’t think it’s silly at all.  Horses are amazing creatures.”
    “ I have saved as much of my money as possible.  I don’t go on shopping sprees or buy stupid things, which my manager seems to think I need to, so that when I get out of the music business I can buy some land and start my ranch.”
    “ Really, you want to own a ranch?”  He scoffed.
    “ Yes, I don’t see how that is so unbelievable!  I am great with horses and love hard work and a challenge.” I said a little offended.
    “ Really?” He paused as a waitress brought menus and we placed our drink orders. Then his face lit up. “You think you can handle working a ranch?” 
    “ Yes, I do.  You may not see it looking at me, but I am not lazy and can handle a lot.”
    He nods his head, looking at me thoughtfully.  “Tell you what, come by my ranch and I will put you to work for a weekend just as you would be working on your ranch and then we will see if you still think you can handle your own ranch.”
    “You own a ranch?” I asked, shocked.
    “ Yes, hence the reason I am offering to show you what work it takes.” He stated in a manner that made me think he thought I was stupid.
    “ I have heard some people around me say that work on a ranch or a farm is easier, not easy, but easier on the weekends.  So if you make it a Monday through Sunday then I will take it.  One whole week of work… Oh, and you have to let me pay you for the experience.”
    This could be good.  This could help determine once and for all if my dreams of owning and running a ranch are just that, a dream. Or if I could handle the work and time it would take to run one.  My eyes pleaded with him as he just sat there not saying anything.  I really wanted this to happen. Finally, he spoke.
    “ I cannot accept your money ma’am.  I will, however, accept your deal for one week of work. When?”
                  Running my schedule through my brain, I sat back thinking for a minute.  I knew I would be taking away his time from the ranch to help me during this week, so he needed to accept my offer of money.  Just meeting him, I was by no means going to sit back and take from him.  This is completely crazy even for me, but I really did want to own my own ranch and this would be perfect to have my own experience to see what I could expect.  However, this was a man I knew nothing about.  How could I even be sure he has a ranch?
    I definitely had to have time to get to know the guy and also visit the ranch once before I went out there for a week.  Now, I just needed someone who could take me out there. Someone who I knew I could be safe with if anything funny was to happen.  Elijah!   He could also write up a contract and make him take my money.  Yes, this was perfect.  A slow smile began to form on my face.
    “ I’m not sure that smile is a good one. Though as beautiful as it is, it seems that it might be trouble for me.” Tobey said with a chuckle.
    “ No, it’s not bad.  In fact, it is good all the way around.  Okay, here is how the deal will go.  I will visit your ranch one day with someone I trust so I know that the ranch indeed exists and I am not being taken to some place to be kidnapped or something.  Plus, it will allow someone I trust to know where to look if I do not contact them or come back when I said I would.  Next, we will spend the next week getting to know each other.  I cannot go out in the country and spend a week with someone I do not know.  After those two things have been met and I feel comfortable enough, I will then move out there for a week and work.  Deal?”
    “ You’re one smart cookie.  I was going to suggest getting to know me before you come out.  However, your idea of coming out with someone is genius.”
    “ Lawyers and a cop in the family; some things rub off on you.” I beamed