The Rancher by Kelli Ann Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

you are driving your men, you’re gonna drop and not be able to pull yourself up again.”
    “That’s not what Alaric would have
    wanted,” Raine interjected.
    “Leave him out of this.” Cole shot a quelling look at his brother.
    “Your mother and I have seen what Alaric’s death has done to you.”
    “We all have,” Raine said.
    Jameson cleared his throat. “And now, it’s time to stop wallowing in selfloathing and guilt and start thinking about someone besides yourself.”
    Cole pushed himself up, out of the chair. “I am   not   getting married.”
    “Sit down!” Jameson boomed, rising to his feet, arms pressing against his desktop, his eyes not wavering from Cole’s. “And,

    I’d advise you to watch your tone here,young man. You’ve got people who careabout you and are trying to help.  Don’tmake an old man come whoop some senseinto that thick skull of yours.”
    Cole took a deep breath. He kneweverything his father spoke was true. He’dbeen selfish to think that closing himselfoff from his family and depriving himselfof happiness wouldn’t affect those closestto him. His shoulders slumped slightly.
    “Yes, sir.” Cole couldn’t remember thelast time he’d seen his father so forceful.
    He slowly returned to his seat.
    “We changed the ownership of the landin Silver Falls, Colorado into your name.  Wife or not. We were waiting to tell youuntil you returned from this last drive.” Jameson reached into the slender drawer

in the middle of his desk and withdrew a leather bound folder. He pushed it across the top to rest directly in front of Cole.
    Cole glanced down at the rawhide packet.  He was speechless.
    “Wait.  We have land in Silver Falls?”
    “Open it,” his father urged.
    Cole slid his hands over the soft leather and untied the thin straps that held it together. Inside, he found a yellowed document—his Granddad’s deed and will for the Colorado property. He read—
    I,   William   Joshua   Deardon,declare on this twelfth day of May, Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-Two,before the eyes of the undersignednotary, that the name listed hereinis to be hereafter, a recognized

    guardian and heir of the property surrounding and including the city of  Silver   Falls,   Colorado,   as mapped out in this document.  The guardian   will   have   undisputed authority and responsibility over the protection of said property and all decisions concerning the land and its uses, until the time he meets his demise. This name may only be changed by the undersigned and/or current guardian.
    There were multiple lines listed at thebottom,   each  with  a  name  and  acorresponding   signature.   Granddad Deardon’s name was first. His mother, Leah Deardon Redbourne, second.  And
    now,   his   name,   Cole   Alexander

    Redbourne, was written in big blacklettering.
    “Now, all you have to do is sign thedocument to make it official.” Jameson satback in his chair looking very pleasedwith himself. “You may choose yourbeneficiary now or wait until a later date. You’ll just need to file it with theregistrar’s office in Denver once you’vedecided.”
    Cole stared at his father.   He didn’tknow what to say.
    “A local banker has been collecting allof the mortgage payments from thetownsfolk and store proprietors.   He’sbeen depositing the money into a branch ofthe Deardon Trust in Silver Falls.  You’llhave what you need.”
    “How did you know I was gonna stay in

    Silver Falls?” Cole had specifically askedhis father if he could take the lead on the
    cattle drive to Silver Falls and to one certain Clayton McCallister.   Alaric’s grandparents had lived there and that is where his friend had fallen for a young girl named Abby.  It had been just over a year since Alaric died and Cole felt that the time had come to see his promise through.

    “I’m looking for a Mr. Cole Alexander Redbourne, please,” the