The Rancher's First Love by Brenda Minton Read Free Book Online

final goodbyes and head home.”
    Parker looked around the room that had been his for several very long weeks, his expression suddenly showing the case of nerves he’d been hiding. He bit down on his bottom lip and nodded. “I’m ready.”
    â€œYou’ll do great, tiger.” Dr. Jackson placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll walk you out.”
    As they exited the room, the real party started. The children and nurses were lined up and down the hall with balloons, noisemakers and hats. Parker laughed, waving at his friends. He stopped a few times for extra hugs from staff who had taken care of him through the long months of recovery and rehab.
    Sam walked along behind the group. On her way out the door Dr. Jackson had asked her to escort the family to their car and get them all settled. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the man was plotting against her.
    Remington walked alongside her.
    â€œI had no idea going home would be like this,” he said.
    â€œWe try to make it a special occasion.”
    â€œThank you for taking us on. I know it means the world to Parker, to know that you’ll still be in his life.”
    She kept walking, following the slow procession of Parker, his grandmother, Gus and Dr. Jackson as they made their way down the hall toward the double doors, the lobby and then to the front exit. She took the bag that Remington carried, lightening his load.
    â€œThe invitation stands, if you’d like to join us for burgers on the grill,” he continued.
    She glanced up, into gray eyes that she knew so well. “I don’t think so.”
    â€œWe’re going to have to get used to being around one another. You might find—” he grinned as he said it “—that you want to spend more time with me.”
    â€œI doubt that.” She bit back the smile he probably expected. “I’m not interested in going back and revisiting my fifteen-year-old self. She was a mess.”
    â€œI remember liking her a lot but I understand not wanting to revisit those days. But it won’t hurt for us to be friends right now.”
    â€œNo, it won’t hurt.” But she worried it might.
    There was so much more between them. More than he realized.
    * * *
    Remington glanced at the woman walking next to him. He’d give anything to know why her expression seemed so troubled and why something as simple as friendship set her on edge. Yes, they shared a past. It wasn’t as if they were enemy states trying to find a way to sign a peace treaty.
    He knew one thing: pushing wasn’t going to get him anywhere with Samantha Martin. He guessed she’d been pushed enough. Pushed away from him, from her home, away from everything safe and familiar.
    He’d just gone home to Austin and his family.
    Gus said she’d never been the same. She’d come home from time to time. Every now and then she’d ridden in a local rodeo or eaten dinner at her brother’s diner, but she hadn’t been the girl he’d known in Martin’s Crossing.
    Gus said she was angry and bitter.
    Remington saw it as pain. Deep down pain. He saw a woman who was willing to help animals and children but wasn’t as willing to let people into her life.
    He watched as she helped Aunt Lee put Parker in the car, something Lee had been learning to do in rehab. For the past month his aunt had worked with the staff because there would be things she’d have to do for Parker. He and Gus would help her. They’d given their word they wouldn’t let her do this alone. But they all knew that most of it would fall on Parker’s grandmother.
    Which is why it made sense for him to give up his job in Austin and settle here on his granddad’s ranch, the Rocking J. To help Gus, Aunt Lee and Parker.
    After Parker was settled in the backseat, Sam leaned to kiss his cheek, then she took a step back, letting his grandmother say something to him.