Free Bridleton by Becky Barker

“It’s a combination of personal and professional. Lloyd Rubbens is a very successful agent and a genuinely nice man. He offered me a partnership as well as a marriage proposal.” She’d asked him to give her more time but he’d be demanding an answer soon.
    “Are his proposals separate but equal?” Cheyenne teased.
    Andrea shook her head. “Is anything ever that simple?”
    Cheyenne took a hint and changed the subject. “So how can I help the most with ranch business?”
    “You could put your computer skills to work. All the breeding records for cattle and horses are in longhand. I have to warn you, both Nanna’s and Noah’s handwriting is nearly indecipherable. The data needs to be updated and transferred to electronic format. If you can take over the job it’ll free up more of our time.”
    “I’d like to learn a little about the computer too,” said Nanette.
    They both agreed to help her with some basic skills.
    “We can start right after dinner if you like,” offered Cheyenne. “You know the stock better than me and, according to Drea, I’ll need help deciphering. We can teach each other.”
    “No party tonight?”
    Cheyenne grinned. “I guess I’d better start earning my keep. Especially if Meredith keeps feeding us so well.” She gave the housekeeper a smile as Meredith brought apple pie to the table.
    Everyone added their compliments for the meal. Andrea refused the pie. “It looks and smells yummy but I’m really stuffed. My stomach isn’t used to being so full.”
    She sipped coffee as the others enjoyed dessert. Before long they’d all finished their meal and began excusing themselves from the table. Noah and Trace headed to the barns for one last check on livestock. Nanna and Cheyenne went to the office to study ranch records. Andrea helped Meredith clear the dishes and load the dishwasher, enjoying a friendly, low-key conversation.
    The first yawn caught her by surprise. She apologized for the second and the third. “Excuse me, Meredith. I promise it’s not the company but just an exhausted mind and body.”
    “I really appreciate your help but you’ve done enough. I can finish now. Just head on up to bed. The ranch will be a muddy mess tomorrow so you’ll need all the rest you can get.”
    “I always need all the rest I can get,” chimed Andrea. She’d suffered with insomnia for years and never felt completely rested. “I didn’t even do that much today but I’ll take your advice and call it a night.”
    “Sleep well.”
    “Thanks, you too.” Andrea left the kitchen and briefly stuck her head in the door of the library to say goodnight to Nanna and Cheyenne. Then she went upstairs to her bedroom but didn’t turn on the light.
    The curtains of her French doors were open wide. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed across the murky sky. She moved closer to watch Mother Nature’s awesome light show. The dark, swirling passion of a thunderstorm had always enthralled her. Even though she knew how dangerous they could be she still got caught up in the vivid displays of light and the black, rolling clouds. Tonight the tumultuous weather matched her mood and her emotional state.
    Cheyenne’s mention of Lloyd weighed heavily on her mind. Before the worry of the ranch had become a consideration she’d been thinking of retiring from modeling. She’d given a lot of thought to the design business and following the old dream of fashion design. She had a knack for it but not the artistic skill. Lloyd had the connections to launch a new line with resounding success. He could make or break a new venture.
    What she didn’t know was whether he’d help her if she rejected his marriage-slash-business proposal. In fact, he could possibly destroy the Bartell Collection dream before it could even be presented.
    Now she’d promised most of her waking minutes to the ranch. And Noah. The thought of him had her stepping a little closer to the doors and glancing toward the balcony outside his