Free SECOND CHANCES AT MG RANCH by Karen England Page A

that Sam is staying at the ranch with you for a while.” Missy said. “How is that working out?”
    “He is a little stubborn and bossy sometimes, but I like having him around. He has taught me so much about taking care of the ranch.”
    Loren felt comfortable talking to Missy and told her about being adopted. They talked about her biological parents and learning about the ranch on her twenty-first birthday.
    She explained that it was her father’s idea to have Sam stay on at the ranch for a while and how it had not set well with her at first, but now she was glad that he had agreed to stay. He was good company and she felt safer with him there.
    “Sam always thought that your father would sell the ranch to him someday. It never crossed his mind that you might actually want to keep it.  You should know that if you ever decide to sell and move back to Atlanta, he would make you a good offer.”
    Loren wondered if Sam had put Missy up to feeling her out to see if she would be interested in selling the ranch. She was guessing that he probably did. To sum it all up, he wanted her ranch, but he wasn’t interested in her. She reminded herself that he was still in love with Stephanie. Why did she keep forgetting that? Maybe it was because her heart wanted her to.
    She chose to ignore Missy’s comment. “It is getting late. I should probably find Sam. I’m sure you are probably getting tired too and you need your rest.”
    Missy was quick to realize that Loren was changing the subject and in an effort to not upset her further she said, “You are right, I am a little tired. Let’s go find those men.”
    Heading off in the direction of the house they both fell silent. The men were found lounging in rocking chairs on the front porch. Sam and Loren bid them both good night and thanked them for a wonderful dinner and all agreed that they should do it again soon.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 11
    Both Loren and Sam had been awake for most of the night, thinking about each other and the events of their dinner date with Hal and Missy. Him remembering the sweet, soft, sound of her laughter and her remembering that he wanted her ranch, but he didn’t want her.
    The morning chores went quickly, since they had both agreed to skip their usual morning ride. Loren’s parents were due anytime now and she needed to get the house ready for their arrival. Loren wanted them to be proud of her new home; the home that she intended to keep, with or without Sam.
    In the meantime, Sam had busied himself in the workshop, hoping that by trying to stay busy, he could get Loren off his mind. Through all the grinding, sawing and hammering it wasn’t working. He couldn’t stop thinking about her or how natural it had felt to have her by his side while entertaining with friends.  It had felt like she belonged there.  Last night had given him a glimpse of what Hal and Missy must have in their relationship.  He then found himself daydreaming of a relationship like that with Loren.
    By noon Loren’s parents had arrived and she had lunch prepared and ready for them. Amy and Josh suggested that she go ask Sam to come have lunch with them, but Loren insisted that he was probably too busy. At their persistence she finally gave in and marched herself to the barn to invite him to have lunch with them back at the house.
    He was creating so much noise that he didn’t hear her enter the workshop. Loren was amazed at what she saw; the same style of log furniture that the house was furnished with.
    So now she knew that Sam had made all the furniture. All though it didn’t really matter, she was impressed and it made her home feel even more special just knowing that Sam had added so many special touches.
    She spoke his name a couple of times, but when she realized that he couldn’t hear her over the noise, she reached out and softly tapped his shoulder. Her touch startled him