Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series by Natalie Bright (macos ebook reader .txt) 📕

stop. An awkward silence followed as he met her eyes. “There’s no us either, Nate. I think you should pursue the passion you have for your art wherever that might lead.”

“You’re right. I had already decided that before you blurted it out."

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Now I’m forced to talk to my father about it. But Carli, we can make this work. Come with me to Santa Fe. When we move back our children can run the Rafter O and the Wild Cow.”

“If you’re not happy on the back of a horse, then this life will never be satisfying for you, Nate. Why be miserable every day because that’s what your father wants? Don’t let your talent go to waste. You can’t be everything to everybody. Make a decision. Your art or the ranch.”

“You’re right, Carli. You of all people should know what it’s like to leave everything you’ve ever known and follow a dream.”

“I’ve got to go.” She turned and opened the door.

“Wait. Tell me the truth.”

“The truth is there’s no baby on the way.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. Say his name and then admit it to yourself.”

Carli’s heart thudded in her chest and her mouth turned too dry to speak. She glanced down at the tiled floor to avoid Nathan’s eyes.

“You knew?”

“I had a suspicion because I knew it wasn’t me, and I could see the looks you gave him. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. It would make my life so much simpler if we could make this work.”

“I know. You are kind and funny, a great horseman, good looking.”

“Go on,” he said with a laugh.

“You’re perfect, Nate, but you’re not in love with me. Be honest with yourself. I will always treasure your friendship.” With that she rose to her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He squeezed her tight and reached around her to open the door wider.

“You’re right, Carli. Friends it is. Follow your wild heart, Carli. Grab your future and never let go.”

Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she turned and jogged to her pickup truck without a wave or a glance back. The directions Buck had given her raced inside her mind, “Stay on highway 287. Three towns over.”

She roared out of ranch headquarters and forced herself to keep her speed reasonable on the caliche-topped dirt road until she reached the blacktop. And then she pushed it wide open. “Can I pray for no Highway Patrol, Lord? It would be much appreciated.”

Nathan stood on the front porch for a moment with mixed emotions as he watched Carli driving away. Part longing, part relief. With a newfound purpose clear in his mind, he turned to head back inside. It was time for him to find his future too.

Now or never. He had to face his father.

As he emerged from around the corner, the guests were eating pie and drinking coffee but all heads around the dining table snapped in his direction. The room erupted.

“Are y’all engaged?”

“Where did Carli go?” his sister Angie asked.

“When are you moving to New Mexico?”

His father’s booming voice rose above the others. “You are not leaving this ranch, Nathan.”

The room silenced.

Skip Olsen stood at one end of the dining room table and Nathan walked closer to him. “Dad. Hear me out first.”

“What are you thinking?” His father rarely showed a temper. In fact, he was the most even-keeled man Nathan knew whenever a crisis arose, but the hard glint in his father's eyes proved that this was not one of his calmer moments. Skip Olsen was furious with his firstborn.

“Let’s hear him out,” Buck's calm, commanding voice interrupted the strained silence.

Nathan paused to stare at his father. He knew what had been tossing his insides into such a jumble lately. Carli had made him see that life offered all kinds of possibilities, and now he was torn. He knew his dad wanted him to do the ranch business, take it over, be the head of the family when his parents were gone, like his father had done, and his grandfather before him. But Nathan wanted to pursue his own dreams. The desire to be something different burned in his gut. He knew that he would be a success. Become an artist like Brad Travers.

His dad's dream was the ranch. Nathan's dream was to follow his art.

But how could he make his father understand?

“Hon, I think we should hear what he has to say.” His mother stood at Nathan’s side and put her hand on his arm. “Go ahead, Nathan. Tell us what you have to say.”

“Mom. Dad.”

Silence. The room grew unbelievably hot, the guests remained motionless, as if with bated breath. Some felt awkward listening to the family business. But many of the friends were like family and had known Nathan since he was a baby. No one even blinked. Nathan pulled his chin up, stood a little straighter, and took a deep breath. “I’m moving to Santa Fe.”

“Is Carli going with you? Is that the best place to raise a child?” This coming from Travis. Leave it to his little brother to make the situation worse.

Temper flared inside Nathan. “There is no baby. Carli and I are friends.” His voice boomed louder than he had meant, so he took a calming breath. “I know it sounds crazy, but I have an opportunity in Santa Fe that I can’t turn down. I’ll be able to work and learn from some of the best artists in the Southwest.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard," his father said. "We’ve got branding soon. Long days in the saddle and flanking calves will get you to come to your senses. I don’t know what’s going on with you, Son, but you’ll get through this. We’ll get through it together.”

“My mind is made up. I’m giving you my notice, Dad. I’m not working at the Rafter O any longer.”

“This ranch doesn’t run on its own. You are lucky to have the kind of