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

life this place provides for you, and now you’re throwing it all away.” Skip Olsen met his son’s stare eye to eye, his face red. “Generations before you, hardworking people, gave their sweat and tears to make the Olsen ranch a reality. You’re stomping on all of their memories, on our legacy.”

“Over and over and over, I’ve heard you say that a million times. I’m not stomping on anything. I’m well aware of how this ranch operates. I know how lucky I’ve been to grow up here.” Nathan didn't want to hurt his family but he felt a strength inside him building.

“I said no.” Skip’s voice came out hard, low and mean. His word was final at the Olsen house.

“Dad. I’ll help you.” Angie stepped in between them, laying a hand on her father’s arm. “I’m here. And Travis is here. We're not going anywhere.”

“She’s more of a cow man than I’ll ever be,” Nathan said. “Angie never misses a count. She can tell you where each one of those bulls came from and what year they were purchased. Travis is the best roper and flanker in the county. He’s always been better than me. You have a good crew here, Dad.”

“Listen to the children, Hon.”

“You don’t need me.” Nathan put an arm around his mother as she wiped a tear from her face. "Mom, Dad, you always taught us that God gives us the desires of our heart. I believe this is what's happening for me. You had my life planned out to run this ranch, even before I was born. But I can't do it. God gave me this dream and ability. It's the one thing that makes me happy."

Skip Olsen looked at his firstborn son, nodded his head. And quietly said, “I’ll consider it, Nathan.”

Stubborn to the very end, his father, but at least he gave an inch although he’d be the last to admit it. Nathan knew he had won. Maybe not the war, but perhaps this battle.

“Thanks, Sis.” Nathan gave Angie a big hug. “Finish your desserts everyone. And you’re all invited to my first gallery showing in Santa Fe one day.”

Applause erupted from the guests.

“I call dibs on Nathan’s horse and saddle.” Travis sat down and shoveled an oversized bite of cobbler into his mouth, chewed, and then looked up. “Mom, can I move into his room?”

Without saying a word Nathan turned and grabbed Travis into a headlock, dragging him out of his chair.

“Don’t wrestle in this dining room, boys,” Mrs. Olsen said. They all laughed.

Nathan knew he would miss these moments more than anything in the world, but the world was waiting for him and he was ready to get started.

Chapter Forty

Thanks to the friendly convenience store attendant a couple miles back, Carli finally saw the rodeo arena up ahead. But before she could get through the gate to parking, the sounds of a siren interrupted her thoughts as an ambulance blared behind her. She had to pull to one side and let them pass.

At the entrance she ignored the greeting of the gatekeeper, instead dug in the bottom of her purse for money to cover the parking fee and shoved it into his hand.

Finally, she parked her truck in a grassy lot, hopped out, and weaved her way through the cars, trucks, and livestock trailers. She had to find Lank and set things right with him. The notion that he thought badly of her caused her stomach to twist in knots. He had to know the truth.

Wandering through the dust and noise that rose above the crowd, she took a moment to peek at the arena. Team roping was underway, so she turned and searched the sea of cowboy hats for Lank’s face. Up in the stands, more cowboy hats on guys and girls, smiling faces but no one familiar. Wandering past the concession stands, she made her way towards the holding pens. Taking note of every face shaded by a hat, bodies perched on railings. She walked through the middle of several clumps of cowboys. Some tipped their hat to her, some casting friendly, interested smiles her way, but she didn’t pause long enough to engage in conversation. With a disappointed sigh she turned and walked back the way she had come.

“Vera!” Finally, a familiar face. Carli saw her neighbor Crazy Vera standing at the concession stand. She towered over everyone around her, most especially from the tall hat and feather. The older woman turned at the sound of her name.

“Carli, girl. Want something to drink?”

“No, thanks. Have you seen Lank?”

Vera handed over her money before answering. “You just missed his ride.”

Carli followed her towards the stands. Vera stopped and turned to her, a frown on her face. “It didn’t end well.”

“I need to talk to him.”

“He’s gone by now. The ambulance left about ten minutes ago.”

“Ambulance? I pulled over to let it pass.”

“That’s the one and Lank was in it.”

“What? Was he hurt bad? Where’d they take him? Do you know?” Fear crept over her causing her throat to close. She felt dizzy.

“So many questions. Easy, girl. You’re as pale as a ghost. You don’t need any stress in your condition. He’ll be okay, but I can’t believe he tossed aside his promise to his momma and climbed back on a dang bucking horse. His poor momma must be rolling over in her grave, God rest her soul.”

“Vera! Are they taking him to the hospital in this town?” Carli walked closer and grabbed her neighbor by both shoulders. Her first instinct was to shake the living daylights out of the woman until she could find out what she wanted to know. But Vera had her on size and weight. It would have been like trying to budge a Sequoia.

“Maybe your blood sugar is too low? I’ll buy you a snack. You need to keep up your strength. You’re eating for two, ya know.”

“There is no baby. Nathan is moving to Santa Fe. The rumor about us started at the