Authors: Amelia Rose
Galloping Hearts (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Texas Heat series: Book 2, Mitchell and Moira's story)
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****
A
MELIA
R
OSE
Galloping Hearts
Texas Heat - Book Two
Dedication
To YOU, The reader.
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Thank you for your emails.
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Thank you for reading and joining me on this road.
Contents
Moira had just finished up her spring term at the University of Texas. She was going to school for Architectural Engineering. She wanted to build houses and buildings that would catch the eye and make her a pretty penny.
Growing up on Circle O had been nice and all but it was in a podunk town she wanted nothing to do with. She knew early on she needed to get away from the tiny town she grew up in and the ranch that seemed to hold her whole world until the age of eighteen. It had all been too stifling for her growing up.
She had just wanted to spend the good weathered days in the fields, drawing the herds of family animals or of the scenery around her. It was a beautiful place to be certain. Unfortunately, the life was harsh. She’d been a brilliant artist but never was fully trained. She took art classes in middle and high school but most of what she learned was from books and trial and error. Her parents were too busy trying to support eight kids and a ranch to ever pay for legitimate lessons. By the time she was in high school, she’d learned that the moments with her pencil would be few and far between. More than that, she knew that as a part of the O’Connor clan, she would be expected to break her back on the ranch with the rest of the family, who never left.
She had watched as her older sister, Marlene, had broken free of the mold by becoming a nurse. She’d moved to the city and hadn’t come back for over three years. Then, she’d returned and fallen in love with a ranch hand. Of course, it meant that everything she’d worked for had been put on hold as she returned to their small town and started working in the local hospital. Moira couldn’t get over what a waste that was. She liked her brother in law and all, and she had to admit that Curtis was cool. Still, it was a wasted opportunity for Marlene. She was not going to go that route. She would go as far away from the Circle O as she could and remain there, which was what she’d done. She worked hard through school, making sure to get all A’s and taking the hardest AP classes she could. She graduated as the class valedictorian. She had worked hard to save all the money she could and applied to the furthest away in state schools she could. That would save the fees of out of state attendance but allow her to get away. When she’d been told she had a full ride to the University of Texas, she jumped at it. It wasn’t as far as she’d wanted, but it had been far enough. Her parents were happy for her but said she needed to come back to help
on the ranch for the summer as soon as her spring term was over. The only exception was the summer she was required by the school to take summer courses. Because she’d used that to stay away the previous summer, she was doomed to going home this year.
She’d already packed her things but she had one more night. She’d told her parents it only made sense to stay that last night because she could leave early in the morning and would become road weary at night when driving alone. Her parents had conceded that to keep her safe. She still didn’t know how much of that concern was for her own personal safety or Red, her dad, wanting the free work she would provide. He’d have to feed and house her anyway and he always needed to get his money
’s worth – whether that was with hired hands or his kids.
She sighed as she settled in her bed. She’d kept her sleeping bag to sleep in for the night so she could pack her bedding. As she settled in, she had her last latte of the summer sitting next to her on the windowsill. She had her drawing tools out – a drawing pad, pencil set, and gummy eraser. Everything she would need to get through some solid hours of drawing. This would be her first – and last – unplanned night of the summer. She wanted to use it to draw the skyline she could see from her window. More than that, she wanted to draw the boy who had been haunting her mind for the last eight months.
When she had finally started the classes for her major, she’d seen him sitting in many of the same classes. That meant he was in the same year as her and just started his program of study. Of course, she didn’t know this for sure as she’d never actually
talked
to him. How could she? He was beautiful. Plus, he always seemed so self-assured and aloof. She didn’t know how to approach him. She didn’t even know his name; she only knew his hair was as yellow and silky looking as the strands of silk at the end of the corn she would be husking this summer. His eyes were as blue as the sky on a good day for riding and checking the herds of cattle, making repairs and then spending the evening under the oak tree, watching the sun set with a glass of Grannie Elaine’s homemade sweet tea.
She drew until her hand began cramping. When she looked back through the few pictures she had drawn, there was only one of the Austin skyline, the others were all of Corn Silk Boy, as she’d taken to calling him. She sighed, shaking her head, grateful he didn’t know her so he couldn’t see how obsessed she was with him.
Climbing into her sleeping bag, she closed her eyes, knowing she was heading back to the family ranch the next morning. Maybe she’d be able to clear her head of all the clutter of school enough to relax. More than that, she thought as she clenched her eyes closed, maybe she could have a few peaceful months of her brain being free of childlike crushes and being smitten with someone who didn’t know she even existed – because she was scared.
******
Late the next evening, she pulled up the gravel drive into the family yard. She saw the kitchen was still lit brightly, despite being almost ten thirty. She wondered who in the house would still be up that time of night. There was no way it was Daddy. He’d be up at the butt crack of dawn to do the work that needed to be done. This was also the same of her older brothers. They wouldn’t be ones to burn the midnight oil without good reason. That was why she’d purposefully held off calling once night had fallen. She knew her family homestead would’ve gone to bed with the sun because they rose before it in the morning.
Just as she turned her headlights off and climbed out of the car, she saw Grannie Elaine peek out the window and wave toward her car. She smiled. Of course, Grannie would’ve waited for her to get home. She was probably the official sentry for the family. She didn’t work the fields any more, spending most her time making the meals for the family as they all worked. Moira had never remembered her grannie as anything other than earth worn wrinkles and a grey bun. The woman was sturdy, though, and the only one who seemed strong enough to keep the family going in times of crazy distress.
Her smile broadened as she realized there were some people in the world that ranch life suited and her grandmother was one of them. Plus, the woman made biscuits and tea to die for. She always went for the trifecta in fall, once the peaches came in and she could make her cobbler. That was the one thing she missed most about going to school. The nice thing was, Granny always made sure she went back to school with a jar or two of strawberry preserves in the fall and peach ones after Thanksgiving or Christmas.
She would unload her car in the morning when everyone was up. Nothing like making her daddy angry waking him up with creaking stairs and boxes hitting the walls. As soon as she was in the door, her grandmother hugged her close.“How’s my youngest granddaughter tonight?”
She hugged her grandmother’s sturdiness to her as she answered. “Good, just tired from the long drive.”
Her grandmother stepped back, holding her at arm’s length to look her over. “You’ve lost more weight. Are they refusing to feed you at school? I swear, it costs enough, they should feed you.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course they feed me. It just isn’t
good
food like yours is, so I’m done after one plate instead of two or three.”
Grannie rolled her eyes but the pride at the compliment was there. “Well, we have to work on that starting in the morning then. What do you want for breakfast?”
“Biscuits and some white gravy. Besides that, I don’t care.”
Her grandmother smiled. “Well, that’s a start, I suppose. We’ll make sure you’re fed proper. Now, go get yourself washed up for bed. You look dead on your feet and this old lady needs to get to bed if she’s gonna make breakfast in time for everyone.”
It was her turn to laugh but headed for the stairs. “Please, you could probably cook for the President in your sleep and have it win a prize.”
Grannie laughed. “Well, aren’t you sweet? Apparently, they really didn’t feed you well at school if you think a little fried chicken or something dipped in bacon grease can win me any kind of award.”
It was her turn to laugh as she climbed the first stair toward her childhood room. “Love you, Grannie. See you in the morning.”
“I guess your daddy has some ambitious plans for you all tomorrow.”
She groaned despite her intentions to the contrary. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
She shook her head as she climbed to the second floor of the family house.
She wondered if the room had even been dusted since Christmas. Knowing her family like she did, she really could see it going either way. She sighed in relief when she went in and found her room clean and her bed already turned down for the night. She grabbed one of the few night shirts she’d left home so she could change. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she climbed into her bed, sinking in and falling asleep quicker than she thought possible.
The next morning, Moira woke to a bright slice of light coming through her door. Her father stood in the doorway. She couldn’t see his face but his shoulders were set as relaxed and strong as she’d always been used to. Her daddy, even when she disagreed with him, was still her hero. As much as she tried to deny it, she wanted to marry someone as strong, honest, and kind as her father. He was a man resolute in his beliefs but he never shunned anyone who thought differently. He just knew how he planned to live his life – and that was what he did.
When he saw her head come off her pillow, he walked a step inside. His voice was sweet and soft when he spoke. His rumbly voice was just the same as it always had been. It made her feel like she was five again – and just as safe.
“Good morning, Princess. Time to get ready for some work. We need you to work some of the horses today. I figured I’d let you have it easy your first day back. It will let you start getting your muscles ready for the summer.”
She smiled. “And it will make sure I’m sore for tomorrow because I haven’t rode since Thanksgiving.”
Her daddy’s laugh was warm and sounded like it rumbled from the center of his chest. “That too, but it’s hard to ride through the city.”
Sitting up, she giggled. “That would be quite the thing to see, I’m sure. What do you think the pet deposit would be at my apartment for a horse?”
He threw his head back to laugh. “More than we can afford, I think. Grannie is making breakfast. Get yourself down there as soon as possible. We let you sleep as long as we could.”
She nodded, swinging her feet over the side of the bed. “Just let me get my hair pulled back and my teeth brushed.”
Her father nodded. “Safe to turn the light on before I close the door?”
“Yeah, my eyes should handle it fine now. It can’t be worse than the fluorescent lights they have in the hallways at school.”
As he turned on the light, she saw his mouth lift with a smile. Closing the door, he spoke quietly. “See you downstairs. I sure am glad you’re home, Princess.”She smiled, climbing out of bed. Throwing on her jeans and long sleeved tee, she yanked her hair back. She would worry about a shower later when she smelled like horse. Right now, she was excited to saddle up like one of the crew. It’d been too long since she had the chance to ride through the fields. Even though working the horses was a needed task on any ranch, it was something she enjoyed doing too. She truly relished the feel of her ponytail flowing behind her and the massively strong beast beneath her, taking her through their acres of property.
Once she was downstairs, she found everyone at the table, waiting on her. Once she sat down, Daddy said grace and they all dug in. There were two coffeepots going around the table so everyone could begin working their first glass of go juice. Her grandmother had outdone herself that morning. There was such a spread. She was certain it wasn’t like this every morning.
William confirmed her thoughts as he grinned her way. “You need to come home more often, Sis. Maybe we could have breakfasts like this once a week then!”
Grannie clucked her tongue. “No, because if she came home more, she wouldn’t look like a strong wind could carry her away.”
Her dad chuckled. “Now, Momma, she’s been at school. She hasn’t been building the muscles lifting hay or doing anything else. Plus, you know how they are once the roads start getting paved. They live on salads, nuts, and berries.”
Swallowing her bite of a warm biscuit, Moira shook her head. “That’s not all, Daddy. They also eat lean turkey, sometimes they might even have a soy burger.”
She laughed as she saw her brother’s lip curl. “Soy? What’s that do for you? You can’t cover that with enough mustard to taste good! A burger isn’t a burger unless it’s practically mooing.”
She laughed. “I think some of the people from my ethics on animal treatment class would have an issue with that comment.”
William laughed. “Fine, it doesn’t have to moo. Make it well done, I don’t care as long as it’s beef with some cheese slapped on.”
She smiled over to her brother. “I agree, Billy. I’m just saying, I think they would have a problem with some of the food and discussion around this table…. But I don’t have a problem with
it.”
She poured gravy over a couple of split biscuits. If she kept this up all summer, she’d have to work baling beside her brothers just to burn off the calories. Still, she made sure she heaped her plate with eggs, home fries, and some sausage too. “Where’s Andrew?” She asked, noticing her oldest brother was missing from the table.“He’ll be gone for a few days. Had some stuff that needed checking.”Moira stared at her father in shock. Andrew did not go away anywhere; she’d never thought he had it in him. He was always at the ranch, as steady as the rising and setting of the sun. The only other person she knew who was steadier than her brother was her father.“Gone away?” Her tone was incredulous.“Close your mouth, child, before you attract the flies.” Her mom chided gently and her mouth snapped shut. “He just had some things to settle. He’ll be back before you know it.”
She nodded slowly, wondering what could have taken her big brother out of town. In the end, she decided not to dwell on it and went back to her meal. Halfway through her plate, she couldn’t stop herself as she spoke around a full mouth. “Thank you, Grannie. You out did yourself!”
She smiled in response. “So I probably shouldn’t tell you about the sack lunch I made for you today… the one I made thinking you would like to rest under your shade tree.”
She felt her face brighten. “Sweet tea?”
Grannie nodded. “Of course, fresh made this morning. Same with the fried chicken, cornbread, and some of my canned peaches as well.”
As full as she was, her mouth still watered. “You weren’t joking last night, Grannie! You plan to fatten me up. Please tell me you aren’t taking me to a cottage in the woods.”
Her grandmother laughed. “No, I just don’t want to use you as a scarecrow in the fields neither. Some of them are fluffier than you and ain’t nothing but straw.”
“Well, maybe I should be careful today then. I wouldn’t want a bird carrying me away.”
Grannie smiled as everyone began taking their plates to the sink. She would clean up the kitchen before beginning the next meal for when everyone came in at noon but Moira knew she had
to pass on that with the lunch her grandmother had packed her. She wasn’t sure what she would end up doing. The idea of having a sack lunch under what had become known as
her
shade tree on the back property, with a horse huffing and eating grass next to her, was almost too delicious in itself. She ran upstairs to grab a small notepad and just a couple of pencils and put them in her backpack. She’d put the lunch in there too. Then, she could concentrate on working the horses and spending time listening to the breeze rustle through the fields.