Page 31 of The Rancher's Heart

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t want her to end up in a foster home with strangers—”

“Of course not,” he interrupted. “You have plenty of room in your house for the girl. Do you need any help? I can keep my original flight back and work for you at the garage or take care of Clara while you work. Whatever you need, kiddo.”

“I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, kiddo.” He used the nickname he’d given her when it was just the two of them.

“Jonas is handling the paperwork, and Dean has the garage covered.” She considered the options. Ever since Tracy left, her dad had been there for her every minute of every day. He deserved an easy retirement. “Stay with Aunt Dorothy for as long as you like. We’re working out the details here.”

“I’m proud of you, baby girl.” He paused before continuing. “I think I’ll come back when I originally planned to, anyway. I can’t wait to meet Clara. If she’s anything like you, she’s very special. Remember, you don’t have to pick me up at the airport. My car’s in long-term parking.”

“You’ll text when you board the plane?”

“Yup.”

She wanted what was best for her dad, but this time she had to admit, she was glad he decided not to stay longer in Hawaii. “I’ll air out your house.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you soon.” When she put her cell down, Clara was watching her from the living room.

No point in beating around the bush. “That was my dad. He’s excited to meet you. I think you’ll like him.”

“Tracy had boyfriends, but I never met my dad,” Clara said indifferently as she sat at the table.

“Do you miss her?” It was better that her sister talk about how she felt than keep it all bottled up inside.

Clara shrugged. She laid her head on her arms.

Even though Sloane let her feelings for Tracy go a long time ago, it still made it hard to speak to realize this was her final goodbye.

“I’m sorry she died.” Pulling a chair close to Clara, she rubbed slow circles on her sister’s back.

Tears spilling down her face, Clara threw her arms around Sloane’s neck. “I took care of her the best I could. Made her breakfast and stuff,” she hiccupped.

“Shhh...” Sloane held the girl close, her heart aching for her sister... and for herself. “You couldn’t keep her safe or make her act responsibly. Neither could Dad and I. When she left, we had to let her go.”

“I know, but I didn’t want her to die.”

“Of course you didn’t. Neither did I.” Sloane got them napkins to wipe their faces. She brushed her thumbs on Clara’s cheeks. “How about we make breakfast?”

Grabbing one of the napkins to wipe her nose, Clara nodded. “I can help.”

“What do you like?” she asked the girl, who didn’t have the childhood Sloane’s dad had given her. “I have enough eggs for cheese omelets.”

Scrubbing her face with both hands, Clara got up and rifled through the fridge until she got all the ingredients she wanted while Sloane found the omelet pan and placed it on the stove.

After taking her first bite, Sloane smiled gently at Clara. “You make a mean omelet. This is very good.”

The teen blushed, looking down at her food. “Most of the time, breakfast was the only thing I could get Mom to eat.”

“I told Jonas we would stop by the ranch this afternoon if that’s okay with you.”

“I guess—”

“You can see the horses, and on the way, I’ll show you Strawberry Ridge.” Sloane was glad to see that perked Clara up.

Sloane didn’t want her to run again. Somehow, she had to convince the teen that Strawberry Ridge and the family she had here were her home now.

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