Kade had been shocked at the long hours, heavy workload, and endless professional development a teacher had to handle every year when he’d first gotten to know his sister-in-law. He had been taught to respect his teachers growing up, but that didn’t mean he understood what they did.
“I’ll keep my, all-year, all-hours job,” he joked. As a partner in the Broken J Dude Ranch, Kade worked all the time, in all kinds of weather, and at all hours, but he was doing what he loved. “At least the cows don’t talk back and my mules, Jack and Scott, know their jobs,” he finished with a grin.
“I can’t imagine doing anything but teaching,” Marissa admitted. “Yes it drives me crazy at least half of the time, and it is getting harder and harder to deal with the insane changes to everything every year, but I love my kids.”
“Better you than me,” Kade said finishing his coffee. “I’ll put your things in your room at the house while you two catch up,” he added pushing his heavily muscled bulk from the table and slamming his hat back onto his head of dark blonde hair. “I’ll see you at supper,” he finished kissing Michelle on the head before striding to the door.
“Big lunk,” Marissa said with a laugh. She still didn’t understand how her sister had found a modern-day matchmaker to hook her up with Kade, but he treated Michelle like a gem and that was enough for her, even if Michelle had developed some odd notions since marrying the big man.
“See ya later Mini-Mar,” Kade cast over his shoulder as he ruffled his son’s hair and turned the corner headed for the front door.
“So how long are you staying?” Michelle asked, “and are you doing okay with the breakup?”
Marissa shrugged. “As long as you’ll have me and it’s complicated,” she mused noting the hard look in her sister’s eyes.
“What did you do?” Michelle asked the hair on the back of her neck prickly.
“Nothing I can’t handle, one way or another,” Marissa said.
Michelle could tell that her sister wasn’t telling her everything. “Marissa, what’s going on?” she asked worry edging her voice.
“I already told you,” Marissa finally said. “Ray didn’t want a family, but that can always be fixed.”
“What are you saying?” Michelle leaned across the table studying her younger sister’s face. “You can’t mean you’re…”
“Don’t worry about it Michelle, I’ll figure out what I want to do. I have options.”
“Marissa you only have one option. You can’t seriously think it would be alright to terminate if you’re really…”
“I don’t want to hear it, Michelle,” Marissa barked cutting her sister short. “I’m my own person and can do what I want. I don’t need any lectures from you. I thought if anyone would understand it would be you after what you dealt with before Kade. You found your way out of that situation and I’ll find mine.”
“This is different,” Michelle insisted. “I was the only one I had to worry about when I asked for a way out.”
“Don’t lecture me,” Marissa snapped standing. “I’ll figure it out. I don’t need you telling me what to do or giving me your sanctimonious opinion. It’s my life and my body. I’ll do what I want,” she finished climbing to her feet and storming out of the dining hall.
Michelle leaned over picking up her son and snuggling him close as tears pooled in her eyes, wordless prayers racing heavenward from her troubled mind.
Chapter 2
Marissa stormed out of the big gray ranch house and onto the wide wraparound porch her blood boiling. Of all people, she had believed that Michelle would understand and at least be willing to accept that she could make the best decision for her own life.
Breathing deeply of the warm heady air of the Broken J Ranch she tried to calm her nerves even as thoughts and unsettled emotions raced through her mind.
As her temper flared out of existence, Marissa noticed Philomena Haven walking across the dusty yard and plastered a smile on her face, as she pushed her dark hair off of her neck.
Stepping down the stairs, Marissa headed toward her sister’s oldest and dearest friend who was technically family now since Michelle had married Phil’s cousin, Kade.
“You need help?” Marissa asked peeking at the noisy bundle in Phil’s arms and the bags hanging from her shoulder.
“Not unless you want a permanent position as a nanny,” Phil said.
Philomena Haven looked tired. Her beautiful auburn hair, normally lovingly fashioned, was tangled into an oversized clip and her purple t-shirt had several yellowish stains on it.
“You look exhausted,” Marissa said with a slight shiver. “Are you getting any sleep at all?”
“A little. It’s only been three months since my sweet Megan joined our family.” She lifted her daughter in her arms showing the dark-haired pixie’s puckered face as she squirmed and fussed. “I’m sure we’ll adjust.”
“She’s beautiful,” Marissa said her heart softening as she gazed at the baby. “You look like a train wreck though,” she added with a smile.
“Thanks, brat,” Phil said. Marissa had always been Michelle’s brat sister, but over the past two years, she had become a regular at the ranch and had begun to fit right in with the crazy life both Philomena and Michelle had embraced.
“I try to help,” Marissa said. “Seriously though are you alright?”
***
Philomena smiled the past few years of her life flashing before her eyes in an instant. In a whirlwind, she had inherited a ranch, met the man she would marry and built a business from scratch.
The Broken J wasn’t only her home it was part of her heart and now, with her baby girl, one of the final pieces had been added to this marvelous, mixed-up life.
Phil looked down at her sleeping daughter her eyes full of the light of love and smiled. “I couldn’t be happier,” she admitted. “I’m exhausted. I’m usually
