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Chapter One
Sophia
In one long, elegant brush stroke, Sophia Brewer added the final touches to the canvas and stepped back, admiring her work. She let out a heavy sigh of disappointment as she stared at the horizon, watching the golden rays of dawn scatter the dark purple shades of night. It was in the silence and serenity that she found her peace and her talent. In these wee hours of the morning, she felt closer to both her creator and herself. Only out in the middle nowhere, amongst the wildness of nature and the cosmos, was she ever truly herself.
A frown tugged at her lips, and she dropped her shoulders. The painting she had spent the last several hours working on was nothing like she had hoped. Although she knew she would never be able to truly capture all that was before her, she had hoped to steal a bit of its essence.
Disappointment washed over her as her eyes shifted from the painting to the landscape before her. The large valley stretched out before her like arms luring her to adventure. The green grass was still tainted by shadows, and scattered trees were shrouded in the purple cloak of night. A small creek zigzagged through the valley and shimmered with a golden tint from the sun’s early rays. In the distance, she spotted two young children splashing and playing in the creek. Their mother, with a basket on top of her head, made her way down to the edge of the water.
It was a sight Sophia had seen many times before. And it always pricked her with sadness. In these moments, she often thought about her own mother and how she was no longer here with her. Seeing little girls splashing in the morning light as they waited for their own mother to come was bittersweet.
Sophia looked back at her painting she had been toiling on since the sun first broke through the night. She knew there was something missing, some color she couldn’t capture with the limited amount of paints she had brought with her.
“Oh, shoot,” Sophia said as the ringing of bells caught her attention. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked back at the open field towards her home. Panic shot through her as she scrambled to get her paints together.
“Come on, Daisy, we need to get going,” Sophia said to the brown mare lazily munching on the tall grass. The horse glanced over to Sophia as if she understood. Gathering her supplies, she quickly stuffed the paints in the saddlebag, along with her paint brushes. Sophia grabbed her painting and carefully tucked it away so as not to smear the paint.
Mounting the mare, Sophia settled in the saddle, grabbed the reins, and jerked them to the left.
“Come on,” Sophia said to Daisy. “We’ve got to get back before the whole house wakes up.”
Nudging her heels into the horse’s side, Daisy took off at great speed. The wind whipped through Sophia’s hair, and it felt as if she could fly. Sophia leaned down and charged the fence. With her eyes focused and her body loose, she let the horse take control and cleared the fence.
“Whoo hoo!” Sophia cried out in excitement. She didn’t care who heard or saw her. Riding was the one time during her days she felt absolute freedom and lived for each and every moment she could get.
In the distance, Sophia spotted her father’s two-story house. It was a sight she both loved and loathed seeing. Of course, it was the only place she had ever called home, but it didn’t feel like home ever since her mother passed. These days, it felt more like a place just to rest her head. Although she was grateful to be able to have a place to call home, and the fact that no other house in all of Dallas was as fine as hers had to count for something.
She pushed Daisy harder, hoping that she’d be able to reach the stable without anyone knowing she was gone. The sunlight kissed the tips of the grand oak and mesquite trees that lined her father’s property.
“Come on, you can do this,” Sophia said, encouraging the horse to keep up the pace. Daisy moved with speed and haste and didn’t let up till Sophia pulled back on the reins to slow her down once they reached the dirt circle driveway.
“Where on earth have you been?”
Sophia tried not to pay any attention to the shrill tones coming from the back porch. But it was no use. Kate, Sophia’s stepmother, folded her arms over her chest and glared at Sophia as she trotted around to the stable. Quickly, Sophia slipped her right leg to the left side over the saddle horn and sat straighter in the saddle.
“Fine morning, isn’t it?” Sophia asked as Daisy trotted by the back porch.
“Don’t think for a moment I didn’t see you riding like a man,” Kate scolded.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sophia said with a smile that could light up a room.
“You know how I feel about you riding like a cowboy,” Kate said as she wagged a finger at Sophia. “What if someone saw you?”
“No one saw me,” Sophia answered as she gave the reins a sharp tug to stop Daisy. Slipping from the saddle, Sophia ran her hand down the length of the horse’s neck.
“You don’t know that,” Kate grumbled. “What do I tell you?”
“Always ride sidesaddle like a lady,” Sophia mouthed Kate’s words.
“Are you sassing me?”
“No,” Sophia answered and dropped her head. Her chest tightened as she led Daisy to the stable.
“And what on earth were you doing out there at this time? Dawn has barely broken, and you’re out as if you’d been gone all night. Please tell me you haven’t been out there all night.”
“I haven’t been out in the field all night,” Sophia answered as she heard Kate’s footsteps pacing the length of the wooden porch.
“Well, get the saddle off Daisy, and come inside. Breakfast will be ready soon, and I’m sure you’ll need time to freshen up. And for the love of all that is holy, get the straw out of your hair. I don’t want you coming to the table looking like a vagabond.”
Sophia let out a heavy sigh and nodded as she walked into the stable. Her father’s black steed pounded its foot the moment Sophia walked by it. She smiled at the beast of a horse as she led Daisy to the last stall. Once Daisy was situated, Sophia unstrapped the saddle and slipped it over the railing, and proceeded to remove the wool blanket and reins.
“She’s in a mood today, isn’t she?” Sophia said to Daisy as she stroked the horse lovingly. “I wish I could stay out here with you today. But I’m sure Kate will find something to chide me for if I dally any longer. I’ll see you later, though.”
Sophia gathered the saddle and tack and placed them on the racks on the back wall. She knew she’d have to polish it later. For now, though, she had to get inside and freshen up before breakfast. Grabbing her saddlebag, she walked to the porch and around to the back.
“What did I say about the straw?” Kate asked as Sophia stepped through the back door that entered into the kitchen. Sophia rolled her eyes as she ran her fingers over the top of her hair, hunting for bits of straw and grass. Plucking out what she could, Sophia straightened herself as best she could.
“And wash under your fingernails. Don’t need dirt getting on your food,” Kate said.
“What’s this?”
Sophia’s heart jumped as she heard her father’s voice booming through the kitchen. Turning, Sophia smiled brightly to see her father standing in the doorway. Kate moved swiftly to his side as if proving to Sophia where her place was in the family.
“My dear, you look like you slept out in the barn last night,” Sophia’s father, Jerome, said with a slight chuckle as he marched into the kitchen.
“No, Father,” Sophia said with a hint of a smile. “I wasn’t sleeping in the stable.”
“She might as well have been,” Kate said. “I think we need to put padlocks on the doors at night so your daughter doesn’t sneak out. It’s improper for her to be out there alone. And God knows what she does by herself.”
“Leave the girl alone,” Jerome said as he curled his arms around Sophia. Sophia leaned into her father’s embrace. For a moment, it felt as if she were a small child again, surrounded and cocooned by her father’s love.
“My word,” Kate gasped. Sophia felt a tug at her skirt and pulled away from her father. “What is this?”
Sophia glanced at the tear in her skirt and shrugged. “I don’t know how that happened.”
“It’s because you weren’t riding properly,” Kate said. “If you would ride like a lady, you’d be in more control of what touches your dresses. Now we’re going to have to get a seamstress here to mend this.”
“Didn’t cut into your leg, did it?” Jerome asked as he cupped his hands around Sophia’s face and stared at her. Sophia shook her head and smiled at her father.
“Well, then, no harm, no foul. Come, let’s eat.”
“No foul? The child goes through more clothes than a toddler,” Kate grumbled.
“Leave the girl alone. Sophia has always been a free spirit, and no doubt she always will be,” Jerome said with a wink as he led Sophia into the dining room.
“A trait passed on by her mother, no doubt,” Kate grumbled under her breath. Sophia glanced over her shoulder and tried not to scowl at Kate, but it was hard not to.
“Breakfast looks great,” Sophia said as her stomach rumbled. She tried to put aside her irritation and took her seat. Kate sat directly across from her as Jerome pulled out the chair at the head of the table. Sophia dropped her saddlebag at her feet and scooted closer to the table.
“I don’t want that dirty bag in here,” Kate said. “Pick it up and leave it in the kitchen.”
“But I brought something,” Sophia said as she glanced at her father. Jerome’s eyes lit up.
“And what did you find out there today?”
Sophia leaned down and pulled out the long feather she’d found. With a huge smile stretched across her face, she presented her father with her prize.
“Why must you bring such things into this house?” Kate said as she placed a scoop of eggs onto Jerome’s plate.
“Now that’s a lovely feather, indeed,” Jerome said carefully, taking the feather from Sophia. “Looks like it’s from a red-tailed hawk.”
“And I made you this as well,” Sophia said as she grabbed the painting she had made. Her father’s eyes widened as he looked at Sophia’s artwork.
“I must say, you’re getting better with your paintings.”
Pride filled Sophia as she studied her father’s face. Her heart felt as if it was swelling. It always pleased her to bring joy to her father.
“And who is that down by the stream?” Jerome asked as Sophia’s eyes shifted to Kate, who seemed unimpressed by the painting.
“Indians,” Sophia answered. “They come down to the creek every morning to wash their clothes and to fish.”
“That’s ridiculous. They know better than to come onto our lands,” Kate gawked.
“Actually, I wasn’t on our lands when I painted this,” Sophia confessed. “It was maybe a little ways away.”
“Well, it’s lovely,” Jerome said.
“Jerome!” Kate hissed. “Are you not going to tell your daughter to stay within calling distance? Something could have happened to her.”
“Don’t be silly,” Jerome said. “Sophia is more than capable of handling things on her own.”
“A lady shouldn’t do such things. If you ever plan to marry her off, she’ll need to play the part. Men don’t want a ruffian. They want someone who is tender and delicate.”
“Flora was every bit as wild as I am,” Sophia said as she glanced at Kate.
“Flora clearly understood her part in this world and tamed that side of herself. It’s how she is married, and you are not,” Kate said with a snap to her tone. Sophia dropped her shoulders as all the pride and joy she felt drained out of her. It was true Sophia’s best-friend Flora had married. But Sophia knew Flora had married for love, and that made all the difference.
“Honestly, I don’t see how Flora didn’t have a bigger influence on you. The two of you were joined at the hip for as long as I can remember. You’d think some traits might have rubbed off,” Kate said.
Sophia glanced at the food on the table and suddenly wasn’t hungry anymore. She never thought Flora had changed since she married Mark, but maybe she had. In the back of Sophia’s mind, she made a note to visit her friend, if only to observe the changes Kate seemed so inclined to point out.
“May I be excused?” Sophia asked as she pushed the empty plate away from her.
“Aren’t you going to eat anything?” Jerome asked.
“Not really hungry,” Sophia answered. A sorrow Sophia couldn’t explain crept over her. She wanted to know how it was Flora had found someone who loved her unconditionally. A prick of jealousy jabbed at Sophia. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry, she just didn’t want to have to give up anything about herself in order to do so.
In her heart of hearts, she knew there was someone out there that would love her, flaws and all.
“At least have a slice of bread,” Kate said. “I don’t want you romping through the kitchen later because you’ve gotten hungry.”
Sophia snatched a slice of bread and nibbled on it as Kate turned her head to Jerome. It was clear there was a wall separating Sophia from her father and Kate.
“Jerome, my love, are we going to go into town today?” Kate asked, completely ignoring Sophia.
“If that’s what you want to do,” Jerome answered and sat Sophia’s painting down beside him. Kate immediately grabbed the painting and tossed it to the side as if it were nothing more than a dirty rag. Sophia pushed away from the table, then grabbed her plate in one hand and her saddlebag in the other. She didn’t say a word as she walked to the kitchen. From the dining room, Sophia could hear Kate and her father chatting as if they didn’t care she had left.
Setting her plate in the sink, Sophia glanced out the window. The clouds drifted through the azure sky, and Sophia wished more than anything to be a bird so she could fly away.
“Oh, Mom, I wish you were here.”
“The Rancher’s Secret Arrangement” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!
In the quaint town of Grapevine, Texas, Sophia Brewer feels trapped by her stepmother’s plans to marry her off to an unworthy suitor. Despite her longing for something more, Sophia resigns herself to a predetermined fate… Until an alluring young rancher arrives at her family’s estate. With every stolen moment, Sophia finds herself drawn deeper into his irresistible charm and soon realizes that she cannot resist her growing affection for him.
Will the increasing fondness for him shatter all social norms?
Andre Hewitt and his mother left everything behind to start anew on a farm out West, dreaming of a better life. When an offer to work for the wealthiest rancher in town comes with a catch, Andre jumps at the chance. However, the moment he lays eyes on the captivating Sophia, everything changes. As he struggles to fulfill his end of the bargain, he is faced with a heart-wrenching decision: honor his debt and jeopardize Sophia’s safety or follow his heart and risk losing everything he’s worked for.
In the face of danger and uncertainty, will Andre choose loyalty or love?
Amidst the chaos of their respective worlds, Andre and Sophia find solace in each other’s arms, knowing that their love is worth fighting for. However, with each passing day, they face mounting pressure to abandon their feelings for each other and conform to societal expectations. Will they have the courage to defy convention and fight for their love, or will they succumb to the oppressive forces that seek to tear them apart?
“The Rancher’s Secret Arrangement” is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, " Faith and Love on the Frontier", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, my dear readers! I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek of my new story. Looking forward to reading your comments!