The Rancher's Second Chance (Martin's Crossing Book 3) by Brenda Minton

you in, show you where things are, then I’d best head back to my place.”
    It should have been easy. He took her in the front door of the house, through the small living room, down the hall to Lilly’s room with all the horse posters. He opened the closet and found that Oregon had already cleared space for her.
    “Is there anything you need before I go?”
    She took hold of his hand as they walked back to the kitchen. “I should have been better to you.”
    “It’s been a year and...” He didn’t know what else to say, but he didn’t get a chance.
    She pulled the chain out of his shirt again. “You’ve moved on but the ring is still here, reminding you.”
    Yeah, reminding him that the next time she came around he wouldn’t be a fool. He eased away from her.
    “Don’t worry, though, I’m not planning another proposal.” He headed for the back door. The dog was there, waiting to be let in. When he opened the door, the border collie slid past him into the house. “I’ll see you.”
    “Brody, we should talk.”
    He glanced back over his shoulder. “No, I think all the talking has been done. Don’t worry about it. You have a little guy in there who needs you a lot more than this guy does.”
    He headed out the door, sorry that he had to walk away but knowing it was the smartest thing he’d done all day. Unfortunately he did look back, and people were right, looking back was never a good idea. She stood at the door watching him leave, the border collie next to her. The ring hung cold against his chest as he climbed behind the wheel of his truck.

Chapter Eight
    E ver since Grace had found the ring on Monday, the chain had felt cold and heavy around Brody’s neck. It was time to let go of the past. He pulled the silver chain off his neck, then tossed it on the counter of the trailer. The cross and the ring skittered across the countertop. He picked them up and put them in a cup so they wouldn’t get lost.
    A truck pulled up outside. That would be Jake, wanting him to help load cattle for the livestock auction. Brody grabbed his cup of coffee and headed out the door. His dog followed him down the steps, chasing a barn cat across the yard. The yellow tabby swiped at the dog, sending it yelping back to his side.
    “I told you to leave that cat alone. That’s a fight you won’t ever win.” Brody eased down the last step. “Come on, girl. You can come with us, but you’ve got to stay in the truck.”
    “Ready to go?” Jake shook his head at the dog. “A Maltese? I can’t even imagine what brought you to this point.”
    “Sally’s a good dog.”
    “Yeah, and she serves a dual purpose. Dog and dust mop.”
    “Original,” Brody muttered. “Did you look over my proposal for making the riding school a nonprofit?”
    “Yeah I did, and it looks good. I’m going to look over our books and see how much we can funnel into it.”
    “I don’t think it’ll take much to keep it going once we buy the horses and tack. And there’s a certain amount that can be written off,” Brody offered.
    “I told you it’s a good plan.”
    Brody leaned against the truck, his hat pulled low to block the morning sun. He gave Jake a long look. “Then, what’s the problem? I can see it in your eyes.”
    “The problem is that you aren’t being honest with any of us about your health, and that concerns me. This is a huge undertaking. There are going to be lots of kids counting on you.”
    “You think I won’t stick with it?”
    Jake shook his head. “That isn’t what I’m saying. Do you have to turn everything I say into a fight?”
    “No, I guess I don’t have to.”
    Jake headed around the front of the truck. “Get in.”
    Brody climbed in the truck, Sally hopping in after him, then taking a seat between the two men. Jake started the big old dual-wheel diesel that they used for pulling the stock trailer.
    The truck eased down the drive, the stock trailer rattling along behind. Jake finally glanced his way.