Loving Ranch City (Ranch City Book 3)

By Bridgitte Lesley

Lively, hectic and full of activity! Ranch City is established and flourishing but there is always more to come. As the city flourishes, so do the people. But when things look as though they are falling apart, it is time to take a step back and fix and mend. Adam and Carol were in a position where Ranch City was affecting their family lives. They couldn’t let things, or rather, their families, drift apart.

It was time to consider whether to sell Ranch City. The perfect opportunity arose and Bruce and Mary jumped at the opportunity. But there was so much more to come.

Once Mary and Bruce owned Ranch City they made it theirs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bridgitte Lesley
• Release date: Oct 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463327739

Bridgitte Lesley

Hello from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa!Having survived an attempt at being murdered, I have plunged myself in to my writing. After my gruesome ordeal, I live life from day to day. Appreciating every minute and moment. Yes, I have the scars from an axe being driven in to my head repeatedly. I suffer from PTSD and OCD. But, I am here to tell the tale. And I have a lot to tell!I am currently revamping my older titles and will be adding a few. In a nutshell, you will find a mix of romance, adventure, lots of witty banter and a happy ever after. All round, expect a feel-good read.Thank you for reading and for your support!Bridgitte

Book preview

LOVING RANCH CITY

Copyright © 2018 Bridgitte Lesley

Published By Bridgitte Lesley

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a creation of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously

Bridgitte Lesley

P O Box 258, Annerley, 4230, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Republic of South Africa

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOR MY READERS I have the coolest job in the world writing for you. Thank you!

FOR MY MOM I would like to thank my mom without whose help this book would never have been completed. Thank you for your patience and guidance, your use of the editor’s red pen…

THE LOCATION

As you drive out of town you are going to find smallholdings and farms. Drive further and you are slap bang in ranch land. Keep driving for a short distance and you can’t miss it. You will see the signboard to Ranch City. Half an hour is all it will take till you reach your destination. Follow the sign boards and you won’t get lost.

CHAPTER ONE

Months had gone by. Mary was a happily married woman. Ranch City was running at an enormous profit. Carol had handed the total management portfolio to Mary. Mary hadn’t changed anything but still helped her father when he was short of a hand. Bruce called on her from time to time when he was stuck. But she managed Ranch City as though it belonged to her. Her projects came in thick and fast and she made an enormous amount of money on every project. Sitting for hours and planning a project brought in a lot of money. Her clients were prepared to pay the fees knowing that Mary would deliver a project that worked. Sometimes they asked her to work out a project with timelines and they would do the rest. Often times she managed a project and made arrangements for every detail of the project right up till she handed over the complete project.

Mary slowly ambled along on her horse. She trotted in to Ranch City and saw Bruce’s horse tied up in front of the restaurant. Mary looked at her watch knowing he would be meeting with Mitch just before lunch. She looked at the time. He was probably running late. She suddenly pulled at her reins and watched as Patricia walked out of the restaurant gurgling with laughter. She watched as Bruce followed her. He was in fits of laughter. Mary wondered why Patricia was with Bruce. She felt the knots in her stomach tighten. Bruce suddenly looked up and straight at Mary. She pulled the reins and turned the horse and rode off in disgust. Mary didn’t even bother to stick around or go back. They had been married for a few months but Mary hadn’t fallen pregnant. Bruce seemed to have lost interest in the bedroom activities. He wanted Mary pregnant and nothing had happened.

Bruce walked to the staircase and called out after Mary. She turned her head and saw Mitch walking out and putting his arms around Patricia. Mary felt like a fool. She thought Bruce was with Patricia. She knew she was wrong but she couldn’t turn around and make an even bigger fool of herself. Mary moved faster and faster and rode to the ranch over the road. She saw Carol standing in the kitchen and stopped her horse and tied up the reins as she dismounted. She knocked and walked inside and went in to the kitchen. Carol took one look at her and poured a cup of coffee. She dished up a slice of cake and put it on the table.

Mary sat down and looked at the cake. I crave cherries. The cake shop uses them to decorate cakes they display in the window. I see the packets they sell and I want to buy but I know once I start I won’t be able to stop. I know I will lose control and put on a lot of weight. Carol, I feel so stupid. I am so jealous of Bruce. I saw him with Patricia and felt the jealous knot in my stomach. And then I saw Mitch hugging and kissing Patricia. They were standing with Bruce. I am an idiot. Mary started eating and drinking her coffee.

I thought marriage is bliss. Or it would be. After a few months, I have become a bore. Bruce is asleep by eight in the evening. She was quiet for a while. I feel sick all the time. Because I keep thinking he could have done a whole lot better. The money flows in monthly. So much money that we can’t spend. I mean that. Hundreds of thousands in a month. But nothing changes. We haven’t changed. Some things have. Mary put down her cake fork and put her hands over her eyes.

Adam walked in and winked at Carol who stood smiling. Marriage is not about money or making love but about everything, Carol said.

Mary wiped away her tears and finished the slice of cake. Then we don’t have any of that. We don’t make love because most evenings Bruce falls asleep in front of the fire. He has his meal and sits in the lounge and drinks his brandy and falls asleep. I don’t always cook because if there isn’t enough time I buy pies. We don’t chat anymore.

Bruce is three men short at the moment. They are in quarantine and we can’t afford to employ extra hands. We don’t want the virus to spread, Adam said.

Well, hell! Nice to know!

Adam opened the cupboard and took out a small container and placed it on the table. Go pee.

Yeah, sure, Doctor Patterson. Tell me to cry and I can fill that jar in seconds. Why?

I would like to check your vitamin intake, Adam said, and she stood up and walked down the passage and came back a few minutes later and handed the container to Adam. He walked out smiling.

I don’t bake. I never cook. And I never spend time in the kitchen. I clean and that is all. I want to but when I go in to the kitchen Bruce is asleep. So I just go to bed.

Maybe you need to satisfy your cravings, Carol said and carried on cooking supper.

And pack on the weight. I am waiting for Bruce to ask me to leave. Mary rubbed at her eyes. Carol walked over to her and sat down next to her and pulled her in to her arms and rocked her gently.

Three hands short so he is trying to do it all himself. You can tuck in to anything you like and you will not put on weight. Mary, you work it off every day. You are so active. Don’t get angry with Bruce. Times are hard, Mary. Maybe he forgot to tell you.

But why was he out for lunch with Patricia and Mitch? Mary wailed and Carol held her, holding her head against her chest and brushing her hair away from her face.

Maybe Patricia stopped by while they were having a meeting.

Adam walked in and smiled. He sat down at the table. Mary, go home and tell Bruce I would like to see both of you together sometime tonight, Adam said and Mary looked at him.

Am I going to die?

Probably at the age of ninety-four or ninety-five. The possibility is there, Adam said.

Mary smiled a brief smile. I will tell Bruce. Mary walked out and climbed straight on to her horse and made her way home. She galloped to Ranch City and then ambled home.

CHAPTER TWO

Bruce walked out of the house. He held the reins of Mary’s horse. Doctor Patterson would like to see us tonight. Mary walked towards the house.

Us? Mary turned and looked at him.

Us. How was lunch with Mitch and Patricia?

Only Mitch. Patricia arrived as we finished. Bruce walked over to her. He put out his hand and held hers. "Something has gone wrong. I don’t want to lose you. I love you, Mary. Things are going wrong. I saw you when we walked out of the