Parker Valley: Sondra

Chapter One

I won’t sell to him, Mr. Sinclair! Sondra Parker snapped angrily. I’d rather sell my soul than let Parker Valley fall into the hands of some extravagant city man who thinks ranching is a gentleman’s game! Sondra folded her arms across her chest and stomped her foot.

The robust man sitting on the edge of the large mahogany desk watched her in amusement. But Sondra wasn’t finished. I hope you told that disgusting man—I think you called him Mr. Nelson—I hope you told him that Parker Valley is not for sale!

Sondra was a spirited girl, full of endless energy. Tall and slim, with thick blond hair that flowed loosely down her back, she wore her riding pants snug and her fine silk blouse neatly tucked in. Although she cared little about her appearance, her natural beauty exploded with emotion as she pranced around the room, flinging her arms this way and that as she spoke.

At the thought of losing the only home she had ever known, the home that had been in her family for generations, her blue eyes sparked dark and furious. Her voice was tinged with desperation.

The man on the desk crossed his legs. Miss Parker, I’m sure we can work something out with Mr. Nelson. Please, leave all the details in my capable hands. He grinned too widely and rubbed his chubby hands together.

Mr. Sinclair, Sondra replied in a curt voice. Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am not prepared to ‘work something out.’ You may inform this Mr. Nelson of that fact, and do it in no uncertain terms! I’ll let myself out, thank you!

With angry strides, Sondra stalked out, slamming the door behind her. It felt good to vent some of her angry frustrations. Her visit with Mr. Sinclair had not gone at all as she had planned. She desperately needed to negotiate a new loan from him, but he had ambushed her with his crazy proposal.

The morning sun hit her full on the face as she walked briskly into the yard and over to the stables where Sasha, her mare, nipped lazily at the grass. She felt comforted and warm as she threw herself on Sasha’s back and headed toward Parker Valley.

Sondra’s mind was so occupied with her present dilemma that she failed to notice the luscious surroundings. The Sinclair property spanned two thousand acres and neighbored Parker Valley to the south. The grounds were immaculately groomed and the green bushes trimmed to perfection. Giant flowers blossomed all around her and their heady aroma lingered in the air like perfume.

The elegant two-story Southern estate glistened gloriously in the sun, complemented by two enormous barns to the left. A freshly painted white fence stretched for miles around the border of the property, adding to its appearance of elegance and wealth.

Sondra didn’t notice its opulence as she rode through the gate toward home. Her mind was on her present situation and the added frustration of the man who was trying to buy her home for a fraction of the price it deserved. What gall to think she would even consider selling it!

A new anger overtook her as she led Sasha down the road. With a flick of her wrist, she told the horse to run. Sasha jumped gracefully over the fence that led to open pastures, and they sailed blindly across the fields, heading in a direction unknown and at a pace dangerous for even the best-schooled horse and rider.

Sondra cared for little at that moment except to escape the frustration building up in her. She worked hard to keep a solid barrier between her real emotions and the tough exterior meant for people around her to see. Her bright blue eyes sparkled and her chin rose defiantly with an arrogance that betrayed her internal agony. She tried desperately to hold back the tears.

Sondra’s problem went far beyond the state of Parker Valley’s affairs. Teary eyed, she sadly remembered the loss she and her three sisters carried. Their loving parents had been on their way to celebrate a second honeymoon at a special hideaway in Canada when their plane crashed somewhere over the Rocky Mountains, taking both of their lives.

Their father had inherited the cattle ranch from his father and had proudly built the estate to where it was today. Both their mother and father had worked hard over the years to preserve their land and heritage. But when they died, disaster hit. Parker Valley was sliding fast down a destructive path.

Parker Valley was ill-prepared for their father’s untimely death. He had made no will, so the land was held up in the courts. How Sondra wished her father had taken the initiative and dealt with the legal matters himself. Then Parker Valley wouldn’t be stuck between all the taxes and legal fees. It would take months, perhaps years, to settle it all, and they had precious little money to spend. Now Sondra was dealing with a loan from Mr. Sinclair that her father had initiated.

Sondra worked hard and spent long hours trying to make ends meet. But little by little, the creditors were catching up. Parker Valley was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was only Sondra’s determination that kept the doors from closing in on them.

And never would I allow anyone to buy it out from under me! And at half its valued price! The man has some nerve! she thought angrily as she urged Sasha to go faster.

Sondra had never met the new rancher from Virginia, but she was determined to keep her distance from him. This was Texas, and outsiders were strangers, especially those from the East Coast. No matter how much money they had. The guy had already bought Willow Oaks, and now he was trying to steal Parker Valley! She gritted her teeth as a new wave of anger washed over her. The man was obviously old and greedy. He had too much money and too little heart.

Sondra rode faster and faster, her body resting still closer to her mare’s back as she sailed across the rolling hills at a dangerous pace.

Gradually she slowed down, unaware she had traveled so far. She stopped to look around. She gazed lovingly at the beauty of the landscape around her and breathed in the sweet air. Never could she get enough of the splendor of the land, with its rolling hills and green pastures. She loved this land almost as much as life itself. And she would use all her strength to preserve its natural, majestic beauty.

Sondra’s thoughts again moved to her parents. Her only consolation was that they had gone together. She seriously doubted whether one could have lived without the other. Their love had been as sure as the gentle rain, their relationship one of equal trust and fulfillment. They had taught their daughters to expect nothing but the same.

Parker Valley was her love now. Her father had taught her the skills and expertise of cattle ranching. At the tender age of sixteen, she had been able to outshoot, outride, and outlast any man on the premises—a fact about which she was deeply proud. She had grown up with the ranch hands, and they loved and respected her as one of their own. She mortified her sisters at times by telling them of her daily activities and her excitement in ranching.

Sondra had been the son her father had always wanted. She wasn’t used to being treated like a girlie girl, and she had rebelled at the thought. But as she grew up, her body could never be mistaken for a man’s and her feminine movements betrayed her desire to be a rancher. Now at twenty-five, all the responsibilities of the ranch and her sisters’ wellbeing were beginning to wear on her.

Sondra reached out and absently stroked her mare’s neck. She spoke in soothing tones as she remembered times gone by.

***

A gentleman sat calmly on his horse and, with a spark of interest, watched the girl. His rugged facial features softened as he witnessed this beautiful creature surveying the land around her.

Jason Nelson had been out with his binoculars looking for stray cattle when he came upon this lovely girl. She seemed to appear out of nowhere. At first he thought she was a vision he had dreamed up. A frown creased his brow and a tiny muscle worked in his jaw. Her emotions were so undisguised and natural as she stroked her horse. He could almost feel her sadness and pain. What could its source be? He felt a protective spirit rise up in him.

As he watched, she suddenly sprang into action. It looked as if something had frightened her. She turned suddenly and galloped across the rolling hills, letting out a blood-curdling yell that made his blood run cold.

The horse and rider raced blindly at an uncontrolled gallop. Undisguised fear rose in his chest as he watched the girl disappear, the eerie sound still reverberating in the stillness of the morning.

With a quickness of well-trained, well-controlled movements, he raced his horse in the same direction. His fear created an adrenalin rush that pushed him to try to catch the runaway pair. He could almost visualize her bones breaking on the hard earth if she were thrown from her mount. He rode faster and faster. As he got closer, he could actually feel the warmth of the uncontrolled horse and rider.

Sondra was completely unaware of the rider coming up alongside her. Her objective at the moment was to ease the melancholy memory of her parents and the pressure of overwhelming responsibility she now shouldered.

As the eldest of four beautiful, strong-willed, and temperamental sisters, each with a uniqueness that matched her talents, Sondra inherited her strength and loyalty from her father. He had raised her to be an independent person, to expect only the best from those around her. She had gained the trust and friendship of her ranch hands by being an example, by giving her all in everything she did and expecting no less from them.

Sondra scowled angrily as she thought of the man who dared to try to take away what she had worked so hard to secure. But her scowl turned to disbelief when she was hoisted unceremoniously from her horse and thrown viciously across another saddle, the horn digging into her tender flesh. With an instinct born of sheer terror, she brought her hand up and raked her nails across her assailant’s face.

When the rider yelped in pain, Sondra cheered inwardly. She struggled desperately, kicking and screaming in an attempt to free herself.

Jason slowed to a halt and glared at his passenger with contempt. As soon as he brought his horse to a standstill, he pushed her to the ground. She landed with a thud on her backside.

With quick reflexes, she jumped to her feet and bent over, poised and ready for any further attack.

What do you think you’re doing? Jason snapped at her with the intensity of an unleashed tiger.

What am I doing? You ask me what I’m doing? Disbelief was written across Sondra’s face. She glared at him with a half-frightened, half-furious look. It is you, sir, who needs to explain! Why did you abduct me? If it’s money you’re after, I have none. And if it’s for other intentions . . . Her voice was laced with deadly calm. If it’s for other intentions, I’ll kill you first.

Sondra’s blonde hair flew wildly across her face as she drew out the small knife she kept hidden in her boot. Her anger overcoming her fear, she stood ready to defend herself.

Jason laughed. Leaning forward in his saddle, his voice hard as steel, he said, I did not abduct you, my dear child. And I have no intention of touching you. He wiped his hand over his face where she had drawn blood with her nails and gave her a withering look.

That magical moment he had experienced in the valley was gone. He stared down at this shrew-like creature facing him with a knife.

Sondra pulled herself up to her full height. Indignantly, she placed her hands on her hips. Her face burned red with fury. You, you . . . she stuttered, trying to control herself. Why, you are an overbearing, disgusting, male-chauvinist animal! I did not need ‘saving’! And if I had, the way you maneuvered that, quote, ‘rescue,’ showed your complete ignorance of how to handle a horse. Even an amateur wouldn’t have manhandled me like that!

Jason stared back in complete amazement. He tried to cool his temper and keep from wringing her pretty neck. Since you appear to be quite able to manage on your own, I’ll leave you to your own devices. He tipped his hat and smiled, but that smile didn’t reach his eyes. In the future, to avoid any more embarrassing situations, please try to keep that feisty animal under control. Next time, you might hurt something more than your pride.

Jason turned his horse around and rode back in the way he had come. He never once turned around, not even to see if she was okay.

Sondra, her mouth hanging open in disbelief, watched him go. What an insufferable man! she muttered to herself. As she dusted herself off, she brushed against her backside and winced as the entire humiliating experience flashed again before her eyes.

Sondra whistled for her horse, and it ran up to her and nudged her hand affectionately. She mounted quickly and headed back to the ranch—but at a much slower pace.

Thoughts of the encounter wreaked havoc with her pride, and she chewed absently at her bottom lip. Who was that man? she wondered. Angry as she had been, she couldn’t help but notice the way he looked at her. She looked down and blushed when she noticed how disheveled her lovely silk blouse was and how her hair clung to her perspiring face. Instinctively, she smoothed her hair down and took a deep breath. That fiery encounter had moved her instincts to warn her that this stranger, uninvited on her land, could be most dangerous.

For no particular reason, Sondra recalled how well groomed the stranger had been. His riding clothes certainly fit with perfection. He was wearing all black, which accented his dark complexion and cast a hint of mystery concerning his ancestry. Straight black hair, pushed back, except for a tiny strand that escaped and fell lightly across his forehead. His dark eyes had glared at her with a passion she had never seen before, and his thick eyebrows moved with each expression, revealing undisguised strength of character.

Sondra was surprised that she remembered those details. She felt a sudden chill and shivered. Or maybe it wasn’t the chill after all. She shook her head, doing her best to shake the memory away and, hopefully, to raise her spirits.

Riding home, Sondra determined she would fix her mind on anything other than that tall, dark stranger.

Chapter Two

The surrounding town of Jackson was divided into three large ranches of over three thousand acres each, and three smaller ranches of approximately twelve hundred acres each. Parker Valley was one of the three smaller ranches tucked in between Willow Oaks to the north, the Sinclair Ranch to the south, and Thunder Bay Ranch to the west. Each was a cattle ranch, and each was very prosperous.

Parker Valley, being tucked in the middle, was the most beautiful of them all, with lush green rolling hills perfect for grazing cattle. Although Parker Valley supported only eight hundred head, they were all in the best of health and just about ready for market.

Parker Valley featured a beautiful lake on the property, fed by two slow- running streams. It was surrounded by trees, green grass, and small bushes. Sondra’s father had cultivated the lake to be a drinking source for his cattle, and he allowed the other ranchers to use it as well.

When Sondra took over the ranch after her father’s death, she changed the method of cattle raising. She wanted to start something new and raise organic cattle—not giving hormones to the new calves and keeping all the cattle free of antibiotics. She separated the organic cattle from the other cattle and watched them grow naturally. Her goal was to enter the organic and natural beef market. Even though she had only a small herd, it was growing quickly. Sondra was proud to be among the small group that raised cattle naturally. It caused a lot of problems with the other ranchers, though, because they were afraid of her animals getting sick and passing diseases on to their herds.

They just need a little education, Sondra