Healing Hearts Ranch

By Angela Ford

Visit the Healing Hearts Ranch for a wholesome story of choices in life, and the horses that help those hear what's in their souls.

An empowering story centered around family, horses, love and loss, friendship, betrayal, and finding your way from the wise words left to you. A family saga on a ranch in the Montana mountains in the small town of Crystal Creek.

Jack Willows was a great man. He always put others first and taught his granddaughter to do the same. Raine Willows left at eighteen to find her way in life. Seven years later, his death brings her back to the farm and her first love–the boy next door, Luke Daniels.

Spring is the season of new beginnings and an idea that had been her grandfather's dream for her. The lazy-hazy days of summer give way to endless views of vibrant colors during the harvest festivities. Kicking off the season's opening game, the grand opening of the ranch, a horse show, and a homecoming dance. Love is in the air as their equine therapist meets a local farmer and remembers his name like its been engraved on her heart. Though their trainer deals with a past romantic issue, which may affect the opening of the ranch and her job.

Falling in love with someone is truly, a beautiful experience. Especially during the magical holiday season, warming your heart with a tranquil horseback ride through the wintry countryside, where the starry sky is filled with brilliant lights and the landscape is covered in a layer of snow. Inside is covered in twinkling lights, decked with stockings and holiday spreads dreamed up by the town folk of Crystal Creek.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books To Go Now
• Release date: Nov 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798215422199

Book preview

Prologue

"G rief never ends.. .but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love."

Her phone chimed in the distance, pulling her back to the world she escaped just a few hours before. After a thirty-six hour shift at the hospital, she hoped for eight hours of sleep. She’d take six. Without removing the sleep mask, she cleared her throat and answered.

Yes, this is Raine Willows.

Hi Raine, it’s Lisa Gardner. I wish I didn’t have to call.

Raine knew the name. She had expected the hospital not the nursing home. Nurse Gardner lowered the pitch in her next words. Raine sat up quickly, pulling her mask to the top of her head. She knew the day would come. Still, it hadn’t prepared her for the news. For the past eighteen months she had visited him weekly. First, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, then the cancer. His health quickly deteriorated before her eyes. Each visit became more difficult than the last. He didn’t know who she was, and she barely recognized him.

The once broad-shouldered man of strength and wisdom, who had taken in a lost little girl and raised her into a vibrant young woman, became the frail, dying man. Her grandfather told her she’d been a miracle to survive the tragic accident that took her parents. Nightmares of that night slowed, and her heart healed with his help and the love of the horses he’d introduced her to. Now she’d have to face the world alone. Jack Willows was gone.

Chapter 1

Going Home

Within an hour, Raine messaged colleagues to cover her shifts at the hospital and the patients she devoted her life to. Tossing some clothes in a suitcase, she kept busy so she wouldn’t break down in tears before she made the call to her grandfather’s best friends. Tom and Ellen Baker, were like family. Tom’s voice calmed her when he answered. Familiar. She needed that. Raine only wished she could hear her grandfather’s voice. Just once more.

Raine, I’m so sorry. Jack was a good man. The best.

Tears she’d fought to this point began to stream like the creek that ran along her grandfather’s farm. Or whoever owned it now, she thought. Memories she held dear to her heart. No one could take them away. Wiping the moisture from her cheeks with her sleeve, she inhaled deeply. No one like Gramps. No matter how hard she’d tried to stop them, the tears flowed. Her words shook from her lips as she continued. I’m ready to leave for Clare County.  She assumed they would want her to stay with them.

There’s something I need to tell you. I promised Jack I wouldn’t until his death.

She remembered their offer when her grandfather checked himself into the nursing home–you’re always welcome to visit us, anytime. Awkward silence stopped her sobs. She wondered if maybe it had been a courteous gesture spoken back then. His reply surprised her. 

Raine stood as Tom continued to tell her Jack left the farm to her.

Ellen and I would love to have you. I thought you might want to stay at the farm.

Raine sat silently in confusion for a moment before she spoke. But he told me he was giving it up when he was diagnosed and moved to the nursing home. I thought that meant he sold it. Why did he not tell me?

Tom sighed. You knew your Gramps as well as I did.

Raine nodded. Not that Tom saw her agreement. Jack Willows had always been a proud man. He’d told her when he made his decision he didn’t want her to leave her new position at the hospital to take care of him. She’d tried to convince him she’d do it in a heartbeat, but his decision had been made. All he asked from her was a weekly visit to the home an hour away on the other side of Clare County. Raine hadn’t been to her hometown of Crystal Creek since that day.

She thanked Tom and said she’d call him when she arrived at the farm. A beep on her phone displayed the hospital calling. Tom said there was something else she needed to know before she got to the farm. You’ll have to tell me when I get there. I have the hospital on the other line. I’ll call once I arrive.

IT HAD BEEN THE MILDEST winter in years in the Montana mountains. The lack of country snow had opened the back roads earlier than usual. Raine found peace on the winding roads after she left the city. The scenery that turned from urban to rural felt like an old friend. Tranquil meadows and narrow roads snaked in different directions and far removed her from her busy city life. Despite the cloudy weather with the threat of rain, and the loss that weighed heavily in her heart; she couldn’t help but smile when she turned on the radio. An old favourite of her grandfather’s lifted her spirits and she started humming the tune. The song took her back to a childhood memory. One of her singing along with him shortly after she’d settled in with him. He’d looked at her when the song ended and said she’d become a regular country bumpkin. Raine laughed. She’d forgotten how wild and beautiful the countryside was and how much she’d missed it.

After turning into Willows Lane, she stopped beside the mailbox with his name engraved on it. Tears once again filled her eyes. He was gone. Now she had to enter his house. Without him. The last time she’d believed he’d sold the farm and she’d always remember them together there. Raine reached for another tissue. She looked ahead knowing this was going to be more difficult than she’d imagined.

Slowly, she pulled up in front of the house. Raine stood outside her car taking in what she’d missed so dearly. The fresh air and the warmth the farm brought welcomed her home. She hit the button to pop the trunk and pulled out her suitcase. Stepping onto the porch, the scent of bacon teased her senses through the screen door. She looked over at the truck parked beside the farmhouse, assumed it was Tom’s and called out his name. Tom, I’m here. You didn’t have to go to the trouble of making breakf... Raine almost choked on her last word. It wasn’t Tom in the kitchen who stopped her. Luke Daniels? She sucked back a deep breath in great confusion. He was the last person she expected to find in her grandfather’s kitchen. What are you doing here? She hadn’t seen him since....her brain searched for a number, a date, none of which mattered.

Chapter 2

The Boy Next Door

Luke stood, spatula in hand, and a grin on his face. She couldn’t deny she hadn’t thought about him over the years. His broad, sculpted physique had been permanently etched in her memory. He’d been her first of many things–best friend, boyfriend, kiss, and the one who seemed to keep her heart closed. Even with the walls she had built around her heart, she’d learned to treasure the memories of her firsts with him. She’d summed them up to what she believed then to be love, and now believed to be infatuation. Young and inexperienced, Raine grew to realize that real love fits into real life. She just hadn’t found it yet.

Good morning, he said, as if it was a natural habit shared daily. Then he turned to face the stove. Still sunny side up?

The question about her egg-preference reminded her he hadn’t seen her in years. His easy-going, calm demeanor infuriated her. Raine remembered the last time she saw him. The day before she left for college, and he announced he enlisted in the military. Heartbroken after his mother’s death that summer, she understood he’d been lost and confused, but she urged him to take time before deciding. Her words that day only led to an argument. One that left them apart for seven years, until now. It appeared he had forgotten. His presence in her grandfather’s kitchen still hadn’t been explained.

Why are you in my grandfather’s house?

His head turned slightly in her direction, I live here–have for the past year and a half.

Raine froze. Her mind raced with questions. Luke had been here all this time. The length of time her grandfather was at the nursing home. The time she’d believed the farm had been sold. Why? she wondered. Why did her grandfather keep all of this from her? To her, it had been cruel. She heard him call her name again before she brought herself back to the reality of the situation.

Raine–sunny side up? If you don’t choose now, it’s going to be fried. 

His smile used to make her heart skip a beat, but not today. Today it angered her. Why had everyone kept her from knowing about the farm? And who lived there? She stormed out of the kitchen. With a heavy stomp of the foot followed by another she called back, I don’t want eggs. Raine ran up the remainder of the stairs to her bedroom and slammed the door. She leaned against it, closed her eyes, and attempted to catch her breath and make sense of it all. When she opened them, she caught a glimpse of her room. It relaxed her. It had remained the same. Her grandmother’s rocking chair sat in the corner. The teddy bear that sat on it grabbed her attention and reminded her of the short time she’d had been with her parents. She hadn’t seen that bear since she was a child. She assumed Gramps found it in the attic and placed it on the chair for her arrival back home. Raine closed her eyes and pulled the bear closer to her heart. It calmed her until she heard a knock on the door.

Raine, are you okay? I’m sorry. Sorry about your grandfather. Sorry about you not knowing I’d be here. She heard Luke sigh loudly and then continue. Tom tried to warn you I’d be here. When he called to say you were on your way and didn’t know, I tried to make light of the situation. I was wrong. I’m sorry. If you need to talk or want to, I’ll be in the kitchen.

Raine heard his footsteps on the stairs. She let herself collapse on top of her bed, teddy bear still in her arms. Anger left and the tears flowed. She missed her grandfather, her parents, and the way life used to be. She felt so alone. Who could she talk to? Luke? He’d left her broken-hearted years before. She hadn’t heard from him since. Her mind repeated his words, Make light of the situation. Seriously? At a time like this? This wasn’t the day for fun. Especially with him. Raine rolled to her side clenching her teddy bear and cried herself to sleep.

RAINE, CAN WE COME in?

The familiar voice woke her, and she stretched. The clock told her she’d slept for an hour. Raine got up and ran her fingers down the length of her light brown tresses. The sun rays shining brightly through her window enhanced the natural golden highlights between her fingers as she looked at her reflection in the mirror and gathered it into a high ponytail. Come in. She smiled as Tom entered, Ellen behind him. One would never guess this couple in their seventies when they didn’t look a day over forty. They hadn’t changed except for a little more silver highlighting their black hair. She ran into Ellen’s open arms.

Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.

Raine cried as Ellen held her tightly. She wasn’t alone. She had Ellen and Tom. Some relief filled her through the tears. She heard Tom apologize and felt his hand against her back.

I’m sorry too. I didn’t want to keep the farm from you, but I respected my friend’s wishes.

Raine released from Ellen’s embrace and wiped away her tears. It’s okay, Tom. I understand but—

He interrupted. I should have warned you about Luke too. I did try. He raised his eyebrows and pouted.

Raine laughed through sobs. I know you did. It was a shock. If I’d known, I would have gone straight to your place. She looked at Ellen and then back at Tom. Can I stay with you?

Luke appeared at the doorway. If anyone should leave, Raine, it should be me.

She looked over Ellen’s shoulder. His expression told her he meant it. He no longer made ‘light of the situation’ as he’d said earlier. Raine didn’t want to kick him out on the street. If he’d been there for a year and a half, she figured he had no place to go. She remembered her grandfather telling her of Luke’s father’s death a couple of years ago. He’d briefly mentioned it was a shame that Ron Daniels had turned to the bottle after his wife’s death, and even more of a shame he’d let his farm be run into the ground. From what little she knew; Luke lost his parents and the farm.

Are you sure? But where would you go?

Luke shrugged. Not your worry. He turned toward the staircase, but Ellen stopped him. Her hand rested on his shoulder.

You can stay with Tom and me.

Luke patted her hand, Thanks, Ellen; but I’ll be fine.

Just like the Luke she remembered. Some would call it independence. Others would call it stubbornness. She looked at Tom. Can we talk about Gramps’s funeral later? I think I need to work things out here, first.

Tom nodded and leaned in to kiss her cheek. Come when you can.

Ellen placed her hands on Raine’s arms and gave her a gentle squeeze. Either of you can stay with us, if needed. At least until the shock settles and we get through Jack’s funeral.

The gentleness in Ellen’s tone calmed her. It always did. Raine had never met a kinder and loving woman. She’d always thought it was such a shame the two were never blessed with a child of their own. Thank you, Ellen, but we’re adults. I think we can work something out. It’s what Gramps would want us to do. Right? Raine looked at Ellen and then Tom. Both responded with a nod. She walked them to the front door. I’ll come by your place later.

Raine found Luke in the kitchen cleaning up the breakfast he’d prepared for her. A slight touch of guilt for his gesture crossed her. Hey.

Luke kept washing the dishes in the sink. Just wanted to clean up my mess before I left.

His tone pulled at her heartstrings. Guilt set in a little deeper. I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to be unappreciative of your nice gesture of breakfast. I was just–shocked to find you here.

Luke reached for the dishtowel and turned to face her as he dried his hands. But making light of the situation only came across as me being an ass. He chuckled. For that, I’m really sorry. He walked closer to her. Jack didn’t want you to know about the farm because he knew you’d keep him here, give up your job in the city and take care of him.

Raine nodded. And that, he clearly didn’t want. She would have done it. She would have done anything for Jack Willows.

Luke leaned against the counter. He loved you Raine. More than anything. He knew you loved him and would have taken care of him.

Raine stood quiet for a moment. She knew Luke was right. She was as stubborn as her grandfather. "But why didn’t he mention you were here? Why are you here, Luke?"

Luke took a deep breath. Jack is—he corrected himself—"was a great man. After my father passed, I came back to save the farm, but my dad had let it go along with himself. Jack heard about it and asked if I’d do him a favour. Luke smiled at Raine. Who wouldn’t do a favour for Jack Willows?"

Raine nodded in agreement and Luke continued with the reason he’d been there. Jack wanted to leave the farm to you, Raine; but he didn’t want you to turn down the offer at the hospital to care for him. He told me he always wanted you to find your own way in life. Luke paused with a smile, "But he also said