The First Lady of Three Rivers Ranch: Three Rivers Ranch Romance™, #17

By Liz Isaacson

A dance with destiny at Three Rivers Ranch between the sexy cowboy owner and the woman he hires to clean the cabins…who ends up stealing his heart.

 

Heidi Duffin's life is finally coming together: she has just one year left of her Bachelor's degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, four job applications out, and a summer full of possibilities. But when her sister convinces her to attend the first summer dance in small town Three Rivers, everything changes when she meets Frank Ackerman.

 

Frank has been dragged to the dance by his cowboys, and he doesn't feel it's a mistake when he meets Heidi. He introduces her to a world of cowboys and country living as he follows up with a job offer after the dance.

 

Heidi begins to clean the cowboy cabins at Three Rivers Ranch, and the chemistry between her and Frank is off the charts hot as he captivates her every thought.

As the summer goes by and they work together and get to know each other, Heidi's culinary skills bring the cowboys of Three Rivers Ranch closer together, creating the family environment that Frank has longed for since the death of his mother.

 

But their love for each other and their faith is tested when the siren's call of Heidi's dream bakery becomes louder. Will she return to school to fulfill her dreams or follow her heart and stay in Three Rivers with Frank? Can their faith in God and each other guide them to the sweetest of happy endings?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223170532

Liz Isaacson

USA Today bestselling author Liz Isaacson writes clean and inspirational romances, and has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories.

Book preview

Chapter One

The possibilities had never been so wide open for Heidi Duffin. Though she needed a job—and quickly—she had four applications out, only one year remaining until she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, and a whole summer to enjoy herself.

Why are we driving out here again? Heidi peered into the nothingness surrounding her as her younger sister aimed their truck east down the middle of the two-lane highway.

It’s the first dance of summer in Three Rivers, Maggie said. And Chase will be there.

Heidi frowned, her mind whirring to try to remember who Chase was. She couldn’t. And he’s…?

He’s the boy I met a couple of weeks ago in Daddy’s store. Maggie glanced at Heidi, her fingers flexing on the steering wheel. The cowboy?

Realization lit up Heidi’s mind at the same time her frown deepened. Oh, yes. The cowboy.

You don’t have to say it like that. Maggie made her chuckle sound light, but Heidi knew annoyance sat just below the surface. We aren’t all big city girls. Maggie lifted her chin and pressed a bit harder on the accelerator. I like cowboys.

And apparently driving an hour for a dance. Heidi brushed something invisible from her skirt. He must be something special.

Maggie giggled, and Heidi was reminded of the three-year difference in their ages. He is. You meet anyone in San Francisco?

Heidi had been grilled by her mother, and her grandmother, and then each of her mother’s three sisters. As if she needed to find a handsome chef before she finished her own journey through culinary school. As if that was the only way to have value as a woman, even though it was nineteen-eighty-six and lots of women were joining the workforce these days.

And there had been Westin….

She shook her head, dislodging the dark eyes that always seemed so angry, and said, No, I’m too busy baking to be dating.

Oh, come on, Heidi. Surely you don’t bake all day and all night.

She sighed. No, but some days it feels like it. And she wouldn’t have it any other way, despite the aching back and sore feet. Heidi was destined to have her own bakery someday, and she would. She absolutely would. She’d thought of little else for the past two years as she went to school in San Francisco, little else for the four years it had taken her to work and save for culinary school, little else since she was thirteen years old.

So tell me about Chase, she said to get the questions away from her.

"He’s a wrangler at the Three Rivers Ranch, and he is soo cute," Maggie singsonged. Heidi smiled at the exuberance of her sister. Of the three she had, Maggie was Heidi’s favorite. The next youngest, Bridgette, had just graduated from high school and had started cosmetology school a week ago.

The baby of the family, Kayla, still had a couple years of high school left. Heidi loved all her sisters, but she and Maggie had been through the most together, caused the most trouble, and though they were practically opposites, Heidi got along great with her. Plus, Maggie had always helped out the most when their mom had to teach piano lessons late.

The two girls had put dinner on the table every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, and sometimes more if Momma went to help Daddy at the store. He owned and operated a farming supply store, which made it possible for Maggie to meet boys like Chase.

If their daddy knew that, though…he might close his doors. Heidi let the smile she felt show on her face. She loved her parents, and they’d worked hard to provide a good life for her and her sisters. Though she’d saved and scrimped, her parents had helped pay for pastry school. And heaven knew that wasn’t cheap.

Thank you, she sent heavenward, the way she had everyday for the past two years. Gratitude filled her as signs of a town finally came into view.

Oh, thank goodness, she said, picking at her pink mini-skirt again. I thought we’d never get here.

It’s not that far, Maggie said as she slowed and entered the town of Three Rivers. The dance is in the park. She leaned forward as if the giant windshield didn’t provide an adequate view of her destination.

She turned here and there, and the streets became choked with cars and trucks. Is the whole town coming to this dance? Heidi peered out her window.

Probably, Maggie said. Chase said it was a big deal—the first dance of the summer, Heidi!

Yeah, first dance.

Chase said the only event that’s bigger is the Fourth of July celebration. Rodeos, picnics, parades. He says he’s gonna come pick me up for that.

Great, Heidi deadpanned. You already got the weekend off?

No, Maggie said airily. But Bridgette will cover for me if I need her to.

Bridgette just started school, Heidi reminded her. She hasn’t been home before ten o’clock in the past week.

Something akin to panic raced across Maggie’s face. Kayla, then.

You haven’t told Daddy about Chase, have you?

Maggie pulled behind another truck, the park nowhere in sight. We’ll have to walk.

Maggie, Heidi warned.

No, she said. Okay? No, I haven’t told Momma or Daddy about Chase.

Where do they think we are?

Oh, I told them we were coming out to the dance here in Three Rivers. She slid Heidi a mischievous grin that usually led to them being up a creek without a paddle. Literally, that had happened once after a cocked eyebrow like the one Maggie wore now. I just didn’t say why.

Heidi didn’t want to grin at her sister, but she did, feeling younger than she had in a long time. Okay, well, I can’t wait to meet Chase.

Terror tamped out the excitement in Maggie’s face. Surely you’ll find someone to dance with.

Heidi stared at her sister. What do you mean? I came with you.

I don’t want you to meet Chase, Maggie blurted. He’ll like you more than me.

Heidi blinked, blinked. What?

Maggie’s eyes rounded and she fiddled her fingers around each other. You’re prettier than me. And the boys always like you more.

Heidi burst into laughter, her sister’s worry ridiculous. That only happened once, and only because Elliot was a senior and was embarrassed to admit he liked a freshman.

It was Maggie’s turn to blink and say, What?

Yeah, that’s what he told me at prom. That he really wanted to ask you, but you were too young. Heidi tossed a dry look to Maggie. It wasn’t my best date. She climbed out of the truck and took a deep breath of the fresh air. She’d give Three Rivers a nod for that. So don’t worry, Mags. I won’t steal Chase from you.

They walked the two blocks to the park, where the country music could be heard after the first block. Maggie swept the crowd, looking for the one face she knew, while Heidi hung behind her. She didn’t know anyone here, and she didn’t really care to.

Maggie! a man called, and both Heidi and Maggie swung in the direction it came from. A blond cowboy pushed through the crowd and swept a giggling Maggie off her feet. His blue eyes sparkled with laughter and he slung his arm around her shoulders as they faced Heidi.

Chase, this is my sister, Maggie said, an edge of anxiety riding in her eyes. Heidi.

Nice to meet you, Miss Heidi. Chase grinned and extended his hand toward Heidi. She shook it, and shuffled her feet as he turned back to Maggie and started talking.

I’ll see you later, okay?

Heidi yanked her gaze back to Maggie. Later?

Yeah, I’m gonna go dance with Chase. She squealed and spun, leaving Heidi alone in this completely foreign place. Though, for a small town, this dance was impressive. She wandered along the edges of the dance floor until she ran into the refreshment table.

Love your skirt, a girl said, a genuine smile on her face.

Thanks, Heidi said as she plucked a cup of red punch off the table.

Where’d you get it?

San Francisco. Heidi took a sip of punch, wishing her voice didn’t carry a note of pride. She wasn’t better than this girl, despite her fashionable mini-skirt and oversized top with a teal stripe along the neckline.

Do you live there? the girl asked. Oh, I’m Farrah.

Nice to meet you. Heidi smiled at her. No, I don’t live there. I’m going to school there.

Farrah got a faraway look on her face. I wish I could go to school.

A pang of sadness hit Heidi, along with a wave of gratitude and the memories of her own longing to attend school. She’d worked for her father for four long years, living at home and spending nothing, until she could pay for the first year of culinary school.

I’m sorry, she murmured, wanting to escape from this conversation. Though the sun had started to set, it suddenly felt too hot to Heidi. Excuse me.

She turned, and everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Someone bumped her elbow—or maybe she bumped them. No matter what, her punch went flying, the red liquid practically leaping from the cup and flying through the air.

It hit the man who’d just stepped out of the crowd, and time rushed forward again. Heidi gasped at the same time the punch touched the man. He flinched like she’d physically touched him, and glanced down at his now-stained shirt.

His now-stained white shirt.

Heidi brought both hands to cover her mouth, absolutely horrified. I’m so sorry, she said through her fingers. I got hit, and⁠—

It’s okay, he said, his voice low and deep and wonderful and flowing like honey over Heidi’s frayed nerves. The music faded into silence; the world narrowed to just the two of them.

She slid her eyes from his shirt and up his thick chest, taking in muscular arms under his short sleeves, and over the most handsome face she’d ever seen. He had a shock of dark hair poking out from beneath a black cowboy hat, and bright, electric blue eyes that drew her in like a magnet. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days, and the facial hair added to his allure.

His belt buckle could’ve served as a dinner plate, and at the bottom of his long, jean-clad legs, he wore a weathered pair of cowboy boots.

Heidi forgot her own name. She swallowed and dropped her hands back to her sides. All her mind could conjure was, Maybe cowboys aren’t so bad.

I don’t think we’ve met. The man moved forward a step and reached for her. No, past her, to the refreshment table, where he collected a napkin and starting dabbing at his ruined shirt. I’m Frank Ackerman.

Heidi startled and cleared her throat. Heidi Duffin.

You new in town, Heidi? He settled his weight away from her, but his near proximity rendered her weak. He smelled like leather and pine and wood and everything manly and nice.

She took a deep breath of him, wanting to bake him into a pie so the aroma would infect the air for a long time. Yes. I mean, no. She took a step back to give herself some air. No, I don’t live here. I’m just here with my sister. She scanned the crowd, half-hoping Maggie would appear to corroborate her story. I guess she’s dating some guy from some ranch⁠—

Three Rivers Ranch?

Yeah, that’s it. Heidi found his face again and smiled at him. When he returned the gesture, she thought sure she’d faint. She wondered if he knew how handsome he was, how fast her heart was racing, how he affected girls. Anyway, I’m from Amarillo, she finished.

You wanna dance? He nodded his hat toward the dance floor.

Heidi hadn’t intended to dance with anyone. Her brain screamed at her to say no. Her heart reminded her how she felt about cowboys, about living so far from civilization, about belt buckles the size of hubcaps.

But her voice said, Sure, and a thrill of excitement tripped down her spine when Frank put his warm hand on the small of her back and guided her through the crowd.

Frank didn’t know the pretty little woman who’d splashed punch down his chest, but he wanted to. Heidi had a calming voice, and though his shirt was starting to stick to his skin, he couldn’t risk leaving her to clean up before he had a chance to dance with her. Someone else would pounce on a pretty woman like her.

She sported light brown hair the color of the river rocks out at Frank’s ranch. Well, not really his ranch. At least not yet. As the eldest of three brothers, the ranch was being passed to him at the end of the year. He’d been knee-deep in figuring out how to run a twenty thousand acre cattle ranch without the help of his father.

Frank wanted the ranch, always had. That wasn’t the problem. But he also wanted someone to run it with, and therein sat the biggest problem of Frank’s life. His mother had died a decade ago, and Frank had seen how a ranch as vast and busy as Three Rivers could swallow a man. He’d watched his father disappear behind the desk, vanish out on the range, become a ghost in his own house.

Frank didn’t want to be like his father. He wanted his life to be as vibrant as the ranch itself, full of laughter and family and food. And to do that, he needed a good woman who could introduce that spirit the way his mom had.

He’d been trying to find her for the past six months. Of course, he hadn’t told any of the women he’d dated that, but he’d never made it that far in his relationships. He kept that desire close to the vest, worried it might scare a woman away.

As Heidi turned and slipped herself easily into his arms, he couldn’t help picturing her out at Three Rivers. The thought brought a smile to his lips, and he gazed down into her more-brown-than-hazel eyes and found strength there.

So what do you do in Amarillo? he asked as the band started a mid-tempo tune he could twirl and hold Heidi to.

Oh, I don’t really live in Amarillo.

No?

Well, I do, but I don’t. She giggled, but quickly smothered it.

Well, that makes all kinds of sense, he teased.

My family lives there. I’m just home for the summer. I’m going to school in San Francisco.

Frank’s heart dipped down to his boots, where it stayed for a few beats before rebounding to his chest. What’re you studying?

Baking and pastry arts. She practically glowed, and Frank itched to run his fingers down the side of her face. I’m going to open a bakery after I graduate.

So she could cook. Frank liked a woman who knew her way around a kitchen. That’s great, he said, genuine about her baking, but not liking that she wouldn’t be around very long. What are you doin’ this summer?

Trying to find a job. She possessed a quiet power, which called to Frank’s soul.

I can help with that, he said.

Oh? She gazed up at him with an open expression, her petite hand pressing into his shoulder warm and welcome.

Sure, he said. I heard Three Rivers Ranch needs someone to clean their cowboy cabins this summer.

She blinked, distracting him with her long lashes. I’m sure that won’t work.

Why not? Frank pulled his gaze from her and looked around as if he didn’t mind if she turned him down. But he did. He wanted to see her everyday, get to know her better, and he couldn’t drive to Amarillo at the drop of a hat. Or even once a