Love at Parkview Ranch

By Nicole Simon

Discover the transformative power of love and healing in the enchanting world of Love at Parkview Ranch.

After a series of mind-bending supernatural events that left Melissa and Richard fighting for love between life and death, life continued on Parkview Ranch. But this time, their love (a force that defied even death!) faces the ultimate test: life itself.

Join Melissa and Richard in Love at Parkview Ranch as they navigate a series of thrilling adventures. Let their heartwarming moments rekindle your faith in love and the unexpected dangers they face leave you breathless.

Laugh, cry, and love with Richard and Melissa. Discover if their love is true and if it will endure the trials and tribulations life brings.

Nicole Simon, author of The Ghost of Parkview Ranch, brings you a captivating sequel that will warm your heart and leave you yearning for your own happily ever after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicole Simon
• Release date: Feb 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224895595

Book preview

Chapter 1: Daily Life on the Ranch

Melissa steps into the room after finishing her daily chores. Richard is already sitting on the bed with a book in his hand. A wide smile spreads across his face as he looks up and sees Melissa. Placing the bookmark inside his book, Richard sets it on the nightstand and pats the space beside him. You look tired, he says soothingly.

Unable to stop the smile that creeps across her face, Melissa hops into bed beside her husband. How long have you been up here? she asks.

Not too long, he replies, putting his arm around her and pulling her close. I spent a while today inspecting the house, and it looks like everything is perfect. I can’t find a single thing wrong with this place.

That’s good, she responds. Since getting married, they had a new house built on the ranch. Richard and Melissa helped design it, so Richard always goes around to ensure everything is perfect. Building this house was probably the best decision we ever made. She giggles before leaning forward to kiss his lips.

He stays there momentarily before pulling away and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I love you, Melissa.

I love you too, Richard, she responds with pride. It has been just under a year since they married, and Melissa wonders what they will do to celebrate. One year of being married and everything is perfect. Not once has she ever felt the need to argue with Richard, and they spend nearly all their time together.

Richard reaches behind him and turns off the lamp before wrapping his arms around Melissa, pulling her close. Being in his arms is a comfort, and it takes no more than a few minutes for her to slip into a blissful sleep.

***

The following morning, Melissa wakes to the sound of her alarm blaring. Reaching over, she turns it off and rolls over to see Richard already sitting on the edge of the bed. What time is it? he asks. Hearing the sleepiness in his voice, Melissa giggles.

It’s four in the morning. You know; the same time we get up every day. She smiles as she slides across the bed to wrap her arms around him. If you’re still tired, I can think of a few ways to wake you up.

He turns to look at her, a smile spreading across his lips. Oh? Care to share?

Melissa laughs and pulls herself out of bed before changing her clothes for the day. Nothing like some good ol’ cleaning to wake yourself up.

His shoulders slump with pretend hurt. Darn. And here I thought we were going to have some fun.

We are. We are going to have the same fun we always do and take care of the animals. Once we get everything cleaned up, we can go for a ride tonight. Since getting married, Richard and Melissa have developed a daily tradition of riding their horses in the evening while they watch the sunset. It’s always been her favorite part of the day. While chores at the ranch aren’t always glamorous, she still loves caring for the animals and takes pride in her work.

"I suppose that could be fun." He says jokingly before finally pulling himself out of bed and slipping into his clothes.

Once they are ready, they grab breakfast shakes from the refrigerator and head out to the stables. Let’s get these horses groomed, Richard says as he approaches his horse Sandy, who begins neighing excitedly when she sees him.

Sounds great, Melissa says as she opens Dusky’s stall and places her hand on his snout. He whinnies as he nuzzles his face against hers. She pulls Dusky’s brush from the cart beside her and begins brushing.

Dusky always seems to love being brushed first thing in the morning, and although Melissa sometimes finds all kinds of gross things stuck to him, she has always enjoyed it. Once he is brushed, she checks his food and water before leading him out of the stable. I am going to put him in the pasture now so we can get this place cleaned out, she says, glancing back at Richard. You should do the same with Sandy. We wouldn’t want them getting in the way.

The handsome cowboy nods. Sounds good to me, he replies as he brushes through the last few knots in Sandy’s mane before leading her out of the stable. Where do you think we should start with the cleaning?

We should start by removing all the old hay to replace it with the new stuff. We still need to bale it later, but we can at least prep the stable for it.

When they get the horses in the pasture, they return to the stables and begin cleaning. Before she met Richard, this used to be a job that Melissa dreaded doing, but the job doesn’t seem so bad now that she gets to do it with her husband every day. The entire time they are cleaning, both are cracking jokes and laughing, almost like they didn’t even notice the various smells coming from the stable as they shovel out the old hay.

Less than an hour later, they finish with the stables and head over to get the baler to bale the hay and restock the stable. They also need to mow the pasture and check all the food for the animals.

Every day is like this, and while there may have been a time in her life when Melissa couldn’t stand doing her chores, that is no longer the case. Working with Richard always makes the day go by faster, and it’s rare for them to work together without laughing.

The days go by faster now, though Melissa is happy to spend them with Richard. After baling all the hay, they bring some back to the stables to restock. Melissa used to do it on her own, so she is more than grateful for Richard’s help.

Are you ready to go on that ride now? Richard asks as he scatters the last bit of hay in Sandy’s stall.

Melissa nods. I would love to.

Both of them step out of the stable and make their way back