Carrying the Rancher's Heir by Charlene Sands

grandchild. But it wasn’t the right time to tell him. Tagg had to be the first to know. She hadn’t told a soul yet and it would have to stay that way for now.
    Callie rose, her appetite gone. “Well, then, we’ll have some really healthy horses in our stables. Because they know what’s good for them. They won’t be dying of a coronary anytime soon.”
    She walked past her father and out the front door.
    Before she was out of earshot, she heard her father call to the cook. “Mattie, make me a steak. A big, fat, juicy one and I want gravy to go with it!”
    Callie inhaled a sharp breath and got into her car.
    She revved the engine and drove off, happy to be away from Hawkins Sullivan. Happy to be anywhere but on the ranch she loved so much.
    Â 
    Callie stood with Jed Barlow by the Worth stables the next morning combing down Sunflower in the shade of a mesquitetree. “It was a good ride. I think Sunflower is tame enough for children. I just had to be sure.”
    â€œThe same goes for Tux. He’s pretty gentle,” Jed said. “I’m glad I was able to take the ride with you this morning.”
    Callie smiled at Jed. They had been friends in school once, but she hadn’t seen him since she’d returned to Red Ridge. She brushed the mare’s mane while Jed combed down Tux. It was nice taking the horses out together before the heat of the day. Since her return to Big Hawk Ranch she hadn’t had a riding partner. She’d wanted to ride out on the range with Tagg today, but he’d flat-out refused. Maybe he really did have plans this morning. It wasn’t like he didn’t have a job. He ran the Worth empire from his house. He had responsibilities.
    â€œIt’ll be real nice getting to know you again, Callie.” Jed smiled.
    â€œSame goes for me. I haven’t reconnected with too many people since I’ve been home. Some of my high school friends moved away and some are married and have their own lives. So this is great.”
    â€œI think so.” He stopped brushing down Tux to look at her. “You know I had a crush on you back in high school, don’t you?”
    She furrowed her brows. “No. I didn’t think boys got crushes.” Jed was tall and blond and relatively nice looking but Callie didn’t like where this conversation was headed.
    â€œWe do. Uh, did. But we’re always too macho to admit it. Your daddy took care of that, though.”
    Callie rolled her eyes. Everything always went back to her father. “How?”
    â€œHe ran me off your property once. You’d offered to help me with my studies and I came over.”
    â€œShotgun?”
    Jed got a startled look on his face. “You know?”
    â€œIt’s a wonder I didn’t run away from home. He chased off quite a few guys that way.”
    â€œI was a little young to know he was bluffing.”
    Callie laughed and put her hand on his arm, shaking her head. “The sad part is, he wasn’t bluffing. He’s fiercely protective of me.”
    He glanced at her hand and smiled. Callie removed it instantly, self-conscious. “Even now?”
    â€œI try not to let him get away with anything anymore,” she offered, feeling sorry for Jed. Maybe she would have liked dating him back then. She could only imagine how her father had intimidated him. “Sorry. I didn’t know. Of course, my father kept that from me.”
    â€œSo maybe we could make up for that. Would you like to go out sometime? Maybe Saturday night?”
    Callie hadn’t entirely seen this coming. She’d been so wrapped up in her feelings for Tagg that she’d mistaken Jed’s friendliness. Oh, God, what to say? How to answer without hurting him or making him feel foolish?
    â€œShe’s not available,” said a voice from behind them.
    They turned and found Tagg leaning against the shade tree, arms folded. “Tagg, what are you