Blackhill Ranch

Blackhill Ranch

Katherine May

TITLE Copyright © 2014 by Katie
Smotherman.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United
States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the
case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or
reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names,
characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents
either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

ISBN-13:
978-1500250928

ISBN-10:
1500250929

Book cover design by:
http://estrellacoverart.com

Edited by: The Cover and Everything In
Between

DEDICATION

This is for my family. Thank you
for putting up with me while I wrote this book. I love you with all
my heart for it
.

Contents

	Acknowledgment	I
1	Chapter One	1
2	Chapter Two	9
3	Chapter Three	15
4	Chapter Four	23
5	Chapter Five	31
6	Chapter Six	46
7	Chapter Seven	56
8	Chapter Eight	71
9	Chapter Nine	77
10	Chapter Ten	83
11	Chapter Eleven	94
12	Chapter Twelve	105
13	Chapter Thirteen	116
14	Chapter Fourteen	122
15	Chapter Fifteen	132
16	Chapter Sixteen	144
17

Chapter
Seventeen

157

18

Chapter
Eighteen

168

Epilogue

179

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my editor,
Brittany. It was very obvious that I needed you. Also, thank you to
everyone who has purchased Blackhill Ranch. I hope you enjoy it,
and it brings a smile to your face.

Chapter 1

“Well, tickle me pink.
Look who it is,” my dad chuckled as he reached his arms out towards
me.

“Oh come on, I just saw
you at graduation.” I smiled and walked into his embrace and gently
squeezed my old man.

He helped me unpack some
bags from my trunk and told me I was finally back where I belonged.
I looked up and him and said, “Thanks, pops. I am glad to be back
home.”

It has been four years
since I have been back to our family ranch for more than just a few
days. My father told me I had to live the college life and to not
worry about what was going on at home. I had my yearly visit for a
day or two over Christmas break, but this is the first time in four
years I am here to stay. For a few months anyway, until I can
figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I have tried to talk my
father into letting me help out with the ranch and take over a few
responsibilities for him, because if we are being completely honest
he isn't the youngest buck anymore. He told me not to worry about
things on the ranch and to do what I really wanted to. Since I have
no idea what in the world that is, this is it for now.

My older brother, Cole, is
first in line to take over the ranch, and he is going to be amazing
at it. He has a clear head on his shoulders and a sharp wit about
him, and he's also the hardest working man, besides my dad, that I
have ever known.

My family owns the
Blackhill Ranch in western Montana. The one, the only. Maybe it
isn't that popular, but we do well and with Cole getting into the
picture increasingly that is likely to change. We are a getaway
from city life and we give people the experience of the rugged
outdoors. Families and groups come from all over the country to
stay and enjoy our western world.

Cole has big plans to
expand our operations. Hopefully this will give our family ranch a
year round steady income. Cole is three years older than me, but we
have always had a great relationship. Especially since our mother
was taken from us at such a young age. Cancer sucks. Period. I'm
really looking forward to spending some time with him; I haven't
seen him since last Christmas.

When I went off to UCLA to
pursue a degree in business, he was happy for me, but was also very
concerned about me living in such a big city by myself. I wouldn't
have changed my choice for the world though. I knew I would miss
the beach like crazy, but I also know there is nowhere else on
Earth like Blackhill.

UCLA was a once in a
lifetime experience for me, and I'm thankful everyday that I chose
to go on that adventure. It was full of every kind of person you
could think of, and on the fist day of school I met two people who
would become my best friends. We created a bond that will last a
lifetime. One was my suite mate, Chloe. A crazy, energetic, wild
girl that stole my heart and helped me crack out of my country
shell. Her curly blonde hair matched her wild personality to a T.
She always said our hair is the highway to our inner
self.

I guess that's why my long
auburn hair is a tell tale sign that I'm a little reserved at first
but I definitely have a wild side. She is staying in L.A. for the
summer, but has promised to come out and visit me for a few weeks.
I talked her into coming home with me last Christmas, only because
her parents were going out of the country. She loved it here and
said she is very excited to spend a few weeks with me.

The second person that
caught my eye right away was Brian. He wasn't handsome; he was
gorgeous. Sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and a body most girls would
stab their best friends in the eye for. Thank goodness he wasn't
Chloe's type, and even if she was attracted to him, she liked both
of her eyes way too much.

Brian was amazing; he was
one of those boys that knew how to treat a woman. Until he told me
he wanted to take a break during this hectic time of finding a good
financial job in Cali. He said it would be too stressful to travel
back and forth and we just needed to focus on ourselves and we
would work it out after the summer. I really couldn't agree more. I
mean I will miss him a lot, but I get his point. I don't want to
travel every few weeks to see each other, does that say something
about us?

“So where is Cole?” I
asked as we walked over to the main lodge.

“Oh you know, doing this
and that.” He winked at me as he tightened his arms.

“I haven't seen him since
Christmas, I thought for sure he would sneak away and come to my
graduation. You know, I went to his and I feel like it's only fair
to share sibling obligations.”

“Someone had to stay and
manage the ranch, and it has really picked up this summer. We need
every one we can get. Speaking of that, Cole's buddy from college,
you know, Rhet, is helping out this summer and will be staying with
us,” my dad said as we headed towards our main lodge.

“The infamous Rhet. Well,
I'm telling you I really thought Cole made him up. You know I have
never met him and they have been friends for years! I really could
have bet money Cole had a really serious imaginary friend.” I
laughed as we walked inside. I looked around and smiled. Every time
I came home, the lodge was always my favorite place to
see.

“Rhet is real and is a
mighty fine worker. He knows more about horses than most of our
hands do, and that says a lot. He has had some hard times in his
life and needs a little break. Be nice.”

I had a feeling my dad and
this “Rhet” have bonded. My dad always did have a soft spot for the
brokenhearted. Not that Rhet has a broken heart, I think, but he
liked to help out anyone. Especially our friends.

“I'll put my big girl
panties on and try my best,” I said as we went into his office.
“let's talk about what you have planned for me this summer. I am
really excited to be back and I'm glad I can help. This is really
great dad. You know mom would be so proud of how you have been
running not only the ranch, but us kids.”

“I miss her every day, but
I know she is smiling down on us. Thanks sweetie,” he whispered and
he squeezed my hand.

My dad walked over and
grabbed a folder and pulled up a chair next to me. “So what I was
thinking is you can help with odd jobs around the ranch. That way
every day will be different. You can help with the horses in the
morning and get them ready for the trail rides. You can also help
take them out when they aren't riding that day. You could help me
with the books...”

“Dad! You are still doing
the books? I thought you promised you would hire an accountant last
year!” I screamed, and clearly interrupted him.

“Yes, well, I just haven't
found anyone I like, calm down. Now as I was saying, you could help
me look over the books and other office duties. I would also like
you to help revamp the menu for dinners. I know you love to cook so
I thought Tina could use the help.”

Tina has been with us
forever. She is wonderful. A tiny, sharp minded, amazing cook that
adores us like we were her own children.

“Oh, yes I can't wait to
see her! How is she? Have you two made out yet?” I laughed, as I
wiggled my eyebrows at him.

“Will you stop with that.
We have been friends far too long to start making out now, and what
would your mother think?”

“Oh my gosh dad, she would
be so happy for you two.” I laughed as he blushed a fierce crimson
red.

“Enough about making out,
let's get to business here. As I was saying, you can help out with
the kitchen. I would also like you to be my go-to-girl when we need
costumer service. You're always polite and are very easy to get a
long with. That will be really nice to have with all of our new
business. Oh, and one more thing. Rhet is also very knowledgeable
with computers; maybe you two can work on our website and revamp it
a bit? I have no clue how that works, but I do know it could use
some sprucing up. Ben is still running all reservations from the
website but he would like some help with the layout and design.” My
dad lifted his had off of his chin, and stood to head towards the
door. “Oh and leave your bags, Ricky said he would bring them down
to your cabin later.”

“Okay, I will get on that.
And Dad, I really am excited to be back. I will do my best to help
out around here. I guess I need to meet Rhet so we can discuss
options for the website. Love you.” I smiled up at him as he tipped
his hat at me and walked out the door.