Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1) by Carolyn Brown

Everyone around the community gathered in town that day, most of the locals on horseback or in wagons to commemorate those days when Honey Grove was a booming town. In 1890, the town was a central hub for area farmers, who used the railroad to ship their products all over the South. Pictures of early days were displayed in each building, so folks got a sense of how things had been down through the ages, and guides expounded on some of the more historic places that still remained. Then there was the tour of homes since Honey Grove had the most historic old houses of any small town in Texas. Each tour ended at the oldest church in Honey Grove, where Pearl and the refreshment committee served cake, cookies, and punch.

Jesse felt like he’d been shot through a time machine when he drove the wagon around to the front yard that evening. His mother and Addy were dressed in vintage long dresses and bonnets and were putting cakes and cookies into the backseat of Sonny’s pickup.

His father wore bibbed overalls and a straw hat and waited on the front porch swing. “Hey, son.” Sonny waved. “I sure wish I could go with you, but Addy and your mother vetoed that. Last year, the horses got away from me and we had quite a ride into town. It would be tough on me to climb up in the wagon, so I’ll just let you have that job.”

“I’m in agreement with them,” Jesse said. “Anyone going with me? Where’s Mia?”

As if on cue, the girl stepped out onto the porch. She wore a pair of cut-off jean shorts, a halter top that showed half her back, and cowboy boots. “I’m right here, and the answer is no, I’m not going with you or anyone else. I’ve got better things to do,” she said. “Ricky and I have plans.”

“You be careful, darlin’,” Sonny said. “That boy has been in a lot of trouble.”

“Ricky and I don’t have secrets, Poppa. I know everything about him, and people have spread rumors about him that simply are not true.” She took time to kiss Sonny on the top of the head and then jogged out to her pickup truck.

“Don’t stay out too late. You’ve got sheep shearing to do tomorrow morning,” Addy yelled across the yard.

“I’ve decided to sell my sheep soon as they’re sheared. I’ve already got a buyer who’ll be picking them up tomorrow evening.” Mia waved as she got into the vehicle and drove away.

“What brought all that on?” Sonny picked up his cane and got to his feet. “She’s named each one of those sheep and sat up at night with them when they were lambing.”

“I’m wondering if I’m the cause of all this,” Jesse said from the wagon seat. “Y’all tell me that she was a sweetheart until this past weekend.”

“She’d only been home from college three days when you arrived,” Sonny said. “She hasn’t been the same girl since she got here, but you’re right, it did get worse after you got here. I’ll have a talk with her tomorrow.”

“I’ve tried,” Addy said, “but she shuts me out.”

Pearl stepped up on the porch to help Sonny out to the truck. “I imagine she and Ricky have been keeping company at college, and he’s leading our girl astray. I’ll see what I can do, too.”

When Sonny was in the passenger seat, Pearl took a look at what all was in the backseat and said, “Looks like you’re going to have to take your own car, Addy, or else ride with Jesse. We’ll have plenty of room to bring you home.”

“I’ll just ride with Jesse,” Addy said.

Jesse hopped down from the wagon and circled around the back side of it. “Let me help you,” he said. His big hands circled Addy’s small waist and lifted her up into the wagon. “There you go, Miss Hall. I’ll try to keep from hitting too many potholes, but you might want to hang on to your bonnet.”

Addy’s clear laughter rang out across the yard. Jesse had missed hearing her laugh like that right along with their long visits when he went to basic training. She had written to him and sent cards while he was in basic training, but by the time he got to his next phase of training, all communication from her had stopped. In her last letter she had told him it would be best if they just moved on and forgot about each other. He had to follow his dreams, and she had her own life to think about.

“Don’t blame yourself for Mia,” Addy said.

“Can’t help it.” Jesse flicked the reins, and the mules started a slow walk down the lane. “Maybe part of it is Ricky, but me coming home was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I don’t know what to do about it, but I plan to have a talk with her, too. Adult to adult. She can vent and get it out of her system.”

“You are all welcome to give it a shot, but I don’t think it will do a bit of good,” Addy said. “I’m in shock that she said that about selling her sheep. She’s worked so hard at building up her flock, and she makes a lot of money selling show animals to the local kids. She keeps her flock over on the part that was my folks’ place. When she’s at school, Henry takes care of them, but the shearing is always saved for when she’s home. It’s a big job,” Addy answered. “And she’s always loved to do that part. You should have been around when she got her best ones ready to show at the county fair. She won the grand champion trophy almost every year.”