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2023-04-22 03:31:36My dear and only friend Kelsey,
I didn't mean to sound so dramatic up there but ever since I received your pen pal letter those few months ago, I have found peace and longing by it. The way you described your family ranch was a great contrast from this mausoleum I call home. As you know today is my eighteenth birthday. Not much to celebrate when life has been planned for you since you were sixteen. I envy you Kels. I know you do go through the same pain of loss as me but at least you have somewhere to go, something to do when you feel trapped. It's been three days but it feels like forever. Around this time Daddy will be barging into my room and dragging me to the stables or sneaking us to the mall or something. He wanted me to grow up as he did back in New Jersey. I guess his childhood was fun with laughable accidents and loud friends to fill the quiet. It still surprises me that he built all of this to make his family back then happy and kept at it to make my mother and me happy. I miss him so much. I magically hoped that Mother and I will get closer because we lost someone so close and dear to us but I was wrong.My schedule got longer and much more tedious. I found out yesterday that she applied to Princeton for me to attend my college years. I did not dare tell her that Daddy and myself sent in applications to Cornell and the University of California. Only he knew my love for animals led me to be a vet. If she knows, I won't hear the end of her tirade. I still sneak out to go to the clinic. Hiram said Daddy put things in place for me to go.
Kelsey...
I'm engaged. Well about to be at my birthday ball tonight.
Yes, that should have been the first thing to tell you but it isn't a happy moment for me. Mother's best friend 'chose' me to be her son's 'perfect wife.' Look up the name Dominic Heath and you will know why. Apparently, I am the type of girl her son needs to settle down with. They both have it all planned. Court for two years and by my 21st birthday I am to be married.Don't worry, you are invited. You're my only support through this. If Daddy was alive he would have forbidden it. No one messes with Michael Rysdale's daughter. I'm laughing yet crying at that memory of when he exploded at a ball. Mother was mortified. The boy who began to spread rumors about me never knew what hit him.
I have to be strong now, Kels. Daddy is no longer here to fight my battles. I'm no longer daddy's girl.
Now enough about me.
How are you? I watched your competition. Congratulations!! (Your gift should be accompanying this letter.) I'm so proud of you and pretty impressed you nailed my signature jump. You looked great. Was your father shocked? I know you told me he was begging to see your practice sessions. Did Corey tag along with you? Is he still ignoring you? Give it time. He's probably intimidated by the fact that you are his boss' daughter. That's a sure sign of respect. Take that in stride sweetie. Give your heart and his some time. From your description of his kindness to your father and the older ranch hands including Mama Roarke, he's a keeper. He didn't return your gift so I count that too as a plus. I'm actually smiling now the first real smile since Daddy's funeral. Thinking of your ranch and all that open space to ride makes me happy somewhat. I promise to visit. I have to go now. Mother just reminded me of my dance session. One can never tire of the waltz she said.
Your Dutiful paper friend,Mikel
P.S. Don't forget to write to your brother. He will like to hear about the competition.
To my best friend, Mikel who is miles away,
Congratulations?!
You are an engaged woman at the age of eighteen. Very 15th Century isn't it?! I saw your 'intended' on the internet. Handsome but full of himself. They say you can't believe anything on the internet but you will sure as hell believe it when there's an R-Rated video of it. I'm sorry, Mik. I wish you can come to the ranch to escape but your mother probably hired guards for you.
You're sad and I'm not there to help you through this ordeal. I felt your pain when you called and told me the news of your dad. It took me back to when I lost my mom freshman year. You will survive. I know you can. Your father is right, Mikel. You are stronger than you look. Don't let anyone change that. Not even your mother. I know you're not this high society chick, the type of girl your mom wants you to be. You are your father's child through and through. I can tell how close you two were by the way you talked about him and the pictures you shared. I saw that love so clearly in the pictures. It's similar to the one I share with Pop. Oh and yeah he was hella shocked. He kept on nagging me wanting to know who taught me that. Poor old man.
And...
I LOVE MY NEW SADDLE!!!
You're the best Mik. I will use it on Black Dahlia in every competition. Custom made. WOW!!! Now, I gotta one-up my gifts. Can you believe that we have been only friends for a few months but seems like ages? I like that. I wish we were going to the same colleges. If Princeton accepts you, will you go? Do they have a veterinarian department there? What I want is for you to go with your choice. Not hers. I got accepted to Montana State. Close to home and I can keep competing. I want to learn more about ranching. Pops was proud. Have you ever seen a grown-ass man cry? That was my pops. Deep down I know he feels I applied there because of Killian no matter how many times I deny it. Big Brother really hurt Pops. His signing up for the Army caused a rift leaving me in the middle. Killian loved the ranch but loved the world more. I hope he's safe.
I'm worried though.
Something is making the air thick. Something bad is gonna happen and I fear it will hit home. Keep us in your prayers Mik.
I gotta go. Heading out with pops to buy a good breeding bull. Maybe a prize winner.
Keep your head up city girl I'm rooting for ya,
Kelsey.
Related chapter
Second Time's A Charm 2.
Eight Years Later Present Day "Oh, my, what a sweet little boy!" Mikel sipped on her mimosa and carefully listened to her mother titter over a friend's latest picture of her grandson. The woman who was showing off the red-headed little guy practically pushed her phone in Mikel's face. "Isn't Robinson adorable, Mikel? Sally-Ann is beside herself. So happy in London with her husband. He's a Lord, you know," the woman boasted. "Oh yes. I remember. I was at the wedding and the christening. Quite delightful it was," she countered with a practiced smile on her face. She stressed the word 'delightful' to remind the woman about the debacle her daughter made on both days. Mikel couldn't give Sally-Ann all the credit; her secret boyfriend played his part well too. She felt sorry for Lord Chaswick. She was by his side while he fumed and drank himself to sleep. It pained her as it pained him because they were close friends; they met each other at Princeton in the most socially awkward way.
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 3.
One month later Whispering Hills Ranch Montana Killian Drummond was two years too late in arriving home. Rubbing his messed up leg with a hand that has been broken too many times he endured the last lap of his journey back home. The road to the ranch seems familiar but the feeling of home wasn’t there. His parents weren’t there, probably new faces working the jobs he once did since he was ten, and a sister who probably resents the heck out of him. He couldn’t blame her. Just like he did with his father he did so too with her. They didn’t part on good terms. He slowed down a tad bit when he caught a few signs hanging below the ranch overhead sign. Home of Kelsey Drummond Five Time Champion Barrel Racer. Three-time Champion Show Jumper. Killian’s eyes widen at the signs, in her past letters she mentioned her competitions but he never asked her about it, he was only focused on staying alive and doing his job. He drove through the gates and parked in front of the sprawling main hous
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 4.
The past five days have been great for Killian. He took that time to get reacquainted with things and learn about the new methods the ranch adopted. During that time Kelsey introduced him to everyone as their rightful boss. They were accepting after Kelsey and Mama Roarke spoke, the older ranchhands put in their few cents which helped Killian greatly. The foreman took the role of telling him who did what. He pitched in after that, breaking a good sweat and giving his body the exercise it needed. Not taking it too hard he knew when to take a break or go soak his body in some ice. The meds were helping a great deal and he knew in no time he will be back in fighting shape. On one of those days, Kelsey took him to their father’s grave. They had a plot of land at the local cemetery designated for their family only. The church has been a pillar of strength for the family for years. Weddings, christenings, funerals, an escape to talk to God. First Pentecostal was always there.Kelsey gave h
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 5.
Dinner at the Drummonds was never dull and that night’s dinner was no exception. It was two hours after Kelsey’s trick was revealed and for the first time in a month, Mikel had a real smile on her face. She was currently seated next to her best friend and eyeing the sulky cowboy opposite her. Killian was hunched over his meal not talking to anyone. Herself, Kels, Mama Roarke, and the ranch foreman were holding back amused smiles while trying to have a decent conversation. Mikel took that time to take in the appearance of her friend’s big brother. She saw the pictures their father proudly showed her on past visits. They were all photos of him all over the ranch and rodeos, some with their mother and some with his father. The one that Keagan Drummond showed her with so much pride and gusto was him in his dress blues. He was 18 then and curiosity about the world was in his eyes. Now looking at the twenty-nine-year-old man before her, she saw the changes. Broad shoulders to fit his six f
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 6.
After listening to his sister tell him about her best friend and the basic outline of Mikel’s tragic now present life last night, he lay awake and thought of how to help the grey-eyed beauty. Killian couldn’t sleep though, not because of his thoughts during the night he heard the painful screams of someone trapped in a nightmare. He will know because he suffers from them also. On instinct, he rushed to her room but found Kelsey with her soothing her back to sleep. Her faithful companions were doing the same with their cries mixing with hers. To him, the dogs were sharing her loss. “How is she?” he asked his sister softly near the door. “She’ll be fine. Tomorrow will be better.” Killian wanted to go and hold her but simply nodded and stepped back. He knew night terrors weren’t easy and to see the woman who caught him by the gut suffering so, was painful. Back in his room he listened for any more disturbances and closed his eyes for the last four remaining hours of the night. Killia
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 7.
Kelsey’s laugh filled the room an hour later after Mikel told her about her brother's offer.“Told ya. Classic Killian. Can never tell a lie like Abe and is too good to be true like Steve Rodgers. I love that big lug of a brother.” she said coming down from her laugh high. She was on the floor playing with the dogs while Mikel got dressed. Knowing the spins to be made she opted for denim Vans shoes to match the white cotton summer dress and light denim jacket. Kels already French braided her hair and chose her earrings. “He made me laugh so much in that little space of time. I’m thankful. I'm basically a stranger yet he put forth this honest offer,” Mikel said sincerely. “I’m glad. I know it won’t always be like this but just know you now have another person in your corner.” “Yeah.”She sent her friend a smile and proceeded to pack a bag for the day. It was nearing ten, the appointment was at 11 so they will have enough time to relax. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “Gonna g
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 8.
After the comforting hug Killian gave her and the delivery of their meals, they ate in comfortable silence each lost in their own thoughts. Now knowing for sure that she was pregnant with Dominic’s child she needed to focus on how to tell his parents and her mother. To them, their children’s marriage was just a business deal they didn’t expect both of them to find a mutual attraction to each other. Mikel smiled sadly remembering how his long blonde hair will brush her cheeks when he kissed her goodbye the day before her birthday. They made love all night and it was her day off. “My Mikky,” he whispered against her lips in the most reverent way. “My Nicky.” she returned sleepily. In her sleep haze, she saw how his brown eyes soften when she smiled at him. Somehow she knew they always told each other their love for each other in those endearments. “Hurry back.” “For you, I will.” She didn’t realize she was crying till she felt a napkin brushing her cheek. Looking up she saw Killian r
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22Second Time's A Charm 9.
Back home, at last, nearing dinner time, Killian sent Mikel to rest while he prepared a quick dinner for them both. The dogs were already fed and a note from Kelsey was stuck on the fridge. He smiled at the contents, his little sister was out on a date. He noticed how much more carefree she was now and her eyes were so bright but soften whenever her man's name was mentioned. Corey dutifully introduced himself to Killian and made promises to care for Kelsey and assured him that he was very much in love with her. He couldn't put a stop to that, Kelsey deserved love and happiness, starting a family of her own. He was out for the count, the dreams he had of having a child to carry on his name were crushed. Killian slammed the knife he was using onto the marble countertop and took quick deep breaths, why did he stray to those thoughts? Once upon a time, he had those dreams with the woman who held his heart only for it to be sliced and diced and given back to him on a silver platter. It w
Последнее обновление : 2023-04-22
Latest chapter
Second Time's A Charm Epilogue
Five Years Later “Go, Dom!!!” Nine-year-old Trevor Calisto was cheering on his cousin from the fences as the boy broke into a gentle canter on his horse. Both their fathers were in the corral coaching him along the little ride. He chose the 8month old Friesian Colt a day ago when his father Killian told him it was time to get his own horse. Vincent bred top of the line horses, and the Friesian breeds he bred strictly for family. The colt was black as night with a calm demeanor matching his new master's attitude. The two boys were excited. Now they can both ride together around the ranch. “I wanna see.” Trevor looked behind him and rolled his eyes at his baby cousin. She hated being called a baby. At three years old, Kadence Wesson was a force to be reckoned with, everyone doted on the only girl on the ranch. The princess. That’s what Dominic calls her. She was stubborn as her mama and thoughtful as her daddy. He heard the grown-ups say that’s a dangerous combination in a woman. His
Second Time's A Charm 28.
Two months, One week later. "What part of taking it easy you don't understand angel?" Killian was seated in a chair watching his woman work on her laptop in the hospital bed. Currently, she was eight months and one week into her pregnancy. Earlier in the day she was complaining about pains and brushed it off as Braxton Hicks. He was worried and still called it in. When it was coming too frequently he got a stubborn Mikel to the hospital. It turns out Peanut was impatient and wanted out of his mommy's tummy. Killian was amazed by how easy she was taking it all for her first time. With each contraction that came, she simply laid back in the bed and clutch onto the rails till the pain passed. During a few, he will sit with her but she said that she will need him for the main event. Only his angel can surprise him in every way. Studying her in his corner he was damn proud of himself. Therapy for his PTSD was helping and he was opening up more to his family. They will accompany him to
Second Time's A Charm 27.
The steady beating of her heart and her baby on the machine was soothing to Mikel but she was still worried. On her way to the hospital, she came in the ambulance and was given a full recap of what happened by Maggie. Her heart rate escalated when she was told about Killian's episode. Her blood pressure spiked and she began to worry immensely. Maggie and the EMT got her to calm down enough to keep the baby stable.Throughout all the examinations and consultations her mind was on Killian. When she got back to her room after the last ultrasound Kelsey and Vincent were there with equally worried expressions."What did they say? Can I go see him?" she asked after they fussed over her and got her side of the story."He's still out," Kelsey answered avoiding Mikel's eyes."Something went wrong didn't it?" she asked gravely."He woke up before they reached the hospital and had to restrain him. They actually have to keep him asleep, his sedative intake was doubled. I..I..." Kelsey couldn't co
Second Time's A Charm 26.
Mikel was locked away in her office at the clinic eyeing her birthday gift. No, it wasn't her birthday but the gift she refused to open after learning of his death.Vincent gave it to her two days ago before he officially left the Drummond ranch. Apparently, it fell out of her bag where she kept it for months and he held on to it."When the time is right you will open it."Apparently, he knew what the rectangular box held. A lot has been going on at the ranch and the clinic was her personal haven. It was the middle of the day and her animal patient visit was down to either four or six. "Two more months till you're here peanut. The doctor said three but I have a feeling you're gonna be hasty and reckless as your father," she said softly to her round belly."I wonder what you will look like. Will you have his eyes or mine? Brown hair like mommy or daddy's blonde hair. All I know is you're gonna be perfect." Her attention went back to the beautifully wrapped present. The pain and sadness
Second Time's A Charm 25.
Earlier in the monthAfter celebrating Kelsey and Corey's engagement, Vincent sat back and took it all in. He never thought he will be living a life away from what he loved - racing.He came searching in Montana for peace and to support Mikel. They both lost a large piece of their heart and can only lean on each other during that grief. It was conflicting when he found out about the budding relationship between her and Killian, but, that person was helping her heal. She had someone new and that man loved her with everything. Vincent expected nothing less when it came to Mikel. She was lovable in most aspects.In the office, he held the keys to his own place in his hands. Killian helped him in finding his own piece of heaven and with Mikel's blessing, he signed on the dotted line."Still too good to be true huh?" Mikel's voice rang out in the office."Yeah."He watched on as she sat on the sofa and kicked her legs up. "I remember when you joked about settling down," she commented."T
Second Time's A Charm 24.
A month has passed since the showdown with the mama witches. That was the name of the scenario thanks to Kelsey's creative mind.It has been a wonderful month by far. A lot has happened which made Mikel and Killian's world much brighter. The happiness of the other members of their family was contagious.The first wave of brightness that fell upon the house was from Kelsey and Corey.Earlier in the monthKelsey was nervous about the decision, more like a statement she was about to make. Not one to be waiting for help or be that damsel in distress, Kelsey Drummond has always been tough. Her strength and resilience were taken differently by both sexes.Women saw her as a tomboy, a woman who wants to be in the man's world way too much. Friendships between her and the women in town were strained. Acquaintances are more the label of their relationship. They were mildly jealous of her due to her beauty, a subtle grace that was shown in her walk, and even when she rides. Her brown eyes and da
Second Time's A Charm 23.
Mikel still had no clue as to what caused her to wake so early before a workday. The night before was still so fresh to her, she was still feeling the worry and fear along with the pain. The pain Killian re-lived when he showed her the last piece of him was felt in her heart also. They both bared all their battle scars to each other making their love stronger.Slowly she turned on her side, caressing her tummy while watching Killian slept. She felt a reflexive squeezing of her hand which made her smile. He fell asleep holding her hand and never once during the night released it. It was the same the previous night. The gesture was both heart melting and heart aching. The upside with him sleeping with her the past nights were no more night terrors."For me too," she said under her breath. Mikel no longer saw Dominic's bloody and mangled body in his car with regret in his eyes. Now she dreams of him in the suit she last saw him in smiling at her with so much love and adoration as she pla
Second Time's A Charm 22.
Dinner at the Drummond ranch was wary to the least. Killian returned home in a somber mood and everyone silently decided to let him be. They knew something happened but were willing to patiently wait till he opens up. The conversation was idle, Mikel wasn't worried much but it was there. Feeling tired from her long day she took to bed early. No one missed the lingering look Killian gave her when she left the dining room.Confusion and love were settled in his blue eyes when he turned back to them. "She knows it's Betty Ann?" he quietly asked."Yeah. I placed two and two together and came up with fork tongue bitch." Kelsey always had a way with words. Vincent and Corey erupted in laughter, Mama Roarke rolled her eyes trying her best to hide the smile and Killian pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.Where's the ladylike charm, little sis?"What about you? Did you figure it out?" Corey asked."I had a feeling she will do some shit after her sad out of a job tale but not this.
Second Time's A Charm 21.
"When did they try to hack into the system?""Two days after the newsreel. Security cameras found a night maid trying to get into my office but she was handled. We have her in custody now. All trails lead right back to your mother. She isn't privy to our knowledge."Mikel was currently on an urgent video call with her friend Chaswick. Vincent was present in the office but in a serious conversation with Dominic's head of security."The files they tried to get a hold of. What were they?" she asked.Chaswick brought up a mirror screen of the file number her mother was trying to access. "Dominic's will?!""And the deeds along with every stipulation for the businesses he placed in your name," Chaswick added. She looked at him, who gave her a nod and sat back in his chair. She warned him of her mother's tactics just to get her hand on the company's account. It was always about money for her. Absentmindedly she watched as the sun played with his chestnut brown hair and lit up his ocean-blue
