Ava Bartholomew, NYC socialite and heiress, has decided to get away from it all to visit her sister in Seattle – but fate had other ideas. Within seconds, Ava turns into a girl with no home, no family, or memories of her past. She has to fend for herself in the community and culture of Montana. Ava had cut a few lucky breaks after her accident, meeting people who were willing to help her get on her feet – including Raymond Steele. He is way older than her but she doesn’t care. Ava decides that she wants him despite his standoffish personality and rudeness. Ray wasn’t overly willing to hire the amnesia-stricken Ava but sympathy tugged at his heart during a weak moment. Now the brunette beauty is waltzing around his house everyday taking care of his kids and his home. Ray wasn’t always an aloof man. A deep betrayal had turned him into an absentee father and a jerk. Ava is determined to mend Ray’s broken heart and family. However, a what if looms over them. Ava’s amnesia. Her past could come rushing back, destroying the Steele family once again and break Ava’s heart in the process.
View MoreJesse wore a brown Stetson, blue jeans that were nice and tight around his buttocks and a long-sleeved, ivory buttoned-down shirt. His features were attractive, nose of average size, brown eyes, and a smile that would make Ms. America contestants swoon. Ava did find him attractive but she found Ray more physically attractive with his chiseled jaw and his once in a while unshaved shadow. Him being in his fifties just made him more handsome and distinguished. His metallic-colored hair shimmered in the sunlight sometimes. If Ray had Jesse’s personality, she might make an outright pass at him. But Jesse was nice enough and seemed fun. Ava could use some fun. Ava had put on a brown leather skirt that came above her knees and a semolina-colored blouse. She left the first two buttons undone. “What do you want to try first? The tequila or the beer?” Jesse asked. Ava picked up the beer mug. “Beer it is,” Jesse said as he leaned back i
Saturday night . . . Ava had cooked racks of lamb, asparagus, and roasted potatoes for dinner. It was the first time she had cooked lamb and it turned out great. The boys seemed to like it. Ava had wrapped up a plate for Ray and put it in the microwave as usual. She hadn’t seen him since the day they had all gone riding and she was glad – in a way. Despite his attitude, he was easy on the eyes. But Jesse was handsome, too, in his own right and she would be looking at him half the night. Ava and the kids walked out of the kitchen to the living room. “Will you two be all right until your father gets home?” Apparently, Ray, Gill, and Wes rode out on the range to check on a small herd that had wandered to the east end of the property. “Yeah,” Dax said as he plopped down in an arm chair. He swung his leg over one of the arms. “Are you going to get ready for your date with Uncle Jesse?” Tom asked as he sat down Indian s
Monday . . . Since Saturday afternoon, Ray had avoided Ava like the plague and she was glad of it. He hadn’t sat down at meal times with the boys or Jesse. And when Ray was at home, he went straight to his bedroom or study. Jesse had come by her quarters Saturday night after they had all gone out for dinner. He had brought her two pieces of pepperoni pizza. “Don’t let Ray upset you. It was obvious you remembered that you knew how to ride and very well I might add.” “Thank you,” she had said and took the small box that said Frank’s on top of it. “Sure. And one more thing. Ray doesn’t want the boys to know you have amnesia. That’s why he interrupted out there this afternoon. It was obvious you were going to tell them.” “Yes, but it’s not a secret.” “Well, Ray wants it to be a secret from the boys. He said he didn’t want the boys to know you were sick. He’s afraid it might upset Tom and . . .
Ava, Ray, Jesse, and the boys had ridden out to the stables. Ray was a little surprised when Ava immediately took an interest in the horses. Her brown eyes literally lit up. “Oh, aren’t you a beauty,” Ava said as she approached the American Albino. “I just finished breaking him in two weeks ago,” Ray said. “So be careful. You never know.” “Oooh, I’m sure we’ll get along fine,” Ava cooed as she rubbed the side of the Albino’s jaw. “What’s your name, darling?” “His name is Whisper,” Tom answered. “How cute. I’ll ride this one,” Ava said with too much confidence. She hadn’t ridden before. “You should ride Ella instead. She’s used to beginners,” Ray stated. Ava opened the door to the stall like he had never said a word. “Well, looks like we’re saddling up Whisper,” Jesse commented. Ray didn’t like it but the way Ava was acting she didn’t give a damn. What had gotten into
As told, Ava had breakfast on the table at eight. Ray asked Dax for more details concerning the game last night. If you would have come last night, you wouldn’t have to ask. Yet, she kept quiet as Dax answered his father’s questions. That’s when she realized that Dax wasn’t as enthusiastic as he was last night at the diner or coming home when talking about the game. Ray didn’t ask Tom anything at all. Matter of fact, Ray hadn’t even said good morning to anyone. He just sat at the kitchen table and started talking. Ray finished his breakfast and told the boys he would see them at lunch at left. No have a good day. I’ll be at such and such in case you guys need me. Nothing of the sort at all. Ava began to clear Ray’s dishes. She had been quietly eating in the corner next to the sink. She did that because she didn’t want to infringe on their family time, but she wanted to be close enough just in case one of them needed something
It was half time and the game was tied fourteen to fourteen. Jock and Gill went with Tom to the bathroom as Ava and Jesse got refreshments at the concession stand for everyone. Ava thought it was a good time to pick Jesse’s brain as they waited in line. “It’s a hell of a game, isn’t it?” Jesse said. “It is. Very exciting. And I had no idea that Dax was the quarterback – or that he could run so fast.” “So, you like football.” “It appears so,” Ava said. “Who knew?” “Are you following the game all right?” “I got the gist of it.” “If you’re confused about something, just ask, okay? I won’t mind.” “Thanks. But right now, I have questions that isn’t about the game itself,” Ava said. “Why can’t Ray make time for Dax’s games? Even some of the ranch hands are here to support him and they’re not his uncle like you.” “Well, they’ve all known Dax since he was a baby, number one
Two days later . . . Ava walked to the back of Ray’s home with Ray behind her. She carried her trusty carry-on as Ray carried her one suitcase. She only had the clothes Mrs. Porter had given her. It was about a week and a half worth of clothes at the most. Mrs. Porter had also given her a hundred and fifty dollars for spending money, kissed her goodbye, and wished her luck. Ava had tried to tell her she didn’t need the cash. She still had most of the money she had found in her carry-on after the accident. “Stay in touch now,” Mrs. Porter had said as Ava got into the Uber. “Keep walking past the pool. The place you’ll be staying is up ahead,” Ray said behind her. Ava did as instructed. He could be a gruff speaking man at times, but as long as she did the job to his satisfactory she shouldn’t have any big problems from him. “Here?” She pointed at a small building that was only a few feet away from the pool.
The ranch hands were filing into the room like they were starving to death. Dirty and tired from the range, they were looking forward to a home cooked meal – and they wanted it on time. It was five minutes after twelve and there was no sign of Ava. However, stacks of bowls were already on the table and place settings with spoons and napkins were already down.“What she do? Cook the meal and leave?” Ray asked flippantly as he crossed his arms over his chest.Ray and Jesse stepped inside.“I doubt it since I drove her here. I’m sure Ava has everything under control,” Jesse said. “I smell food and it doesn’t smell bad at all.”Ray grunted.“I’m going to let her know we’re ready.”“Oh, no, you don’t,” Ray said. “You’re going to check on her and try to help her. She has to get through today on her own.”“I guess if she doesn’t you won’t hire her.”“That’s right.”The boys began beating their fists on the table. They didn’t have much patience this time around.Jesse’s right brow crinkled. T
The Cross Creek Ranch was over thirty thousand acres. Ava couldn’t comprehend that much land. The Steele family raised cattle and bred horses. Mrs. Porter had helped Ava grocery shop and gave her a few recipes to choose from but that was it. That was the limitation of her help for the exception of giving her a few tips. One being, to arrive at the ranch as early as possible to start cooking the meal. The ranch hands were coming off the range after being out there for almost a week. They were expecting a good hot meal. Mrs. Porter arranged for Jesse Steele to pick Ava up along with the weighty pound of groceries to drive her out to the ranch. Jesse drove a dark gray Ford Ranger. It looked brand new. Jesse and Ava had made small talk until they left the Helena city limits. “Mrs. Porter told us you were in a plane crash out in Willow Springs,” Jesse began. “I was.” “She said you lost your memory. Like you have amnesi
“I know it’s short notice, darling, but I didn’t make this decision on a whim,” Ava said over her cell. She was riding in the back of one of her father’s many limousines. “And I won’t be gone forever.” “I know but I will miss you,” Catherine said with a sad tone. Catherine was Ava’s best friend – from Ava’s side of things. Ava laughed a little. “Are you sure you won’t miss having me under foot? You are a married woman now.” “Of course, I’ll miss you. Cameron will, too. You know he’s grown fond of you.” Cameron Townsend was Catherine’s husband. “That’s good to know,” Ava said with a smile. She glanced out the window. “Oh, I have to go. The driver is pulling into JFK now.” “All right. Call me when you can.” “I will. Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.” Ava clicked off. Ava Bartholomew was twenty-seven-years-old and had no vision, purpose, prospects, or even a man in her life. Everyone she knew was either m
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