All Chapters of Second Time's A Charm: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

My 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 h

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

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

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

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