Pregnant with the Rancher's Baby: Reclaimed by the Rancher

Turning on the computer, he took one last look at the image of his baby girl before propping it up against the monitor and opening the internet browser. He might be scared half out of his mind of all the things he would face being the father of a daughter, but he was going to protect Jessie and his little girl in every way he could. They were counting on him and he wasn’t going to let them down. He was going to get his act together this time and do things the right way or die trying.

Seven

When Jaron dropped by the following afternoon, Nate took him to see the new herd of Black Angus cattle he and his men had moved to the south pasture a couple of weeks ago. “I’ll be adding a herd of working horses after the first of the year.” Nate propped his forearms on the gate as they watched the stock graze on the thick Bermuda grass.

“You’ll need them,” Jaron said, nodding. “When we were helping you stretch new fence last spring, I noticed you have a couple of places on the eastern side of the ranch that are so grown up with scrub and downed trees they’re only accessible on horseback.”

“Yeah, over the years storms have taken down a lot of trees and the previous owner wasn’t all that interested in cleaning them up,” Nate explained. “I’ve got clearing those areas on the to-do list for next spring and summer.” He shrugged. “That’s if there’s enough time to get to them between cutting and putting up hay in the barn for next winter and everything else that we’ll have to do.”

“You know who to call if you need some extra hands to get it all done,” Jaron stated. It didn’t surprise Nate that Jaron had volunteered himself and the rest of their brothers to help out. All any of them had to do was pick up the phone and they would be there in a heartbeat to lend a hand.

“What about rodeo?” Nate asked. “The summer schedule is the busiest time on the circuit. How are you going to juggle competing and helping me get all this stuff done?”

“I’m going to cut way back on the number of events I enter this next year—if I compete at all.” Shrugging one shoulder, Jaron gave a half smile. “The competition is getting younger, the bulls are meaner and I’m looking at getting out before I get hurt too bad to enjoy my retirement.”

Nate knew what his brother meant. He was thirty-three and Jaron was thirty-four. Once a rough stock rider turned thirty, the clock started to tick. Between the inevitable injuries, and the wear and tear of competition taking a toll on a rider’s body, he had five or so years left that he would be healthy enough to compete at the world-championship level. As with any other highly physical professional sport there were exceptions to the rule. But not all that many.

“I’ve been giving it some serious thought the past week or so myself and I’m thinking about hanging up my chaps and spurs after the finals this year,” Nate said, staring out across the pasture. “I figure I’d rather go out a winner than a has-been.”

Jaron nodded. “That’s what I’ve been thinking. I’ll bet Jessie’s happy about your decision. I know she was pretty upset when you got roughed up in Amarillo.”

“I haven’t told her yet,” Nate said, shaking his head. “But I don’t think she’ll be sorry to hear it.” They were silent for a time before Nate admitted, “Finding out that I’m going to be a daddy has been a game changer for me. Jessie and the baby are going to need me and I’m determined I’m not going to let them down. I can’t be there for them if I’m too gimped up to get around.”

“I was wondering if that might not have played a big part in your decision,” Jaron admitted.

Nate knew his brother would understand. Like Nate and Sam’s, Jaron’s father had been anything but a positive role model for his son.

“I know a lot of other riders have wives and kids and don’t think twice about competing in the rough-stock events.” Nate shook his head. “But you and I have watched a couple of friends die in past years because of wrecks in the arena and I want to make sure I don’t put Jessie and our daughter through that.”

“The baby is a girl?” Jaron asked, sounding incredulous. When Nate nodded, his brother threw back his head and laughed out loud. “After chasing skirts all these years it’s only right that you have a little girl to worry about. Now you’ll know what the fathers of all those women went through worrying about their daughters going out with you.”