In His Will Read Free Page A

I’m sorry. I can’t believe Miller even put that as an option. I’ve got more pride and sense than to marry a woman to get land. Judging from today, you’re still reeling from your own loss.”
    “Maybe I should just hire a consultant.”
    Dylan pulled his truck to an abrupt stop next to her apartment building. He twisted to face her, his eyes alight with ire. “Not a chance, lady. You stick some idiot in there who messes things up, and the profit margin will be too low. You’re not putting my future in someone else’s hands.”
    “So you expect me to place my future in your hands?”
    “You got that straight.” He slid out of the truck and opened her door. Towering over her, he gritted, “Get it in your pretty little head right now: I’m running the show.”
    “Not unless I say so. I could take the money and let the developers cement in the whole place!” Sondra marched to her apartment, let herself in, and shut the door. A glance showed Dylan standing on the pavement, his hands on his hips and a scowl darkening his much-too-handsome features. If she accepted the conditions of the will and kept control of her life and affairs, she’d have an enemy for a neighbor.
    Two hours later, Sondra looked around her cramped apartment. Her teacher’s salary qualified as modest, and hefty college loans ate into her budget. Fifteen thousand dollars would barely get her out of debt. Financially, she needed to work—and she’d be forced to leave the baby with a sitter all of the time once it came. On the ranch, I can be a full-time mother. Miller did that for you and me, sweetie.
    She slumped on the sofa and rested her hand over her slightly rounded tummy. Just last week, she’d started to wear maternity clothes. They weren’t absolutely necessary, but some of her regular clothes felt binding. Three months of morning sickness had made her weight dip dangerously. Then, too, grieving didn’t do much for her appetite. Most women looked noticeably pregnant by the beginning of their sixth month.
    Lord, I don’t know what to do. Guide me.
    In the quiet, reality started to sink in. Miller’s friendship was such a blessing. When everything else fell apart, he cared and showed God’s love to me. I’ve been praying for months now. I’ve asked God to show me His will. Could this be it?
    By taking the ranch, she’d have to work hard—but that was nothing new. With this, she’d be financially stable. She’d have a place all of her own, a forever-ours home in which to rear her son, and they wouldn’t have to scrimp from week to week. Of all the people Miller knew, all the lives he touched, he’d singled her out. Why? She’d never know, but she’d eternally be grateful.
    What did she know about ranching? She was twenty-five and never once rode a horse. Cattle were cute, splotchy animals in picture books. Yes, she did a creditable moo sound. Other than that, ignorance abounded.
    The simple fact of the matter hit hard—she needed to enlist some sound help. Miller planned on having her go to Dylan Ward for advice. She ought to abide by Miller’s wishes—even though Dylan had gotten overbearing. Truth was, she needed him.
    Regardless of his dissatisfaction with the will, Dylan needed to work with her. He had too much riding on it—thirty percent of the value of the livestock and an awesome chunk of land, to be precise. If he tried to take his anger out on her, he’d be cheating himself, too. Whether she liked Dylan or not, Miller trusted him. That was the best endorsement she could get. For whatever reason, Miller bound them together in the deal, and their futures hinged on cooperating to keep the Curly Q profitable. Her child’s future depended on things working out, so she was going to have to set aside her ironclad rule of self-determination and control.
    She splayed her fingers over her tummy and slowly rubbed a few circles. “Miller did this so I could be there for you all of the time. Maybe that’s God’s