and their relationship. After dinner she’d insist on starting her new job tomorrow. Nicolino would understand. Having emigrated from Italy to Texas almost twenty-five years ago, he’d begun a new life on this very ranch and worked his way up to general operations manager. Now it was her turn, and Lucy refused to allow anything to get in the way.
* * *
LANE MORGAN LEFT the bunkhouse before sunrise. He could barely contain his excitement as he made his way to the Bridle Dance Ranch stables. The rumor was Nicolino Travisonno had gathered many of the ranch employees to announce Lane’s long-awaited promotion to barn manager. He’d known the day was coming, but he hadn’t expected this much fanfare.
He had worked beside the last barn manager on the quarter-of-a-million-acre paint and cutting horse ranch since he was a teenager. An after-school job had turned full time once he’d graduated high school. When Curly had announced his retirement last month, Lane had expected Nicolino to offer him the position then. Curly’s last day had come and gone over three weeks ago, and Lane continued to wait. He’d been doing Curly’s job ever since and at this point an official announcement was only a formality.
“Today’s the day.” A ranch hand slapped him on the back. “You deserve it.”
That he did. Lane hadn’t been fortunate enough to attend college full time the way many of his friends had, but he’d managed to take night classes as time permitted. At twenty-eight, he still had another two years to go until he earned his bachelor’s degree, and he was determined to do it. Curly wasn’t college educated, but he’d been the best barn manager anyone could’ve hoped for. Lane had apprenticed under the man, studying everything equine and stable related he could find. Curly had groomed him for this promotion, and Lane was confident it was his.
Along with everyone else, Lane filed into the country French stone and stucco stables. The building had been nicknamed the Horse Mansion due to its rivaling the size of a football field.
“May I have everyone’s attention, please?” Nicolino’s voice boomed as the crowd converged in the timber-framed center area. They quieted down, leaving only the sound of an occasional horse neigh to break the electrified silence. “As you’re all aware, Curly’s retirement left a vacancy in the barn manager position.”
The hair on the back of Lane’s neck rose in anticipation. He heard somebody whisper “Good luck” behind him. Nodding silently, he focused his attention on Nicolino.
“Today I’m proud to award the position to Lucy Travisonno.”
“Who?” someone called out from the other side of the room.
Lane lifted his eyes to the front of the crowd. He swore his heart stopped beating at the sight of her. His first love and the woman who’d vanished from his life without so much as a word.
Time had treated her well. She was more beautiful than he remembered—her light olive complexion appeared illuminated by the morning sunlight filtering in from above through the large Craftsman-style windows. Her hazel-green eyes met his and for a brief moment he thought he saw her waver, as though she was as surprised to see him as he was to see her. Quickly recovering, she squared her shoulders and looked at her attentive audience. She’d always had the ability to captivate people.
“I’m very excited to be here and I look forward to meeting every one of you.” Lucy scanned the room, but seemed to avoid the area where he stood. “When you see me around, please say hello and introduce yourself. But be patient—there are a lot of you and I’m not always great with remembering names. Although I do recognize some of you from many years ago.”
Lane wasn’t sure which to react to—the fact that Lucy was back in town or that she’d stolen his promotion. At the very least, Nicolino could have told him privately. He of all people knew how this would affect him. The sound of everyone talking at once roared in his ears.
Lucy stepped down from the small raised area and Nicolino began speaking again. Lane couldn’t concentrate on the words. He needed fresh air.
Outside, he took a few deep breaths. Most people knew when to avoid him and this was definitely one of those times. As everyone filed out of the stables, a few glanced his way, but most steered clear. When he saw Nicolino, he quickly caught up to the man.
“What gives?” Lane demanded. The ranch hands and grooms within listening distance turned toward them.
“Not here.” Nicolino motioned to the small outdoor stable office near the main corral. Following him inside, Nicolino closed the door. “I know you’re surprised to see Lucy again.”
Lane snorted. “Well, there’s that and the fact you gave your cousin my promotion. What experience does she have?”
“Lane.” Nicolino held up his hands. “It was never your promotion. I considered you as a candidate and I decided on Lucy. I applaud your enthusiasm and continuing your education, but I have to put this business first. I’m sorry, but you don’t have the skill set it takes to be barn manager of a ranch this size. Lucy does. She has a master’s degree in equine science and will probably earn her doctorate in the near future. You can learn a lot from her, providing you put what happened between you two in the past.”
Lane’s shoulders slumped as he attempted to digest Nicolino’s words. The last he’d seen of Lucy, she’d been a party girl with absolutely no direction in life. The little she knew about horses back then had come from what he’d taught her during the summers on the ranch. He’d worked with horses all his life and had been her teacher. How could she be better suited for the job than him?
“It shouldn’t just be about education. Practical experience should carry more weight.” Lane’s jaw tightened. “You knew all along you would never promote me to barn manager, didn’t you?”
Nicolino lowered his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. “When Curly announced his retirement, I immediately thought the job would be perfect for Lucy. That’s not to say I hadn’t considered you, too. And before you say it—no, I didn’t choose Lucy because she’s family. I chose her because she’s better qualified.”
Lane’s stomach hardened. Curly had announced his retirement six weeks ago. All this time he’d thought the position had been his. “You could have told me at any point between then and now. Letting me find out in front of everyone was cruel. I know you’ve never been my biggest fan. You made that clear when I dated Lucy ten years ago and you’ve never let me forget it, but a little respect would’ve been appreciated.”
“You’re right.” Nicolino nodded. “I knew how much you wanted it and I should’ve told you. It has nothing to do with you once dating Lucy—it was strictly a business decision. That being said, I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that she’s your new boss. You’re an excellent employee and I need you here, but if working with her is going to be a problem, you may want to start looking elsewhere. Lucy’s here to stay.”
Nicolino’s words punched him in the gut. He could work for a woman. He could even work for Lucy, but he didn’t feel he should have to. Nicolino was wrong. He was qualified to manage Bridle Dance and he’d prove it.
“Understood.” Lane left the office and headed for the stables where he’d last seen Lucy. Their reunion had been a long time coming and Lane wished it were in a private setting instead of the middle of his workplace. Spotting her halfway up the spiral staircase leading to the main administrative offices, Lane called out to her.
“Lucy, do you have a minute?”
She
