The Ranch Series Book 1: The Ranch
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D. M. Farrell
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16.4K
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46
Ash’s world tilts when her dad runs into trouble, leaving her with no option but to stay at his friend’s ranch until life settles again. She arrives expecting peace and chores, not a moody cowboy who manages to annoy her within minutes. Cody has his own reasons for bristling, but their sparks fly so fast the whole ranch feels the heat. Between horses, pranks, and Allan stirring mischief like it’s his full-time job, Ash slowly finds a rhythm she didn’t know she needed. And as stubborn hearts collide, each step brings them closer to a connection neither wants to admit—but both feel anyway.
Chapter 1
ASH
“Miss Skipson. I’m sorry to have approached you in this manner, but something important has been brought to our attention.”
Sitting in the dean’s office, Mr. Beal interlaced his fingers atop his overly shiny wooden workspace.
I couldn’t meet his gaze as he pinned me with his unusually large eyeballs that I swore could see right through to your soul. “I’m sorry I was late. I will do my best to ensure it never happens again,” I spluttered.
He raised his palm to stop my blundering vocals. “This has nothing to do with your attendance.”
“Oh?”
“It has everything to do with the last installment for your tuition fee, which hasn’t been paid.”
I was only half listening because I was so tired and functioning on zero caffeine. “That’s a relief. Wait, what?”
“The payment was due a few months ago. Normally, we would bring this up straight away, but because you are such a good student here, minus the minor attendance issue, we’ve emailed your father more times than I can count and gave you the benefit of the doubt.
“The payment, however, still hasn’t gone through, so unfortunately, I have no choice but to terminate your animal behavior course and ask you to leave the premises immediately.” His words entered my ears but weren’t sinking in.
“I’m sorry, say that again?”
He tilted his head to one side, furrowing his brow. “Your tuition fee has not been paid in full, and we’re terminating your course.”
“But I… My dad said he—”
“Look, Miss Skipson.” He leaned forward, the chair creaking, his eyes bulging further if that was even possible. “Ashley, I know you’ve been through a lot, but there is nothing I can do. I wish there was, but my hands are tied, and the other deans won’t stand for it.”
I raked two hands over my face and puffed out a heavy breath. This cannot be happening. College was the only thing in my life that was going right.
“I can see how much stress you’re under, and if there’s anything I could do, I would.”
Picking at the invisible lint on my jeans, I knew this was a lost cause, but I had to try something. “Let me stay, please. Could I help in some way? Maybe in the library or become a tutor for the students who are struggling?
“There has to be something I can do. Please. I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding. Just let me finish the course. I only have a year left.”
“Like I said, my hands are tied. We’ve tried contacting your father on numerous occasions, and he refuses to reply. Without sufficient funds, you cannot continue to further your education with us. I am sorry.”
Burying my head in my hands, I groaned out loud. Mr. Beal appeared by my side, offering his hand. Rising to my feet, I took his hand, and he shook it while leading me to the door. Clearly, this conversation was over.
“You have been a formidable student. I’m sorry it had to come to this. If you can ever pay the fee, then please come and see me directly, and I’ll reinstate you immediately.”
Left in the corridor, I stood for a minute, paused in time as though what just happened wasn’t real.
“There you are! Here, I brought you this.” Katie handed me my morning caffeine, which I should have had first thing. “What happened?”
“I’m not too sure. I need to speak to my dad. There seems to be some sort of mix-up.”
Finlay laid an arm over my shoulders, rubbing my upper arm with his thumb. “Whatever it is, I’m sure we can sort it out.”
“And what if we can’t? What if the dean’s right and Dad hasn’t paid the fee?”
“Oh God, is it really that bad? This course was going to open a load of doors for you in animal care. What are you going to do now?”
Trust Katie to pick out the issue I hadn’t even thought of.
I paled and handed the cup to Finlay before I spilled it. “I have no idea! Oh God—” My stomach lurched and my chest tightened. My breathing became erratic.
“Hey, just breathe. Calm down, call your dad. I’m sure it isn’t as bad as the dean said.” Her hand on my back helped, and I took a deep breath.
“Here, take a sip. It might help.”
As much as I believed caffeine was my answer to everything, unless it was hiding thousands of dollars in this small cup, I doubted it was going to help. I took a sip anyway and screwed my face up. “It’s cold.”
Katie snorted. “Well, it would have been warm if you were here on time.”
“That wasn’t my fault. I was working at the bar until one thirty in the morning! The mess the bachelor party left took Tyler and me over an hour to clear up!”
“That sucks,” Finlay retorted and pressed me closer into his side. I shrugged him off. “We’ve got another class, Katie. Ash, are you coming?”
“I can’t. Look, I’ll explain later. If I manage to sort this out, will you take notes for me so I don’t fall too far behind?”
“Sure will,” Katie replied, giving me a tight hug. “Call me later.”
“I will.” I only hoped I had good news for her.
Finlay gave me a tight, thin-lipped smile and headed off down the hall with Katie.
How did this morning turn into such a giant mess? There was no prior warning. This is a nightmare! Now my head hurt and my stomach churned with the thought of having to leave.
If I didn’t attend college, I’d have no degree, which meant no job prospects. I couldn’t work in the bar my whole life. My dream was to work with animals, and how could I do that without the education to get me there?
Damn it! Dad should have told me he was struggling. I knew things were tight, but it couldn’t be this bad. Checking the time, I saw it was past ten o’clock, but he might still be in bed.
Taking my chances, I called him while making my way to the college entrance, or should I say exit, considering I could no longer return.
“Ash?” Dad said groggily over the phone after clearing his throat a few times. “Everything okay?”
“No, not really. They threw me out!”
“Who did?”
“The dean! Mr. Beal said the fee wasn’t paid.” I scowled. “Please tell me they made a mistake.”
He went silent for a minute before I heard the familiar sound of the TV. He was never up at this time. Did he not go to bed? I didn’t see him in his chair this morning, but then again, I was in a mad rush.
“Dad?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?” His voice was softer than before.
“What are you not telling me?” Another pause, only this time there was shuffling and then the hiss of a bottle opening. “Dad, do you think drinking is going to solve anything?”
“No, but it makes me feel better.”
I took a few long deep breaths to keep my annoyance at bay. “Tell me, Dad, are we in some sort of trouble?”
“I never wanted you to find out this way, but yes.”
I straightened up, concern rattling through my body. “What kind of trouble?” I was already thinking of scenarios and ways I could get us out of it.
“Financial. It’s bad, Ash. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, Dad, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“But I could have done something about it. Asked for a pay raise, got another job, anything.”
“You’re already doing too much for us. It isn’t fair on you keeping us above water. I should have sorted myself out months ago and taken charge.”
“Then what are we going to do?”
“I’ve contacted a friend of mine. Daryl has a ranch, and he’s agreed to let you stay until I get us out of this mess. I’m afraid I can’t afford to keep us both while I try and get my life back together—our lives.”
“You’re sending me away?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that to me today?”
“Because I don’t!”
“But for how long?”
“I can’t say. Daryl has given me some of his contacts he used a while back, and I’ve arranged a meeting to seek help.”
“I should stay and help you through this.”
“I would love you to, but I can’t afford it, Ash. I’m barely able to feed one person, never mind two. The electricity is getting cut off tomorrow because I haven’t been able to pay the bill.”
“I don’t want to go. I’ll stay with Katie, Tyler, even Fin! Anyone, as long as I can be around. You’re going to need me, and I’m sure they won’t mind me bunking with them for a while.”
“Ash, stop. You are going to be living on a ranch! With animals. You’ll be working with them, gaining experience, and doing what you love. You will have the time of your life.”
“Do I get a choice in this?”
“No, I’m sorry, but it’s all arranged.”
“What about my job?”
“You’ll have to quit.”
“What? But—” Words failed me.
