The Cowboys Heart

Inheritance

Chapter 1: Inheritance

Harper Taylor had always loved the city. The hustle and bustle of New York City's streets, the towering buildings casting shadows over the sidewalks, and the constant hum of life that filled every corner. She thrived in it. As an ambitious marketing executive, she had built a successful career and a life she was proud of. High-rise apartment, impeccable wardrobe, a long list of accomplishments—she was living the dream.

But now, standing on the steps of the lawyer's office, she clutched the envelope that had arrived two weeks ago, shattering her carefully curated life. Her grandfather's passing had been sudden, and though they hadn't been especially close in recent years, the news hit her harder than she expected. She hadn't seen him much since she was a teenager, but he had been a strong, steady figure in her childhood, always writing her letters when she was away, always reminding her of the wide, open land that had once been her playground.

And now that land was hers.

"Come in, Ms. Taylor," the lawyer, Mr. Edmonds, said kindly, holding the door open for her. She stepped into the quiet office, the scent of leather and aged paper filling the air.

Harper took a seat at the oak desk, her eyes drifting to the framed pictures on the walls, photos of her grandfather in his prime—riding horses, shaking hands with fellow ranchers, and, in one particularly endearing photo, holding a much younger Harper on his knee as they sat on the front porch of the ranch house. The memory hit her like a wave.

"So, as you know, your grandfather, Walter Taylor, has left his entire estate to you," Mr. Edmonds began, breaking the silence. "This includes the ranch—Taylor Ridge."

Taylor Ridge. The name conjured up images of golden fields and endless skies, a place that felt worlds away from her current reality. Harper swallowed hard, nodding.

"What does that entail, exactly?" she asked, her voice steady despite the swirl of emotions inside her.

"The ranch is roughly two hundred acres of land, including the main house, a barn, stables, and various outbuildings," Mr. Edmonds explained, adjusting his glasses. "Your grandfather was a well-respected rancher in this town. The land has been in your family for generations, passed down since the 1800s. He also had livestock—horses and cattle, primarily. He had a small staff, including a ranch manager who has been there for years, Colton Hayes."

Harper's brow furrowed. "Colton Hayes?"

Mr. Edmonds smiled. "Yes, he's been running much of the day-to-day operations for quite some time. Your grandfather trusted him implicitly."

Harper felt a strange twinge in her chest at the thought of someone else running the ranch, someone she didn't know. "I assume he'll want to continue managing things?"

Mr. Edmonds nodded. "He's expressed as much, but of course, the decision is entirely yours. You could sell the property, though the land has significant sentimental and historical value. Many in town would be disappointed to see it go to an outsider."

Sell the property. Harper's mind spun. The idea of selling the ranch and returning to her city life was tempting. What did she know about ranching? She hadn't set foot on Taylor Ridge in over a decade. And yet, something inside her resisted the idea of letting it go so easily.

"I'll need to see it for myself," Harper said finally. "I'll head down there this week."

Mr. Edmonds smiled warmly. "I think that's a wise choice, Ms. Taylor. Your grandfather would've wanted you to see what he spent his life building."

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur of paperwork and legal explanations. By the time Harper left the office, she was filled with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. She had her ticket booked and her bags packed by the following evening.