Love Unexpected

Chapter 1

Wyoming
Sheridan County.

The Golden Bow Ranch

Two days, it's been two days since Halyn Beckley left New York and everything she knew was behind. For starters, she couldn't believe how stupid she was for not noticing all the signs that had indicated something was going on or something of this sort was going to happen.

'How could I have been so naive?'

The twenty-eight-year-old chided herself, furiously wiping at the tears that streamed down her face, she got out of bed and made it to the window to stare out, it was dark outside save for the lights coming from the surrounding bunkhouses, barn and stable littered around the ranch. It was mostly empty and quiet since most of the ranch hands had taken the cattle out to graze in the range, this she was privy to because one of the hands had informed her upon arrival.

This was her last resort, the only place she could hide out and put the broken pieces of herself together. It was the place of her birth, where she had spent the first eight years of her childhood life before her mother had moved the two of them to New York to chase after her dream of becoming a renowned interior designer. She had accomplished that and more, even going as far as owning her company. But that had come at a grave cost leading to a bitter separation between both her parents.

With a father who wouldn't leave the land of his birth...of his ancestors and a stubborn mother who wanted more out of life than the boring ranch life she had settled for, since both weren't ready to sacrifice and compromise they called it quits after nine years of marriage, got a divorced and went their separate way.

Halyn could still clearly remember that day, as her proud father had stood on the porch and watched them leave with her younger self hysterically crying and throwing tantrums in hopes her father would intervene but he hadn't even bothered to move a muscle and had watched on.

Then later her stubborn wishful heart had hoped and waited for him to come get them and bring them back home. Halyn soon realised the painful way that her prideful and egotistical father was never coming, no matter how long she waited by the door. It had been difficult, but she had eventually come to terms that her father had cut them off and she had been doing fine without any thoughts about her estranged father until five months back.

Unprepared, she had been hit with the news of his death by his lawyer who had contacted her only to inform her of his last will. Being his only child and heir, everything he had owned, his "cherished" ranch and all his land had been willed over to her. And no matter had much Halyn tried to wrap her head around it she just couldn't make it make sense.

Twenty years without being in contact with your only daughter then the only time she hears anything from you is after your death? That was just not right.

Halyn had bitterly thought.

She could recall just how angry she had been that day and had nearly asked his lawyer to sell everything of his and donate the money to charity, but thank God her mother had talked some sense into her. This place had become her safe refuge for the past two days and she was beginning to like it here, even though she hadn't stepped a foot out of this room since her arrival.

Walking up to the bedside table, she grabbed hold of the lifeless phone and finally turned it on. Halyn knew very well her mother would be worried sick about her since she had just disappeared without a word but didn't care, all she wanted was some peace.