Chapter 1

He adored this time of the day. Spring was in the air and the scent of flowers blooming filtered into his nostrils. Patting the sweating flanks of his restless horse, Taj Byrne dismounted, looping the reins over a nearby sapling.

Taking off his hat, he combed long fingers through the thick shoulder-length blonde hair before dropping down to sit on a smooth stone facing the stream. Dipping his hand into the clear, cold water, he watched as it trickled through his fingers, his expression absent.

The scare was over of course. Their physician was monitoring his grandfather's heart attack. It had been a harrowing week, one where he had been unable to concentrate on running the ranch for fear that he was losing his grandfather.

Thomas Byrne was the heart and soul of the family and even though he was pushing eighty-five, his vibrant personality and the strong bond between them was something Taj was not certain he could do without.

He had been ordered to take it easy, which meant no longer taking his horse for early morning rides or drinking his favorite scotch and having the occasional cigar. His meals would now be closely monitored and his habit of sneaking sweets from the kitchen would now be curtailed.

He had grumbled and put up a fight, but they were all determined to carry through with the doctor's orders.

"We want you around for another ten years at least." Theodore, his son, and Taj's dad had told him firmly. "And if I have to personally see to it that you obey every one of these rules, I guarantee you, I will."

Taj had seconded it by telling him solemnly. "I need you, Gramps. Dad and I need you and you must think about that."

It was almost dawn, which meant that it was time to rouse himself and get on with his day. There were steers to rope and the spring picking of fruits to see to. A fresh set of horseflesh will be coming in later today.

The spring weather, although a welcome change from the harsh winter that seemed to continue forever, had brought a deluge of rain that led to flooding in some areas.

Vagrants had somehow managed to cut through the chain link, leaving a gaping hole in the east side of the property. That had to be mended and fortified. It was a damn nuisance, and something was going to have to be done about that particular worry.

Three of the ranch hands were down with a vicious case of the virus going around, which left them shorthanded. Seasonal workers would be passing through looking for a place to bunk down and make some extra cash and they would soon be inundated with an entire cast and crew in just a few days.

Taj had signed off on the agreement, but he was not certain this was a good time and he had said as much to his dad.

"I thought you were the one who said it would be good for the ranch."

"I know I did, but we also have visitors coming to gawk and ask stupid questions once a week, which is something we should think of doing away with."

"It's up to you, son."

The cast and crew would be arriving over the weekend, which meant that they were going to have to make certain that the ranch was up to scratch. Southern Ranch was a huge entity and had been in the Byrne family for more than a hundred years.

Certainly, since his forebears had arrived from Ireland to settle in the magnificent and fertile town of Southern Township. The family had quickly taken over the underpopulated city and made it their own.

Now, along with the sprawling ranch, the Bryne's owned the entire town, with thousands of acres of lands leased to farmers as well as owning most of the buildings in the quaint city.

Their names were on historical landmarks in the square and they had upgraded several libraries, museums, and parks. The schools were also part and parcel of the entire deal as well as the hardware stores, several restaurants, and the huge theater that had been built over the last few years.

The running of the ranch had been taken over by Taj a few years after he finished college and proved that he could make the sometimes difficult decisions. He had grown up seeing his grandfather handling the men with a firm hand and the seamless passing of the baton to his father.

When it was his time to take over, the same ceremony had been done and had left him wondering if he was going to be as proficient. His mother had passed away when he was twenty years old, leaving them all heartbroken.

Marion Bryne had developed bronchial pneumonia, which had spread rapidly to her lungs. By the time they rushed her to a hospital in Texas, it had been too late. The beautiful and vivacious woman had been taken away from them too soon.

Taj can still recall her musical voice and her laughter filling the ranch house. It had been ten years ago, and he could still feel the pain of her death. His father had never even considered taking another woman to the ranch, even though there had been more than several hopefuls.

All three of the Bryne men were striking in looks, rangy and lean, topping just over six foot three. Taj had inherited his blonde hair and green eyes from his mother, while his grandfather had passed on his sandy brown hair and light blue eyes to his son.

He knew they were hopeful that he was going to settle down sometime soon, but the ranch was his life. He loved women and had been with a few in and around the area, but none had caught his eyes enough to make him want to change his status.

*****

"You are leaving for a month. What am I going to do? How am I going to be able to cope with you gone for four long weeks?" Deidre Matthews was no longer in the theater, but that did not mean she had shed the histrionics and the drama.

"My housekeeper who happens to be a gem and a saint will not be accompanying me. She will take care of everything as she has been doing for the past ten years." Dani checked her tote to make sure she was not missing anything, before dumping the makeup kit inside.

She had yoga and then lunch with the producer to finetune the details of their upcoming trip. And she frankly did not have time to deal with her mother's insecurities right now.

The woman had thrown a fit, demanding that she be allowed to accompany the cast and crew to the shoot. Dani had told her a firm no, refusing to be drawn into any further discussion.

"I feel neglected."

Looking up from the buttons she was trying to secure on her jacket, she gave her mother a cool glance. "Don't make me say it."

"You are already thinking it." She huffed. "So, you might as well voice it."

"As you wish." Shaking back her thick dark brown hair, she aimed her dark brown eyes at the woman who was in her greatest trial. Deidre Matthews had spent her entire life building a career in theater, sacrificing the time she should have been spending with her husband and daughter.

Dani had been on her own because her dad had given up his career as an electrical engineer to accompany his wife everywhere. By the time she was fifteen, she was taking care of herself.

There had been no one to check her homework, no one to watch her school plays, where she had shown the natural talent that had been obvious to her drama teachers. When she first got her periods, she had to figure things out herself and when it came with severe cramps, she used warm towels and painkillers to get her through it.

Most of her time growing up, she had had freedom most of her friends never had and they had envied her for it. She could have brought boys home because she was mostly alone and even though her friends had tried to persuade them to do just that, she had been determined to be a better version of her parents.

Shaking away the unpleasant memories, she picked up her bag and headed for the door. "I will see you later."

"Dani, we have not finished the conversation."

"Goodbye, Mother." Firmly closing the door behind her, she headed for the car. Settling back against the seat, she slid the shades over her eyes to block the glare of the sun and pushed the start button.

It always amazed her that she could take on a particularly unpleasant and pushy producer, go to war with the director, and mow over her co-stars, but when it came to her mother, she was back to being an insecure teenager again.

Determined not to allow Deidre to put her in a bad mood, she headed for the exclusive area where her yoga shop was located.

*****

"Easy boy," Taj ran his hand gently over the mare's front leg, a slight frown of concern on his face. "I know it hurts, but we will take care of it." Looking up at his foreman, he gave a slight nod.

"Not broken then?" Ben's fingers threaded around the rim of his hat as he stared at his boss.

"No, I would say a slight sprain." Pressing his hand against the raised bruise, he took note of the mare's reaction. "Something to put pressure on it and she will have to stay off the foot for a couple of days."

"I am sorry Taj."

"It's not your fault." He assured him. "We are going to have to cordon off the area until we can fill in the holes."

"Already been done."

"Good." Patting the horse, Taj straightened and pulled on his work gloves. He still had the fences to see to and it was already dark out. Ignoring the strain on his muscles indicating that it was time for him to hang up his hat, he headed out.

"Hey, Taj!"

Turning towards the sound of the voice, he felt his heart quickened when he noticed his dad mounted on his horse.

Running to meet him, he impatiently waited while he dismounted,

"Gramps?"

"No. Sorry to startle you like that." Theodore's face was grim, a line of sweat running down his cheek. "Coyotes were spotted around the area."

"That's all we need. The fence is still not repaired and – "

"The cattle are our greatest concern." His father lifted his head to scan the sky, his brow furrowing at the dark clouds gathering. "Rain is in the forecast."

"I will round up several of the men to take care of the fence. Are you sure Gramps is, okay?"

"I left him giving the chef hell and trying to get a piece of lemon cake. He is more than okay."

With a relieved grin, Taj slapped his hat on his head and went to get his horse. "I might not make it in time for supper."

"I am sure he will understand.

Mounting his horse, Taj headed for the perimeter fencing.

*****

"We will be staying in a neighboring farmhouse that is part of the ranch. It will be near enough to the place without fear of getting in the way of the day-to-day running of the place."

Mel Gibbons watched as his star leafed through the glossy pictures, an anxious expression on his lined face. Dani Matthews was incredibly demanding and exacting, but he figured she deserved to be.

The exquisite beauty had conquered first the theater and then the silver screen, making her mark as one of the most sought-after African American actresses of her time. She was a perfectionist and had the distinction of co-producing several of the scenes of her last series with surprising success.

"I have demands."

"Of course you do."

Looking up from the photos, she gave the man a narrowed glance. "You know what they are."

"You don't share your space."

"And my meals- "

"Prepared specially."

"Damn right. I am going to be in the middle of nowhere for a fricking month. I have no intention of being uncomfortable. Why aren't we staying at the ranch house itself?"

"It's a working ranch- "

"I know that much, but I also know that the place is huge."

"The owners graciously agreed to us shooting the scenes there, but stated firmly that they would not shut down the various duties so that we could shoot ‘our little movie' – I am quoting them of course.

Southern Ranch is a multi-billion-dollar outfit and the Bryne's own the whole goddamned town. It's perfect for the location and we are grateful they can accommodate us."

"But a farmhouse?" Dani wrinkled her small nose in distaste. "Will there be farm animals on the property?"

He shook his head. "Fortunately for us, the place is empty."

"How long ago?" she asked, conjuring up all sorts of scenarios inside her head. "Is it clean? Does the place have running water and electricity? Indoor plumbing?

"It's not out in the boondocks Dani." The man reminded him dryly. "I happen to be very good at my job and have been doing this since you were wearing braces."

"I never wore braces." She flipped through the photos again, trying not to let her distaste show. She knew what the cast and crew thought of her, but she did not care. She was a black woman who had to claw her way up the ladder to reach where she was now. And she had refused to give in to the demand to sleep her way to the top.

She was aware that in the past, roles had been given to her white counterpart, because ‘she was not the right fit'. But that had not stopped her. She had surpassed her mother in terms of recognition, and she had no intention of stopping. Acting was in her blood, and it was something that allowed her to escape from the utter sadness of her past.

She was single-minded about her career. She was thirty years old, beautiful, and an accomplished actress, but she had refused to settle for second best when it came to anything, including romance. She stayed away from the people in her profession because of the pitfalls it could incur.

She had been in two relationships. One when she was just starting. He had been a sweet boy from her neighborhood, whom she had grown up with and they had drifted apart when he went away to live in Australia.

The other relationship had been a year ago with an accountant who had become insecure about her fame and started complaining that she never had time for him.

She had ended the relationship and decided to concentrate on her career. If romance happens alone, then so be it, but she was certainly not going to go looking for it.

She knew most men were intimidated by her success and finding a man who could be comfortable with the person she was, without being overwhelmed was going to be difficult.

Pushing the portfolio towards Mel, she indicated the meeting was over.

"I suppose I will make do."

"It's going to be fun Dani, you'll see." Pushing to his feet, he gave her a desperate look.

"We'll see." With a cool nod, she walked out of the popular restaurant, ignoring the gawkers.

*****

Tugging off his muddy boots, Taj padded over to where he had left his house shoes in the corner of the mud room and slipped them on. He had spent the last two hours dealing with the fence and circling the perimeter making certain that there were no unwelcome visitors.

"My grandfather?" he inquired of the maid as she hurried to take his soaking wet jacket.

"In the small salon Mr. Taj. Would you like me to send some refreshments in?"

"Perhaps something to drink. Thanks."

With a nod, she hurried away and turned left.

Dragging his long fingers through his damp hair, he contemplated going upstairs to take a much-needed shower but decided against it. He wanted to see for himself that Gramps was okay.

Winding his way through the wide hallway, he pushed the glass doors open to find his grandfather sitting around the desk, with a cigar clamped between his teeth.

"Don't start."

"I was not going to," Taj told him with a grin. "Except to remind you that dad is on his way here and every single servant here is committed to seeing to your health and well-being." Moving lithely across the room with his usual animal-like grace, he plucked the cigar from his mouth.

"I am just looking out for you." Dropping in the chair in front of the baronial desk, he stuck the cigar in his mouth, eyes narrowing at the smoke drifting upwards. Taking it from his mouth, he crushed it out in the ashtray on the table next to him.

"You are supposed to be on my goddamned side."

"Always." Taj examined his face discreetly, looking for signs of his recent illness, and was relieved to see that he looked as good as new.

"The rest seem to have done you a world of good."

"I am sitting on my ass with nothing to do. I cannot eat what I want, and I am not allowed to do a damn thing."

"I thought Dad had you working on the list for the greenhouse?" Thomas Bryne glared at his grandson. "Is that all the use I have now? Making lists like some secretary?"

"You can also help Hilda with the grocery list." They both looked up as Theodore came into the room, his eyes immediately going to the cigar smoldering inside the ashtray. His eyebrows lifted as he looked over at his father. "I see I missed something."

"The day a man cannot enjoy a damn cigar is time to pack up and leave this life." His father grumbled.

"We are looking out for you." Theodore walked over to the recessed cabinet to pour himself a finger of scotch before glancing at his son. "It's coming down out there."

"Think there will be flooding?" Taj asked in concern.

"I hope not. I checked on Debby,' he said referring to the mare with the sprain.

"And?"

"The swelling has abated somewhat, and she is resting."

"Good." There was a knock on the door before a tray was wheeled in.

"Ms. Hilda included a pot of tea and some homemade biscuits." She told them with a smile.

"Thanks, Martha. We will serve ourselves." Taj told her.

"She also said to remind Mr. Thomas that it's time for his meds."

"Damn, pushy woman," Thomas grumbled.

"Like I said before, we are all looking out for you."

"Were you able to get those vagrants?" Ignoring his son's comment, he turned his eyes to his grandson.

"No sign of them." Pushing to his feet, Taj walked over to help his dad, pour tea, and arrange the biscuits on the plates. Taking it over to the desk, he placed them in front of his grandfather. "Ben believes they were just passing through."

"But we cannot take any chances." Picking up the delicate cup that was part of the legacy his wife had brought to the ranch, he sipped the lemon tea slowly. "Those nuisances can cost us a hell of a lot of money in damages."

"I am aware." Taj was not a tea drinker, even though his mother had tried to sell him on the idea of it. He was Irish American, and she had fondly accused him of being more American than Irish. He had gently reminded him that he had been born in this country, along with his dad.

Picking up the savory biscuit, he took a nibble and went to get himself some scotch. He was bone weary but wanted to spend some time with his dad and granddad. "We are going to be installing several more spotlights and cameras in that section."

"All those modern folderal's are only going to take away the rustic beauty of the place."

"We have to do what's best to keep the ranch safe Gramps, you know that.

"I don't have to like it. Speaking of all that, are those movie people still planning on coming this weekend?"

"So far as we know. We will make sure you are not bothered by all the excitement." Taj assured him.

His eyes snapped as he glared at the young man. "If you try to keep me out of the loop and what's going on. I am going to make your life a living hell. The star of the show is an exquisite beauty and I want a personal introduction to her."

Taj grinned at him. "Yes sir."