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Second Time's A Charm
Last Updated : 2023-07-24
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Mikel Rysdale needed an escape after a devastating blow to her heart and lifestyle. The number of people she can trust can be counted on one hand. Escaping to the one place she was free, she finds the most unlikely person to lean on. In his eyes, he was a broken man incapable of rejoining society. Army Veteran Killian returns home to live on his family's land in peace. Happy to see his sister again, he wasn't prepared to welcome a guest. What started as a tolerable relationship, the two found the need to be there for each other. Old wounds are hard to heal especially the ones in your heart. “Who are you?” His question was meant to be gentle but they came out as an angry ogre. She laughed at his question. The first chord of that sweet laugh was now trapped in Killian's mind and heart. Slowly she stood up and walked towards him. She was within four steps of him and her scent was intoxicating. Vanilla and the scent of fruit he had to know of. Up close she was perfection in his eyes. Unconsciously he stepped forward wanting to be close to her for some reason. The pain, the memories none of it was on his mind. His sole focus was on her. “Name's Mikel Rysdale. You can call me Mik for short.”
View MoreChapter 1
1.
My dear and only friend Kelsey,
I didn't mean to sound so dramatic up there but ever since I received your pen pal letter those few months ago, I have found peace and longing by it. The way you described your family ranch was a great contrast from this mausoleum I call home. As you know today is my eighteenth birthday. Not much to celebrate when life has been planned for you since you were sixteen. I envy you Kels. I know you do go through the same pain of loss as me but at least you have somewhere to go, something to do when you feel trapped. It's been three days but it feels like forever. Around this time Daddy will be barging into my room and dragging me to the stables or sneaking us to the mall or something. He wanted me to grow up as he did back in New Jersey. I guess his childhood was fun with laughable accidents and loud friends to fill the quiet. It still surprises me that he built all of this to make his family back then happy and kept at it to make my mother and me happy. I miss him so much. I magically hoped that Mother and I will get closer because we lost someone so close and dear to us but I was wrong.My schedule got longer and much more tedious. I found out yesterday that she applied to Princeton for me to attend my college years. I did not dare tell her that Daddy and myself sent in applications to Cornell and the University of California. Only he knew my love for animals led me to be a vet. If she knows, I won't hear the end of her tirade. I still sneak out to go to the clinic. Hiram said Daddy put things in place for me to go.
Kelsey...
I'm engaged. Well about to be at my birthday ball tonight.
Yes, that should have been the first thing to tell you but it isn't a happy moment for me. Mother's best friend 'chose' me to be her son's 'perfect wife.' Look up the name Dominic Heath and you will know why. Apparently, I am the type of girl her son needs to settle down with. They both have it all planned. Court for two years and by my 21st birthday I am to be married.Don't worry, you are invited. You're my only support through this. If Daddy was alive he would have forbidden it. No one messes with Michael Rysdale's daughter. I'm laughing yet crying at that memory of when he exploded at a ball. Mother was mortified. The boy who began to spread rumors about me never knew what hit him.
I have to be strong now, Kels. Daddy is no longer here to fight my battles. I'm no longer daddy's girl.
Now enough about me.
How are you? I watched your competition. Congratulations!! (Your gift should be accompanying this letter.) I'm so proud of you and pretty impressed you nailed my signature jump. You looked great. Was your father shocked? I know you told me he was begging to see your practice sessions. Did Corey tag along with you? Is he still ignoring you? Give it time. He's probably intimidated by the fact that you are his boss' daughter. That's a sure sign of respect. Take that in stride sweetie. Give your heart and his some time. From your description of his kindness to your father and the older ranch hands including Mama Roarke, he's a keeper. He didn't return your gift so I count that too as a plus. I'm actually smiling now the first real smile since Daddy's funeral. Thinking of your ranch and all that open space to ride makes me happy somewhat. I promise to visit. I have to go now. Mother just reminded me of my dance session. One can never tire of the waltz she said.
Your Dutiful paper friend,Mikel
P.S. Don't forget to write to your brother. He will like to hear about the competition.
To my best friend, Mikel who is miles away,
Congratulations?!
You are an engaged woman at the age of eighteen. Very 15th Century isn't it?! I saw your 'intended' on the internet. Handsome but full of himself. They say you can't believe anything on the internet but you will sure as hell believe it when there's an R-Rated video of it. I'm sorry, Mik. I wish you can come to the ranch to escape but your mother probably hired guards for you.
You're sad and I'm not there to help you through this ordeal. I felt your pain when you called and told me the news of your dad. It took me back to when I lost my mom freshman year. You will survive. I know you can. Your father is right, Mikel. You are stronger than you look. Don't let anyone change that. Not even your mother. I know you're not this high society chick, the type of girl your mom wants you to be. You are your father's child through and through. I can tell how close you two were by the way you talked about him and the pictures you shared. I saw that love so clearly in the pictures. It's similar to the one I share with Pop. Oh and yeah he was hella shocked. He kept on nagging me wanting to know who taught me that. Poor old man.
And...
I LOVE MY NEW SADDLE!!!
You're the best Mik. I will use it on Black Dahlia in every competition. Custom made. WOW!!! Now, I gotta one-up my gifts. Can you believe that we have been only friends for a few months but seems like ages? I like that. I wish we were going to the same colleges. If Princeton accepts you, will you go? Do they have a veterinarian department there? What I want is for you to go with your choice. Not hers. I got accepted to Montana State. Close to home and I can keep competing. I want to learn more about ranching. Pops was proud. Have you ever seen a grown-ass man cry? That was my pops. Deep down I know he feels I applied there because of Killian no matter how many times I deny it. Big Brother really hurt Pops. His signing up for the Army caused a rift leaving me in the middle. Killian loved the ranch but loved the world more. I hope he's safe.
I'm worried though.
Something is making the air thick. Something bad is gonna happen and I fear it will hit home. Keep us in your prayers Mik.
I gotta go. Heading out with pops to buy a good breeding bull. Maybe a prize winner.
Keep your head up city girl I'm rooting for ya,
Kelsey.
Latest chapter
Second Time's A Charm Epilogue
Five Years Later “Go, Dom!!!” Nine-year-old Trevor Calisto was cheering on his cousin from the fences as the boy broke into a gentle canter on his horse. Both their fathers were in the corral coaching him along the little ride. He chose the 8month old Friesian Colt a day ago when his father Killian told him it was time to get his own horse. Vincent bred top of the line horses, and the Friesian breeds he bred strictly for family. The colt was black as night with a calm demeanor matching his new master's attitude. The two boys were excited. Now they can both ride together around the ranch. “I wanna see.” Trevor looked behind him and rolled his eyes at his baby cousin. She hated being called a baby. At three years old, Kadence Wesson was a force to be reckoned with, everyone doted on the only girl on the ranch. The princess. That’s what Dominic calls her. She was stubborn as her mama and thoughtful as her daddy. He heard the grown-ups say that’s a dangerous combination in a woman. His
Last Updated : 2023-07-24Second Time's A Charm 28.
Two months, One week later. "What part of taking it easy you don't understand angel?" Killian was seated in a chair watching his woman work on her laptop in the hospital bed. Currently, she was eight months and one week into her pregnancy. Earlier in the day she was complaining about pains and brushed it off as Braxton Hicks. He was worried and still called it in. When it was coming too frequently he got a stubborn Mikel to the hospital. It turns out Peanut was impatient and wanted out of his mommy's tummy. Killian was amazed by how easy she was taking it all for her first time. With each contraction that came, she simply laid back in the bed and clutch onto the rails till the pain passed. During a few, he will sit with her but she said that she will need him for the main event. Only his angel can surprise him in every way. Studying her in his corner he was damn proud of himself. Therapy for his PTSD was helping and he was opening up more to his family. They will accompany him to
Last Updated : 2023-07-14Second Time's A Charm 27.
The steady beating of her heart and her baby on the machine was soothing to Mikel but she was still worried. On her way to the hospital, she came in the ambulance and was given a full recap of what happened by Maggie. Her heart rate escalated when she was told about Killian's episode. Her blood pressure spiked and she began to worry immensely. Maggie and the EMT got her to calm down enough to keep the baby stable.Throughout all the examinations and consultations her mind was on Killian. When she got back to her room after the last ultrasound Kelsey and Vincent were there with equally worried expressions."What did they say? Can I go see him?" she asked after they fussed over her and got her side of the story."He's still out," Kelsey answered avoiding Mikel's eyes."Something went wrong didn't it?" she asked gravely."He woke up before they reached the hospital and had to restrain him. They actually have to keep him asleep, his sedative intake was doubled. I..I..." Kelsey couldn't co
Last Updated : 2023-07-09Second Time's A Charm 26.
Mikel was locked away in her office at the clinic eyeing her birthday gift. No, it wasn't her birthday but the gift she refused to open after learning of his death.Vincent gave it to her two days ago before he officially left the Drummond ranch. Apparently, it fell out of her bag where she kept it for months and he held on to it."When the time is right you will open it."Apparently, he knew what the rectangular box held. A lot has been going on at the ranch and the clinic was her personal haven. It was the middle of the day and her animal patient visit was down to either four or six. "Two more months till you're here peanut. The doctor said three but I have a feeling you're gonna be hasty and reckless as your father," she said softly to her round belly."I wonder what you will look like. Will you have his eyes or mine? Brown hair like mommy or daddy's blonde hair. All I know is you're gonna be perfect." Her attention went back to the beautifully wrapped present. The pain and sadness
Last Updated : 2023-07-09Second Time's A Charm 25.
Earlier in the monthAfter celebrating Kelsey and Corey's engagement, Vincent sat back and took it all in. He never thought he will be living a life away from what he loved - racing.He came searching in Montana for peace and to support Mikel. They both lost a large piece of their heart and can only lean on each other during that grief. It was conflicting when he found out about the budding relationship between her and Killian, but, that person was helping her heal. She had someone new and that man loved her with everything. Vincent expected nothing less when it came to Mikel. She was lovable in most aspects.In the office, he held the keys to his own place in his hands. Killian helped him in finding his own piece of heaven and with Mikel's blessing, he signed on the dotted line."Still too good to be true huh?" Mikel's voice rang out in the office."Yeah."He watched on as she sat on the sofa and kicked her legs up. "I remember when you joked about settling down," she commented."T
Last Updated : 2023-06-25Second Time's A Charm 24.
A month has passed since the showdown with the mama witches. That was the name of the scenario thanks to Kelsey's creative mind.It has been a wonderful month by far. A lot has happened which made Mikel and Killian's world much brighter. The happiness of the other members of their family was contagious.The first wave of brightness that fell upon the house was from Kelsey and Corey.Earlier in the monthKelsey was nervous about the decision, more like a statement she was about to make. Not one to be waiting for help or be that damsel in distress, Kelsey Drummond has always been tough. Her strength and resilience were taken differently by both sexes.Women saw her as a tomboy, a woman who wants to be in the man's world way too much. Friendships between her and the women in town were strained. Acquaintances are more the label of their relationship. They were mildly jealous of her due to her beauty, a subtle grace that was shown in her walk, and even when she rides. Her brown eyes and da
Last Updated : 2023-06-17
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