Falling for Her Childhood Rival (Preview)

Chapter One

When Lana woke up that morning, she didn’t expect everything to come crashing down.

After finishing at the schoolhouse, exhausted and glad to be out of the stuffy classroom, she made her way across the street to the general store. Jerry would be welcoming, giving her something cold to drink and allowing her to sit in the back room for a while. They would be going out for dinner later, but Lana wanted to see him right now. She was eager to see him after a long, hot day with forty loud, rowdy children.

He liked to surprise her with flowers, brightening her spirits when she’d had a busy day. Lana wanted to surprise him herself. He said he liked them, and it always made him feel better. Especially from someone who made him smile like she did.

With a skip in her step, she made her way across the street, nodding at the people passing by. It was nice living in this part of Southport, Illinois. It was quiet and pleasant, even with all the activity going on. She had her own room rented from a lovely lady who ran a dressmaking business, she had a job she enjoyed despite the tribulations, and a man she was falling in love with. Lana couldn’t think of anything better.

“Miss Smith!”

Lana turned as a young man hurried toward her, trying to keep his smart black cap on his head. He dodged around a pony trap, getting an annoyed shout in response from the driver. But the young lad didn’t seem to notice or care that he had caused a disturbance. Lana sighed and shook her head as he hopped up onto the sidewalk.

“Trevor, honestly! Don’t you look when you’re crossing the street? You’re going to end up causing an accident one of these days.”

“Sorry, Miss Smith.” Trevor adjusted his cap. “I didn’t notice the cart.”

“I don’t think I believe that after what I’ve witnessed. What did you want from me?”

“This came for you just now.” The postmaster’s apprentice held out the letter clasped in his hand. “It’s from Kansas.”

Lana found herself smiling as she took it from his outstretched hand. It was another letter from her friend. She had moved out to the frontier to marry a rancher in the middle of nowhere, deciding that there wasn’t anything that could keep her in the city. Lana had smarted a little at that remark, but she’d understood. 

Ginger Cooper had been neglected by her mother, a single parent who was too busy working hard and then spending time finding another husband. She didn’t have time for her two children, so Ginger and her brother Nick were mostly left on their own. Lana could see why Ginger would want to get away, even if she had no idea how to be a wife and mother; nobody had taught her much beyond her lessons at school.

But she had landed on her feet. Her husband, Daniel Meriweather, seemed like a very decent man who treated her well, and she had two children she loved immensely. Ginger wrote about how hard life was and she was still adjusting, even more than ten years later, but she was glad she had made the move.

Lana was happy for her friend, even though she missed her. At least they kept in touch with regular letters. It was something they had done ever since Ginger left. She didn’t think her friend even kept in touch with her mother, who still lived in Southport. And from what Lana could gather, Mrs. Cooper didn’t care that neither of her children wrote to her or kept her in their lives. She was more interested in finding that elusive second husband.

“Thank you, Trevor. Now you get back to Mr. Dennis, preferably without causing another accident.”

“Yes, Miss Smith.” Trevor raised his cap before dropping it back on his head. “I’ll try!”

“You mean you’ll try to cause an accident or try not to?”

“I’ll try not to!”

With a final wave, Trevor turned and jumped off the sidewalk, almost right in front of a horse and carriage. The horse neighed loudly and tried to rise on its hind legs, but the harness to the carriage stopped it from doing so. The driver snarled at Trevor.

“Watch where you’re going, boy!”

“Sorry!”

Trevor hurried away with a wave over his shoulder. Rolling her eyes with a smile, Lana slipped the letter into her pocket. She’d taught Trevor when she first started at the schoolhouse. He had been eager to learn, but he didn’t think things through properly. It was a little amusing at times. The boy meant well, even if he wasn’t really paying attention.

Lana pushed the door to the general store and went in. It was cooler inside, and it wasn’t very busy. There were a couple of middle-aged ladies talking next to the fresh produce, and a gentleman with dark hair wearing a suit that looked like it would cost double of Lana’s monthly wages stood at the meat counter, where one of Jerry’s assistants was slicing up some ham. Lana waved at him.

“Afternoon, Steve. Is Jerry about?”

Normally, Steve would be happy to see her, and they would end up talking. This time, Steve stared at her with a paling face. He looked like he had seen a ghost.

“Lana! What… what are you doing here?”

Lana blinked. That was not the response she’d expected.

“What do you mean? I came here to see Jerry. What’s wrong with that?”

“But it’s not your time! I mean…”

Now Lana had no idea what was going on. What did he mean by that? Not her time? Steve was beginning to look extremely panicked, his eyes darting towards the door that led into the back. What on earth was going on?

“Hey!” The gentleman slapped his hand on the counter. “Are you going to do my order or are you just going to stand there?”

With his attention now distracted, Lana headed toward the door.

“Lana, wait!” Steve shouted.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the gentleman demanded. “You’re not done!”

“I’m sorry, sir, I’ll be right… Lana!”

But Lana had opened the door and gone in before Steve could get to her. There was a storeroom to her right, stairs to the left that went to Jerry’s home above the store. And she could see the space he used as a study at the end of the hallway. She couldn’t tell if anyone was in there, but she could hear murmuring voices, too low to be heard properly.

What was he doing? Was he having a meeting? Something told Lana it wasn’t just a simple meeting between him and someone supplying him with his merchandise.

Storming down the hall, Lana stopped short when she came around the corner and found Jerry jumping away from a beautiful petite redhead with flushed cheeks and bright eyes.

It didn’t take much imagination to know what had been going on between them.

Lana felt like she had been slapped. Had she just walked in on a clinch? But Jerry was meant to be courting her, so what…?

“Lana!” Jerry cleared his throat and dusted himself down, adjusting the sleeves of his jacket. “What are you doing here? I was going to see you tonight.”

“What?” The redhead stared at him incredulously. “You said you were going to be busy with the store tonight. You’re going out with her?”

“What is going on?” Lana demanded. “Why were you kissing her?”

“Me?” Jerry looked startled, his cheeks turning red. “I wasn’t…”

“I suggest you don’t try to deny it when it’s clear you’ve been caught,” Lana cut him off. “Besides, her lipstick is all over your face.”

His eyes widening, Jerry fumbled for his handkerchief in his pocket and used it to wipe his face. The redhead folded her arms and scowled at him.

“Would you like to explain what’s going on? You said it was just the two of us and you wouldn’t see anyone else.”

Lana snorted at that. “Clearly, he was lying to both of us, Miss…”

“Lloyd. Rita Lloyd.” Rita lifted her chin defiantly. “He’s been courting me for four months now.”

“He’s been courting me for seven.” Lana saw the other woman’s face pale. “I’m surprised we haven’t crossed each other’s paths in all that time.”

Rita looked like she was about to faint. Then her eyes flashed with anger as her cheeks turned a dark red.

“You cad!” She shoved Jerry, knocking him into the desk. “How could you do that? You said I would always be your only one!”

“That… I mean…” Jerry lowered his handkerchief with a sigh. “I suppose there’s no point in denying it any longer. You two know each other now.”

Lana was surprised at his sudden change in tone. She had thought Jerry would try to protest his innocence, but now he looked like he didn’t care that they were upset.

“You don’t care that you hurt both of us in the process?” she demanded. “You’re not bothered about what you’ve done?”

“Why should I be?” Jerry shrugged. “Both of you were fun, but I knew it was going to come to an end soon enough. I wasn’t expecting it to be like this, but… oh well, I guess.”

“Oh well?” Rita cried. “You’re courting us at the same time and that’s all you can say?”

“Don’t look at me like that, Rita. You’re nothing special.” Jerry looked her up and down with a scathing look. “You didn’t think you would be the only woman in my life? I’m not someone who puts my attention onto one woman, after all.”

Lana paused, feeling her heart sink. She didn’t like the way he said that.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked. “Are you saying there are more than just us two?”

Jerry didn’t answer, but she could tell by the look on his face. There were more than just her and Rita. He was seeing multiple women. She felt nauseous, and her chest tightened. She couldn’t breathe. She rubbed a hand over her heart.

“Steve knew about this, didn’t he? He was trying to make sure I didn’t come in here.”

“Well, I pay Steve’s salary. If he wants a job, he does as he’s told.”

She couldn’t believe how cold he was right now. It was like she didn’t recognize the man in front of her. He just looked at her with a smirk that said he wasn’t remorseful at all.

How could she have been falling for a man like him?

Rita started to cry, lowering her head as her shoulders shook. Jerry rolled his eyes.

“Oh, shut up, Rita. You’re a wanton woman who seduced a man who was courting someone else. You’re not the victim here.”

“I thought it was just me!” Rita screamed, her cheeks blotchy red. “You said so! I never knew…”

“Given how often I’m out with Lana, I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”

“Leave her alone, Jerry,” Lana snapped, making the other two stare at her. “Berating Rita for something you’ve done is not the way to handle this.”

“Oh?” Jerry folded his arms. “What should I be doing, then?”

“Apologizing for how you’ve treated her! It’s absolutely disgusting that you would be so callous to both of us and think that we wouldn’t be hurt by it.” She put her hands on her hips. “And what about me? Am I not allowed to be upset?”

Jerry frowned.

“You were with me for seven months. You have to have noticed that I was seeing multiple women.”

Rita whimpered again. Lana didn’t want to hear any more. She felt like she was going to be sick. The man she had been building a relationship with, who had been so kind and gentle to her, who had treated her like a queen, was standing before her like a complete stranger. How had the last few months they spent together ended up getting completely wiped out?

“You’re disgusting,” she hissed. “You’re a complete and utter—”

“You’re going to come back here tomorrow, apologizing for getting upset and begging for me to take you back.” Jerry looked smug. “I know you will. Both of you.”

Rita scoffed at that. “You’re not that incredible, Jerry. I have more self-respect than to go back to someone who cheated on me.”

“Same here,” Lana agreed. “You’ve humiliated us, so why would we go back with you? Come on, Rita, let’s go.”

Rita hurried to her, her face now streaked with tears. Lana saw Jerry’s face as Rita moved past her, and there was nothing. It was as if he didn’t care. Lana placed a hand on Rita’s back, giving him one last glare.

“Don’t come near either of us,” she growled. “We’re done. I don’t want to see you anymore. Come anywhere near me, and I’ll cause a fuss.”

“You’ll be back tomorrow, Lana.” Jerry smiled. “Once you’ve calmed down, we can talk more.”

Lana didn’t want to say anything more. They were just talking in circles, and Rita was now sobbing. Steering the other woman toward the door, Lana hurried out, wondering what she had done to deserve this.

#

Nick arrived at the ranch to find Freddy and Lydia playing in the front yard. With the warm weather as it was, they seemed to be making the most of being outside. They had some of their wooden toy soldiers and were laying them out across the ground in the dirt. It was nice to see them playing together, although there was no sight of Ginger.

Freddy saw him first as Nick trotted through the gate on his horse. He jumped up and ran over.

“Uncle Nick!”

“Hey, little man!” Nick stopped his horse and dismounted, managing to catch his nephew as Freddy ran into him. “Careful! You’re going to knock me over one of these days!”

“Sorry!” Freddy grinned up at him, not looking at all apologetic. “It’s been ages since we saw you.”

Nick chuckled. “I’ve only been gone for the last three days. Where’s your mother?”

“She’s in the house,” Lydia said, trotting over while holding onto her favorite rag doll, clutched against her chest. “She told us to go and play outside while she carried out the housework.”

Nick’s laughter faded away, replaced by concern. Ginger was doing the housework? She wasn’t in a fit state for that.

“Where’s Mrs. Thomas?”

“She was here earlier, but Mother started doing what Mrs. Thomas had done already.” Freddy pointed towards the stables. “Mr. Braithwaite is here and sorting out the ranch, but Mother wants him to leave so she can do it herself. Mr. Braithwaite refuses to leave, though.”

“As he shouldn’t. Your mother is not well enough to do the extra duties.”

“She won’t sit down and rest.” Lydia bit her lip. “Says that we can’t relax simply because it’s just us now.”

Nick could understand that. After all, it had only been a month since Ginger’s husband, Daniel Meriweather, had died in an accident. Ginger was still in shock.

He was still struggling to understand what happened. A group of horses had broken out of the paddock in the ranch next to theirs and had collided with the horse and cart Daniel and Ginger had been traveling in as they headed into town. 

The cart was overturned, and Daniel was killed in the stampede. Ginger ended up breaking her leg and suffering a concussion. She had been so distraught about her husband dying so suddenly that she’d needed to be sedated by the doctor. Nick was left speechless at the way she’d broken down knowing her husband was gone.

She had been in a state of distress during the funeral and for the week afterward, but now it seemed she had snapped back to reality and was working hard to keep on top of things despite being unable to walk around with a cast on her leg. Nick had brought in a few people to take care of the main duties of the house and ranch, and Ginger hated it.

She didn’t like being useless. Nick could understand that.

“I’ll go and see if I can get her to calm down and sit,” he said, holding out the reins to Lydia. “Would you mind walking my horse to the stables, Lydia?”

“Yes, Uncle Nick.”

The nine-year-old girl took the reins with her free hand, looking tiny next to the huge animal. Freddy pouted.

“Why can’t I take the horse, Uncle Nick?”

“Because you’re not quite old enough.” Nick ruffled his hair. “And you are quite excitable. The horse needs to be calm, after all.”

Lydia stuck her tongue out at Freddy and led the horse toward the stables. Still looking unhappy, Freddy followed her, keeping close to her side. Nick let them go. They were both sad about their father being gone, and he’d caught them crying when they thought they were on their own. Sometimes, it would be so sudden that he didn’t know what to do. He wished he could take away the pain.

When his own father died, he and Ginger had been six and eight years old. They had seen their father’s coffin lowered into the ground. It had been an empty day, knowing that he was never coming back. Ginger had taken it badly back then, and it had been on Nick’s shoulders to look after his sister. Their mother had chosen to work all hours when she wasn’t looking for another husband. As far as Nick was concerned, she hadn’t been able to do that.

Hopefully, Ginger wouldn’t make the same mistake. She was always scared of turning into her mother.

Nick headed into the house and found Ginger hobbling around, leaning heavily on one crutch with her injured leg stuck out at an odd angle in front of her. She looked like she was going to fall over. Nick hurried to her as she wobbled.

“Careful!” He caught her and put her back on her feet. “I thought you had two crutches.”

Ginger rolled her eyes.

“I don’t need two of them. I can get around perfectly well with just one.”

“No, you can’t. Where is it, Ginger?”

His sister glared at him, her eyes flashing. “Don’t start, Nick.”

“What am I doing?”

“You’re going to start telling me what I should and shouldn’t do. I’m not interested in being ordered around. I know what I’m doing.”

“I see.” Nick stepped back and folded his arms. “To the point that you’re going to ignore all the advice Doctor Parfect gave you in order to recover from a leg that was broken in two places?”

Ginger’s jaw tightened. She was seeking a point she could turn it into an argument, but there wasn’t really any fight in her. She looked away.

“I have to do this,” she said through gritted teeth.

“How so? You’ve got a housekeeper now, and Braithwaite…”

“I don’t want them anywhere near here! I know how the house is meant to be, and as for that man dictating the workers… I wish I could… argh!” She blinked hard, her eyes filling with tears. “He’s getting in the way!”

Nick was surprised at the vitriol. Ginger was normally a placid person. Even when her children were getting upset and throwing tantrums, she was calm and handled the screaming without batting an eyelid. Now it was like a different person before him.

“Come and sit down,” he said gently.

“I can’t…”

“Yes, you can. Sit down with me.” Nick took her free arm. “I’ll find your crutch, and then you put your feet up. Don’t argue with me, Ginger.”

Ginger scowled, but she allowed Nick to lead her into the drawing room. He got her to sit on the settee with her feet up on the cushions, despite her protests. Then he found her other crutch propped up in the corner of the kitchen. It was like she’d tried to hide it away.

He placed it against the settee within reach of his sister and sat across from her. Ginger didn’t look happy, although the pain on her face seemed to have lessened.

“I guess I could sit down for a few minutes,” she mumbled.

“You should be doing more than that. You broke your leg, and you were told with your head injury that you needed to rest. Why aren’t you listening to the doctor?”

“I can’t!”

“But why?” Nick insisted.

Ginger’s mouth opened and closed, and she looked at the cast. Nick could understand what was going on in her head. She didn’t want to be anything like their mother, who had often said that Ginger was good for nothing and wouldn’t be successful at anything in life. It had hurt his sister to know her own mother didn’t care what happened to her.

Which was why Ginger had run away when she was barely sixteen and ended up marrying Daniel. Nick was shocked that his sister would do something so brazen, especially given how sheltered she was, but as the years passed and she settled into her life, Ginger had blossomed. 

She hadn’t known how to be a wife and mother, but Daniel and his mother had been patient and showed her what to do. Up until she died three years ago, Daniel’s mother had been a guiding light for Ginger. Now her husband was gone, too, and Ginger was floundering.

His heart cracked for her, knowing that she was scared.

“I just need to keep going,” Ginger said quietly. “I have to make sure the house is in order…”

“You shouldn’t be doing any housework at all. You were told to rest, otherwise your leg is never going to heal.” Nick rubbed his hands over his face. “I’ll do what I can, but you need to let other people in. Even if you don’t like it.”

“I know that…”

“Ginger, you’ve suffered a horrible loss, and you’re recovering from a bad accident yourself. You need to be kinder to yourself and let other people in.”

Ginger looked as if she was going to argue with him, but then her shoulders slumped, and she stared at her hands in her lap. Nick didn’t like telling her off, but he was concerned that she would end up making herself unwell. Then who would look after Lydia and Freddy?

“I suppose you’re right,” his sister said with a sigh. “It’s just… it’s not easy to give up what I’m used to, that’s all. I mean, Mother always said…”

“Mother’s not here, and she doesn’t have a say in how you live your life. You’ve done amazingly since you came here, Ginger, and you’re stronger than you think. Just give yourself time.” Nick smiled. “I know you have your pride, but you are allowed to accept help, and Mrs. Thomas and Braithwaite said they would lend a hand with what you needed.”

“I know. I’m just used to doing everything myself.”

“I understand that. But give yourself some credit here. You’re meant to be in mourning, making sure your children are all right. You can’t look after everyone else if you can’t look after yourself.”

Ginger bit her lip, nodding slowly. “I thought I knew being alone when I was growing up. All I had were you and my school friends, and I felt like that was enough for me. Now Daniel’s gone, and it feels like I’m empty.”

Nick didn’t know what to say to that. He remembered losing his father, someone he admired greatly, but he hadn’t lost a loved one like Ginger. He just knew it wasn’t something he could cope with himself.

“It’s overwhelming. You’ve got a lot to do, so trust Braithwaite. He’s more than happy to take over that part. I’d help as much I could, but…”

“You’ve got your own ranch to look after.” Ginger managed to smile at him. “You know I understand that, Nick. I’m not going to ask for more of your time. Although I’m surprised you’re telling me to allow Mr. Braithwaite and Mrs. Thomas to help me out when you don’t like outside help.”

“Sometimes, we have to swallow our pride and allow the help, that’s all. Even I have to do it.”

“I know. Which is why I’ve made steps to try and break it.”

Nick frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

Ginger lifted her head, her expression determined. “You remember Lana, don’t you? She sat next to me in the schoolroom.”

“Of course. You two were friends all the way through school. She was the only one you talked to other than me.”

“Well, I’ve written to her to ask if she can come and help me.”

It took a moment for Nick to figure out what she had said. He stared at her in bewilderment.

“What? You’re asking someone else for help? And Lana, of all people?”

“Of course. You said I needed to allow others to be there for me, and I trust Lana. She would have my best interests at heart more than anyone else. Excluding you, of course,” she added hurriedly. “She can come and help me with the house and children. She’s a schoolteacher, so she’s got experience looking after children.”

“Yes, but… but…”

Nick found himself floundering. He hadn’t heard from Lana in a long time, not since he left Southport a year after Ginger did and Lana gave him a letter to give to his sister. They hadn’t interacted much, mostly because Nick had always found Lana incredibly annoying and clinging to Ginger a bit too much. She had seen Ginger as someone to heal, even at her young age, and Nick didn’t like it.

Now Ginger was reaching out for her to come to them?

“I know what you’re going to say,” Ginger said before Nick could go any further. “You don’t want her to come here to help out.”

“We came out here to be independent, didn’t we?”

“And you’ve also been telling me that just because we’re independent we shouldn’t be afraid to accept help,” Ginger shot back. “Now I’m actually trying to do it with an old friend, and you’re going to complain about it? Could you make up your mind with what you want me to do?”

“I mean…”

“Lana is my closest friend. Pretty much my only friend now that Daniel’s gone.” A shadow passed across her face, and Ginger swallowed hard. “Now I need her more than ever. I should’ve asked for her to come sooner, but that silly pride… Anyway, I’ve written to her, and I’ll get a response soon. Knowing her, she’ll drop everything to come to me.”

“Even so…” Nick began, but his sister cut him off.

“Don’t, Nick. Just don’t. I’m doing this, and you won’t have to worry about me so much. You know Lana will look after us.”

Nick scowled. While he was sure Ginger had faith in Lana’s abilities, he certainly didn’t.