Second Chance At the Ranch Read online

  ‘That’s completely different.’

  ‘Of course it is. And how is that?’

  ‘Because neither of us are wishing there was more to it than there is.’

  ‘So, exactly the same then.’

  Rupert looked at her and Hero did her best to hold his gaze. She couldn’t.

  ‘You deserve more than that, Hero.’

  Her throat felt tight, and she looked away, out of the window at the passing foot traffic. Crowds of people hurried in all directions. A horn beeped and the wailing siren of an ambulance became louder as the blue lights flashed, competing with the huge neon signs for dominance. Sometimes she just wanted to get away. She didn’t know where exactly but somewhere that was the direct opposite of all the noise, lights, crowds – all the constant demands on her senses. Sometimes she just wanted to sit and hear nothing but silence.

  Rupert’s hand caught hers across the table. ‘You know it’s just because I care about you.’

  Hero nodded, her gaze still fixed on a point outside the window. ‘I know.’ And she did. Unlike most of the people she spent time with, she knew where she was with Rupert. He didn’t take shit from anyone, including her, and she loved him for it.

  Rupert Thorne-Smith’s relationship with the model Hero Scott had always been cause for gossip. He was wealthy, good-looking, and successful with a reputation that was best described as gentleman playboy. Rupert adored Hero, but she was closer to being a younger sister to him than anything that the papers could dream up.

  They had met at a party early on in Hero’s career when he had found her sitting outside in the garden, away from the house and the noise and the beautiful people. She was extremely shy but something about her had made Rupert persevere – a new experience for Rupert and women – and it wasn’t just her beauty. There was no doubt that the girl was stunning, but there was something else. She had looked lonely, and when he began to talk to her and ask her opinion on subjects, Rupert had never seen a person look so surprised at the interest. That night, a deep, enduring friendship was formed. Rupert took Hero to see a close friend of his, a financial whizz kid, who owned one of the top investment firms in London, and together they went over the best path for Hero to choose when it came to taking care of her earnings, which were rapidly becoming substantial. Thanks to Rupert, and Thorne-Smith Holdings, Hero’s financial future was secure. She was already a very wealthy woman.

  Rupert knew how the darker side of the glamorous career sometimes got to his friend. This was the side people didn’t want the public to see. And to a certain extent, that wish was mutual. People didn’t want to hear about the humiliation models sometimes felt, the lack of support from those who should have their backs. They didn’t want to know about the drugs, the eating disorders, the ever-present knowledge that you could be the brightest star today and completely ignored tomorrow when a new star ascended. All that most people wanted to see were the highs. The glamour and glitz. The beautiful people living their beautiful lives, wearing the beautiful clothes. On days Rupert saw Hero or Anya looking exhausted, he urged them both to think about leaving modelling. Thankfully, Anya had already been thinking the same thing and was now making plans to return to Sweden and train as a chef. Having been lucky enough to sample some of her recipes, Rupert had absolutely no doubt of her success in her second career. It was Hero that held his concern.

  He knew she was aware that, through savvy investments and careful control, she never had to work again. But whenever Rupert broached the subject, she would just smile and tell him not to worry. He knew that somewhere there was a reason she pushed on through, but neither he nor Anya had ever been able to find out what it was.

  Hero stretched her long legs out in the hushed atmosphere of the first-class cabin. She’d come to enjoy long-haul flights, delighting in the fact that she was unobtainable for those hours. Her phone stayed switched off and in her bag – something Anya, who had completely embraced the whole Insta-life thing, teased her about relentlessly. It wasn’t like Hero was stuck in the Dark Ages, although according to some of those within her circle, the fact that her phone wasn’t glued to her hand and kept under her pillow meant she might as well have been. Hero smiled at their comments, but privately thought that neither of those actions seemed the healthiest and carried on doing her own thing.

  And now, she had no one to answer to or anywhere else she needed to be except right here. Snuggling down under the duvet, she felt the stress leaving her body as she opened the new novel she’d bought at the airport and began reading.

  When her sister, Juliet, had rung her a few weeks ago to say she had become engaged to a man she’d met on her holiday in Australia, Hero wasn’t terribly surprised. Juliet had always been the most impulsive of the two sisters, and as Juliet had recounted the story of how she and her new fiancé, Pete, had met, Hero could hear the difference in her voice. Juliet was almost giddy with happiness as she told her about the sheep station that he owned and ran with the help of his younger brother, Nick, and the warmth of his mum and dad when they’d met her. A warm, welcoming family unit was something both Juliet and Hero knew very little about.

  ‘He’s a what?’

  ‘A sheep farmer. His family own a sheep station outside Adelaide. They farm sheep. Merino sheep. Organically too,’ she added, knowing how much of an animal lover her little sister was.

  ‘Jules, I know models have a dumb reputation, but I think even I can work out what sheep farmers farm.’ Hero’s voice was teasing.

  ‘I just thought you might appreciate knowing where your favourite sweater might have begun its life.’

  ‘I’m pretty sure I knew it started off on a sheep, Jules, but thanks.’

  Hero smiled under her lashes at her older sister. Despite the temptations having been scouted by a model agency when she was fifteen, Hero had continued her education, achieving good grades and fitting in modelling assignments around her academics until she was in a position to model full-time. Her looks, added to the fact that she was easy to work with, if a little distant, meant she hadn’t stopped working since.

  ‘Are you ready to be a bridesmaid for your big sister?’

  ‘Ready and waiting.’

  They had decided to marry in Australia as Pete had a large family and Juliet had almost none, only Hero. Her sister had been back in the UK finalising details on the sale of her flat, and was about to return back to Australia, and Pete. The wedding was in a month’s time. Apparently, Pete’s mum had been a godsend when it came to the arrangements, and Juliet was loving spending time with her and Jack, Pete’s father. They in turn had loved her immediately.

  ‘Are you really sure you’ll be able to make it?’ Juliet asked again.

  Juliet was desperate for Hero to be with her on such a special day, but she also knew that her sister’s job took her all over the world. As they said their goodbyes at Heathrow, she couldn’t help checking one more time.

  Hero waggled her phone. ‘I have the date here and I’ll book the time off with the agency first thing tomorrow. No problem. If someone wants me that bad during those weeks, they’ll just have to wait. And if they don’t want to wait, then that’s their problem.’

  Juliet looked concerned.

  Hero laughed. ‘Oh, stop worrying. I love you. You’re more important than any shoot. I wouldn’t miss this for anything! And I can’t wait to meet Pete either. He sounds wonderful.’

  ‘He is.’

  ‘Jules?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’m going to miss you.’

  Juliet pulled her little sister into her arms. ‘I’m going to miss you too,’ she said, holding Hero close, not wanting to let go.

  ‘Call me when you get home.’ Hero paused for a moment and looked at her sister. ‘I love you.’

  ‘Don’t! I’ll cry!’

  ‘I know. You always do, you big blubberpuss.’ Hero giggled and gave her sister a huge squeeze.

  ‘I know. I’m a wimp! And I don’t care.’

  H
ero grinned, her own eyes dry. ‘I’ll be there in a month.’

  Hero nodded at the dedicated first-class security area in front of them. ‘You’d better go. Don’t want to keep him waiting.’

  Juliet reached up to hug her baby sister again. At five foot eleven, Hero was three inches taller than her elder sibling and today she wore boots with heels that took her to over six feet. Juliet’s feet were snug in trainers. Hero had upgraded her sister, despite Juliet’s protests, but she still had a long flight ahead, and then another hop to Adelaide. Comfort was a priority.

  ‘I hope you’re not wearing those on the day?’ Hero nodded down at her sister’s footwear. Juliet followed her gaze, then laughed.

  ‘No. Definitely not! With the groom and best man at six foot three and six foot four, I’m definitely wearing heels!’

  ‘Good. Then if I wear flats, I won’t tower over you.’

  ‘You can be quite sweet when you want to, can’t you?’

  Hero pulled a face. ‘Don’t tell anyone!’ she whispered, and then winked. ‘Go on. Get on the plane, and I’ll see you in a month.’

  Four weeks later, Pete was back at the airport, waiting with his fiancée to meet her sister. Excited to see her, Juliet was incapable of standing still, constantly checking the screens and looking around.

  Pete was intrigued. Juliet had told him all about Hero, her jet-set lifestyle, and her personality. From what he knew, it seemed that the sisters were a little like him and Nick, different in their make-up but close and reliant on each other. Even more so as a result of their parents’ relative disinterest in them.

  Hero stepped through the doors to Arrivals, a wheeled Louis Vuitton suitcase trailing behind her. Pete saw the difference immediately. He’d seen photos obviously, but it wasn’t quite the same thing. The sisters might be similar in heart, but they didn’t share such similarity in their looks as Nick and Pete did.

  Pete watched as his sister-in-law-to-be glided through the crowds to meet them. Hero’s brunette, waist-length hair fell in a shimmering sheet of rich brown as she crossed the space, her walk conveying absolute confidence. Her shoulders were strong and straight, with no hint of the roundness some tall people gain as they attempt to blend into the crowd. Hero certainly didn’t blend. Couldn’t blend. She was stunning. Completely, undeniably stunning.

  Whereas Juliet’s beauty was soft and crept over you, Hero’s hit you straight away, right between the eyes. Pete watched the people around her and nudged Juliet as one poor guy, whose eyes were glued to Hero, got a whack from his girlfriend. Juliet pulled a sympathetic face.

  ‘Oh dear! She can have that effect.’

  Pete shrugged. ‘She’s very beautiful,’ he said truthfully, ‘but she’s not you.’ Juliet reached up and kissed him.

  ‘You just remember that.’

  ‘I hope that’s Pete.’ Hero appeared in front of them, a wide smile playing on perfectly painted lips. Juliet hugged her and introduced her fiancé.

  ‘Pleased to meet you, Hero.’ He leant down a placed a kiss on her cheek. It struck Hero that few men she met had to bend to do that. It felt rather nice.

  Pete took control of the luggage and led the way back to the car. They loaded themselves into the off-roader and started on the long drive back to the station. Juliet filled Hero in on the wedding arrangements and their plans for after the wedding.

  Chapter 2

  ‘So that’s it really. The hotel has been great about the reception considering it’s such short notice.’

  ‘That’s because they don’t get many weddings. Can’t believe their luck at all the cash we’re handing over.’ Pete’s eyes were on the road, and a small smile was on his lips. Juliet turned towards him.

  ‘Maybe they’re just excited. Weddings do that to some people, you know.’

  ‘Right-oh.’

  ‘Cynic.’

  ‘Never.’

  Juliet rested a hand on her fiancé’s thigh and placed a kiss on his cheek.

  Hero listened to the exchange with interest. She didn’t really date as much as the media liked to make out but the men she did go out with pretty much did their best to always be in agreement with her, or let her do her own thing. That was an unconditional part of the deal. Hero Scott had known the pain of rejection before. A pain that still sliced at her heart even now, when she was in demand from all angles, commanded thousands of pounds for a shoot and could pretty much have whatever she wanted. But the pain was still there. No amount of money, investment, or any of the other trappings could soften it. Whenever she thought about it, it burned as deep as ever.

  Of course, not everyone agreed with her views on dating. Rupert, for instance, usually just sat and rolled his eyes, then, with a mischievous twinkle, would tell the man in question to ‘stop bloody fawning’. To their face. Hero was never surprised when she didn’t see them again.

  But Juliet and Pete clearly had a different relationship. From the moment they’d met, she’d been able to see that he was just as smitten with her sister as Juliet was with him. Hero was happy to see it, the knowledge allaying the remaining worry she had about her sister’s whirlwind romance.

  Vivid terracotta dust kicked up from the unsealed road as the vehicle drove on through the landscape. Hero watched it fill the air and swirl around the car. They’d left the city far behind them some time ago and now drove on through the countryside. Looking past the dust, she saw that this part of the country was much greener than she had expected. She’d travelled to Australia a couple of times before for work, but both of those trips had been centred in Sydney, and she was enjoying getting to see more of the country, thanks to her sister.

  Pete would point out something of interest every now and then. Hero smiled and nodded, absorbing the information. Juliet had told her that she loved how laid back he was, and how his calmness seemed to seep in to her, just by being in his company. Hero could see that. Certainly, her sister looked happier and more relaxed than she had seen her in a long time. If this man and this country were the reason for that, she was immensely grateful to both of them.

  Turning back from the window, she cast a glance at the front seats again and thought again about the teasing banter between Juliet and Hero’s future brother-in-law. There was such love in their eyes; it had been obvious the minute she saw them together. It struck her that her sister’s marriage would be what Rupert was always saying a relationship should be. Despite the fact his own were most definitely not. But she knew, when the time came, even Rupert would settle down. It was what people did, wasn’t it? And it was already happening. Anya now had her five-year plan pinned to a wall in the kitchen. All the details of the training she wanted to do, and when she would do it, before finally leaving London to return home and open up her own restaurant. Juliet would be starting a new life out here. And once Rupert found the right woman, he too would have his own life. Only she would be left. Alone. A frown creased her face as she balled her fists, pushing the thoughts out of her head.

  Still, it was often the differences between the two sisters that made them close.

  Hero wasn’t looking for that sort of commitment anyway. Among all the men she’d met in her time as a model, she’d never yet met a man who could hold her attention the way Pete held Juliet’s. And deep down, she knew that there was also a fear that she would never be able to hold a man’s attention in the same way that Juliet clearly did Pete’s.

  Hero stole another glance. For all their wealth and status, the men Hero had dated held little interest for her. But she knew that it was a two-way street. She was a pretty trinket to be worn; they didn’t know her. Not really. She wouldn’t let them. She knew that real relationships meant trust, and broken trust was painful. Her past taught her that. So, she kept her feelings locked away behind a public persona that everyone thought they knew.

  Juliet, on the other hand, was an open book. She even had what people called an ‘open’ face, although neither of them had ever quite worked out the true definition of that one. And
whilst both girls had been blessed with looks, Juliet’s beauty was gentle, approachable, whereas Hero’s was more obvious. Occasionally it had the effect of causing people, men and women, to feel intimidated. Juliet rarely wore make-up whilst Hero never opened the door without it. Cosmetics had been banned at their school and so when Hero began her career, it was a novelty. And now it was habit. Protection. All part of the armour.

  Although beautiful, Hero had been a shy child, awkward in company and content to cling to her older sister who was, by nature, at ease in any situation. When Hero’s modelling career began to take off, she felt physically sick before every show at the thought of the huge numbers of people all staring up at her. But once she had been painted and preened, she was behind a mask, a character in a play. Then she could deal with the photographers, the bookers, the editors, the designers – and the world – because they weren’t seeing the real Hero, just a public persona. And she’d always had Juliet to come back to. Until now.

  Juliet glanced back to see her sister gazing out of the window. She was so beautiful, but Juliet wished she had left the make-up off today. To her, Hero’s natural beauty was softer and even more stunning. Her sister turned and caught her.

  ‘What?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’re staring.’

  Juliet smiled. ‘I would have thought you’d be used to that by now.’

  Hero shrugged and looked back out of the window. Pete caught the action in the rear-view mirror. He hadn’t yet decided whether he was going to like his new sister-in-law or not. As a true supermodel, she led a completely different lifestyle to them, a lifestyle Pete couldn’t even begin to comprehend. She did indeed have that appearance of serenity that Juliet had mentioned when she’d first told him about her sister’s career, but there was something else, a coolness that was so different to Juliet’s warmth. Pete pondered as to whether it was even an intentional projection. Hero had been a hot property from day one. After years of being told she was fabulous, with only Juliet to occasionally bring her back to earth, perhaps it wasn’t surprising she believed a little of her own press, if that was the reason. Not that it really mattered. With Juliet living out here, and Hero jet-setting all over the world, the chances of them seeing her a lot were low, although Juliet had told him on numerous occasions how close the sisters were, and it was obvious she felt it was her job to protect and worry about her sibling. Pete could understand that. His brother could more than take care of himself, but it didn’t alter the fact that Pete would always look out for him.