Chasing Hope

by Elizabeth Castle

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

A man looking toward the future and a woman without a past.

Matt Henney is a man with no place of his own, but buying into his best friends' ranch feels as if he's finally come home. He might now be broke, but he's looking forward to planting roots for the first time in his life and ditching the open road. Signing the contract that makes him a third owner of the Waters Ranch near the remote canyons in Utah brings him a peace that has eluded him.

Hope Whitfield is desperate. She's on a mission to find out who Hope is and who Hope can be. With no memory of who she once was, all she wants is to live on the land she inherited and keep her head above water. Living on the remote property in Utah seems like a dream come true. The land is hers, and she'll do whatever she has to do to keep it.

For Hope, plans rarely go her way. She desperately needs her job at the Waters Ranch, but every day that passes, she fears it will be her last. Then along comes Matt, who has patience with her limitations and is the friendly face she needs to get through each day. But trouble is following Hope; trouble she can't remember. There is a killer out there, and Hope is the only link. Hope and Matt will need to learn to trust each other in order to stop a killer. And to find a love that neither of them was searching for.

Chasing Hope is a standalone title, around 75,000 words. Hope and Matt will forever hold a place in my storytelling heart. Their story wouldn't be kept inside, and I'm pleased to share it with you. Please note this is an open-door romance. I hope you enjoy.” – Lizzy Castle.

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Release date: November 29, 2024

Publisher: In The Air Publishing

Print pages: 356

Sample

Chapter One

Matt Henney pulled up in front of the newly finished ranch house.  He slammed the door of his pickup and breathed in the fresh spring air, taking in the woods and canyons in the distance.  Behind the canyon, snow-capped mountains set the backdrop to what he would now call home.  The snow was melting, and summer wasn’t far away.  Every tense muscle in his body loosened as peace settled in.  Of all the places he’d been in the world, he felt most at peace in Utah.  Mountains, canyons, deserts, heat, and snow could all be found within its borders.

He looked around the vast property.  He finally had the stake he needed to buy into his friends’ business.  No more traveling.  No more open roads.  No more scraping together every penny.

His gaze wandered off into the distance toward the canyon, far past where the ranch house stood.  The cabins, horse trails, barns, and stables were quiet.  He could see horses and cattle grazing.  The Waters Ranch was a combination working ranch and retreat that was open year-round to guests, but the start of the busy season was still a month away.  Guests could enjoy the luxurious hotel or rent one of the many guest cabins with the canyons and mountains in the background.  They could go climbing, hiking, camping, or horseback riding.  From the working ranch side, there was a small herd of cattle, goats, and chickens.  The vast fields and orchard grew a variety of fruits and vegetables.  Matt was content doing whatever was needed, whether it was working at the barns or taking guests out.

He turned to the house as the screen door opened.  Allie Waters came down the four stairs of the porch and launched herself at him.  Her strong arms held him tight as he caught her up.  “I can’t believe you’re finally here.”

A tall, dark-haired man followed at a slower pace.  “She was worried you might not make it before dark.”

Matt hugged his other friend.  He and Jeremy Waters had been friends since childhood.  “I wanted to see the sunset.  Nothing like it on Earth.”

Allie hugged him again.  “It’s so good to see you.”

Matt set a hand on Allie’s stomach.  When she’d told him she was pregnant, he’d been thrilled for her.  They’d been friends since they’d served as medics in the army.  When Matt had brought Allie home for a visit while on leave, Jeremy had taken one look at her and had fallen in love.  It had amused him to see his ladies’ man best friend become tongue-tied around the forceful Allie.  Allie hadn’t been particularly interested in marriage, but time and patience had worn her down.

Matt followed his friends inside, thinking about how different they were, yet how they complemented each other.  Jeremy was much taller than his five-foot-eleven frame and dwarfed his five-foot-five wife.  Jeremy’s hair was almost black, whereas Allie’s was shades of brown and red.  Allie was the spitfire; the one who would always tell you exactly what she was thinking.  Jeremy was just as forceful but did it in a quiet way.

“I see you two have been busy.  Last time I saw this place, it was still bare drywall.”  Matt gazed around the now-completed space.  The open space was painted in light desert colors but filled with lush plants.  The oversized glass windows and skylights brought the outdoors in.  The tile floors were a jarring turquoise but somehow fit the space.

Allie settled her palms across her full belly.  “Who knew Jeremy was so good at interior design?”

Jeremy came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and his hands settled on top of hers.  “One of us had to be.  Matt, your new trailer arrived last week.  We’ve got it all up and running for you.”

Allie had wanted him to build a house on the property, but Matt had declined.  It wasn’t his land yet, and his money was better spent helping build up the ranch.  But neither did he want to spend all of his time camping, nor take up space in one of the cabins.  So, he’d compromised and let them hook up a trailer for him.

Allie leaned into her husband.  “Your furniture arrived, what little there was of it.  Jeremy ordered a few extra pieces, and I stocked the kitchen, though you’re welcome to eat with us.”

“How about a tour?”  Matt was impressed by the space.  It was homey, something neither he nor Jeremy knew much about.  They’d both been in the foster system and had grown up in the same home.  And while he had fond memories of his foster parents, neither he nor Jeremy were what you’d call home bodies.

Allie showed him around their finished home.  He envied his friends.  They had found each other and had built a business from the ground up.  Matt accepted the cup of coffee when they settled into the kitchen.  “It’s hard to believe what this place used to be.”

Allie inhaled the coffee before handing her husband his.  “We’ve hired more staff.  And with you finally settling in and buying in, we’ll have more groups going out.  Rock climbing is big business out here.  I’ll feel much better keeping Jeremy closer to home and letting you take the groups out.”

Jeremy finished his coffee.  “No rest for the weary.  Hope you’re ready, Matt.  Allie has a new stud arriving tomorrow.  Travis is going to take a new group camping at the mesa.  Mike is taking out a newbie group of rock climbers.  The renovations on the older cabins are finished, and we’re going to start listing them to rent.”

Matt rose and stretched.  “Wherever you need me.”

“Mmm.  First problem might be in your trailer finishing cleaning it up.”

Allie glared at her husband over her shoulder.  “Cut her some slack.  She’s trying.”

Jeremy released her and went to rinse their cups.  “That woman hasn’t worked a day in her life.”

Matt glanced at Allie’s pinched lips.  “Problem?”

Jeremy replied.  “Hope Whitfield.  The woman is useless.  Allie refuses to let me fire her.  She showed up here last month along with a dozen other women looking to get hired.  She had no job experience at all.  Allie felt sorry for her and gave her a job anyway.”

That surprised Matt.  Allie was a firm believer in hard work and earning your way.  She had to be tough leading a team of medics in the army.  “Going soft on me?”

Allie gave him a dirty look.  “There has got to be something she’s good at.  She’s a body, and she’s willing to work.”

Jeremy shook his head.  “I booted her out of the kitchen.  She couldn’t seem to manage taking reservations and answering phones.  Now she’s the slowest member of our cleaning staff.  The woman can barely make a bed.  The other housekeepers are complaining.  I’m going to assign her to the barn.  Because, Allie, if the woman can’t rake out a stall, then she’s gone.”

Allie relented.  “All right.  You made your point.  School is out soon, and we’ll have some new applicants.”

Matt yawned, the long trip catching up with him.  “Why don’t I go check out the trailer and settle in.”

Jeremy set a hand on Allie’s shoulder.  “I’ll take him.  You need to put your feet up.”

Allie lifted her mouth to his.  “Yes, dear.”

Jeremy kissed her.  “Come on, Matt.  Hopefully, she didn’t burn the place down.”

Matt followed Jeremy in his truck as his friend led him down the dirt and gravel road.  It took a couple of minutes to drive to where the trailer was nestled near some large boulders.  He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat.  “This is a lot nicer than I told you to get.”

Jeremy agreed.  “It is.  But Allie said there was no way she was letting that eyesore of a trailer you picked out anywhere near her property.”

The trailer was single-wide, but from the length of it, it likely had a couple of bedrooms.  A large window, along with smaller windows, ran the length of the trailer. A small deck held a table and chairs, as well as a grill, and there was a large fire pit nearby.

“Allie wanted to be sure you stuck around.  And she said to think of it as a retreat when you come back from taking a bunch of greenhorns camping or climbing.”

Matt opened the door and took in the space.  There was a large kitchen to the right with plenty of cabinets, full-size appliances, and a small island.  To the left, there was a full living room, a massive television, an empty bookcase, a couch, and a wood-burning fireplace.  There was a short hall that led to three doors.

Jeremy let the screen door shut behind him.  He called out, “Ms. Whitlock.”

A woman came from the back room, rubbing her palms on her khakis.  She was about Allie’s height, with chin-length auburn curls around an oval face.  The pants were loose on her frame, the dark blue polo shirt tucked in.  The clothes were baggy, but he could see hints of curves underneath.  She was pretty enough, but he agreed with Jeremy.  There wasn’t much to her, and she didn’t appear sturdy enough to tackle the jobs on a retreat or ranch this size.  She didn’t look like she could weed a vegetable garden.

Her voice was soft when she spoke.  “I finished up.  The bed is made up, and I washed the bathroom down.  I made sure everything was stocked in the kitchen like Mrs. Waters asked.”

The woman’s turquoise eyes glanced at him.  He could tell from the expression on her face that she was nervous.

Jeremy poked his head into the bathroom and bedroom.  “All right.  You can go.  We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Turquoise eyes once again held his.  It was disconcerting.  The anxiety had faded, and there was nothing else in her gaze, not even relief that she could go.  She quickly brushed past the two men and was out of sight by the time he went to the window.  “Not much to her.”

“No.  Allie took a shine to her.  No clue why.  Allie swears she knows her.  But she doesn’t recall knowing a Whitfield or a Hope.  But I don’t have time, and neither does the rest of the staff, to tolerate someone who can’t pull their weight.”

Matt tossed his duffle bag next to the couch.  “Can’t or won’t?”

Jeremy scrubbed a hand over his face.  “Can’t.  I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something wrong with her.  The only reason I haven’t fired her yet is that she puts in the hours.  She works hard.  It’s just that nothing seems to get done.  I don’t know.  For Allie’s sake, I hope she can handle a rake, feed bags, or something.  I will have to let her go.”

Matt dropped onto the sofa.  “Why don’t I show her the ropes tomorrow?  It’s been a while since I’ve worked with the horses.  Worse case, she can clean up after the goats.”

Jeremy just shook his head.  “In addition to the goats, Allie got a pair of alpacas.  She also got some sheep.  At the rate we’re going, we could open a petting zoo.  I didn’t mind the cows and goats.  The small farm Allie runs over on the east part of the property makes her happy.  Milk and cheese fetch decent prices.  Costly though.  The apple and cherry orchards had a good harvest last year, and we’re hoping for a repeat.  Despite the small oasis we have here, we’ve got the desert to the south and canyons and mountains surrounding us.  We’re blessed this land has plenty of water to sustain our operations.  Honestly, though, the sheep and alpacas are a bit much, even if they earn their keep.  Can’t say the same about Hope Whitfield.”

Matt saw Jeremy off and checked out the rest of the trailer.  The large king bed was met with approval and appreciation.  The bathroom was spacious.  It had a soaking tub and shower combo.  The double vanity was more than he needed but was nice.  There was a second empty bedroom tucked between the utility room and the master, though it would only hold a twin bed and a small dresser.  Maybe he would tuck a desk in there.  He didn’t own much and didn’t need much room.  This place was a palace in comparison to some of the places he’d lived.  But it afforded him privacy, a roof over his head, and a place to settle down.

It had taken him the last five years to finish saving up the stake he needed to buy into Allie and Jeremy’s business.  Allie had inherited the run-down retreat from her aunt on her mother’s side of the family.  They had wanted to bring him in years ago, but he wanted to be able to contribute to the operation, not just be an employee.  They were his best friends, and they understood his need to own something of his own.  He came during the busy summer season and spent the rest of the year in some of the coldest, harshest land out there, saving every penny.  He’d survived, but this time he was staying for good.

 

*  *  *

 

Hope shivered as she poured the last of the jug of water over her head and rinsed out the shampoo.  The temperature dropped at night, but it was just as cold in the mornings.  At least this way her hair would be dry by the morning.  When she’d first arrived and had to start taking camp baths, she’d cropped her longer hair to her chin.  It was harder to control the shorter curls, but easier to wash and rinse.

She tossed a few more branches on the small fire as she blotted water out of her hair.  She combed it out as close to the heat as she dared.  She’d gotten good at camp baths and learned to use the least amount of water possible.  Water was scarce on this side of the river.  Her camp was surrounded by rocks and boulders, the lower level of the canyon surrounding the borders of the property.  The river was a good mile or more from where she sat.  Thankfully she was able to fill water jugs each night after work.  If she was lucky, she could sneak some food out, as well.  Tonight she had been cleaning the trailer, so she had missed dinner.  Her stomach growled, but she ignored it.

She sat for a while with her flannel nightgown wrapped around her legs and let the fire warm her.  The tarp she had staked into the ground kept the dirt and sand off her.  Her work clothes were airing out on a nearby fence, and she idly thought it was time to make a trip into town.  But not tonight.  Millions of stars lit up above her as she felt her eyes start to droop.  She yawned, knowing it was getting late, but too tired to grab her watch and look at the time.

Hope opened the flap to the tent she’d pitched near the run-down house.  After her first night inside the house, she hadn’t slept in it again.  Spiders, bugs, rats, and who knew what else had made what was left of the house their home.  She hadn’t intruded again.

“Ready for bed, Trixie?”

The massive dog raised her head.  She didn’t know a lot about dogs, but the vet who treated Trixie for a skin condition told her the dog was expensive. The vet’s best guess was that she was likely a purebred Boerboel, a type of mastiff.  Hope had been terrified the first time she’d laid eyes on Trixie.  But the poor dog had been abandoned and left to starve.  She had been so thin, her skin mottled, and her fur missing.  Once fed and medicated, the dog slowly healed.  She still had some scars, but the beautiful gold of her fur was now thick and healthy.

Hope doused the remainder of the fire and crawled inside the tent.  The dog followed her inside, and Hope zipped them in.  The dog lay down on the bed Hope had set up for her, and Hope climbed onto her air mattress.  The dog immediately began snoring, but sleep eluded Hope.  Her body was exhausted, but her mind wouldn’t shut off.

“We’ll talk tomorrow.”  That didn’t bode well.  Hope was surprised Jeremy Waters hadn’t fired her yet.  But Hope was desperate.  She prayed he would give her another chance to prove she could be useful.  Without the job at the Waters Ranch, she didn’t know what she’d do.  They were miles from a city.  Miles from a town, even.  Her car got her back and forth to work, and into town now and again, but it needed maintenance.  She simply didn’t have the money to put into it.  The oil change last month was all she could afford.

She rolled onto her side, pulling the sleeping bag higher over her shoulders.  By morning she’d be completely inside of it.  Hope wasn’t sure she was looking forward to the heat that would soon be heading her way, but it had to be better than the frigid temperatures she was currently experiencing.

She watched Trixie as she shifted to get more comfortable.  Other than feeding Trixie and giving her affection, the dog took care of herself.  When Hope came back from work each day, Trixie was still there.  Hope didn’t dare tie her up.  There were wild animals, and tethering the dog could prove fatal.

Burrowing deeper, Hope closed her eyes.  Matt Henney.  Now he was a fresh drink of water.  He was tall, likely around six feet, though he was a bit shorter than her employer.  His hair was too long, longer than hers, and the gold, wavy locks went past his shoulders.  The beard needed a trim but added to his rugged appearance.  His biceps bulged at the edges of his t-shirt, and his chest and shoulders were broad.  His eyes were a deep brown against his tanned skin.  He was older than her; she’d put him close to forty.  Fine wrinkles framed his eyes, but there was no gray hair at his temples, though a few sprinkled his beard and mustache.  Dark wash jeans worn through the knees hugged muscular thighs.

She’d heard from one of the women who worked at the retreat tell some other women that he spent his summers here.  He was a rock climber and survivalist.  He took groups hunting, fishing, and camping, as well as taking advanced climbers to the nearby canyons.  There was also a lot of feminine speculation about him.  Rumors were that he was single.  From some of the comments Hope had heard, even if he were in a relationship, that wouldn’t stop some of the women from pursuing him.  But gossip was that he was here to stay, and a couple of women were looking to be the first, or perhaps the next, Mrs. Henney.

He had a rugged appeal, and she wasn’t immune now that she’d seen him for herself.  She didn’t know what possessed a person to pit themselves against nature, though these past two months living outside had given her a new appreciation for those who did.  Give her a soft bed and a hot shower any day.  And what she wouldn’t give for hot running water.  The hotel she stayed in from time to time had tepid water at best.  But it had a coin-operated washer and dryer, the beds weren’t full of bugs, and the price was right.  And it rented by the hour, so she was able to get a room, have a nap, and wash her clothes before heading back to her “home.”

It was hard to remember what home used to be.  As a young girl, home was a two-story brownstone on the east coast.  She’d seen pictures but didn’t have real memories of it.  As an adult, home was a garish mansion on the West Coast.  She’d rather live outside for the rest of her life than ever set foot inside that marble entryway again. 

Hope curled up tighter inside the sleeping bag as she shivered.  She’d rather wear secondhand clothes than ever wear another designer suit.  In a rage, she’d tossed out every article of clothing, every shoe.  She’d had enough sense to sell the jewelry she owned.  She still had a few pieces left to sell for emergencies.  Likely the diamond bracelet would soon pay for her car.  But only if Jeremy Waters didn’t fire her in the morning.  She’d need that bracelet to eat and to keep Trixie in kibble if he did.