“Someone has to be crazy to be driving out here with the roads the way they are,” Hayley said.

“No kidding,” Randy said. They watched as the car started sliding on the road and ended up in the ditch. They climbed over the fence and went to the car. They opened it and saw a guy slumped over the steering wheel. Hayley felt for a pulse.

“He’s alive, I think he just got knocked unconscious, call Bob and have him get the ranch hands, we’ll take him back to the house,” Hayley said.

“Hayley, you don’t know who he is,” Randy said.

“Randy, he’s hurt, he needs help and we are the only ones who can give him that, the ambulance won’t drive in these conditions and we can’t take him to the hospital, we have to help him,” Hayley said. Randy made the call. The guy came around.

“Sir,” Hayley said.

“My head,” he said.

“Is that all that hurts?” Hayley asked.

“Yeah,” he said.

“What’s your name,” Hayley said.

“I’m not sure,” he said.

“You must have hit your head hard, your memory will return in time, come on, I’ll get you back to my ranch where you can rest,” Hayley said. Randy came and helped her get him out of the car and the ranch hands showed up and they took him back to the ranch house. They settled him into one of the guest rooms. The guy looked at her. She found his wallet in his coat pocket and looked at it.

“Nick, your name is Nick Carter, you are from Florida,” Hayley said.

“Where am I?” Nick asked.

“We are an hour from Austin, Texas,” Hayley said.

“Texas, I have no idea why I’m here,” Nick said.

“Don’t worry about that now, just rest, okay, I will go make you something to eat,” Hayley said. She went downstairs. She fixed some soup and some tea and took it up to him and put it on the table when she saw that he was asleep. Elsie, her longtime housekeeper, came in and sat with him so Hayley can rest. The next morning, she got up and got dressed and went to check on her guest and saw him asleep. Elsie followed her downstairs.

“Hayley,” Elsie said.

“Elsie, don’t start, okay, he needed help and we were the only ones there to give it to him, he would be dead by now if I didn’t help him, this is my ranch, my choice,” Hayley said.

“Okay, I’m just worried,” Elsie said.

“Elsie, it will be fine,” Hayley said.

“I hope so,” Elsie said. She went to work on breakfast.

“I’m going to go ride Molly,” Hayley said. She went out to the barn and saddled up her horse and went riding.

Elsie went into the guest room and saw Nick waking up. He saw her. She put down the tray of food for him.

“Good morning, Nick, I’m Elsie, housekeeper, how are you feeling,” Elsie said.

“Okay, my head hurts, don’t know what is going on,” Nick said.

“I brought you some soup and water, I’ll be back after I inform Ms. Tanner that you are awake,” Elsie said. She left the room and went into the kitchen just as Hayley came in. She looked at Elsie.

“He’s awake,” Elsie said.

“Okay, good,” Hayley said. She went up to the bedroom and saw him eating.

“Good morning,” Hayley said.

“Morning, Ms. Tanner,” Nick said.

“Call me, Hayley, how’s your head this morning,” Hayley said.

“Hurts, still don’t know who I am or what is going on,” Nick said.

“It’s only been one night, everything will come back to ya, how’s the soup,” Hayley said.

“It’s great, I could eat the whole pot of it,” Nick said.

“She’s a great cook, anyways, I came to check how you were doing, get lots of rest and I’ll check in on you later, okay,” Hayley said.

“Okay, thanks,” Nick said smiling at her. Hayley smiled and left the room.

Three months went by. Nick still hadn’t regained his memory and was still on the ranch helping out the ranch hands and he and Hayley have gotten closer as they worked together. Nick and Hayley rode horses and they were sitting by the creek that was a half mile from the house and on ranch land.

“I love it here, it’s so peaceful,” Nick said.

“I know,” Hayley said.

“I have to confess something,” Nick said.

“What,” Hayley said.

“I’ve fallen for you, Hayley,” Nick said.

“I’ve fallen for you, too,” Hayley said. He moved closer and kissed her softly. The kiss deepened and they held each other.

Meanwhile, in Florida….

Brian, Kevin, Howie, and AJ were at Kevin’s house. Brian’s wife, Leighanne, Kevin’s wife, Kristin, Howie’s wife, Leigh, and AJ’s fiancee, Shannon were in the kitchen. Brian paced the living room.

“What are we going to do, guys, we have to find him, he’s been gone for over three months now and Rachel is getting more depressed, Leighanne said she won’t get out of bed much,” Brian said.

“Brian, he’ll come back,” Kevin said.

“Kev, it’s been over three months, why would he disappear for that long,” Brian said.

“Maybe he went for a drive and decided to keep going and is on a road trip and wants to be alone,” Kevin said.

“You want him to stay gone, don’t you,” Brian said.

“He didn’t say that, Brian, he is trying to rationalize with you about what could have happened, you know Nick, he likes to just get away from the hassles and just be on his own,” Howie said.

“But no contact to let anyone know, especially his own wife that he’s okay,” Brian said.

“Brian, chill out, okay, if he is not back in three weeks, we’ll file a missing persons report,” AJ said.

“He’s my best friend, guys, my Frack, how can I be Frick without a Frack,” Brian said.

“He’s our little bro, he is important to all of us, he probably needed to get away and be out of contact for awhile to think about everything, you know he gets like that sometimes, he would just drop everything and go out on his boat and just be there for days,” Kevin said.

“His boat is at the house, he could have just went for a drive and just kept going and stopped somewhere and is just relaxing,” Howie said.

“If he isn’t back in two weeks, we are filing a missing persons report, someone had to have seen him,” Brian said.

“There would have been articles in the magazines,” AJ said looking at them.

“True, the press would have took pics and put them in the magazines,” Howie said.

“We need to find him and get him back to Rachel,” Brian said.

Nick and Hayley were in his bed, making love. They laid there in each other’s arms afterwards.

“That was amazing,” Hayley said.

“It sure was, I never want it to stop,” Nick said.

“Me either,” Hayley said.

“Hayley!” Elsie called. She got up and got dressed and went out the door as Nick got dressed and followed her. They found her in the kitchen.

“Elsie,” Hayley said.

“Randy called, someone lost control of their car and tore up a half mile of fence and cattle are out,” Elsie said.

“Oh man,” Hayley said. She got her boots and gloves. Nick followed.

“Nick, stay with Elsie,” Hayley said.

“I want to help,” Nick said.

“Nick, stay with me, please,” Elsie said. Nick sighed. He pulled Hayley in for a kiss.

“Be careful,” Nick said. Hayley went out the door. Nick looked at Elsie.

“Why couldn’t I go,” Nick said.

“Because the cattle don’t know you as well as Hayley and the ranch hands, they all have been around the cattle more than you and the cattle know them,” Elsie said. Nick sat down.

“I want to make sure Hayley doesn’t get hurt,” Nick said.

“Nick, she won’t, this has happened many of times and Hayley emerges without a scratch because Randy and Bob and the ranch hands, they all care about her and protect her, they are all like family and they protect each other,” Elsie said.

Three hours later, Hayley walked into the house and Nick got up and hugged her.

“You okay,” Nick said.

“I’m fine, the fence is fixed and the cattle are back in so everything is good now,” Hayley said resting against him. They went up to his room and closed the door. Hayley laid on the bed and curled up. Nick laid beside her.

“You okay,” Nick said.

“I’m fine, just really tired,” Hayley said sleepily. He wrapped his arms around her. They went to sleep.

Two weeks later, Nick was out with Randy and Bob and the rest of the ranch hands. Hayley and Elsie were watching TV when a news report came on.

“This report came into our newsroom, a missing person has been reported to the local sheriff’s department, as well as all over the country, Nick Carter has been reported missing by his family, he has been missing for about four months, Nick, as most of you know is a member of the music group, the Backstreet Boys, we go live to the home of his father, Robert Carter, Melissa,” the reporter said. Hayley and Elsie looked at each other. Elsie hit record on the TV to record it.

“I am here with Nick’s father, Bob, and his wife, Ginger, and Nick’s mother, Jane, his sisters, Bobbie Jean, Leslie, Angel, his brother, Aaron, as well as Nick’s bandmates, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and Kevin Richardson, also joining us in Nick’s wife, Rachel,” Melissa said.

“He’s married,” Hayley said.

“Please tell us what is going through your minds right now,” Melissa said.

“We are worried about our son, he always answers his phone, he always lets someone know where he’s going, at first we thought he just needed to get away for awhile to clear his head, but he always let someone know when he does that, it’s been almost four months and not one word from him, if anyone can help us find him, please call the local sheriff’s department, they all have been informed, and please have proof, we can’t have any false information,” Bob said.

“Please help us bring our son home to us,” Jane said.

Elsie and Hayley watched until the news was over and Elsie turned off the TV.

“What should we do,” Hayley said.

“Call your brother,” Elsie said. Hayley’s younger brother, Jeff, was two years younger than her and was the sheriff. Hayley picked up the phone and called Jeff and talked with him and hung up.

“He’s calling the sheriff down in Florida where Nick’s from, I can’t believe this,” Hayley said.

“Oh Hayley,” Elsie said hugging her. She cried on her shoulder. Nick came in.

“What’s going on,” Nick said. Hayley looked at him. She told him everything. He looked at her.

“If it is true, I don’t remember them, I know what I feel though, I love you, you and Elsie and everyone on the ranch, this is all I know,” Nick said. Elsie turned on the TV and they were playing a video of the Backstreet Boys. Nick watched it.

“So I was in the group, I don’t remember it, nothing is coming back to me, being here with you guys and on the ranch is all I know,” Nick said. Elsie played back the news where his family was on and he watched it.

“So what, I said I don’t remember them and that’s the truth, don’t bother telling them where I am because I can’t go back with them if I don’t know who they are,” Nick said. He went upstairs. Hayley followed.

“Nick, we already called Jeff, he’s calling them,” Hayley said.

“Why, I don’t know them, Hayley, I have no memory of any of them, you, Elsie, Randy, Bob, and the rest of the guys, you all are the only ones I know,” Nick said.

“Your memories will come back,” Hayley said.

“Are you trying to get rid of me,” Nick said.

“You are married, Nick, I can’t be with a married man, it’s wrong,” Hayley said.

“I can’t be married to someone I don’t know,” Nick said. He pulled Hayley close to him.

“You are the one I love, the only one I know, I can’t lose you,” Nick said. Hayley cried and turned away from him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her to him.

“Please call Jeff, tell him to call and say that he was given false information, I can’t leave you,” Nick said.

“Just meet with them, Nick, they are your parents, they gave you life, don’t you want to meet them,” Hayley said. Nick sighed.

“Okay, I’ll meet them, but I’m not leaving,” Nick said.

“It’s up to you,” Hayley said. He began kissing her neck. He slid his hands under her shirt. He removed her clothes and his and closed the door and locked it and picked her up. He laid her on the bed and got on top of her and they made love off and on for the rest of the afternoon.

The next morning, Nick paced the living room. The doorbell rang. Elsie opened the door and saw a man and a woman standing there.

“I’m Bob Carter and this is my ex-wife, Jane Carter,” the man said. They showed their ids and Elsie let them in. They walked into the living room and saw Nick standing there. Jane started to cry and went to him but Nick ducked away from her.

“Nick,” Jane said.

“Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Nick has amnesia and he doesn’t know who you are,” Elsie said.

“Do you own this ranch?” Jane asked.

“No, I don’t, I am the housekeeper, have been for years, if you will excuse me, I will tell Ms. Tanner that you are here,” Elsie said.

“Tanner?” Jane asked.

“Hayley Tanner is the owner of the ranch, the main owner, her brother, Jeff, he’s the sheriff, he owns 15%, their parents died two years ago and left them the ranch, left Hayley 85% since she had been working on the ranch since she was own enough to be able to,” Elsie said. She left the room. Jane saw photos and saw a picture of two girls who look like twins.

“Oh god, Bob, it’s Rachel, she’s in these pictures,” Jane said.

“Why would Rachel be in these pictures?” Bob said.

“Rachel is the name of my twin sister,” a voice behind them said. They turned and saw a twin version of their daughter-in-law.

“Oh god,” Jane said.

“What is going on,” Nick said.

“Do you guys know Rachel?” Hayley asked.

“She’s married to Nick,” Jane said.

“What,” Nick said.

“Rachel is your wife, she looks exactly like her,” Jane said nodding to Hayley.

“I’m married to Hayley’s twin?” Nick said.

“Do you have a recent pic of her?” Hayley asked. Jane got out a picture of Rachel and Nick. Hayley looked at it.

“Yup, that’s my sis, how come she didn’t come with you,” Hayley said.

“She doesn’t know, we wanted to surprise her,” Jane said. Hayley sighed.

“Call her and have her come here, I want to see my sis, every time I have time to see her, she’s always busy,” Hayley said.

“You couldn’t go see her?” Jane asked.

“This ranch is a 24/7 operation, if someone wanted to see me, they would have to come to the ranch,” Hayley said. Bob and Jane looked at her.

“I’ll call her,” Bob said. Nick looked at the picture.

“I can’t believe it,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Hayley said. Nick closed his eyes.

“I remember this day, she and I were getting ready to go out on tour, oh god, everything is coming back to me now, oh boy,” Nick said sitting down.

“Nick,” Jane said.

“Mom, what’s going on, where am I,” Nick said.

“You are in Texas, on Rachel’s sister’s ranch,” Jane said. Nick looked at her.

“Rachel has a sister?” Nick asked.

“Nick, we were just talking about it,” Jane said.

“Last thing I remember was hitting the ditch, and everything went fuzzy,” Nick said. He looked at Hayley.

“Rach!” Nick said. He hugged her.

“I’m not Rachel,” Hayley said. Nick pulled away.

“What,” Nick said.

“I guess Rachel didn’t tell you that she has a identical twin sister,” Jane said.

“Oh god,” Nick said.

“My name is Hayley, Rachel didn’t tell you she had siblings?” Hayley said.

“You mean there’s more,” Nick said.

“Our younger brother, Jeff, is the sheriff,” Hayley said. Jeff came in.

“Hayley,” Jeff said.

“Nick, this is Jeff, my brother,” Hayley said.

“We’ve met already, sis,” Jeff said.

“He got his memory back but he doesn’t remember us, he last remembers hitting the ditch and everything was fuzzy after that,” Hayley said.

“Rachel’s coming,” Bob said.

“She can’t come here!” Jeff said.

“Why not,” Bob said.

“She’s dead to us,” Jeff said angrily.

“Jeff!” Hayley said.

“You know what she did, Hayley, can you really forgive her for it!” Jeff said.

“It was an accident, Jeff, she’s our sister, she’s family,” Hayley said.

“What did she do,” Nick said.

“How long were you two married,” Jeff said.

“A year, we met when she first came to town,” Nick said. Jeff looked at him.

“What did she tell you about her family,” Jeff said.

“That her parents were gone and she was an only child,” Nick said.

“Our parents are gone because of her!” Jeff said.

“Jeff!” Elsie said.

“It’s the truth, Elsie, they would still be here if it wasn’t for her,” Jeff said.

“What did she do,” Nick said.

“She killed our parents, that’s what she did,” Jeff said.

“It was a car accident that killed them, Jeff, not Rachel,” Hayley said.

“She was driving the car!” Jeff said.

“It was snowing, Jeff, just like it was when Nick ended up in the ditch, Dad didn’t want to drive and neither did Mom so Rachel did, she was a good driver, you know that, there wouldn’t have been an accident if there wasn’t a drunk driver out on the road at that time of night,” Hayley said. She sat down.

“Hayley,” Jeff said.

“The drunk driver caused the accident, not Rachel, it’s in the report, Jeff, you should know since you were sheriff at the time,” Hayley said.

“So she said, there wasn’t another car there, just Mom and Dad’s,” Jeff said.

“Then you might as well blame me too!” Hayley said.

“Hayley, you were home in bed with the flu!” Jeff said. Hayley glared at him.

“She’s my twin, Jeff, my other half, she’s a part of me, what affects her, affects me!” Hayley said. Elsie sat down with her and hugged her.

“It’s a twin thing, I know it well,” Jane said.

“What,” Jeff said.

“Nick’s younger brother and sister are twins, fraternal twins but they are connected, twins feel each other’s pain and emotions at times,” Jane said.

“Look, it doesn’t matter, what matters is that she was driving the car and my parents were killed,” Jeff said.

“If you don’t want to see her, then leave, because I want to see my sister, Jeff, go back to work,” Hayley said. Jeff looked at her.

“Jeff, don’t do anything to prevent Rachel from coming here, she is married to Nick,” Elsie said.

“I don’t want anything to do with her!” Jeff said. He went out the door. Hayley sighed and held her head in her hands. Elsie sat beside her.

“My parents dying was the end of my family, you’re all I have, Elsie, and the guys,” Hayley said.

“You have us, too,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Hayley said.

“You are Rachel’s sister, you are my sister-in-law, you are family,” Nick said.

“He is right, you have all of us,” Jane said.

“You are part of the Carter family now,” Bob said.

“Thank you,” Hayley said. Randy came in.

“Hayley, cattle are out on the road,” Randy said.

“Let’s go,” Hayley said getting up and going out the door. She got her horse and rode off.

A few hours later, Nick, Jane, Bob, and Elsie sat there talking as Hayley was upstairs taking a shower. The front door opened and closed and Rachel came in.

“Nick!” Rachel said. Nick stood up and hugged her.

“Hi honey,” Nick said.

“I was so scared, I thought I would never see you again, I didn’t know where you were or if you were okay,” Nick said.

“I’m fine, Elsie and Hayley took great care of it, I wish I could remember it,” Nick said.

“What,” Rachel said.

“He doesn’t remember his time here, the last thing he remembers is hitting the ditch, everything was fuzzy until we came,” Jane said. Rachel saw Elsie.

“Elsie!” Rachel said as they hugged.

“I have missed you so much,” Elsie said.

“I’ve missed you, too, I didn’t think I would be welcomed here,” Rachel said.

“Of course you are,” Hayley said coming into the room. Rachel went to her and they hugged for a long time.

“I’ve missed you,” Rachel said.

“I missed you, too, and I’m sorry about everything, Rach, I didn’t mean anything I said,” Hayley said.

“I know, I stayed away because of Jeff,” Rachel said.

“That’s nice to know,” Jeff said from the door.

“Why did you come back, Jeff,” Hayley said.

“You were right, Hayley, I went back to the office and there was a guy there waiting for me, he said he couldn’t live with the guilt anymore and he said he was the drunk driver that was on the road that night that our parents were killed,” Jeff said.

“The driver confessed,” Hayley said.

“Yeah, I put the pieces together, he said he was driving that night and he was drunk and he was on the wrong side of the road and saw a car coming and he ran them off the road and took off, I asked him when it happened, he said it was the night our parents died,” Jeff said. He looked at Rachel.

“Jeff,” Rachel said.

“You’re my sister, Rachel, I had no right to blame you, I should have believed you,” Jeff said.

“You were grieving, we all were, you were just letting the anger and the hurt cloud your judgment,” Rachel said. Jeff hugged her and Hayley to him.

“You two are the only family I have left, we are the only ones left to carry on the Tanner name,” Jeff said.

“You are the one who can have a kid that will carry on the name since I’m married and they would be Carter kids,” Rachel said.

“I have a kid,” Jeff said softly.

“What!” Hayley and Rachel said.

“I have a son, his name is James,” Jeff said.

“Why didn’t you tell me,” Hayley said.

“I didn’t know until this morning, my ex-girlfriend, Ally, came into the office and confessed that she had my kid,” Jeff said.

“How old is he?” Rachel asked.

“He was born nine months after mom and dad died,” Jeff said.

“You mean while I was sick with the flu and Rachel was driving Mom and Dad home, you were off getting Ally pregnant,” Hayley said.

“I was so in love with her, I didn’t know what was going to happen to Mom and Dad that night,” Jeff said.

“How come she didn’t tell you about James,” Hayley said. Jeff looked at her.

“After Mom and Dad died, I broke up with her, I pushed her away because I was afraid of losing someone else I loved,” Jeff said.

“Can we meet our nephew?” Hayley asked.

“I’ll call Ally,” Jeff said. He went to make the call. Hayley looked at Rachel.

“I can’t believe it, we are aunts,” Rachel said.

“I know, I can’t believe Ally never contacted him,” Hayley said. Twenty minutes later, Ally came with James. They all met him and got to know him. James climbed into Rachel’s lap and hugged her. Then he hugged Hayley.

The next day, Nick, Rachel, Jane, and Bob went home to Florida. Nick was reunited with the guys and his siblings. Life went on as normal for Nick. It has been four months since he returned to Florida and he and Rachel found out that they were going to be parents. Rachel was three months pregnant. They didn’t know that Hayley was four months pregnant with Nick’s child. Hayley hoped to never tell them about her pregnancy or that it was Nick’s baby. Nick still didn’t remember the time he spent at the ranch. Hayley was resting in her bed when the phone rang.

“Hello,” Hayley said.

“Hey sis, it’s me, I’m coming to the ranch, I’m on a plane right now, Nick’s with me, I have to see you, I have some news,” Rachel said.

“Oh ok, see you,” Hayley said. She hung up and quickly called the one person who she could count on.

“Matt, it’s me, can you come over now, please, bye,” Hayley said. Twently minutes later, Matt came in.

“Hey girl, what’s up,” Matt said. Hayley didn’t know that Matt was in love with her.

“I need your help, I’m four months pregnant,” Hayley said. Matt nodded.

“I know, it’s Nick’s, Jeff told me, he thought I should know, but that’s as far as it went, no one else knows and no one else will know,” Matt said.

“Good, because I need you to say it’s your baby,” Hayley said.

“Of course, you know I would do anything for you, girl,” Matt said.

“I need you to say this baby is yours, if asked by Nick or Rachel, I can’t let them know who the real father is,” Hayley said.

“Of course I will, like I said, I would do anything for you,” Matt said. Hayley smiled and hugged him.

“Thanks for being the bestest friend ever,” Hayley said. Matt smiled.

“I will always be your best friend, there is no getting rid of me,” Matt said. Hayley looked at him.

“You’re in love with me, aren’t you,” Hayley said. Matt sighed and nodded. Hayley smiled and kissed him.

“I feel the same way, it’s always been you,” Hayley said. Matt smiled and they kissed again.

“Be my girl?” Matt asked.

“Yes,” Hayley said. He hugged her close.

Two hours later, Hayley and Matt were sitting on the couch when Rachel and Nick came in. Elsie came into the living room from the kitchen.

“Hey sis!” Rachel said.

“Hey Rach,” Hayley said.

“Matt, is that you,” Rachel said.

“Yeah, Rachel, it’s been a long time,” Matt said standing up and hugging her.

“Yes, it has, Matt, this is Nick, my husband,” Rachel said. Matt shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Matt said.

“We’ve met before, when I was here,” Nick said.

“What,” Matt said.

“I remember everything that happened here,” Nick said. Hayley looked at Elsie.

“So what did happen here,” Rachel said.

“He helped out a lot on the ranch, helped Randy and Bob and the guys with fence and checking the livestock,” Hayley said.

“And us,” Nick said.

“What exactly happened between you two,” Rachel said. Hayley sighed.

“Nothing, nothing happened, we just hung out and worked together on the ranch, that’s it,” Hayley said.

“We did more than that, I can’t keep it from her, I want to be totally honest with her,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Rachel said.

“Hayley and I slept together, more than once, I actually was in love with her, I didn’t know that I was married and didn’t know she was your twin,” Nick said. Hayley covered her face with her hands. Matt put his arm around her.

“Oh god,” Rachel said.

“I’m sorry, Rachel, it wasn’t planned and like I said, we didn’t know the truth, she didn’t know I was married to you and I didn’t know I was married,” Nick said.

“I forgive both of you,” Rachel said.

“You do,” Hayley said.

“Yeah, you guys didn’t know who the other was, I never told you that I had siblings and that one of them was my twin, it’s my fault, too,” Rachel said.

“But I did know the truth, Rachel, I found out that you had a twin sister and a brother, that’s why I was out here in the first place before I wrecked, I was going to bring your sister and brother to you as a surprise and reunite you all,” Nick said.

“You knew about Hayley and you didn’t say anything,” Rachel said.

“You know who I was the whole time,” Hayley said.

“I never had amnesia,” Nick said.

“What!” Rachel said.

“I faked it, all of it,” Nick said.

“I can’t believe you,” Rachel said.

“So you were actually in love with me, for real, knowing who I was the whole time,” Hayley said.

“Yes, I was, but those feelings are gone because I love my wife, the woman I married, you, Rachel, it was you all along,” Nick said. Rachel looked at him.

“So you did all of this just so you could reunite me and my sister and brother,” Rachel said.

“Yeah, I saw something was missing so I had a pi look into your past, that’s how I learned that you have a twin sister and a brother,” Nick said. Rachel hugged him.

“I forgive you, for all of it, I love you so much,” Rachel said. Nick kissed her.

“I love you, too,” Nick said.

“So is that the news you wanted to tell me,” Hayley said. Rachel went to her sister.

“No, I’m three months pregnant, Nick and I are having a baby!” Rachel said. Hayley smiled and hugged her. Rachel tried to pull her up. Matt kept Hayley on the couch and kept her stomach covered.

“Sis,” Rachel said.

“I’m comfortable,” Hayley said.

“What is going on,” Rachel said.

“Nothing,” Hayley said. Rachel looked at Hayley.

“Oh god, no,” Rachel said. She pulled the blanket and pulled Hayley up and they saw her stomach and Nick’s eyes widened.

“You’re pregnant, too,” Rachel said. Hayley slowly nodded. Rachel looked at Nick.

“It’s Nick’s, isn’t it,” Rachel said.

“It’s mine,” Matt said.

“Hayley, just tell them the truth,” Elsie said.

“Hayley, please, is it Nick’s baby,” Rachel said. Hayley looked at them and looked at the floor and slowly nodded.

“Oh god, how could you!” Rachel said looking at her sister and husband. She ran out the door. Hayley sat down. Matt hugged her.

Matt sat there holding Hayley as Elsie went after Rachel. Nick stood there.

“I’m sorry,” Nick said softly.

“The truth had to be told,” Hayley said.

“I know, I’m sorry that I lied to about not knowing who you were,” Nick said.

“It’s okay, Nick, you weren’t sure what the history was with me and Rachel,” Hayley said. Nick sat down.

“I will bow out, if you want me to, let you and Matt raise the baby,” Nick said.

“The only reason I said it was mine was because Hayley didn’t want to truth out, but it’s out and I don’t have to cover anymore,” Matt said.

“Matt,” Hayley said.

“We don’t have to act like a couple now, Hayley,” Matt said.

“So we aren’t really together,” Hayley said.

“I’m sorry, I can’t, I will always be your best friend, but it can’t be more than that,” Matt said. He left. Hayley looked at Nick.

“Nick,” Hayley said. Elsie came back.

“She’s on a plane to Florida, she’ll wait for you there,” Elsie said looking at Nick.

“I better go to her,” Nick said. Hayley nodded. She suddenly cried out in pain and held her stomach.

“Hayley,” Elsie said. They took her to the hospital and the doctor examined her. He did an ultrasound and looked at Hayley.

“I’m afraid there is no heartbeat,” the doctor said. Nick hugged Hayley. She held onto him and cried.

Two hours later, Hayley was home in bed resting. Nick looked at Elsie.

“I better get back to Rachel, I’ll come back in a few days,” Nick said. Elsie nodded and hugged him. He went to the airport and got on a flight back to Florida. He arrived home and went in and saw Rachel sitting on the couch.

“I am guessing you stuck around for a few more hours, so are we over,” Rachel said.

“No,” Nick said softly. He sat down. She looked at him and saw he was sad.

“Nick,” Rachel said.

“I was set to leave when Hayley cried out in pain, Elsie and I took her to the hospital,” Nick said.

“Oh god no,” Rachel said.

“The baby’s gone,” Nick said softly.

“Nick, I’m sorry, I should have stayed,” Rachel said.

“Instead of two kids, I’m having one,” Nick said.

“Nick, I have to tell you the truth, this baby isn’t yours, I had an affair,” Rachel said.

“What,” Nick said.

“I will pack my stuff and leave,” Rachel said.

“No, you can have the house, I’ll move out,” Nick said. He stood up.

“Go to Hayley, she needs you, I’ll file the papers,” Rachel said.

“Fine,” Nick said. He left and went back to Texas. He walked into the ranch house and went to Hayley’s room and saw her asleep. He laid down on the bed next to her and stroked her cheek. She woke up and saw him.

“Nick,” Hayley said.

“Hey,” Nick said.

“What happened with Rachel,” Hayley said.

“We are getting a divorce, turns out she had an affair and her baby isn’t mine,” Nick said. Hayley rested her hand on his.

“I’m sorry,” Hayley said.

“It’s not your fault,” Nick said.

“I can’t believe she cheated on you,” Hayley said.

“I cheated first, remember,” Nick said.

“But she is having another man’s baby, that doesn’t make things even,” Hayley said.

“I know, she’s keeping the house, I’m moving out,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Hayley said.

“I still have feelings for you,” Nick said. She stroked his face. He kissed her softly. The kiss deepened.

“Stay here with me,” Hayley said.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Nick said. He kissed her again.

Three months went by. Nick had his stuff at the ranch. The divorce was pending and Nick and Hayley were officially together and in love. Nick and Hayley were out in a pasture working on a fence. They were in a secluded part of the pasture. Hayley was finishing a fence when Nick came up behind her and hugged her. He buried his face in her neck.

“All done, baby,” Nick said kissing her neck. She smiled and finished up her task and turned in his arms and put her arms around his neck.

“So am I,” Hayley said. He kissed her deeply. He began removing her clothes.

“Nick,” Hayley said softly.

“Hmm,” Nick said as he kissed her neck. He unbuttoned her shirt and pushed it off. He undid her bra and removed it and started kissing her breasts. He took a nipple in his mouth and sucked it. She threw her head back and held his head to her. He moved down and unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them off along with her underwear and she was standing there naked. He removed his clothes and they laid on the ground. He kissed her neck and her breasts and moved down and opened her legs and licked her and she moaned loudly. He smiled and he pushed his tongue inside of her. She cried out his name as he made love to her with his tongue. He stopped and moved up and laid between her legs and pushed inside of her. They moved together. He kissed her deeply as he went faster and harder. She held onto him and she cried out his name as she came around him. He came behind her, spilling himself inside her. He laid on top of her and buried his face in her neck. She held him close.

“I love you, Hayley,” Nick said.

“I love you, too,” Hayley said. They got up and got dressed and headed back to the house. They went up to her room which had become their room and closed the door and locked it and collapsed on the bed after removing their clothes and made love off and on for the rest of the afternoon and evening. They got dressed afterwards and came down for dinner. The phone rang. Hayley got up and answered it.

“Hello,” Hayley said.

“Hey sis,” Rachel said.

“Hey, you okay,” Hayley said.

“I’m fine, how are you,” Rachel said.

“Fine, busy with work on the ranch, just got done working on fence,” Hayley said.

“Hayley, are you and Nick together as a couple,” Rachel said.

“Yeah,” Hayley said.

“Good, I was hoping you two would, I’m not angry or mad, I am the one who screwed up, I cheated on Nick, I want him to be happy and if it is with you, I couldn’t be more glad, I’m getting married, to the father of my baby as soon as the divorce is final, I was wondering if you would come to the wedding, it’s going to be small, if you, Jeff, and Elsie could come, Nick can come if he wants, but I doubt it,” Rachel said.

“Rach, let me know and I’ll find out then,” Hayley said. Nick looked at her.

“His name is Mark, he’s a great guy, nice and caring, has a good job, I’m in love with him and he’s in love with me, he sends me flowers every day, just to tell me he loves me,” Rachel said.

“I’m happy for you, sis,” Hayley said.

“I better go, Mark wants to go out for dinner, I’ll call you later,” Rachel said.

“Ok, bye,” Hayley said. She hung up.

“Hayley,” Nick said.

“Rachel is engaged to be married to the father of her child, she wants me, Jeff, and Elsie to go to the wedding as soon as the divorce is final, she said you could come if you wanted to,” Hayley said.

“I’ll go, she’s your sister, I’m with you now,” Nick said. She sat down in his lap and he held her close.

“Okay,” Hayley said.

“What’s his name,” Nick said.

“Mark, she said he’s a great guy, has a good job, sends her flowers every day just to tell her he loves her, she loves him,” Hayley said.

“I’m happy for her,” Nick said.

“You are?” Hayley asked.

“Yeah, I don’t think we were meant to be, I think I was meant to be with you and she was meant to be with him,” Nick said.

“Nick, we haven’t been using protection, I might become pregnant again,” Hayley said.

“And if you do, I’ll be happy, we belong together, Hayley,” Nick said. He kissed her deeply. Elsie came in.

“Hey you two, I’m going to go stay at my sister’s for the night,” Elsie said.

“Okay,” Hayley said. Elsie left. Nick locked up the house as Hayley cleaned up the kitchen. Nick came in and hugged her from behind. She finished and turned in his arms and he kissed her deeply and moved over to the table and lifted her up on it and removed her clothes and his and opened her legs and pulled her to the edge and pushed inside her body. He held her hips as he moved within her. He ran his hands up and down her body and pushed her legs up and went faster and harder. She cried out his name as she came around him. He came spilling himself inside her body. He held himself inside her and pulled her up and kissed her deeply and grabbed her butt and lifted her up and carried her to the stairs and he made love to her on the stairs. They made their way to the bathroom and got into the shower and made love in the shower. They got out and laid on the bed and made love before going to sleep in each other’s arms.

The next day, Nick made a phone call while Hayley fixed breakfast. Nick came in and hugged her.

“I called the courthouse and asked them to speed up the divorce, they will make it final tomorrow,” Nick said.

“Okay,” Hayley said.

“And I want to marry you,” Nick said.

“What,” Hayley said.

“I want to marry you, be with you forever,” Nick said.

“Oh Nick, I will,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply. Hayley called Rachel.

“Rach, sis, Nick called the courthouse, the divorce should be final tomorrow,” Hayley said.

“Tell him thanks, I’ll tell Mark, and we will arrange the wedding to be Saturday,” Rachel said.

“And Nick and I are engaged,” Hayley said.

“Congrats, sis, hey, how about a double wedding,” Rachel said. Hayley asked Nick. He nodded.

“He said okay,” Hayley said.

“Great, come down Friday and we will call everyone else,” Rachel said.

“Okay, call you later, bye,” Hayley said. She hung up and looked at Nick. He kissed her. Hayley called Jeff and Elsie. They came to the ranch and she told them the news. Jeff shook Nick’s hand.

“Take care of my sis, okay,” Jeff said.

“I will,” Nick said.

Two days later, they went down to Florida and met Mark and got everything ready. On Saturday, Rachel and Mark were married in a double ceremony with Nick and Hayley. Nick and Hayley went back to the ranch the next day after spending the night in a honeymoon suite at one of the hotels. They went in and saw all the ranch hands and Elsie in the living room. They all stood up and clapped.

“Thank you, everyone,” Hayley said. Randy hugged her and shook Nick’s hand.

“So we get to call you Mrs. Carter now,” Randy said.

“Actually she wants to stay Ms. Tanner,” Nick said.

“And you are okay with that,” Randy said.

“Of course, we know we are married,” Nick said.

“I will be Mrs. Carter, but you can all still call me Ms. Tanner, or since we all know each other and are pretty much a family here, call me Hayley,” Hayley said. They all said goodnight after congratulating them and went to the bunkhouse. Elsie locked up the house.

“Goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” Elsie said.

“Goodnight, Elsie,” Nick said.

“Goodnight, Elsie,” Hayley said. Elsie went to her room. Hayley and Nick went to their room. He closed the door and locked it and pulled her close.

“So Mrs. Carter, ready for bed,” Nick said.

“Oh yeah,” Hayley said. They got ready for bed and climbed in and she snuggled up to him and they went to sleep. The next morning, Hayley woke up and saw Nick asleep and she smiled. She kissed him softly. She laid kisses on his chest. She felt his hands on her arms as he pulled her up to him and kissed her deeply.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Nick said.

“Morning,” Hayley said.

“I could just stay in this bed with you all day,” Nick said. Hayley smiled.

“Same here, but there is work to do,” Hayley said.

“I know, life on the ranch,” Nick said. Hayley smiled.

“I love it,” Hayley said getting up. Nick got up and put his arms around her.

“And I love you,” Nick said.

“I love you, too,” Hayley said. He kissed her and held her and he knew it was fate that brought him here to her and he found love on the ranch.

THE END!