The Novice Ranch Hand — June Foster

Peyton Langley must escape the haunting memories of the past. He can no longer dwell on what he left behind in the jungles of Peru. Seeking a new life, Peyton answers an ad in the Texas Rancher's Journal for a job at the prominent Ford Sheep Ranch in Central Texas. Only problem, he knows nothing about ranching except how to ride a horse.After meeting Chet, the wayward teen whom Mr. Ford employed, Peyton realizes he wants to operate a ranch for needy boys someday, providing them a home and a future.Erika Ford runs the Ford family sheep ranch in the hill country of Central Texas along with her father and two brothers. She wants to keep the legacy of the Ford ranch alive after her father retires. Since her brothers plan to explore other careers in the near future, she's sure the entire responsibility of the ranch will fall to her someday. When a new ranch hand shows up, she pulls a gun on him believing him to be an intruder. But after she learns of his strong Christian values and discovers the godly man he is, her heart softens toward him.When Erika discovers Peyton's dark secret, she wants to support him, but is her comfort enough? Can Erika prove to her father that she's capable of managing the sprawling sheep ranch which has been in the Ford family for four generations?