Yeah, and the reason I avoided you was...

Zach here. I reason I avoided Sophie that weekend is because I knew I’d been set up. I know a sucker punch when I see one, and boy did I get it. Those were new boots and it didn’t rain anywhere else on the range. That thundercloud was for me.
I guess I can laugh about it now. I felt that connection with Sophie, but I wasn’t going to admit it. To be bested by your little sister, how humiliating is that?
I often went to see my sister in college, hoping to see Sophie, but I think she was as gun-shy as I was. She always managed to be unavailable when I was there.
Can you deny it, wife of mine?

My 2 Cents

Sophie, here. I want to give my friend Beth McClure credit for my relationship with Zach. Beth and I were college roommates. When she took me home that weekend, I didn't suspect a thing.
I was standing the the kitchen when the back door flew open and a man stomped in. He was dripping wet, grumbling about the "stupid hole, his horse and his new boots." When he looked up and his eyes connected with mine, the world shifted. My stomach flipped. He later admitted he felt the same connection.
That zing I felt must’ve been felt by everyone else in the kitchen, because Beth had satisfied smile on her face. So did her mom and Ethan.
The rest of the weekend, Zach avoided me like the plague. Beth gambled on that we'd fall in love. She was right, but it only took 10 years.

The Eldest

I’m Ethan McClure. Zach’s my younger brother and you’ve heard from the baby, Beth. Now Beth was pretty much a pest growing up, always following her big brothers around and ratting us out. I remember one time Zach and I slipped out of the house one night after Mom said we couldn’t go to a party. Beth followed us, then told our folks the next morning. She’s a persistent soul, but in the end, it was her dog-eared determination that Zach would ride again the brought him to Second Chance Ranch.
Of course, Zach was worse that a wounded wolf, growling and trying to bite everyone’s head off who came near him. Yeah, he had a good reason, but Beth saw beyond his rotten attitude. Yeah, sis. You did good.

I need to Defend Myself

Zach, again. I need to defend myself. Well, I thought I had the right to my anger. I was wounded and lost my leg. When I came home, I couldn't even stay on my horse. I couldn't see how my life could mean anything, but everyone else thought differently. Beth was a determined soul. Nag, nag, nag, but I'm glad. It was the wonderful smells that touched a hunger in me that I couldn't turn away from. Even after I fell lat on my face, that desire inside didn't let me go.
God used that longing in me and I worked and worked. It was easy, but I'll say I am a stronger man now than I was when I had two legs.
If you're wondering about the picture of the horse, that's Prince Charming. He's the horse who stay in there with this stubborn soul.

I'll take the Blame

Hey, guys. I am Beth McClure. Zachary is one of my brothers. The other is Ethan. Unfortunately, I was the youngest. I always wanted to tag along with my older brothers, but they didn't want me any where near them that is until I turned 13. Suddenly, I had a big brother glued to my side and scaring off any boy who wanted to talk to me. But that's water under the bridge.
I was the one who helped Zach out of his funk. Yes, he had a reason to have a bad attitude. He lost his right leg from the knee down to a roadside bomb. It tore all us up. We prayed for him. And my parents didn't know how to act. Too much would smother him and not enough--
Well, I knew what Zach needed. My college roommate, who is ex-army herself, was working at a ranch where they wanted to start equine therapy program for wounded veterans. It was an answer to prayer. Of course, getting Zach there was not an easy feat. I had to nag and nag and after about two weeks, he gave up and said he would try one afternoon. That's all he needed. He was hooked. A cowboy like him couldn't walk away from the wonderful smells of a stable and horses. Of course, my prayer life increased ten fold, but it was worth it.

Introductions

I’m Zachary McClure. I was the first soldier to be at Second Chance Ranch. And I probably wouldn’t have ever walked into that place, but I have a sister who is a royal pain and loves me and wouldn’t let me stay in my funk.
I was Army. Cavalry. Of course, I grew up on a ranch and horses were in my blood. I also did some rodeoing. Well, I thought I’d never ride again after I lost my right leg below the knee when I was in Iraq. I remember having that ‘feeling’ when we came across the car on the side of the road. We were withdrawing when the world exploded. The next thing I knew, I woke up in Walter Reed without part of my right leg. I thought it was the end of the world, but God had a different plan for my life. And thanks to my pushy sister and a driven ex-medic, I’ve been given a new direction in my life.
I hope you’ll read our story and join us on our journey.

The real scoop.

Leann here.
Over the next few weeks, my characters from my latest book will blog their thoughts and feelings. I hope you'll enjoy the insights.

Welcome to my world.


My name is Sophie Powell. My story and Zachary McClure’s story is told in SECOND CHANCE RANCH. I now own the equine therapy ranch, but getting here wasn’t easy. I never knew this is what I wanted to do with my life, but after I spend a tour in the Army as a medic in Iraq and seeing the wounds that occurred to my patients, I wanted to be a doctor that is until I went to a continuing education program for medics at Washington D.C. I visited one of the men I treated and heard how he was riding horses and learning how to walk again with his artificial leg. At that moment, my life changed.
I grew up with horses. Rode and adored them, and when I saw what benefit the men and women were getting from the horses, I knew God had shown me the path he wanted me to take.
It hasn’t’ been an easy journey, but one I would not trade for anything in the world. Come back tomorrow. I’ll share more. I can see these mountains from my front porch.

Siging Tomorrow

I'll be signing my new book, SECOND CHANCE RANCH, at Mardel's in Hurts. 664 Grapevine Hwy. from 2-4. Please come by and see me.