Chapter One

Texas, she was going to Texas and the idea frightened her. She had grown up in a country town and she had left as soon as she could and yet now she was heading to one of the largest country places in the United States. Her grandfather lived there and ran a very successful oil company that he had raised from the ground up. If it hadn't been for her recent turn of events she would of never gone there but life had another idea for her.

The media waited like an animal hunting it's prey and the second she stepped outside they were on her. Bombarding her with questions as the bright lights of the cameras flashed into her face and she covered her eyes..

"Miss Buchanan has nothing to say" her body guard Charles said as he guarded her with his body. She was half tempted to just tell them all to go to hell. It was as if they lived for this day. The day that the poor little heiress got dumped on her ass but she was stronger than that, she was a damn Buchanan for god sake..

"but is it true that Mr. Vega is due to have a child now" one of the reporters called out and she felt the bile raising in her throat..

"Miss Buchanan is there anything you would like to say to him now?" another reporter yelled out as Charles got the car door and for some reason, she wasn't sure why. Maybe she was just so sick of all the bullshit but she turned and faced them as they got quiet, extremely quiet..

"actually I do have something to say" she said as Charles looked at her in shock..

"Miss Buchanan" he began with worry in his voice..

She ignored him.."Mr Vega can kiss my big white ass!" she yelled as she flipped her middle finger at the cameras and then quickly got into the limo as Charles looked at her in shock. It wasn't like her to have an outburst like that but she didn't care, she was over it all. She was over all of it!

It was hours later that she ended back in the small town that she had been born and raised. Though she expected her parents to be happy to see her, well her father looked like he was about to blow a gasket as he paced his office with a newspaper in hand. It had a picture of her with her middle finger up and the headline wrote "Miss Buchanan heiress to the Buchanan fortune has finally lost it"

"are you kidding me Natalie!" her father yelled as she rolled her eyes. She wasn't a child anymore and she hated being treated like one. She was twenty five for god sake and for most of her life she had been surrounded by media, it was about time she finally said what was on her mind. She actually felt empowered by it but her father, the CEO and head of Buchanan Enterprise wasn't so empowered by it.."unacceptable" he continued..

"How exactly am I suppose to react after what has happened, he made a fool out of me, he is the one who was caught with his pants down!" she began to raise her voice..

"And I told you that we will let the lawyers take care of that" her father snapped..

"You know what dad, your lawyers cant fix this, my lawyers cant fix this, he cheated on me and he got caught, im the damn laughing stock of the entire world!" she yelled as she stood up now and her mother walked into the room with her tray of tea as Natalie huffed.."and I don't want anymore tea mother, teat doesn't solve anything" she turned on her heels..

"Natalie, Natalie you get back here right now" her father yelled out as she got to the door..

"Or what father, huh? What exactly are you going to do" she snapped.."maybe you should call your lawyers and get an opinion!" she stormed out of the room as Clint huffed angrily..

"i swear that girl is going to be her own downfall" he snapped as he slammed the paper onto the table..

"Clint she is going through a very hard time, she was going to be married soon" her mother Victoria said softly as she put the tray down..

"well if she would of just listened to me then we could of avoided all of this" he began to pour himself a drink..

"you know you shouldn't be drinking with the medicine your taking" Victoria began as he slammed the bottle down..

"Great now I cant even have a god damn drink" he sat roughly into his chair..

"she is upset ok, she has every right to be and believe it or not Clint, this one you cant fix, only time can do that" Victoria said softly as she began to hand him a cup of tea.."Now try and relax, it isn't good for your blood pressure" she smiled sweetly..

"whats not good for my blood pressure is that daughter of ours acting out to the media" he said angrily but he grabbed the cup of tea..

"its all water under the bridge dear" Victoria said as she leaned forward and kissed his forehead.."she will be ok, she just needs time"

Natalie stormed up two flights of stairs as she headed into the bedroom she had grown up in. As soon as the door closed she began to cry heavily into her hands. Everything was completely destroyed. She left her apartment in AC, she left her the paper that she had built from the ground up and her fiancee had made an absolute fool of her. She was sickened, embarrassed and not to mention she was back in her parents home after not being in town for almost five years. She had left the excitement of the city and came back home to the country. Her life really did suck and she honestly had no one to blame but herself.

She fell onto her bed and cried into her pillow. It was the first time since all of this had happened that she had actually allowed herself to cry. Even when she had confronted Chris she had been nothing but ice cold to him. She refused to let him see her break but now in the privacy of her childhood bedroom, well it was as if the flood gates opened and she wasn't sure if they planned on closing anytime soon.

It had been her father's idea to go and as much as she wanted to tell him to shove it, well she needed something. A break from it all, she needed time to breath and figure out what she was going to do with her life now but more importantly she wanted to go where no one knew who she was and no one cared.

She use to go to her grandfathers ranch as a child. She spent countless days horseback riding and swimming in the big lake. Oh what she would give to be able to relive those day but the fact of the matter was that she wasn't a child anymore. She was an adult and as of right now her life as she knew it was over but she decided to make the best of this trip out to Texas, hell maybe she would even enjoy herself though she greatly doubted it. She hated country music and cowboy hats though she did love to see her grandpa in one.

She got off the plane and was quite surprised that the media wasn't there to greet her. She had lived in the lime light for her whole life and as comforting as this was not to be hounded it was also very strange.

Should stood by the luggage carousel and she waited, where were her grandfather's men. Surely she wasn't going to carry her own bags? She waited and waited til the only bags left were hers and with a huff she grabbed the two large bags and began to pull them behind her. It was a dangerous feet especially since she had on four inch heels and a pencil skirt that made it hard to maneuver.

She was just about to pull out her cell phone to find out what the deal was when she heard his loud boisterous voice calling out to her as she turned to see her grandpa in the infamous ten gallon cowboy hat.."no it cant be, is this my beautiful grand daughter!" he came over to her as she dropped the bags onto the floor.."well I'll be is that you Natalie underneath all of that fancy stuff" he smiled big as she pulled off her sunglasses and smiled at him..

"Hi grandpa" she said as he embraced her hard and she could barely breathe..

"well let me have a look at you, all grown up and such" he smiled big as she shook her head..

"You look good grandpa" she said honestly. He always looked the same even from when she was younger. He always told her that hard work kept him young though she doubted that.

"and you look absolutely radiant, now explain to me why you haven't snagged a husband yet" he grinned..

"just lucky I suppose" she said with a nervous smile. She had forgotten that her grandfather knew nothing of her current situation. He was never big on media and if she remembered correctly he had threatened them with shot guns and what not when she was younger. Now no one bothered him and it was just the way he liked it..

Her grandfather laughed loud.."well maybe we can change that, I know a few cowboys" he began as she shook her head..

"actually im just enjoying being single grandpa" she said with a smile as he laughed again..

"oh you say that now, you have seen a real man til you have been in Texas" he grinned and she just smiled. She had missed her grandpa. He was so different then her father, he was way more laid back and relaxed whereas her father was constantly uptight and stressed out.."well lets get those bags of yours, I got supper cooking on the stove" he smiled as he grabbed a bag and she grabbed the other as they headed outside.

She was surprised to see that there wasn't a limo to be seen and she expected one to pull up at any moment but when her grandpa began walking over to a pick up truck she nearly fell down..

"well don't just stand there darling, lets get this show on the road" he said as he opened the door for her of the large pick up truck and she slowly got in. The dress made it difficult to move her legs in that way but she managed to somewhat topple in as he laughed.."i do hope you brought yourself some comfortable clothes dear those look very uncomfortable" he shook his head and she was just about to comment about how her clothes cost more than most peoples home but she kept her mouth shut. She wasn't in the big city anymore, she was now in Texas!

The truck bounced and bumped up and down the dirt road as she held on for dear life. She didn't remembered the roads from her childhood but she would have been sure that they would have been paved by now. Dust and dirt flew in the air as he drove and carried on about his ranch. Apparently he had been getting along just fine after her grandmother had passed. He definitely knew how to take care of himself.

"i do hope you are hungry" he smiled wide.."I have chicken frying and a big bat of mashed potatoes"

"sounds great Grandpa" she said with a forced smile, she couldn't tell him that she had been a vegan for almost ten years now and that the thought of eating a chicken made her ill. She would fake her way through it, now that she was good at. Faking, she did a lot of that in the past days.

"I still have your bedroom made up like last time you came out" he grinned and she could only imagine what that would look like. It had been at least ten years since she had gone there. The idea that the backstreet boys poster would still be on the wall was a bit funny.."Now I will warn ya, I go to bed early and I get up before the crows" he smiled..

"that's ok grandpa, I don't sleep much anyways" she said honestly. She couldn't remember the last time she had a good nights sleep..

"well were gonna change that, don't you know that lack of sleep causes wrinkles" he smiled.."look were here" he pointed up the road and her eyes got wide as she saw the large two story ranch. It was like slipping back in time. All the memories she thought she forgot from that place came crashing back.

She eyed the large horse stable that still stood and the large oak tree that she use to sit under as a child as she wrote in her journal. God she had forgot so much about this place but she smiled as they pulled up to the front of the house. Still all dirt, no concrete driveway. Even though her grandpa had enough money to buy the entire state of Texas he lived small with just the basic things plus he ran a full working farm on top of overseeing the oil business..."lets get you inside and settled" he said as he got out of the truck and she nearly fell out as she slipped her feet of the side where it hung about two feet off the ground.

The sight of her brand new heels was enough to make her cry. They were covered in dirt and just from the first step, she would have to throw them out now..

"your definitely gonna need yourself a good pair of boots, we can go into town tomorrow and get you a pair" her grandpa said as he grabbed her suitcases from the back of the truck. Yep they too were covered in dirt but she remained calm. They were just suitcases, she could get more when she went into town.

Natalie followed him onto the porch as she looked around. The rocking chairs she remembered sat quietly as she smiled. She used to sit out there with her grandma and just sip on ice tea as stories were told, mainly ones about how her grandpa had met but they had kept Natalie glued to the edge of her seat. Both her grandparents had always been good story tellers.

The sound of a horse out in the distance made her whip her head around as she saw a large black horse coming close to the property and a long haired man was on him. The sight of him alone made her stomach tighten. The man had no shirt on and a ratty pair of jeans but damn was he gorgeous. For a moment she just stared as he got closer.

"ah John you got little Bessie back!" her grandfather said as he walked back out onto the porch as John neared on the horse..

"she gave a bit of a fight but all she needed was a tender touch" he smiled as Natalie swallowed hard and quickly looked away from him..

"well she will be grateful that you got her before the big storm this weekend by the way this is my beautiful grand daughter Natalie, she will be staying with me for a bit" Her grandfather began.."Natalie this is John, he helps around here"

John got off of Bessie and walked her over to the stairs as he tied the reign onto one of the railings. Wiping off his hands on his jeans he held it out to Natalie.."it's a pleasure Miss Natalie" he said as she felt a flush come over her skin and she quickly shook his hand then pulled it back..She honestly was speechless. He was standing there shirtless and his muscles alone had her glued not to mention the tattoo on his chest that she tried to make out but couldn't.

"well why don't you join us for some supper" her grandfather began..

"I would love to Asa but tonight I have some plains with the little lady" John grinned and Natalie couldn't help but wonder who this little lady was and part of her felt jealousy go through her.."another time though, and again Miss Natalie it was a pleasure maybe I will see you around" he said with a smile and then he headed back to his horse..

"Give Lily my best" Asa called out and then he looked at Natalie.."now that is a good man, come on lets eat" he said as Natalie watched John get onto the horse and before he rode off he looked back at her and she quickly spun around and headed into the house.

The house was just as she remembered as they stepped inside. Even down to the paintings on the wall. She could almost remember running up and down these halls. It was the one thing she loved about going to her Grandpa's. He let her do things her parents never would. He let her be a kid.

"Your room is still upstairs, the second door on the left" he smiled as Natalie grabbed both bags and began to head upstairs.."I can help you with those darling" her grandpa said a bit in shock..

"its ok grandpa I got it" she gave him a smile.."I will be down soon" she said as she forced her heeled legs up those stairs. Her grandpa lived a hard life and she wasn't about to make him carry her bags upstairs. The were heavy but she would manage, barely but manage either way.

She was completely out of breath as she got outside her old bedroom door and she couldn't help but smile at the picture that was taped to it. It was a drawing she had done as a child and he had really kept it where she left it. Opening the door it felt as if she had traveled back in time as she dropped her bags on the ground and looked in amazement at the bedroom. Her eyes went to the backstreet boys poster and she couldn't help but laugh as she walked over to it.

She ran her fingers over it and then she eyed the small music box on the dresser and she picked it up and turned the dial on the bottom as it played. A small ballerina on top twirled around and around. Natalie remembered when she was just a little girl she had wanted to be a ballerina so bad but her father had told her no. He said dancing was for the foolish. So when she use to come and visit her grandparents she would just pretend that she was a ballerina.

She moved across the room now to the large standing mirror and she looked at herself as she sighed. The last few weeks had been wearing hard on her, she could see it in her eyes. She kicked off her heels and stared at them for a moment before she walked over to her suitcases and began to pull out clothes. This pencil skirt was going to have to go away for now.

The smell of fried chicken filled the house as Natalie made it downstairs in a sundress and sandals. She had to admit that even though she was a Vegan and she hadn't touched meat in years, it smelt damn good. Her grandfather was singing a tune as she entered the large country kitchen."I was going to offer you a ice tea but how about a beer with your old grandpa" he smiled at her..

"your the boss" she smiled as she took a seat and looked at the food all over the table. She contemplated what to do, the chicken looked as good as it smelt. She grabbed the beer bottle from the table and took a swig. She had never been a beer drinker, now wine she could do but for her grandpa she would have this beer and surprisingly it wasn't bad.."so what do you do all day grandpa to keep yourself occupied" she asked honestly wanting to know the answer..

"I ain't ever stop darling, the farm keeps me busy and this house. I heard you started your own paper in the city" he smiled..

"yeah well im not sure what im going to do with it now" she said honestly. She had passed it off to one of her best friend, Gigi. She had given her full control of the paper while Natalie figured out what to do next. The thought of even going back to AC for work was nightmare. She would eventually run into Chris, they ran In the same circles not to mention she would have to see that bitch Blair, now that thought infuriated her. She took another swig of her beer..

"You worry too much for a woman so young darling, life is about adventure, it's not the destination but the journey to it" he smiled as he came over to the table and took a swig of his beer.."nothing like a good old fashioned beer" he raised his bottle.."To my beautiful granddaughter"

"to my handsome and successful grandpa" she added as he smiled some and they each sipped their beer..

"Now lets dig in before the food gets cold" he smiled as he handed the plate of chicken to her and she looked at it for a moment.."the chicken ain't going to eat itself plus you need to get more meat on them bones" he grinned and without a second thought she grabbed a piece of chicken and immediately took a bite out of it. She sighed deep at the taste of the crunchy fried piece of meat, my god it was heaven. What the hell had she been doing all of these years!

They ate and talked and then ate some more. She couldn't remember the last time she had stuffed so much food in her. She actually felt exhausted just from that as she sat back now on the rocking chairs outside on the front porch. The sun was just setting as her and her grandpa watched with beers in hand..

"me and you grandma use to just sit here and watch the sun set and in the morn if we were lucky we could watch it rise again" he said with sadness in his voice..

"I miss grandma" she said honestly..

"I miss her too, everyday" he said softly and then he began to stand.."well the tank is full and if I don't head to bed now then no one will feed the cows and they get cranky if breakfast is late" he smiled as she stood now too..

"thank you for having me grandpa" she said as she hugged him tight..

"Oh darling its me who should thank you, you've made a lonely old man happy" he smiled as he pulled back.."Now you stop all that worrying you hear, your too beautiful to worry"

"I'll try" she smiled some..

"well im off, if you need anything" he began..

"I'll be fine grandpa, I think I will just sit out here a little more than go to bed myself" she said honestly as she yawned some..

"Oh now you got me started" he yawned as he smiled.."Night sweetheart"

"Night grandpa" she said as he walked inside and she sat back on the rocking chair just watching the sky swallow the sun.