Bridal Falls Ranch Ransom by Hambright Jan

Author:Hambright, Jan [Hambright, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Published: 2012-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

J.P. tightened the cinch and looked up to where Eve worked to saddle her mare.

“Whoa,” she coaxed.

The horse tossed her head for a third time and pawed the floor of the barn with her hoof in a show of agitation. The gentle talk seemed to be having no effect.

“What’s gotten into you, Ginger?” Reaching out, she stroked the mare’s neck. “You’re already working yourself into a lather. Better save it for the catch pen.”

“Does she usually act up?” he asked, coming around his horse to see if he could help.

“Never. She’s just excited with everything going on this morning.”

“Easy, girl.” J.P. reached out and put his hand on the mare’s neck, feeling the slick of sweat on her coat. “Maybe she’s picking up on your nervous vibe and working toward a tizzy. Maybe you should saddle another horse.”

“Once I get her out in the pasture, she’ll calm down. I’ll lope her in a circle for a while after I speak with the crew.”

“Okay.” He stared at her across the saddle seat as she worked the cinch, noting the flesh-tone pressure dressings she’d applied over her scars. “You look good this morning. I’m proud of you.”

Her gaze flicked up to meet his, an exaggerated swallow moving the cords in her delicate neck. “I may as well dive in. First day of the rest of my life and all that. We’ll see how it goes.”

“You shouldn’t discount courage, Eve. It took guts to come out here without your veil, and more to inform them about what happened to you.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, Kemosabe, but it’s nothing that heroic. I’ve come to the realization that the Thomas Averys of this world can kiss my patootie. I’ve got to learn to face down people’s stares and answer their questions without malice. They’re just curious.”

“That’s what I love about you, Tonto. You’re not afraid to speak your mind.” He grinned at her, gritting his teeth against the overwhelming arrows of attraction darting between them in a volley he’d already lost.

She lifted the stirrup off the saddle horn and lowered it against the horse’s side.

“Have you had your mare long?”

“About five years. My dad purchased her for me when he bought part of the Clayton Ranch. Roger Grimes sold off some of his horses along with his livestock. She was a champion reining horse in her day.” Reaching out, she patted the mare’s neck. “Competed nationally. You’ll get to see her work the herd today. It’s amazing to watch.”

He couldn’t agree more, but his focus was on Eve. Her genesis had begun, and it was incredible. No veil to hide her face, and a cowboy hat shoved low on her forehead. Eve Brooks was a fighter, a champion in his book.

“I finished my background check on the Bridal Falls temp cowboys this morning.”

“Find anything?”

“Everyone came back clean, with the exception of one. Ted Allen. He has an outstanding warrant in Montana for failure to appear stemming from a barroom brawl he was involved in.”

“We’ll keep him out of the bar.

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