The Forest Ranger's Return by Leigh Bale

Author:Leigh Bale [Bale, Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Maraya21, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Christian, General
ISBN: 9781472072160
Google: 5ztGAgAAQBAJ
Publisher: Mills & Boon Love Inspired
Published: 2014-02-01T12:32:43.167000+00:00

Chapter Nine

The following morning, Julie drove out to Sunrise Ranch and arrived promptly at seven o’clock. As she parked her car in the driveway and got out, she lifted her face to the warmth of the sun. A light breeze blew down from the mountains, carrying the earthy scent of horses and sage.

Looking toward the house, Julie caught sight of Lyn standing on the front porch. Lyn stood hunched over, holding a green watering can. She tilted the spout so that a spray of water cascaded down over numerous clay pots filled with hot pink petunias.

“Hi, Lyn.” Julie waved to get the other woman’s attention.

“Julie!” Lyn set the watering can on the first step and came down to greet her. “You made it. I wasn’t sure you were going to be able to come see the riding lessons. Can you stay long?”

Julie shook her head, gripping a pair of leather riding gloves with her fingers. “No, I’ve got to go into work. But I thought I’d at least catch the first lesson of the day, just to see how it’s done.”

Lyn walked with her toward the stables, the blazing sunlight gleaming off her long white-blond ponytail. “I hope you’re not disappointed. Marcus has the first lesson.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, we figured maybe if he went first, he’d be more cooperative throughout the rest of the day’s activities. That’s why Dal’s teaching today.”

“Dal? I thought it was Cade’s turn for riding lessons today.”

Lyn flashed a playful smile. “Normally it is, but Marcus seems to respond better to Dal. And Cade’s been called away on a medical emergency. A woman went into early labor, so he’s riding with her to Elko, just to make sure she gets to the hospital in time before the baby’s born. If not, he’ll be delivering a baby on the roadside.”

Julie cringed at the thought. She didn’t understand why, but knowing Dal was giving the riding lessons today made her feel a tad uneasy. She’d expected Cade to be there, but she tried to tell herself it didn’t matter. She and Dal were just friends. She couldn’t help being highly anxious to see him again, though she told herself it was no big deal.

“Well, have fun.” Lyn kept walking toward the garden.

Julie hesitated. “You’re not coming in?”

Lyn flashed a quick smile. “No, I’ve got to get started on lunch. Lots of sandwiches to make. I’ll see you tomorrow evening for dinnertime.”

The woman disappeared around the corner, and Julie paused in front of the wide double doors of the stable. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside and blinked to accustom her eyes to the dim interior. An elderly volunteer staff member named Grant was mucking out a stall and nodded a greeting. A bay gelding had been tethered with a halter to the hitching rail. Dal stood with his back toward her, showing Marcus how to curry the horse.

“Rub the currycomb around in small circular motions. See how it loosens up the dirt and sweat in Banjo’s coat?” Dal said.

“That’s what I’m doing.

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