Her Heart for the Asking by Lisa Mondello

Author:Lisa Mondello [Mondello, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Western Romance, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Cowboy Romance, Books by Lisa Mondello, Books like Harlequin Romance, short story romances, romance anthology
Publisher: Lisa Mondello
Published: 2012-02-24T05:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Eight

For the first time that day, Beau questioned taking Mandy away from the ranch. Oh, Lord, if anything happened to Hank while they were gone. He'd never forgive himself.

"We're never going to get the truck through this mud without some help," Beau said.

"I have a winch if you get stuck, but it'll take too long. Leave the truck and drive back with me."

They quickly walked the distance to Mitch's pickup and climbed inside. Mandy sat in the middle between him and Mitch, forced into tight quarters, but already Beau felt the difference between them. She was snug up against him, leaning against his body. Beau had to admit he liked this change of heart, and hoped it wasn't just out of fear for what might be with Hank.

She needed comfort to keep her fear at bay and he was going to give it to her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her to him so she was resting against his side. He realized immediately that he needed her comfort as much as she needed his.

As Mitch's truck bounced back down the road toward the ranch, Mandy's eyes drifted up to meet his. It nearly broke his heart. She seemed...shattered.

He did the only thing he could. He bent his head and pressed his lips against her forehead. "You talk to him," Beau said softly. "He'll listen to you. You're the only one he'll listen to."

Mandy nodded her head weakly.

It seemed to take forever to reach the ranch house. The sun was sinking below the trees when Mitch's truck finally pulled out front. Knowing the doctors would take measures to operate, Hank insisted on staying home instead of going to the hospital at Corrine's pleas. The paramedics stabilized him as best they could while Corrine had called his doctor. He was just stepping off the porch when they climbed out of the truck.

"He's comfortable," Corrine said. It had taken its toll on her, Beau could tell. In the time they'd been gone she looked as if she'd aged ten years.

"I want to see him," Mandy said on a sob.

"He needs to rest," Dr. Cookman said. "Don't upset him. Right now his heart is like a timebomb. Just let him rest and I'll check on him in the morning." He turned to Corrine and reaching out, he squeezed her hand. "You have my direct number. You call me if you need to. I don't care what time it is."

"I will. Thank you so much Rich."

His heart is like a timebomb.

Beau's ears were still ringing with Dr. Cookman's words when he left Hank's room later that evening. If Mandy couldn't convince Hank to have the surgery, he was going to lose his friend, a good man who had been like a father to him.

And Mandy would lose so much more.

* * *

The house had grown quiet now that all the hands were back at the bunkhouse.

"Let me help you with the dishes, Aunt Corrine," Mandy said. She needed something to do, something to keep her busy.

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