Stolen Hearts by Kassandra Lea

Author:Kassandra Lea [Lea, Kassandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2018-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Rafael leaned on the roughhewn fence, gazing out at the horses as they grazed. They should have been out in a bigger pasture, but paranoia and fear of the rustlers returning had him on edge. They simply couldn’t afford to lose more stock. As it was, Rafael contemplated pulling the cattle back to their winter pasture so they’d also be in sight. Only the steadfast faith of his beloved baby sister kept him from making the move.

It irked him, the way she believed Chad to be the answer to all their problems.

“What good has he done?” grumbled Rafael, grabbing up his crutches, boy, was he already tired of them, and headed off for the barn. The mid-morning sun was quickly on its way to the high point and the June temperature was rising just as fast. Sweat trickled down along the curve of his spine. “Has he gotten my horses back?” He continued to mutter. “Nope. All he does is sashay around here in those tight jeans, T-shirt off…”

Rafael trailed off, faltering and nearly going down. The dream from last night slammed into him full force. A steamy affair involving him and the detective-ranger with a pair of handcuffs. In the barn. They certainly explored the meaning of a roll in the hay. Heat flushed his cheeks. He blamed it on the sun.

Closer to the barn, Rafael heard giggling. Pearl’s giggle. What could she be up to, he wondered, allowing the peals of joy to divert his course around the barn to the riding ring. His heart stopped at the sight that came into view. Pearl on the back of a horse. And not just any horse, but Desitado, the gelding she used to compete on before…And there was the respectable lawman, the very same one who haunted his nights, holding the reins and walking at her side.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” yelled Rafael, making haste as best he could to the corral. “Get her off of there before she gets hurt.”

His anger brought them to a halt, the glee previously visible on Pearl’s face quickly vanishing. “Raf…”

“Get down this instant. And you, what right do you have? Did you ever stop to think about her safety?”

Eyebrow arched, voice calm, Chad replied, “The entire time; which is why I visited a friend of mine at the therapeutic riding center and borrowed one of her saddles. Pearl is in no danger of falling or injuring herself.”

He opened his mouth to chastise Chad further when Pearl cut him off.

“Please, Raf, stop,” she pleaded. “I’m fine, okay? Desi would never let anything happen to me.” She gave the gelding an affectionate pat on the neck. A wisp of a smile graced her lips.

Pushing aside his anger, Rafael considered his sister’s words. He again heard the glee of her laughter and tried to remember when, since the accident, he’d heard such a splendid sound from her, failing to pinpoint an occasion. In the blink of an eye he felt like a jerk.

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