Phil groaned, “I do,” she agreed. “Can you avoid charging around the ranch in that cart with my best friend this time?” she pleaded. “Last time we had to add a whole new clause to our insurance agreement.”
Angie, laughed, shaking her head. “I can’t promise I won’t go for a ride in the cart, but I can promise I won’t let Michelle drive.”
The three women laughed then Mrs. Wade jumped. “Don’t burn the waffles!” she shouted making the kitchen staff hop. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back, but I expect you to catch me up on everything you’ve been doing soon.” Mrs. Wade turned bustling back to the kitchen.
“Can I get you anything?” Phil asked. “Need help with breakfast?”
“No, I’m fine,” Angie grinned. “I’m sure Mrs. Wade will have a plate together before I ever roll to a table. Besides, you’ll have a bus in soon, so don’t worry about me.”
Phil smiled. “It’s nice having you here again,” she answered politely. The one-time marketing mogul looked relaxed yet ready for anything as she took a sip of her coffee. “Will you be with us long?”
“I’m booked for two weeks. It’s spring break.” Angie said. “I have several plans for this trip and didn’t want to rush it. It’s my last bit of freedom before I finish college.”
Phil’s bright smile spilled over Angie, and she couldn’t help but return it. “Well, try not to break any of my wranglers’ hearts while you’re here,” Phil giggled. “It’s always hard putting the pieces back together once a pretty girl like you is gone.”
Angie shook her head but laughed. She had no intention of breaking any hearts. She doubted she ever could, but she did have some very specific goals for her time at the Broken J. If she could meet the challenges here, perhaps she would be able to reach for her other dreams as well.
“I think your wranglers are safe,” Angie replied lightly. “I can’t say the same for breakfast though.”
“Let me know if you need anything,” Phil’s comment dropped as she looked up. “I’d better get back to work. Have a wonderful stay at the Broken J.”
By the time Angie had rolled to the end of one of the long tables spread out around the room, Mrs. Wade had a plate stacked high with bacon, eggs, waffles and a side of grits waiting for her. Angie had pulled her coffee from the fancy machine and now sat grinning around the room as a smattering of cowboys and cowgirls hurried through their morning meal in preparation for the day ahead. It was going to be an interesting trip, and Angie was determined to overcome the nagging doubts and fears that tugged at her heart. This was the perfect place to see if she had what it took to be who she wanted to be.
“Miss Cortez?” a warm voice drifted past Angie’s ear and she lifted her eyes smiling at the cowboy from earlier. “I was asked to let you know your bags are in your cabin.” He grinned down at her his blue eyes bright. “Can I do anything else for you?”
“Thank you,” Angie returned the smile. “I think that’s all I need for now.”
“Will you be taking the morning ride?” Jace seemed in no hurry to leave as he eyed the coffee pot and then his half-empty mug.
“Not today,” Angie said hoping the nervous quiver in her voice wasn’t too noticeable. When she had visited the Broken J before, she had only ever ridden in the pony cart never having been able to work up the nerve to get on a horse. She had decided that this trip would be different, but still, her stomach churned with the thought.
“Let me know when you’re ready then,” Jace grinned. “We have special saddles and well-trained staff to look out for you.”
“Thanks,” Angie said with a nod. “I’ll do that. For now, I think I’ll head to my cabin after breakfast and have a little rest.”
“You’ll like the new places,” Jace offered. “The tiny homes are popular with singles, couples, and newlyweds.” The cowboy winked his bright grin making her heart patter.
Angie nodded pushing her chair away from the table. “I look forward to seeing it then.”
***
Jace stepped aside letting the young woman in the wheelchair roll past. There was something about her that had drawn him to her, and though he couldn’t put his finger on it yet, he hoped it would be evident before she left. She seemed special and not just because of her unique needs.
For several moments, he stood there watching her make her way to the back door and the ramp that led to the path that wound toward the cabins. She certainly was independent. Jace shook his head clearing it of thoughts of the pretty young woman as he made his way to the coffee pot and pulled a large latte. No point missing an opportunity for some go-go juice when he was right here.
Chapter 3
Angie spent her first day at the dude ranch rolling along well-beaten paths between pastures, prairies, and ponds. A long winding stream divided the ranch property from the wider prairie, and Angie made her way there sitting quietly and watching the water tumble over the rocks. The stream was shallow here, but she knew that it spilled downward later on and was used to work an old water wheel that powered Michelle Ballard’s print shop. The massive building had once been a sawmill but had been converted for Michelle’s use by her husband Kade.
Angie had decided she wasn’t ready to go all the way down to the print shop just yet, so instead had taken the time to enjoy the cool morning and bright sunshine of an unusually warm spring day.
Even as a victim of spina bifida, Angie had
