“Jackson seems to be doing well,” Jace mused, happy that the conversation had shifted away from him. “He rides a lot more than he did even a year ago.”
“He says it helps ease his twisted spine,” Red looked up offering a nod. Jackson had married the old rodeo clown’s granddaughter a couple of years earlier and despite the man’s wilder rodeo days, he had adjusted well to life at the Broken J.
“How so?” Jace looked up meeting Red’s piercing gaze.
“Oh, so that’s it,” Red grinned. “You got girl trouble.”
“What? No?” Jace balked. “I mean, there’s a girl here, and I’d like to be able to help her. She’s a guest, that’s all.”
Red’s sharp bark of laughter rolled over Jace, and he felt his face flush with frustration. It wasn’t like that with Angie, she was pretty and all, but it was something else that drew him to her. She was so determined and yet so vulnerable. He wanted to help.
Red’s laughter faded but his eyes never left Jace’s. “Tell me what’s on your mind Jace, you’ll feel better for it.”
Jace slid his hand down Ben’s leg, lifting a hoof so he could pick it clean. “She’s in a wheelchair,” he started.
“She, aye?” Red cut in with a grin. “Now why did I think a ‘she’ would be included in this conversation?”
“It’s not like that Red,” Jace tried again. “This lady is a guest, and I want to help her. I know she wants to ride, but something is holding her back.”
Red rubbed his scraggly jaw thoughtfully. “What have you done so far?”
Jace moved toward his horse’s rump, sliding a hand in one smooth motion from hip to fetlock before giving a gentle tug. Old Ben lifted his leg waiting patiently for Jace to finish cleaning his hoof. “I tried to help her get mounted up today when the trail ride was getting ready, but she freaked out, and I had to put her back down.”
“I see,” Red mused, making Jace wonder what in the world the older man saw. “I can’t say I know this young woman or nothin’, but if she’s handicapped maybe she’s afraid. I mean, it must be scary trying to get up on a big horse in the middle of a crowd. Imagine being unable to stand, walk, or even run in times of danger than being put in a situation you know nothing about and having to give up all control. It can’t be easy.”
Jace nodded as he made his way to the other side of his old horse and lifted the other back hoof. “She needs to build confidence, get comfortable.”
“That’d be my thought,” Red confirmed. “Maybe get to know her a little and let her get to know one particular horse, a good, steady, dependable critter that she won’t feel afraid of.”
Jace lifted his head with a grin the hoof all but forgotten in his hand as he nodded. “I can see how that might help.” He lowered the hoof without cleaning it and the old horse snorted in disapproval. “Take some time and let her get comfortable with the idea first.”
“Exactly,” Red stepped forward patting the big buckskin on the hip. “Just don’t lose your head or your heart along the way.”
Jace gaped, his mouth falling open as the old rodeo clown turned on his heel walking away with a chuckle. The crazy old man must have sawdust for brains if he thought Jace would fall in love with a guest who would be on the ranch two weeks tops. Still, the idea had merit, and he would start by introducing Angie to Ben. He couldn’t think of another more dependable animal on the ranch. Phil and Chase Haven had a string of great stock on the Broken J. Animals breed for a steady disposition and calm nature, but Jace and Ben had been together so long they could practically read each other’s mind. Patting his old partner on the rump Jace lifted the back hoof once more and cleaned it properly this time.
Chapter 7
The sound of a horse walking by made Angie look up. She had rested in her cabin for a while after her massage and now was pushing toward the quiet waters of the stream. The warming afternoon sun brushed her face with feathery fingers, and she felt a peace settle over her.
“Hi,” a familiar voice chimed and she cringed recognizing Jace’s low bass. He hadn’t even flinched when she had decided she couldn’t get on that horse, and now she had to face him.
“Hi,” she said her face flushing with embarrassment.
“Where are you headed?”
“To the stream.” Angie still couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.
“Do you mind if we tag along?”
For the first time, Angie looked back over her shoulder at the handsome cowboy leading a beautiful tan and black horse. The conversation was stilted, tense, but when he smiled, the awkwardness vanished.
“Sure,” she said offering a smile as he fell into step. So often people wanted to help her, offering to push her chair, carry her things, so much else. Jace did none of these things. Instead, he fell in beside her, his dark tan horse shuffling along behind him like some loyal dog.
For several yards, neither party spoke. The quiet clip, clop of the horse’s black feet on dirt was the only sound, but instead of feeling strained, the silence between them became a gentle buffer.
“Who’s your friend?” Angie finally asked pushing her chair under the shade of an oak tree.
Jace’s smile brightened. “This is Ben, my horse.”
“Your horse?”
“Yep, I’ve had him since he came to
