“Can we go out again tomorrow?” Angie’s words tumbled out with a hearty helping of hope, and she breathed easier at Jace’s smile.
“I’m working the morning trail ride, but you can go with me or if you’d rather we can go out once I get back.”
“Oh, I don’t want you to work that hard,” Angie said ducking her head. “Maybe I’ll just see you at lunch.”
Jace took one step and he was kneeling before her. “Don’t say that,” he pleaded. “I don’t mind riding again in the afternoon. More than likely, I’d end up riding the fence-line for Kade or checking stock for Chase. I spend a lot of hours in the saddle not just Duding it up for the guests here. I’d be happy to go with you again. I’ve enjoyed your company and our time together.”
Angie felt her heart pick up a beat and she leaned toward the cowboy. “Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I weren’t.”
“Do you have to work tomorrow evening?”
“I’ll help with the barn work and feeding but otherwise I’ll be free after supper. We could take a ride out to the old cabin across the creek and watch the sunset.”
Angie’s mind filled with the image of sitting on a horse as the sun slowly sank below the horizon turning the sky shades of crimson gold as she and her mount slowly became a dark silhouette against the evening blaze. “That sounds nice.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Jace said standing and stepping back. “Make sure you’re ready.”
Chapter 10
Jace had been right to recommend a trip to the spa, and Angie was grateful for a long soak in the whirlpool tub. Her handicap was a weakening of the muscles and not total paralysis, so her legs felt the strain of unfamiliar activity, and she settled into the large copper tub with a sigh. The tubs, according to the plaque on the wall, were original to the ranch. An item purchased by Joshua James to give his family and hands a place to wash regularly. Since then they had been converted into whirlpool tubs with portable jets.
“A little bird told me you went riding,” Delmarie said with a grin as Angie wheeled herself out of a changing room. “Did you enjoy it?” The pretty woman was still slim and lovely, but with a restful nature unlike when Angie had met her before.
“I did,” Angie admitted. “I’m starting to get a lot more comfortable on a horse. I was scared before, but with the right help, I’m not at all afraid.”
“I was angry the first time I went for a ride here on the ranch,” Del admitted. “Colten all but called me chicken to make sure I’d get on that horse.” The pretty woman with the dark hair and eyes grinned then leaned down to tap on her leg. “He knew about this too but never said a word.”
“You’re lucky to have him,” Angie smiled. “I love going by the blacksmith shop and seeing what new things he’s made. I think he’s gotten even more creative with his work. Does he still make those funny cast iron flowers?”
“He does,” Del smiled again and her eyes fill with a light of love. She had come to the Broken J as a guest the same year Angie had visited but her anger at God had almost meant she had lost her best chance at love. “We have twin girls and we named them after flowers. Daisy and Iris,” Del grinned. “I was taken by surprise by that event.” She chuckled lightly. “Colt has made them each their own special flower sculptures.”
“How did you get over being so angry?” Angie asked. She and Del had once had a very serious discussion all those years ago about handicaps. Angie couldn’t believe now that at sixteen she had been so forward.
“I did, but it took a bad accident,” Del said. “I saw something good come from something bad and just couldn’t hold on to the anger anymore.”
“Like my fear,” Angie said dropping her eyes. “I don’t know if it’s gone for good, but I guess I’ll just have to deal with it day by day.”
“That’s all He wants from us,” Del agreed, pointing up at the ceiling. “God knows we’re weak, frail, and fallible, all the things He is not. I’m mighty glad He’s patient too.”
Angie chuckled. “You sure have changed since I was here last. You seem to have come to grips with your prosthetic and what happened to you in the army.”
“It’s just part of who I am now. I don’t see a handicap anymore. I still wish it had never happened, but I know that God didn’t abandon me. He’ll be there for you each step of the way to.” Del rested her hand on Angie’s shoulder. “Just have a little faith.”
Angie placed her hand over Delmarie’s and nodded. “One day at a time.”
Her short roll toward her cabin proved that even with the long soak she would have some sore muscles in the morning. Still, it felt good to be challenged. She was so happy to have finally managed to get on a horse and even go for a longer ride. She needed to call her mother and tell her everything. For a moment, she considered not telling anyone about Jace, but how could she deny him the credit he deserved even if her mother would assume that Angie had a crush.
Pausing she looked around her taking in the guests strolling the wide-open spaces or gazing at the horses in the fields. What would be wrong with her having a crush on the handsome cowboy anyway? She was only here for a short time. Didn’t people have spring flings over the break all the time? With a giggle, she pushed on toward her cabin and a chance
