Read Online Heartbreak Bronco by Terri Farley - Free Book Online

such claustrophobic conditions, then looked toward Darton and the remains of the Happy Heart Ranch. “Last I heard, the Potters moved to Hilo, Hawaii or some such place. I guess they’re livin’ in fine style.”
    â€œWow,” Sam said. Though she wouldn’t trade River Bend Ranch for a tropical paradise, she must have sounded envious, because Dallas’ stare was a reprimand.
    â€œToo damp for my tastes,” Dallas declared.
    Just then, Jinx dusted his chocolate-colored lips over Sam’s extended palm.
    â€œGood boy,” she said.
    Jinx jerked back as if they’d never had their eye-to-eye moment on the range.
    â€œI think it’s cool you remember so much about him,” Sam said. “But, why do you? I mean, is it his color?”
    â€œGrullas aren’t all that common,” Dallas agreed, “though hard-luck broncs are.” He gave the gelding a resounding pat on the shoulder. The horse seemed tolike it, shifting his weight toward Dallas. “But it wasn’t those things that I’ve been thinkin’ about. What I remember best about this horse is his speed. That‘s why I figured him for some kind of Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred cross. He was the fastest horse I’d ever seen.”
    â€œThat’s what I keep hearing,” Brynna said as she approached, just ahead of the HARP girls.
    Sam drew a deep breath. She’d been so caught up in Dallas’ recollections of Jinx, she’d forgotten her workday wasn’t over.
    Tonight she had to chaperone Crystal and Amelia. Of all the duties Brynna had assigned her, this made her the most uneasy.
    She’d learned a lot about horses from her family, Jake, books, and experience. So she felt okay about being sort of a teacher’s aide on riding and horse care.
    But if you didn’t count slumber parties, she’d had no experience sharing a bedroom with other girls.
    Still, Brynna thought everything would work out and she’d had calm answers for each of Sam’s questions.
    What if they put something gross in her bed? Sam had asked just last night, on the eve of the girls’ arrival.
    Brynna had suggested she check her sheets before she slipped between them.
    What if they waited until she was asleep and thensnuck out? Brynna had asked where she thought the girls would go. Surrounded by open range, with only cattle and wildlife as near neighbors, a city girl would probably want to stay put.
    What if—?
    Sam’s mind was spinning so fast with last night’s questions, that Brynna’s approach, now, surprised her.
    â€œWatch each step as Dallas unsaddles Jinx,” Brynna told the girls. “You’ll be doing it soon.”
    As Amelia and Crystal moved closer to watch, Brynna put her arm around Sam’s shoulders.
    â€œWe’ll see how it goes the first night,” Brynna whispered, as if she’d read Sam’s mind. “If you need anything, just run over to the house. Knowing your father, his feet will be on the bedroom floor before you get the screen door open.”
    Sam laughed and took a good look at Amelia and Crystal. Both girls seemed to have settled down. Crystal wasn’t looking all around as if planning an escape, and Amelia’s hands hung relaxed at her sides.
    They watched Dallas work with Jinx as if they were memorizing his motions.
    â€œI guess it’s just because I haven’t done anything like this before,” Sam said.
    â€œAnd Crystal didn’t get off to a smooth start with either of us,” Brynna conceded. “So don’t be afraid to back out of this part of the job.”
    Sam didn’t like the sound of that. She wasn’t a quitter.
    â€œSam? Really. There’s a simple solution. Tomorrow night we’ll trade places. You’ll sleep in the house and I’ll take the bunkhouse if it turns out that you can’t handle it.”

Chapter Eight
    K nee-high sunflowers bordered the path