Read Online His Cowgirl Bride by Debra Clopton - Free Book Online Page B

him and her brothers, she would come and let all her frustrations loose in the wind. On Rabbit’s back she felt as if she could conquer the world. She also felt at peace…as if God were whispering in her ear that she was headed in the right direction.
    Now, sailing across Pace’s pasture with Brent in hot pursuit, things felt as if they were coming together.Brent drew near as Rabbit slowed and she laughed at his expression. “Don’t look all indignant and don’t tell me this is dangerous! I’ve been riding like this since I was knee-high.”
    He grinned. “I was going to tell you that you sit your horse well.”
    She gaped at him. “Wow, blow me over. That was a real compliment.”
    â€œIt happens. Where did you learn to ride like that?”
    â€œMy dad. And my older brothers. They all live on the ranch down in central Texas.”
    â€œSo if you’re from a ranch and you have that many brothers, why’d you have to come here to find someone to teach you to break horses?”
    She scowled. “Because my dad and my fool brothers think the way you do. Which is just plain crazy. They think it’s okay for me to ride. Okay for me to train already broke, tamed horses. I came here because I’m good and I know it. I have a good seat on a horse, and I have a natural feel for them and I want to work a horse from beginning to end.” She shot him a determined look. “And I will learn. I know why they don’t want to teach me. I’m just not sure why you don’t think I could learn.”
    Brent halted his horse, and she did the same.
    He took a deep breath, giving Tacy the feeling he was forcing himself to speak. “I have a little sister. She was nineteen when I was home between rodeos two years ago.”
    His jaw seized up. He shifted in the saddle andstared from Tacy to the distant trees. The blue sky and the soft breeze belied the sudden tenseness of the moment. Tacy felt it, and her stomach tightened.
    After a second, he continued. “I’d brought a horse home with me. Tina was home from college and, as she often did when we were home at the same time, she came down to the barn to watch me. I’d been drinking….”
    Brent’s expression clouded over and she knew then that this cut deep. She wanted to reach across and comfort him. “She sounds like me,” she said softly, trying to think of something that would ease the moment. Anything that would help take away the torment that was glowing behind his pale eyes. She wished she hadn’t pushed for this.
    â€œYou do remind me of her in some ways,” he said. “She wanted to try her luck on my horse. Thought she could do it. Thought it would be great fun.” He swallowed hard and rubbed the back of his neck.
    â€œI let her. I helped her into the stirrups. The horse bolted, tossed her on her head and broke her neck.”
    â€œDid—did she die?” Tacy gasped.
    He gave a terse shake of his head. “No, she lived. By the grace of God she lived…but she was in the hospital for months. We didn’t think she’d ever walk again.”
    He started walking his horse and Tacy urged Rabbit forward. There was no doubt in her mind that he blamed himself completely for his sister’s tragic accident. “That’s why you dropped out of the rodeo finals.”
    â€œBecause I was a cocky, drunk jerk, I nearly killed my sister—that set my priorities straight instantly.”
    It wasn’t any of her business. Still, Tacy couldn’t help feeling horrible. For his sister. For him. For his parents. She could only imagine how such a tragic accident could affect a family—either make it stronger or tear it apart. “So you stayed home and helped out.”
    He nodded. “Yeah, I did. But things haven’t been good. Tina’s neck finally started healing, but it was touch and go there for a while. The doctors say