Read Online Montana Hearts by Darlene Panzera - Free Book Online

dressed up pretty fancy to help load a horse.”
    The rosy color on her cheeks deepened but she didn’t comment. Instead, she glanced toward the building and asked, “Is he ready?”
    Jace didn’t know about the horse, but knew he was. Ready to spend time with her. Lots of time. “Rio is inside. The vet is giving him a final look before we leave and said he’d drive out to your place to check on him again tomorrow to see how he’s settling in.”
    Delaney shook her head and frowned. “He doesn’t have to do that.”
    â€œI asked him to,” Jace said, his voice coming out raspy and uncomfortably low. A flood of guilt continued to engulf him every time he thought of the accident and his injured pal. He was afraid that animal rights group might be right. He shouldn’t have been so confident about his own performance. He should have cut the leathers when he had the chance. Before his ride.
    Delaney’s expression softened and although she didn’t touch him, or even come near, the look of compassion in her eyes reached out and drew him to her more than any amount of dressin’ up ever could.
    He cleared his throat and opened the wide side door to the hospital. “Shall we?”
    Rio hobbled along step by slow step, but other than a few seconds of hesitation here and there, he gave Jace and Delaney next to no trouble when they went to load him into the back of the horse trailer. It was almost as if all his fight was concentrated on supporting his leg as he moved forward. Jace gave him an affectionate pat on the neck and whispered a few lines of encouragement into his dark mane before locking him in.
    â€œHe’ll be all right,” Delaney assured him.
    Jace nodded. “I’ll drive slow.”
    This time she did touch him. On the arm. “Slow is best,” she agreed.
    Other trucks on the road passed him, including Delaney’s, but Jace didn’t care. His only concern was for Rio and his injured leg. He didn’t want to take any sharp turns or hit any potholes too fast. Just one hard stumble could damage Rio’s injury beyond repair. And he wouldn’t let that happen. From now on, Rio’s well-­being would come before anyone else’s, including himself.
    He didn’t realize how tight he’d been clenching his knuckles until he came to a stop in the parking lot of Collins Country Cabins and pulled his hands off the steering wheel. His fingers ached, the muscles in his jaw ached, and his gut felt as if he’d taken a punch. Stepping down from the truck, his legs almost buckled. He’d been that stiff. Stiff with worry.
    Now that they’d made it, Jace relaxed, and took a deep breath. The crisp clean air cleared his lungs and refreshed his brain. He’d had a lot on his mind the last few days. It would be good to get away for a while, away from the circuit, schedules, long drives, flashing cameras, and the limelight. Not only would he have time to spend with Delaney but he’d also have a chance to decide what he wanted to do if Rio couldn’t return to rodeo.
    â€œLook! It’s Jace Aldridge !”
    â€œHe’s here! Oh my gosh, pinch me! I can’t believe this is real!”
    â€œAs real as you and me!”
    Jace turned his head toward the series of squeals that followed and saw the two redheaded girls just two seconds before they had their hands on him. They each grabbed an arm and gazed up at him with identical sets of starstruck hazel eyes.
    â€œOh, Mr. Jace, can I have your autograph?” one of the twins asked.
    â€œYou can sign your name on my arm,” said the other.
    Thankfully Delaney appeared. “Nora and Nadine, let the man be.”
    However, the twins either didn’t pay attention to her or didn’t care to listen.
    â€œI’m Nora,” the first introduced. “And—­”
    â€œI’m Nadine!” finished the second. “We’re going