Read Online Montana Hearts by Darlene Panzera - Free Book Online Page A

to be cover models for the new flyers advertising the ranch. Your endorsement will go right beneath our picture on the front page.”
    â€œGood to know,” Jace replied. Indeed. Delaney didn’t mention an endorsement when she’d invited him here. He’d thought it was because she wanted to spend time with him. He’d thought she’d only used the “I’m calling for business purposes” as a ruse to get him to agree to come. He’d also assumed that maybe she’d just been playing “hard to get.”
    Disappointment hit him in the chest and it took a moment for him to recover. “Is it true?” he asked, giving Delaney his attention, instead of the girls. “Did you invite me here hoping to get an endorsement for your ranch?”
    He had his answer the minute all the rosy color drained from Delaney’s face.
    â€œYes,” she admitted. “We are hoping. Of course we’d like your honest opinion of Collins Country Cabins. But in the meantime, we hope you enjoy your stay.”
    Jace winced. Bucky would slap him on the back and laugh his ear off right now if he were here beside him. He’d say, “Good one, Jace!” in that mocking draw of his, and continue with, “I can tell she’s really fallen for you—­in your dreams.”
    He wouldn’t have blamed Buck for saying it either, because he would have said the same to him if their positions were reversed. There was no denying the truth.
    Once again, he’d been too confident in himself.
    â€œSo how did you two meet?” Nora prodded.
    Seemingly unaware that she’d exposed the Collinses’ motives, her sister Nadine added, “Are you two dating?”
    Delaney glared at the two of them and said, “No, we’re just—­”
    Jace waited to see what she’d answer. Exactly what were they? He watched Delaney frown, as if even she didn’t know.
    â€œWe’re just—­” Delaney repeated, and her voice faltered.
    â€œFriends,” Jace finished for her.
    Delaney gave him a startled look but didn’t correct him, and he grinned. The fact she needed his endorsement gave him the upper hand, which he fully intended to use to his advantage. She’d have to spend time with him, plain and simple. Lots and lots of time, during which he hoped to become more than friends.
    â€œWe can be your friends, too,” Nora said, smiling. “Would you like us to show you to your cabin?”
    Delaney shook her head. “No, we have to unload his horse and get him to his stall.”
    The twins pouted and Nadine pulled out her cell phone. “Let us at least get our picture with him. Can we, Jace, please?”
    Without waiting for an answer, the girl pushed the icon for the camera feature, held her phone up, and snapped a photo of him with her and her sister.
    â€œSomeday, we’ll all be famous,” Nora announced, “and we’ll all star in—­”
    â€œCommercials on TV,” Nadine cut in.
    â€œOr maybe even Hollywood movies,” Nora added.
    And then, laughing, they gave each other a high-­five hand slap and chorused, “Score another one for the Walford twins!”
    Jace wondered if he should turn around, get in his truck, and leave, but the twins left first. And the rest of what he assumed was the Collins family had come out of the large main building on his left to greet him.
    Delaney introduced her grandma first, Ruth Collins, whose late husband had built the ranch decades before. Then he met Ruth’s son, Jed Collins, who looked a lot like her, and Jed’s wife, Loretta, who was an older replica of Delaney. Then there was her sister, Bree, and brother, Luke.
    All were a little overfriendly and overeager to shake his hand and welcome him. All except the two men in grubby chaps, flannel shirts, and cowboy hats who stepped out behind them and stood off to the side. They were similar enough in