Read Online Renegade Hearts (The Kinnison Legacy Book 3) by Amanda McIntyre - Free Book Online Page B

Mountain Sunrise Ranch. They’d been apprised of Beauty’s story--that she was found on an abandoned farm where none of the other animals had survived. They hadn’t given her much hope of being adopted due to her many health issues, but Dalton fell in love at first sight, buying her on the spot. He’d called her Beauty, as that’s how he saw the determined mare and now her home was at the Kinnison ranch.
    “How’s my girl?” he said softly as he pulled an apple from his pocket. Stroking her warm nose, he turned his face upward and breathed in deep the calming scent of pine and hay. No matter what chaos swirled inside his brain, working outdoors and being around the horses gave him peace of mind. He’d come to realize that working with horses was a gift he possessed and by far, it was easier than dealing with humans.
    He brushed the back of his hand along Beauty’s face and she nickered softly. He’d learned much from working with Michael these past few weeks. The man rarely seemed conflicted about anything. Michael’s astute sense of calm, his wisdom, was something that Dalton had yet to attain and as of late, the old man’s beautiful niece hadn’t made that goal any easier.
    Beauty whinnied softly and nudged his hand as though asking for another treat.
    “No more apples,” he answered. “Let’s get you inside. I’ve got a bucket of oats with your name on it, darlin’.”
    He heard Sally’s laughter as the cart emerged from the dusky shadows of the path. Leading Beauty out of the corral, he waited as they parked the vehicle under the carport at the side of the barn.
    He had to hand it to his brother and Sally. Somehow, they’d managed to remain friends even after a failed attempt at dating. It hadn’t taken either of them long to realize it wasn’t meant to be, and their friendship meant more.
    Angelique appeared from the main house. “Hey, you two, Aunt Rebecca was wondering where the rest of her chicks are.” Her smile faded when her eyes met his. “Oh, didn’t see you. You coming up, Dalton?” Angelique asked.
    The trio looked at him.
    “Maybe later,” he mumbled, hoping to avoid any confrontation.
    “After the kind of day you’ve put in, I’d think you could eat a bear. Aunt Rebecca won’t be pleased.”
    Dalton sighed. “Well, I guess she’s just going to have to deal with it. I’ve got chores.” He caught Rein’s wide-eyed surprise before he looked away and pretended to dust off his hat.
    “Shit,” he heard Rein mutter softly.
    Angelique’s gaze held his. “I’ll be up in a minute. You two go on ahead.”
    Sally opened her mouth her to speak, but Rein took her elbow and ushered her toward the house.
    Angelique waited until they were up the hill before spinning on her heel to face him. “You and I might just as well have this out right now.”
    He chuckled, guessing what likely the featured topic would be at tonight’s supper table. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was about damn time they cleared the air. Circumstances being what they were, they were bound to run into each other here on the ranch. Damn, he hated confrontation, unless it was with his fists. “Come on, then.” He crooked his finger and led Beauty into her stable. He took care of filling her trough with oats and looked up to find Angelique standing in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest.
    “Well?”
    He let out a short laugh, wishing he had a drink. “Whatever you’ve got to say, just get it out.”
    “You aren’t going to like it.”
    “Figured that.” Yeah, he could be a bit abrasive at times, but what guy wasn’t? Just the same, it wasn’t the first time a woman wasn’t happy with him and he didn’t think it’d be the last.
    She blew out a breath and breezed past him, stopping to scratch Beauty’s white spotted nose. “I’d just as soon the whole house didn’t hear us.”
    He raised his brows. Not that they weren’t likely already lined up along the front porch railing anyway. “Is