Austin (New Horizon Ranch Book 8) by Debra Clopton Read Free Book Online

kindly to having a halter on him. He fought Jolene, rearing up and pawing and even charged her a few times but she’s tough. And quick as lightning. I’m thinking several of the cowboys are wishing they’d switched their bets.”
    Austin thought about that for a minute. The thought of Jolene climbing on the back of a wild horse didn’t sit well with him. He was still thinking about it when Sam walked over with the pot of coffee in his hand.
    “Mornin’, Deputy.” Sam grinned. “I know you want a cup.” He set a cup on the table and filled it up.
    “Thanks, much appreciated.” If the tiny, little man had known what was going through Austin’s head at that moment, he’d have just given him the pot to chug down. As it was, he held back and took his time picking the mug up and taking a drink. It did not help the dark cloud forming inside Austin.
    “What do you want for breakfast? You don’t look so good.”
    “Just give me the regular, Sam.” Austin had lost his appetite actually but didn’t want to just get up and storm out. Because if he walked out that door right now, he knew he’d hop in his vehicle and drive straight to that ranch and get Jolene out of that horse pen.
    And it’s none of your business, bucko, so stay put.
    BJ stared at him. “She’s good—you saw that the other day,” he said, as if realizing Austin was not as thrilled as he seemed about the situation.
    Austin had seen her ride in a roundup. Nothing spectacular, and then she’d been administering vaccines. A nice, safe spot for a woman. “She rode a broke horse all two days, BJ. Then vaccinated cattle. Hardly compares to being in a pen with a wild horse.”
    “Did you say someone was in a pen with a wild horse?” Sam asked.
    Immediately, App and Stanley looked across at him.
    “What for?” Stanley scratched his head. “Breaking them?”
    “I always did love to ride an unbroken colt,” App barked louder than needed.
    “It’s a pure wonder you didn’t get your bones broke,” Sam grunted.
    “That’s right.” Stanley laughed. “You had your fun but you and me both know Sam was the bronc buster back in the day.”
    Startled, Austin looked at the tiny man who looked more like a jockey than a bronc buster.
    “You broke horses?” BJ asked in awe before Austin could remark.
    “Yup, it was in my blood. Not that I did it as a living all the time. I just did it for the heck of it. But, I was fond of my mobility and the thought of retiring without being in a world of pain every morning when I woke. So the diner was a smarter option fer me.”
    “Smart man,” Austin grunted.
    “Well, Jolene’s tough and looks like she’s got a plan where this wild pony is concerned.”
    “Huh?” App muttered. “Y’all are talkin’ about a woman?”
    BJ nodded. “Just hired on at the New Horizon. She’s supposed to ride it this afternoon and most all of us cowboys have bets going. Some of them, most of them are betting she gets bucked off on the first go-round. I’m not going to bet against her. I mean, she rammed me in the ribs the other day in the truck and my ribs still hurt. She’s strong and I think she can ride it.”
    Austin pulled money out of his pocket. “Sam, thanks for the coffee but I need to be heading out.”
    He knew it was time. Either that or he was going to say something he’d regret. He said his quick good-byes and then headed out. It was time to get some shut-eye.
    Or at least a shower. All the way home, he fought the urge to head out to New Horizon and forced himself to stay the course toward home. His hands gripped the wheel tightly. There were men who rode and broke and trained unbroken horses every day. And women, though not near as many. The fact that his brother-in-law had been one of them and had had a freak fall shouldn’t weigh in. But it did. A man, or woman, could ride all their life until they got bucked off for the last time. Charles had never thought it could happen to him and now he’d left