Cowboy for Keeps by Cathy McDavid Read Free Book Online

segued into one about the history of Mustang Valley.
Before Dallas knew it, they were ascending the first of the large hills.
    She scanned the horizon, always on the lookout for more photo
ops. All at once, a metallic twang sounded, like a coiled spring being
released.
    Conner glanced down and swore, then yanked on the reins. “Whoa,
girls.” To Dallas, he said, “Pull the brake.”
    “What’s wrong?” She responded to the urgency in his voice, her
fingers grabbing for the brake handle as a spear of alarm sliced through
her.

Chapter Four
    Once the draft horses were at a standstill, Conner
peered over the side of the wagon and assessed the damage. He didn’t like what
he saw.
    In a matter of seconds, the entire flat iron tire had
separated, remaining attached to the wheel by a single bolt.
    “Conner?” The concern in Dallas’s voice reminded him that he
hadn’t answered her question.
    “We’ve damaged a wheel.” He reached behind her and checked the
brake, making sure it was set firmly. Handing her the reins, he started to climb
down. “Stay put.”
    “Wait!” She perched on the edge of the seat. “What if the
horses bolt? I’m not sure I can hold them back.”
    “They won’t bolt.” He threaded the reins through her fingers.
“Just keep a steady hold on these.”
    Dolly and Molly waited patiently, though holding the heavy
wagon on an uphill grade couldn’t be easy.
    “You sure?”
    “I need you to stay calm.” He reached up and rested a hand on
her shin. “The only reason these horses would run off is to get away from your
squealing.”
    “I’m not squealing,” she insisted, doing precisely that.
    “Right.” Conner hid a grin as he squatted beside the wagon to
examine the damaged wheel.
    “How bad is it?”
    “The tire came off.”
    “I thought wagons had wheels.”
    He touched the dangling band of metal. “This is called a flat
iron tire. It protects the wood.”
    She scooted to the edge of the seat and angled her head for a
better look. “Can you just take it off?”
    “I could try, but we wouldn’t get far before damaging the wheel
beyond repair. Then we’d really be stuck, and Gavin would have to come after us
with a truck and trailer.”
    “What are we going to do?”
    “Call for backup.” He removed his phone from his belt and
checked the reception, which could be hit-or-miss in the mountains. “Have Gavin
bring us a drill and spare bolts so we can repair the tire enough to make it
home.”
    When he powered up his phone, the screen flashed No Service.
“Dammit,” he muttered. Served him right for changing to a cheaper carrier.
“Where’s your phone?”
    Dallas looked stricken. “In my purse. Locked in my car. I
didn’t think it would work up here, so I didn’t bother bringing it.”
    He scanned the area, debated his options. “I’ll walk up the
hill. Should have better reception up there. But first...”
    Seeing what he needed, he set out on foot.
    “Where are you going?” Dallas stared over her shoulder at him,
her grip on the reins viselike.
    “Not far.” Collecting two large rocks, he wedged them tightly
behind the rear wagon wheels. He quickly located two more rocks and did the same
with the front wheels. The extra precaution should prevent the wagon from
rolling backward until they were rescued.
    Next, he began unhitching the horses.
    “Should I get down now?”
    “Sit still. Keep hold of the reins until I tell you it’s
okay.”
    She grimaced nervously but complied.
    Conner hurried.
    “Good job, girls,” he said, unhooking the last chain and giving
Molly’s rump a pat. He returned to Dallas, who was more than happy to relinquish
the reins.
    He watched her every move as she climbed down, ready to grab
her if she slipped.
    It turned out Dallas was nimble as a monkey. On the ground, she
swiped her hands together with a job-well-done flourish. “Need any help?”
    “I’m good.”
    “Too bad we didn’t bring along a spare saddle and bridle. We
could