Wyoming Sweethearts by Jillian Hart Read Free Book Online

he reached over to lay his hand on hers. He cared, sure, but he was in control of his emotions. He didn’t care for her
too
much. He willed his understanding into his touch. “It wasn’t fair.”
    “Fair? No. God never promised this life would be fair.” Her chin went up, not a woman to feel sorry forherself. “But there have been many blessings that have come my way. I survived the accident. I beat the odds to walk again. I’m really very blessed.”
    “Sure, I see that,” he agreed. She was blessed in more ways than he had understood before. She had strength and faith enough not to let the unfairness of her accident and injuries embitter her spirit. It was hard not to like her more, and he twined his fingers through hers, holding on and not wanting to let go. When he gazed into her clear green eyes, a similar tug of emotion wrapped around him. “You’ve had some tough blows. First the accident, then the breakup.”
    “Gerald tried. I have to give him credit. In the end he chose someone else.” Her fingers tightened on his, holding on to him, too. “Yes, it was his new skating partner.”
    “Did you feel passed over?” That was certainly how he felt.
    “Yes. It was easy for Gerald to move on. Proof his heart wasn’t in it as deeply as mine was.” She smiled, a mix of poignance and beauty that made her compelling. “Life goes on.”
    “It does.” He was lost in the moment gazing into her, and he couldn’t remember the name of any woman previous. The brush of the breeze, the murmur of the other couple on the porch and the faint rasp of the rocking swing silenced. The world narrowed until there was only Eloise and her hand, so much smaller, tucked in his.
    Footsteps vaguely drummed closer and a familiar woman’s voice pierced into his thoughts, pushing back the boundaries of his world so that Eloise was no longer the center. Cady smiled down at him and she wasn’t alone. Two dark-haired girls, one around ten withbraided pigtails and the other a little older with a touch of disdain, stood by her.
    “Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?” the youngest girl wanted to know.
    “No.” He abruptly sat up and whipped his hand away from Eloise’s. He knew why the kid was asking. It looked as if they were, sitting together with hands linked and sharing secrets. Couples did that sort of thing. He noticed Eloise seemed uncomfortable, too. He caught Cady’s curious look and set out to reassure her. “Just talking. That’s all. I suppose you heard about the horses?”
    “I found Eloise’s message on my voice mail when I reached the airport. I had to pick up these two and their father.” Cady was honorary family to the girls and their godmother. They all had been close when she’d lived in New York City. Cady gently steered the kids toward the steps. “I can’t wait to see our new horses. I didn’t think to ask if they were gentle or even trained.”
    “They appear to be.” Eloise grappled for her cane. “Their previous owner took good care of them, rode them regularly and they are steady and gentle. With a little training, they should make good, reliable horses for guests to ride.”
    “Excellent. What a great job, Eloise.” Cady beamed, her happiness evident, before leading the girls away. “Let’s go see the horses that were saved because of you, Julianna Elizabeth Stone.”
    “Do we get to ride them?” the little girl wanted to know as she skipped down the steps, and Cady’s answer was lost in a rising gust of warm wind.
    “Well, I guess I had better get back to my desk.” Eloise checked her watch and grabbed her cane. “I’vegot just enough of my day left to call the farrier. Tonight I have to get off work on time.”
    “Why’s that?” He climbed to his feet and followed her along the porch.
    “I’ve got a date tonight. A blind date.” She let her tone say it all.
    “Poor you. Who set you up?”
    “My grandma.” She liked that Sean opened the door for her and held it. He was a