Free Rocky Mountain Miracle by Christine Feehan Page A

won’t have to worry about getting lost in the snow between the house and barn. All the walkways are covered and enclosed.”
    She smiled at him. “That’s handy. I really think he’ll be fine. If we weren’t in the middle of a full-blown blizzard, I’d trailer him into the clinic, but I have all my equipment with me. I think we’re prepared to handle anything that comes along.”
    â€œWill I be able to ride him eventually?”
    â€œLet’s make it past the infection stage and see how everything heals,” Maia hedged. “He had some nasty injuries.” She patted the horse’s side. “He wants to get better, and that’s more than half the battle right there.”
    â€œDid he tell you that, Doc?” Cole asked, his eyebrow raised.
    â€œWell, of course. And he’s rather fond of Jase as well. I’m surprised a man as sensitive as you didn’t catch all that.” She grinned at him and blew on her hands to warm her aching fingers.
    His heart lurched uncomfortably. He couldn’t help tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear. She looked tired. “Jase, you need to shower and hit the sack. I don’t want you staying up all night.” Cole took her hands and began to rub them between his own.
    Jase glanced at his watch. “I haven’t eaten, Cole. I need food. Sustenance. Something like pizza.”
    The moment he said the word, both brothers reacted, expressions shutting down, wariness creeping into their eyes. They had already compared experiences of their father’s reaction when as a boy Cole had stayed after school to have pizza with his friends. Jase had done the same thing. Brett Steele believed in absolute control and his punishments had been vicious.
    â€œI know how to make pizza,” Maia said into the silence. “If you have the ingredients, I can make it.” Deliberately she pulled her hands away from Cole and clapped Jase on the shoulder. “You do have flannel pajamas, don’t you?”
    â€œYou’re bribing him,” Cole pointed out, taking direction from her. Maia seemed to know naturally what to say and do with the boy, where he was still floundering, feeling his way, knowing he was out of his depth. “Jase, don’t give up your flannels. I think she’s hungry enough to make pizza for us anyway.”
    â€œWell, I am, but I had planned on making you cook,” Maia said.
    Jase snorted. “Don’t even go there, Doc. Cole’s cooking is downright ugly.”
    â€œHey, traitor.” Cole managed to ruffle the boy’s hair. His affectionate gesture startled both of them. He dropped his hand quickly and Jase suppressed a small grin. “A beautiful woman comes along, and you side with her.”
    â€œI show good sense, you mean,” Jase bantered back. “She can cook.”
    Maia’s smile widened. “I’m an awesome cook. And I love flannel, so I can be bribed.”
    â€œI have a flannel shirt,” Cole said. “If we have to pay for our four-in-the-morning supper, I’ll contribute to thecause.” He took Maia’s arm. “You’re falling down you’re so tired. And if you continue to shiver from the cold any longer, you’re going to rattle your teeth loose. Let’s get up to the house.”
    Jase patted the horse good night and hurried after them. “Thanks, Doc. I know it wasn’t easy doing all that work.”
    â€œI like being a veterinarian. I really think you should give it some thought, Jase. School’s hard, and you have to be at the top of your class to get in, but I’ll bet you have the brains for it.”
    â€œHe’s a great student,” Cole acknowledged immediately.
    â€œI had tutors most of the time,” Jase admitted. “My father didn’t want me to go away to school.”
    She’d bet he didn’t. The wrong person might see his bruises. And a man like