Free Montana Hearts by Darlene Panzera Page B

months while he was on the road, but he’d never had a place where he could kick back and fiddle with the chest of tools from his father that his mother had kept for him. His inheritance. The only keepsake he had to remember him after his mother had sold the ranch.
    Of course, he didn’t remember his father any more than he’d remembered the Tanners. He wasn’t even sure if he’d ever met the Tanners. If he had, it could only have been when he was very young.
    Taking his phone from his pocket, he tapped his sister’s number, but for some reason the call wouldn’t go through. Frowning, he stepped outside onto the small covered porch, and when that didn’t work, he walked out into the open field and held it up toward the sky.
    â€œI’m afraid your cabin is in a dead zone,” Bree said, coming toward him. “You have the best cabin but the worst cell phone reception.”
    He lowered his arm and scowled. “Figures.”
    â€œI wanted to welcome you again to Collins Country Cabins,” she said hesitantly, “and apologize for my fiancé’s behavior, and his brother’s.”
    â€œWhat can you tell me about them?” Jace asked. “How long have you known each other?”
    Bree shrugged. “I’ve known the Tanners all my life. They only live twenty minutes up the road and we all went to school together. Dean, Ryan, Josh, and Zach help their father run the Triple T cattle ranch, and on weekends Ryan helps us out with the mini-­roundups.”
    â€œWait,” Jace said, holding up his hand. “There’s four of them? Four Tanner brothers?”
    â€œYup.” Bree smiled. “Their mother can tell you they’re a handful. Always have been. And of course now there’s also Ryan’s son, Cody. The youngest Tanner of the bunch.”
    Jace stared at her, trying to take in the fact he had this whole other side of his family he’d never heard about. Never thought to ask about. Never knew existed. He shook his head and wondered if Natalie knew or even suspected. And why hadn’t their mother told them?
    He managed to give Bree a small smile and asked, “And you’re sure you want to be a Tanner, too?”
    Bree laughed and her whole face lit up with excitement. “More than anything. Ryan and I are set to marry next spring. Maybe you’ll come to the wedding?”
    â€œDoubtful. Considering the way my cousins blew me off.”
    â€œOh, they didn’t mean anything by that,” Bree assured him. “Ryan and Zach both intend to apologize. And it’s my fault, really. I hadn’t told them you were coming and your sudden appearance just took them by surprise. Once you all get to know each other, everything will be fine.”
    Jace wasn’t too sure about that.
    â€œRyan said my mother took something,” Jace pried. “Did he tell you what?”
    Bree bit her lip. Then nodded. “He said your mother stole his mother’s inheritance.”
    D E L A N E Y T H O U G H T S H E ’ D be able to manage her new public relations job, take care of her daughter, give the guests at the ranch riding lessons, and still have time to feed and nurse the sick animals in her care back to health on both her own property and the wildlife rescue clinic.
    She was wrong. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t do everything, and after a long restless sleep, she woke up this morning and knew she’d have to tell the clinic she had to cut back her volunteer hours.
    Montana Wildlife Rescue occupied a small space at the end of the second block of shops in Fox Creek. They worked with the local veterinarian and housed a series of small injured animals until better homes could be found for them. Not only did they have the usual dogs and cats, but they also specialized in helping wildlife such as birds, possums, raccoons, and the occasional abandoned cub. Delaney usually came in three times a week to