Free Autumn's Hope (Cowboy Seasons) by Kathleen Ball Page A

teeth. If he could get her to
eat, he could work with her about being head shy. He secretly wished he could
torture the owners as badly as they tortured the animals. Karma would get them
in the end.
    He
quickly jotted down a note for Autumn and included his cellphone number in case
she needed it. Hopefully, he’d be back before she woke up. He walked outside
and gave Richard a quick call and told him to come over later than planned.
    Jonas
walked into his barn and headed straight for Page’s stall. She moved as far
away as she could as soon as she spotted him. “Hey, Page, how are you? I hear
you had your teeth fixed. You look real pretty.” The gray dun refused to look
at him. “I was hoping we could be friends. Sometimes friendships take a while
to develop and of course there is the whole trust thing.”
    Page
glanced at him then looked away but not before he saw the grit and
determination in her eyes.
    “That’s
right girl. Besides you, I have five other horses to help. You’ll meet them
soon enough. Oh, I also have a little gal up at the house. She’s going to be a
mama. I know it sounds crazy, I hardly know Autumn but she’s come to mean the
world to me. Now, don’t get all jealous. My heart is plenty big.” He kept his
gaze off the mare but he could see out of the corner of his eye that she was
beginning to respond to the sound of his voice.
    “I
have a feeling that once we get you eating, you’ll be right beautiful. Your gray
coat will shine and your mane will be full. What more could a girl ask for?”
    Jonas
gave Page one last look and was heartened when she didn’t immediately turn
away. If only it could be that easy with all females. He heard a car coming up
the drive and hurried out to see who it was.
    Richard
got out of his car, towering over it and Jonas wondered how he even got in that
thing. “Good to see you, Jonas. How’s our girl?”
    Jonas
stiffened. “She’s resting. I thought you weren’t coming over until this
afternoon?”
    “I
have too much prep work to do for the restaurant this afternoon. I thought I’d
just drop her stuff off and be on my way.”
    Jonas
walked to the car and met Richard at the open trunk. “She’s going to be here
for a while. You should have brought more of her things.”
    Richard
handed him a suitcase. “This is all she has. She’s always traveled light.”
    Jonas’
eyes narrowed; he didn’t like Richard. “Well, we can always get what we need.”
    Richard
gave him a short nod, closed the trunk, got back in his car and drove away.
There was definitely something off with that guy.
    Jonas
quickly dismissed Richard and carried the suitcase into the house. Maybe she
did travel light, what did he really know about women?
    Autumn’s
hair was fanned out on the pillow reminding him of a halo. Somehow, he didn’t
think his fiery gal was a complete angel.
    “What
are you smiling about?” She rubbed her eyes and sat up.
    “I
never smile. I have no idea what you are talking about.”
    “It’s
not a smile? I guess I’d call it a sexy grin then.” Her face instantly turned a
bright shade of red. “I mean a big grin.” Her gaze became fixed on her hands.
    “Sexy,
huh?”
    “I
don’t know why that popped out of my mouth. I heard that pregnant women say
things that are out of character.” She darted her gaze to him quickly and just
as quickly looked away.
    It
was difficult to suppress the laughter that was growing inside him, but he did.
“I’m sorry.” He bit the inside of his mouth to keep the amusement out of his
voice. “I didn’t mean to tease you.
    Her
color lightened and her shoulders relaxed. “It’s fine. Do you have any food in
that beautiful kitchen of yours?”
    “Sure,
I have steak. Oh hell you don’t eat meat. I have frozen veggies.” Autumn rolled
her eyes at him. “I guess frozen peas aren’t dinner. I have bread. I guess I’ll
go shopping tomorrow if you make me a list.”
    “You’re
not sweating are you?”
    Her
lilting