Free Montana Hearts: Her Weekend Wrangler by Darlene Panzera Page B

What advice could he offer his son, other than “buck up and don’t ever let a woman in close enough to breakyour heart again”?
    It worked for him, but he feared a counselor might argue that a young boy could benefit from the presence of a woman in his life other than his schoolteacher and two grandmas. Someone with less of a generational gap who had the energy and heart-­tugging resolve to play games no matter how busy, bake cookies for an entire class at the last minute, and provide the safety andpermanence his son could rely on 24/7. Someone who was strong enough to discipline, but who would also be there to love and support him unconditionally no matter what lay ahead as he grew from a child into a young man.
    Someone to whom he could give a Mother’s Day card.
    With a jolt Ryan jumped back to the present, and took another quick glance at the clock. Bree still had a few minutesto show. But what if she didn’t? What if she found another wrangler for her family’s guest ranch and backed out of their deal? The possibility weighed heavy in his gut, sinking him into a chair beside the window. Footsteps sounded behind him and his mother came into the room, her brown curls disheveled but still holding shape from the night before.
    “How was your high school reunion?” he asked,searching her face for a telltale clue.
    She sighed, indicating the evening hadn’t gone as well as she’d hoped. “The dinner was nice, the hotel looked lovely, but . . . ­people change. Some of them just aren’t as much fun as they used to be.”
    Ryan hoped Bree hadn’t changed too much, at least when it came to her skill with horses. He was counting on having her train the filly. If she coulddo that, he’d be a happy man.
    The phone rang and he jumped up to answer, praying Bree wasn’t calling to cancel at the last minute. To his relief, he was greeted by his aunt instead.
    “How’s the training coming?” she asked.
    Ryan glanced out the window again and his pulse kicked up a notch at the sight of Bree’s red truck creeping up the dirt driveway. “It’s coming,” he assured her. “Ihad a little trouble at first, but I expect a significant turnaround within the next few days.”
    “Knowing the horses are in your capable hands makes me feel so much better.”
    Aunt Mary sounded tired and Ryan’s throat tightened. “How is your health holding up?”
    “Got to admit I’m a bit weaker today.” She paused, then continued, “But we all have both good days and bad days, don’t we? Beenliving that way most of my life.”
    “If you’re up to it, why don’t you come over next week and see how the filly is doing for yourself?” Ryan suggested.
    “I will,” Aunt Mary promised. “Seeing you work with my Morning Glory will make for a very good day.”
    After he hung up, he realized his mother had opened the door for three visitors who waited for him on the other side of the kitchen.All three women sported expensive name brand clothing and expectant expressions. One of them, Ms. Kincaid, was a curvaceous blond who had spoken to him the week before about buying a horse he had been able to train.
    “Have you made up your mind about the gray gelding?” he asked her.
    “Not yet.” Ms. Kincaid walked forward and looped her arm through his. “I hope you don’t mind, but I wouldlike to show the horse to my friends—­to help me make a decision.”
    “Of course,” he said, ignoring the appraising gazes of all three women. “Right this way.”
    As they stepped out of the house, Ryan caught sight of Bree coming toward them. “I’ll be with you in just a minute,” he told her. “I just have to show these ladies a horse in the barn.”
    “I’ll bet,” Bree retorted, and pursed herlips.
    Ryan faltered in his step and frowned. Was she mad at him?
    “C’mon, Ryan,” Ms. Kincaid crooned. “You don’t want to keep me waiting or I might just change my mind.”
    He watched Ms. Kincaid’s friends nod. Then he caught Bree