Free Almost Heaven by Jillian Hart

horse. The friend he was looking to make.
    He looked over his glasses at the woman in the saddle. “Why are you selling her?”
    â€œFinancial problems.”
    What was her name? Susan? She’d been a few years behind him in school—and sure looked sad about having to sell her horse.
    He supposed it was easy to become attached. It was just as well he didn’t want such a…a woman’s horse. “She’s way too fancy for the likes of me.”
    Susan looked relieved. “Kendra, I’ll stable her myself.”
    â€œNo problem.” Kendra shrugged, waving off some unspoken concern with one slim hand.
    She obviously ran a healthy business here. The girls clinging to the backs of their big horses ringed the arena, taking turns at the barrels or, in the corner, waiting for the comments of a woman instructor.
    It was clear that Kendra was a good businesswoman, but she wasn’t ruthless. He hadn’t thought she was, or he wouldn’t be standing here, but it was reassuring to see.
    â€œIf you want to wait a few minutes until Colleen is done with her class…” Kendra said without looking at him, taking great interest in how the class across the way was going. “It’s too bad I have a class in a few minutes, or I’d personally stay to show you some of our trails.”
    What? “You’re sending me out in the mountains with a stranger?”
    â€œDon’t worry, Colleen has all her shots.”
    He liked a woman with a sense of humor. “I’m glad to know that, but my big worry is you. You don’t invite greenhorns like me out here, do you, and play practical jokes on them?”
    â€œIt’s tempting, but I won’t put you on the back of a wild horse and abandon you.”
    â€œWhew. I was worried.”
    â€œYou look it. You have a suspicious nature, Sheriff.”
    â€œJust because I’m suspicious doesn’t mean they aren’t after me.”
    â€œThat’s paranoid, not suspicious.”
    â€œI knew that didn’t sound right. Say, how long are your classes? I don’t mind hanging around until you’re done. I’ve got nothing else to do.”
    Kendra waved at the instructor from the class in the far corner that was disbanding.
    Maybe he ought to be insulted Kendra was trying hard to get rid of him. She was probably busy, and he had taken up a chunk of her time. Why did he feel disappointed at the idea of her leaving him?
    At first he barely noticed the brunette approaching on horseback. She drew her horse to a stop, studied them both and couldn’t hide the big grin on her face. “Whew, what brings you out here, Sheriff? It’s nothing serious, right?”
    Kendra spoke up. “Cameron here is thinking about buying a horse and boarding here.”
    â€œWell, don’t let me get in the way of business.” The instructor tossed Kendra a secret look. “I don’t mind taking the last class of the day for you. I could use the extra hours if you want to take the sheriff into the hills.”
    As if mulling it over, Kendra blew out a breath, ruffling her wispy bangs. “Fine by me. That is, if the sheriff can stand more of my company.”
    â€œI’ve suffered through worse.”
    â€œMe, too.” Trouble twinkled in her eyes. “Thatonly leaves one question, cowboy. Are you ready to ride?”
    â€œSure thing. I’m up for the challenge.”
    Her smile was like heavenly light, warming him to the soul, as she spun away on the heel of her scuffed riding boots, calling out to someone just out of sight in the stable. Why did it feel as if she were taking his heart with her?

Chapter Five
    K endra gave the cinch a hard tug and tightened the buckle a notch. She always did her best not to be alone with any of the men who’d come her way, in a business sense. She’d gotten very practiced at it, but apparently not practiced enough because she was alone with