Free Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) by Rachel Skatvold

one of the stalls. “Even if that’s true, what’s the point in admitting it now? She’s gone. It’s for the best really.”
    “Well it seems like you need a pick-me-up. I’ve got an hour before I have to be back to the diner. Why don’t you come riding with me? Give me my first ranching lesson while you’re at it.”
    He put the shovel aside and grinned at his sister. She knew he couldn’t resist a horse ride. “All right. If you insist.”
    A few minutes later they were riding side by side, following the creek. The weather was perfect and the sounds of nature relaxed him. “Thanks, sis. This is exactly what I needed.”
    She smiled. “I thought so. Well, it’s the least I could do after you and mom helped convince Dad to let me hire more workers.”
    “Have you found anyone that’s interested in the positions yet?”
    Belle’s cheeks flushed as she nodded. “Just this morning actually. I’m meeting a girl in town for an interview tomorrow. Rob Mildred’s daughter.”
    He studied the worried creases on her forehead. “Well that’s good. Are you nervous?”
    She kept her gaze straight ahead as they continued along the trail by the creek. “I’ve never interviewed someone before. What if I mess it up?”
    Logan chuckled to himself. “Well don’t worry. I’m sure she doesn’t bite. I’ve never noticed any members of the Mildred family having fangs.”
    Belle gave a half-hearted chuckle. “It’s not really the interview. It’s just that so much is riding on this. I need to show Dad that I can handle being in charge. If I mess it up he’s not going to trust me a second time.”
    “Oh, just relax. Leaders aren’t supposed to be perfect. You’ll make mistakes but that’s okay. Learning from them makes you stronger. I have faith in you, Belle and with time Dad will too.”
    Her face glowed in the afternoon sun. “Well you’ve turned into quite the motivational speaker, Logan. What did I do to deserve such a wise older brother?” Her voice held just a hint of sarcasm.
    He lifted an eyebrow. “Oh, you mean the brother that’s going to beat you back to the barn?”
    She scoffed and turned her horse around. “In your dreams. Eat my dust!”
    They took off together and barreled across the flat part of the valley. In no time Belle’s joyous laughter filled his eardrums as she passed him. The wind blew her hat off and it dangled by its cord against her back. “You’ll have to do better than that,” she taunted.
    He chuckled and swallowed a lump in his throat, watching her chocolate brown curls blow untamed and free in the breeze. His sister belonged here. She was born to own this land and run the ranch. The wild landscape flowed like blood through her veins. How did their father fail to recognize that?
    He let Belle win the race and she rewarded him with a victorious smile when he caught up with her by the barn. “Well there you are, slow poke,” she teased as she hoped off her horse and disappeared inside.
    Logan chuckled and started to follow but the sound of crunching gravel stopped him. A cherry red compact car caught his attention, looking foreign in comparison to the rugged landscape. His heart galloped in his chest. Was she really back? The car parked and he held his breath as Addison emerged out of the driver’s side door.
    She shrugged and pushed her movie star glasses onto the top of her head, revealing those amazing jade eyes. “Hey, stranger. It looks like your map didn’t work so well after all. It led me right back here.”
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Addison’s pulse accelerated as Logan approached. For a second she reconsidered her decision to return.
    He stopped in front of her with a range of emotions playing out on his face. “Addie, what’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
    She managed a nervous chuckle and made up a quick fib. “Yes, I think I must have forgotten my brain…um apparently I should have called the resort before going all the way out there. When I didn’t