Free Montana Hearts by Darlene Panzera Page A

I’ve been winning over the last few years but I’d sure love the competition.”
    Luke hesitated. “No, not this year. Too much work to do.”
    â€œToo bad,” A.J. said with drawn-­out regret. “I saw Sammy Jo Macpherson at the rodeo in Bozeman a ­couple weeks back. But she must have been having an off day. Her scores weren’t even high enough to get her into the top three and we know she’s better than that.”
    â€œYep, she’s a top-­notch competitor, hard to defeat,” Luke agreed. Especially when she is fixated on getting her own way.
    A.J. double tapped his hand on the rim of the open truck window and shot him a grin. “Hey, me and some of the other guys are meeting up at the café later tonight before we head off to the next rodeo in Helena. You want to come?”
    And listen to them brag about their latest scores and meanest ride? Again, Luke shook his head. “Maybe next time you swing into town.”
    â€œThey’ll be disappointed The Legend turned them down.” A.J. hesitated, as if hoping he’d change his mind. Then stepped back. “Well, hey, good seein’ ya.”
    Luke nodded. “Yeah, you, too.”
    A.J. had been his partner in crime as they’d picked the lock on Mrs. Owens’s shed and raided the ice box to steal some of her homemade popsicles when they were ten.
    At fifteen, they’d advanced to midnight tractor races down the stretch of dirt roadway leading to the graveyard. They’d charged spectators five dollars to watch, enough to fund an illegal fireworks display the residents of Fox Creek would never forget.
    Then at eighteen, they’d entered the exciting, fast-­paced world of rodeo bull riding. A world where their fortunes could change in a mere eight seconds.
    A world which Luke still lived for but no longer belonged in.
    He thought about his promise to Sammy Jo and wondered if it was possible for him to ride again . . .
    Possible that one day he’d walk unaided . . .
    Possible he’d once again be the man he used to be.
    â€œ L OOK, IT ’ S S AMMY Jo,” a jubilant ten-­year-­old called out.
    â€œSammy Jo, are you going to help us out today?” another girl asked, her expression hopeful.
    â€œYes,” she answered, smiling at each of them. “Just as soon as I talk to Jesse.”
    â€œHere I am,” Jesse called as she came from the main house carrying several quarter-­inch-­wide strips of colorful ribbons. “Didn’t expect to see you today. Aren’t you heading off to the next rodeo?”
    Sammy Jo shook her head. “I quit. I decided I’d rather be here and work with the girls.”
    Jesse wrapped her in a hug. “I know that decision must not have been easy, but I’m sure happy to have you with us.”
    â€œI just have one favor to ask,” Sammy Jo said, and clasped her hands together in front of her.
    Jesse gave her a nod. “Ask me anything.”
    â€œCan I borrow the rehab horse for a few days? The friend I told you about has agreed to give him a try.”
    â€œLuke?” Jesse’s smile widened. “Finally persuaded him, did ya? Yes, you can take Prince for the next two weeks, but then I need him back. We’ve got a new little boy whose leg is amputated at the knee coming to ride him.”
    â€œThanks, Jesse.”
    Later that same afternoon, Sammy Jo greeted Delaney and her daughter, Meghan, as they came to the camp for a visit. “You like?” she asked, waving her hand toward the hitching post where eleven middle-­grade girls were braiding ribbons into the horses’ manes and tails.
    â€œPretty,” Meghan said, pointing.
    â€œYes, the girls are making all the horses look pretty,” Sammy Jo told her.
    â€œThank you for inviting us,” Delaney said, holding her daughter’s hand as she led her around. “Meghan loves seeing all the