Free His Cowgirl Bride by Debra Clopton

she’ll make a full recovery—I don’t believe it. And my dad doesn’t, either, and can’t forgive me for that—not that I’m asking him to. I completely understand where he’s coming from.”
    Tacy could only imagine if one of her brothers had let her on a rough stock horse. Even if she hadn’t been injured, her dad would have been furious. “It sounds like our fathers are very much alike.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYeah, I was just thinking that if one of my brothers had let me so much as put my boot in the stirrup of a rough colt, my dad would have had his hide pinned to the barn door.”
    â€œYour dad’s a good man, then.”
    Tacy liked that he respected their fathers’ attitudes. She didn’t agree with her dad’s outlook on her abilities, but she respected him all the same. He was doing what he thought was best for her.
    A snake slithered across the rutted road they were following and both their horses sidestepped. It was nobig deal, but catching Brent watching her reaction and how she stayed in control—that was a big deal. The man was practically grading her abilities as they rode. She understood why now, but Tacy knew her own capabilities. She was good. Real good. He wouldn’t find anything to hold against her, if that was what he was looking for. “Yes, my dad is the best. I respect him more than anyone, but I refuse to let his need to protect and coddle me stop me from following my dreams. I’m good, Brent. I’m assuming your sister’s accident and your feelings of responsibility are the reasons you refuse to teach me?”
    â€œIt’s not negotiable.”
    Tacy bit her lip and said a prayer for Brent. She felt like there was even more he hadn’t said, and she worried that it was no use pushing the issue. Yet she felt a gentle nudge to say something to ease his distress. But what?
    Being at a loss for words was just plain weird for Tacy. If it was God who was nudging her, wouldn’t He also be giving her the words to say? Instead, her mind was blank as she met Brent’s grim expression.
    â€œTell me more about your sister’s recovery.”
    â€œIt’s been hard on her. Months in the hospital, then months of physical therapy…”
    â€œWhy do you hesitate?”
    â€œI pushed her pretty hard. Mom and Dad worried that I was too hard on her. But I felt that if she didn’t give it her all, she might not recover fully.”
    So that was it. “You and your parents clashed over that?”
    He nodded. “When Tina started complaining and getting upset, I decided maybe I was letting my guilt push me into being too hard on her. That’s when I left.”
    â€œWhere did you go?”
    â€œTo Idaho. A cowboy can get lost in the Great Basin…that’s what I always heard, anyway. I knew a guy looking for wranglers through the winter. That’s where I met Pace.”
    â€œY’all worked together?”
    â€œYes, Pace was practically a legend. We worked adjacent sections so sometimes we’d work together. Out there in the winter you’re pretty much on your own. Both of us had little one-room cabins—more like shacks with no electricity.”
    â€œNo electricity? None?”
    He gave a small smile, and for the first time since they’d started riding the tension eased. “It wasn’t so bad, really. I had plenty of firewood.”
    Tacy laughed. “You’re a cowboy. I’m sure it was just like going back to your roots.”
    â€œI liked it. Not gonna say I’d want to live that way forever. But it was where I needed to be at the time. Tacy, do you believe that God puts you where you need to be when you need to be there?”
    â€œVery much so.” She looked at him and wondered what it was God was trying to show her now, in this moment. She’d come to Mule Hollow with plans and they’d been totally turned