Free His Cowgirl Bride by Debra Clopton Page B

argued—my teachers would attest to that. But I did know my limitations when Dad put his foot down. I knew not to cross him.”
    â€œBut as an adult it’s different?”
    She nodded, but said nothing.
    â€œSo you know how to work a horse and train it?”
    â€œDad didn’t have a problem with that. It was the breaking that he objected to. Sound familiar?”
    He shot her a droll look, hiking a brow. He’d been observing her for days, and everything she said about natural talent and a natural seat for the horse was true. If she was a man, he’d be glad to take her talent to the next level. Pace had helped him do that while theywere in Idaho by sharing his expertise as far as gentle breaking was concerned. Brent couldn’t help wondering if he’d known more—if he’d had the horse a little more ready to receive a rider—would Tina have been spared all the pain and trouble she’d been through over the last two years? It was something he’d never know. Of course, the one thing he did know was that if he’d listened to his dad and hadn’t been so full of himself and alcohol, nothing would have happened that night. He wouldn’t have let Tina get on that horse. He would have known it was a bad idea. “Your dad sounds like he loves you very much.”
    â€œNever a doubt there. But that can’t stop me from living my dream, my choice.”
    Brent wouldn’t have expected any other answer from her. “So you loaded up, came down here where Pace has agreed to help you and, as luck would have it, you ended up with me. The guy who feels just like your dad. Only I have the tragic consequences to back up my convictions.”
    Tacy reined in her horse, and he did, too. She stared at him with thoughtful eyes. “Actually, I don’t believe in luck. Or coincidence. I could leave here today, head down to any number of ranches I know of and learn to break horses. Or I could sign up for weekend workshops taught by talented cowboys. This is not my only option. I chose to come here. I wanted to learn from Pace because he is a legend. The best.”
    Everything she said rang true. She could go learn to break horses anywhere. And, okay, he’d admit sheseemed like she’d be good enough. She was a better rider than Tina had been. Still, if he put Tacy on that horse and something happened, it would be his responsibility. And he couldn’t take that.
    â€œBut,” Tacy continued, studying him hard, “Pace had to leave, and now you’re here. And you know what?” She smiled, tilting her heart-shaped face slightly as solemn green eyes locked with his.
    â€œWhat?” he asked.
    â€œI believe we’re here for a reason. I don’t think this is a chance meeting. I can feel it. I think maybe God has brought us together for a purpose—a purpose other than for you to aggravate me.”

Chapter Eight
    T acy wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking the day before when she’d blurted out that God had brought them together for a reason—a purpose. Brent had just looked at her like she was crazy and she’d actually felt a bit insane even thinking such a thing! She’d refused to elaborate, telling him she wasn’t sure why she felt that way. She just had a hunch…and her hunches were usually right. Thankfully, he’d laughed at that and then let it go, probably assuming she’d only been teasing—little did he know that she hadn’t been.
    It was easy to see he was hurting—that he was eaten up with remorse and guilt over his sister. And this thing with his dad—well, that was going to eat him alive. Really, she and her dad might not see eye to eye but she could not imagine anything so horrible happening that they no longer spoke to each other. Tacy felt a strong sense of loss for Brent and her heart ached for him.
    When they’d arrived back at the barn, she’d wanted to