A Tender Touch: A Donnelley Brother's Novel (Logan Point Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

for the first time in my life, to take my days by the reins and just ride.
    I want to be happy...
    It’s on that thought that I push the door from my car open to step out from the drivers seat into the crisp morning air. As I glance out over the brilliant landscape surrounding me the view takes my breath away. Literally.
    The sun is rising over the high peaks of the mountains, it’s new morning glow a soft shade of pink that, in war with the moon still bright in the same sky, casts an explosion of soft purple over the land. The snow is not a brilliant white that is so known with winter, but instead, it shimmers in the glimmer of the rising sun like a sea of soft lavender.
    The veins in the stone of the mountains pulse with life as a new days light bleeds into their dark crevices, igniting every deep gray line in ribbons of light from the rising sun. For a moment, the world is at a standstill. There is no darkness and there is no light. As the moon and sun face off, there is balance. It is this sight that fills my body and soul with the strength to lift my chin, form a smile over my lips, and walk into the cafeteria.
    The aroma of coffee and baking intoxicates me as the door falls closed behind me. Stomping my booted feet against the mat at the door, I watch as pebbles of snow fall onto the mat before melting where they land.
    I make a quick beeline for the small coffee line as a familiar voice stops me in my tracks. “Ember Brighton?”
    Turning slowly to face the familiar voice, I felt a true smile claim my face. “Gracie!” I stepped slowly toward her. “How are you?”
    “I’d be better if one of my favorite girls who I haven’t seen in over a year gave me a hug!”
    I laughed. With Gracie Donnelley, laughing was to be expected. Actually, it was downright impossible not to laugh when in her presence.
    Stepping into her warm arms, I felt a little like I was coming home - as odd as that was. I’d been coming to the Ranch for ten years now and I’d hugged Gracie plenty of times, but this time felt different. This time, it truly felt like I was home.
    Pulling back away from her embrace, I tried to banish the confusion floating through my mind at the new feeling blooming inside.
    Gracie spoke. “When I saw your name in the bookings chart, I was so excited. I worried last summer when I didn’t see you or your mother.” Her eyes were settled firmly, but gently on my face as she asked. “How is Allison doing?”
    “She’s well. And we couldn’t not come back to the Ranch, Gracie.” I took in a deep breath. “This place, it...” I didn’t know how to explain the way I was feeling inside. “I just couldn’t imagine never coming back here.”
    Gracie’s smile was soft as she spoke. “Will Allison be joining you?”
    “Not until later. Probably July.”
    Her brows rose and I wondered if she’d not realized how long I was booked to remain at the Ranch for. Then she replied. “I realized you were booked for an extended stay, but is there a reason for that? Is everything alright?”
    I nodded. “Everything is fine. I just needed a vacation from life, you know. And I missed Kami.”
    “Ah.” She nodded. “Kami told me you were friends.”
    “She did?”
    “Of course.” Gracie chuckled. “She’s married to one of my sons.”
    “Yes, she is.” I looked out the windows to the mountains, drawing in a deep breath and their strength, I replied. “I miss her so much, but I’m so happy she finally found someone and someplace to call home.”
    “Home is where our hearts are.” Gracie said matter of fact. “You’ll find your home soon enough, Ember.”
    I felt the sting of those hot tears in my eyes once again and I struggled to keep them from rolling down my cheeks. “The only place I’ve really felt at home since I was thirteen was here.” I smiled. “You know, the mountains and the horses...” I felt my voice stutter on an emotion filled breath. “It was this Ranch that actually inspired me to