Damaged Hearts Read Online Free Page A

home.”
     
    “And that’s why we have to get going Ali” Rick said picking his young daughter back up and taking her into the kitchen.  He kissed her quickly as he handed her to his housekeeper and nanny.  “We have to get going Consuela and I’m not real sure when I’ll be back home.  Please try to keep Morgan out of trouble and away from this boyfriend of hers until I can talk to her.  And Ali, you make sure you’re really good; help Consuela any way you can and keep an eye on Morgan ok?”
     
    “I’ll be good daddy but you have to hurry home and bring Kat so you can eat some cookies that we are going to make,” she said seriously.  “Otherwise we’ll eat them all and we’ll have to make more.”
     
    Rick grabbed a bag Consuela handed him that was full of provisions just in case they had to spend the night on the trail.  “God speed Senor Jamison and do not worry so about your niñas si?  They will be just fine.”
     
    Kat quietly went out the door leaving Rick some privacy to say good-bye to his girls.  She walked over to Dusty talking softly to him as she checked his feet again wanting to make sure there were no stones stuck in his shoes that could make him come up lame on their journey.  After checking his feet, she ran her hands under the edges of the saddle checking one more time to make sure there were no lumps in the blanket that could cause chafing or saddle sores.  Content that all was well for her favorite stud, she tightened the cinch back up and was just about to mount up when Angel and Matt came out of the barn.  Kat decided that for now, she wouldn’t mention the straw that was stuck in her sister’s hair.
     
    Matt and Angel were mounted and talking to Kat by the time Rick jogged out of the house frowning.  He untied the reins from the fence and swung up onto Warlock stopping to check the stirrup length before setting his boots and clicking to the horse.  “Let’s get going if we want to catch up with those Angus.”  He said taking the lead and ignoring the question he saw in everyone’s eyes.

~III~
     
    The dust hung thick in the still air and twenty head of high quality Black Angus cattle that they had been instructed to drive into the holding canyon were milling restlessly as George, Frank, James, and Robert made temporary camp.  The canyon was a genius idea of the Boss but Frank wasn’t so sure about stealing cattle from a woman.  Every time over the years that Frank had seen Miss Kat in town she had always been really nice to him and never looked at him like he was trash; not like the “Boss” did.
     
    “Whatcha think George?”  James asked uneasily.  “Do we wait here like the “Boss” said or should we leave the cattle and head back to town?”
     
    “We do just like the “Boss” told us and we may make a little money in the process.”  George answered from his spot by the fire.  “We wait a full day, make sure the cattle have plenty of graze and water and then head back into town one at a time from separate directions.”
     
    “I don’t get it,” Robert said testily.  The “Boss” rode out with us and cut the fence wire himself.  He waited until we drove the cattle though and he counted every one without saying a word, then he headed off in the opposite direction towards town.  What’s the point in doing all that and then just leaving?  I just don’t get it.”
     
    “You ain’t  p..p..posed to get it Bert” Frank answered.  “It’s why h..h..he’s the “Boss” and w..w..w..we aint.”
     
    “I think that’s one of the smartest things I’ve ever heard ya say Frank” George said nastily.  “It’s a wonder we let you ride with us to begin with.”
     
    “Y..Y..You knows I get to..to go cuz I’m the o..o..only one that can talk na..na..nice to the ca..ca..cattle and bed them down.”  He answered.  “And momma said you had to k..k..keep track of me after sh..sh..she died.”
     
    George sighed and ignored the