The Rancher's Second Chance (Martin's Crossing Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

wasn’t in a clinic. She was—she didn’t know where she was. Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered being picked up from Brody’s truck, his arms around her. It was the first time she’d felt safe in months.
    It was true. A person always wanted what they knew they couldn’t have. She happened to be the poster child for that. She hadn’t wanted Brody when she’d dated him because she’d thought it was all moving too fast, getting too serious too soon. She’d wanted freedom and excitement before she had to go home and get back to reality.
    In the past few months her reality had shifted, changed to the point she no longer knew what her future held or how to get back to the person she was or the person she’d always thought she’d be.
    She pulled the blanket close as she studied the room. It was a tiny apartment, not much bigger than the bedroom she’d had growing up. The sofa she’d slept on and an overstuffed chair were the only furnishings. The small kitchen area was just a counter with a narrow stove, single sink and a dorm-size fridge. Stairs behind the sofa led to a loft.
    The inside door opened and a woman with dark hair peeked in, saw that she was awake and entered the room with a smile. She held up a glass coffeepot. “You’re awake. Need coffee?”
    Grace shook her head, still holding the blanket tight. “No, thank you. I’m trying to cut back.”
    Because she was having a baby. Her heart clenched and she wanted to cry all over again. She drew in a deep breath and managed to smile so the woman in front of her wouldn’t think she was falling apart.
    The woman sat on the arm of the chair and set the coffeepot down on a magazine on the table. She studied Grace, her smile kind. “You’ll make it through this.”
    Grace wanted to ask if this stranger could promise that. Instead, she managed a smile. “I hope so.”
    “You will. And you’ll learn a lot about yourself. By the way, I’m Oregon Jeffries. I’m engaged to Brody’s brother Duke.”
    “Grace Thomas. But you probably already know that.”
    “Brody did tell me your name. But he didn’t tell me anything else. He keeps things to himself.”
    Grace nodded. Yes, that was the Brody she knew. She thought about how she used to try to get him to share gossip about people they met. But he never would. Instead, he’d told her everyone had a story and most didn’t need to be repeated. Brody had his anger, his past, but he also had faith. He had convictions. The whole package that was Brody Martin had scared her a little. Oregon cleared her throat, bringing Grace back to the present.
    “Sorry, I got lost in thought.” Grace said. “Is it going to cause you problems, having me here? I wouldn’t want to put you in danger.”
    “Of course you’re not a problem. As for danger, Duke is right across the street.”
    “Thank you.” Grace looked around the tiny room. She felt safe here.
    “Is there anything at all I can get you?”
    Grace thought about all of the possible answers to that question. If only this woman, Oregon, could get her what she really needed. She’d start with redoing the past year. That would put her back on track. She’d go back to nursing school. She’d ignore Lincoln’s advances. She’d make better choices.
    She would remember the person she’d been raised to be. She’d done her best to run from the gilded cage she’d been in all her life. She’d thought that cage confining. Now she realized it had been safe.
    But there were no do-overs in life, only opportunities to move forward. “There’s nothing.”
    “Lunch?” Oregon offered with a sweet smile and shrug of slim shoulders. “A hug?”
    She almost cried. It made her realize how alone she’d felt for the past few months. She’d climbed inside herself, hiding the secret of Lincoln’s abuse from people who could have helped. She’d lost pieces of herself one bruise at a time. She would put herself back together. For her baby. And for herself.
    She