Wrangling the Cowboy's Heart Read Online Free

his curiosity. She looked as if life had thrown her some hard curves since she’d left Saddlebank.
    â€œFunny how those girls can be sisters, but each be so different,” Vic said, taking another sip of his coffee. “Jodie still seems to have that reckless air.”
    â€œShe was a pistol,” Finn agreed.
    â€œThat girl could outdrive, outride most of the guys in the county that last summer she was here. It was just ’cause Donnelly and Keith were buddies that Jodie managed to duck as many charges she did.”
    Finn’s cheeks flushed as he thought of how he had let her off a speeding ticket himself a few hours ago.
    He tried to convince himself it was merely common courtesy and had nothing to do with anything Jodie said or did.
    And nothing to do with those striking blue eyes and glossy dark hair.
    â€œYou gonna ask her out again?” Vic gave him a nudge with his elbow. “Not too many single girls that good-looking come through Saddlebank. I’m sure she’s settled down some since she was younger.”
    â€œI doubt I’ll be asking,” Finn said, remembering too well a girl who’d spent most of that last summer she was here partying, drinking and challenging her father at every opportunity. “I don’t think I’m interested.”
    â€œJodie’s no Denise, that’s for sure,” Vic continued. “But she is single. I think you should give her another chance. Maybe this time she won’t stand you up.”
    â€œYou’re joking, right?” Finn asked.
    â€œOf course I am. Wouldn’t want to mess up your ten-year plan,” Vic said, laughing, then sauntered out of the hall without a backward glance.
    Finn shook his head at his friend’s comment. He had to have a plan, he reminded himself. Changing plans and ditching people was his mother’s MO. There was no way he was going to live that kind of life.
    As for Jodie, his reaction to her had more to do with her past than her present. He needed to forget it. Move on.
    He downed the last of his coffee. He had a few things to do at work before he headed to the Grill and Chill to grab a bite to eat. Then he’d get back to his ranch to work with a horse he was training.
    But before he left he allowed himself another glance Jodie’s way.
    Only to find her looking at him, a peculiar expression on her face.
    * * *
    â€œSo what can we do about this?”
    Jodie held up the letter their father’s lawyer had just given them, the noise of the Grill and Chill diner a counterpoint to the frustration simmering in her.
    After the funeral, she and Lauren had met with Drake Neubauer, their father’s lawyer, at his office to go over the will.
    For the most part, it was straightforward. He had bequeathed half the cash in his account to the church. The rest was for any unexpected expenses incurred by his death. The ranch, horses, equipment and any remaining assets were to be split equally among the three girls.
    But this letter was a complication that seemed typical of their father’s need for control.
    â€œRead it again,” Lauren said wearily. She leaned back against the booth, dragging her hands over her gaunt cheeks. Jodie guessed the weariness pulling at her sister had as much to do with her humiliation over being left at the altar eighteen months ago as Erin’s puzzling and disturbing no-show at the funeral. Their sister’s only contact with them the past six months had been brief text messages that communicated nothing more than basic information. Lauren and Jodie were both concerned.
    â€œâ€˜I know that I haven’t been the best father.’” Jodie stifled a sigh at that particular understatement as she continued reading the letter aloud. “‘I know you girls never wanted to leave Knoxville and come to the ranch every summer after your mother died. I know you only came because your grandmother insisted.’” Jodie shook her