Montana Hearts: Her Weekend Wrangler Read Free

phone calls and Skype. But when had they lost touch so much that they’d started keeping secrets from one another?
    She glanced at Luke’s cane again. Did he think she wouldn’t care? Or wouldn’t understand? Before shecould question him further, Luke pointed to Delaney’s barren ring finger and asked, “Where’s Steve?”
    Bree gasped. She’d been so caught up in their hug and seeing Meghan again, and Luke, that she hadn’t noticed. Now her sister had her full attention.
    Delaney hesitated, glanced back and forth between them, then in a quiet voice said, “We’re divorced.”
    R YAN MET HIS aunt Mary at the FoxCreek Café and gave her a kiss on the cheek, a better gift than flowers any day. Besides, once the Montana nighttime chill subsided and gave way to warmer temperatures, his jovial, gray-­haired aunt would have a whole garden of fresh flowers. And he’d really wanted to give the bouquet to Bree.
    After he and his aunt were seated and the waitress took their order, Aunt Mary asked, “Where’s Cody?”
    “His grandma and grandpa Owens picked him up a few minutes ago,” Ryan informed her. “He’s eating dinner with them.”
    “Good,” Aunt Mary said, patting his arm. “We have a chance to talk. I have a favor to ask.”
    “A favor?” Ryan raised a brow. “You mean you didn’t invite me to lunch just to enjoy my company?”
    “I always enjoy your company,” his aunt assured him with a smile, “and Cody’s,too. But this favor has to do with my own young one.”
    “Your new filly?”
    Aunt Mary nodded. “I need you to train her for the upcoming halter class at the fairgrounds.”
    “When is it?”
    “The third weekend in June.” His aunt gave him a pleading look. “I know that only gives you a little over a month, but I’ve seen how fast you work and I have faith in you.”
    Ryan frowned. “You don’twant to train her yourself?”
    “I haven’t the energy to work the horses like I did when I was your age.” She sighed. “But Morning Glory is bright and alert. With a little training she’ll respond beautifully.”
    The waitress came by to deliver their glasses of iced tea, and after she left, Aunt Mary leaned toward him and raised her brows, her expression hopeful. “What do you say?”
    “Youknow I don’t want to disappoint you.” He rubbed his hand over the side of his jaw. “But to be honest, I’m not sure I’ll have the time.”
    “Why not? Did you get yourself a girlfriend?”
    “No one I’m serious about,” Ryan muttered.
    Aunt Mary pressed her lips together and then said, “Not every girl is going to leave you like your ex-­wife did. You need to get on with your life. Find Cody anew mother. Be happy. Isn’t there anyone in town who can turn your head?”
    Ryan thought of Bree.
    “No,” he lied. “No one.”
    “Then you should have plenty of time to train my girl. If you see yourself getting behind, tell your brothers to either help you or take on more of the other chores.”
    Ryan chuckled. “I’m sure they’d all like to hear that.”
    “I’m serious,” his aunt said, andtook his hand. “This filly is special to me and so are you. It would mean . . . so much . . . if you’d agree to train her.”
    “All right,” Ryan said. “Just remember who your favorite nephew is the next time you come by with apple cobbler.”
    Aunt Mary shot him a teasing smile. “What you need is a girlfriend who can cook so she can make you apple cobbler when I’m not around.”
    He winced.“Can’t we just put some in the freezer?”
    “You know as well as I do that baked goods never last in the Tanner household.” She took her checkbook from her purse. “Thank you, Ryan. I can’t wait to show my filly in front of the judges. In exchange for your time, not only will I pay you but I’ll give you the filly’s mother, a sturdy chestnut mare.”
    “You don’t have to pay me,” Ryan said, leaningback as the waitress placed their identical plates of tangy,