Once and Always (Women of Character) Read Free Page A

honor. Whether he would
achieve that objective to his satisfaction, she didn't know. She knew firsthand
how destructive bitterness could be.
    "There are other ranches in
the area," she said, "places that don't need as much work as this
place. I can't think you'll be happy here."
    "Only the Double B will do.
With that said, along with the lease, I have a proposition for you."
    Uneasily, Anna waited.
    "We should form a partnership―let
it be known that we're working the ranch together. That way, we present a
united front. At the very least, it will make people question the old scandal.
Your reputation is sterling and speaks for itself. If we pool our knowledge you
can take in your own training and I'll handle mine. The way I see it, we both
win."
    Anna's stomach churned and she
feared she'd be sick.
    "It's kind of ironic,"
she said. "I remember telling you my vision once. The two of us working to
build a prosperous horse training facility." And raising a family. Was he
mocking her? "How can you expect me to just fall in with what you want?
It's been six years. Tyler, it's not like you can just pick up where you left
off."
    "We'd run this strictly as
business. We both know there's no going back. You know barrel horses. You've
ridden the best and you're familiar with the people in that arena. Think about
it, it's your call, Annie. It's a great opportunity if you're willing to take
the chance."
    Fear and confusion yawned before
her. The old Anna had had the face and confidence to mingle with top horse
professionals. As she was now, she wanted to stay hidden. She'd lost the edge.
Admitting that was like pushing barbs into her skin. "I―I have to
think about it. . . working again with horses, being in the center of the
hubbub. . .."
    It whet Anna's appetite for what
she loved best, but she shoved back the excitement. She knew her limits. She
had created them. She bit the inside of her cheek, wanting the chance so bad
she could taste it. "I've battled to keep my head above water, and putting
myself in the public eye is stressful," she admitted with some difficulty.
"Being around you . . . I don't know if I could do that either."
    "If you think long and hard
about your financial situation, you'll have to handle it."
    Only three days ago the hot water
heater had died and she'd just spent her extra cash to have a new one
installed. She had about two hundred dollars in her savings account.
    Taking a deep, fortifying breath,
she looked Tyler directly in the eye. "While I'm deciding, I suggest you
take a good look around at the house and the barns. As you've noticed the
cottage and the hay barn are gone." The saddle horn bit into her palm. The
cottage where they used to meet.
     "The front pasture fence is
the only one that's been maintained and the rest of the fencing is in bad shape.
If we decide to go ahead with this, I'd want the guesthouse to live in. The
remainder of the grounds would be yours."
    She dismounted and leaned back
against her mare. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm bringing Spirit into the
barn." She tugged gently on the reins and the horse followed her. Despite
what she considered to be an obvious dismissal, Tyler fell into step beside
her. Ignoring him, Anna walked around the barn and past the small corral.
    As she neared the barn Danny Kirk
hurried out to meet her. Danny's habits were like clockwork. He was always on
hand to help her. His dark red hair was neatly combed and his long-sleeved work
shirt was buttoned to his neck as usual, despite what promised to be a warm
morning.
    Anna smiled. "Good morning,
Danny!" she called, almost relieved to see him. He was a good distraction
from Tyler.
    Danny gave her his ready smile,
his pale blue eyes wide and slightly innocent looking, despite the thirty two
years she knew him to be. As he turned toward her, he kept one hand behind his
back. Anna didn't know what she'd do without Danny since Martin died. Even
though she'd told him two years ago she couldn't afford to keep him