A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) Read Online Free PDF

Chase out there to check on her. “So you’re the one who told Chase to come check on me at the crack of dawn.”
    Now he laughed out loud. “Guess I did put a bug in his ear.” His face sobered. “You need to borrow some money to get the electricity turned on and put propane in the tank?”
    She clamped her lips together and shook her head vigorously. Only here a few minutes and already he was offering handouts. “No. I’ll take care of that on my own.”
    “Don’t mind you living there. You’re welcome to live there as long as you like, free of charge.”
    Dakota frowned and puzzled over the statement. “But I thoug—”
    “—that the farm belonged to you?”
    “Or at least belonged partially to me.”
    “Levi’s will left it to you with a few stipulations.”
    She swallowed. “Such as?”
    “You had to be present at the reading of the will.”
    Her heart plummeted, her dreams of a reclusive life ripped to shreds with a few words. And she had nothing to say in return. There was no excuse. It was her own fault.
    J.C.’s kind eyes held understanding. “I tried to find you, but when you left town, you did a good job of covering your tracks. Your sister gave me a few snippets of information, but nothing that helped me locate you. She sent me your phone number just last week.”
    Her insides froze and took her lips along for the ride. Well, it wasn’t too hard to figure out what those ‘snippets’ Angie had given him might be.
    J. C. shifted in his seat, a grimace on his face, as though trying to find a comfortable position. “He left the furniture and money to Angie, but not the farm. Said it belonged to you when you got your life in order. Until that time it’s under my jurisdiction.”
    Dakota’s shoulders heaved upward, and the tightness in her shoulders multiplied.
    “So do you have it in order now?”
    Her gaze met J.C.’s. Though his eyes still held kindness, there was also a certain reproach to his words that knifed through her.
    “Yes sir, I think I do.”
    He studied her for a long minute, and then leaned his head back against the recliner, his eyes closed in obvious pain. “Based on our earlier conversation, I’m not sure you do. But stick around, live at the farm, and come see this old geezer from time to time. Once I’m satisfied you have what it takes to stay in one place for any length of time, the farm will be yours. In other words, no running away, no matter how hard it gets.”
    Dakota allowed the words to sink in. If Kane or one of his thugs showed up, she'd have no choice, but that was the least of her worries at the minute. The farm was far more important. She raised her eyes to his, pleading. “J.C., I don’t think you know what that farm means to me.” Her very life could depend on it.
    “Oh, but I think I do. You just need to realize how hard your grandparents worked for that place. I won’t give it to you for you to up and leave anytime you get hurt and angry.” His voice remained kind and steady.
    “But what happens to the property if you don't give it to me?”
    “I have the option of doing with it whatever I choose.”
    At just that moment the front door swung open and Chance entered, his eyes trained on her.
    One look at his face and she knew he’d heard every word.
    “Home to check on me?” J.C. directed the question to Chance.
    He nodded, but then returned his blue-gray gaze to hers.
    Was that a look of triumph she saw in his eyes? No matter how kind and wise J.C. was, if it came down to deciding between her and his grandson, Chance would surely win. The thought left her cold.
    J.C. stood. “Well, you needn’t have bothered. I’m fine.” He tottered toward the hallway. “But I am feeling a bit tired. Think I’ll take a nap. You two enjoy your lunch.”
    Neither one of them spoke for what seemed like an eternity to Dakota. She for one couldn’t find words. And she couldn’t look at him either. The scars on his face prevented it. She was too afraid