Healing Trace Read Online Free PDF Page B

but he doesn't like
anyone to know," he said.
    "I
won't tell him I know." She laughed, stopped, and opened her mouth but
seemed to change her mind.
    He
shook his head, amused at how much she liked to talk. "You might as well
ask, you will anyways."
    "In
the house you asked me about my clothes." She shifted her feet.
"Brody said I didn't have to stick with my formal wear while I'm staying
at the house, but it seemed to bother you. I don't want to upset you, and if
you'd like I can—"
    "You're
fine." He glanced away and waited for her to go on with her walk before
going back and keeping an eye on her.
    "Okay,"
she said. "Thank you."
    She
leaned over, and put her nose into a rose bush. He rubbed his stomach. It felt
strange to have a woman around the ranch.
    "It's
so beautiful here…peaceful." She wandered up to the porch and sat on the
steps, sitting sideways to talk with him. "The story of how you built this
place from the ground up is fascinating. I'm impressed."
    "I
didn't do it alone. We couldn't have done this without each other. The old
adage of it takes a village is true." Trace clasped his hands together
behind his head and scooted down in the chair.
    "It
must be nice to have your friends with you. You've got a permanent family to
help you and each of you have a built in support team." She gazed out over
the land. "A lot of people would be envious of the bond you have with the
other guys."
    A
sadness that wasn't there earlier had settled around her, and she slouched on
the step. Trace grew more curious. What would one question hurt?'
    "You
must have the same support system with your family." Since learning more
about Joan kept his mind off the pressure in his leg building, he continued to
converse with her. He'd never seen her without a smile on her face before, and
for some reason her sadness bothered him.
    He
liked the way her hair swished around her head when she laughed, and in extreme
cases covered her mouth when a chortle slipped out. The shadows he recognized
on her face now, bothered him.
    "No.
My sister lives in Bismarck and my dad passed away from a heart attack ten
months," she whispered. "My mom died a long time ago, I barely
remember her. So, it's just me."
    "I'm
sorry," he said.
    She
smiled softly at him and took a deep breath. "It's okay. What doesn't
break us makes us stronger, right?"
     Trace
put his leg down and planned to get up, change the topic, or distract her from
how he'd invaded her privacy but by the time he got into position, Brody rode
into the yard.
    "What
a beautiful morning." Brody stopped Red Moon and grinned. "I don't
think I've ever seen such a pretty woman sitting on our porch before. Have you,
Trace?"
    Trace's
head jerked up but before he could respond, Joan walked down the steps toward
Brody.
    "Trace
is keeping me company, while I got to check out your beautiful yard. It's
gorgeous around here," she said, all her attention shifted to Brody.
    Brody
lifted his brows at Trace. "Hm. Isn't that nice of him?"
    "Yes,
it is. I'm a nice guy when I don't have people around me." Trace hobbled
to the railing. "What do you want?"
    He
wanted Brody to know he didn't need any help with Joan. He'd always done things
his way and right now, he wanted Brody to ride off the property and let him
regain the connection he had with Joan before he'd shown up.
    "Nothing.
I saw Joan and thought maybe you were asleep." Brody crossed his wrists over
the saddle horn and winked. "Guess you're feeling better."
    "I
was. Now it's time for me to go back in. I've pushed my limit." He turned,
managed to get the door open on his own, and hobbled inside.
    He
had an unexplainable urge to deck Brody. Joan was here to take care of him, not
paid to put up with Brody's flirting.
    "Joan!"
He stopped in the foyer, knowing she'd hear him. "Where are the damn pain
pills?"

Chapter Five
    The
warm, wet washcloth slid between Trace's toes. Joan clamped her lips together,
but she couldn't stop the way her body quivered with pent up