Heartbreak Bronco Read Online Free PDF Page A

vending machine. Still, no one moved.
    â€œIt wasn’t a hit-and-run,” Sam protested. “He stopped and talked with everyone—”
    Sheriff Ballard held up a calming hand. “I know that, but in some places, it might not matter. It’s not a good habit to get into.” His chin lifted and he metJake’s eyes, waiting for a response.
    â€œNo sir,” Jake agreed. Just above his faded yellow shirt, Jake’s throat moved as he swallowed. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll remember.”
    â€œNow, since this accident happened on private property”—Sheriff Ballard’s nod took in the parking lot—“and there’s no one hurt or any signs of substance abuse, it’s of no interest to the county.”
    A shuddery breath made its way through Sam’s lips. She noticed Dad look down, shaking his head in relief, and decided she’d just discovered another reason to love him. Dad was more worried about Jake than he was his own truck.
    â€œI’ll write up an accident report for your insurance company, Jake. Hope it does you some good.”
    â€œThanks,” Jake said, but Sam could tell by the way his jaw stayed set in a hard, smooth line, that Jake dreaded facing his mother.
    â€œNow, tell me about the horse,” Sheriff Ballard said.
    Jake’s attention turned inward for a minute, as if he were replaying what they’d seen out on the range.
    â€œHe might be the fastest horse I’ve ever seen,” Jake said.
    â€œIs that so?” Sheriff Ballard’s voice lifted as he glanced toward the trailer.
    â€œThe cowboy who sold him to me said he was ‘frightenin’ fast,’ that he could throw dirt in the eyes of a jackrabbit,” Clara said. “But I chalked it up to exaggeration. Besides, where are you going to race afast mustang?” she asked, looking a little sly. “Not against Thoroughbreds or Quarter Horses.”
    â€œHe is fast,” Sam admitted, thinking of the flier tucked in her pocket.
    â€œSometime I’d like to take a look at him,” said Sheriff Ballard.
    â€œYou in the market for a horse?” Dad asked, surprised.
    â€œCould be.” The sheriff tapped the end of his pen against the unopened pad of citations he held. “A horse would be handy for search and rescue situations, but let’s finish this up. What do you say?”
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    A half an hour later, Sheriff Ballard’s patrol car pulled away.
    â€œThe dent’s nothing,” Dad told Jake as he apologized once more. “This old truck has a dozen more just like it.”
    Jake nodded his appreciation for Wyatt’s acceptance. Then, with the grim determination of a guy on his way to his own hanging, Jake left, too.
    Dad started toward the rear of the horse trailer to unload Jinx.
    â€œI want you to keep him,” Clara blurted.
    Sam caught her breath and held it as Dad turned to face Clara.
    Before he could protest, Clara said, “Probably you’re thinking you don’t need another mouth to feed on River Bend Ranch, but he’s a mustang. You cantell by that light spot on his neck, even if you can’t quite read the brand.”
    â€œSaw it.”
    â€œAnd if that HARP program would pay his room and board…” Clara let her voice trail off.
    â€œI don’t think so,” Dad said, but he looked uneasy.
    Dad’s habit of being neighborly had him in a quandary, Sam thought. River Bend Ranch didn’t need another horse, but Clara’s request sounded temporary. Dad probably didn’t want to offend Clara over the cost of a few scoops of oats.
    â€œSince he’s real nimble-footed,” Clara sighed, then interrupted her own careful negotiating. “Oh shoot, Wyatt. I want to run him in that YRA claiming race. I might make a little extra money.
    â€œMaybe you could take the rough edges off him before the race and Sam could ride him. We could share the