Heartbreak Cove (Sanctuary Island) (RE8) Read Online Free PDF Page A

argument that if he ever needed to get one of the wild horses some serious medical help, he’d need a way to transport them to the mainland. The people of Sanctuary are pretty protective of the wild horses, so that was all it took.”
    “I know Ben Fairfax, I’ve brought horses to him before.” Sam glanced up. A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes. “In fact, as I recall, you and I almost danced at Ben’s wedding the last time I was here.”
    Cursing herself for the hot flush she felt creeping up her neck, Andie shrugged as nonchalantly as she could. “You have a very different recollection of that night than I do. What I mainly remember is hauling drunk party guests home in the middle of the night.”
    “Believe me, Sheriff Shepard,” Sam murmured, “I remember everything about that night.”
    The earth shifted slightly, as if Andie were standing at the edge of the ocean with the tide rushing out to steal the sand from beneath her feet. If she hadn’t locked her knees, she would have swayed toward Sam, drawn by the intensity of his focused attention and heavy-lidded eyes.
    Pulling in a breath that smelled like clean sweat, sweet hay, and the complicated leather-and-sandalwood scent of Sam, Andie clumsily changed the subject. “Is that why you brought Queenie here now? To see Dr. Fairfax? I would have thought there’d be plenty of qualified veterinarians back where you live, in … where was it?”
    Sam arched one brow to let her know he hadn’t missed her tactical retreat, but he let her get away with it. “Ben’s a great vet, really good with the skittish ones. I’ll be glad to have him examine Queenie.”
    “So this will probably be a quick visit, then,” Andie surmised, unwilling to examine the bolt of disappointment that shot through her. She should be relieved Sam wouldn’t be sticking around to unbalance her and make her question her life choices! She had enough on her plate already without this inconvenient attraction to an unrepentant bad boy … who appeared to have a heart of gold under that air of danger and mystery.
    “That depends,” Sam said, his gaze sliding away to land on Queenie. Quiet now, the horse stood with her head lowered miserably, as if she’d given up. “As much as I admire Ben’s medical opinion, I actually brought Queenie here hoping to rehabilitate her for work as a therapy horse. No telling how long it’ll take me to retrain her and get her safe enough to be around kids, but that’s what I’m aiming for.”
    No telling how long . A wave of anticipation shivered across Andie’s skin, undeniable and unwelcome. She dredged up a professional smile from somewhere. “Well, sounds like you’ve got it under control! Is someone coming with a trailer?”
    “Jo Ellen,” Sam supplied. “She texted me she’s running behind, but she should be here any minute.”
    That made sense. Jo Ellen Hollister owned Windy Corner Stables, the only commercial horse barn on the island, and Dr. Fairfax was married to Jo Ellen’s younger daughter, Merry. Convenient. So what was bugging her?
    Andie went over the conversation in her head. Being suspicious—some might say paranoid—was an occupational hazard. Most of the time, nothing came of it. But every now and then, Andie’s gut knew better than her brain, and she’d learned the hard way to listen to it … especially when it came to damnably attractive men.
    Something told her she’d better keep an eye on Sam Brennan. “Okay then, I’ll leave you to it. Good luck with your rehab efforts.”
    “Thanks, Sheriff. I’m sure we’ll see you around.”
    Andie shrugged, trying to ignore the slow smile Sam gave her, hot enough to leave scorch marks. “Not necessarily. Unless you’re planning to get on the wrong side of the law while you’re here.”
    “Aw, I’m not much of a planner.” Sam turned up the heat on that grin to eleven, and Andie felt her breath catch in her throat. “I hope you and I will always be on the same