Last Stand Ranch Read Online Free PDF Page B

to stop letting fear control her life. She had to stop letting Ted Kurtz control her life.
    â€œFresh air and sunshine will do you a world of good.” Claudia leaned over to pull a weed from the flower bed. “I’m expecting a call—I’ve got to get back inside.” She tossed the weed aside and wiped her hands on her jeans. “You’re welcome to come back in the house with me or stay out here. Your choice.”
    Claudia was right. It really was her choice.
    â€œYou know what? I’m tired of being afraid.” What kind of life did you have if you were afraid to go for a walk in the sun? “I think I will stay out here and meander around a little bit. Maybe I’ll find Raymond and see if he can use some help.”
    â€œHe’s working in the stable this morning. He can always use a hand.”
    Claudia went back into the house and Olivia headed across the yard toward the stable, where she could hear Raymond working as she drew closer. On the way, she passed a large shed with the door propped open. She slowed down, hesitated to pass, but saw only some trucks and farm equipment inside. No Ted Kurtz waiting to jump out and get her.
    What a drama queen she’d become.
    Raymond had turned a couple of horses out in a corral while he lugged feed from the back of a truck into a storage building.
    â€œHello,” Olivia called out.
    Raymond started and spun toward her, a scowl slashed across his face. Then he stood and replaced the scowl with a thin smile. “Hello.”
    â€œSorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    â€œOh, it’s my own fault.” His smile strengthened as he wiped the sweat off his brow with his lower arm. “I heard about what happened to you on the highway last night. I guess it’s made me a little jumpy.”
    â€œI feel like I’ve been jumpy forever.” She scratched her thumbnail against a loose fleck of paint on the stable wall. “Could you use some help?”
    â€œSure. There are always things to do. But don’t you want to spend your time visiting with your aunt? Your vacation here will fly by before you know it.”
    â€œActually, I’m thinking about staying in Painted Rock.” Maybe her plan to get a new start here was back on again. There was no harm in mentioning it out loud and seeing how it felt. It felt pretty good.
    â€œYou think you might settle in here? Claudia must be thrilled. I wasn’t sure she even had any living relatives until we found out you were coming for a visit.”
    Olivia felt a twinge of guilt. She scratched at the peeling paint a little harder. “Just something I’m thinking about.”
    â€œAnd you want me to put you to work?” He grinned. “You want me to help you figure out if you’re cut out for ranch life?”
    â€œPhysical work might make me a little less jumpy.”
    â€œIt probably will.” He rubbed his hand across his chin while he looked around at the various sheds, stalls and other buildings on the property. “If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, I might have something for you to do. Most of these buildings haven’t been cleaned out and organized in a while and I don’t have time to do it.”
    â€œI love organizing things,” Olivia said.
    â€œI’m in the middle of a couple of projects right now. Give me until tomorrow morning and I’ll set you up with something.”
    â€œSure.” She could feel her spirits lifting already. “Thanks.” This was a good idea. Coming to Painted Rock was a good idea.
    He brushed his hands together to wipe off the straw and dust. “Enjoy your day off.”
    Olivia relaxed into a genuine smile as she walked out of the corral, through a maze of gleaming white fences and across a section of pasture. Chin up, shoulders back, she was finally feeling like her old self.
    Arms swinging at her sides, she ploughed up a nearby grassy hill