Lonestar Sanctuary Read Online Free PDF Page A

time, he'd thought to save the world. Right now, saving this
horse would make him happy.
    ELIJAH RUBBED THE MARE'S BELLY. "MY FOREMAN IS NOT AS GRUFF AS
he seems."
    Allie didn't believe the old man, though she wished she could.
Allie glanced at Betsy. She was asleep. Now was the time.
    She wet her lips. "I've come a long way to talk to you, Mr.
DeAngelos."
    He held up his hand. "Please, call me Elijah." He nodded to Betsy.
"The niiia has been hurt."
    Allie nodded. "My name is Allie Siders, and this is my daughter,
Betsy." The old man made a sudden movement, and she stopped. "Is
anything wrong?"
    "No, no, continue."

    Was it her imagination or had he paled? She hoped he didn't have
some kind of heart condition. When he didn't move, she went on.
"She hasn't talked for a year. I've taken her to therapist after therapist,
and there's been no change. I've tried everything I know to help her.
You're my last hope." Especially now that she knew she'd rather die
than ask Rick Bailey for anything.
    "How did you hear about us?"
    She hesitated. How could she explain without telling all? "One of
your hired hands came to a rodeo I worked in El Paso. He told me about
this place. I had to try it." She decided to see if she could get a reaction
out of him. "I found a scrapbook about this place in my mama's things."
    "Your mother? She stayed here?"
    Allie nodded. "Her stage name was Anna Morgan." Something
seemed to shift in the room when she said the name, but everyone
reacted that way.
    "The barrel racer?"
    "Yes."
    "She is dead now, killed in a plane crash."
    Allie took a deep breath. It had been the worst day of her life. "A
year ago.
    Her mother had been as beautiful and flamboyant as a flamenco
dancer. Her half-Hispanic blood was further diluted in Allie, who had
her father's blue eyes and calm temperament. Her mother brought
passion and excitement to everything she did, and Allie's life seemed
to be lived in dull black and white since her mama's death.
    She studied his impassive face. Did he know his Selena had changed
her name and become famous? Until Allie found the scrapbook and
began the research, she thought her grandparents were dead. She found
no evidence the old man knew he was her grandfather.

    "You are hurting too, mujercita. What happened to you and the niiia?"
    He'd called her "little woman," and she drew herself up to her full
five foot two. "It's Betsy I'm worried about. She's been like this for a
year, and I've tried everything. I don't have any money to pay you, but
I'll work. I know horses. I've grown up in the rodeo. I can cook, clean,
anything you need." She rushed on, certain he would refuse when he
found out she had nothing.
    He didn't have to know she'd sold everything her horse, her new
car. She had some pride left.
    "I was once a bronco buster," Elijah said. Then his gaze shifted as
the horse groaned, and the hay darkened with fluid. "Ali, our foal is
coming. Sleep. There will be time to talk tomorrow."
    Allie squatted beside him. "I can help you."
    "Cupcake is an experienced mother. She'll do it all herself."
    "I'll wait with you then." If she could show how much she knew
about horses, maybe he'd find her a job. It was no secret Rick Bailey
wouldn't be in favor of that. But Betsy needed Allie to do this. Though
Elijah couldn't help the other things that threatened them, if he could
heal Betsy, it would be enough.
    Elijah lifted the mare's head enough to ease away. He stood back
and watched the horse labor.
    Rick came back in carrying a coffee thermos and Styrofoam cups.
A knapsack was slung around his shoulder. He set the cups on a bale
of hay and poured out a cup of coffee. Digging in his jeans, his hand
came up with small containers of creamer. He still hadn't said a word.
    "Thanks."Allie accepted two creamers and dumped them into her
coffee. The aroma made her mouth water. Then the hot liquid filled
her empty stomach. She'd been hoarding the last of her money to
make