Love Finds You in Last Chance, California Read Online Free PDF Page A

terror coursing through her veins.
    The mare bolted forward, her feet scrambling on the rocks of the streambed. Finding secure footing, she lunged up the slight incline on the other side. A few seconds later the buggy emerged safely on the water-soaked bank. Alex pushed the mare on, gaining higher ground before turning to look back. The wall of water swept just below, sending the roiling trees ahead of it like the blades of a windmill driven by a heavy wind.
    Alex sat for a moment, not caring about the rain blowing against her face. A few seconds longer and Martha and Uncle Joe would have been planning another funeral. Her body shook as she clutched the reins and stared at the churning water. Gratitude swept over her. God was indeed good.
    Again she slapped the reins on Glory’s back. This time, the mare didn’t hesitate but moved forward with a toss of her head. Minutes later the ranch came into sight, and Alex heaved a sigh of relief.
    Home. A sense of peace and safety filled her heart. She loved this place and could never turn it over to anyone else. The ranch would remain hers, whatever she had to do to keep it.

    Alex pulled the mare to a halt in front of the barn.
    “Frank? You in there?” She stepped down from the buggy and walked to Glory’s head, patting her sweaty neck.
    A burly man strode from the dark mouth of the barn and stopped a few feet away. He wiped a hand down his overalls and tipped his head. “Howdy, Miss Alex. Glad you made it back before supper. Miss Martha was startin’ to worry.”
    “It took longer in town than I expected, and I hit a patch of swift water at Grouse Creek.” Frank was a new hand, and she didn’t care to give him any details about the ranch’s business. “Unhitch Glory from the buggy, would you? She brought me through some high water and she’ll need a good rubdown.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’ll take care of her.” He took the side rein and urged the mare into the cavernous barn.
    Alex would have normally dealt with the mare herself. She hated asking her men to do things she was capable of doing; they had enough work of their own. But she had one thing on her mind: finding Martha and Uncle Joe.
    She headed across the open space in front of the barn and onto the packed dirt surrounding the house. The structure wasn’t overly big, but it boasted a large wraparound porch on three sides. Martha’s green thumb was evident here, with the rows of flowers lining the ground in front of the porch and extending several feet into the smooth dirt area. A spreading oak that must have been three hundred years old cast its shade over the two-storied house, giving a welcome respite from the hot summer sun.
    Her papa’s touch showed in every board and shutter of the house. He had loved well-lit rooms, and while he’d paid dearly for them, he’d brought in a number of windows. A porch swing hung on the front veranda, a thoughtful gift from her papa to her mother years back. He’d brought his little daughter out in the cool of the evening and rocked her to sleep while telling her bedtime stories.
    A longing to feel his strong arms around her swelled in Alex’s chest. Why did God take him so soon? Didn’t he know she still needed her papa?
    A deep-throated bark sounded, and a huge black-and-tan form dashed around the corner of the house. Alex smiled and braced for the big dog’s greeting.
    “Hunter! Sit.”
    The massive animal immediately plopped himself onto the ground at her feet, but his expressive eyes clearly stated his desire to greet her in a more exuberant canine fashion. Alex laughed and hugged her friend.
    “It’s good to see you, too, Hunter.” She waved an arm. “We’ll play later.”
    He took off across the yard and immediately returned with a thick stick.
    “Not now. You’ll have to get one of the wranglers to throw it.” She watched the dog turn, hang his head, and cross the yard to the barn, the stick still gripped in his mouth.
    A movement caught the corner of