Reunited with the Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page B

instead.”
    Disappointment sat like a rock in Heather’s stomach. She wanted to protest that they should at least give her a try, but how could she when she couldn’t make the scheduled interview?
    â€œWe will, of course, reimburse your travel expenses,” Michelle added. “Just send me the details of your mileage and associated costs and we can cover those for you.”
    That was a help, but not much. “Thanks. I’ll do that,” Heather managed to choke out, feeling the usual burst of shame at the thought that she would probably follow through on collecting even that small amount of money. “And thank you for the opportunity.”
    â€œIf anything comes up that we think you would be suited for, we’ll give you a call,” Michelle said brightly, but Heather suspected her promise was more polite than actual. “As a former model, you have a view on the industry that I’m sure we could utilize sometime.”
    Former model. All part of a very ragged résumé.
    Former barrel racer. Former college student. Former wife.
    Heather said a polite goodbye, hung up the phone and leaned back in her father’s chair, turning it to face the window, giving herself a moment to pull together the tatters of her life. From here she could look out over the summer pasture and then to the hills beyond, rolling up to the mountains that edged the basin. She had ridden those hills with Keira, Lee and John, and knew most every knoll, valley and crevice. The life she’d lived here was like a wash of light in the darkness of her years with an abusive natural mother and her time with Mitch.
    Help me, Lord
.
    The prayer spilled out of her as she swung back and forth in the chair. Then she caught her sad reflection in the office window. She lifted her chin and pushed herself erect. Though she wasn’t born one, she’d been raised a Bannister. Life didn’t push a Bannister down.
    As she stood, she caught sight of John walking across the yard. Once again she felt the regrets of the past slip into the present.
    If only she hadn’t gone away to school. If only she’d listened to him. If only she hadn’t broken up with him. If only she had told him the truth about why she’d wanted to work for Mitch.
    As if he sensed her thoughts, John looked back over his shoulder at the house. Heather lifted her hand to touch the window as if to make a connection with him.
    Then he seemed to shake his head, shove his hands in his pockets and keep walking.
    Heather squared her own shoulders and turned away from the window. She had other things to deal with.
    When she came back to the dining room, she walked over to where her mother sat.
    â€œHow are you feeling?” Heather asked her as she bent over to give her a kiss.
    â€œMuch better. I slept well.”
    â€œI’m so glad.” Heather glanced over at Alice. “And good morning to you, Alice,” she said to the older woman, sitting with a cup of coffee in front of her, feeding Adana bits of her muffin. “Good to see you again.”
    â€œWelcome home. I was sorry to hear about your car, but glad that you’re okay.”
    â€œThank you,” was all Heather said. She liked Alice well enough, but had never felt entirely comfortable around her. Alice had told her often how lucky she was to be taken in by the Bannisters, and had subtly reminded her of the debt she owed this family.
    â€œWere you able to reschedule the interview?” her mother asked with an optimism Heather wished she could channel.
    â€œNo. They decided to hire someone else.”
    â€œOh, honey. I’m so sorry.” The disappointment in her voice only seemed to add to Heather’s sense of failure.
    â€œThere’ll be other work,” she said, pasting on the same smile that she used when she was working the cameras, trying to look excited to be wearing a bathing suit while a chilly wind blew.
    â€œI understand from