The Lonesome Rancher / Finding Happily-Ever-After: The Lonesome Rancher. Marie Ferrarella

went back to his place. Alone.

      Wasn’t that what he really wanted? For her to stay away. Hell, yes! He didn’t want to get mixed up with a woman again. Not a woman like Jade Hamilton. She wanted something from him that he was not willing to give. His heart.

      That was how he’d been talked into helping break two horses they’d picked up at auction last month. He’d been putting it off with so much to do. Since the roundup was set for the coming weekend, what better time.

      Hell, he needed to get his mind on something constructive. Something except Jade Hamilton. Anything was worth trying.

      Besides, a couple of the young ranch hands were giving him a bad time about one particular horse, Black Knight. A beautiful, big black stallion he’d purchased hoping to breed some exceptional foals. Except this guy wouldn’t get anywhere near any of their brood mares until he learned some manners.

      Johnny Reeves had lasted the longest on Knight before getting thrown. Wasn’t any better for the others who’d tried. They called Sloan. No matter how much he wanted to decline, he was a big believer in doing the same work as he expected from his hired hands.

      “You’re next, boss,” young Johnny called.

      Everyone watched and waited. What the heck? He’d put on a show. He walked over to the nervous stallion, calling himself every kind of crazy.

      Jade had come out the back door following Louisa when she heard all the commotion down at the corral. She’d looked toward the area and seen several of the ranch hands sitting along the top of the fence, cheering and applauding as a rider climbed in the saddle. Just as quickly, the man was bucked off.

      She’d glanced around for Sloan. She recognized his familiar black hat and his slow, deliberate gait as he appeared in the pen.

      “What’s going on?” she asked Louisa.

      The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, my, looks like they’re trying to saddle-break Knight again.”

      “Again?”

      “Let’s just say that stallion is a little on the stubborn side.” Louisa smiled. “Come on, let’s go down and watch.”

      Jade didn’t want to appear too anxious to go, but it was difficult not to. “Sure.”

      They made their way toward the barn, then veered off to the far side of the corral not wanting to cause any distractions.

      That was when Jade got the first look at the next rider. It was Sloan. She hadn’t seen him in more than two days, and she was hungry to get her fill. Dressed in leather chaps and vest, he looked the part of a man in charge. He strolled up to the powerful animal and stroked him. There was a gentleness to his touch she could see even from far away.

      Neighing, the horse danced away, but two ranch hands held him steady as Sloan checked the cinch.

      “Whoa, fella,” he coaxed him back in a low, steady voice. Knight blew out a breath as if saying he didn’t trust him.

      “That’s one beautiful animal,” Louisa whispered. “Smart, too. Yet, he is totally worthless unless he can be saddle broke. If anyone can do it Sloan can.”

      Jade couldn’t take her eyes off the man or the animal. Pushing his black hat down on his head, Sloan approached the horse. Reins in hand, he grabbed the saddle horn. Then he raised his booted foot in the stirrup and climbed on just as the horse swung around in a circle. Gripping the reins, he pulled them back, as the animal reared.

      Sloan was ready.

      Knight bucked, and then bucked again. Power against power, stubbornness against stubbornness, the dance continued on for what seemed an endless amount of time. Neither willing to give in.

      It was incredible to watch.

      The horse slowed his assault and Sloan thought he had everything under control. Then suddenly the animal changed directions and started all over again. The guys cheered him on as he concentrated on his job. A few more hard bucks in the saddle and his hat came off, and his teeth felt the jarring, too. How could he ever think this was fun?

      “Whoa, fella,” Sloan soothed, hoping the horse was finally losing steam. Knight puffed air from his nostrils and bobbed his head, then began to walk.