Wyoming Sweethearts Read Online Free Page B

“Is that you, Eloise? Your mama promised you would be calling me.”
    “Yes, it’s me, Gran.” Theirs was a lifetime love, too. She adored her grandmother. She would do anything for her, which was why she was doomed. “You might as well get to the point.”
    “I talked with Madge.” Gran’s excitement vibrated across the line. “This is what I learned about George. He manages an office-supply store over in Sunshine. He’s a good Christian boy and he wants to get married.”
    “Why can’t he find someone to marry him who actually knows him?”
    “Well, he is terribly short but you don’t mind that, do you? A short husband is better than none at all. It’s what’s inside that counts.”
    “Yes, it is.” Who was she to be arguing with that? She leaned her cane against the cabinet doors and prayed for fortitude.
    “I have high hopes for this one. Don’t worry, I’m looking out for you, sweetheart.”
    “I’m looking out for you too, Gran. I’ll drop by after work tomorrow.” Her grandmother needed a little help around the house these days, and she was happy to do it. That way they could spend quality time together, another very big advantage to being back home again.
    After chatting for a few more minutes, she bid Gran goodbye and hung up the phone. The peace of the evening filled the kitchen like the rosy light of the sunset tumbling from the western horizon. The entire landscape glowed as if painted with a luminous pearled paint. Her mind drifted back over her very good day andlingered on the memory of a man with a black Stetson holding a strawberry ice-cream cone in one rugged hand. A very nice image, indeed.

Chapter Three
    “G ood afternoon. Lark Song Inn.” Eloise tucked the receiver between her chin and shoulder. “How may I help you?”
    “Yeah, this is Nate Cannon. I need to talk with Eloise.”
    “Dr. Cannon.” The local vet. A kick of anticipation charged through her, so she grabbed a pen off the front desk and poised it over the memo pad. “I’m Eloise. Did you happen to hear about my mission?”
    “Cheyenne clued me in. She said you folks are looking to buy horses in need, and I happen to know of a pair.”
    “Bless you.” She’d tried the local agencies and organizations over the last handful of days, but no luck. “Where are they? What are they like?”
    “Two geldings, as gentle as could be. Their owner passed away a while back and the folks who inherited the land don’t want to keep them. It’s hard to sell horses this old, so if your boss is looking to make a difference in an animal’s life, she wouldn’t regret taking them in.”
    “They sound perfect.” The poor things. She glancedat her watch. Wendy should be back from her break in a few minutes. “Could I take a look this afternoon?”
    “I’ll give you the address and phone number. Now, these folks aren’t the most agreeable so you might want to bring someone with you who really knows horses. Like Cheyenne. I’d offer, but I’ve got a show horse with colic to get back to and a busy afternoon after that. You could call my receptionist. She might be able to book you a time.”
    “Thanks, but I’ll call Cheyenne.” After getting the necessary information, she buzzed Cady, who was delighted at the prospect of horses for the stables, then dialed her best friend’s number.
    “Hello?” A familiar baritone rumbled across the line. “Stowaway Ranch.”
    “Is this Sean?” Why was she smiling? The man simply had that effect on her. She was curious. That was different from interested.
    “Eloise. How are you doing?”
    “Fine enough.” Was it her imagination or did he sound glad to hear from her?
    “Are you calling for Cheyenne?”
    “Guilty. She promised me use of her horse expertise. Tell me she’s there.”
    “I wish I could but she took off to do some shopping in Sunshine. Should be gone all afternoon. I might not be an expert when it comes to horses, but I’m no slouch either. What kind of help do