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I’d rather take care of Jinx,” Sam sighed. ” Dad turned the truck key off. When he turned to her, his sun-browned face creased into a smile. “Don’t blame you,” he said. ” “I know,” Sam moaned. “Brynna told me about them last night, and I didn’t really think they’d be so bad. ” “I’m not sure she should have told you all that was a good idea,” Dad said. “You mighta formed decent opinions of these girls. ” “I can hardly wait to see her,” Sam agreed. Mikki Short, the first HARP girl, had started out rough and impatient, but she’d ended up helping Popcorn make the transition from a frightened horse to a trusting one.

And yet all these adult drivers had encouraged Jake to do just that. “All the same, it could be considered a hit-andrun,” Sheriff Ballard said. Hit and run. Sam’s breath caught in her chest. She knew that was serious. It grew so quiet she heard a ding as a car pulled up to the gas pumps at Phil’s Fill-Up. She heard a car door slam and coins tinkle into a slot before a soda can rattled out of a vending machine. Still, no one moved. “It wasn’t a hit-and-run,” Sam protested. “He stopped and talked with everyone—” Sheriff Ballard held up a calming hand.

Heartbreak Bronco 47 She’d only taken a few steps when the bunkhouse door opened and Brynna came out with two girls. They were so quiet. Sam heard nothing but the crunch of dirt beneath their shoes. It was weird. Without knowing it, Sam had grown to expect lively conversation and laughter any time three people were together on this ranch. A girl walked on each side of Brynna. The darkhaired one was pretty. She held her shoulders stiffly, but her head swiveled from side to side as if she couldn’t believe she didn’t see anyone she knew.