Roping the Rancher (Harlequin American Romance) by Julie Benson Page A

forward and glanced in the stall. “He seems nice, but isn’t he awfully big? What about another horse? A smaller one?”
    She had the nerve to question his judgment about horses? That hit a sore spot. “We may be a new program, but we have done this before. Ryan’s not our first client.”
    “I didn’t mean to offend you or criticize the program. This is all new to us, and I have some questions. Maybe you could set aside some time to talk with me about my concerns.”
    “Send me an email and I’ll answer them the best I can.” Stacy might have let her brother sign up for the therapy, but her watching him mount a horse wasn’t going to be easy. Colt’s job was to make sure she didn’t interfere with his program or Ryan’s therapy. Somehow he didn’t think that would be simple, either.
    “I’d rather talk in person, especially since I’m here right now.”
    Colt glanced at his watch. “Ryan and I are done here, and I’ve got to get ready for my group class, so let’s see how tomorrow goes. If you still have questions after Ryan’s first session then we’ll talk.”
    As Colt walked away he couldn’t help but think that Ryan’s sister was a worrier, and no doubt about it, the woman was trouble.
    * * *
    W HEN S TACY AND Ryan returned to Healing Horses the next afternoon for his first therapy session, the coffee she downed at lunch to perk up churned in her stomach, leaving her queasy. For the past twenty-four hours she kept telling herself Ryan would be okay. That nothing would go wrong, but doing so failed to keep her nightmares in check. They started out with her as a child with her father. Then a giant horse materialized. Its enormous hooves crushed her father before her eyes. Fog floated in as she raced to him. By the time she reached his body, she found herself kneeling over Ryan.
    She wished Colt had been willing to talk to her about her concerns before Ryan started therapy, but he’d fobbed her off instead. That made her even more edgy.
    As they made their way toward the barn, Ryan glanced at her, his eyes filled with concern. Now she’d done it.
    “Are you going to be okay? I know how hard this is for you, but I’m not going to be doing any crazy stunts on the horse. The most I’ll be doing is walking around trying to get Chance to go from one side of the ring to the other. If things get really wild I might stop somewhere and throw some bean bags at a target.”
    He shouldn’t have to worry about you. Pretend you’re in a movie. Slip into the role of a big sister who’s sure everything will be fine and doesn’t have a care in the world.
    ’Course it might take a performance worthy of an Academy Award, but she’d give it a try. “Sounds pretty tame, almost boring.” She smiled and tried to relax her shoulders. She was hunching them again. “It’s not so much that I’m worried about you. I’m just tired because we ran so long shooting yesterday.”
    At least that part was true.
    “Colt’s going to be mad that we’re late.”
    “I couldn’t help it. The director switched the shooting schedule on me.”
    By the time they reached the barn, she’d managed to get her nerves under control, at least outwardly.
    Colt met them inside the door, his arms crossed over his broad chest, a frown darkening his handsome features. “You’re late.”
    Ryan glared at her. “I told you he’d be mad.”
    “It won’t happen again.” If she could help it.
    Colt led them to a small room with a battered leather couch, an equally beat-up fridge and a TV. “Here’s the family waiting room. Ryan will be back in about an hour.”
    “You expect me to stay here? I want to be there during his therapy.”
    “That’s not a good idea.”
    “I don’t need you there to hold my hand, Stacy.”
    No, Ryan didn’t. This wasn’t about what he needed. Despite knowing that, she couldn’t stem her concerns now that she was here.
    She ignored her brother’s comment and addressed Colt instead. “I didn’t