Rebel Heart by Barbara McMahon Page B

things I want to do first. Hell, I already feel I’ve done my share raising kids. I had my brother and sister for years.”
    “Now you need to make up for the fun you missed as a kid,” she murmured, suddenly empathizing with him. He'd been only a teenager himself when his parents died. He'd missed out on a lot.
    “Yeah. There is that. Come on, I want to get this section finished today. Dink’s had enough of a rest.”
    Without waiting to see if she would follow, Jase turned and headed back to the portion of the fence they were replacing. Dink joined him at his call and the two set to work.
    Shannon watched for a while, then joined in, taking turns banging the clips against the posts to hold the barbed wire Jase pulled so taut. Dink untangled the old wire, baled it for removal. No sense leaving it where cattle could get tangled.
    Jase was hard to get a handle on, she thought as she worked. He disclaimed all responsibility, but she started to wonder if that were true. He pulled his weight around the ranch. More than his share, if truth be told. Especially as he was still healing from his injuries.
    He was lavish in complimenting the older men and their contributions. He took his role as teacher seriously, telling her what she needed to know, pointing out articles and books that would assist that process.
    Last night had been the first occasion since he’d been here that he’d gone into town for fun. While it had been just over a week since he arrived, he’d done more in the time he’d been on the ranch than Bobby had done when he visited.
    Visited. That was the crux of the entire situation. Jase was only visiting. Soon he’d move on and she’d be left behind.
    Taking a deep breath, Shannon turned away from the sudden longing she had to learn more about him, find out more about him to like. She needed distance, as much as she could put between them. To ease the pain when he left.
    When they were finished, she caught up her horse and mounted.
    “See you at dinner,” she called.
    Jase acknowledged her with a wave as she rode back to the ranch house, climbing in beside Dink and settling back for the return ride.
    He was beat. He didn't want to admit it, or let Shannon know. But he'd give anything to get a stiff drink and hit the hay.
    “You doing okay?” Dink asked, as the truck bounced over the rough terrain.
    Jase gritted his teeth against the pain. “I will be when we get back and I get out of this blasted truck. I think you missed a bump back there a bit.”
    Dink chuckled and slowed down. “Sorry, I wanted to get back soon. Gary's bringing pizza tonight. I like it semi-hot, not stone cold.”
    Jase liked pizza but couldn't get up any interest. He focused on not giving into the pain, and counting the minutes until they reached the house.
    If Shannon had any idea how much he could be setting back his healing, she'd have his head. He almost smiled remembering she said she was in charge of the men of the ranch. He'd appreciate that more if his ribs didn't hurt like hell.
    Dink slowed even more. “You're looking pale,” he said.
    “Watch where you're driving and don't worry about me.”
    “You don't have anything to prove to any of us, man. We know you know what you're doing. You've already made a good difference here. Shannon works too hard. She needs a man to handle the rough stuff.”
    “She has you and Gary for that,” Jase said taking a deep breath. He had to make it back to the ranch without passing out in pain. He'd never hear the last of it from Shannon if he didn't.
    “Sure, as much as we can do. But both of us would be retired if we had any money. The young guys took off once Rod robbed the place.”
    Jase frowned. What was Dink getting to?
    “And?”
    “And nothing, just saying you don't have to half kill yourself to prove anything. I believe you've done more in the week you've been here than Bobby did in six months.”
    “It was his place.”
    “And he took it on thinking it would run itself.