The Cowboy's Bride. Carolyne Aarsen

      “So after the accident you began your physio program in Calgary?” Heather Anderson picked up a clipboard that held Rebecca’s physiotherapy program and flipped through a few of the pages.

      “Yes.” Rebecca smoothed a wrinkle in her sweatpants, looking around the physio department of Wakely General Hospital. It was smaller than the one in Calgary. But the department in Calgary didn’t have Heather Anderson as an employee. And Heather was the therapist Rebecca wanted to work with.

      Heather nodded and made a note on the chart. “According to your report, you’ve sustained some residual nerve damage as a result of the accident. You realize that this can’t be repaired no matter who you see?”

      Rebecca nodded, suddenly hating the words and what they meant for her life. “So I’ve been told,” she replied, her voice tight.

      Heather dropped the chart on the metal table beside the bed in the examining room, crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “So what makes you think I can do anything for you?” Heather’s question was blunt, but Rebecca appreciated her honesty.

      “Because I heard you’re the best.” Rebecca tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up to meet Heather’s level gaze. “When I found out that you got married and moved out to Wakely, I knew I had to come here, as well. I read an article about a patient of yours and I asked around. I heard you’re hard to work for but I know you get results.”

      “And what results do you want?”

      Rebecca took a breath, hardly daring to voice her faint hope. It hurt to talk about broken dreams and promises to someone who could only help with her broken body. But she knew she had to be honest with Heather. “Before my accident, I just finished getting an education degree with a physical education major. I still have hopes of getting a job in that field someday. For that I need better mobility, and for that I need the help of someone considered the best. I decided to move here to get it.”

      Heather nodded. “I thought you were going to be working at the bank for your brother-in-law, Troy.”

      Rebecca wasn’t used to having the different parts of her life intersect as they did in this small town. “It’s temporary. Troy understands my situation. I sent applications out before I came to work here. I’m waiting to hear back from a few places yet. If something comes up in my field, then I’m free to leave.”

      “You’re fortunate.” Heather tilted her head and studied Rebecca from a different viewpoint. “And you’re right about one thing. I do expect a lot of work. The first week I figure on having you here every day for an hour and then we’ll set up your program. What time can you come in?”

      “Troy and I decided I would be working until three. I would like to come in then.”

      “One thing I want you to be very clear on,” Heather said sternly. “What we are doing here is not repair. What we are doing is trying to make your walk look as natural as possible, compensating for the loss by using other muscles.” Heather raised her eyebrows as if in question. “I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to play sports again, or even walk properly, but we can try to get your body working at its maximum capability.”

      “I know,” Rebecca replied, her voice quiet. She resented for a moment the finality in Heather’s voice. She looked up, meeting Heather’s hazel eyes. “Miracles are in God’s domain, but I intend to do what I can.”

      Heather smiled in return. “Good for you. But we can definitely help, if you’re willing to work.”

      “That I am,” Rebecca said emphatically.

      “Then we’ll see you tomorrow at three.” Heather picked up the clipboard, shook Rebecca’s hand, brushed aside the curtain dividing the examining rooms and left.

      Rebecca blew out her breath and slowly got off the bed. She was surprised to see her hands trembling as she changed from her sweatpants to her regular clothes.

      It was strange how things had conspired to bring her to Wakely. Heather was known and respected in her field. When Rebecca found out she was working in the same place her sister lived, she decided to make the move.

      She mentioned the fact to Jenna, and Troy offered her the temporary job in the bank. She knew this was what she had to do. Working in a bank wasn’t her dream, but it was something to do until her leg was stronger.

      Rebecca buttoned up her blazer and tugged it straight, making the transition from patient to accounts manager. She caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror on the wall and paused, rearranging her hair. She allowed herself a brief smile. She had a premonition that moving here had been a good decision. Heather would be able to do more for her than the therapist in Calgary, of that Rebecca was convinced.

      She allowed herself a moment to dream and to feel that coming to Wakely would change the entire course of her life.

      Chapter Two

      Joe fidgeted on the upholstered chair and glanced around the bank. Light poured in from an arched skylight, and plants filled corners in an attempt to create an open feeling. He still felt claustrophobic.

      The logo on the circular reception desk directly in front of him was a strong reminder of letters and bank statements that his father ignored and that Joe, as a struggling high school student, had tried to figure out. He remembered all too well the clutch of panic when he saw the negative balance on the bank statement, the overdraft charges.

      But he had escaped that. He had left the ranch, had worked every waking minute, had scrimped and saved and established his reputation as a horse trainer. After all those years he was finally ready.

      A couple of weeks ago he had applied for a loan, and on his way back from Calgary this afternoon, Dale had raised Joe on his mobile phone. Could he come in as soon as possible? Dale was sketchy on the details, but Joe was pretty sure it had to do with his loan.

      Joe leaned his elbows on the knees of his faded denim jeans and ran a hand over his chin. He wished he had had time for a shave and a change of clothes.

      Not that he needed to make an impression on Dale, he thought ruefully. Dale had seen him looking worse, but he did want to project a professional image.

      He tapped the toes of his boots restlessly against the ceramic tiles of the waiting area, stifling his impatience at the wait. Roy, his boss, wanted him in the city in two hours. He hadn’t seen his horses for a couple of days. He was itching to start Talia, his most expensive horse by far. His stake horse. The beginning of an illustrious line, he thought with a wry smile at his dreams.

      “Are you sure you don’t want any coffee?” Sharla, the receptionist, asked, smiling at him from behind the desk. “It’s really no trouble, Joe.”

      “No. Thanks.” He glanced impatiently at his watch. If Dale didn’t come in the next few minutes, he would have to get the information over the phone.

      He got up and began walking around, trying to stifle his nervousness. His future hung in the balance, and he didn’t want to admit it, but he was frightened. Please, Lord, let them approve the loan, he prayed as he paced.

      “Mr. Brewer?”

      Joe turned at the sound of the quiet female voice, then tried to keep his mouth from falling open. In front of him stood the vision he had seen in church on Sunday, the woman with the angelic face.

      “Expensive” was the first word that came to mind as Joe looked her over. Hair, makeup, clothes all had that smooth, clean look. She exuded an elegance that made him feel suddenly gauche and awkward.

      “I’m Rebecca Stevenson. Dale is on the phone right now and will join us shortly. I’m going to be sitting in on the interview.” She stayed where she was, holding a file folder in front of her, while Joe pulled himself together, suddenly very conscious of his faded denim jacket with the frayed edges and the stain on the knee of his blue jeans.

      “Sure,” he said, forcing a smile, trying to absorb the information.