She felt cold and wrapped her arms around herself even though the temperature was in the nineties, with the hot Texas sun beating down on them. Her heart beat faster, like a snared rabbit, when she saw Gib come limping out the back door, braced by a pair of crutches. She saw Dany emerge and move to his side, her eyes warm with welcome. “Ready?” Pete whispered as he slid his arm around Tess’s tense shoulders. He saw how distraught and pale she’d become as they neared the ranch. It had taken every last vestige of Tess’s courage to agree to come home. Pete knew she was afraid Gib would be angry at her, but he’d told her that only love and care awaited her here at the ranch—the things she would need in order to heal. Tess trusted his evaluation of the situation, and Pete loved her fiercely for her trust in him and her decision to come home. Mutely, Tess nodded, her gaze never leaving her brother’s haggard, drawn features. Tears swam in her eyes as she approached Gib, and she ached for the pain she saw etched in his face as he limped forward.
