“If this is some kind of game, I’m not playing,” he said, trying to wrap his head around this…Cowboys Online.
“It’s not a game,” Cyn said.“It’s a chance.For you.And for her.”
“Why me?”
“Because you’re exactly what she needs.Her husband recently passed away.She needs help to keep her ranch going,” Cyn said simply.
Axel went still.The words hit him hard, sharp, unexpected.For a moment he couldn’t breathe.
Jenna’s husband.Gone.
A tight ache opened in his chest, old loyalty and something like grief all twisting together before he could shut it down.
Jenna didn’t deserve that kind of pain.
He forced his jaw to lock, forced the emotions back where it belonged.
“You’re telling me she’s alone now.Kids?”he said, his voice low, controlled.
She must have kids.She always wanted children.
“No children.”
Something inside him shifted.Shock, guilt and a small pull.A chance to do something right for Jenna, even if he didn’t deserve a chance.
But was this for real?
“She’s been good to me.She took a chance on me when no one else would.I want to give back to her.I believe you can help her despite your past issues with her.I was hoping you would be the man who would come to her rescue and help keep her horse ranch going.”
Axel frowned.What did she know about their past issues?
He searched her gaze for a lie.But what he saw was determination, layered over nerves.She was risking her job and her reputation for a woman he’d hurt, a life he’d lost.
He held up his shackled wrists, the chains echoing ominously throughout the room.
“Lady, Jenna will just have to hire someone.In case you hadn't noticed, I cannot rescue anyone.I am in prison and I am no cowboy.”
Although Nick, his cellmate had taught him plenty about horses while the two of them had been here, it didn’t make Axel a horse expert.
The woman smiled a smile like she knew something he didn't, which it appeared, she might.He was glad Jenna had succeeded in achieving her dream of having a ranch, but sad that she’d lost her husband.That is, again, if this kid was telling the truth.
“Oh, but you can help her, sir.I’ve taken the liberty of speeding your release through the system.I took care of an application through Cowboys Online on your and Nick’s behalf.”
Confusion rocked him.
Nick too?
“What are you talking about?”
Her smile widened even more, and he got the feeling he’d just been hooked like a fish on the line.
“Cowboys Online is a little known program for prisoners.We are under contract with Correctional Service of Canada and Public Safety Canada.Our program helps get people like yourself and Nick out of prison early and into isolated areas of the country to help out on ranches.Not too many people want to work in these types of areas that are hard to get to, and certainly not for a pittance pay, so we at Cowboys Online are able to supply the labor at a huge discount to our clients and with some pay to you too.We set it all up with the approval of the Parole Board of course.You will get weekly pay, and it would be direct deposit at a bank you choose.”
Axel couldn’t believe what she was saying and he forced himself to blank out his excitement.This can’tbereal.
“I have done my homework on you, Mr.Rosetti, and your cellmate, Nick Ryan.Nick knows everything about horse ranches and sources tell me he is trustworthy and that you know all things about machinery and carpentry and that the both of you have a solid relationship.”
Axel’s mind whirled.What exactly did she know about Nick and himself?
