Free Worth the Risk by Claudia Connor Page B

shadows.
    “Hi, Abby. Hi, Gracie.” She greeted them with that bright, open smile he loved, the one that went all the way to her eyes and made them sparkle. Until she saw him and the smile slipped, sparkle gone.
    “Gracie needed a ride, so I…” He gestured lamely at the obvious. It had been a week since he’d seen her. A week of trying to get her face out of his mind. A woman who obviously hadn’t expected to ever see him again. Well, he hadn’t expected it either. Or the kick in his chest when he did. But here he was, and he couldn’t say he was completely unhappy about it.
    “Thank you so much for this,” Abby said, picking up the conversation.
    “You’re welcome.” Hannah smiled at Abby, then looked down at Gracie. “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
    “No, but I always wanted to so, so,
so
bad.”
    “Well, why don’t we walk around and you can meet everyone first.” Hannah took her hand and Gracie half walked, half skipped as the two of them moved deeper into the barn.
    “She’s sweet,” Abby said, just loud enough for him.
    “Yes.”
    “You could use some sweet in your life.”
    He wasn’t sure about that. Stephen followed Abby’s gaze, taking in the surroundings that he’d missed before. The barn was worn but clean. A few full hay bales were pushed against the wall like benches. A plastic caddy with various horse-grooming tools sat on one closest.
    “I’m glad you came to Gracie’s party. So was she.”
    “It was nice.”
    The girls came back, leading a small whitish horse.
    Hannah patiently showed Gracie where to stand and where not to. Showed her how to run the brush along Hazel’s body, following the pattern of hair. She named each piece of equipment, letting Gracie help when she could, then talked his niece through the mounting.
    “Abby, there’s a bench under a shade tree where you can watch,” Hannah said. “Can I get you a water?”
    “No, I’m fine.”
    Gracie sat straight and proud, bits of brown curls sticking out from under the black velvet riding helmet. “Uncle Stephen, watch me.”
    “Watching.”
    Gracie took the reins as shown and Hannah led them to the fenced-in riding area.
    “You like her,” Abby said as they walked to a bench with a view.
    “Of course I like her. She’s my niece.”
    Abby made a face. “You know what I mean.”
    Yeah. He knew.
    Minutes passed as they watched the figures in the ring. The horse shuffled through the red dirt, hooves sinking, kicking bits of sandy earth with each slow step. Several poles striped with colors rested on the ground, others stood upright and crossed to make an X. He wondered again if the land Dave was interested in was adjacent to hers, and if it sold how it would affect her.
    It wasn’t a fancy place, didn’t have to be. Not like the rehab facility he’d secured out west for his youngest brother. It burned he had nothing to offer other than money. And on his last trip out, J.T. had made it clear he didn’t even want that.
    He noticed other equipment. Bells attached to colorful poles and hooks with plastic rings the size a child would toss in a game. What she did here was important, meaningful.
    “I’m surprised you’re giving up so easily.”
    “Who says I’m giving up?”
    Exchanging Abby’s questions for a closer view of Hannah, he made his way down to the rail circling the riding area. He wasn’t giving up. He was trying to do the right thing.
    A stiff wind brought the smell of animal and earth. It also lifted the hair of the woman he couldn’t look away from, and blew it around her face. That initial punch at seeing her again lingered, growing stronger instead of fading. He wanted to hear that voice talking to him, wanted to see her laughing and smiling because of him. Dangerous thoughts for a man who had little need for a woman outside the bedroom.
    He’d made every effort not to think about her. Had even gone out with another woman last night. But he hadn’t wanted to listen to social