Free What a Man Needs by Patricia Thayer Page B

smiled, then handed her a T-shirt. “Now you’re official.”
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    By two o’clock, Patrick had just finished a quick sandwich as the shelter’s bus drove through the gate and stopped in front of the barn. Happy voices filled the air as the kids filed off. His attention stayed glued to each child who’d made it out today. Many of them had been coming here for almost a year, ever since Nora had suggested he start the riding program.
    It was the best thing he’d ever done, bringing a dozen kids from the shelter out here twice a month. They came from abusive homes and were living in a children’s shelter because there wasn’t any room in foster care. He wished they could come more often, but with just himself, Nora and Forest, he couldn’t handle any more.
    â€œIs he here?” Nora asked.
    Patrick glanced at his sister as she appeared beside him. He knew she was wondering if Davy Cooke was coming back today.
    It had been last spring when the seven-year-old boy had stepped off the bus for the first time. Dozens of bruises were still evident on his small body from his mother and her boyfriend having used him as a punching bag. Patrick had trouble controlling his anger, ready to deal out his own brand of vengeance to the adults responsible. It had been the shelter counselor who’d told him how to handle Davy with kindness and love. That hadn’t been easy, either.
    At first, Davy had been angry and unresponsive, but when he came around the horses, things began to change. Still, Davy’s biggest problem was that he challenged the rules, and as a result, he lost privileges. A visit to the ranch was a privilege.
    He hadn’t been allowed to come to the ranch for a month.
    A curly-haired blond boy stepped off the bus. He was in jeans that were too big and a faded T-shirt, but his wide smile erased the shabby look. The boy ran up to Patrick.
    â€œHi, Patrick. Hi, Nora. I got to come back.” Big brown eyes accented his freckled face.
    â€œI can see that,” Patrick said. He gripped the boy by the shoulders. “So I take it you’re going to behave today,” he said in a stern voice.
    Davy glanced over his shoulder at one of thecounselors. “I will,” he promised. “Do I get to ride Daisy?”
    Patrick knew the boy loved the seasoned mare. Maybe too much. He also knew how healing an animal could be for a kid, especially when it was all he had. Daisy had given a lot of love to kids.
    â€œYou’re in luck today, Davy, because that’s who I gave you.”
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    Cynthia came out of the house ten minutes later, eager to help. She saw the group of kids standing by the corral fence. Their age looked to be between seven and twelve years old. The high pitch of their voices told her of their excitement.
    A cute little boy came up to her. “Who are you?”
    â€œI’m Cyndi. I’m staying here for a while. What’s your name?”
    â€œI’m Davy. I’m going to ride Daisy.”
    She smiled. “You’re pretty lucky, she’s a nice horse.”
    â€œShe’s my favorite.” Davy smiled, revealing a gap in front of his mouth where a tooth had been. The boy studied her with questioning eyes. “Are you going to help us ride, ’cause we hafta have adult superbision.”
    â€œWell, in that case, I guess I’d better help out.”
    Cynthia looked toward the corral to see Nora leading two horses out of the barn.
    â€œCyndi, will you go and saddle Daisy?” She smiled down at the boy. “For Davy.”
    â€œSee, I told ya,” the boy cheered.
    â€œOkay, you stay right here and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    It took Cynthia a little longer than usual because she wanted to double-check the tack. Then she led Daisy out to the corral where she found Patrick and Forest at the far end on a high wooden platform, helping one of the boys onto a horse.
    The children wore helmets