Free Where the Heart Leads by Jeanell Bolton Page B

near side of the fireplace while Astrid looked out of the floor-to-ceiling window wall. He moved as close behind Moira as he could without violating her space.
    “Mom put that together. It’s a collage of the three of us kids—TexAnn, Travis, and me. Mom did the one on the other side of the fireplace too. Used pictures of Schulers and McAllisters back as far as she could find them. The Schulers are musical and artistic. The McAllisters are hardheaded wheeler-dealers.”
    Shit! Why the hell did he say that? Was he warning Moira that he could be a hard-assed son of a bitch? Why? Was he considering a long-term relationship?
    He touched Beth’s ring, his forever ring, to remind himself of his commitment.
    Moira stepped back to take in the total composition. “This is so original. How did your mother get the idea? Most people would have stuffed the pictures away in a shoebox.”
    “Probably from a 4-H bulletin.”
    Astrid gave him a questioning look. “4-H? Isn’t that when kids raise pigs and stuff?”
    “Pigs, goats, cows—all sort of animals, but it has other programs too. Art, sewing, music—that sort of thing. We were homeschooled until we reached high school, so Mom signed us up with 4-H so we could meet other kids. Of course, with us being in 4-H, she had to teach some of the cl—”
    A car door slammed out front, and Astrid waved a hand at him. “If your mother drives a maroon Mercedes hatchback, she’s here.”
    Delilah’s high-pitched voice cut through the adult murmur at the door. “Daddy—Daddy—Daddy—Daddy—Daddy! I saw a car outside! Is the pretty lady here?”
    Moira moved forward as Rafe, holding Delilah on his hip, stepped up into the family room, followed by a tall, trim woman in a stylish dark print dress. Her smile was easy, her hair was auburn, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. No need to ask who she was.
    Delilah wiggled out of her father’s embrace and hurled herself at Moira, who barely had time to brace against what felt like a launched cannonball.
    “Pretty lady! You did come to see me! Just like Daddy promised!”
    Moira lifted Delilah in her arms, and her heart melted. If she ever had a daughter, she’d want her to be just like Delilah.
    “And my sister is here too,” she said, turning to Astrid so Delilah could meet her.
    Astrid reached out to touch the white collar of Delilah’s navy-and-red plaid skater dress. “I like your outfit. Very stylish.”
    “I chose the ’terial and Nana made it for me. Nana’s teaching me to sew. She can do anything.”
    “Not quite, honey, but I try.” Mrs. McAllister held out her arms to take Delilah, whose four-year-old weight Moira wasn’t used to hefting, and set her on the floor, then smiled at her son’s visitors.
    “I’m Enid McAllister, Rafe’s mother. Welcome to Bosque Bend, Moira. We’re so glad you’re here. And, Astrid, are you a thespian like your sister?”
    Astrid’s eyes widened in alarm, and she held up her hands in protest. “No way! I’m better off in the audience.”
    Mrs. McAllister laughed. “I’m with you, Astrid. We’ll have to reserve seats for Gift of the Magi next to each other.”
    Rafe wrapped an arm around his mother’s shoulders. “Mom, I’m gonna give Moira and Astrid a tour of the ranch. You want to come along? I could saddle up Lady for you. Got the blankets and the pads all laid out, and the horses are brushed up and ready for action.”
    “Thanks, honey, but I’m scheduled to teach some ladies at Floravista how to chain stitch in about thirty minutes. I would like to visit with Lady for a minute, though. Y’all go ahead and start walking. I’ll catch up. It’ll just take me a minute to change Delilah into jeans.”
    Rafe escorted his guests through the house, then down the back steps to the tarmac road. The well-stocked library and large gleaming kitchen had been impressive, Moira thought, but the covered flagstone patio and pool went above and beyond. This was the kind of house