Free Her Country Heart by Reggi Allder Page B

care of the horses.”
    “We have horses?” Bobby ran into the barn before she could stop him.
    They ran after Bobby. Wyatt got there first with Amy and Nan close behind.
    “Be careful. Don’t get too close,” Amy shouted.
    Bobby stopped and stared at the first horse. “He’s big.”
    “Yes, he is.” Nan elbowed Amy and looked sideways at Wyatt.
    “Nan, I’m going to kill you,” she whispered.
    “Mister, can I ride the horsy?”
    The corners of Wyatt’s mouth turned up.
    “Maybe tomorrow, if it’s okay with your mother, but right now the horses have to go to bed.” He winked at Amy.
    Her cheeks flushed. Surprised by his kindness, she couldn’t help smiling. Why had Sophie said Wyatt didn’t like kids?
    Did he like them or was he just trying to, as her Granny use to say, Get into her panties?
    She watched Wyatt walk to the weight bench, grab his shirt and pull it on.
    She cleared throat. “Baby, come into the house and I’ll show you your room. It has new paint and”
    “I want to touch the horsy.”
    “I don’t know…”
    Amy looked up and found Wyatt standing next to her. Without a word he picked up Bobby and held him. “The horsy likes to be touched, but there are a couple of rules first.”
    “Okay.” Bobby put his arm around Wyatt’s neck.
    “First rule, never yell and wave your hands around the horsy. He might get scared. And second rule, never stand behind him. He could kick you by accident.”
    Bobby’s eyes widened.
    “It’s okay. The horsy won’t hurt you. This is Sal. He’s a nice old boy. He likes you to rub right here just above his nose.” Wyatt demonstrated.
    The little boy slowly reached out and softly rubbed the horse. He giggled and patted him again.
    “Okay Bobby that’s enough for now.” She reached for him.
    Wyatt set him down and he ran to her. “His hair is soft mommy. Do you want to touch him?”
    Amy watched Wyatt. “Maybe tomorrow.” Her cheeks flushed again.
    “Thank you.” She hesitated. “Do you want to join us in the house for dinner?”
    “Got plans.”
    “Oh.” For the first time in recent memory, jealousy crawled up her spine. Of course he has dinner plans with another woman.
    “See you tomorrow big guy.”
    “Night mister.”
    “Bobby, this is Mr. Cameron.”
    “Call me Wyatt.”
    “Okay.”
    “See you Amy.”
    “Yeah.” She felt Wyatt scan her.
    “Mommy, why is your face red?”
    Wyatt walked out of the barn and the door slammed closed.
    “It’s nothing Bobby. Too much sun I guess.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own, too high. She cleared her throat. “You’re staying the night.”
    “Can’t. I have to work tomorrow. If I leave in the next half hour I’ll back in the city by eleven o’clock. I got the food you wanted for Bobby. And ten pounds of gluten free flour and some organic brown rice.”
    “That’s great. I can’t thank you enough. They have more gluten free food in the stores these days, but I haven’t had a chance to check in town.”
    “Forget it. Just invite me back if you find out Wyatt has a brother.”
    They both laughed and Amy hugged her BFF. “Drive carefully.”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Nan hugged Bobby. “See ya.”
    Together she and Bobby watched Nan get in the small Toyota and drive away. Her son waved with one arm while he wrapped the other one around her leg.
    “Come on, time to get ready for bed.” She took hold of his small hand, walked into the farmhouse and shut the door. “Bobby this is your new home.”
    ***
    Bobby sat at the breakfast table eating oatmeal. Amy took a seat next to him and sipped coffee.
    “Do doggies and horses like to play together?” he asked his mouth full of cereal.
    She stifled a laugh. “Swallow before you talk.”
    He gulped and said, “Do they?”
    “I don’t know, but the horses are just visiting. They belong to Wyatt and he’s only staying in the cottage for a little while.”
    Bobby frowned and pushed his bowl away. His bottom lip stuck out. His brow