Free The Promise of Forgiveness by Marin Thomas Page B

property.” Joe stood by the doors and watched Ruby cross the driveway, then veer toward the corral, where Mia sat on the rails talking to Pretty Boy.
    Maybe it was a good thing Ruby intended to leave next week. Since she’d arrived yesterday Joe swore the sun shone a little brighter and the air tasted a little less dusty.
    And
he
felt a little more guilty because he’d noticed.
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    â€œ Thought you were going inside to eat, Mia.” Ruby stopped at the corral.
    â€œShe ate already.” Hank ambled toward them. “This one is yours.” After handing off the sandwich, he climbed the rails and sat next to Mia.
    Ruby took a bite of tuna fish, perplexed when Hank and Mia just stared at the horse. “What’s going on?”
    â€œShhh . . .” Mia pressed a finger to her mouth, then whispered, “Hank says the best way to make friends with a horse is to be quiet and wait him out.”
    Hank slid his fingers into his shirt pocket, but Mia nudged him in the ribs and he left the cigarettes alone.
    â€œSo all you have to do is sit there and the horse becomes your friend?” Pretty Boy answered Ruby’s question when he moved within touching distance of Mia.
    â€œPut your hand out,” Hank said. “Nice and easy. Let him sniff.”
    Mia followed his instructions, and Pretty Boy dipped his head, bumping his nose against her palm.
    â€œHe’s telling you it’s okay if you touch him.”
    Mia rubbed her fingers over the gelding’s nose. “I won’t hurt you, Pretty Boy.” She smiled at Ruby. “He likes me.”
    â€œI can see that.” It had been forever since her daughter had smiled at her, and the sweet expression brought a lump to Ruby’s throat.
    â€œLook who’s coming over.” Hank stuffed his hand into his pants pocket, then handed Mia two sugar cubes.
    The horse head butted Pretty Boy out of the way, and Mia giggled. “You’re spoiled.” She held out her palm, and Sugar lapped up the cubes. Then Pretty Boy bumped his nose into Mia’s chest. Mia giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
    â€œHe likes the way you smell,” Hank said.
    â€œI know, Pretty Boy.” Mia closed her eyes when the horse blew in her face. “You don’t like Hank ’cause he stinks like cigarette smoke.”
    Hank chuckled. “You might be right about that, granddaughter.”
    â€œGo get Lonesome, Pretty Boy,” Mia said. “He looks sad standing by himself.”
    â€œMaybe Lonesome just wants to be left alone,” Ruby said.
    â€œNo, he doesn’t.” Mia tugged Hank’s shirtsleeve. “Can I go over there with him?”
    â€œWait here.” Hank climbed down off the rail. Lonesome stamped his front hoof, kicking up a cloud of dust as his owner drew close. When the horse stepped toward Hank, Mia’s face broke into a wide grin.
    Feeling like a third wheel, Ruby went into the house and finished her sandwich in front of the kitchen window. After several attempts, Hank got Lonesome to follow him over to Mia.
    When Mia opened her arms wide, Ruby expected her to hug Lonesome—but she hugged Hank. His skinny arms patted her awkwardly on the back.
    Ruby turned away from the poignant scene.

Chapter 9

    â€œW hat are Hank and Mia doing this afternoon?” Joe steered the pickup west toward a sky full of dark clouds.
    â€œI imagine they’ll hang out at the corral.”
    â€œHas Mia always been interested in horses?”
    â€œNope. Just since we got here.” She stared out her window.
    Joe could take a hint. Ruby didn’t care to talk about her daughter’s infatuation with the ranch’s equine boarders. Fine by him. He had other questions for her, which kind of surprised him, considering he’d become antisocial after Aaron’s death.
    â€œWhat made you decide to relocate to Kansas?”
    She