Free A Home in Hill Country (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Roxanne Rustand Page B

Maybe we can both work on him…if that’s okay?”
    “Thanks.” Kristin took out one of the tweezers. “I really appreciate this.”
    Donna directed Cody to the chair behind the desk and switched on a bright halogen desk light, then pulled up chairs for Kristin and herself on either side of him.
    He winced as they removed the first few spines, then sat still and quiet. When Kristin heard a rustle of movement at the door and looked over her shoulder, she knew why he was suddenly being so stoic. Two dark-haired children were hovering at the door, whispering to each other.
    “Okay, you two,” Donna said without looking up. “Come on in and be polite. Introduce yourselves to our new neighbors, you hear?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” The boy sidled farther into the room with his taller sister at his heels and shot a brief, shy glance at Kristin. “I’m Hayden, and this is my sister, Sara.”
    “Hayden is in fourth grade with Cody. Sara is a year older,” Donna said as she deftly removed another cactus spine. “You two do your chores yet?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Sara said shyly. With her long black hair and dark eyes, she was definitely on her way to being as beautiful as her mother. “The black momma cat had her kittens. We found them up in the hay.”
    “Maybe when we’re done here, you could take Cody up to see them.” Donna raised an eyebrow at Cody. “If you’d like to, that is.”
    He swallowed hard and nodded.
    After another ten minutes, Donna brought the lamp closer and ran a practiced forefinger over Cody’s palm with a feather-light touch. “I think we got it. Kristin, take a good look.” Her mouth tipped into a wry grin. “I guess I plumb took over, but you’re the professional.”
    Kristin laughed. “Not with cactus emergencies.”
    She’d seen Donna and Trevor exchange quick glances when she’d mentioned her last name, then Trevor had given a subtle shake of his head. From that point Kristin had felt guarded, wondering what that gesture meant, yet hesitating to ask while Cody could overhear.
    Donna reached for a bottle of soothing lotion and smoothed it over his hand. “Good job, Cody. I haven’t ever seen anyone sit so still for something like this. You want to go see those cats?”
    He looked to Kristin for approval, then slipped out of his chair.
    “Not too long, honey. We’ve got quite a ride home, and not much daylight.”
    Donna waved away her concern. “Trevor already brought up the horse trailer. He’ll give y’all a ride home.”
    The kids raced out of the office, leaving Kristin and Donna to rearrange the chairs and set the desk back in order.
    “I can’t thank you enough. You and your husband were both so kind to help us out.”
    “It’s nothing, really. I had to bring the kids over to do their chores, anyway, and Trevor doesn’t mind a little trip like that.” Donna walked over to a table in the corner and lifted a glass carafe of coffee. “I don’t know how long this has been here, but I could make us a fresh pot.” When Kristin started to demur, she added, “I don’t imagine they’ll be back directly. Kittens are quite a draw, and I suppose my kids will want to show Cody their horses and 4-H calves.”
    Donna busied herself rinsing out the pot and starting a fresh one in the tiny kitchen area of the large office. Searching through the cupboards, she found a new package of Oreo cookies, which she opened and shook out onto a plate. Then she retrieved cups and packets of sweetener and creamer.
    “It’s nice to meet our new neighbors,” Donnasaid as she set a tray of coffee and cookies on a small coffee table. “Have a seat.”
    Kristin took one of the high-backed leather chairs facing a dark plate glass window. A blur of motion swept past, and belatedly she realized she was facing an indoor arena. “Someone’s riding out there?”
    Donna leaned close to the glass. “I’m not sure who. Garrett’s back—Trevor’s younger brother—or it could be Ryan. It’s