Free Dakota Father by Linda Ford Page A

dog.” He wanted to groan at the way he sounded, as if he had so much sorrow to deal with.
    â€œI thought it strange there was no dog. Don’t all ranches have one?”
    â€œMine died a few months ago.”
    â€œI’m sorry. How’d it happen?”
    â€œDon’t know. Just found him dead one morning.”Suddenly he remembered things he’d ignored. Old Boy had gone missing after one of Flora’s visits. They found him dead out past the barn a day later. He looked a little beat up. They’d suspected coyotes. But knowing what he did about Flora now, he wondered—
    Nah. She would never hurt the dog. Had no reason to.
    â€œWe lost a dog when I was about twelve. He and I were best friends. I told him all my secrets. Never loved another quite so much.” She gave a little laugh. “Guess I outgrew pet friends.”
    He wanted to ask what kind of friends she had now. Was there a special someone in her life? But her life was none of his business. They would soon say their good-byes and never see each other again. He would not acknowledge any discomfort at the idea.
    Something caught the cat’s attention and she raced off, leaving Meggie teary eyed.
    He reached for her hand. “Let’s go see the horses.”
    Meggie studied the outreached hand for several seconds then slipped hers into his. So small. So soft. Made him feel ten feet tall that she trusted him enough to do this.
    Jenny, at his other side, touched his arm, sending jolts of warmth to his heart. He could get used tothis—a child at one side, a woman at the other. He ground his teeth at such foolishness.
    â€œThis is a big step for her,” Jenny whispered.
    â€œI know.” Surely the hoarseness of his voice was due to the fact Meggie had taken his hand, not because Jenny had touched him. But deep in the recesses of his mind he couldn’t deny one meant as much as the other.
    He led them from the barn to the pasture fence and whistled. The half dozen horses still at home lifted their heads and trotted toward him.
    â€œMe touch,” Meggie begged as the horses crowded around.
    â€œI’ll lift you.” She made no protest as he did, and love for this little gal filled him. He wanted to hug her but didn’t for fear of frightening her. He felt Jenny watching him and met her gaze. Her eyes filled with warmth and love—for Meggie, of course. But something real and alive passed between them, a mixture of pleasure and pain. He didn’t try and sort out the source of each but the reasons came anyway. Pleasure at sharing love of this tiny child, pain at knowing he would only share it with Jenny for a short time.
    Jenny jerked away first, a pink color blushing her cheeks. She reached out a hand and touched each of the horses, stroking their heads, scratching behind their ears, giving them equal attention as she murmured sweet nothings to them.
    At least she wasn’t afraid of them nor did she complain about how they smelled. He used to tell Flora they smelled like horses. What did she expect?
    One of the horses tried to nibble Meggie’s hair. Meg squealed and buried her face against Burke’s chest. Love roared through him. He would do everything in his power to protect this child.
    Meggie realized what she’d done and squirmed to be put down.
    Burke released her. Afraid his emotions would be blaring from his eyes, he wouldn’t look at Jenny to see if she’d noticed. Instead, he turned toward the alley. “Do you want to see the rest of the buildings?”
    â€œI want to see everything.” She sounded so eager that he stole a glance at her. Her eyes shone, a smile wreathed her face. Suddenly she sobered. “Meggie needs to become familiar with her surroundings.” She stared toward the outbuildings
    He nodded. It was all about Meggie. He needed no reminder. Yet her words left him feeling strangely hollow.

Chapter Five
    J enny wanted to stuff a rag