Free Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher

Rodney filled two large mugs with coffee, Trevor crossed to a curio cabinet in one corner. Behind the glass were family photos, china and crystal, knicknacks, and a large collection of thimbles.
    â€œThe thimbles belonged to my wife, Charlotte.” Rodney stopped on Trevor’s left. “Some of them are rather valuable, but I can’t bring myself to sell them. She enjoyed them so much.” He held out the mug of coffee.
    Trevor took it. “My mom collects those lighted villages.”
    â€œWhere do your parents live?”
    â€œA small town in Northern California. But it’s just my mom now. My father died a few years ago.”
    â€œSorry to hear that.”
    Trevor accepted the words of condolence with a nod.
    After that, the two men stood in silence as they drank their coffee.

    Penny held her breath, listening from the hallway, but neither her dad nor his guest said anything more. Fearing she mightget caught eavesdropping as they left the kitchen, she quietly moved to the living room, where she stopped and stared out the window at the snowstorm.
    She didn’t like the feeling that coiled in her stomach, and it wasn’t difficult to identify it: jealousy. Like her brother before him, her dad had taken a quick liking to Trevor Reynolds, and she didn’t want him to. They were acting like friends. Didn’t her dad understand that Trevor had taken Brad from them?
    â€œHoney?”
    She turned toward her dad’s voice.
    â€œTrevor’s going with me to feed the livestock. Want to come along?”
    â€œShouldn’t you wait until the storm lets up a bit?”
    Her dad pulled on his coat, followed by his gloves. “Maybe it will by the time we’re finished in the barn.”
    Penny knew she should be glad her dad had help. He’d become an advocate of feeding his cattle three times a day after reading a study that showed increased weight gain in three feedings versus the same amount of feed given once or twice a day. But she thought the extra work was too much for him. He wasn’t as strong as he used to be. His back caused him a lot of pain, though he tried to hide it from her, and he tired easily.
    â€œI’ll be out in a few minutes,” she answered at last, choosing not to repeat her concerns just now.
    Her gaze slipped to Trevor, standing beyond her dad. She could see that he watched her, but the dim light inthe entryway prevented her from reading his expression. Unsettled, she looked out at the snowstorm again. Moments later, she heard the door open and close.
    She was reminded of last Christmas when Brad had been home. It had been a good holiday for all of them. How many times had she watched the two people in the world she loved the most bundle themselves in coats and hats and gloves and head out into the frigid elements to tend the livestock? Seeing father and son together had made her happy. Her brother had spent the days helping their dad with anything and everything that needed doing, and Penny had envisioned things going along the same way for years to come. Brad, she’d believed, would find employment with an engineering firm in Boise, and the rest of the time he would be at the ranch, helping their dad. Then, two days after Christmas, her brother had dropped his bombshell: He wasn’t staying in Kings Meadow. He wasn’t looking for work in Idaho. He was leaving for Nashville to audition as a drummer for a band. If he got what he was hoping for, he would be going on the road with Trevor Reynolds.
    Less than nine months later, he was dead.
    Tears welled, but Penny refused to let them fall. Anger served her better than sorrow, she reminded herself. With a determined tilt of her chin, she headed for the mudroom, where warm attire awaited her. A short while later, ready for the elements, she headed outside, walking with head down toward the barn.
    The door squeaked as she opened and closed it. Justinside, she stopped, giving her eyes a