LITMIR.BIZ

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seat, Tripp had gently lifted the little girl to the stainless steel sink.

      “Thank you.” Clementine giggled.

      Tripp turned to Hannah as he lowered her daughter to the floor. “Ready to go?”

      “Yes. Let me get our sweaters.”

      “Does she have any other shoes besides sneakers?” Tripp asked.

      “Oh, I didn’t even think... Clemmie, go put on your cowboy boots.”

      Clementine nodded and raced from the room, happy to return wearing her scuffed Western boots. The pint-sized show-off did a little jig of a dance ending with a small, “Ta-da!”

      “You’re a real cowgirl, aren’t you?” Tripp said with a wide grin.

      Hannah nearly fell over at the smile that lifted the corners of the cranky cowboy’s mouth. It was a genuine smile that transformed the stone-etched face into swoon-worthy. For a fleeting moment, Hannah longed to make Tripp Walker smile again.

      Then she remembered that believing in white knights who came with happy endings was how she’d gotten derailed in the first place.

      Hannah followed Tripp and Clementine out the door. She couldn’t keep up with his long strides, but her daughter skipped and jumped across the yard to the stables, splashing in a few mud puddles on the way, with joy shining on her face.

      Tripp stood at the entrance of the big building, allowing them to enter the stables first. Hannah stopped and met his gaze. “Thank you for keeping your word. That’s a novelty in my world.”

      “I’m sorry to hear that.” His eyes skimmed over her. “You said you’re comfortable around horses, right?”

      “It’s been a long time, but yes.”

      “How long is a long time?”

      When she paused to think, a rope of melancholy tugged at her. There were very few things from her past that pulled at her heart. Her horse was one of those. But when she’d walked away from her grandmother, she’d walked away from everything her money could buy. “It’s been more than seven years. A beautiful mare named Sage.”

      “What happened?”

      “That’s a story for another day.” She stepped into the building, her boots echoing on the floor. The place was abuzz with activity. “Why are things so busy on a Saturday?”

      He shrugged. “The usual. Lessons are scheduled Monday through Saturday. Most of the kids and staff sign up for recreational rides, as well.”

      She offered a small nod.

      “I manage the equestrian center located on each ranch. We house over twenty ranch horses, plus those owned by the staff.”

      “That’s a lot of horses and a lot of work,” Hannah said. Her grandmother hired a team of grooms for her stables.

      “The kids muck and groom as part of their daily chores.”

      “I’m sure that’s helpful, but someone has to manage the entire program, including veterinarian visits, feed, supplies and the day-to-day issues.”

      He stared at her, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

      “I worked for the manager at an equine clinic long ago,” she admitted. “Which may come in handy as your assistant.”

      “So you said.” He paused. “That starts on Monday.” Tripp offered a dismissive nod, before he turned to her daughter. “Miss Clementine, would you like to ride today?”

      “Oh, yes, please, Mr. Tripp. I’ve never been on a real horse.” She cocked her head and pursed her mouth for a moment. “Do you have any pink horses?”

      “We don’t, but I have a nice horse named Grace who would like to be your friend.”

      “Okay.”

      Once again, Clementine’s short legs skipped to catch up to Tripp. Hannah’s jaw nearly dropped when her daughter put her little hand in Tripp’s and followed him. Clementine was friendly by nature, but this...this was unusual.

      As she followed, Hannah spotted the tack room next to an office with glass windows all around. The sign on the door read Tripp Walker, Manager. They stopped at the last stall on the left where a chalkboard on the outside of the stall had Grace printed in white letters.

      “Do you want to introduce yourself and Clementine to Grace while I grab some equipment?” Tripp asked.

      “Oh, yes. Sure,” Hannah returned.

      “Mommy,” Clementine whispered. “I’m really going to ride a horse?”

      “You are.” Hannah knelt down next to her daughter. “It’s very important that you follow all of Mr. Walker’s instructions today.”

      Clementine gave a solemn nod and then frowned. “His name is Mr. Tripp, Momma.”

      “Mr. Tripp.” Hannah barely resisted rolling her eyes. “I’m going to lift you up so you can pet the horse’s nose. Talk to her and say hello. Be very gentle.”

      Clementine reached toward Grace without hesitation. She stroked the animal’s chestnut nose, her fingers lingering on the white patch of her forehead. “Hi, Miss Grace. My name is Clementine,” she soothed, like an old pro.

      The animal gave a nicker and nudged at Clementine’s hand.

      Clementine’s eyes popped wide, and she giggled. “Momma, she likes me.”

      “Why wouldn’t she?” Tripp asked from behind them. He held a saddle, a blanket and a currycomb. “Come on, we’ll get Grace ready to ride and I’ll take you both for a little walk.”

      “Oh, I hate to take you away from your work,” Hannah said. “I can do that.”

      He looked at her and seemed to be searching for a response. “Sometimes, I like to be taken away from my work.”

      “We’ve already imposed,” Hannah protested.

      Tripp cleared his throat. “Ma’am, there’s a liability issue here.”

      “But I’m about to be an employee.” She paused. “At least temporarily.”

      “Monday. After you fill out the paperwork and such on Monday, you’ll be official and all.”

      Hannah swallowed and stepped back. “So I have to trust you with my daughter for now?”

      “Yes, ma’am. You can watch from outside the corral.”

      Could she trust Tripp Walker with that which was most precious to her? Clementine was the reason she’d been on the run for the past nearly seven years. Leaving Colorado, she knew that their running had come to an end and that eventually, she’d have to trust someone. Maybe Big Heart Ranch was the place to start. After all, this ranch was all about trust and second chances, wasn’t it?

      She met Tripp Walker’s steady gaze and nodded. “Okay.”

      Tripp lifted a grinning Clementine from the saddle and set her on the ground in the stables.

      “How’d the ride go?” Rue asked as she entered the building.

      “This little cowgirl is a natural,” he said.

      “I expected as much.” Rue turned to Hannah. “I’ve got some friends to visit over at the chicken coop. Mrs. Carmody and the rest of the girls. I thought Clementine might like to join me. Would that be all right with you, Hannah?”

      “I, um...” Hannah blinked, eyes wide, obviously caught off guard.

      “Oh, yes. Please, Momma. It will be all right. I’ll be good.” Clementine’s brown eyes begged as loud as her entreaty.

      Tripp narrowed his gaze. The single mother didn’t like to be separated from her baby. Had

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