LITMIR.BIZ

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was when the men had left to check on the guests while Betty and Cissy rounded up the boys and Traci. Amy had seized the opportunity to sneak off and stow her purse in her bedroom.

      She winced. Their bedroom. Hers and Logan’s. The same room they’d first shared on the night of their wedding, dodging each other’s eyes with tight smiles and stiff limbs as they’d prepared for bed. Her guilt and his anger at her betrayal had made it difficult to enjoy the occasion.

      Amy’s leg quivered at the brush of Logan’s thigh under the table. She slid to the side, lifting her cold glass of sweet tea and taking a deep swallow. The liquid coated her throat and forced its way past the lump lodged there. A chill swept through her, raising goose bumps on her arms.

      There was no way she’d be able to sleep in that bed. Not with all the memories filling that room. And not with Logan’s familiar scent of soap and pine lingering on the sheets.

      She put the glass down with trembling fingers and picked a loose strand of hair off her neck, tucking it back into the topknot that had almost fallen loose.

      “Here, baby girl.”

      Pop stretched across the table and tipped the large pitcher of tea toward her glass.

      “No, thanks, Pop. I’ve got plenty.”

      “Saving room for the sweet stuff at the end, huh?” he asked, setting the pitcher down.

      Amy nodded, trying for a small smile.

      “She gwanna eat le cookies wif us.” Kayden’s mouth gaped around a lump of potatoes.

      “Ew.” Traci wrinkled her nose. “Swallow your food first, squirt.”

      Dominic chuckled, wiping Kayden’s mouth with a napkin. “Use your manners, buddy.”

      Jayden snickered at his brother.

      “You, too, Jayden,” Cissy said, plucking a bit of turkey from his lap and putting it on the edge of his plate.

      They all laughed and some of Amy’s tension eased. She took a bite of green bean casserole.

      “Nothing quite like a full house.” Pop sat back in his chair and sighed with satisfaction. “Sure is nice having all of you kids back home at the same time.”

      Betty murmured an assent, casting a wistful look at Amy. “It’s wonderful. I’m so grateful to have you back for a few weeks. I just wish it was longer. Will you be able to visit again this summer?”

      The painful throb returned behind Amy’s eyes. She’d have a new job by then. There was no chance of her being able to take time off work again that soon after moving to Michigan and hope to make a good impression. She shrugged with stiff shoulders.

      “I don’t think so, Mama. I’d hate to take up a room during the busy season. You told me yourself Raintree is always full now. Especially around the holidays.” Amy gestured toward the closed door leading to the public dining room. “There’s a crowd out there.”

      “Yeah, but those are guests.” Pop smiled, eyes warming. “You’re family. We always have room for family.”

      Betty squeezed Amy’s arm. “And your seat’s been empty for far too long.” She smiled at Logan. “We’re all so happy you’ve come home.”

      “That we are,” Logan added in a low voice, his warm palm smoothing over her back.

      Amy’s face heated. She straightened, the cup tilting in her hand and ice clinking in the empty glass.

      “Switch gears,” Dominic said, propping the mouth of a wine bottle on the edge of her glass and sloshing red liquid into it.

      “No, thanks. I’m good.” Amy nudged the bottle away.

      The red stream splashed against the ivory tablecloth. The formal one with the fancy cutwork and scalloped lace edges. Betty’s favorite.

      Amy gasped and dabbed at the rapidly spreading stain with her napkin. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mama.”

      Betty tsked, shaking her head and stilling Amy’s hand. “Don’t trouble yourself. We’ve got more where that came from.”

      “You sure you don’t want a glass of wine?” Dominic asked, concern clouding his features. “You had a long trip down here. It’ll help you relax a bit.”

      Amy pressed harder at the soaked tablecloth with her napkin. “No, I’m fine. A bit tired is all.”

      Dominic exchanged a glance with Logan before averting his face and returning to his meal.

      “She needs a good night’s rest,” Logan murmured. “We had a long day and a run-in with Thunder earlier.” He took the napkin from her hand, leaning close and gently examining her swollen knuckles. “How’re they feeling?”

      Amy’s skin tingled under his tender touch. She shrugged, peeled her eyes from his dark five-o’clock shadow and chiseled jaw and ignored his enticing male scent.

      “We’re sorry about Thunder,” Pop said. “Real sorry, Amy. We all know how much you love that horse. Wish we didn’t have to put him down.”

      Amy’s throat closed and she couldn’t bring herself to meet Pop’s eyes.

      “Whatcha mean, put him down?” Jayden’s brow creased.

      “Yeah,” Kayden said. “What’s gonna happen to him, Aunt Cissy?”

      Cissy moved to speak but stopped, shaking her head and looking down at the table.

      “He doesn’t have to be put down,” Traci said, blinking back tears. “You could help him, Amy.”

      Logan leveled a look across the table. “Traci, Thunder is beyond anyone’s help. And now’s not the time to discu—”

      “When would be the time?” Traci asked, shooting a pleading look at Betty. “Tell her, Mama. You know she’s the only one that could do it.”

      Betty sighed but asked gently, “Have you given any thought to working with him, Amy?”

      “That would take a lot of time,” Amy said. “More time than I have.”

      “But they’re gonna put him down.” Traci’s voice rose. “Please, Amy. I’ll help you. I’ve been training the other horses and Logan said I have a way with them. Just like you. Isn’t that right, Logan?”

      Logan nodded slowly, his steady gaze causing Amy’s cheeks to tingle. “She’s not where you were at her age but she’s good.” His smile was tender. “It must be in your blood.”

      “See?” Traci scooted forward in her chair and rested her fists on the edge of the table. “Come on, Amy. It won’t take us that long. And if it does, surely you can stay for a few extra days.”

      Amy fixed her eyes on the red stain bleeding toward the edge of the table. “I can’t.”

      Traci glowered. “Why not?”

      “Traci,” Betty admonished.

      “Not ’til she tells me why.”

      “That’s enough, Traci.” Logan’s arm tensed against Amy. “It’s too dangerous. And she just said—”

      “I know what she said but she can’t mean it.” Traci’s voice shook. “They’re gonna put him down, Amy. Don’t you care about Thunder at all?”

      “I care. But I can’t stay.”

      Amy closed her eyes briefly, her good intentions fading. Now was as good a time as any to tell them. This might be the best opportunity she’d get to break the news.

      “I can’t stay any longer than I’d planned because I’ve been offered a management position. It’s one I’ve worked really hard for and I start in January.”

      Betty smiled. “That’s wonderful

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