LITMIR.BIZ

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life for months, who was becoming very important to Mindy. Tory walked toward the back door with a grace and confidence Slade had seen when she dealt with her horses. But beneath that layer of assurance was a vulnerability that drew him to her. She had been so good with Mindy. He wanted to help her as she had helped him. But he didn’t know what the problem was.

      “Dad-dy.”

      He twisted toward Mindy. “Do you want me to push you?”

      “Yes!” Mindy began to worm her way through the hole in the tire.

      Slade grasped her around the waist and situated her safely on the swing with her arms looped around the rubber and her legs dangling in front. He gripped the tire and brought it back a few feet, then let go. His daughter’s squeals of laughter erased his earlier concerns. In the past twenty-two months he hadn’t heard that sound nearly enough. Tory was not only good with Mindy but for her, as well.

      The back door slamming shut indicated Tory’s return. Slade peered over his shoulder as she approached him, noting the shadows of dusk settling over the yard, obscuring her expression. He gave his daughter a few more pushes, then let the swing come to a slow stop.

      “I hate to cut this evening short, Mindy, but it’s getting late and we have to get up early tomorrow and come back out here.”

      Mindy squirmed through the hole, resisting any help from him. She stood patiently while Tory dabbed some hydrogen peroxide on the scrape, then covered it with a Band-Aid.

      Tory straightened. “Why don’t you let Mindy spend the night with me? That way she’ll get to bed on time and you won’t have to drive all the way back out here tomorrow morning.”

      “Yes!” Mindy clapped her hands. “Plee-ze.”

      “She doesn’t have her pajamas or toothbrush.”

      “I have a T-shirt she can wear and I have an extra toothbrush. She can wear the extra clothes she has out here and you can bring another set tomorrow evening.”

      Slade took in his daughter’s eager face and said, “Okay, if you’re sure.”

      “I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

      “Goo-dy.” Mindy started for the tire swing.

      “No, young lady. You need to get ready for bed.”

      His daughter’s lips puckered into a pout. “But—Dad—”

      “Mindy, your father’s right. We’ll need to get up early to take care of the horses.”

      “Oh yeah.” Mindy’s pout disappeared as she began her trek toward the house without another thought to the tire swing.

      “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten that quick of a turnaround about bedtime.”

      Tory grinned. “It’s all in what you can offer them.”

      “And you have the advantage. You’ve given her something to look forward to. Thank you.”

      “It’s been my pleasure.”

      Two red patches graced Tory’s cheeks, heightening her quiet beauty. She veiled the expression in her large brown eyes and started to follow Mindy into the house. The woman’s every motion was economical, nothing wasted, Slade thought as he observed her mount the steps to her deck. He inhaled deeply of the spring air, laden with the scent of wildflowers and earth. Scanning the backyard surrounded by fenced pastures, he decided that he liked the country and its seemingly slower pace.

      “Again, thank you for letting Mindy stay over. I hope she goes to sleep. She was so excited when I said good-night.” Slade stepped out onto the front porch.

      Tory came out, closing the screen door but leaving the wooden one open. “I’ll check on her in a few minutes and see if she fell asleep.”

      “Don’t let her talk you into staying up. She’s quite good at that.”

      “Then she’s met her match.” Tory leaned into the wooden railing and scanned the darkness that blanketed the landscape. A firefly flew near. She observed its progression across her yard and into the trees that lined the west side of her house. When the blackness swallowed up the insect, reminding her of the lateness of the hour, her tension grew at the isolation and night surrounding them.

      “You do have a way with Mindy. You’re a natural with children.”

      The compliment washed over Tory, easing some of the distress trying to weave its way through her. “I love children. That’s one of the reasons I started the riding program.”

      “You’ll be a wonderful mother someday.”

      This compliment bore a hole into her heart, and she felt as though the rupture bled. She didn’t see herself having children anytime soon, and yet according to her doctor, her time was running out. An uncomfortable silence fell between them, one that compelled Tory to say, “In order to be a mother you have to have a husband. I don’t see that happening.”

      Slade tilted his head and stared at her. “Why not? You’re an attractive, intelligent woman.” The intensity in his eyes pierced through the layers of her reserve.

      “My life revolves around my stable and my work” was the only answer she could find.

      “The right man could change that.”

      “And disappoint all the children?” Her voice husky, Tory shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

      He chuckled. “I guess I shouldn’t argue with that. After all, my daughter is benefiting from your work and the Bright Star Stables.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’d better be going. Long day tomorrow.”

      Even though his casual touch lasted only a second, an eternity passed while Tory fought for her composure. The feel of his fingers around hers had burned into her skin. It had taken all her willpower not to yank her hand from his and flee into the house.

      “Good night,” she murmured as he left. Trembling, she brought her arms behind her back and laced her fingers together.

      For a short time tonight she had glimpsed what it would be like to have a family. The yearning had blossomed in her heart. Then her fears returned and latched on to her, making any thoughts of having her own children an impossibility.

      The children’s giggles danced on the light breeze. Eyes closed, Tory threw back her head and let the sunlight bathe her face in warmth. The gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the serenade of a mockingbird nearby mingled with the continual laughter from Mindy and her best friend.

      After spending the morning at church, this was a perfect way to spend the afternoon, Tory thought, opening her eyes to her bright surroundings by the pond. A family of geese swam from the other side toward the little girls who tossed bread crumbs on the ground by their feet.

      “I’m glad Mindy’s friend could come,” Tory said, shifting on the blanket spread over the thick, lush grass by the water.

      “So am I. She hasn’t gotten to see Laurie much this past year. Thank you for making the suggestion that Mindy bring a friend.” Slade sat by a tree.

      With her arms propping her up, Tory leaned back, watching the children with the geese all around their feet. “Being with friends can be an important part of the healing process.”

      “And I’ve isolated her too much?”

      Tory peered at Slade with his back against the large oak tree, one leg drawn up with his arm resting on it. The vulnerability in his voice matched the look in his eyes. “She’s been pretty busy this past year recovering from the operation and the accident.”

      “Now it’s time to move on?”

      “Yes. She told me the other day she wants to go back to school in the fall. She misses her friends.”

      Slade flexed his hand,

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