LITMIR.BIZ

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me so I don’t ask too much of you.”

      Maddie twisted her hands together in her lap, feeling awkward. She didn’t want to lie to Cass, but it was so important to her that she was treated as an equal, not as an invalid. “No,” she said determinedly. “I can do most things...or try at least.”

      “Good,” Cass said. “We know where we are, then. Now your first task this morning is to take Robbie to school. I’ll come with you, since it’s your first time. And here he is,” she said as the little boy burst into the room. “Robbie, this is Maddie. She’ll be helping to look after you.”

      He grinned at her, grabbing a piece of toast and stuffing it into his mouth. “Are you going to take me to school every day?”

      “She’ll pick you up, too,” Cass added.

      “Great,” he said as they headed to the car. “Dad is always late when he picks me up.”

      All the way to the school in the village, Robbie chattered on about Choco, his dad and granddad and his pony, filling Maddie in on life at the stables. Her confidence soared at being so readily accepted by the little boy, as if she belonged at Sky View already.

      When they reached the school gates, he leaped out eagerly, waving his bag as he raced off with a smile and a wave.

      “I always wait until I’m sure he’s gone inside,” said Cass. “Or I go in with him.”

      Maddie nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s safe before I leave. He’s such a lovely little boy. He’s the image of his dad.”

      “He’s the best,” Cass agreed. “And he does look like Jake.”

      On the drive back to Sky View, Cass did a little gentle probing about Maddie’s past experience, asking her again about the accident. Maddie answered all her questions as honestly as she could without going into too much detail, explaining that she was knocked down by a driver while out cycling one morning, but making light of her injuries.

      She had good reason not to reveal too much about the aftermath of the collision, but she didn’t really know why she was keeping her experience with horses a secret. Was she afraid? Afraid, maybe, that she wouldn’t be able to live up to the person she used to be? She just wanted this to be a new start with no expectations from anyone other than herself.

      “I’m not Robbie’s real mum, you know,” Cass said, quite out of the blue. “Now, I love him like my own, but before I came here and fell in love with Jake, I hadn’t really had much to do with children. All I wanted out of life was to be a successful vet. That’s why I didn’t mind that you hadn’t had much experience with kids, either. There’s something about you, though, that reminds me of myself back then, and I felt that maybe you needed a break... I hope my judgment was right.”

      “It...it was. Is.” Maddie stuttered, surprised by the rush of emotion that Cass’s honesty brought out in her. “It’s true, I haven’t had much experience with kids, but I love Robbie already and I really want to learn. And...you’re right about the break. I just had to get away.”

      Cass rubbed her stomach absentmindedly. “Well, you don’t need to worry—I’m not going to pry about that,” she said, smiling. “And hopefully it won’t be too long before you’ll have to learn about babies, as well.”

      Maddie smiled back at her, feeling happier than she had in months. “That’s a bit more daunting, but I’m sure it can’t be that hard.”

      “To be honest,” Cass admitted, “I probably don’t know much more than you, but I didn’t want some experienced nanny type making me feel inadequate.”

      “You’re safe enough there, then,” Maddie responded, finally feeling confident in her decision to come to Sky View. She liked Cass Munro and felt she was up to the job. All she had to do now was build up her strength and—she hoped—gradually start riding again. No one here knew what she was capable of or had been once, so she really did have a whole new start. And it felt good.

      * * *

      THE GOOD FEELING stayed with her right through the day. Doing chores around the house, picking up Robbie in the afternoon and making him some tea—simple everyday tasks that made Maddie feel useful and normal again. Her sense of well-being lasted until she was on her way home.

      A curl of wood smoke from behind the cottage brought reality back with a bump. He was still here, then? Well, if he even came near her, then she was calling the cops. Parking as close to the cottage as possible, she jumped out, fumbling with her keys and dropping them before racing down the short pathway to the front door.

      The cottage still smelled of burning logs and coffee—comfortable, homey smells that inspired confidence. She’d have some soup for supper, she decided, carrying on the theme.

      She was rooting around in the large stack of cans she’d brought with her—cans had seemed like a good idea, but she’d definitely gone over the top, she realized now—when a gentle knock came on the kitchen door. She froze, clutching a can of tomato soup in one hand. It must be him.

      But no, men like her unwanted neighbor never knocked gently. Then who could it be? Putting down the can, she headed for the door. Only one way to find out.

      The little girl who stood on the doorstep took Maddie totally by surprise. Long chestnut hair curled down her back, a dusting of freckles across the bridge of her snub little nose stood out against her tanned skin, and unexpectedly dark eyelashes outlined huge, honey-brown eyes. The girl looked cross, thought Maddie, standing back to let her step inside. “Can I help you?” she asked.

      The child just lifted her chin. “Why have you taken our house? We’ve never had a house before, and it’s not fair to take someone else’s. You should get your own.”

      “Taken your house?” Maddie echoed, confusion slowing her thoughts.

      “We’ve come a long way to get our house,” the little girl said, stamping her foot and tossing back her mane of curls. “It’s not fair to take it from us.”

      Clarity slowly dawned on her. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m guessing you live in the trailer?”

      “Yes, with Daddy, Red, Cuckoo and Moneypenny.”

      Maddie looked at her vaguely. Red must be the huge dog the man had with him yesterday, but who or what were the other two and how could they all live in such a small space?

      “And who are Cuckoo and Moneypenny?” she asked.

      “They’re chickens, of course. And I’m Meg. Daddy calls me Nutmeg, though. I’m six. How old are you?”

      “Twenty-six,” said Maddie, smiling. “Now why don’t I get you a cookie, and you can tell me all about it.”

      The little girl deliberated for a moment, and then she shook her head determinedly. “No, thanks. Daddy says I have to stay away from you. He says you’re mean.”

      “Well, you can tell your daddy...” Maddie began, but she stopped herself. This was between her and... “What is your daddy’s name?”

      Meg stared up at her. “Ross. He’s called Ross. What’s yours?”

      Maddie reached out to shake Meg’s hand. “I’m Maddie, and I’m pleased to meet you.”

      Meg pulled her hand away sharply, glancing behind her as if expecting a reprimand. “Well, I don’t think we are very pleased to meet you,” she said, running off across the yard.

      Maddie watched her go, noting with surprise how Ross smiled warmly as his daughter approached. He placed a broad hand on her shoulder, leading her toward their makeshift home. Why were they really here, and why would she have been allowed to rent the cottage if it did belong to them? She needed to find out soon. Standing her ground with this Ross guy was one thing—he could obviously stand up to her—but being here in this warm, comfortable cottage when a little girl lived right next door in a small trailer

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