Page 76 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“You’re not in trouble, my darling girls. You just scared me. You could’ve hurt yourselves, and that upset me—that’s all.”

She gave him an odd look, obviously discovering sticky fingers.

“I think we need baths before we go see the horses.”

He grinned. “Since I need a shower anyway, I’ll handle that. Maybe you can…”

“Clean the kitchen?”

She offered him a genuine smile.

“Happy to.”

Leading the girls into the bathroom, the relief engulfed him, loosening the tightness in his chest. Remy’d pulled herself together, to his relief. She’d called the youngsters herdarling girls. That was even better.

Chapter thirty-three

AsRustymaneuveredtheSUV into the mountains north of Mission, he snapped his fingers.

“Well, care to share?” Remy still didn’t know him well, but she was slowly learning. He snapped his fingers when a thought occurred.

“I just realized something. A couple of years ago, on Christmas Day, Mira and I went for a walk.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Bad day.”

Ah, his ex.

“Anyway, I met this guy Justin who was with his husband and their son. He said he worked at Healing Horses Ranch. I think Kennedy said there’s a therapy dog. We didn’t meet her last week but we will today.”

“Okay…”Where is he going with this?

“Well, it’s just…Mira won’t remember, but she met the dog. If it’s the same dog. God, I haven’t thought about that day in a long time. But I remember Justin and his kindness. I wonder if we’ll see him.”

“I suppose if he works weekends…”

He waved his hand. “Probably not. Still, I’d like to thank him one day. He helped me out when I was going through a rough patch, and he didn’t even know it. Funny how we meet people, and that chance makes an impact.”

Yes, she did understand. She could think of several people who’d impacted her life. Some for the good and some for the bad.

The drive continued in silence. Well, the adults were silent.

Mira kept up a steady chatter about horses that only sometimes made sense.

When they arrived at Healing Horses Ranch and got out of the SUV, a yellow Labrador retriever greeted the group. Hot on her heels was a lovely young woman with black hair, pale-blue eyes, and a wide smile.

“I’m Rainbow, Kennedy’s sister and assistant.” She pointed to the tail-wagging dog. “This is Tiffany.”

“Can we pet her?” Calleigh vibrated with barely restrained enthusiasm.

“Of course you can.” Rainbow curled her fingers, showing the girls how to approach the dog whose tail wagged even more violently.

Remy feared the dog might knock the girls over like bowling pins, but Rainbow appeared to have control of the situation.

And just like that, there was a tangle of kids and dog.

She tried not to cringe when Tiffany licked the girls’ cheeks. Bianca did it, but Bianca didn’t live on a ranch.

“She’s harmless.” Rainbow’s easygoing manner reassured. “In fact, I believe you know her progeny.”

Remy looked up at Rusty who shrugged.

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