Page 44 of Sawyer

Sounds like she’s here to stay. I know the Wallaces have been keen for years now to build out their training programs, and old man Wallace is a smart guy. He wouldn’t let someone as good as Ava slip through his fingers.

Because she is good at what she does. I’ve never seen her in action on a horse, granted. But judging by the ride she gave me?

Girl is top of her class.

Also, I love her daughter’s name. Makes me think of the Johnny Cash song that was playing when I spilled beer all over Ava.

The little girl looks up at her mom and smiles. “But please, Mommy, can I play with her?”

“I see some future besties,” Sally says with a smile.

Ava glances at me, then Ella. “Is she?—”

“My daughter. Yes. Ella, can you say hi to Miss Ava and June?”

But Ella, being the shy little bird she is around new people, curls into Wyatt’s chest.

“Ella.”

I can tell by the way Ava’s expression flickers that she’s putting two and two together. She had to have seen the tattoo I have on my arm, but she didn’t ask about it.

“Hey, cutie. I’m Ava, and this is Junie.”

“Hi, Junie.” I give her a little wave.

She smiles and waves back.

Goodness, she’s cute.

“She’s three years old,” Ava continues. “How old are you, Ella?”

Ella blinks, pouting her lips.

“You know how old you are. Hold up those fingers,” I say, wagging my brows. “Maybe I’ll bite ’em.”

Her pout morphs into a grin. “You won’t bite me, Daddy.”

“Wanna bet?” I take a step forward.

Ella screams, laughing. “Uncle Wy, tell him no! Don’t let him bite me.”

“I won’t.” Wyatt shifts her onto his hip. “But you gotta tell us how old you are.”

Ella holds up her fingers. “I’m free.”

“That’s perfect!” Ava pulls her hands out of her pockets. “So is June Bug. Y’all are the same age, so I bet you both like?—”

“Cake!” Junie shouts. “I like cake!”

The whole barn laughs at that.

“I like cake too,” Ella says, wriggling in Wyatt’s grasp until he sets her down. She immediately makes a beeline for me, wrapping her arms around my legs.

“June is new here.” I put a hand on Ella’s back. “Think you could show her around?”

Ella shakes her head, tightening her grip on my legs.

Dear Lord, give me strength.How many hours until bedtime?

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