Page 3 of More Than a Helping Hand

That boy is rarely still.

Laughing, I check my phone as I slide open the door. Brooke has posted several pictures showing off her new car. Well, new to her. It makes me happy to see her happy. But I make a mental note to see what comments guys drop on her posts. As her older brother, I look out for her that way and stay informed.

I’m still looking at my phone as I barrel inside. A young girl screams, and I rock back onto my heels, trying not to crash into her.

Grabbing a stall door, I catch my balance. “Hey there, doodlebug. What’s up?”

She stares at me, distrust evident in her brown eyes.

Parker comes running in the side door. “Bailey, what’s wrong?”

She doesn’t answer, so I do. “I startled her when I came in. Is that right?”

She nods.

Using my strong powers of deductive reasoning, I deduce that this is Parker’s niece. I stick out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Bailey. I work with your Uncle Parker taking care of the horses.”

After looking at my hand for nearly three seconds, she walks over and shakes it. “I’m not a doodlebug. I’m a girl.”

“I can see that.” I squat in front of her. “Have you met my horse?”

“Is it giant like you? I’m afraid of horses. They are big and smelly.” She leans forward and sniffs my shirt. “But you don’t smell like a horse.”

“That’s because I just got here. Give it time.”

Nearly six and a half feet tall, I get all kinds of comments about my height, but being compared to a horse is new.

She cocks her head. “You have a beard like Uncle Parker. Do you use shampoo on your face?”

“I do. I have a special shampoo for my beard.” I stand and hold out my hand. “My horse is nice if you want to meet her. And I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She slips her hand in mine. “You aren’t scary.”

“Thank you for that. But you haven’t seen me before I’ve had my coffee.”

She giggles. “Mommy says coffee takes her grumpies away.”

“Your mommy is right. Smart lady.”

I glance back at Parker. “It’s not a problem if I show her the horses, is it?”

He shakes his head and stares.

“You sure? Because you seem extra quiet.” I’m missing something.

A smile spreads across his face. “All good. I’m going back out to finish up. Bailey, are you okay if I leave you in here with Anderson?”

She lets go of my hand and runs over to him. He gets down to her height, and she puts her hands on his face. “I’m not afraid of the giant man, Uncle Parker. I like talking to him.”

“Good. If you need me, I’ll be right through that door.”

She hugs his neck, then pulls back. “You smell like the horses.”

He laughs. “I’m sure I do.”

There is something unspoken when he meets my gaze, and I can’t wait until later to hopefully figure out what that something is.

Bailey and I walk over to Dot’s stall, and I rub my horse’s nose. “This is Princess Angelina Contessa. But I call her Dot.”

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