Page 98 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
The expression on Finn’s face was worth the effort it had taken to track down his brother.
“You’re always welcome,” Finn assured Duncan. The words came out a little rough.
After Duncan hung up, Finn came around the table and scooped Karen into his arms, squeezing her tight. “Mischief-maker. You did something, didn’t you?”
No use in pretending. “I got hold of Levi. I wanted Chelsea’s number to update my birthday calendar with the kids’ information. He was really excited to talk to me and instantly invited us to come out for Christmas. I told him we weren’t sure of our plans this year, but we would definitely find a way to get together at some point.”
He nodded slowly. “I think I’d be okay to go visit them. They’re making the ranch theirs and filling it with new memories. It might be good to see that in person.”
She agreed. “And I called Duncan. Didn’t bring up any specific topic but let him know we’ve got lots of nice, quiet places around here, and we’d love to see him. Anytime. It seemed to be all he needed.”
Finn kissed her then, and what with one thing and another, they didn’t get back to their work list for over an hour.
Zach wore a constant smirk any time he came around. Which Karen figured they probably deserved.
The only bad part hanging over their heads was the deadline. Construction progressed at its own pace. If they wanted to hire quality people for permanent positions in and around the ranch, that required givingthemtime to organize their lives.
Karen muttered her frustration at Finn as they stood side by side in the little cottage kitchen, washing dishes after dinner. “I know exactly who I want to hire as a house mom, but until we have a place for her to stay, there’s no use in getting her to start work. All she needs is two weeks’ notice, though, and she’s willing to join us.”
“This is the hard part that always comes into play with Bruce’s challenges,” Finn told her. “If it was just us, we can turn on a dime. Tossing other people into the mix makes it tougher. We’ll figure it out,” he promised. “Tonight, don’t worry about it. You enjoy your outing with your girls, you hear me?”
Warmth scooped into her belly again.
What a difference a month had made. Barely thirty days ago, she’d skipped out on her friends and been moping around the house, confused about her future and where to go to find happiness.
Impulsively, she wrapped Finn up in a hug, wet hands from the dishwater pressed against his back. “You remember that day I told you I felt all gloomy inside and didn’t know why?”
He held her tight. “That night is etched in my memory.”
She bumped her nose against his. “I don’t feel like that anymore,” she assured him. “Thank you for being a good listener and for giving me some pretty damn good advice.”
“You’re welcome. Now get your ass in gear. Your sisters will beat us to the barn if we don’t get a move on.”
He was partially right. Kelli was already there, carefully coaching Tansy, Rose, and Brooke in the fine art of patting a horse’s nose. Hanna was the only one of their friends not joining in. Brad had stolen her away for a birthday weekend in the mountains.
Kelli spotted Karen first. “Getting our greenhorns warmed up,” she informed them. “Your sisters are about ten minutes out.”
“Perfect. Now we need a few more horses, a bit of moonlight, and a touch of magic, and we’ll be ready to go.” Karen twisted to go finish preparing the horses and spotted Finn already coordinating the task with some of the hands. Zach showed up as well, chatting easily with her friends, his handsome face lit up with his usual smile.
As Lisa, Julia, and Tamara joined them, it was clear the one thing Karen already had in her life was magic.
22
With Starlight nickering happily under her, Karen led her friends into the fading light. Twilight fell as the animals moved at a steady gait along the wide access trail toward their first destination.
Her sisters were competent riders, and she’d made sure to give the less experienced friends bombproof horses. With Kelli bringing up the rear, Karen was confident they’d have no problems on the trail.
Julia nudged her horse forward enough to be able to chat easily at Karen’s side.
“I’ve missed this,” Julia confessed. “I mean, I like being a paramedic, but after growing up constantly around horses, not having access twenty-four seven kind of sucks.”
Karen knew exactly what she was talking about. “You’re welcome to come over any time you need a fix.”
Julia nodded. Sitting easily in the saddle, she stared at the mountains looming over them. “I’ll take you up on that offer, as long as I get to ridewithyou at least some of the time.” Her smile was a little cheeky. “I do want to get to know my sisters, not just take advantage of their awesome access to horseback riding.”
It had been a good thing, getting to know Julia better. “You fit in with us,” Karen assured her. “I hope you’ve been enjoying yourself and not feeling too overwhelmed.”
“It’s been okay,” Julia assured her. “Except for the learning how to deal with diapers. I could’ve done without that part. So gross.”
