Claiming Her Cowboy. Tina Radcliffe

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СКАЧАТЬ smile on Dub’s face widened as he continued to chatter. “You’ve got Grace. Can I ride her?”

      “Maybe.” Jack offered a begrudging smile at the kid’s enthusiasm.

      “Did you know that we’re having carrot cake later?”

      “Oh, yeah?”

      Dub nodded, eyes rounding.

      “It’s Auggie’s birthday,” a familiar female voice said from behind Jack. The soft thud of horse hooves and the jingle of tack told him she was approaching on his right.

      Lucy. Jack slid his phone back into the pocket of his jeans.

      “Who is Auggie?” he asked, turning slightly in the saddle.

      Seated confidently on a black mare, in Levi’s and her red ranch logo T-shirt, Lucy was all smiles today. She held the reins with soft chamois gloves and nodded up ahead, where a dozen or so boys wearing riding helmets bounced gently in the saddle, along with the rhythmic motion of their horses.

      “See the tall boy with the black helmet? The one on the chestnut mare? Near the end?”

      Jack nodded.

      “This is the first time in his life he’s ever celebrated his birthday.”

      “What do you mean?” Jack said, hoping her words weren’t literal.

      “Exactly that.”

      “How is that possible?”

      “Neglect and abuse situations. We see it more often than you want to know.” She shrugged. “But today he’s already had a birthday breakfast and opened presents before we started the trail ride. Plus, our cook for the trip has brought along a cake and a few surprises.”

      “That doesn’t sound like roughing it to me.”

      “Aw, come on, Jack. Lighten up, would you? It’s a birthday. We consider them part of creating family traditions for our kids.”

      “Traditions?” he muttered.

      “Sure. Things you probably take for granted, like holidays and special celebrations, and yes, birthdays.”

      “What about you?” he asked.

      “What about me?”

      “Did you have traditions growing up?”

      “Things became a little blurry once we lost my parents.” Lucy pulled a foot from the stirrup, showing off one of the hand-tooled red leather boots. “See these boots?”

      “Yeah, they’re hard to miss.”

      “I asked for red boots for my birthday one year when I was a foster. I wanted them so badly. Of course, I didn’t get them. But the biological daughter of my foster parents did. For no reason. It wasn’t her birthday, and she hadn’t asked for them.”

      Lucy smiled and glanced down at the boot with pride, carefully placing her foot back in the stirrup. “I bought myself these boots. Every single time I put them on I am reminded of why I do this job. It’s because every kid deserves red boots for their birthday.”

      Jack did his best to keep what he was feeling from showing on his face. Lucy Maxwell wouldn’t want to be pitied. He flashed back to his last birthday with his brother. Blowing out candles and opening presents.

      Bicycles. They’d both wanted bicycles, as badly as Lucy had wanted her boots.

      He swallowed hard. They’d gotten them, too. Daniel’s bicycle was still somewhere at his aunt’s house. Before he could dwell on the thought, the flap of the wagon popped open once more.

      Dub stuck his head outside to flash them a smile and disappeared again.

      “Is that safe?” Jack gestured toward the wagon. “Seems to me he could go bouncing around.”

      “The wagon was specially made for the ranch, and not only does it have an authentic flour cupboard and a cooking shelf on the outside, but it was also fitted with four seats that have full seat belts. It’s very safe.”

      “Once again, I’m impressed. Where did it come from?”

      “Donated by a local carpenter.”

      “Is Dub the only one riding inside of there?”

      “Yes. He’s the only child under ten on this trip.”

      “Was that in my honor? Because he’s my buddy?”

      “You flatter yourself.” She tipped the brim of her straw Stetson lower against the sun. “Dub’s entire ranch family is on the trail ride. House parents included. We thought it would be good for him to join us.”

      “There are lots of things for a little kid to get into on a camping trip. Accidents happen when you least expect them.”

      “Sounds like you have firsthand knowledge. Care to share?”

      Jack stiffened. No, he wasn’t ready to bare his soul to a woman he hardly knew. A woman he was supposed to be investigating. He shook his head and glanced away.

      “He knows the rules, Jack. And he’s going to stick to you like...well, you know.”

      “Terrific. He’s not going to be in my tent, is he?”

      “No, he’s sleeping with two of his ranch brothers.”

      “What exactly is the point of this trip?”

      “The point?” She released a breath and stared at him, hands on the saddle horn. “Does everything have to have a point?”

      “Yes. You’re utilizing plenty of ranch resources. Donated resources. I’m trying to understand the value.”

      “Jack, it’s about planting seeds. Sometimes you can’t see the harvest. You have to trust that by doing what you are called to do, what this ranch is called to do, the harvest will be there.”

      “How does the trail ride fit into your harvest?”

      “First and foremost, this is all about fun. Think like a kid for a minute, instead of an attorney. These are children who are accustomed to going to bed on broken glass, emotionally. In their former life, they went to sleep uncertain what tomorrow would bring. We promise them that they don’t have to think about tomorrow. They can simply be kids.” Her chocolate eyes continued to pin him.

      Against his better judgment, he paused to consider her words. Just be a kid? He hadn’t been “just a kid” since that summer so long ago. Jack raised his head and met her gaze. Words refused to come.

      Lucy sighed when he didn’t respond. “Ah, Jack, you don’t understand.” The words were laced with deep regret.

      Jack swallowed hard. He did understand. Far more than Lucy would ever realize.

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