The Rancher's Redemption

Was that an oblique way of telling him to back off, or was she just sharing with him as a friend? Adam wasn’t sure.

“Can you grab hold of Roman while I get my horse saddled up?”

“Sure! Which one is yours?” Lizzie asked.

He walked down to the end of the barn and pointed through the open top of the door. “This one.”

Lizzie scooped Roman up and brought him over to the stall. “This is Adam’s horse. You’re going to ride on his back.”

“What’s his name?” Roman asked.

Adam paused. “He doesn’t have one.”

“He must have a name, mustn’t he, Mom?”

“What do you think he should be called then?” Adam asked.

Roman contemplated the big, black and white horse; his lower lip stuck out. “Spot.”

“Really?” Adam couldn’t help but glance at Lizzie who was shaking with laughter. “Don’t you think he’s a bit big for that name?”

“No.” Roman made a clucking noise. “Come on, Spot. Let’s go!”

* * *

On the ride back from the creek, Roman fell asleep, his whole body relaxed against Adam’s chest, his right hand curled around the glittery rock he’d discovered in the stream. Adam tried to remember the last time he’d spent such a peaceful day with someone other than his family. Despite Roman being a ball of energy, he’d enjoyed it. He couldn’t imagine how Lizzie dealt with the kid twenty-four seven.

Lizzie rode alongside him, her seat relaxed, her gaze everywhere as they passed through a knot of trees under dappled leaves and headed for the steep upward slope. Was it because he’d known her for so long that he felt so calm in her company? If so, what a fool he’d been to waste so many years regretting that one night he’d lost himself in grief. He’d been determined to make her pay for it as well, and had lost one of his best friends.

She caught his glance and looked back at him. “Thanks again for a lovely day.”

“I’ve enjoyed it,” Adam admitted. “I don’t value my home as much as I should. Seeing Roman appreciate it kind of reminded me of that.”

“It’s a wonderful place.” Her voice was quiet.

It occurred to him that in the early days of their friendship she’d been the glue that had held the fierier Louisa and him together. They’d often turned to her to sort out their arguments until she’d laughingly bowed out and told them to fix their own shit. Had she been lonely then? Watching her two best friends fall in love, leaving her on the outside again? He’d never gotten that vibe off her. She’d loved them both too much.

And he’d taken his friendship away after Louisa’s death, leaving her alone and vulnerable to idiots like Ray Smith....

“Is he still asleep?” Lizzie asked.

“Yeah.” Adam glanced down at his snoring passenger. “Do you want me to wake him, or shall I put him straight in my truck so we can take him home?”

“If your dad moved the car seat into your truck then let’s just put him in it.” Lizzie yawned. “Wow, too much fresh air. We can leave the door open and keep an eye on him while we deal with the horses.”

When they reached the barn, Ben and Danny were already out doing the evening chores. Ben came over and took Roman from Adam’s arms.

“Finally wore him out, did you?”

“Just about.” Adam dismounted. “Did Dad move the car seat?”

“It’s in your truck. Do you want me to put Junior in it?”

Adam nodded. “I’ll just put Spot away, and I’ll be right back.”

“Spot?” Ben looked up at Adam’s majestic seventeen hands high gelding. “Since when—?”

Lizzie pointed at Roman and Ben started to laugh.

“Just for that”—Adam took the boy back—“you can put Spot and Peg away, and I’ll drive Lizzie and Roman home.”

* * *

Lizzie sat back and closed her eyes as Adam drove down from the ranch, and out onto the county road that led back to Morgantown. She’d had a lovely day and had deliberately shut out everything else that was going on in her life to enjoy it to the fullest. Seeing Adam with Roman, his patience under a barrage of questions, and his kindness had reminded her of the qualities she’d loved in her old school friend. He rode like he was part of the horse, his big body so relaxed in the saddle that he hardly seemed to direct the horse, although she knew that was an illusion.