“You think I should give him a chance.”
“I think you should give yourself a chance. Take this opportunity to be a normal girl for once.”
Tara thought of the wish she’d made a couple of weeks before. Was that what this was? The unexpected answer to her first wish? If that were the case, it was probably bad luck not to accept it. Right?
“Well...what harm could it do?”
~*~
“You want to slide your hand through here like this and then just rub the comb in circles.” Jace demonstrated the curry comb on Pepper’s flank.
Ginny looked doubtful. “But it’s all pokey. Doesn’t it hurt?”
“Nope. See, she likes it. It’s like getting a massage. Just be sure not to use it on her legs or head.”
“I can do that.”
Jace helped her onto a stool so she’d be at the right height and handed over the
comb. “That’s it, you’ve got it.”
He moved over to check on Austin. “How you coming with Rupert?”
“Pretty good.”
Satisfied the kids were occupied, Jace took a seat and began polishing up the wagon harnesses. Ginny kept up a steady commentary talking to Pepper, giving a repeat of the same play-by-play she’d given him when he’d picked them up from school. Her brother stayed silent, only occasionally murmuring to the gelding. The boy had a good hand with the horses. Calm and gentle. They were good kids.
As he dipped his polishing cloth into the saddle soap, Jace realized Austin was studying him.
“Something on your mind?”
“Are you a player?”
“Sports or video games?” If the kid was into football, he totally had the latest Madden on Xbox. Or they could pull out the actual ball and toss it around.
“No, I mean, are you serious about my sister or just messing with her?”
Oh. Jace looked up from the harness. Never in his life would he have imagined he’d be having the “what are your intentions?” talk with a fifth grader.
“I am absolutely, a hundred percent not messing with Tara. I wouldn’t do that to her. I like her. We’re friends. Or working on it.”
Austin wasn’t buying it. “Friends isn’t what you’re going for.”
Astute kid. “Honestly, no. I’d like to be more than friends. But that’s entirely up to your sister. Your being here hasn’t got anything to do with her decision either way. I want all of you to feel welcome and have fun for the holiday.”
“I’m having fun!” Ginny chirped.
Jace smiled. “I’m glad.” Looking back at Austin he asked, “Are we cool?”
Another long Look. “Yeah.”
“It’s good of you to look out for Tara.” Jace wondered what she’d say if she knew her baby brother was as protective of her as she was of him.
“She looks out for us. Somebody ought to be looking out for her.”
“Tara’s the best sister in the whole, wide world,” Ginny declared.
“I happen to think she’s pretty awesome, too,” Jace told her.