Cowgirl, Say Yes. Brenda Mott

Murdocks were Wade’s closest neighbors in the small mountain community of Ferguson, Colorado, and raised Arabian horses on the eighty-acre farm just two miles from the Darlands’ Circle D ranch. They also owned the adobe-style ranch house that rested on an adjoining three hundred sixty acres—the place Trent had called home before he and Bailey got together. Macy, who no longer had her mother to turn to, had found a friend and mentor in Bailey the moment she’d met her. President of the local bank, Bailey was an animal lover, and Macy had spent a great deal of time the first summer Bailey moved to Ferguson, tagging at her heels, hanging out at her farm.

      But now, with twin babies to occupy their time, the Murdocks had little to spare. Because Wade himself kept busy trying to make a living ranching—which wasn’t easy these days—he knew Macy was at a bit of a loss without Bailey’s fairly constant company. With nine days to go before school let out, Macy had begun to neglect her homework. Spring fever taken into consideration, Wade still kept a firm hand on both her and Jason, making sure they stayed focused. Not always an easy job for a widowed man.

      All the more reason to reconsider ranching full-time, Wade thought. The Circle D simply took too much away from his kids.

      Focusing on the here and now, he turned his blue roan gelding up the driveway of the white frame farmhouse and let the horse break into a trot. The ground beneath Dakota’s hooves squished, dampened by last night’s rain. Overhead, the leaves on the massive cottonwoods fluttered in the breeze, calling out a lazy invitation for all and anyone to enjoy the dappled patches of sun and shade on the grass below.

      Trent sat sprawled in a chair on the front porch as Wade approached. He wore faded jeans and a T-shirt with what appeared to be a trace of baby vomit down the front of one shoulder. He broke into a wide grin when Wade pulled Dakota to a halt at the foot of the steps.

      “Howdy, neighbor.” Trent moved as though to rise, but Wade motioned him to stay put in the chair.

      “Don’t get up on my account.” He grinned back. “You look tired, hoss. What’s wrong? Are the twins keeping you up nights?”

      Trent swept a hand through his cropped blond hair and nodded. “More like they’re keeping us up round the clock. Austin’s got colic, and Cody cries in sympathy.”

      Wade chuckled. “Better you than me. I’m glad those days are behind me.”

      Trent quirked his mouth. “Yeah, I’d forgotten how this routine goes.” His words were bittersweet, and Wade knew he still missed his little girl, Sarah, who would’ve been nine now, had cancer not taken her young life. But Trent had a new family with Bailey, and seeing his friend so happy did Wade’s heart good.

      “Hey, have you seen Macy?” Wade asked. “I thought she might be up here pestering Bailey.”

      “She stopped by earlier,” Trent said. “I’m not sure, but I think she went up to the ranch.” He indicated the place on the hill above the farmhouse.

      “What’s she doing up there?” Wade asked, glancing toward the dividing fence between the properties.

      “Tess Vega leased the ranch from me. I thought you knew that.”

      “No. I heard she’d taken over Macy’s 4-H group, but I wasn’t aware she was living at your ranch.” Tess’s father owned the local feed store, and Wade had been acquainted with the Vega family in that regard for a number of years now. When Macy’s 4-H leader had married and made plans to move away, Tess had been an ideal replacement. She had connections in the community through working at the feed store and was well acquainted with most of the 4-H kids and their parents, who bought supplies from Lloyd Vega. Plus, she ran a horse sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals, funded by donations. The county agent had been more than happy to accept her when she’d volunteered for the vacated position.

      Trent nodded again. “I leased the house and twenty acres to her for her sanctuary.”

      Wade really hadn’t given much thought about Tess’s non-profit organization—Western Colorado Horse Rescue—until now. But things suddenly clicked at Trent’s comment. Macy loved animals, and Bailey no longer had enough time for her. No wonder his daughter was drawn to Tess Vega.

      Just then the screen door creaked open and Bailey stepped out onto the porch. She closed the door behind her with exaggerated care to mute the squeak. Motherhood had done nothing to diminish her attraction. She might be wearing a loose flannel shirt because her waistline was not quite back to normal, but she looked good. And happy.

      Wade smiled. “Hey, Bailey. How’re the boys? I hope Macy’s not getting in your way too much.”

      Bailey smiled. “Are you kidding? She’s my best helper.” She bent and gave Trent a peck on the cheek. “Next to you, sweetie.” She winked and Trent covered her hand with his as she rested it on his shoulder. “At least, when she’s here she is.” Bailey narrowed her eyes. “Is everything okay, Wade? Macy doesn’t come over as often as she used to.”

      “Yeah. I think she’s just feeling a little ousted by the twins.”

      “Then I’ll have to make sure she knows how much I miss her,” Bailey said. “Want to come in and take a peek at the boys?” She motioned toward the door. “I put them down for a nap, but if you’re quiet you can have a look.” She had the typical proud expression of a new parent, and Wade was moved by her happiness. She and Trent had been through a lot in their pasts. He was truly glad they’d found each other.

      For a brief moment, loneliness squeezed at his heart. God, how he missed Deidra. The five years since her death had passed in a blur. Yet he still had a hard time coping with Mother’s Day, which he’d always tried to make special for her even while she was pregnant with Jason. He shrugged the gloomy feeling aside. He’d learned to live for his children. Mother’s Day had come three days ago, and he’d spent it with Macy and Jason, playing horseshoes, barbecuing hamburgers. Not dwelling on the fact that Deidra was no longer with them.

      “Thanks,” he said in answer to Bailey’s invitation, “but I better go find Macy. She needs to do her homework and finish her chores.”

      “Oh, well, I think she’s up at the ranch,” Bailey said. “With Tess Vega.”

      “Yeah.” He nodded. “Trent mentioned it. Guess I’ll ride on over there and see.”

      “Don’t worry,” Bailey added. “Tess is really a nice person. She loves animals.” She beamed as though this was the best quality someone could have. “But then, I guess you know her from the feed store.”

      “Yeah.” But not well. Funny how a person could do business with someone for years without really delving into her social life. He supposed if Tess was going to be involved with Macy, he’d better make it a point to get to know her better.

      Wade looked around, noting the many pets Bailey had gradually added to her farm, beginning with a stray dog, a half-blind horse and a rogue tomcat. The dog and cat now lay curled at one end of the porch—Buddy, the blue heeler mix, too lazy even to bark; the battle-scarred tomcat content to soak up the comfort of the dog’s sun-warmed fur. In a nearby cage, several rabbits hopped around, nibbling at a handful of alfalfa not far away, and a trio of ducks waddled across the lawn on their way to the children’s wading pool, located in one corner of the yard.

      “I’ll head on over to her,” Wade repeated.

      Another animal lover.

      Another mother figure for Macy to attach herself to.

      Lord have mercy. He didn’t need this at all.

      “ARE YOU SURE your dad wants Amber to come live at the sanctuary?” Tess eyed the little palomino mare that stood with one hip cocked at the hitching post in the driveway. The horse looked well cared for, without a worry in the world. Not her normal rescue case. Why on earth would Wade Darland not allow his daughter to keep her own horse? What kind of father was he?

      She’d seen him around town plenty of times, and often talked