Her Hill Country Cowboy. Myra Johnson

      Marie scanned her notes on a clipboard. “That about covers it. Ready for some lunch?”

      “Starved!” Christina tucked away her notebook, already overflowing with the lists and reminders she relied upon daily, and fell in step with her employer on the path to the house. “I’m planning on picking up some groceries this afternoon, though.”

      “No hurry. You’re welcome at our table anytime.”

      “Thanks, but...” Christina’s voice faded as she caught sight of Seth leading a horse out of the barn. He moved with the same easy grace she’d observed yesterday when he’d carried the turtle across the road.

      “Oh, good, Seth’s back.” Marie climbed the porch steps and yanked the cord of a big iron bell hanging from the eaves. The sharp clang made both Christina and Gracie jump. “Sorry,” Marie said with a chuckle. “Better get used to the sound of the dinner bell.”

      Seth glanced their way and waved, but when he met Christina’s gaze, his smile stiffened and he abruptly turned away.

      Following Marie inside, Christina said, “Maybe I should just take a sandwich back to my cabin.”

      “Nonsense. We’re still getting acquainted.” Marie pointed through a door off the kitchen. “Powder room’s that way. Go wash up, and then you can help set the table.”

      Clearly, no one argued with Marie Peterson. Besides, it was refreshing not to be pampered.

      Hands washed, Christina returned to the kitchen with Gracie ambling alongside. Christina didn’t see Marie anywhere, but Seth stood at the counter, a jar of mayonnaise in one hand and a knife in the other.

      A scuffling sound to Christina’s right alerted her to Seth’s little girl clambering up the farthest barstool. Stark terror widened Eva’s eyes as she stared at Gracie. “Daddy, the doggy’s in here!”

      The look Seth shot Christina cut deeper than a knife ever could. “I told you to keep your dog away from my kids.”

      “I—I’m sorry.” Hands trembling, she groped for Gracie’s collar, prepared to make a hasty exit.

      Gracie had different ideas. The dog plopped down on her haunches and refused to budge.

      “Come on, girl. Let’s go outside, okay?” Christina flicked a nervous glance at Seth.

      He smirked. “I thought service dogs were supposed to be well trained.”

      “She is. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

      Now the dog lay sprawled across the tile floor at the end of the bar. Her mouth opened wide in a yawn, then she rested her chin on her paws and her eyes drifted shut.

      “Gracie! What are you doing?” Christina knelt and lifted the dog’s head. “Are you okay?”

      Gracie responded by swiping her tongue across Christina’s nose. Nothing in those bright eyes suggested illness. In fact, Christina had the sudden suspicion that Gracie knew exactly what she was doing.

      From the far side of the room came a tiny voice: “Daddy, is the doggy sick?”

      “Not sure, sweetie.” Two scuffed boot toes appeared at Christina’s left. “What’s going on with your dog?”

      “I don’t know. She’s never acted like this before.” Sitting on her heels, Christina looked up with a helpless shrug.

      Marie returned through the door leading to the reception area. “Oh my, is your dog hurt?”

      Just as quickly as she’d lain down, Gracie scrambled to her feet. Tail wagging, she trotted over and licked Marie’s hand.

      Eva whimpered. “Omi, don’t let it bite you!”

      “Oh, she’s fine, honey.” Marie gave the dog a scratch behind the ears. “Hey there, sweet thing. Are we friends now?”

      Pushing up from the floor, Christina edged away from Seth, who looked ready to charge to his little girl’s defense. But Eva’s expression, though still fearful, now held a glimmer of curiosity.

      Social worker instincts kicking in, Christina saw an opportunity. “Eva, I think Gracie may be a little bit scared, too.”

      The child’s lower lip trembled. “Why?”

      “Well, we’re both new here, and we both want very much to fit in. She’d be very sad if she thought you didn’t like her.” Christina scooted one of the barstools closer to Eva’s and climbed on so that they were both looking toward Gracie. The dog now sat quietly at Marie’s feet.

      Marie cast Christina a knowing smile as she knelt and continued stroking Gracie’s head. “We like you just fine, Gracie, so don’t be scared. You’re a good dog, aren’t you?”

      “But she’s so big.” Eva’s hand crept into Christina’s, and her voice fell to a quavering whisper. “I’m scared of big dogs.”

      Such great fear in such a little girl—it broke Christina’s heart. Eva reminded her so much of another little girl, a child who had good reason to be terrified of her abusive father. A child Christina had tried so hard to protect.

      And nearly failed.

      The blast of a horn. Screeching brakes. The explosive crunch of metal against metal.

      As calmly as she could, Christina slid off the barstool and prayed her legs would hold her. “Gracie, let’s go.” This time, her tone left no room for the dog’s disobedience. “Please excuse me. I—I’ll get something to eat later.”

      Before anyone could stop her, she bolted for the back door and hoped she’d make it to her cabin before she completely fell apart.

      * * *

      The look on Christina’s face as she barged out brought a twinge of guilt to Seth’s gut. Why he should feel guilty he had no clue. Everything he did was for the sake of his kids, and if this new housekeeper couldn’t see how her dog terrified his daughter, then it was her problem, not his.

      Opi and Joseph came in shortly afterward, oblivious to the previous goings-on. Omi took over the sandwich fixings, and a few minutes later they sat down for lunch. Though no one talked much while they ate, the disgruntled frowns Omi flashed Seth’s way left little doubt as to the direction of her thoughts.

      Later, with Eva down for a nap and Joseph stretched out on the family room sofa with a favorite book on his e-reader, Omi informed Seth she needed to talk over some business matters with him in the office.

      He didn’t need his imagination to guess what “business” his grandmother had in mind.

      “Sit down, son.” She motioned toward one of two leather barrel chairs in front of the massive mahogany desk. Seth obeyed, and she took the chair opposite his.

      He drummed his fingers on his thighs. “If this is about Christina—”

      “Actually, it’s about you. Your attitude isn’t cutting it, mister. I won’t tolerate you being rude to that sweet girl.”

      “Omi—”

      She silenced him with an upraised hand. “You think I didn’t notice those ice-dagger glances you were shooting her way? You’ve got to give Christina a chance, son. You know what the Bible says about judging people.”

      “‘For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ Yeah, I know. You’ve quoted the verse so many times I know it by heart.”

      “Then heed it.” Omi sat forward, her gaze earnest. “Seth, honey, I know full well the pain you’ve suffered. But you don’t have a corner on suffering. Grant Christina the benefit of the doubt and stop giving her such a hard time.”

      Okay, so he’d been a little tough on the woman, but only because of the dog she couldn’t seem to go anywhere without.