barn. Laura blew out a frustrated breath and followed, slowly counting to ten, then proceeding to twenty, then thirty. By the time she reached it, her tensed muscles relaxed and her resolve to enjoy this outing returned.
“Mom! She’s so cute. Look.” Matthew struggled to hold a squirming black-and-brown puppy against his chest.
“I want to hold her, too.” Joshua tried to take the animal from his twin.
Before there was a tug-of-war with the twenty-pound puppy as the rope, Laura hurried forward. “Put her down. We have plenty of time for everyone to pet and love her.”
“Hey, squirts, there are certain privileges to being the firstborn. One is I get to check her out before you guys.” Sean marched past Laura and waded into the middle of the other three kids gathered around the dog.
Peter moved to her side. “I think she’s a hit.”
“I really had little doubt. My kids love animals. If I let them, we would have a whole houseful.”
“Sorta like me.”
She laughed. “Yep. I’ll use you as an example and tell them when they grow up they can be just like you.” She glanced at him, liking what she saw. He wore blue jeans, a plaid short-sleeved shirt and boots. All he needed to complete the picture of a cowboy was the Stetson she’d imagined him wearing the other day.
He snagged her gaze, his dark eyes bright. “Do you all want the grand tour?”
“I hate to take up too much of your time.”
“I don’t get to show off my ranch nearly enough after all the hard work I’ve put in.”
“Well, in that case, yes.” She swung her gaze to her children. “What do you all think? Do you want the puppy?”
A chorus of “yes” greeted her question.
“Great. Mr. Stone wants to show us around.”
“Can we see the horses?” Alexa picked up the white cat that had followed her into the barn and held her against her chest.
“Sure. Your mom said something to me about how much you like horses. You ought to come out here and ride sometime.”
Alexa’s face split into a huge grin. “Yes! Can I today?”
“Alexa Dawn, you can’t invite—”
“Mom, he said I could.” Her daughter’s gaze skipped to Peter. “I can come whenever you want.”
The laugh lines deepened at the corner of Peter’s eyes. “Tell you what. Why don’t we have a tour then grab something to eat? After lunch you all can ride. That is, if it’s okay with your mom.”
Everyone looked at her. Laura thought about the four loads of laundry that still needed washing, the bathrooms that needed cleaning, the— But she couldn’t say no when she peered at her oldest child and his usual frown wasn’t in place. Granted he wasn’t smiling, either, but his expression actually appeared almost pleasant for a change.
“You don’t have to fix us lunch,” she finally answered.
“It’s turning out to be a gorgeous day, and for March we take every one we can get. I have some hot dogs. It would be fun to put them on the grill and eat on the patio. If it will make you feel better, you can help me throw something together.”
“If you’re sure, then I guess so—”
The shouts of joy that permeated the barn produced a laugh in Peter. “I’m sure. C’mon.” His hand slipped casually to the small of her back as he indicated a stall and started toward it. “Our first stop is the mare who just gave birth two nights ago.”
His light touch radiated warmth, reminding Laura of his effect on her. Surprise kept her by his side for a few seconds before she sidestepped away and turned back toward her oldest son.
“A foal!” Alexa rushed to keep up with Peter, Matthew and Joshua, right on their heels as they headed to the last stall in the barn.
Laura came to Sean’s side. He stroked the puppy while he remained kneeling next to the animal. “Coming, honey?”
He shook his head. “Horses are Alexa’s thing. I’m staying here with Lady.”
“Lady?”
“Yep, I’ve decided that’s her name.” He turned his face up toward her,