Sawyer skids to a stop in front of Hank, her auburn hair in two rows of Dutch braids. “Grandpa?”
Hank stops rocking. “Yes, my girl?”
While she bargains with her grandpa to lead her around on a horse, his little namesake runs to them. Hank Jr. skids to a stop next to his sister and waits for an answer. Killian, Autumn and Gideon’s foster son, hangs in the back, trying not to look excited about riding a horse. The fourteen-year-old has been with them for four years, and he’s really opened up. The adoption is nearly complete. We’ll have another party then.
Their grandpa gives them the most indulgent chuckle and looks back at me. “Mind if I saddle Tenpin and take these kids for a spin?”
“Knock yourself out.” If he thinks he’s going to get away with only leading his grandkids around, he’s mistaken. But knowing Hank, he’s planning to lead kids around for the next two hours.
Summer and Jonah’s oldest, Eliott, watches them. He scowls just like his dad, but he lights up like Summer when he’s excited about something. And he’s the best older brother to his little sister, Mae.
Eliott looks around for his parents. Summer’s already watching and she nods. Eliott grins and darts away.
“Three, two, one,” I say to myself.
“Dad!” Elsa shouts to Myles, who’s already following Hank with his youngest, Devon.
There it is. I smile.
Wynter walks past me. “It’s going to be a horse parade, Mama.”
I chuckle. “Often turns into one.” Now that the grandkids are older, we can do more than hopscotch.
Junie puts her hands to her mouth. “Horse parade!”
Junie’s stepdaughters are both home from their latest photography trip with their mom. In the fall, they’ll both be out of the nest. Bethany will return to college, and Hannah will head into her freshman year.
Emma is going to have a hard time seeing her big sisters leave, but her little brother, Jonathon, will keep her busy.
Emma and Jonathon run to follow the group. Gideon and Autumn break away from chatting with Rhys to go with them. Rhys’s gaze goes right to Junie. That guy has the same look he’s always had when it comes to Junie. The first day she brought him home, I knew they would be forever. They made me worry for years first.
“Wanna ride?” Teller asks Madison. He’s gotten her on horseback again and they’ve ridden enough over the years that she’s finally able to enjoy herself. I didn’t have to ask if her parents had ruined the activity for her. They were tough people, and Madison’s a tough girl, but she didn’t turn out hard like them.
Madison grabs the twins and they follow the group.
Gabriel sprints to his dad. Tenor pushes up his glasses and swoops Gabriel onto his shoulders. Gabriel already has glasses. He’s on his third pair, taking after his rambunctious uncles more than his mellow parents.
“You coming today?” Ruby asks.
I watch the rest of the group walk to the barn. Hank’s already inside, passing out saddles, blankets, and lead ropes. Myles has the oats bucket. London and Phoenix fall in line behind Teller and Madison.
I can see most of the pasture from here. The horses hear the commotion. A few are already coming for their treats. The others are putting distance between them, but they’ll fall for the bribes. Eventually.
I smile at Ruby. “I’m going to enjoy the show. The best money can buy.”
She laughs and starts after Tenor, who’s stopped to wait for her.
“Come on, Mama!” Gabriel shouts and Ruby starts jogging.
I rock in my chair. Two shadows tower over me.
Cruz squats down. “You aren’t out riding, Mae?”
I don’t get on a horse too much these days. “Maybe later. How’s Huckleberry Springs?”
Myles has finally pinpointed the area where he wants to start his second distillery. Now he has to secure it. And when he does, Lane and Cruz will run it.
“I don’t know.” Cruz puts a knee on the cement. “Myles is tracking down the oldest Hennessy.”
