She didn't wait for an answer. Molly swung herself out of the saddle mid-gallop, hit the ground running, andlaunchedherself at Gideon like she'd been waiting ten years just to tackle him.
He caught her, staggering back with a laugh. "Easy, Molls. You'll break my ribs."
"Serves you right for disappearing across the ocean!" She slapped the back of his head affectionately. "We heard rumors you were coming home, but you didn't send word. You could've at least?—"
Her words cut off when she noticed me, then the children peeking from behind my skirt. "Oh!" she said, blinking. "Who's…?"
Before I could speak, another voice joined us. "Well, I'll be damned."
The second rider dismounted smoothly, tall, broad-shouldered, weathered like the mountains themselves. Gray threaded his dark hair, and his eyes were the same warm amber as Gideon's. The resemblance was unmistakable; this had to be his father.
"Hank," Maggie said with a smile, "this is Inga."
He looked me up and down, not in judgment, but in appraisal, the careful assessment of a man who'd lived long enough to recognize truth when he saw it. He stepped forward and pulled me into a strong, warm hug. "Welcome to the family, darlin'," his deep voice rumbled in his chest. "You've brought my boy home. Can't ever thank you enough for that."
I choked up instantly. When he stepped back, he turned to the children. "And who're these young'uns?"
"This is my brother Klaus," I said, guiding him forward, "and Axel and Hilde. They're?—"
"Family," Gideon finished firmly. "All of them."
Hank nodded as if that settled everything in the world. He knelt down to their level. "Well, now. Look at you fine little folks."
He shook Axel's hand solemnly, then Klaus's, and hugged Hilde when she reached for him with surprising boldness. Hilde clung to him like she'd known him forever. Hank's eyes softened. "A granddaughter," he murmured, voice thick. "Imagine that."
He looked up at Molly, "Looks like you got competition now, Molly. Maybe I'll have better luck teachin' this one not to break horses before breakfast."
"Fat chance, old man," Molly said, elbowing him.
"Hi sis," she turned to me with a wide, mischievous smile. "I'm sorry you're going to have to put up with him for the rest of your life, but I'm sure glad to have a sister now."
I laughed loudly; I couldn't help it. The love I felt from these people surrounded me like a cloak, and I instantly knew Molly and I would get along; she had too much Gideon in her for us not to.
Molly turned, eyes sparkling at Klaus. "You ever been on a horse before?"
He froze, and a small gasp escaped him, a joyful, magical sound. My eyes stung from threatening tears.
Gideon's hand found mine instantly, steadying me before the tears could fall. Molly didn't wait for permission. She scooped Klaus up as if he weighed nothing, swung him in front of her onto the saddle, and mounted in one fluid motion.
"We'll take turns!" she announced to Axel and Hilde. "Hang on, kiddo!"
And then she galloped off. Fast. Fearlessly. Laughing.
Klaus's whoop—half terror, half pure delight—rang across the entire ranch.
He came back flushed, breathless, shouting in German so quickly I barely kept up. "Es war unglaublich! Der Himmel war überall und—und—das Pferd! Ich will ein Cowboy sein! Ein richtiger Cowboy!"
I translated breathlessly as he poured out his excitement.
"He says it was incredible. That he wants to be a cowboy. A real cowboy."
Hank let out a booming laugh. "Well now," he said, planting his hands on his hips, "first thing we'll have to do is teach him proper English. Horses around here don't understand German." He winked. "And neither does your old grandpa."
Klaus froze. His mouth dropped open. "Grandpa?" he echoed in German-accented English.
Hank grinned and opened his arms. "If you'll have me."
Klaus launched into him like he'd been waiting his whole life for the word. And Hank held him tight, eyes glistening. I covered my mouth to hide a sob.
