Becky sighed when she saw him. How anyone could be that handsome and still single was beyond her. It wasn’t as if he had any personality flaws, either. He was an impossibly good-looking, intelligent, and funny person who had a soft spot for his family and abandoned animals. He was, in one word, perfect.
Mary already had her seatbelt off before Becky opened the back door. “Remember what I said about staying close.”
“I will.”
“I’m glad you didn’t get lost,” Sean said with a smile.
“Your directions were easy to follow.” It had been a rough few days and just being around him made Becky’s heart feel lighter. She really needed to get a grip on her emotions before she said or did something she would regret.
“Becky wrote down the way.” Mary’s eyes were as round as saucers. “We saw some big cows and two horses. Becky said I have to stay close to you in case I get hurt.”
Sean held out his hand. “In that case, we’d better do what Becky said. Would you like to see the animals now?”
Mary held onto Sean’s hand. “Yes, please. Becky said we could get a kitten soon, but we need to buy some proper food and blankets for it. Do you have any kittens?”
“Not at the moment, but we have plenty of cats. They live in the loft.”
“You have a loft? Tommy says his grandma’s cats live in their loft, too. Can I see your cats?”
“We’ll see if they’ll come down and say hello.”
As Mary asked Sean about the other animals on the ranch, Becky followed them toward the barn. It was incredibly high, stretching far above them into the bright blue sky. If you ignored the red walls and white trim, it was similar to the barn where Matthew and Ashley were having their reception.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Sean said as he stopped in front of the doors. “We thought of having the wedding here, but Ashley visits all the time. She’d realized something was happening if we moved the animals and cleared everything away. Come inside and I’ll show you what I mean.”
Stepping inside the barn was like visiting Noah’s Ark. Wooden stalls lined one wall and small pens ran along the other. Each enclosure was filled with at least two animals.
Mary’s mouth dropped open. “Are all these animals yours?”
“My sister works at an animal shelter. These animals were rescued from people who couldn’t look after them.”
Mary stood in front of a pen. “Even your goats?”
“Even them. The mommy goat is called Henrietta. She’s been living with us for about three years. She eats everything in sight, so don’t get too close. Otherwise, she might eat your pretty sun hat.”
Mary’s hands landed on her head. “Would it hurt her tummy?”
“I don’t think so.” Sean picked up a brown paper bag. “I put some kibble in here for you. All the animals will enjoy it.”
Mary bit her bottom lip. “Henrietta and her babies might be sad if they don’t get any. Can I feed them if I give Becky my hat?”
Sean’s eyes filled with laughter. “You sound just like my sister. Henrietta will be your friend for life if you give her some food.”
As quick as a wink, Mary handed her hat to Becky and waited while Sean opened the bag of kibble. After Henrietta and her kids enjoyed a handful of food, Sean and Mary moved to the next pen. With her eyes wide open and a smile never far from her face, Mary enjoyed every moment.
Watching the friendship between Sean and the small six-year-old beside him was bittersweet. If Edith had her way, Mary would move to Milwaukee to live with her. Jamie and Sophia had done everything in their power to make sure that didn’t happen, but it could all be for nothing.
Becky thought involving Edith in Mary’s life would bring her comfort, but she was terribly wrong. All it had done was make her even more determined to change who Mary lived with.
“Is everything all right?”
She looked into Sean’s eyes and could have wept. He would understand how devastating it would be to lose Mary, but what could she do? “I’ll be fine.”
His eyebrows rose.
Becky knew he didn’t believe her, but she couldn’t tell him about the letter she’d received from Edith, not with Mary standing a few feet away. “I’m tired, that’s all.”
“I don’t know much about flower arranging but, if the wedding has put you behind with your other work, I’m happy to help.”
