***
Charlotte’s nerves began to fray as Gavin’s truck rolled up her driveway on Saturday morning. She tucked in her shirt and slipped into the barn to retrieve Firefly.
Gunner joined her as she pulled the pony from the stall. “I hope I wasn’t out of line telling Gavin he could bring his daughter over.”
“’Course not. I just get so nervous every time I’m with one of the Robinsons.”
“Nerves are perfectly understandable. This is good, though, right? You’re getting to know them just like you wanted.”
“I’ve been wanting to meet my niece and nephew. Cooper has a baby boy I’ve never met. I’ve never had nieces and nephews, and now I have two with another one on the way.”
“Relax. You’re great with kids. I’ve seen you on the trail rides, remember?”
She walked Firefly out to the yard just as the Denali came to a stop outside the barn. As soon as the door opened, Emma’s excited chatter carried across the yard.
“Look at the horsey, Mom! Can I pet them? Can I ride them?”
“We’ll see, angel.”
When Gavin and Laurel approached, the adults greeted one another, and Gavin introduced his wife and daughter.
Charlotte shook Laurel’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard good things about your orchard. I’m a big fan of apples—especially when they’re baked into pies.”
“I knew I’d like you. You’ll have to come over this fall and pick a bag.” Her gaze swept over the property. “What a great ranch. How many horses do you have?”
“Just six but we also board several, and we’ve kind of adopted that guy.” She pointed to Midnight, now turned out and grazing by himself. Charlotte knelt to Emma’s level. The girl had beautiful blonde curls and light-green eyes. “You’re being very patient, Emma. Would you like to come meet Firefly?”
“Can I pet her?”
“Of course.”
Gavin swooped the girl into his arms, and Charlotte led them over to the chestnut mare. “Put your hand out like this and let her smell you. That’s how horses say hello.”
Emma did as she asked, then jerked her hand away, laughing. “Her nose is wet.” She extended her hand again.
“That’s right. It’s wet and soft.”
“She’s breathing on me.”
“She likes you,” Gavin said.
Charlotte stroked the horse’s muzzle. “She does. See how her ears are turned toward you so she can hear you better? Horses can turn their ears all around just like you.”
Emma scrunched up her face. “I can’t turn my ears around!”
“You can’t?” Charlotte smiled. “Oh, okay, I guess it’s just horses who do that.”
“She’s probably smelling bacon on your fingers,” Laurel said.
“Or syrup,” Emma added. “She’s wagging her tail just like Sunny!”
Charlotte chuckled. “It does look like she’s wagging her tail. But she’s actually just swatting at that fly. Don’t you use your tail to swat at flies?”
“I don’t have a tail! I’m a little girl.”
“Oh, gosh, I’m getting it all confused.”
“You’re silly.” Emma touched Firefly’s muzzle. “She likes it when I pet her.”
