“You’re welcome, Emma. Great job today. Come back and see Firefly soon, okay?”
“Okay!”
The family traipsed hand in hand around the pen and up the grassy slope that led to the barn. What a nice young family. What a blessing it would be to have them in her life.
Fifteen
Lisa Robinson swept Charlotte into a hug as if she were a long-lost friend. “Come in, come in. I’m so excited to talk about your business and how we can help you get some good exposure.” With her short blonde ponytail and simple makeup, Lisa didn’t look old enough to have a son Gavin’s age. That she was a grandma two times over seemed impossible.
Charlotte wanted to forget Lisa was Gavin and Cooper’s mom, but her nerves wouldn’t let her. There was something so warm about her. Charlotte wanted the woman to like her.
A dimple punctuated Lisa’s left cheek as she ushered Charlotte into her homey living room. She gestured toward a plate on the coffee table. “I hope you like chocolate chip cookies.”
“Does anyonenotlike chocolate chip cookies?”
Lisa gave her a sideways hug. “I knew I was gonna like you. Have a seat and help yourself. I can’t wait to get started. Gavin has such nice things to say about you and your ranch. I think he’s really enjoying working out there on your property.”
“He’s doing an amazing job. I couldn’t be happier with thenew stable. Everybody told me what a hassle building would be, but he and Wes have made it a breeze.”
“Doesn’t surprise me a bit.”
Charlotte bit into a cookie. “Mmm. Still warm. These are heaven.”
“I’d like to say it’s an old family recipe, but I found it online and now my kids ask for it all the time.”
“I can see why. Maybe you could send me the recipe if you don’t mind sharing.”
“Of course! Do you like to bake?”
“Actually, I was planning to pass it on to my sister so she could bake them for me. I’ve got my hands pretty full with the ranch right now.”
“I guess you do. Tell me about your expansion.”
Charlotte explained about hiring Gunner and all she hoped to accomplish with the training program. She talked about the trail rides for tourists and how that part of the growth was already underway.
“And you work at the Trailhead too? How do you keep up with it all?”
“I’m really hoping the expansion will allow me to focus solely on the ranch. But I need some exposure to make that happen.”
“And exposure is exactly what we’re gonna get you. I’ve thought of a few options beyond just the booth. How about offering pony rides for the kids? I’ll bet that would be popular. You could hand out brochures to the parents. Or you could offer a training demonstration of some kind.” Lisa chuckled. “I have no idea what that would look like as I have zero experience with horses, but maybe you have some thoughts.”
Charlotte found herself relaxing as the two of them tossedideas around. Periodically she glanced around the room, spotting photos of Gavin and Cooper at various ages. There was one of Gavin and the family on the day he graduated high school. A young Laurel was smiling at his side in that photo. A picture on the mantel featured a shirtless Cooper in his early teenage years, holding a big fish. Avery photobombed him with a cheesy grin and crossed eyes.
What would it have been like growing up in this family? Charlotte’s dad had been gone so much. And even when he was home, things were never great between Mom and him. If her mother had told the truth years ago, would Lisa and Jeff have welcomed her into their fold?
Guilt pricked hard. Charlotte had had great parents and a sister she adored. How could she wish for anything more?
Giving her head a hard shake, she turned her attention back to Lisa, and after a while they settled on a plan. Charlotte would have a booth—hopefully operated by her sister. And she and Gunner would run an exhibition twice a day, much like the one they’d do for the grand opening. Because it was an actual event that would draw a crowd, Lisa insisted the exhibition wouldn’t cost anything. Charlotte decided to save the pony rides for when they actually offered lessons.
She was finishing the paperwork when Jeff Robinson peeked into the room. “Honey, just letting you know I’m firing up the grill.”
“Is it that time already? Sweetheart, come meet Charlotte. Gavin and Wes are building a barn on her ranch.”
“The Stables at Wildflower Falls. I’ve heard all about it.”
“Right.” Charlotte stood and shook the man’s hand when he neared. He appeared to have had blond hair once upon atime, but it had grayed and receded a bit. He had wide-set green eyes like his daughter, Avery. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Emma couldn’t stop talking about riding your horse yesterday.”
