***
“Hi,” Lucas hurried over to the little boy sitting at the table with Michelle Ballard. “I’m Lucas.”
“Kadence,” the boy replied. “Nice hat.”
Rainy grinned at the boys’ awkward introductions, but she had learned to just let things happen on their own.
“You look like you could use some coffee,” Michelle smiled pushing her dark curls over a shoulder. “I’ll watch them for a bit while you get your breakfast.” She smiled watching Lucas climb up onto the bench seat across from Kadence.
“Thanks,” Rainy didn’t hesitate but hurried to find food for both her and her son. Coffee would go a long way to lifting her eyelids.
Looking around the beautiful, western-themed dining area, Rainy soaked in some of the ambiance of the space. The coffee pot and drink dispensers were modern, but the feel of the place was old, settled, and welcoming.
Drawing a large mug of coffee, Rainy grinned. Before Lucas and her online college career, she had hated coffee. Now, it felt like her life’s blood. Taking a sip, she leaned against the counter taking in the people at various stages of breakfast.
Unlike other meals, breakfast was served a la carte and folks could get whatever they wanted from a Hotbar or cold cereal dispensers. At the far end of the room a group of cowboys, presumably wranglers from the ranch, sat devouring large plates of the fine fare.
Rainy took another sip of her hot brew as her eyes swept the trim figures, wide shoulders, and straight backs of the majority of the younger men. They were good-looking specimens, and she forced her eyes away. Yes, she was still a young woman, but she wasn’t looking for love. She knew that no one would ever love her Lucas the way she did, and she would give anything to ensure that the boy didn’t have men swinging in and out of his life.
Turning, Rainy walked back to the table, placing her cup down and checking on her son, before going back to collect two plates.
“They’re getting along well,” Michelle said once Rainy had settled at the table again.
“I think they are having an unofficial eating contest right now though.” Rainy’s smile was bright, though she felt awkward around Michelle. She knew that sooner or later, the questions would start, and she didn’t have all the answers.
“How long are you staying at the ranch?” the other woman asked. “Maybe we can arrange a real play date at my place.”
“Really?” Rainy was shocked at the offer. After all, she was only a guest at the ranch.
“Sure, children don’t care about all the business stuff. They just know who they like and these two seem to be getting along well.”
Together both women turned to watch their boys chatting and getting to know each other. Lucas was full of questions about horses, and Kadence seemed confident to tell him all he knew. He was very seriously explaining how to give a horse, or mule, a carrot which made Rainy laugh.
“Kade is big on teaching his son about everything on the ranch. Even at four, the boy is picking things up as he grows. To be honest, sometimes it scares me. I’ve always been a little afraid of horses.”
“You’re kidding?” Rainy’s shock was evident in her voice.
“Nope, I’ve learned a lot living here, and Kade is great at helping me with everything.” The petite woman chuckled. “My favorite thing is to drive the pony cart. We only have one pony that drives, but Dandy is steady and likes to move out if he’s given a chance. The new ponies are all for little guys like these two.”
“How do I sign up for Lucas to get a pony ride?” Rainy asked. She would look into it first thing and pay for it out of her pocket.
“Just head over to the front desk and book a time. There are different things you can do; lessons, a lead ride, and a turn around the carousel, which is just a big circle with the ponies tied to a machine. They only do that a couple of times a day though. Kade said they don’t like to overwork the ponies, but like to keep them in shape at the same time. He thinks little critters get fat on air.”
“Rainy!” Anne walked into the room, a bright smile on her perfectly made-up face. “I see you’re up already.” The tall blonde waved as she made her way toward food then headed to the table. “Hi, I’m Anne.” She sat her tray on the table and looked up curiously at Michelle.
“Michelle Ballard, I brought Kadence over for breakfast, so he could meet Lucas today.”
“Sweet!” Anne enthused as Rainy repressed a groan.
Anne Evans had never met a stranger, and her enthusiasm for living was charming if sometimes exhausting.
“So what are we doing today?” Rainy’s oldest friend asked.
“Michelle was just telling me about the pony rides,” Rainy spoke. “I thought I’d sign Lucas up for whatever’s available.”
“I don’t ride ponies,” Kadence innocent voice echoed across the table. “My dad lets me ride with him, and I can even ride on the mules if I want to.”
“Yes,” Michelle chided, “but only if your father is with you. Don’t be putting ideas into Lucas’s head. He hasn’t been around horses.”
“Maybe your dad can take you for a ride with me,” Kadence bright suggestion made Rainy cringe.
“I don’t have a dad,” Lucas said. “But maybe I can get Poppa to go.”
“Why don’t you have a dad?” Kadence asked pushing his empty plate away.
“Kadence, it’s time for us to go.” Michelle flicked her eyes from her son to Rainy’s strained face. “We’ll make a play date with Lucas later this week, but for now, I have to get to work, and your sister has been with Phil long enough.”
“Ah Ma,” the boy drawled, climbing down from his bench.
“I’m taking a half-day from the print shop tomorrow,” Michelle looked up at Rainy as she wiped her son’s face. “Why don’t you bring
