“Basically told him the same thing. He can posture all he wants to and being a lawyer he probably will. It’s in his nature anyway. Always was a bit of a prude and hasn’t changed as he’s aged.”
“I’m not sure if it’s that or the way he looked at me like I was something peel away the layers to discover what’s underneath. Anyway, thanks for saving me when I needed it.”
“No problem. Now I’d better introduce you to my father and be warned, you might have to pay for that rescue by listening to him try and convince you a woman living alone should have a dog.” He put his hand on her back and guided her toward the group of men around the barbeque. “Not sure I don’t agree with him either. Just so you know, you won’t get any help from me.”
She glanced at him, surprised at his words but before she could respond, Jake introduced her to the men gossiping and finally his father. “Ryder, this is Flynn Roberts, my father. Dad, Ryder Quinn, and that little spark of life over there is her daughter Ebony.”
“I can see where you got the name from. Hair that black could be nothing else.” He held out his hand. “My pleasure to meet you, Ryder. Hear tell you’re fitting in well in your new job. You liking being back home?” They walked a little way from the barbeque and stood under the shade of a large jacaranda tree, its flowers making a carpet of purple on the lawn.
“Not sure I remember it as being home, Mr. Roberts, but I’m certainly enjoying being here.”
“Call me Flynn, please. You must come over for dinner one night. Bring Ebony and show her the farm. We’ve got some orphan lambs at the moment. kKids love doing the bottle feeding.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m sure she’d like that. Eb is such an animal person. I watched her this morning talking to the mother cat while she ate. Now all she has to do is tempt two of the most gorgeous kittens I’ve seen down to join her. If I’m not careful, we’ll be overrun with her menagerie.”
“Hear you inherited the old mare too.” Flynn seemed to warm to her and she was happy to stay where she was talking to the Roberts men. They made her feel safe and at ease, a far cry from her own family.
“Yes I did. Poor thing could hardly walk with her hooves so damned long. I had them trimmed up and it took a bit of time but she seems happier now. Walking out to the far reach of her paddock and putting on weight.”
“You got tack gear for her, saddle that kind of thing?”
“No, not yet.”
“We have plenty at home never gets used. Why don’t you come out tomorrow and pick some up? Have a look at the pups while you’re there?”
“Oh, I can’t impose on you like that.” Ryder watched Alice Roberts saunter over and knew for certain things were going to get out of control. Jake’s mother had a gleam in her eyes that could only mean serious business.
“Yes, you can, Ryder. We’d love to have you over and Jake will tell you, the stables are full of old saddles that never get used. Flynn has a fear of letting anything go in case we need it one day. Guessing you need it and we have it, so please say yes.” She tucked her arm through Jake’s and smiled. “Jake can pick you up and bring you out around lunch time. What do you say, son?”
He grinned and raised his eyes. The told you so hung in the air between them and Ryder had no choice but to go along with their plans. “Thank you. I appreciate it very much, but Jake doesn’t have to pick me up. I’ll meet you there if you give me directions.”
“I’ll write it down for you before you leave this afternoon with my phone number in case you get lost.” He took a sip of beer and suddenly looked at her hands. “You don’t have a drink. What’ll it be?”
“Can I have a can of soft drink please? I’m not really a drinker when I go out. Prefer to keep my wits about me if I have to drive.”
“Good advice too.” Flynn looked between her and his son. “Don’t know if Jake mentioned it to you, but our Jessie has a litter of pups almost ready to go. Boarder collies they are. Make great pets and guard dogs as well as working dogs. Seeing as you have the little one and live alone, thought you might like one. Be the last litter she’s having because we lost her mate a few weeks back.”
“That’s very kind of you but you know, I’m not sure we’re ready for a dog just yet. What with my hours and everything, seems kind of cruel to keep a dog tied up all day long.”
“Fair call, but I’d still like you to think about it. Nobody dislikes dogs on chains more than I do. Mine always have runs so they have more room. You could have the same. Wouldn’t take much to knock up a dog run anyway if you change your mind.”
By the time Ryder headed for home, the sun had started to dip in the sky casting a soft pink glow over the horizon. She was tired but happy. Apart from the initial feeling of distaste when she met her grandfather, they’d had a great time meeting relatives and locals alike. Ebony made friends with anyone who stood still long enough and now she dozed in her car seat totally exhausted from running around the large back yard at Amy’s house. If her baby girl was happy, Ryder was happy.
She pulled her truck into the driveway beside the
