“It occurred to us,” Brandon continued, “that there might be landmines you’re aware of, and if so, we’d be grateful to know about them.”
Trace read Shar’s nod and smile for an acknowledgment that she understood he and Brandon were putting Libby’s needs, in this situation, first.
“Honesty is crucial with Libby,” Shar said. “And boundaries need to be, too. Those sound like opposing concepts, but they’re not. Libby is an old soul in a teen’s body. She still has things she’s not finished working through.” Shar paused and looked at them each in turn. “Father issues top that list, and I think the two of you being present in her life might actually help. She needs good, strong male role models.”
That was pretty much what he and Brandon had suspected. “So we’ll respect her intelligence and her maturity, but remember that in our relationship with her, we’re the adults.”
“Exactly. Her father deserted her—I’m assuming you knew that—when she was diagnosed with cancer. That is as bad a betrayal by a parent as any you could possibly imagine.” Shar once more looked at them in turn. “So if you make a promise to her, you be damn sure you keep it.”
Trace looked at Brandon. There’d been no surprises so far in what Shar had to say, because everything she’d said meshed with the discussions that they’d had with each other and with Rachel.
Shar’s suggestions were exactly how they’d discussed moving forward.
“We don’t expect a smooth road,” Trace said. “We’ve known that from the moment Grandma Kate introduced us to Rachel and then told us afterwards that she and her daughter had had a difficult couple of years. We’ve thought about this and discussed it. What we feel for her is more than just attraction. We simply can’t walk away from her.”
Jesse grinned. “I know exactly what you mean.”
Jesse and Shar shared a look, one filled with mutual emotion, and Trace knew the bond between those two was solid.
“Truth is,” Brandon said, “we know both Rachel and Libby are worth any effort—every effort.”
“Excellent.” Shar’s smile spread wide. “Until you said that, I was a bit worried. But if Grandma Kate introduced the two of you to Rachel, and then spoke to you about them, then that’s good enough for me. I happen to know the woman doesn’t play matchmaker. She just introduces people to each other and leaves whatever happens—or doesn’t happen—up to them.”
Trace grinned. “We figure Kate Benedict has decades more people knowledge than the two of us put together.”
“Bottom line? Rachel is already ours. We hope she’ll come to that conclusion, too. She knows we volunteer here, and we spoke about meeting Libby. She’d rather we develop our own relationships with her.”
“Well then, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for y’all. And I’ll let you get started on your day, here.”
* * * *
He and Brandon parted ways at the barn after a quick meeting with Ernie. While his buddy went with the ranch manager to begin with his first student, Trace headed toward the horses, a clipboard that held a list of the animals slated to be ridden that day in hand.
As soon as he stepped into the stable area, Trace saw he wasn’t alone. One horse was being groomed in the wide area between the stalls at the far end, close to the door to the exercise ring. Of course, he recognized both human and equine. He headed toward them.
“You must be one of the new guys.”
The voice, a combination of child/woman, drew a smile to Trace’s lips. Though she was occupied brushing Sugar, her gaze was on him.
Without the helmet, Libby’s cap of light brown hair was visible. Trace could see he’d been right, not just about the length of her hair but also about the lack of a styled cut.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m Trace Langley.” He held out his arm and waited while Libby transferred the brush she was using to her left hand, wiped her right one on her jeans, and then shook.
“Libby Cosgrove. I’m kind of new, too, at least as a stable hand.”
“But you know all the horses and can introduce me to them.”
“Sure, I can do that. I just have to finish up with Sugar, here, first.”
At the mention of her name, the horse sent Trace what he would have sworn was a coquettish look. Then Sugar gave a soft nicker.
“This sweetheart and I have met,” Trace said. Unable to resist the invitation, he reached forward and stroked Sugar’s neck.
Libby chuckled. “She does the same thing whenever any man comes by. Shar says she’s a born flirt.”
Trace watched the way Libby set the brush up then took the pick and checked Sugar’s hooves.
“There shouldn’t be a problem here, because I didn’t have her outside the ring, but I always check the hooves.”
“That’s a good habit to have formed,” Trace said. People unfamiliar with horses sometimes didn’t realize how easily a shod horse could pick up a pebble and how dangerous that could be.
“Shar said you’re one of two new volunteers here. So, what do you do for a living? I haven’t seen you around before. Are you new to town? Are you married?”
Trace grinned. “In order, then. Yes, I’m a volunteer here, I’m a fireman, I’ve come home to Lusty, and no.”
Libby met his grin. She shrugged. “I don’t believe in wasting time. You never know how much of it you’re going to have.”
An old soul, indeed. “I can tell you my life story, if you like?”
“That would be good. The other new guy, is he a friend of yours?”
“He is, yes. In fact, he’s my best friend. We share a house over by the school, because he’s a Marine, currently assigned as an instructor at Goodfellow AFB, but he’s home on the weekends.”
“Are you guys, like, a couple?”
“No, ma’am. We’re just best friends.”
Libby’s eyes lit up at that. “So, he’s sort of like a brother, then?” Then she blinked, and it
