said. “You’re too young to be around horses without someone older.”
Suddenly, the kid threw her under the bus. “It’s okay. I was with Josie.”
CHAPTER THREE
GARRETT WAS BOTH relieved and surprised to find Brody standing beside Josie. His son didn’t usually approach strangers.
He looked down at the boy. “Son, you know you can’t leave like that.”
Brody stiffened. “I was careful,” he said defensively, but that changed when Vance walked up to the group. “You sure have a lot of horses here.”
“We hope to have a lot more in the spring,” Vance said. “So we can keep selling them to other kids.” He looked at Josie. “Josie. What brings you out here?”
“I came to find Ana.” She looked at the boy and managed to smile. “And found Brody instead.”
That smile quickly died when she turned to Garrett. “Seems you spend a lot of time at the Lazy S. I thought you were busy building a lodge.”
So she was going to stay angry at him. “I am. My foreman has everything under control.” He placed his hands on Brody’s shoulders. “I was taking the morning off to spend with my son. We’re picking out his first horse.”
“I know. We were talking about Sky Rocket.” She sighed. “Look, I should get back to the house to check on Colt. It was nice to meet you, Brody.”
Vance stepped in. “Don’t go yet, Josie, I was going to show Brody the new foal.”
“Yeah, go with us,” Brody pleaded.
Garrett knew it was inevitable he’d see Josie, but today he wanted to focus on his son, not his ex-girlfriend.
He could see her indecision, but she finally relented. “I can stay a few minutes.”
Brody looked at Vance. “Where is it?”
Grinning, Vance pushed his hat back. “Down a few stalls.” They all began walking. Garrett stayed back and let Brody and Josie take the lead, but once they got to the oversize stall, the boy waited, a big grin on his face, until the adults arrived before he got too close. He saw happiness in his child that he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Garrett looked over the railing to find a dark chestnut mare. Close by was her pretty brown filly with four white socks just like her mama.
“Oh, she’s so little,” Brody said as he looked through the stall railings. “How old is she?”
Vance walked up and began to stroke the mare’s nose. “Just two weeks.”
Josie asked Vance, “Do you think the mama will let us pet her?”
Garrett enjoyed seeing the light in her eyes, the excitement in her voice. It had been a long time since he’d seen this carefree side of Josie.
“Sure. Sugar Plum is a sweetheart.” He opened the gate, went inside and nudged the mare back and stood in front of her so the group could see the long-legged filly.
“So what do you think of her, Brody?” Vance asked.
Garrett knelt down away from the new mother, then reached out a hand to coax the filly, turning to Brody. “Come here, son.”
The boy walked inside the stall and mimicked his dad. “She’s so little.”
His son seemed to have no fear of animals as he reached out his hand to the foal. Surprisingly, the horse sniffed it and allowed the boy to touch her. Brody grinned. “She likes me. Josie, she likes me.”
Josie moved in next to Brody. “Animals are trusting as long as you don’t hurt them.”
Garrett couldn’t take his eyes off the exchange between his son and the foal, also between Josie and Brody. He felt a tightening in his chest. Josie always had an easy way, a knack to make people feel comfortable.
Josie stood up and let Brody interact with the foal. There was a bond growing already. She glanced at Garrett, seeing the love and protectiveness he had for his child. She felt tears welling in her eyes as she thought about past regrets. What could have been if only... She quickly blinked them away.
“Hey, Brody,” Vance said. “Can you think of a name for our filly?”
The child shrugged. “I don’t know any names for a horse.”
Josie saw the boy begin to withdraw. “Maybe,” she suggested, “’cause her mom’s name is Sugar Plum, you can call her ‘Sweet’ something.” She shrugged. “You know, like Sweet Pea. Sweet Georgia Brown. Sweet Caroline. Sweetheart. Sweet Potato.”
“Sweet potato?” Brody giggled. “That’s a silly name.”
“Well, come up with something better,” she told him.
The child continued to stroke the animal. “How about Sweet as Sugar,” he said. “My mom used to say that to me when I was little.” His voice faded out. “Before she died.”
Oh, God. Josie’s heart nearly stopped as she shot a look at Garrett. He didn’t make eye contact with her. His gaze stayed on his child as he went to the boy. “I think your mom would really like that name.”
Vance spoke up. “I think that’s a perfect name. It’s got her mother’s name in it, too. We’ll call her Sweetie for short. How do you like that, Sugar?” The horse whinnied and bobbed her head.
Brody flashed a big grin and his green eyes sparkled.
Josie felt a tug at her heart. “Yeah. That’s a good name. Sweetie.”
Vance patted the mare’s neck as he winked at Josie. “Thank you. Good idea.”
“Anytime, soon-to-be brother-in-law.” She smiled and glanced at Garrett. He was watching her, and she felt the familiar feelings, that warm shiver as his gaze locked on hers. She hated that he still had an effect on her, but she refused to let him see it. “I should get back to the house and Colt.”
“We all need to leave,” Garrett said. “The mama has been patient long enough with her visitors.”
Brody stood up. “Bye, Sweetie. Bye, Sugar.”
After the stall gate closed, Josie turned to the child. “It was nice to meet you, Brody.”
“Nice meeting you, Josie,” the boy said, then when she started to walk out, he asked shyly, “Will I see you again?”
She was caught off guard. “Oh, probably. We’re neighbors. And your dad is building a lodge for us.”
“I know. My dad builds a lot of stuff.”
She smiled, trying desperately to get away. “Enjoy your new horse.” She stole a look at Garrett. “Goodbye.” She tried not to run out of the barn, not that her sore ankle would allow it anyway.
Twenty-four
