what we’ve been through, and we’re doing our best to move on.”
She gestured at the house, and one of the sisters was beckoning Dylan inside.
“Since things got bad with his dad, we’ve been in therapy. I worked two jobs to pay for a child psychologist to help us figure out how to handle these fits. As for your horse, I know things got out of hand. I’m sorry for that. In the future, please don’t bring him over.”
Though she still sounded weary, there was a determined expression on her face that made him realize she was stronger than he had first thought.
“I just want to help,” he said.
“Then go home. I don’t know what Helen told you about our childhood or what you’ve read in the papers about us. But if you think that any of it means we need someone to take care of us, you’re wrong. We’ve learned how to take care of ourselves. We don’t need you.”
It was as if she had read his earlier thoughts. The stubborn set to her jaw and the pain in her eyes made him want to take care of her anyway. But he also knew that it wasn’t worth the grief it would bring to his own life to chase after a woman who didn’t want him.
So how was he supposed to keep his promise to Helen?
“Okay.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card for his ranch. He’d bought a hundred of them years ago and still had more than he could count left. At least he’d be getting rid of one more. “My number’s on here. You might not need me now, but if there’s anything I can do to help you all get settled, give me a call.”
She took the card, but from the look on her face, it would probably go straight into the round file when she got inside. “Thanks.”
He watched as she walked into her house, her posture straight and determined, and yet the air of sadness around her made him wish he could do more for her. But that was the kind of thinking that got a man in trouble. How many times had he tried playing the white knight, saving the damsel in distress? And while he’d been taken advantage of in the past, Leah was different. She didn’t want anything to do with him.
Shane didn’t need anything from the sale barn, but he stopped by the Wednesday livestock auction just the same. It was a good chance to socialize with the other ranchers in the area and to keep up on the news. Most folks wouldn’t call Columbine Springs a happening place, but if you wanted to know what was happening, at least among the ranchers, the sale barn was where you’d find out.
“Hey, Shane!” Arnold Hastings, one of the old-timers, gave him a wave. “We were just talking about that bull of yours. Ol’ Mike was wanting to add a new bloodline to his herd. I told him that you won’t find a finer bull than Big Red.”
Given that Arnold had his own prize-winning bull, it was a fine compliment. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Do they have anything good for sale today?”
Arnold shook his head as he chewed on a piece of hay. “Nope. Bobby’s trying to get rid of that old mare of his again, but he can’t seem to get it through his thick skull that no one wants that useless mare. ’Bout all she’s good for is being led around on a rope. Even then, the creature is better off being put out to pasture. But since Bobby’s little girl won a bunch of buckles on her barrel racing, he’s sure someone’s going to be willing to pay a lot of money for her.”
An image of the little boys next door came to mind. Shane hadn’t been back since he met them last week. He’d wanted to give them time, but he also wasn’t sure how to approach them since Leah had made it clear she didn’t want him there.
He’d promised the boys he’d teach them the rules about horses, and then they could ride. But none of his mounts were suitable for children, especially the little one. Natalie had taken her horse when she and Gina had left.
“There’s nothing wrong with my horse,” Bobby said, joining the conversation. “Belle is a great mare, and she’d be perfect for someone with kids. She won a lot of buckles for my Sara.”
Just then, a lightbulb went off. The problem was, Leah didn’t want him butting into her life. But if she did warm up to the idea of having him around for the sake of the boys...
“How much do you want for her?” Shane asked.
Bobby grinned. “I told Frank I wouldn’t take less than five grand. But for you, I’d take two and a half.”
Was he seriously considering spending twenty-five hundred dollars on a horse for a couple of kids he wasn’t even sure would get to ride it?
He hesitated.
“Now, Shane, that’s a good deal, and you know it.”
Arnold snorted. “You just offered that mare to Jimmy Ball for two grand last week.”
“And he’s real interested, so you better make it quick.”
The last thing he needed was another animal to feed. Not with things so uncertain now that he wasn’t sure if the women would let him graze his cattle at Helen’s ranch. He’d intended to ask them, but as firm as Leah had been in sending him away, he was having his lawyer draw up an agreement, so everything was in writing. He and Helen hadn’t needed one, but the women seemed like they would want it.
“I’m not interested,” Shane said. “I was just curious what you were asking, in case I run into someone in need of a retired barrel-racing horse.”
At the word retired, Arnold snickered. Bobby glared at him and started to speak, but before Shane could figure out what he was saying, a familiar voice rang out.
“I’m here to buy some cows.”
Leah.
At least now he knew they intended to work the land themselves, so they probably wouldn’t be interested in leasing him the land for grazing. Good thing he hadn’t jumped on the horse offer, since now he’d be figuring out a new financial plan.
“I ain’t seen her around before,” Bobby said. “Look at that. There’s two of ’em.”
Three, actually, but Shane wasn’t going to correct him.
Arnold got out of his chair. “I wonder if those are the girls who inherited the old Wanamaker place. Helen was making noises about leaving it to her ex’s kids. Don’t know why. It’s not like they’re family or anything. I figured they’d probably sell the place and move on.”
As Arnold chattered on about what he thought of the situation, Shane walked over to Leah.
“Nice to see you again,” he said, approaching her.
“Likewise.” She didn’t sound like she meant it. “I believe you know my sister Erin.”
Shane tipped his hat to her. “Ma’am.” Then he looked around. “Where are the boys?”
Leah gave him the same irritated look she’d given him when he’d asked her questions the day they’d met. Maybe she just
