Part 34 (1/2)

On the way past Ashton, she squeezed his arm. ”Take good care of my sister.”

”You have my word on that.”

Kate nodded and preceded Reid out of the office and down the stairs.

When they reached the car, Reid stopped her from getting in. ”What was that all about with Ashton just now?”

”He and Jill are seeing each other.”

”Really? He never said a word!”

”He was probably waiting for her to tell me.”

”What do you think of them together?”

”I don't know what to say. I've barely had a chance to get my head around it.”

”I know you don't think too much of him-”

”That's not entirely true. My feelings where he's concerned have been complicated. But Jill just told me that he regrets calling my father about us, and he regrets what he said to me after he found us together.”

”What did he say? You never told me.”

”It's not worth repeating, and it's so far in the past it doesn't matter now. I'm glad to know he regrets it. That matters to me.”

”So you approve of her dating him?”

”I want her to be happy. I don't think she's ever been in love before, and it always made me sad to think she might miss out on love because she was taking care of me.”

”You and your sister with a father and son,” Reid said with a grin as he started the car. ”Now there's a hit country song waiting to be written.”

Kate busted up laughing. ”So true. What do you think of them together?”

”Well, I only just met Jill, but if she's anything at all like her sister, my son is a very lucky man.”

”Aww, you're very sweet to say that. She's like me in some ways but nothing like me in others. The differences make us a good team, but I've always thought that any guy who ended up with her would be very lucky.”

”Then I'm glad for him-and for her.”

Kate withdrew her cell phone from her purse and called Gordon. He agreed to bring Thunder to meet them on the road that ran from her neighbor's property to hers. A quick call to her neighbor gave her permission to access the road from their side.

”We're in,” she told Reid when she was done with her calls.

”I can't wait to see Thunder. I sure have missed that old boy.”

”Having him helped me through a rough time, so thank you again for that.”

”That's good to hear, darlin'. He was meant for you.”

Kate leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her hand around his. ”So were you.”

He squeezed her hand. ”Our little family. Back together again.”

Despite the worries about her dad and what to do about her career, Kate smiled all the way home.

Chapter 14.

Gordon was waiting for them with Thunder when they emerged from the woods on Kate's property. The groom eyed Reid suspiciously, and Thunder whinnied when he recognized them.

Kate released Reid's hand and broke into a run, delighted to see her horse.

Thunder rewarded her hug with a horse kiss to the cheek that made her laugh.

”Gordon, this is my fiance, Reid Matthews.”

”Good to meet you,” Gordon said gruffly.

Reid shook hands with the other man. ”Same here.”

Kate couldn't get enough of Thunder and his nuzzling. ”Look who I have with me, pal. Your old friend.”

Reid stroked the horse. ”Hi, there, bud. Looking good, old man.”

Kate leaned in close to the horse's mouth. ”What's that you say? He says same to you.”

Reid laughed and put his arm around Kate.

Gordon cleared his throat. ”Will you be set from here, Ms. Kate?”

”We'll be fine. Thanks again, Gordon.”

”Any time.” With one last suspicious glance at Reid, Gordon mounted the other horse he'd brought and headed back to the stables.

”Chilly around here,” Reid said with a s.h.i.+ver.

”Sorry. My staff is protective of me.”

”He's probably wondering what a gorgeous young woman is doing with an old man like me.”

”Let him wonder. If he says it out loud, he'll be looking for a new job.” She raised her foot into one of the stirrups and hoisted herself up onto Thunder-one of the few places on earth she ever felt truly at home. Extending a hand to Reid, she said, ”Let's ride.”

”Are you sure the old guy can handle both of us?” he asked as he swung his leg over Thunder's back and settled behind Kate.

”He says to tell you he can still outrun you.”