20
lina
Hazel Miller stepped into the unfinished barn as if she’d never left Thornbrush. Her blonde hair, a little darker than Romy’s, was braided. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and smile lines bracketed the corner of her mouth. She looked older and tired after the ordeal she’d gone through, but she was tan and fit, as though she’d been working hard outside for the past few months. And perhaps she had. Last I’d heard, she was released on bail to Sanctuary Ridge, a rehab facility for rescued horses and battered women, while she awaited trial.
“Hazel!” I squealed. I bounced on my heels, impatiently waiting for Romy to release her sister so I could get my arms around her.
I’d missed her so much. She was my barrel racing buddy and trainer—one of my favorite people growing up—and I desperately wanted to tell her how much I wished I’d seen the signs.
“I hear I have a niece now,” Hazel was saying through tearful laughter.
Jude started bringing Charli over, but I swooped her up out of her carrier.
“Hey!” Jude exclaimed.
“She’s my baby now.” I rushed over to Hazel with Charli in my arms.
Her eyes met mine as she pulled away from Romy, warming with affection.
“Finally locked her down, huh, Jude?” Hazel asked, her eyes flicking to him momentarily, her usual easy smile breaking through the tears as she took Charli from my arms.
“She’s never getting rid of me now,” he commented, wrapping an arm around Romy to comfort her. She ducked her head into his chest in an attempt to let the tears subside.
“She looks so much like a Larsen.” Hazel peered down at Charli, a big-bow headband with horses covering her dark hair. “What’s her name?”
“Charli after Dad,” I beamed, sneaking in a side hug with Hazel and the baby. I was so proud to claim Charli as one of us.
Hazel’s eyes looked past me to Dad, a flicker of something passing momentarily, before returning her gaze to the bundle in my arms. “It’s a perfect name for this little sweet pea. Mom would’ve been so proud, Rom. May I?” She held out her hands.
“Of course, auntie,” Romy said, giving permission for me to pass the baby to Hazel.
Charli started to fuss slightly and Hazel didn’t skip a beat, rocking her as if she was a natural with infants. But that was Hazel. She was a natural at everything and had that nurturing instinct I felt I lacked.
“Does this mean you’re going to be here for the wedding?” Romy asked from where she was tucked into Jude’s side.
Hazel, still swaying, said, “That’s the hope. I’ll find out more when I meet with my lawyer tomorrow. The court has been dragging out the process for so long. I’m ready for this just to be done and behind me.”
“We all are.” I brushed loose hair behind Hazel’s ear since her hands were full. “I wish I’d seen the signs,” I toldher, lowering my voice. Her gaze drifted to mine, soft and understanding.
“I know. I should have asked for help before it got as bad as it did, but I didn’t know how. Not at the time, anyway. I think I started believing I deserved it. That is, until I was at my breaking point. I just couldn’t let it happen anymore, you know.”
I nodded, even though I didn’t truly know. I could only imagine. I’d like to think that if I were in the same position, I’d fight tooth and nail to get out. I would probably even do the only option I thought I had left to free myself.
“I hear you’re on the circuit to win the finals,” Hazel said, breaking the somber mood, her big, beaming grin coming quicker now.
I couldn’t help returning her smile, but it was because she was home, not because of the topic change. “You’ll have to critique my run before this weekend.”
“I’ll be happy to give you some pointers, but I have a feeling you’re faster than I ever was on Bronte. Mushu is a runnin’ son of a gun.”
“We can race across the pasture tomorrow and settle it once and for all.”
Her smile widened, brightening her hazel eyes. “You’re on.”
She gave me a glimpse of the old Hazel, making me feel hopeful that the therapy she received while she was away was exactly what she needed. But I knew she’d never truly be the same.
“Can I introduce you to our two other new additions to the ranch?” I asked her, my attention drifting to Reed and Penn.
Hazel’s face softened when she saw whatever played across my own.
