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Macie waited a few minutes before following Holt into the barn. She needed a bit of space from him, from the way he’d looked at her, from how close he’d been to her, and from the feel of his callused hand holding hers. If there was one thing a broken marriage had taught Macie, it was the difference between a selfish jerk and a real man.
Holt was one of those real men.
And she needed to stay away from him. Holt was sweet in a way she hadn’t expected, especially after all that had happened. She didn’t know exactly how she thought he’d act, but it wasn’t with kindness and humor. Perhaps Heidi’s reaction was the normal one—wanting Macie to give Knox a second chance—and Holt’s reaction was the one off base.
His mother’s censured words pierced hot through Macie as she remembered the conversation about not giving up on an already dead marriage. It’s never too late. My cousin remarried her husband. You should try marriage counseling.
She closed her eyes for a moment, blocking out the wide expanse of the ranch, the beauty of the place. Focus, Macie. Think about Ruby. She’s your priority.
Opening her eyes, Macie headed to the barn entrance. Voices of the men, mixed with Ruby’s higher pitched one, brought a smile to Macie’s face. Her little girl was loving every minute of this place.
When Macie entered the barn, she was greeted by the sight of Holt crouched beside Ruby, helping her lift a saddle onto the pony.
Rex stood at the head of the pony, keeping the reins in his hands.
Macie didn’t want to interrupt anything, but Ruby saw her right away.
“Guess what, Mommy?” Ruby said. “I fed Sammy, and then I brushed him, and now I’m gonna ride him.”
Macie smiled at her daughter and walked toward the group. She didn’t look at Holt, because she didn’t know if she’d cleared all the emotions from her expression yet.
“Good for you, baby,” Macie said. She met Rex’s gaze, and he winked.
A warm thrill ran through her, as if she’d been awarded something. Approval from her ex-father-in-law? A man she’d never had the chance to get to know. Another confirmation that she’d done the right thing bringing Ruby to the ranch. Macie would just have to figure out how to handle Holt and how to gently let down Heidi.
Holt straightened. “That should do it,” he said to Ruby. “Let’s get up on the pony now.”
The deep rumble of his voice filled the wide space of the barn, and Macie folded her arms as she watched Holt help Ruby onto the pony despite protests of “I’m a big girl,” and “I can do it myself.”
Macie often wondered if her marriage to Knox hadn’t fallen apart, what kind of dad he would have been. Would he have had patience and humor with Ruby, or would he have been easily frustrated?
“I did it!” Ruby shrieked.
Holt didn’t even flinch. “What did I tell you about being too loud around the horses?”
“Oh yeah,” Ruby whispered loudly. “I forgot.”
Rex chuckled. “Let’s head out to the corral.” He led the pony out of the barn.
Macie followed, and Holt remained in the barn. It was just as well. More space would be good.
When Rex got to the corral, she opened the gate for him, and he led the pony inside. Macie shut the gate, then took out her phone and snapped some pictures. Finally, she leaned against the fence, simply watching Ruby’s beaming face as Rex led the pony in small circles.
“Hi, Mommy,” Ruby called each time they passed her.
“Hi, Ruby,” Macie returned with a smile.
“I don’t think she’s going to ever get off this thing,” Rex said, when he’d passed Macie for the dozenth time.
“I believe you’re right,” Macie said.
Holt still hadn’t come out, and Macie tried not to let her thoughts stray in his direction. He had a lot more to do than entertain Ruby. Besides, Rex was taking care of that.
She looked over her shoulder anyway, but he wasn’t at the arena, either, so he must still be inside the barn.
“Hey, Mr. Prosper,” she said. “I told Heidi I’d help with dinner. Mind if I head inside?”
“Not a problem,” he said. “And please call me Rex.”
