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I managed to keep the kids calm as we approached the arena. I picked up Riley.
Holden fell in step next to me. “I can take Riley with me, on Poppy.”
Holden had been around the kids several times, enough for me to know that he was hesitant around Riley. He didn’t pick her up. He didn’t carry her. He didn’t even really talk to her, and I was fine giving him time. He needed it. Oddly, that had endeared him to her. He wasn’t in her face, trying to be her friend, and she was comfortable around him.
She wasn’t a baby, but she was young enough that he’d have to hold her at all times. He’d have to be responsible for her. And while it was nothing like what he’d gone through, the experience was enough to bring memories back.
How much of a scene should I make? It was a big moment for him. “Only if you’re comfortable.”
“Riley’s been patient with me. Haven’t you, kiddo?”
She rewarded his effort with a cheeky grin and reached her arms to him. He swooped her up and settled her on his hip. Tears pricked the backs of my eyes, but I blinked them away. There was nothing chill about this moment, but I tried to play it cool.
Several emotions rippled over Holden’s face. Trepidation. Surprise. Then delight. He cleared his throat. “I was, um—I was worried that she wouldn’t want me to hold her.”
“She’ll definitely let you know. But you’re golden.” Those pesky tears.
The corner of his mouth kicked up and he looked at Riley. “This is nothing like holding a little baby. Maybe I needed to work my way backward. Get used to older kids and work my way down.” He gave her a little bounce, and her answering smile pushed her chubby little cheeks up. “Thank you, Em.”
“Thank you for today—for all the kids.”
His grin broadened. “Come and meet the horses.”
When we neared the arena, Nora jumped down. If she was concerned about how Holden was dealing with Riley after what he’d told her, she smothered it with pride.
“I used to hold you like this, Nora.” He smiled like he’d missed those memories.
“I know.” She laughed, and I could picture the little girl with the golden hair who adored her brother. “I’m attached to you in all the pictures from my childhood.”
Stetson chuckled. “You two should recreate one of those pictures and give it to your mom for Christmas.”
Nora snickered. “That’d be too sentimental for her.”
Holden handed Riley back and murmured, “Thanks for not making a big deal out of it.” Louder, he said, “Avery, you’re going to ride on Colt’s horse today. Colt looks like he’ll bite, but his horse, Cutter, is the calmest of the bunch.”
Adults might be scared of Colt, but not Avery. She marched up to Colt. “I’m gonna guess which one Cutter is.”
Colt threw an elbow up on the top railing of the corral. “Give ya five bucks if you guess right.”
Nora tsked. “Don’t teach kids how to gamble, Colt.”
“Why? Then she won’t have to cheat like you in poker.”
Nora’s cheeks flushed. “I do not cheat. You’re not as good as you think you are.”
Colt opened his mouth, but snapped it shut and glanced at the kids. I’d been around enough guys to know he was probably going to back up how good he actually was by referencing something inappropriate. And from the triumphant look on Nora’s face, she was glad he hadn’t been able to.
Stetson shook his head and pushed off the gate. “You both suck at poker. Landon, buddy, you’re with me.”
Isla hopped down. “Afton, you’re coming with me on Pittance.”
Nora hooked her arm through mine. “And you get to ride with me.”
“Me?” Alarm shot through me. I hadn’t come prepared to ride a horse. “I’m not in, like, boots or anything.” I had on black leggings and an oversized hoodie.
“Don’t shove your feet all the way into the stirrups and you’ll be fine. I’ll walk right next to you. Right? You’ve never ridden before?”
“No.” I’d never planned to. I liked horses, but I wasn’t obsessed with them like Avery.
