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“Some parents don’t deserve kids.”
“To be fair, we didn’t have parties until you came along, and by then we were teenagers.”
“But we made up for lost time, didn’t we, Joe?”
He kissed her cheek. “We sure did.”
She’d seen to it the Trainer boys were spoiled every birthday and Christmas from the day she entered their lives, even if they were living away from home.
“Clark bought me a cell phone!” Bailey held up a box.
Joe didn’t get the usual bite of jealousy as she climbed to her toes and kissed the man’s cheek.
“I’m putting my hand up not to be the one to teach her,” Joe drawled. “If she is only just mastering technology now, it’ll need to be someone patient, and seeing as you bought it for her, Munro, you’re it.”
They shared a look, and the man nodded. Understanding, Joe thought. They each knew where the other stood now, and that they were united in making sure Bailey never got hurt again.
She got artwork from Maggs, and a shirt from Pip. His brothers bought her smelly stuff that there was no way in hell they’d picked, but Bailey didn’t need to know that.
“I’m going to show you my present before we eat.” Joe took Bailey’s hand and led her from the house.
“Where is it?”
“You’ll see.”
“I’m not sure how it came out that it was my birthday, or why I got a party, but thank you.” She was still smiling.
“You needed cheering up.”
She sighed, and Joe wished he’d kept the words to himself. “I went for a walk with Mr. Goldhirsh, and that helped sort things in my head. He was at the lodge when I left grandfather there.”
“Hmm,” Joe said, heading toward the stables.
“Wait.” She stopped. “He was part of the setup, wasn’t he. That call... it was to you?”
“Smart girl.”
“Ha” was all she said as they resumed walking.
The stables were cool as he led them down the middle between the stalls. Reaching the last on the right, he opened it and walked in.
“Happy birthday, Bailey.”
She was silver, and one of the prettiest mares Joe had ever seen, with long eyelashes, and a white stripe down her forehead.
“I-I don’t understand?” Bailey looked at him.
“This is your birthday present from me.”
She looked at him, then the horse, then back to him.
“You c-can’t buy me a horse.”
“I didn’t. It’s a friend’s. His wife can’t ride her anymore, and he needs someone who can. He gave her to me, and I’m giving it to you.”
She turned to look at the mare, who wanted attention and moved to where Bailey stood, still as a statue. Nudging her in the belly, she pushed her back several steps.
“She’s demanding, and will need plenty of attention, but I think you’ve got the time to see she gets it.”
