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She picked up the last plate to dry as she peered out of the kitchen window and watched Rocket galloping over the hill with Ryan sitting firm and proud on his back.
She almost dropped the plate on the floor since Jimmy and Joe had told her that nobody ever dared to sit on Rocket’s back.
“What’s wrong, Mommy? Who is that man?” Ava asked.
She wasn’t aware that she stood frozen to her spot like she’d seen a ghost. Megan gave her daughter a smile.
“Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart. That’s our neighbor, Ryan. He’s bringing Rocket home.”
“Was Rocket out on a field trip?” Abby asked.
Megan chuckled. “Something like that.”
She recognized Ryan’s deep voice as he talked to Patrick right in front of her porch. She took a deep, calming breath before opening the screen door.
“Ah, there she is,” Patrick said.
“Thanks, Patrick. I’ll take it from here.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After Ryan watched Patrick walk away without Rocket, he gave Megan a look that instantly rubbed her the wrong way.
“If you’re only here to tell me how to do my job or how I should manage the men around here, you can turn your fine ass around and walk straight back over that hill.”
Ryan rubbed Rocket’s neck, leaving Megan speechless as she watched the stallion whinny softly.
“He’s never made that sound before. Well, at least not in the past few days I’ve been here.”
“Maybe he misses Vic.”
She nodded. “I miss him, too.”
Ryan stopped rubbing Rocket for a second and asked, “I never knew he had a great-granddaughter.”
“We just recently found each other. It’s a long story.”
Ryan hummed and continued rubbing Rocket’s neck. The gentle whinny sounded strange coming from this robust and wild animal.
“He likes you.”
“Is he the only one?” Ryan’s smirk made her belly flutter.
She glanced over her shoulder, seeing her girls standing behind the screen door, watching them closely through the screen.
“Yes. He’s the only one here, I’m sure.”
Ryan laughed, and his deep rumble made Rocket bristle.
“Shh. It’s okay,” Ryan said as he rubbed Rocket’s back.
Rocket rewarded Ryan with a soft, somewhat guttural sound.
“What have you fed Rocket on your farm? He’s acting like a sweet pussycat.”
“I’ve been known to—”
She blew out a breath. “Oh, please. Don’t even say it.”
