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Jo pulled in a strong breath, rolled her shoulders, and began walking across the field toward the pasture. Heart aching or not, today was too gorgeous a day to wallow in misery. Spring had fully sprung at Lone Oaks Crossing. The trees bordering Brooks’s property were lush with leaves, the bluegrass underfoot was thick and healthy, and the morning sun cast a golden glow over the green landscape, lending it a nostalgic appeal.
No. She smiled as she drew closer to Earl and noticed the pride in his expression. Her sadness over Brooks’s absence would have to wait. Right now, Earl was happy, Lone Oaks Crossing had found new life and Cheyenne was thriving. At the moment, that was all that mattered.
“It’s about time you took a break,” Earl said as she joined him at the pasture fence. “You’ve been painting that new paddock fence all morning.”
Jo laughed. “It’s not even noon yet, Earl. I’d hardly say I’ve been painting all morning. Besides, I’m anxious to get that paddock fenced and ready for horses.” She lifted her chin toward the center of the pasture, where Cheyenne and Frankie stood with Benny, stroking his neck and back and speaking sweetly to him. “Frankie said someone stopped her in town just yesterday. She mentioned they’re anxious to send over more retired racehorses that need a place to stay until they’re adopted. The more space I make, the sooner we can take them on.”
Earl nodded. “Just don’t overdo it. An extra day or two of delay won’t make that big a difference. You need to enjoy what you’re doing and take breaks when you need them. That’s one of the reasons you left that old job of yours, wasn’t it? To slow down? Life moves at a healthier pace out here if you let it.” He pointed at Frankie and Cheyenne. “Like them. Take a look at that kid. She’s caught on so fast, I’d say she was about born for this. And she takes her time and enjoys it.”
Jo watched as Cheyenne held out her palm, called Benny, and waited patiently as the thoroughbred strolled over and nuzzled his nose against her hand.
“There,” Earl said, a broad smile breaking out on his face. “These new horses are taking to her like bees to honey.”
Jo laughed. “That they have. I’ve noticed she’s grown a lot more comfortable acquainting herself with new arrivals on her own. She used to shy away from horses she didn’t know, but she’s overcoming her fear a little bit more every day.”
“All of them.” Earl’s hand moved, sliding over the top fence rail to cover hers and squeeze gently. “That’s your doing. You gave her a home, love, and purpose. She’s like a different kid altogether from when she first arrived here.”
Cheeks heating, Jo leaned over and kissed his temple. “That wasn’t just me. That was all of us.” She watched Cheyenne and Frankie work with the new thoroughbred silently for a few minutes. “I’d say Frankie has done as much, if not more, work with Cheyenne than I have.”
Earl grinned, his eyes roving over Frankie. “That she has. You know . . . I’ve been thinking of asking her to stick around.”
“Frankie?” Jo glanced up at him and narrowed her eyes, searching his expression. “And what does that mean exactly?”
“Well . . .” He shifted uncomfortably beside her. “You know.”
Jo smiled wider, a giddy feeling fluttering in her middle. “No, I don’t know,” she teased. “Explain it to me.” She nudged him gently with her elbow. “Go on.”
Earl slapped her elbow playfully, then grumped, “You know what I mean, girl. It’s about time I did the right thing by her.”
Jo slid her arm around his elbow and leaned against him, saying softly, “And you love her.”
Earl fell silent, a sheen of moisture gathering in his eyes as he looked away, blinking rapidly. “Yeah. I love her something fierce. Always have.”
Jo followed his gaze, watching Frankie as she hugged Benny’s neck then laughed, the joyful sound echoing across the grounds. “Then why have you waited so long to commit to her?”
“Just scared, I guess.” His voice trembled. “After losing your grandmother and your mother, I was alone and angry. It broke my heart, I guess you could say.”
Jo bit her lip. “And me. I’m sorry I left you, too.”
“No.” Earl wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her close, kissing her forehead. “You have a life to live, and you were determined to do it your way. Still are. Thing is, I should’ve been living all that time, too.” He looked down at her, tears collecting on his lower lashes. “All I could think about when I lay in that hospital bed, unable to talk and hardly able to walk, was how much time I had wasted. How much of it I just let go of, not staying in the moment, not finding meaning in every second possible. I just let it pass without notice.” He looked back at the pasture, his smile returning as his gaze settled on Frankie again. “I’m not doing that anymore. I got you here, I got Cheyenne, and now it’s time to get Frankie here, too—on a full-time, permanent basis, I mean. Then I’ll feel like I have my family together.” He met Jo’s eyes again, a fierce pride in his smile. “A new family. A stronger, healthier one so we can enjoy every second of every day together.”
Jo hugged him again and clasped his hand in hers. The moment was almost perfect except for one thing. Brooks wasn’t there to share it.
She swallowed hard past the tight lump in her throat and smiled anyway, savoring the moment with Earl, watching Cheyenne and Frankie work with Benny in the pasture, and mentally making plans for the future retreat she planned for Lone Oaks Crossing.
After a while, Cheyenne and Frankie walked Benny across the pasture toward them.
“This one’s a winner, too,” Cheyenne said, her face flushed with excitement and the warmth of the spring sun. “How long is he staying with us?”
Jo shook her head. “I don’t know. As long as we let him or until he’s adopted, I imagine.”
Cheyenne lifted her chin, a broad smile appearing. “I’ll adopt him.”
Jo smiled. “I think we could make room for one more around here, if your heart’s set on him.”
“It is.” Cheyenne practically jumped in place. “Oh, it is.”
“But,” Jo stated firmly, “it’ll be your responsibility to take care of him. And I’ll still expect you to complete your other chores and keep your grades up.”
