Page 56

She gave him a look that brought their kisses in the hills rushing back to mind, and judging by the slight curve of her lips, she was remembering them too.

Rissa glanced from him to Amanda. “Okay. What did I miss?”

“Nothing,” they said at the same time.

His daughter’s eyebrows rose.

Wonderful. Whatever Rissa thought she'd just discovered, he had a feeling he'd hear about it later.

Amanda laughed and handed her Penny’s reins. “She was perfect. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. You can come back anytime.”

“I might take you up on that.”

“I’ll take Hank, too,” Rissa said, reaching for his reins.

“You sure?”

“Yep. I’ve got them.”

He handed them over, and Rissa led both horses toward the barn.

A few moments later, Louie, an elderly black-and-white Lab-Border Collie mix with a graying muzzle, came ambling across the barnyard to greet them. Amanda crouched as soon as he reached them and held out her hand. Louie gave it an obligatory sniff before accepting her attention. He dropped onto his haunches and leaned into her as she scratched behind his ears.

“Who’s this handsome guy?”

“Louie.” Grady reached down and rubbed the old dog’s back. “He pretty much runs the place.”

Louie’s tail thumped against the ground as if he agreed.

“He's another one of their rescues,” Grady added. “His owner died, and nobody realized it for several days. By the time someone found him, Louie and two horses had been left without food or fresh water. The horses were eventually adopted, but everyone here fell in love with Louie and decided to keep him.”

Amanda scratched beneath the dog's chin. “Well, I can see why.”

Grady stepped back and watched them for another moment.

Amanda Sparks, television personality, author, blogger, and whatever the hell else she did, had disappeared again. This was simply Amanda, kneeling in the dirt and letting an old dog slobber on her hand.

Yeah, he liked this version of her a lot.

Rissa came back out of the barn. “Peter said he’d take care of Hank and Penny, and I’m done for the day, so we’re good to go.”

Amanda gave Louie one last scratch before pushing herself to her feet. “Thanks for keeping me company, handsome.”

The old dog gazed up at her as if he'd happily do it again.

With Louie trailing them part of the way, the three headed toward the parking area. As they reached the vehicles, Rissa veered toward her truck.

“Oh, by the way, I’m staying at Hailey’s tonight.”

Grady stopped. “You are?”

“Yeah. We're going to the movies with Kelly Ann and Claire, and then we're having a slumber party at Hailey's.”

“And you’re just telling me now?”

“I forgot.”