A Reunion For The Rancher. Brenda Minton

      “Hey, Ruby!” Brandon pulled away from his uncle. “Did you get that new pony you were telling me about?”

      “As a matter of fact, I did. Derek hauled him home today.”

      “Is he fast?”

      She smiled, because to a little boy it was all about speed.

      “I think he might be the fastest pony I have on the place!”

      He started to bounce. She smoothed a hand down the little boy’s shoulder.

      “What did you have for breakfast?”

      “Pancakes with chocolate chips and syrup. And I had bacon. And chocolate milk.”

      She glanced from the boy to Carson. He shrugged and she shook her head.

      “That’s a lot of sugar for one little boy,” she said, more for Carson than the child. “Maybe tomorrow just have eggs and toast?”

      He wrinkled his Thorn nose at her. “I don’t like eggs.”

      “No, I don’t imagine you do.” She glanced toward Maggie’s and then let her gaze settle on Carson. What a mistake. He stood there, relaxed and in control, his keys in his hand. The other hand reached for Brandon. “Is Doc Grainger inside? I called out to the ranch but they said he was in town having coffee.”

      Doc, as they all called him, had been born and raised on the Grainger spread. As much as the ranch was a part of him, he’d shared that he never felt like a rancher. He was giving the community a year and then he was heading for the city to practice medicine. She, like many others, hoped he’d stay in town.

      Ruby knew him well enough to doubt he would.

      “Yeah, I think he was sitting in a booth at the back. Is everything okay?” Concern edged into Carson’s tone, genuine concern. It softened the brittle tone and softened Ruby’s heart a smidge.

      “I think everything is okay. Iva doesn’t tell me everything, you know. She’s tough like that. But this morning I can tell she doesn’t feel well, maybe just a cold coming on, but I thought I’d see if he’d stop by the house later. I know he’s a pediatrician, but he’s always been so good about checking on her.”

      “If you need anything...”

      “We’re fine, Carson.” Her words didn’t sound as strong as she had intended but repeating them in a firmer tone wouldn’t serve her purpose, either.

      “Can I come by and see the pony? Does he have a name?” Brandon tugged at her hand as he asked the questions.

      “His name is Peanut and I will let you ride him Monday when you have your lesson.”

      Carson stepped closer, Brandon’s hand still in his. “Are you sure everything is okay with Iva? Do you need to drive her to Austin?”

      She shook her head. She didn’t need his help. She didn’t need him close. She didn’t need to get all tangled up in leftover emotions. That’s all this was, leftovers. They might sound good, but rarely were as good as the first time around. She swallowed and met his warm gaze and saw concern. Inwardly, she cringed. She didn’t want his concern. Remembering him as a person who genuinely cared complicated things.

      “I’m sure she’s fine. But I’ll feel better if Doc can come out and check on her.”

      “Let me know if anything changes. And if you need to cancel on Monday, we’ll understand.”

      At his mention of canceling, Brandon groaned. Ruby smiled down at the little guy. “Don’t worry, we won’t cancel.”

      “We’ll go then. Let me know if you need anything.” Carson walked away with his nephew.

      She watched them go, drawn to the pair, drawn by the past and by the present. That was even more of a complication. One she didn’t need. It seemed that somewhere beneath the hard exterior, the Carson she knew still lived and breathed.

      The door to Maggie’s opened and the man she had been looking for stepped out. Tyler Grainger, tall and all blond good looks, stopped to look around as he pulled car keys out of his pocket. He saw Ruby and nodded.

      “Ruby, how’s Iva?” Tyler headed her way with an easy gait, comfortable in his own skin. He still looked like a kid who’d grown up in this small town. But she understood wanting to shed that skin and be someone or something else.

      “She’s not good, Tyler. I’m worried, and of course she refuses to go to the doctor. She says she went and going wears her out.”

      “I can stop by,” he offered as he glanced at the watch on his wrist. “In an hour?”

      “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble. I know house calls are a thing of the past and this isn’t your specialty.”

      He shrugged off her comments. “I don’t mind.”

      “Thank you.”

      A truck started. She turned, knowing it would be Carson’s and realizing immediately that she shouldn’t have turned. It was too easy, this getting pulled into the past, into remembering how he’d cared.

      She didn’t need those reminders. She didn’t need to think about confiding in him the way she once had. No, she had to think about her small family and how to keep them together and keep them solvent.

      “Everything okay between you and Carson?” Tyler asked.