Read Online Dreams for Stones by Ann Warner - Free Book Online

and child were all staring at her.
    Standing up, she flipped the keys to get at
the one to her elderly Toyota. “Umm. That is, I talked to Stella,
to schedule a riding lesson.” She blew out a breath to dislodge the
strands of hair that had blown across her face, remembering that
Stella had said her husband did the teaching.
    But who knew her husband would be this man?
Odd, though, that he didn’t seem to know Kathy was coming. Didn’t
they talk to each other? “You weren’t expecting me, I can just. . .
” The car key had gotten caught in the keychain. She shook the
keys, trying to dislodge it.
    “My folks rushed off to be with my sister,”
Alan said. “She’s having a baby. Guess they were so excited, they
forgot to mention you were coming.”
    His folks? So, that meant Stella was. . .
his mother? And this Grace, whom he’d greeted so affectionately,
she was what? His date?
    “That’s okay.” Kathy fumbled the key free
and tried to fit it in the lock. “I can come back another time.” As
if that were going to happen.
    “ Ay Dios
mío ,” Grace said. “You must stay.
It’s a long drive, sí ?”
    What was the woman, nuts? Two horses and a
pony were saddled and standing tethered to the side of the barn
awaiting the three of them. And Kathy had no intention of making it
a foursome. “No. Really. It’s okay. I’ll reschedule.” Not .
    “Nonsense,” Grace said. “I’m only here for
Delia’s sake. I don’t need to ride.”
    “I can always saddle another horse,” Alan
said, but he didn’t make it sound like that was an appealing idea.
“It’s up to you, but there’s no reason for you to leave.”
    “ Por favor . You must stay. I’ll feel
terrible if you leave.” Grace looked both concerned and sincere.
“I’m Grace Garibaldi, and this is my daughter, Delia.” Grace
stepped toward Kathy, extending her hand.
    “Kathy Jamison.” Kathy tried to smile, but
she doubted it was a success. Peachy. Just peachy. She’d finally
decided to try to conquer her fear of horses, and this is what she
got. Fourth wheel on a date with a man she’d hoped never to see
again.
    She shook Grace’s hand and smiled a hello at
Delia, who gave her a sunny grin.
    “You must stay,” Grace said.
    And where was the ability to click her heels
and wish herself away when she needed it? “Okay. Thanks.”
    “ Mira . You don’t need to saddle
another horse, Alan.”
    Alan shrugged. “It’s no trouble.”
    Grace shook her head.
    “Let’s get started, then.” Alan took Delia’s
hand in his and led the way to the side of the barn where the
horses and pony stood waiting.
    The pony whickered softly and rubbed its
head against Alan’s arm. “Her name is Arriba,” he told Delia.
“She’s a Galiceno, from Mexico. These other two are Paso Finos from
Puerto Rico.”
    “Like my mami ,” Delia said.
    Alan pulled a carrot from his back pocket
and handed it to Delia. “Hold your hand out flat. Like this. Let
her take it from you. Don’t worry, she won’t bite.”
    “Oh, she wouldn’t bite me. She knows I’m her
friend.” Delia sounded as serious as an elderly schoolmarm. Then
she giggled. “Ooh, she’s tickling me.” She gave her mother a
luminous smile, a smile that caught at Kathy’s heart, causing a
sharp pain. It was her biggest regret—not her broken engagement—but
the loss of possibility, of children, a family.
    “You ready to ride?” Alan asked Delia, his
words pulling Kathy from dark thoughts back to the sunny day.
    Delia nodded, her whole body joining in. She
was obviously so filled with joy, there was simply no room for
words.
    As Alan lifted the little girl onto the
pony’s back, Kathy turned to Grace. “I’m really sorry to have
barged in like this.”
    “ Ay bendito . Not your fault Alan’s
sister picked today to have her baby. Besides, to tell you the
truth, I was looking for an excuse not to ride. Entonces ,
I’m glad you’re here.”
    Grace did look relieved.
    “Here, Grace.”