Read Online Wounded Grace by Tanya Stowe - Free Book Online

shook her head, but then she paused. “Well, just a little. But I get to ride all the time, so I can wait. See that horse with the white face? The one Jimmy’s riding right now? She’s my horse. Her name is Star.”
    “Well, I think it’s very kind of you to give up your turn.”
    She cocked her head. “I guess so. But I just love Emily. I’m so glad she got to come today.”
    Lance smiled and the little chatterbox beside him was silent for the first time.
    When she spoke again, her voice had lost some of its exuberance. “I miss Mr. Hart. I wish he was here.”
    “We all miss him, little one.”
    “Mommy says Miss Vivian will be ‘specially sad.”
    “Yes, she is. That’s why I came to take care of her.”
    “I’m glad. You’re a nice man.”
    “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” Lance managed to hide his smile, but he meant every word.
    “You’re doing a good job. I saw Miss Vivian smile twice today.” Chloe nodded to seal her opinion.
    Lance chuckled. “Twice, huh. That’s a lot for her.”
    “Yeah.” The child's tone had turned serious. “She still misses Mr. Hart, and so do I. But Joy says he’s very happy.”
    “Who is Joy?”
    “My angel, o’ course. She watches over me.”
    Lance gave a start. Did everyone at Heart’s Haven see God’s heavenly messengers except him? He clearly had a lot of faith-growing to do. Good thing he planned to stay for a long while.
    “Chloe,” Dex called across the corral. “Everyone’s had a turn. There’s time for you to ride if you want.”
    “OK, Daddy, I’m coming!”
    Very carefully, she climbed down from the fence. When she reached the bottom, she looked up. “Bye, Mr. Lance. I have to go now.” Then she spun and ran off, jean-clad, round bottom and chubby arms pumping as fast as they could.
    Dex lifted the little girl into the saddle. She picked up the reins and clicked the horse into motion as if she’d been doing it all her life. As she circled around his way, she waved. Lance loved the sight of her happy, slightly slanted eyes and crooked little smile. No wonder Andrew had called her one of his sunshine girls.
    Lance looked behind him to the large grass-covered yard of the ranch house. Earlier, before the children arrived, the Heart’s Haven residents had hidden over one hundred colored Easter eggs. After the children arrived, Madison organized the massive hunt.
    Peals of laughter filled the yard. Lance watched Madison, roving from child to child examining their baskets.
    He moved into step with her. “What are you doing?” he whispered.
    “Making sure even the littlest ones find some eggs for their baskets.” As she spoke, she found one empty basket and promptly directed the three-year-old in the direction of a bush hiding many brightly colored eggs. Smiling, Lance finished the inspection with her.
    After the egg hunt, lunch had been served from the long tables on the grass. Ham. Potato salad. Deviled eggs. Relish plates of olives and pickles. Veggie and fruit platters and one two-tiered cake decorated with chocolate fondant and covered in pink, yellow, and green frosting eggs. It was almost too pretty to eat but Lance had two pieces.
    Now, leaning against the fence, he watched the ladies finish cleaning up the paper plates, cups, and covering the left-overs on the tables. Families sat on large blankets and quietly chatted with their neighbors while the children who had finished their horse rides dove into their Easter baskets. Lance smiled, deep contentment filling his soul.
    This, too, was part of Andrew Hart’s impressive and amazing legacy. No wonder David had felt intimidated stepping into his uncle’s shoes. But David was the man for the job. All he needed was a little help from his friends. If Lance had anything to say about, he would be one of those friends.
    Madison had been busy all morning. Just a little while ago, she'd dropped into a lawn chair next to Vivian. Lance let her rest for a moment, while he enjoyed his chat