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Even last night at dinner, she’d told them it was just the shock of the damage.But she wondered who would do such a thing and if it had something to do with her father.Last night, she’d awakened at every little sound at Gran’s house.

Children’s laughter floated in the air.A smile curved her lips.It was a new day.Ry had to work today, so Jed had invited her to join him and the kids.

She rounded the barn and found a lineup of kids standing outside the ring fence, jostling for position.

“Ah, good, my help has arrived,” Jed said.“Kids, this is Miss Katie, and she’s going to help me out today.”

“Hi, Miss Katie,” the kids chorused.

“Hi.”Another smile crossed her lips.The kids ranged in age from what looked about six to twelve.

Jed sauntered over to her.“Your job is to keep them entertained while each one gets a ride.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?”Was he nuts?There were ten kids there.

“You’ll figure it out.”He dropped a kiss on her nose and strode to the gate.

“Ready, boss.”Katie looked up to see one of the ranch hands leading one of the smaller and gentler horses out into the ring.

“Thanks, Finn.”Jed placed his hand on the gate.“Maggie, you’re first today.”

The little girl squealed and danced over to Jed.The other kids all moaned, then looked at Katie.

She squared her shoulders and smiled.“Okay, kids, let’s have some fun.”She’d figure something out.

* * * *

After each kid had ridden, Jed leaned against the fence, watching Katie with the kids.Parents would be arriving anytime now to pick them up.

“She’ll make a great mother,” Ry said, coming up to him.

“Yeah.”Jed grinned.She’d been playing hide and seek with the kids—with the occasional game of tag thrown in, well away from the riding ring.

“Is everything ready for tonight?”Ry asked.

“Yep.Katie came directly here, so she hasn’t been in the house yet.”

“Good.”Ry rubbed his jaw.“I’m going to go up to the house to shower and change.”

“Okay.We’ll be there as soon as all the kids are gone.”

Ry hesitated.

Jed stared at him.“What’s up?”

Ry’s gaze flickered to Katie and the kids, then back to him.Jed shivered with apprehension.

“Do you think any of the parents will think it’s odd that Katie is here?”

Jed frowned.“I hadn’t really thought about it.”He usually made the kids stay right outside the ring and watch.But now Ry had planted the seed.“It shouldn’t matter.”

“I know it shouldn’t.But I don’t want Katie hurt by gossip.”

“And you think I do?”

“Jed.”Ry put a hand on his shoulder.“We told her we don’t flaunt our alternative lifestyle to the town.”

“We don’t.We’ve been very careful.”And they had been.Yes, they’d taken Katie out in public, and while out they kept public displays of affection to a minimum until they were alone or at the club outside of Monroe.