Page 103 of A Cowboy's Trust

“You and I aren’t winning any races these days, are we?” she teased.

“We’ll get there,” he said, determination in his tone.

She pulled him in for a hug. “Darn tooting we will.”

By the time the gauntlet of greetings was run, Tansy looked tired. She settled at the table and offered him a grateful smile when he rearranged a chair for her to put up her foot. “Lifesaver.”

“Tough mentor,” he corrected. “There’s work to be done.”

Tansy frowned briefly as everyone joined them, settling around the table. “Work?”

Jeffrey climbed into Jake’s lap, resting his head on Jake’s chest, and a warm buzz of happiness flashed inside. “High Water changes.”

“Summer planning meeting,” Petra explained.

“Adjustments to our routine, living arrangements, that sort of thing.” Kevin placed a cup of tea in front of Tansy then settled into his chair.

A small hand slipped up to Jake’s face. Jeffrey cuddled in, patting his cheek softly. Trusting that he was safe.

Trusting that he was loved.

Trust. Beautiful and precious.

Trust…and love. They really did go hand in hand.

The gathering wasn’twhat she’d expected to deal with right after getting home, but it was a good idea, Tansy decided. If she’d settled into the couch she might have gotten all tangled up again in mentally rehashing the day before, and nothing good could come from that.

She picked up her tea and took a sip, preparing for what might come next. “Changes?”

“It’s important that we keep our goals in mind,” Declan offered seriously.

“Oh, hang on. You need this.” Jinx brought Tansy a box.

Everyone stared expectantly as Tansy picked up the black case with its stream of silver stars down the middle. “It’s pretty.”

“Open it,” Jinx demanded impatiently. “Jake bought it for you.”

“Jake did?” She met his eyes then lowered her voice. “Is it safe to open in public?”

He chuckled. “Very safe.”

Eagerly, she popped off the top to reveal a hardcover black journal with a scattering of silver and gold stars over the surface. The journal part screamed Jake. The stars were definitely more her style.

“Beautiful yet practical.” Tansy smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“Open it.” Jinx again. The girl nearly bounced in her seat.

Tansy raised a brow but did as commanded. Instead of the fresh clean blank pages she expected?—

“Someone wrote in here already. I see…”

She stalled out. The first page was blank, but the second page displayed Petra’s familiar handwriting, and it started withThe best friends own a piece of your heart forever.

“Pretty journals are the worst.” Petra leaned forward as she offered an explanation. “It’s like you don’t want to actually use them in case you make a mistake or mess up. So we decided we’d get things started for you.”

No way did Tansy want to rush through reading the message from Petra. Or the one on the next page from her sister Rose. Or the one after that signed by her Grandma Sonora.

Tansy flipped slowly through the pages, stealing the barest glimpse of messages of love and acceptance from all the people in her life who meant the world to her. Everyone at the table. Messages from her family.