"I understand, but you scared us by running off like that. Now what do you say?"

Hannah raised her head and looked from Lauren to Kent. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"That's okay." Kent hated to see Hannah unhappy as much as he'd feared her running into the road. "We just want you to be safe."

"I know." She hung her head again. "Does this mean I don't get my pony?"

"Nope." Kent chuckled as he reached out and tickled Hannah under her chin. "This means we better go get your pony before he gets away."

"Really?" Hannah looked up at him with eyes gone wide. "Truly?"

"Kent, I need to talk with Hedy first," Lauren said.

"How about I take Hannah with me to Sure-Shot while you get Hedy and meet us there?"

"Are you sure?"

"If you'll trust me with her, I'll do my utmost."

"She can be a handful."

"If I can go with Cowboy Daddy in his big blue truck, I'll be a good girl." Hannah leaped up and down, spun around, and then quickly grew still and solemn. "I won't run or make noise or anything."

Kent didn't know what had made him volunteer to take care of a four-year-old girl for a few hours. He didn't know the first thing about it, but he couldn't stand to see her disappointment. Anyway, could it be much harder than managing a frisky colt? Maybe he could put her on a lead so he wouldn't worry about her running away again. No, that probably wouldn't do.

"Okay, I guess," Lauren said as she looked uneasily at him. "I'm not used to letting her out of my sight, but we're in Wildcat Bluff now. And she'll be with you."

"Yay!" Hannah spun around several times, then abruptly stopped and stood still. "I'm good."

Kent chuckled, shaking his head. "She'll be safe. I'll call Billye Jo. She'll know if there's a pony right for Hannah in Sure-Shot. And if I run into trouble on the parenting front, she'll know what to do."

Lauren nodded. "Yeah. You know horse people. They raise their kids like they raise their horses. And they get all the respect."

"Sure do."

When he felt a small hand clasp his own, he glanced down at Hannah's upturned face.

"Can, I mean, may we go now, Cowboy Daddy?"

He felt his heart melt a little more at the look into her big, brown eyes. He hated to think about the hearts she was going to break when she turned sweet sixteen, just like her mother had done with all the local cowboys.

"Go ahead," Lauren agreed, pulling her cell phone out of her front pocket. "But be careful and stay in touch."

Hannah wheeled around and raced over to Kent's truck where she hugged the front b.u.mper.

Kent put a hand on Lauren's shoulder. "You okay with this? If not, we can wait."

"It's okay. I need to talk with Hedy alone. Maybe by the time we get to Sure-Shot, you'll have found the perfect pony."

"I hope it's that easy."

"Cowboy Daddy, let's go!"

"How quickly they grow up." Lauren shook her head as she smiled at him. "Let's move her booster seat from my SUV to your truck so she'll be safe."

"Good idea." He quickly removed the booster seat, installed it in the pa.s.senger seat of his pickup, and check to make sure it was secure.

"That looks good," Lauren said. "Hannah is tall for her age, so this size seat suits her fine."

"Let's go, Cowboy Daddy!"

"Now, you be a good girl." Lauren lifted Hannah into the booster seat, strapped her into place, and shut the door. She turned to Kent with a smile.

He pressed a kiss to her soft lips. "Promise we'll have time for each other later?"

She nodded with eyes as dark as melted chocolate. "Didn't you promise me a tour of your home?"

He grinned, feeling heat spiral outward at the idea of being alone with her again. "I think you'll like the changes, such as my king-size bed."

"If you're in it, I'm sure I'll like it."

"I can definitely be there." He felt hotter at her suggestion, so he gave her another quick kiss before he walked over to her SUV and opened the door. "You best get in here and get gone before that house tour starts here and now."

She chuckled as she gave him a sensual pout before she walked over and put a hand on his chest. "Hang on to that idea, cowboy." And then she disappeared inside her vehicle.

He reluctantly shut the door and turned his mind to the safer subject of ponies.

Chapter 23.

As Lauren drove down Wildcat Road, she felt as if a part of her had gone with Kent and Hannah. She wanted to be with them, finding a pony, grabbing a burger, and exploring Sure-Shot's equine-centered shops. Yet she felt guilty for wanting to have fun when Hedy needed her.

She kept making a.s.sumptions about her aunt. She knew better than to create plans for other people without consulting them. She didn't normally do it. Maybe being back in Wildcat Bluff and worried about Hedy was causing her to act too quickly. In any case, she needed to talk with her aunt before she made any more plans that involved her.

With that thought in mind, Lauren pulled off to the side of the road, picked up her phone from the center console, and hit speed dial for her aunt.

"Morning, Lauren," Hedy said in a warm voice. "How'd you sleep last night in Wildcat Bluff?"

"Good. It's great to be back."

"Not any better than having you back."

"Thanks." Lauren cleared her throat. "If you don't mind, I thought I'd stop by your house and chat a bit."

"That'd be wonderful, except I'm not at home."

"Maybe later?"

"I'm at the store. Why don't you come over here? We can enjoy a cup of tea together like the old days."

"Perfect."

"You'll bring Hannah, won't you?"

Lauren thought fast, wondering how to explain that her daughter was with Kent. She supposed there was no help for it except the unvarnished truth. "She couldn't wait to get a pony. Kent's taken her to Sure-Shot."

"Kent? Pony? Sure-Shot?" Hedy chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound of pleasure. "That cowboy sure works fast, doesn't he?"

Lauren smiled, remembering once more how supportive Hedy had always been of them. "Hannah's taken a real shine to him. I'm going to meet them later, but I wanted to spend time with you first."

"Thanks. But don't you think a pony for Hannah comes before me?"

"Not today. Right now, you're first on my list."

"I'll be here."

"See you soon." Lauren clicked off, set down her phone, and got back onto the road.

As she drove toward Wildcat Bluff, she felt nostalgic. She'd helped Hedy in Adelia's Delights many an afternoon after school while Kent worked down the street in his family's Chuckwagon Cafe. They'd been part of close-knit family and community. Now she hoped she could build that type of life for Hannah.

She arrived in Old Town and parked on Main Street just down from the Wildcat Bluff Hotel. Next door to the hotel she heard the sound of boot-scooting country music floating through old batwing-style wooden doors coming from the Lone Star Saloon. She felt a little burst of excitement. Now she was old enough to go inside the Lone Star and enjoy dancing to live bands on weekends. Maybe she could wrangle Kent into taking her there like she'd wanted him to in high school. That'd be fun later.

Next door to the Lone Star was Gene's Boot Hospital with the big, neon boot in the front window. Gene's dated back to the days when Texas cowboys drove their cattle herds north to Kansas. They'd needed tough boots, so Gene had hand-made them to order and repaired them as well. She could hardly wait to take Hannah in there to buy her fancy new cowgirl boots. Pink, of course.

Finally, she turned her gaze on Adelia's Delights and felt warm memories bubble up. She'd spent many happy hours helping her aunt run her store. Once more, Rosie made a pretty picture of a contented cat in the Bluebird of Happiness display.

She watched a few people walk up and down the wooden boardwalk as they entered and exited businesses. Several vehicles were parked in front, but the area was fairly quiet since it was a weekday. She knew she was stalling since she wasn't sure how her aunt would respond to her suggestion. But surely Hedy would be thrilled at the idea of getting back on a horse again.

Now or never. Lauren slipped her phone into her handbag, stepped out of her SUV, and locked the door behind her. She caught the scent of lavender piped out of Morning's Glory, the store next to Adelia's. Lauren smiled as she thought of the business owner, a flower child firmly stuck in the sixties and proud of it. As far as Lauren could tell, Morning Glory had hardly aged a day, so maybe there was something to be said for indulging in her handmade soaps, creams, lotions, incense, and positive affirmation cards decorated with watercolors and calligraphy.

Lauren opened the door to Adelia's, heard the sound of chimes announcing her entrance, and shut the door behind her. She felt as if she'd been transported back in time when she read "Established 1883" on a sign attached to a wall near the entrance. She admired the mellow oak floor to the high ceiling of intricately designed pressed tin and the tall gla.s.s containers of old-fashioned hard candy on the counter next to the ancient black-and-gold cash register.

She'd always loved this store. Knickknacks in all shapes, sizes, colors, and prices filled deep shelves and gla.s.s cabinets. Western-themed gifts for bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens dominated one wall. Another section contained pickles, jams, and other edible items in canning jars with an Adelia's Delights label. All of the items were a definite temptation. She only wished the shelves were stocked as fully as in the past.

She gave Rosie a gentle stroke across the top of her head and was rewarded with a soft, welcoming meow. "I'll see you later, pretty kitty."

Lauren walked farther into the store and glanced over at the tearoom area where small, round ice cream tables with matching chairs were tucked into a corner near the front window. She quickly decided that was the perfect spot for a quiet conversation with Hedy.

"Lauren, is that you?" Hedy called from one side of the store.

"Yes!"

"I'm over here with MG."

Lauren walked toward the open archway that connected Adelia's with Morning's Glory. She smiled in delight to see her aunt and her friend standing under the arch. Hedy appeared a little slumped in her wheelchair, but she gave Lauren a big grin. Morning Glory gave a little wave. She was still a tall, slim woman with a riot of long, curly ginger hair. She wore a bright-aqua blouse with a long, swirling skirt in many colors and turquoise cowgirl boots. At least half a dozen necklaces hung down to her small waist.

"Now do you believe me?" Morning Glory glanced down at Hedy. "I told you I had a premonition that Lauren was coming back to Wildcat Bluff, and here she is in living color."

"You've said that for years." Hedy tossed her head, a bit like a horse, as she teased her friend.

"Vibes!" Morning Glory raised two fingers in the peace sign. "I've had good, strong vibes about it for a week now."

Hedy rolled her eyes at Lauren, chuckling to show she was in a teasing frame of mind. "Good thing you're back or I'd have to hear all about MG's vibes for another umpteen years."

"Come here and give me a hug," Morning Glory commanded. "I've needed one from you for years."

Lauren was happy to comply, feeling the strength and agility in Morning Glory's body, but she was also almost overwhelmed by a familiar scent. "Are you wearing patchouli again?"

"Glad you remember your scents." Morning Glory set Lauren back, looked her up and down, and nodded in approval.

"You taught me well." She'd never say it out loud, but patchouli was her least favorite scent, and she avoided it whenever possible. She just hoped she wouldn't sneeze from the cloying odor and have one of Morning Glory's herbal remedies thrust upon her.

"Good." Morning Glory c.o.c.ked her head to one side. "I believe you're in need of a little extra power right about now."

"Lauren's obviously fine," Hedy said. "She's hardly back in town and you're already messing with her aura or whatever."

Morning Glory glanced to the side of Lauren, squinted her eyes as if trying to bring something into focus, and then nodded in approval again. "Her aura's fine and dandy, thank you very much. Appears to me she's just starting out on a grand adventure and needs a little extra fire power and protection to get her where she wants to go."

Lauren smiled, feeling warm all over with Morning Glory's concern. She never knew half of what her friend was talking about, but she was usually right or her concern just made a person feel better.

Morning Glory fumbled with the jewelry around her neck, selected a necklace, pulled it over her head, and held it out to Lauren. "This one must be for you. I just made it yesterday."

"Are you sure? It's gorgeous."

"Of course I'm sure." Morning Glory thrust it at Lauren. "That's a macrame cord I knotted myself. I got a hankering to make them long about last Christmas. I guess it was because I found a cache of bra.s.s horse harness hardware that I'd lost track of back in the seventies. They make fine necklaces."

"She teaching Misty to macrame," Hedy said.

"Misty?" Lauren raised an eyebrow in query. "Isn't that-"

"Right. Trey's fiancee," Morning Glory said. "You'll love her. She's from Dallas, but you can't hold that against her. She fits right in here."

"I'm looking forward to meeting her." Lauren slipped the smooth knotted macrame necklace over her head and centered the bra.s.s piece over her sternum. She stroked the pendant.

"Looks good," Morning Glory said. "Horse harness hardware works perfectly for pendants since it comes in all sorts of designs like swans, animals, and such. That phoenix rising is perfect for you. Back in the day, a shiny row of those sewed on leather looked pretty on horses pulling conveyances."

"Thank you." Lauren knew the necklace probably wouldn't be right for Houston, but it was perfect in Wildcat Bluff.

"Now, what's this about Kent taking off with Hannah when I wanted a chance to meet her?" Morning Glory asked.

"She's determined to be a cowgirl." Lauren felt proud of her daughter for being so willing to spread her wings. "They're looking for a pony."