Gillian’s suspicions must have shown on her face, prompting Dee to go on. “He’s not offering you a place to stay out of obligation. He wants you here. We want you here. You’re family. You were right to hope this was a good place to bring Justin. He’ll grow up with family, the ranch, the friends he’ll make at school. There are good people in this place. People like Blake.”
Gillian narrowed her eyes, trying not to give anything away about how she felt about Blake. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure about him, or the strange way he made her feel.
“Oh, Blake might be a little rough around the edges, but he’s got a good heart. You’ve seen it in the way he interacts with Justin. The man has turned into a big kid around that boy. It’s nice to see.”
So different than what she and Justin were used to with their father.
Dee patted her on the shoulder to reassure her. Gillian still didn’t trust their kindness or generosity. Those two things had been missing from her life for too long.
Reading her mind, Dee said, “We’ll never stop being nice to you and Justin. We do it because we love you. No strings attached, sweetheart. Give yourself permission to accept it.”
“I’ll try. I really will.”
“Justin is young. He’ll find his place here and at school with ease. You’ll find your place, too. Just give it time. In the meanwhile, give yourself a chance to heal. Don’t rush things. When you’re better, and you’ve had time to think about what you want to do with your life now that you have help and a home, we’ll talk.”
Gillian had never found her place, or dared to dream about what she’d like to do with her life beyond taking care of Justin. He needed to be here and deserved this chance to have a good and happy life. She would make sure he got it. As for herself, she couldn’t hope for more than Justin’s happiness.
She didn’t dare think she could have some happiness of her own after she’d been denied so long. Could she? Now that they had a home, family who seemed to care, maybe some of those things she’d never allowed herself to think about could be a reality. College? A job she liked, rather than just something she did to earn money? There were so many choices open to her now that they overwhelmed her.
Blake popped into her mind, along with the crack in the door to her dreams in her heart. She couldn’t seem to keep it shut around him. Damn if hope didn’t shine a light on them again.
Chapter 12
Blake enjoyed spending time with Justin. Reminded him of playing and hanging out with his brothers when they were kids. Justin’s enthusiasm sparked his own. Quiet in the stables this time of the morning, many of the horses were out being exercised or put through their paces in the training rings and on the track. Several stable hands worked in the empty stalls, cleaning them out, but otherwise Blake, Dee, Bud, and Justin had the stable and several horses to themselves.
“I want to give her another piece.”
“Last one. This beauty is going to be a mama in a week or so. When she decides it’s time to have her baby, maybe you can come and see him or her.”
“Is that why she’s so fat?” Justin took the slice of apple, held it in his flat palm, and offered it to Honey. She carefully plucked the treat from him, making him giggle when her fuzzy lips brushed against his hand. He wiped his hand on his jeans, a huge smile on his face.
“Don’t listen to him, Honey. You’re beautiful.” He looked down at Justin. “She’s not fat, she’s full of horse.”
Justin laughed, and every time he did, Blake became more and more attached to the kid.
“Justin, come see.” The stall door stood open. Inside, Bud held a foal, his hands light on the animal’s neck and back. The foal’s mother waited patiently outside the outer door for her baby to be returned.
“Oh, my God, he’s so little compared to the others.”
“She’s about two weeks old. She’s going to be a champion. Her name’s Dancer’s Grace. We call her Grace. Her father was Dancer, and he was a champion racehorse. This little girl is going to run like the wind. Just like her father.”
Justin pet her like Blake showed him, starting at the top of her neck and brushing his hand down over her back. “She’s soft.”
Blake watched from the stall door. Justin had adjusted to being here at the ranch with little fuss. Sure, his past haunted him while he slept, but while he was awake, he was a normal little boy. He seemed comfortable with them. Blake wished it came that easy for Gillian. Justin was young and resilient. Gillian had spent her whole life living with her guard up. He wished he knew how to get her to shut down her defenses.