A Dad for Her Twins by Lois Richer

control, Abby stepped away and swiped the back of her hands across her cheeks. She ignored the immediate sense of loss that washed over her.
    â€œSorry. That doesn’t happen as often now, but—”
    â€œSometimes his loss still catches you unprepared.” She was surprised by Cade’s nod of understanding. “I miss him a lot, too,” he said quietly. “He was my best friend.” After a moment he drew her nearer to the colt that now stood on wobbly legs beside his mother. “Recitation has produced our best colts for years. She’s an amazing horse.”
    The tone of his voice, the way his eyes glowed, the fierce pride in his words made Abby study his face more closely.
    â€œYou really love all this—” She waved a hand. “Ranching, I mean. The land, the animals—all of it. This is where you belong.”
    â€œDo I?” Cade twisted his head to stare at her, his expression altering into the familiar mask that hid his emotions better than a shield.
    â€œI think so. I can see it in the way you relate to the animals.” Cade’s lips tightened and his body stiffened slightly but Abby continued to speak, certain she was right. “I don’t know much about ranching,” she admitted, “but I don’t need to in order to see how you feel about Recitation and the others. They’re part of you. This place is part of you. No wonder you’re working so hard to keep this legacy of your father’s going.”
    He blinked, his eyes glowing with intensity as they studied her. His lips parted as if he would speak but then he clamped them together, cutting off whatever he’d been about to say.
    A sadness washed through Abby. For a moment she had felt so close to him, hoped he might open up to her, let her see what was beneath the brooding anger he kept so tightly bound, as Max never had. But then Cade’s shields went up. He shut her out and she didn’t know why.
    With a sigh she turned her focus on Recitation and her foal.
    â€œThe Creator made us just as He made this colt. He knows everything about us. It reminds me of that passage in Luke where Jesus is talking about our daily needs and He says not to worry about getting what we need because God knows exactly what we need and that He will always provide.”
    Cade’s whole body jerked.
    â€œI wish He would,” Cade muttered as he turned away. He checked the feed bag and water trough, then motioned for them to leave Recitation’s stall. Abby followed pensively.
    â€œWhat makes you think He hasn’t?” she asked when they were standing outside the stall. “You live on this amazing place, which you share with your father. Your animals are reproducing. Mrs. Swanson says your beef is in high demand. Your life seems on track here.”
    â€œMaybe it looks that way,” he said brusquely.
    â€œYour life isn’t on track?” she asked curiously. “Why? What do you need?”
    â€œMaybe a way to make my father better.” Cade turned on her, his blue eyes shooting sparks. “Or maybe a way to get him to look at me as his son instead of the dumb hired hand who can’t take two steps without fighting for some respect.” He clamped his lips together.
    The pain underlying those words helped Abby understand. Cade wanted what his father gave so freely to Ivor; he wanted to be appreciated, loved.
    â€œThis might sound counterintuitive to you, Cade,” she said, wishing she knew how to heal his hurting heart. “But I don’t think your father argues with you because of who you are or because of anything you’ve done.”
    He lifted one eyebrow in a question, waiting for her to continue.
    â€œI think Ed fights with you because he’s angry at himself, at what he can’t do and feels he should. I think he feels he’s putting all the load of running this place on you.” Abby shifted, a little unnerved by her