Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher Page A

Instead he stormed off toward the barn.
    Blake appeared to be hiding a smile as he relaxed his grip on Sam’s arms. He sent a questioning gaze toward his boss. Chet nodded, silently telling him he could go. Without comment, Blake returned to whatever he’d been doing before the fight broke out.
    Chet focused his attention on his eldest son. “Is that true? Did you ask Tara out just to hurt your brother?”
    “ No . I thought I was doing her a favor. She’s new at school and doesn’t seem to have many friends yet.” He touched hislip again, then checked his fingertips for blood, his brows knitted together in a deep frown. “I figured she’d want to go to the prom. And like I said, it isn’t like she’s Pete’s girlfriend. They aren’t going out or anything. He’s never told her he likes her. He’s too chicken for that.”
    Chet had worried Pete might get his heart broken by Tara, this being his first serious crush, but he hadn’t figured on Sam being the reason. The brothers had squabbled before for many different reasons, but he’d never known them to go at it with fists—and certainly never over a girl. “You need to make it right with your brother, Sam.”
    “How? Do I tell Tara I can’t take her to the prom ’cause Pete’s jealous?”
    “No, that wouldn’t be fair to her. Not if she already accepted.”
    “She did.”
    Chet rubbed his chin, hoping for an idea. Nothing came to him. “I don’t know how you’ll make it up to him,” he answered at last. “But you’d better find a way.”
    “I’ll do what I can. Just don’t expect a miracle.” Sam grabbed his backpack off the ground and walked toward the house, slipping past Anna who had come outside sometime during the commotion. Chet followed a few moments later.
    “What was that about?” Anna asked when he reached her.
    “A girl.”
    Anna looked toward the barn. “Tara?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Oh, dear.”
    Her words added an extra weight to his shoulders. “Yeah.”
    W HEN K IMBERLY WALKED THROUGH THE BACK DOOR into Janet’s kitchen, Tara was waiting for her. The girl’s eyes were brilliant with excitement.
    “Mom, I got asked to the prom. It’s next weekend. I’ve gotta have a dress.” The words tumbled out of her with nary a breath. “Can we go find a dress tomorrow? Please, Mom. Please.”
    “The prom?” Her daughter hadn’t mentioned a prom before now. Tara had never shown any interest in school dances or fancy dresses. It had always been horses, horses, horses. “Who invited you?”
    “Sam Leonard.”
    Kimberly relaxed slightly as she set her purse on the small table near the door. Sam seemed a nice boy, and he came from a good family. That offered some relief. But a prom dress was another matter entirely. How could they afford one?
    Janet appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Mind if I butt in? Couldn’t help but overhear.”
    Kimberly shook her head, then nodded, desperate for any help that might be offered.
    “There’s a secondhand store in Boise that specializes in formal gowns for teens at reasonable prices. The dresses are as good as new but at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the department or specialty stores. Why don’t you two drive down tomorrow and see what you can find? Make a day of it.”
    Money for gas. Money for a dress. Could she manage it? Of course she could. She’d have to manage it. A girl’s first prom was an important milestone, and Tara deserved to go to it. She’d done without so much since her father passed away.
    Kimberly forced away any remaining negative thoughts,the kind that came to her all too easily. “All right.” She smiled. “Let’s do it. A girls’ day out. Just you and me. It’ll be fun.”
    “I’ll have to call Ms. McKenna and tell her I can’t be there tomorrow.”
    “Oh, dear. I’d forgotten that.” Kimberly frowned in thought. “Maybe I could volunteer to go with you on Sunday afternoon or one evening next week so that Ms. McKenna has double the help. We