Wyoming Sweethearts by Jillian Hart Page A

running feet. Julianna charged around the corner like a cute, purple butterfly. “You gotta come see! I have Dusty’s stall real nice for her. And she just got a bath, and guess what?”
    “My, you have been busy while I’ve been gone.” She brightened at the girl’s approach.
    He winced. Eloise had said “I” instead of “we.”
    “Rocco and Dr. Nate gave her a bath and she’s a palomino! She’s gold with a white mane, just like I wanted.” Julianna’s hand crept into Eloise’s and clung tight. “Doyou think she’s the horse I prayed for? I love her so much.”
    “So I see.” She gazed down at the child with gentleness.
    What he saw on her face blew him away. He leaned against Licorice for support. She would make such a good mom. He had never had a thought like that about a woman. Not even Meryl, whom he’d planned to marry. It was strange how he would see Eloise as a mother, kind and patient and always smiling. He gulped, afraid to guess where this line of thought might take him.
    “Sean? Are you all right, boy?” Uncle Frank strolled into sight, dapper in a new T-shirt and jeans as if he were ready for a date with Cady. “You’re lookin’ a mite pale.”
    “I’m fine. It’s nothing.” He glanced around, surprised they weren’t alone. Aside from Julianna and Frank, there were a handful of other people in the aisle tending to the stabled horses. He spotted a couple of wall rings and drew a rein through one of them. “What’s going on here?”
    “It’s Friday evening. I came by to pick up Cady for dinner and look at what I found.” Frank was sharp-eyed. He didn’t miss much. Along with the knowing grin was a look of understanding. “I thought I could lend a hand.”
    “Yeah. Me, too.” Lending a hand, that sounded like as good a reason as any to be here. As long as he didn’t have to admit to the truth. Eloise caught his attention as she followed Julianna through an open stall gate and closed it behind her. The palomino nickered gently and lowered her nose for the girl to pat. The mare closed her eyes, looking mighty glad to have attention.
    Sean swallowed hard. Maybe his feelings had beenstirred up by coming across this kind of neglect; they had overwhelmed him. Perhaps that’s all his new, tender feelings were toward Eloise. That meant their near-kiss was nothing more serious and neither was his glimpse of Eloise as a future mom. Wouldn’t that be a relief?
    “How did the horses ride?” A woman’s voice drew him out of his thoughts.
    The horses? He shook his head, realizing Cady was asking about the trip to and from town. He looped another rein through a ring and loosely tied it. “Good. I think Licorice is going to do just fine for you. Hershey might have a hard time adjusting to different riders. Maybe at first, maybe not. I can work with him if you’d like.”
    “Yes. Absolutely.” Cady had a serene gentleness about her that made her likeable and a good match for Uncle Frank. “I would pay you.”
    “Not necessary.” As if he would accept her money. If she could take in animals in need without complaint of the vet bills it might cost her, he could offer his time to help.
    “Then perhaps you would accept goodies from the kitchen now and then.” She strolled up in her designer boots to offer Hershey a hunk of carrot. “After all, you have to keep your strength up.”
    “I wouldn’t argue that.” Especially since everything that came out of the restaurant’s kitchen was fantastic. He untied the sack of molasses treats from the back of the saddle and caught sight of Eloise in the stall with Julianna.
    The rush of tenderness he’d felt at the street fair when he’d been a fraction away from capturing her lips with his hit him full force. He felt as if caramel were melting in the middle of his chest. It was friendship, that wasall. It couldn’t possibly be anything more. From here on out, he wouldn’t let it be.
    He hefted the feed bag on one shoulder and grabbed