Chapter Four

      “I’m going to soak up a few rays while you create your masterpieces. I’ll be sitting out here if you need me.” Nash slid open the patio door while Amy and Ruby dipped paintbrushes into a cup of water. Once he closed the door and sat in a wrought iron chair, he glanced through the glass at Ruby. Her paintbrush was raised and her eyes locked on him. He waved. She didn’t wave back, just resumed sloshing her paintbrush on the paper. A good sign.

      The cool wind whooshed under his collar. He welcomed it. Being cooped up indoors had never been his style, and hovering in the kitchen for the previous hour, trying not to notice Amy, had ramped up his nerves. He was still attracted to her. Maybe even more than before. When they’d dated, he’d been young and brash and out to prove something, and now...well, he had nothing left to prove. He’d thought being the best bull rider in the world would wipe away his childhood, make him feel like somebody. But rather than giving him an identity, all those championships had merely hammered home the fact he was alone. No loved one to celebrate with. No wife to shower with his financial blessings. As a result, he’d taken more and more risks. And grown hollow inside.

      Having Amy around reminded him of the emptiness all too well.

      He’d forgotten her rich laugh, the way she always smelled like she’d just baked cookies, the sweet way she had with people. Her patience with Ruby had nearly choked him up earlier. He hadn’t realized how overwhelmed he’d felt since finding out Ruby existed. Only two days had passed since Amy had agreed to mentor Ruby. Once the painting session ended, they would talk to Ruby about Amy’s role in her life. They’d keep it simple.

      Although every cell in his body wanted to stand, to pace, to do something, he forced himself to sit there for Ruby’s sake. He’d remain where she could see him. Didn’t want her thinking he’d abandoned her or something. Amy’s insight about Ruby being afraid he’d leave made sense. Growing up, how many times had he felt the same?

      But sitting still was hard. He longed to check the stalls in the horse barn again. Nothing but the best for his horses. They’d be arriving tomorrow. Most of them were retired rodeo horses he’d purchased over the years from washed-up cowboys no longer able to support noncompeting animals. Nash had been paying Wade to pasture them. In a way, Wade had pastured him, too. For the past decade, one of Wade’s empty guest cottages had been where Nash crashed when not touring. Wade owned a lot of prime land in Wyoming and oversaw a lucrative horse breeding business as well as a cow-calf operation. Wade’s employees took good care of Nash’s horses, and he never worried about them, knowing they were living the good life.

      Yesterday he’d organized the tack room, supervised the hay delivery and checked the pasture and fences with Ruby by his side. She liked the outdoors. Acted more like a normal kid outside than in. He’d been the same way.

      The sliding door opened, and Amy poked her head out. “We’re done. Come and see Ruby’s picture.”

      He pushed himself to stand, wincing as his hips adjusted. His injuries had all healed, but most days his body felt like it belonged to an older person, not to a man in his prime.

      “Let’s see what you made, RuRu.” He stopped behind her chair, and she looked over her shoulder at him, hope and fear in her expression. He recognized it well. As a kid, he’d never known when his mother would scream at him for no reason. Living with her had been tumultuous in every way. That’s why he’d been so grateful for Hank, the man who’d introduced him to bull riding. As a kid, Nash had spent his summers traveling to rodeos with the cowboy who’d briefly dated his mother.

      “It’s a bunny,” she whispered as her slender shoulders slumped. He frowned. Did she think he’d make fun of her or something?

      “I love how you made the bunny blue and purple.” He knelt beside her, kissing her forehead. “You did a bee-yoo-tiful job.”

      Her shining eyes met his, and she wrapped her arms around his neck so tightly he almost choked.