A Cowboy's Touch Read Online Free Page A

two days, God?

4
    A bigail was on her third set of squats when she heard the noise outside Aunt Lucy’s cottage. She walked to the door and peeked out the half-moon window to see Maddy dismounting a brown horse as easily as Abigail could dismount a bike. The horse neighed, tossing its white-streaked nose. Its hooves danced in the grass, dangerously close to Aunt Lucy’s fake spring blooms. Oh well. Not like she couldn’t just stick them back in the ground.
    Abigail opened the door. “Hi, Maddy.”
    The girl looped the reins around the porch post. Her sloppy ponytail looked like it had been slept in, and dirt smudged her too-short jeans.
    “Want a soda? Aunt Lucy’s taking her Sunday afternoon nap, so we’ll have to keep it down.”
    “Sure.”
    Abigail let her in, wondering if it was normal around here to let an eleven-year-old girl ride all over creation on a big horse. What if she fell and hit her head or broke her leg?
    “Have a seat. You might have to move a couple dolls. Pepsi okay?”
    “Sure.”
    Abigail went to the kitchen for the soda and a glass of water. She’d been thinking about Maddy’s bike in church. Okay, so she should’ve been listening, but at least she’d gone. That’s more than she’d done in a long time.
    “That your horse out there?” Abigail handed Maddy the can.
    “His name’s Destiny.”
    Ah . . . Destiny . “I like that.”
    “Dad got him for me when we moved here.”
    “His hair’s the same color as yours. Do you take care of him? I’ve heard horses are a lot of work.”
    The pop of her soda tab sounded loud in the little cabin. Maddy sipped from the can. “I like taking care of him. When school’s out I can ride him all the time.”
    “Doesn’t your dad worry?”
    She made a face. “I have a nanny in the summer.”
    “But he knows you’re riding today?”
    “He’s helping the O’Neils today—they’re our neighbors. But Miss Greta knows I’m here.”
    “Your housekeeper, right?”
    “Yeah.” She pointed to the thin mat on the floor. “What’s that?”
    “My exercise mat. I was working out when you got here.”
    “Why don’t you just take a walk?” The confused crease between her brows made Abigail laugh.
    “Good point. Guess I’m just used to doing it the city way. Plus I’d probably get lost.”
    “You could go with me and Destiny if you want. I don’t have to be home for forty-five minutes.”
    “It would give us a chance to talk about your bike.” And maybe it wasn’t a bad idea to stay with the girl awhile. At least Abigail would know she was safe.
    “I was hoping you’d say that.”
    After changing into a pair of jeans and a clean T-shirt, Abigail joined Maddy outside where she was stroking Destiny’s nose.
    Abigail reached out to touch the mane, wondering at the texture, but drew back at the last moment, suddenly aware of the horse’s size. “Will he mind?”
    Maddy shook her head. “Most horses like people. You just have to be careful not to sneak up on them. That might earn you a good, hard kick.”
    “Duly noted.” Abigail touched the mahogany mane tenuously at first, then ran her fingers through the coarse hair. The horse tossed his head, and Abigail jumped back.
    Maddy laughed. “You really are a city girl.”
    “I’ve never even seen a horse up close.”
    Maddy untied the horse and they started off, Maddy leading Destiny. “I can teach you to ride sometime if you want.”
    “I’ll think about it.” The cool air felt good on Abigail’s heated skin, and her leg muscles were shaky from the intense workout. “Was your dad upset about your bike?”
    “Naw, he doesn’t get upset much. I told him you’d help me find it . . .”
    Abigail noted the uncertainty in her tone. “You bet I will. In fact, I was thinking about it this morning. Why would someone in a town this size steal that bike? Only a girl would want a pink bike with a white basket. If the thief intended to use it, you’d be bound to see it at some point,