Her Small-Town Cowboy Read Online Free

farm?”
    “No, that’s okay,” Mike said quietly. Giving the boy an understanding look, he asked, “Did your father pass away?”
    “Last year.” Tears welled in his already large brown eyes, making them look even bigger. “I started baseball this year, and he’ll never get to see me play.”
    Lily’s heart lurched in sympathy, but she kept quiet. Mike had connected with this child in a way she could never manage, so she thought it best to let him handle the sensitive moment.
    “What’s your name, son?” he asked gently.
    “Peter.”
    “Well, Peter, I know it’s tough to lose your father, but you have to do your best to make him proud, even though he’s not here to see it.”
    “How?”
    “Do what you think he’d want you to, even if you’d rather be doing something else. Take good care of your mom ’cause she’s missing him, too. Do you have brothers and sisters?”
    “Two little sisters.” Peter made a face. “They’re such a pain.”
    Mike chuckled. “I hear you, but you’re the oldest, so you’ve gotta watch out for them. When things get hard, families have to stick together.”
    “That’s what Mom says.”
    “She’s right. Even when you think she’s not,” he added with a wink. The boy laughed and nodded, then sank back into his spot with a satisfied look.
    Mike fielded several more questions, and when the kids seemed to be getting restless, Lily decided it was time to let him go.
    Standing, she moved in behind him. “I’m sure we all want to thank Mr. Kinley for coming in today.” After a rousing chorus of appreciation, she held up her hands for quiet. “You have some seat work to do before our next visitor gets here. Please pick up where you left off on Friday.”
    They complied with only minimal grumbling, and she motioned Mike toward the door. He looked relieved to leave the inquisitive circle behind him.
    “Man,” he began in a hushed voice, “some of those kids are smarter than me.”
    “I feel awful that Peter brought up your father that way.”
    “It’s not your fault.” Gazing over at his daughter, he went on. “Dad died three years ago in a car accident, and it was big news around here. Abby doesn’t really remember him, but she’s heard us talk about him. I’m sure she’s told her friends all the stories by now.”
    The misery clouding his eyes told Lily he was putting up a brave front to hide the sorrow he still felt over losing his dad. She adored her own father, and she couldn’t begin to imagine how painful it would be to have him jerked out of her life that way. “I’m very sorry for your family’s loss.”
    “Thanks.”
    The brusque response told her it was time to let the matter drop, so she moved on. “How are Penny and Ginger doing?”
    “Just fine. And you? How was the rest of your sister’s reception?”
    Lily thought it was sweet of him to ask how that endless afternoon had affected her, even though she hadn’t been the bride. Judging by the way his eyes were fixed on her, his concern was genuine, and she smiled. “It won’t go in my favorite-memories list, but I made it through in one piece. I have to admit, I was kind of stunned to see you here this morning.”
    “I can relate to that,” he admitted with a chuckle. “When Abby said her new teacher would be here, I had no clue it’d be you. You said you were from Louisville, so I figured that’s where your school was.”
    “And I had no idea Gallimore Stables was here in Oaks Crossing.”
    “Yeah,” he responded with a sigh. “That’s a real problem for us. We’re working on it, though.”
    “Really?” Leaning back against her desk, she eyed him with a new sense of respect. Apparently, the gruff carriage driver had more going for him than his rugged good looks. “How?”
    “Dad trained Thoroughbreds for racing, and he was one of the best.” Mike paused, and the pride gleaming in his eyes told her just how much he still admired his father. “Obviously, with him gone,