“Hi, David, you came back. I’m so glad to see you again. Want to do a high five?” Ashley asked.

The boy’s face turned into one big smile as he high fived with Ashley. Adam couldn’t believe the change in him.

“David likes Devil the best. He has real taste,” Ashley said, her arm hanging loosely around David’s shoulders.

“Greybird can beat Devil any day of the week. You guys are wrong,” Adam teased back.

David moved clear of Ashley’s arm. “Devil is better. Don’t tell Ashley she’s wrong. She knows more than you do.”

Ashley patted David on the hand. “You tell him, David. We are Devil’s champions.”

Adam wasn’t sure whether to leave them to it or to stay. It didn’t seem like David had warmed to him.

“David, why don’t you go over and pick out an apple for Devil and then we’ll go visit him together. I just want a quick word with Adam, okay?”

David ran toward the tray of apples they had left out for the children.

“David takes a long time to trust people. He doesn’t like being touched or stared at, either. He is also very direct as you have seen. But he is amazing with animals. Come watch us.”

“I thought David might prefer to be alone with you.”

“No, he won’t mind. David trusts me. It took about a year of him visiting here for that to happen. Just don’t push him to like you. He’s usually a good judge of character.”

Adam watched her walk back to where David was waiting patiently. What was that supposed to mean? He wasn’t sure he wanted to find out. The last time his character had been judged, he’d been found lacking.

He felt a tugging at his hand. Looking down, he saw it was the girl who reminded him of Skye.

“Hello there, princess. What’s your name?”

“Gracie. Can you take me to see a horse? I am a little scared but you look brave.”

“Sure I can, Gracie. Let’s go find Greybird, she is lovely.”

“Is she your friend?”

“Yes. She will be your friend, too.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Gracie’s trusting look, combined with her putting her hand in his, nearly undid him. She was so vulnerable and trusting. Just like Skye who couldn’t see the bad in anyone. He missed his goddaughter so much at that moment, he wanted to get the first plane back to Dublin and hug her close. But that wasn’t possible. The investigation against Camilla and the drug ring had to be resolved first.

It was a fabulous day. Gracie sat on Greybird’s back as Adam led the horse around the grass lawns. He was astonished at just how patient Greybird was with the small girl who wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck and kept kissing her. At the end of the day, he reluctantly told her it was time to go, leading her back to the bus. David was standing as if waiting to get on the bus but there was no line.

“You alright, David?”

“Can I come see you again?” he asked.

Adam choked back the lump in his throat. “I will see what I can do, okay? It was lovely meeting you, David.” Adam didn’t want to promise stuff he couldn’t make happen.

“They love the horses. The animals accept them for who they are. They don’t see anything us humans see. Too bad some humans can’t be more like animals,” Ashley said as they watched the kids board the bus.

“I know.” He couldn’t get his brain to work. She smelled so good.

“You have experience with children. It shows in the way you deal with them.”

“My goddaughter was born with Down Syndrome. She’s five now. She’s had a number of operations for heart issues. Skye is such a sweet, natural little person. Too trusting, though. Her mam, Deirdre, can be overprotective. But she’s trying to give Skye some independence. Well, as much as any five-year-old gets.”

“Sounds like she’s a good parent. Gracie’s parents weren’t able to handle her diagnosis. She lives at the children’s home full-time. Coming here is a highlight of her week.” She sighed.

“What?”

“I feel so bad for Gracie. If I had money or was more secure financially, I would adopt her in a heartbeat. She is a special little girl. I would love to her mom.”

“She sure is. Have you known her long?”

Ashley nodded. “She’s been coming for about two years. It used to be available every day but then the boss found out it was more profitable to take in guests of the government like the addicts than help the children. I started working here because of the children. Now I can’t afford to leave. I guess I should be thankful we managed to convince him to let them come on Saturdays. It’s good PR for the ranch.”

He wanted to give her a hug or something, but it wouldn’t be appropriate. But he had to keep the conversation going. He liked being around her.

“But don’t they think it’s dangerous?” he asked.

“With the horses?”

“No, I meant the guests. I mean these guys aren’t law abiding citizens. Should they be around children?”

“These guys? You mean you as well, right?”

He shrugged wishing he could tell her the truth. But in her eyes, he was the same as Rob, Charlie, and the others.

“The city runs background checks on all our guests. Any that have any issues making them dangerous to children are sent elsewhere.”

“Only the good guys come here?” As soon as he said that, he wanted to take the words back. The cold look was back on her face, her eyes pinning him with a glacial freeze. “Sorry, that was just a joke. I meant—”

“I best get back. Loretta needs help in the kitchen.”

He kicked the dirt as frustration overcame him. Every time he thought he was getting close to her, he messed it up. Every single time.