A Thousand Little Blessings by Claire Sanders Read Free Book Online

was pinned up, and she wore a blue skirt and matching jacket, but the voice was the same.
    Gabriel moved out of the stable. “I’ve already put Mira into her stall.”
    The woman whirled in obvious surprise. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” She placed her palm on her chest, blew out a breath, and walked slowly toward Gabriel. “I’m Henrietta Davis.”
    Gabriel shook the small hand she offered and gazed into her eyes. They were the color of the Atlantic at sunset, blue with a hint of gray. This was definitely the woman he’d seen praying by the stream, but he would’ve never recognized the Davis’s grown-up daughter. “I’m Gabriel Benson.”
    She smoothed her hair and stepped into the stable. “Thank you so much for coming, Gabriel. I haven’t seen you since I went away to college. That’s been at least six years. Welcome home.”
    How had he missed knowing this lovely young woman? Despite being neighbors, he’d rarely seen her through the years. An occasional glimpse of her at church or while their mothers visited was all he could remember. She’d simply been Catherine Davis’s little girl. Until now.
    “Sorry to hear about your parents,” Gabriel said.
    Etta rubbed her hands on her skirt. “Thank you. Did you find everything you needed in the stable? Our housekeeper’s nephew comes in the mornings to clean the stalls and put the horses out for the day, but they need more than that.” Her features were as delicate as a sparrow’s wing, and her fair complexion a contrast to her dark hair.
    “I’ll enjoy giving your horses some exercise. Has Mr. Davis entered them in any events?”
    “We always participate in the Austin show, but I don’t see how my father can participate this summer. I’ll need to cancel our entry.”
    “That’s probably a good idea. I’m not familiar with the special training they need for participating in show events. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure his Arabians get a good workout.”
    A wide smile lit her pretty face, and her shoulders dropped. “That’s such a relief. I can’t thank you enough.” Etta stepped into the stable, retrieved a lead rope from a nearby peg, and walked outside. “I’ll get Antares.”
    Gabriel nodded and followed her through the gate. She turned to make sure he’d closed it and then walked to the stallion.
    “Why are the horses named after stars?” Gabriel asked.
    She hooked the lead rope to the stallion. “You know the stars?”
    “A bit.”
    “My father loves astronomy. When I was little girl, he taught me all the constellations and showed me how they move through the northern hemisphere.”
    Gabriel retrieved a nearby mare and walked beside Etta toward the stable. “Do you still stargaze?”
    “Almost never. Not lately, anyway.” Etta opened the gate, waited for Gabriel to pass through, and closed it.
    Once inside the stable, Gabriel unhooked the mare and watched her enter the stall labeled Gemma. Then he returned to where Etta had fastened the stallion to a grooming post. She held a currycomb in her hand.
    A tight band of irritation encircled Gabriel’s chest. What was Henrietta doing? Hadn’t he just told her he’d take care of the horses? “I’ll groom him,” Gabriel said in a harsh tone.
    Etta stepped away from the horse. “Oh…sorry. I usually help my father in the evenings. It was just force of habit.” She replaced the comb on a nearby shelf. “I’ll get out of your way.” She wiped her palms on her skirt again and headed toward the stable doors.
    Gabriel let out a sigh of self-disgust. Why did he snap at people who didn’t deserve it? “Henrietta?”
    She stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
    “If you want to groom the horses…I didn’t mean…”
    Etta turned to face Gabriel. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, took a deep breath, and walked toward him. “I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness, Gabriel. I can ask Benito to groom the horses as well as clean their