First and Again by Jana Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

that interest.
    It was also obvious she was genuinely interested in his horses. He’d been impressed with the respect and kindness she’d offered his animals, and even more impressed with her lack of fear. He’d seen many people, both men and women, become intimidated by the sheer size of the animals. Once a horse smelled fear it knew it could walk all over the rider, figuratively speaking. Rebecca had spoken to each horse, whispering reassurances and scratching its nose. Even Angel, his own horse and the most temperamental of the lot, had been smitten with the girl. He’d allowed Rebecca to stroke his mane without so much as a single annoyed flick of his tail.
    Jack firmly held Leslie’s hand as he opened the barn door and let each of the horses out of its stall. The horses somehow sensed that Leslie was different and were especially gentle with her, but even so, he was careful not to let her get too close.
    As he watched the horses head out into the pasture, he contrasted Bridget’s daughter with his own. Rebecca was tall and strong with a quick mind and a ready laugh. He had no doubt she was capable of succeeding at anything she set her mind to. Leslie, on the other hand, had a sunny disposition but her health had always been fragile. And he’d had known since her birth that her capabilities were limited.
    He cut off that line of thinking. It wasn’t fair to Leslie to compare her to Rebecca.
    Still, if she hadn’t been born with Down syndrome, if she was normal...
    He took a deep breath and held tightly to her hand. “I’m starved. Let’s go see what Gladys is cooking up for lunch. Are you hungry?”
    “Yes!”
    “Okay, Sunshine. Let’s go.”
    Jack chastised himself all the way back to the house. He knew better. He’d learned a long time ago it did no good to wish for things that could never change.
    * * *
    Bridget washed mugs in the sink behind the bar while her mother poured coffee for their midmorning customers. At this time of day the patrons were generally older retired people, mostly men, who had a lot of time on their hands. They enjoyed getting out and visiting with each other every morning. For some, she suspected, coffee time was the highlight of their day.
    She watched her mother mingling easily with the customers, sharing a laugh here or a bit of gossip there. Mavis really didn’t need the extra work of operating a coffee shop. Since Paradise was situated at the junction of two major highways, the motel kept her very busy, especially in the summer months. The bar was always a popular evening meeting place. Her mother offered coffee in the mornings as a service to the town, a place for these people to go. It was her way of pitching in for the community. Community had always meant a lot to Mavis, almost more than family. She sighed, feeling small and ungrateful.
    The bell on the door tinkled and she looked up to see Celia and Gavin enter. The determined look on her sister’s face told her that something was up. What now? As they marched toward her, she steeled herself for another confrontation.
    Celia spoke without preamble. “Gavin has something to say to you.”
    More surprises. “What did you want to say to me, Gavin?”
    “Not here,” Celia said quietly. She nodded toward the restaurant door. “In there. We don’t need the whole town to hear our conversation.”
    Bridget led the way into the restaurant and closed the door after them. Gavin took off his ball cap, running his hand through his thinning hair. “I believe I inadvertently caused you some embarrassment and I’m very sorry.”
    “You did? How did you embarrass me?”
    He twisted his cap in his hands. “Just before you moved here Celia told me about your break up with Ben and his affair. It really bothered me that he treated you that way. I guess I told Jerry Wilson about it and he told his wife, Tina.”
    Bridget stared at him. “You’re the one who told Tina about Ben’s affair with a younger woman?”
    “Well, not