A Quilt of a Different Color by Arlene Sachitano

Author:Arlene Sachitano [Sachitano, Arlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC022070/FICTION/Mystery & Detective/Cozy; FIC022040 FICTION/Mystery & Detective/Women Sleuths; FIC022120/FICTION/Mystery & Detective/Cozy/Crafts
Publisher: Zumaya Publications LLC
Published: 2021-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

James had the car warmed up when Harriet and Luke came out of the barn.

“I called my mom to see if we could stop by,” he said when they’d gotten in. “She asked if we could stay for early dinner. I told her I thought it would be okay, but I needed to ask you two first and would call her back if it wasn’t.”

“We should stop by and pick up the dogs if we’re going to be gone for several hours,” Harriet said.

James smiled.

“Dad loves the dogs.”

CHAPTER 30

Will was bent over poking at the logs in the living room fireplace when Scooter and Cyrano raced into the house. James’ mother had opened the door, and he kissed her on the cheek as he walked past her on his way in.

The dogs raced in a circle around the coffee table, stopping to tussle with Will each time around.

“Settle down,” James ordered in a stern voice.

His father straightened.

“Oh, let them have a little fun.”

Kathy opened the closet in the entryway.

“Can I take your coats?”

They handed her their outerwear and joined Will at the fire.

“I made some mulled cider,” Kathy announced. “Can I bring everyone a cup?”

“Do you need help?” James asked her.

“Maybe Luke could carry the tray for me.”

Harriet sensed a setup. Whatever James had said to his mom on the phone, she knew her son well enough to know he had ulterior motives; and clearly, she wanted to get it out of the way immediately so as to not spoil the visit.

“Your mother says you wanted to talk to us about something.” Will raised an eyebrow at his son. “Out with it.”

James sighed. “Mom is never wrong. We were just out at the stable watching Luke ride—”

“Ah,” Will interrupted. “He told you about our arrangement concerning the saddle.”

James started to speak, but his dad held a hand up.

“The boy needs a proper saddle. The one they sent with the horse doesn’t fit Major and doesn’t fit Luke. And it’s been modified to hold police equipment. I’ve been on Major, and he’s trained to neck rein; and I think Luke might like to ride Western.”

“You mean because that’s how you ride?”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

Harriet came to the fire, holding her hands out to warm them.

“There’s nothing wrong with Luke learning to ride Western, and I agree—I think he’d be happier riding that style. Look, James and I are trying to figure out this whole parenting thing, and maybe we’re wrong, but we were thinking we should know about any arrangements being made on Luke’s behalf. What if we’d been planning on buying him a Western saddle for graduation?”

Will rubbed a hand across his mouth.

“I hadn’t really thought of that.”

Harriet put her hand on James’s arm to stop the retort she could see forming on his lips.

“It turns out we aren’t, and I think your plan sounds fine. I’m hoping in the future, though, you’ll let us in on your plans when it concerns Luke.”

Will smiled at James.

“This one’s a keeper.

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