Lost and Found Family by Leigh Riker

Author:Leigh Riker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-04-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHRISTIAN DIDN’T KNOW how much longer they could stay at his parents’ house. How much more Emma could stand of clashing with his mother or keeping Bob outside in the kennel.

She was constantly making excuses—and any would do—to visit their poor banished dog. In the early evenings Christian tried to take Bob for a long walk on East Brow Road, but tonight wouldn’t be one of them. He had an afternoon run to Atlanta, which meant getting back late. But it hadn’t escaped his notice that his father seemed to make sure he took only the shorter runs, no overnights, so he’d be home to sleep.

Home, if not really at home, with Emma.

With a few hours to kill before the drive, he pulled up in front of Ponies on Parade. Maybe Max needed some help.

“I do,” he said when Christian asked. “Got a new shipment of basswood this morning if you don’t mind helping me. Let’s find somewhere to move it.” He led Christian to the rear of the shop, where the ponies he’d seen in various stages of development had made progress.

“The grandmother’s project looks great,” Christian said. He didn’t fully understand the process, but he had a good eye and it appeared the sanding had been finished. A first coat of russet paint had been applied to the near side.

“How’s Emma doing since the fire?” Max asked. “Her hand better?”

“Mostly,” Christian said. “I’m playing the part of doctor every night. I’m pretty good with the gauze and tape.” He’d also gotten better at expressing the anger he couldn’t seem to hide anymore.

Max’s smile softened. “Be glad you have that doctoring to do. My wife and I...well, in my experience things can go bad pretty fast. Five years ago she’d already been sick for some time but her latest blood work looked better. We were both excited about her health returning and the party we were going to have to mark our tenth anniversary.” Max looked away. “A month later she was gone.”

Christian laid a hand on his shoulder and remembered Emma saying what a young widower Max was. “I’m sorry.”

With a slight shake of his head Max straightened, then headed toward a large stack of wood in the corner. “Come on, let’s get this stuff into the storeroom. Guy who drove the delivery truck just dumped it here and it’s in my way.”

“Sure thing.” Christian followed him, wondering if he should try to say anything more. He never had much luck with Emma, and it wasn’t as if most men were prone to talking about their deepest feelings.

Too bad he couldn’t get away from his.

As Max updated him on the progress he’d made with the ponies, Christian felt something spark inside him again.

“I love the smell of wood shavings here,” he said, “and even the sting I get in my nose from the different paints and solvents.”

Max eyed him for a moment but Christian shook his head.

“No, it’s either I-75 for me right now or an office at Mallory Trucking,” he said.

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