Hers for the Summer by Jill Kemerer

Author:Jill Kemerer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-11-25T21:27:39+00:00

* * *

Thank the good Lord for family. Ryder helped Ivy fasten her safety helmet, while Mason checked Harper’s. It was a few minutes before noon. The horses were saddled and ready for the girls. What a perfect day. Blue skies. Nice breeze. The sun heated his bare arms, and every now and then he’d check over his shoulder to see if Eden and her parents had arrived. He wouldn’t mind picking Bill’s brain about the ranch, and he always felt accepted by Joanna.

But what if Bill was like Granddad, though? Impossible to please. Would the man think Ryder wasn’t doing a good job?

“It’s too tight, Daddy.” Ivy looked nervous. “Can I play with Cutie instead?”

“I thought you liked riding Nugget last week.” He hoisted her into his arms so their faces were level. She curled her body into his chest.

“I did, but...”

“Hey there, Skeeter.” Eden’s father marched over to Harper with a big grin. Ryder must have missed their truck pull up. He instantly searched for Eden. Didn’t see her. Had she stayed home? He hoped not.

“I’m Harper. Not Skeeter.” She wore her most serious face.

Bill tweaked a lock of hair poking out from under her helmet. “Harper, you say? I thought you were Skeeter. Next you’ll be telling me that girl in your daddy’s arms isn’t Catfish.”

Harper broke into a loud giggle. “No, silly, that’s Ivy.”

“Ivy?” Bill scratched his chin. “I don’t think so. Looks like Catfish to me.”

“Grandpa!” Noah raced to Bill, and Bill caught him up in his arms.

“Spurs!” Bill kissed Noah’s cheek. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Ivy wriggled for Ryder to set her down, and he obliged. She ran to Harper and they looked up at Bill. “That’s not Spurs. That’s Noah.”

Noah hugged Bill’s neck, and the man let out a throaty laugh. Joanna came up next to Bill and held out her arms to the twins.

“Look at you two. You’ve gotten so tall and pretty.” Joanna pointed to Ivy. “Let me guess. You’re Ivy, right?” Ivy nodded. Joanna turned to Harper. “And Harper. I’d know you any day.”

The girls exchanged pleased glances. Ryder had to give it to Eden’s mom—she could tell the girls apart better than most people, and she’d been around them on only a handful of occasions.

“And how is my Noah?” Joanna asked. Bill set Noah down.

“I’m great! Daddy’s teaching Harper and Ivy how to ride horses, and I’m helping.” He lifted his chin proudly. “They’re my cousins.”

“I know, isn’t it wonderful?”

“Did you bring the camper? Does it still have a special bed for me? Did you buy popsicles?” Noah asked. “I want to go in it.”

“My, my.” Joanna laughed. “You have a lot of questions. The RV is at the campground. Grandpa drove his truck.”

Noah’s face fell, then he asked, “Where’s Auntie Eden?”

“She’s putting the potato salad in the fridge. She’ll be right out.”

Joanna hugged Ryder. “We’re thankful you’re taking such good care of the place.” She patted his cheek, and the maternal gesture filled a longing he’d pushed away years ago.

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