Page 63 of Shielded Hearts

Willow pushed away from the table and walked over to the refrigerator. Aspen followed, watching her pull out eggs and some meat wrapped in thick white butcher paper.

Over her shoulder, Willow shot her a look. “Grab the big cast iron pan and get it hot for the ham slices.”

“Okay.” Aspen wasn’t the most skilled in the kitchen, but she’d taken a few classes in her time.

As she located the skillet and hefted the heavy object onto the burner, she cast around for more topics of conversation to share with Willow. She asked about the horses and if this was their childhood home.

To her surprise, she learned they’d grown up in Texas but after their father passed away, the siblings couldn’t leave the old homestead fast enough. They’d settled in their second home here in the mountains.

Their talk was nice and provided more insight into who Colt, Willow and the other Malones were. But in the end, she and Willow bonded over fixing the rancher breakfast of fried eggs, slices of ham and stacks of pancakes.

“It must be so nice having your brothers around.” Aspen looked at the spread of platters.

Willow bobbed her head. “It’s nice but a pain in the ass too. Not one man I date passes their inspection.”

“I can imagine that they’d be protective.”

“You don’t have siblings?”

“No. Only child. Dad took off when I was young, and my mom passed away.”

“I’m really sorry to hear that, Aspen.” She gave her a sympathetic look that, to Aspen’s surprise, did not make her want to burst into tears. Instead, it felt like a sisterly hug, even though they didn’t touch.

“I appreciate it, Willow.”

“Our mom has been gone for so many years that I hardly remember her. How did you lose yours?” Willow asked.

“Cancer.”

She made a low noise of sadness and shook her head in sympathy. “That must have been so difficult.”

She eyed Willow. She rarely discussed her own health issues at the time, but she found the words perched on her lips.

“It was harder because I was fighting cancer at the same time.”

Willow whirled, eyes wide. She gasped. “Oh my god. How scary, Aspen.”

“Breast cancer.”

Willow’s gaze dropped to her breasts. For once, she didn’t feel self-conscious about how they looked. She realized that since Colt saw her as a survivor, she felt that burn of pride for all she’d managed to overcome.

“Wow. I mean, you look great!”

She let out a small laugh that eased her into a more comfortable zone with Willow. “I appreciate that.”

Willow stepped between the range and the counter, stacking more pancakes on the platter while Aspen made herself as useful as possible locating maple syrup.

“I’m sure your brothers are glad to have you working so closely with them.”

“I only dabble in the security agency as I’m needed. Oaks started the veteran therapy program after losing a good friend. It’s his brainchild and baby. I guess I do more for the veterans than I even do around the ranch.”

“What do you do to help the vets?”

“I always loved horses, and it made sense to use them to help others too.”

“So you’re in horse therapy.”

“Not officially, but yeah, you could say that. It’s amazing how some of the guys who come here have never even been around a horse, but it becomes a way of life they adopt. Not all people respond to the animals the same way. They each require different ways of healing. Like Colt.” She carried the platter ofpancakes to the table and set it down. “I never could guess what would help Colt heal.” Willow turned to Aspen, a soft, knowing smile on her face. “But he seems to have found it.”

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