Page 62 of Gideon's Gratitude

We donned our hoods and exited the SUV.

I opened the back door, clipped on Lucky’s leash, and coaxed the dog down.

Despite being a water dog, he was never thrilled about the rain. Long walks? Sure. Pouring rain? Not so much.

Dog’s smarter than I am.

We sprinted to the door as it opened and a woman beckoned us inside.

Lucky made it through first and promptly shook. Water sprayed everywhere.

My heart sank.

The woman with long, black hair dropped to a crouch and met Lucky’s gaze. “Aren’t you a special dog? I have a towel. May I give you a rubdown?”

Apparently she used all the right words, because he slathered her cheek.

She rose and pointed to a coat tree. “You gentlemen can hang up your coats.”

“Are you Kennedy?” I wasn’t sure this was the right foot to step in on.

The woman grinned. “No, I keep the dogs in line.” She held out her hand. “Name’s Rainbow.”

I shook her hand, noting both the calluses and the warmth.

“I’m Gideon. This is my friend, Archer. I hope it’s okay he came with me.”

Light-blue eyes shone. “We always welcome everyone.”

Archer shook her hand. “I’m going to stay in the waiting room, if that’s all right.”

She pointed over her shoulder to a cozy room with a fireplace and several plush couches. Nodding at his messenger bag, she offered, “Or I can find you an office. Or you can sit in the kitchen. I’m baking bread.”

I rubbed my temple. “Is this someone’s home?”

Rainbow waved her hand in a so-so gesture. “I live here with my sister, and I run the day-to-day operations of the ranch. Kind of a vocation, you know? I do all the chores, take care of the horses, keep an eye on the therapy dog, and occasionally run clients in and out of town when needed. Not everyone has a car, and obviously the buses don’t run up here.”

“You sound busy.” Archer looked around. “The place is homey.”

“Well, then, you’ll have to join me in the kitchen. We can chat or you can just work, whatever suits your fancy. We’re as much about the silence as about the conversation.”

“Gideon?”

We pivoted to find a striking-looking woman exiting an office.

Whomever I expected, this tall woman wasn’t her. Her chestnut-brown hair fell in soft curls down her back. And those eyes. Dark-brown and super intense. And attractive. Objectively, this woman was stunning. Her features were delicate, with an upturnednose, sharp cheekbones, and lips that would make most women jealous.

I'd learned, though, not to base my opinion on first impressions. Some of the roughest and objectively ugliest people I’d met had the biggest hearts. And some, like Archer, were attractiveandhad a big heart.

Said man nudged me forward.

“Yes, I’m Gideon.”

Before I could do anything else, Lucky barreled over to the woman, rubbing his wet fur against her jeans-clad thighs.

“Lucky.” Part admonishment, part exasperation. Par for the course.

Kennedy offered a beaming smile. “Oh, Lucky, is it?”

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